Irisin and FGF21 are novel hormones implicated in the "browning" of white fat, thermogenesis, and energy homeostasis. However, there are no data regarding these hormones in amenorrheic athletes (AA) ...(a chronic energy deficit state) compared with eumenorrheic athletes (EA) and non-athletes. We hypothesized that irisin and FGF21 would be low in AA, an adaptive response to low energy stores. Furthermore, because (i) brown fat has positive effects on bone, and (ii) irisin and FGF21 may directly impact bone, we hypothesized that bone density, structure and strength would be positively associated with these hormones in athletes and non-athletes. To test our hypotheses, we studied 85 females, 14-21 years 38 AA, 24 EA and 23 non-athletes (NA). Fasting serum irisin and FGF21 were measured. Body composition and bone density were assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, bone microarchitecture using high resolution peripheral quantitative CT, strength estimates using finite element analysis, resting energy expenditure (REE) using indirect calorimetry and time spent exercising/week by history. Subjects did not differ for pubertal stage. Fat mass was lowest in AA. AA had lower irisin and FGF21 than EA and NA, even after controlling for fat and lean mass. Across subjects, irisin was positively associated with REE and bone density Z-scores, volumetric bone mineral density (total and trabecular), stiffness and failure load. FGF21 was negatively associated with hours/week of exercise and cortical porosity, and positively with fat mass and cortical volumetric bone density. Associations of irisin (but not FGF21) with bone parameters persisted after controlling for potential confounders. In conclusion, irisin and FGF21 are low in AA, and irisin (but not FGF21) is independently associated with bone density and strength in athletes.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The effect of chronic exercise activity on brown adipose tissue (BAT) is not clear, with some studies showing positive and others showing negative associations. Chronic exercise is associated with ...increased resting energy expenditure (REE) secondary to increased lean mass and a probable increase in BAT. Many athletes are in a state of relative energy deficit suggested by lower fat mass and hypothalamic amenorrhea. States of severe energy deficit such as anorexia nervosa are associated with reduced BAT. There are no data regarding the impact of chronic exercise activity on BAT volume or activity in young women and it is unclear whether relative energy deficiency modifies the effects of exercise on BAT.
We assessed cold induced BAT volume and activity in young female athletes compared with non-athletes, and further evaluated associations of BAT with measures of REE, body composition and menstrual status.
The protocol was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to study initiation. This was a cross-sectional study of 24 women (16 athletes and8 non-athletes) between 18-25 years of age. Athletes were either oligo-amenorrheic (n = 8) or eumenorrheic (n = 8).We used PET/CT scans to determine cold induced BAT activity, VMAX Encore 29 metabolic cart to obtain measures of REE, and DXA for body composition.
Athletes and non-athletes did not differ for age or BMI. Compared with non-athletes, athletes had lower percent body fat (p = 0.002), higher percent lean mass (p = 0.01) and trended higher in REE (p = 0.09). BAT volume and activity in athletes trended lower than in non-athletes (p = 0.06; p = 0.07, respectively). We found negative associations of BAT activity with duration of amenorrhea (r = -0.46, p = 0.02).BAT volume correlated inversely with lean mass (r = -0.46, p = 0.02), and positively with percent body fat, irisin and thyroid hormones.
Our study shows a trend for lower BAT in young female athletes compared with non-athletes, and shows associations of brown fat with menstrual status and body composition. Brown fat may undergo adaptive reductions with increasing energy deficit.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
There is transformation of agriculture from traditional to contemporary to fulfill the growing demand of food grains by mushrooming human population in the past few decades. Contemporary agriculture ...is completely dependent on external inputs of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Though it increased agricultural yield by many folds, but contributed to environmental degradation significantly including greenhouse forcing. The relevance of conservation agriculture emerged in response to the questions raised on health, environment and sustainability issues. Interest in conservation agriculture revived the traditional practices of cover cropping for soil conservation in the recent past. It is a form of reduced tillage improving soil physico-chemical and biological properties, claiming protection against insect-pests besides suppressing weeds effectively. In the present scenario, the role of cover crops extended to soil carbon sequestration thus combating global warming. Mean annual carbon sequestration potential of cover crop was found to be 0.32 ± 0.08 Mg ha−1 yr−1 to an average maximum increase of 16.7 Mg ha−1. Cover crops control weeds through competition, allelopathy, and/or physical effects due to surface residue, thereby interfering with growth, development and reproduction of weed. Cover crops suppress diseases by extending the length of a crop rotation, improving soil structure, providing a physical barrier and enhancing suppressive effects of soil life therefore disrupting disease cycle phases. Species in the brassicaceae family, such as mustards have been widely known fumigants as they suppress fungal diseases. Despite so many advantages, the issue of competitiveness between cover crop and main crop for resources cannot be ignored and bypassed. Strategic planning, management and manipulation of cover crops system are essential and decisive to reduce competition with the main crop for resources. Though cover crop systems have been in use for centuries, yet environmental concerns raised due to revolutionary inorganic agriculture have paved the way for more exploration and refinement in their use.
We sought to compare the short and long-term outcomes of MBS in adolescents vs. adults who have undergone a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or Sleeve gastrectomy (SG).
Retrospective cohort study.
...Single tertiary care academic referral center.
One hundred fifty adolescent (≤ 21-years) and adult (>21-years) subjects with severe obesity between 15 and 70 years of age who underwent RYGB or SG.
Metabolic parameters, weight and height measures were obtained pre-and post-surgery (at 3 and 6 months, and then annually for 4 years).
Median pre-surgical body mass index (BMI) was higher in adolescents (
= 76) vs. adults (
= 74): 50 (45-57) vs. 44 (40-51) kg/m
(
< 0.0001). However, obesity related complications were greater in adults vs. adolescents: 66 vs. 21% had hypertension, 68 vs. 28% had dyslipidemia, and 42 vs. 21% had type 2 diabetes mellitus (all
< 0.010). % BMI reduction and % weight loss (WL) were greater in adolescents vs. adults at all time points (
< 0.050). %WL was higher in adolescents who underwent SG at each time point (
< 0.050), and trended higher among adolescents who underwent RYGB (
= 0.060), compared to adults with the respective procedure. Follow-up data showed greater resolution of type 2 diabetes and hypertension in adolescents than adults (87.5 vs. 54.8%;
= 0.04, and 68.7 vs. 35.4%;
= 0.040).
Adolescents compared to adults had greater reductions in BMI and weight, even at 4 years, and greater resolution of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Earlier intervention in the treatment of severe obesity with MBS may lead to better outcomes.
Land degradation is one of the most important factors responsible for the alarming situation of food security, human health, and socioeconomic development in the country. Currently, 120.7 M ha of ...land in the country is affected by land degradation, out of which 85.7 M ha of land is affected by soil erosion caused by water and wind. Moreover, physical, chemical, and biological degradation are the major forms of land degradation in the country. Deforestation or tree cover loss (2.07 M ha) from 2001 to 2021, intensive rainfall (>7.5 mm ha
−1
), uncontrolled grazing (5.65 M ha), indiscriminate use of fertilizers (32 MