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Araucaria angustifolia characterizes mixed Ombrophilous Forests. This Paraná pine tree has been of great economic, cultural and social importance for southern Brazil. Its cutting is restricted, as it is threatened with extinction and the use of its seed has been encouraged. This study highlights scientific research on this conifer by bibliometric analysis and reviews trends in new research on its seed and some of its food applications. The Web of Science© database revealed 620 scientific articles and the bibliometric analysis through VOSviewer showed the worldwide interest in growing. The increase in research in the areas of silviculture, phytoscience and ecology reflects the concern with the preservation of "Matas das Araucárias". Concurrently, research in food science and technology has increased, as pine nut seed can produce starch-rich food flour with low glycemic response and source of dietary fiber and some minerals. Also, along with its husk, provide bioactive compounds with potential application in the special food, active/smart and reinforced packaging and even pharmacological industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the effect of germination on total phenols, antioxidant capacity, trace elements, and thermal behavior of the seeds of Pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan L.) and Chacha and Recline varieties of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Methodology: The evaluation of the total phenols was done using Folin Ciocalteu's spectrophotometric method; the antioxidant capacity through the DPPH y ABTS°+ radicals; the macro and microelements using the spectrophotometric optical emission coupled inductively with plasma method ICP-OES; and the thermic behavior through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results: The germination process influenced the total polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, and macro and microelements in each specie that was studied. For example, for the Recline variety seedlings, the phenol content increased by 57.75% in comparison to the seed. The antioxidant capacity against DPPH and ABTS °+ was greater in the seedlings in the following order: Chaucha variety>Pigeon pea>Recline variety. For the seeds, the macro and micro-element content had the following order: K>Mg>Ca>Na y Fe>Zn>Cu>Cr; for the seedlings, the greatest decrease was in K, Cr and the greatest increase was in Ca and Mn; the Na:K relationship was less than one. Finally, the thermic behavior, in reference to the gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) was greater for the seed than the seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The adequate balance of nutrients and their relationship with the crop allows sustainable management of the edaphic resource, this allows the availability of nutrients in the soil and is conditioned by the concentration, fixation and losses in the system. Knowledge gap: In the municipality of Zona Bananera, the concentration of nutrients in the soil and their possible relationships with fertility have not been identified, which is of vital importance for their efficient management and for sustaining the productivity of the territory. Purpose: Therefore, the objective was to analyze the pH and the concentration of macroelements and microelements, and their relationship with oxidizable carbon (Cox), total nitrogen (Nt), and organic matter (OM) contents in soils of the municipality of Zona Bananera, in the department of Magdalena, Colombia. Methodology: In 2020, by simple random sampling of 25 points at two depths (0-10 and 10-20 cm), the concentration of nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B and S) and their relationship with Nt, OM and Cox were determined, followed by the prioritization of alternatives for sustainable management using a multi-criteria matrix with a multidisciplinary approach. Results and conclusions: Cultivated soils showed high contents of OM and N, with a significant correlation with the variables measured, confirming that Cox and OM content affect the fluctuation of N and other nutrients, so the monitoring of this element is essential for the sustainability of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect related to the administration of a supplement with Selenium and / or Zinc, on fertility, prolificacy and meat production in Australian Merino Ewes grazing natural basalt field, in the Northern Region of Uruguay was studied. Four lots of sheep were designated for each trail test: 1.- Injectable selenium (Se), 2.- Zinc (Zn) intraruminal bolus of zinc oxide, 3.- Selenium-Zinc (Se-Zn), and Controlled group (C). Twentyone days pre-coverage was supplemented and, 21 days prepartum, subgroups wereformed, feeding a subgroup with 5mg of sodium selenite per animal. The pre-coverage supplemented groups showed a significant difference in fertility over group C. Lots 1.-and 3.- presented the highest percentage of deliveries compared to lots 2.- and C (p<0.05). The average weight of the lambs at birth and weaning showed no difference between the groups. At weaning, the pre-delivery supplemented, subgroup with Zn treatment presented a higher total meat production (p <0.05). The values of Se and Zn in blood prior to administration of the supplement were low, after which they reached normal values, remaining for 45 days on Se and 70 days on Zn. In conclusion, the administration of Se and / or Zn in Merino Ewes had a positive effect on fertility, the percentage of weaned lambs and meat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El selenio (Se) es un componente indispensable dentro de los sistemas antioxidantes del organismo animal, lo que permite su correcto mantenimiento y desarrollo. Por este motivo, su deficiencia se encuentra relacionada con una serie de trastornos oxidativos, que se traducen en una mala salud, reproducción y rendimiento productivo en general. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el balance metabólico nutricional de Se, a través de la medición de las concentraciones sanguíneas del mineral en un establecimiento rural ubicado en la zona central de Chile, en donde existen antecedentes de episodios de mortandad compatibles con su deficiencia. Para esto, se tomaron muestras sanguíneas de caprinos pertenecientes al establecimiento (n = 32), las cuales fueron analizadas mediante espectrofotometría de absorción atómica en el laboratorio de bioquímica de la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, ubicado en Balcarce, Argentina. Se obtuvo un promedio de Se sanguíneo de 34,16 ± 14,81 ppb, en donde el 100 % de los animales analizados presentaron valores inadecuados para la especie. En el caso de los caprinos juveniles (n = 5), se obtuvo un promedio de 18,48 ± 8,51 ppb. En el ganado adulto (n = 27), los valores bordearon concentraciones de 8,12 y 63,35 ppb. Se concluye que existe una deficiencia de Se crítica en los animales muestreados pertenecientes al establecimiento ubicado en la zona central de Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the processing of the large yellow croaker, the further utilization of the by-products (e.g., the liver) generated in the processing process can provide opportunities for value addition and increase profitability, promoting the sustainable use of raw materials. Therefore, we have studied the detailed nutritional composition of the large yellow croaker liver (LYCL), which ultimately helps in the development of nutritional and functional products. The results showed that the LYCL has a lower moisture content (45.71%) than fish meat, 8.25% protein, and 37.97% fats. In addition, LYCL contained the full range of amino acids. Unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 62.63%, of which EPA and DHA account for 9.42%. It was rich in phospholipids, vitamins and trace elements. Heavy metal elements such as Hg, As, Cd were lower than the heavy metal limit standards for fish in China. Aldehydes, ketones and alcohols in the liver have the greatest impact on odor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the relationship between trace elements and human health. Trace elements are micronutrients that represent a small portion of body weight, such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and fluoride. These elements are essential for the body, but an imbalance of them can cause digestive, cardiovascular, hematological, and endocrine disorders. Therefore, it is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of the physiological changes that can be triggered by the imbalance of these micronutrients. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the importance of trace elements as biomarkers for diabetes mellitus. Trace elements are micronutrients that represent a small percentage of body weight and are considered important for maintaining a healthy physiological state. Recent studies show that the imbalance of these elements is related to diabetes mellitus, such as zinc and chromium deficiency, which affects the synthesis, storage, and release of insulin. In addition, selenium is essential for the restoration of pancreatic islets damaged by diabetes. Copper is also related to microvascular complications in patients with diabetes. These elements can be used as health biomarkers in individuals with metabolic diseases. [Extracted from the article]

The term "micronutrients" include vitamins and trace elements. Their recommended intakes in enteral formulas has been adhered to RDI/RDA and, in addition, their content is regulated in the European Union. However, deficiencies in micronutrients has been reported in specific patient groups under enteral nutrition (EN) in the last years. Even so, the research in micronutrients in EN is scarce. The aim of this review was to assess the literature to establish possible improvements in micronutrients in EN formulas for adult patients. In general, NE formulas meet the European reference values and, theoretically, they are completely acceptable for long term EN in most patients. However, formulas with different contents may be required in specific clinical situations or diseases. The main micronutrients in which specific needs have been detected was vitamins C, D, and E and the trace elements zinc, copper, selenium, and possibly boron and silicon. The diseases or clinical conditions more predisposed to require especial doses of micronutrients were critically ill patients, burns, neurological patients, elderly frail patients, patients with pressure ulcers, patients with Crohn disease, and patients with gastrectomy or with alimentation jejunostomy. In addition, cooking current formulas should be avoided due to the loss of micronutrient bioavailability in the process. In conclusion, it seems that there is still possibility for the development of more specific formulas with micronutrients more adapted for these groups of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination in the water, soil and culture of Allium cepa L. (onion) with metallic trace elements Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn in the Tiabaya countryside, in three study areas (Marshall, Alata and Punke) and a comparative control for water, soil (San José) and onion cultivation "free of contaminants" was evaluated. The metallic trace elements in the water, in time of high flow (avenues) in order of increasing concentration are: Zn

The effect of zinc deficiency in the development and function of the cerebellum has been studied in animal models and human beings. In the central nervous system, it exerts a modulatory function on synaptic transmission of the brain cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Zinc dishomeostasia is related with differents neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). It has shown a significant association between zinc levels and CAG expansion, suggesting new evidences on the role of zinc in the pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. The performance of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in SCA2 patients demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Zn supplementation. The increase of zinc levels was associated with improvement of cerebellar syndrome, cognitive abnormalities, the decrease of lipid peroxidation and the reduction of saccadic latency, indicating the efficacy of the zinc supplementation for the symptomatic treatment of SCA2. This findings identifies the SCA2 disease as a valuable model for understanding the functions of zinc in the CNS, focus in the cerebellum. Besides, it indicates the need to extend these studies to other forms of Spinocerebellar Ataxias and neurodegenerative diseases which share the same pathophysiological mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: 1) to propose a new classification of the trace elements based on a study of the recently reported research; 2) to offer detailed and actualized information about trace elements. Results: the analysis of the research results recently reported reveals that the advances of the molecular analysis techniques point out the importance of certain trace elements in human health. A detailed analysis of the catalytic function related to several elements not considered essential o probably essentials up to now is also offered. To perform the integral analysis of the enzymes containing trace elements informatics tools have been used. Actualized information about physiological role, kinetics, metabolism, dietetic sources and factors promoting trace elements scarcity or toxicity is also presented. Results: Oligotherapy uses catalytic active trace elements with therapeutic proposals. The new trace element classification here presented will be of high interest for different professional sectors: doctors and other professions related to medicine; nutritionist, pharmaceutics, etc. Using this new classification and approaches, new therapeutic strategies could be designed to mitigate symptomatology related to several pathologies, particularly carential and metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficiencies of trace elements is an important public health problem that threatens mainly pregnant women and their products; we propose to determine serum iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) during the first trimester of pregnancy and identify the pathologies associated with a deficiency during the first trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Maternity Dr. Armando Castillo Plaza, University Hospital of Maracaibo, Venezuela during 2012. A descriptive and applied type research, with a non-experimental and prospective design, which includes a non-probabilistic intentional sample of 70 women during the first trimester of pregnancy, which were measured in serum Fe, Zn and Cu. We found that the age mean was 20,5± 6 years; in terms of the concentrations of these trace elements was determined an average of Fe, Zn and Cu of 40,04 ± 1,212 μg/dL, 0,566 ± 0,130 μg/mL and 1,326 ± 0,878μg/mL, respectively; with concentrations of Fe and Zn lower in adolescents (<0,001). It also showed that 67%, 57% and 14% of these pregnant women were deficient in Fe, Zn and Cu, respectively; without not significant differences between adolescents and adults patients (p> 0,05). Its concluded that exist a high prevalence of deficiencies of trace elements (Zn, Cu and Fe) in patients without associated diseases and apparently healthy at the beginning of her pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During early life, infants usually consume a predominant milk diet. This is a natural food rich in trace elements (approximately 1 g/100 mL). Trace elements are not inorganic compounds synthesized in the body, which contains only small amounts; they can be obtained from natural food, since they are necessary for human life. This paper reviews the updated information on trace elements, their source from natural foods, and their importance in parenteral nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several years ago, it was recommended not to add vitamins or oligoelements to parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions and to administer them immediately after the addition of the micronutrients to avoid their decay. Nowadays, it has been observed that with multilayer bags, ternary mixtures and sunlight protection vitamins degradation is minimal. Daily intake of micronutrients is necessary in the critically ill, malnourished or long-term PN patients. Aiming at knowing the schedules of use of micronutrients in PN in Spanish hospitals and the way PN bags are prepared regarding the factors conditioning their stability, we undertook a telephone survey to the pharmacists in charge of PN at the different hospitals. We compared the data obtained with those from other surveys performed in 2001 and 2003. Pharmacists from 97 hospitals answered the questionnaire (answer rate 88%). The hospital sizes ranged 104-1728 beds. As compared to the data form preceding years, we observed a better adequacy to the current recommendations, although there are still 30% of the hospitals that administer micronutrients on an every other day basis independent of the clinical situation of the patients. In most of the hospitals, multilayer bags are used and/or sunlight protection and ternary mixtures. According to these results showing the different criteria for administering vitamins and oligoelements in PN solutions, it seems necessary to elaborate consensus documents that adapt to the reality of the diverse practices besides promoting the performance of well-designed clinical studies establishing the requirements under special clinical situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geochemistry of major components and trace elements of the sediments in Concepción Bay is of great interest. This highly productive semi-closed marine ecosystem of the western Gulf of California has alternating oxic-suboxic-anoxic conditions in the water column. Being in an arid semidesertic zone, it receives only episodic water and terrigenous sediment input associated with the summer-early autumn tropical cyclones or meterological fronts in the winter and is affected by a subaerial or shallow hydrothermal water discharges caused by active tectonics. A set of 158 surface sediment samples, 24 samples of the bed sediments from the arroyos discharging to this bay and one sample from the crust of the wall of the playa Santispac hot water spring were collected in October 1997. The following analyses were done: grain size, calcium carbonate content, organic carbon, major elements (Ca and Fe) and 34 trace elements. A high abundance of calcium carbonate (41% on average) occurs in the coarse sediments of the shallow western part of bay, especially in front of the Mulegé estuary, playa Santispac, playa Santa Barbara and El Remate. The finer particles, enriched in organic carbon (2% on average), prevail in the deeper central part of the bay along its longitudinal axis. Various associations of the major components, major and trace elements can be distinguished from the results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA): (i) association I constituted by Ba, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hf, lanthanides, Rb, Th, U and Zn; (ii) association II, which includes Ca, CaCO3, Cd and Pb; (iii) association III presented by Br, Cd, Corg, Cu, Hg, Hf, Ni and Zn; (iv) association IV, which joins Se, Ta and Zr and (v) association V constituted by Co and Cr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baker's and brewer's yeasts were compared as to availability, composition, operational requirements for preparation and sensory response as an ingredient in a food formulation. Dried baker's yeast proved to be the best to make a paste to spread rich in vitamins and minerals. Yeast was grinded into a fine powder and mixed with molasses, cacao, sugar, salt and flavorers, in order to prepare a paste and then it was pasteurized at 120°C for 30 min. Sensory evaluation qualified the product as satisfactory. Vitamins and minerals content providing, per 100 g of paste, the following percents of daily requirement: tiamine (136), riboflavine (34), niacine (58), folic acid (226), pantothenic acid (38), potasium (28,5); phosohorous (40), magnesium (28), calcium (35), iron (32,5), cupper (35) and zinc (26). Product total count was at low level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the causes and consequences of nutritional deficiencies in inflammatory bowel disease are reviewed. Particular emphasis is made on their pathophysiological implications. In addition, the basis for nutritional intervention in these patients are described (both in terms of dietary counseling and the use of specialized nutritional support). Particular mention is made on the current evidences in favour of a primary therapeutic role of artificial nutrition and some specific nutrients in Crohn's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]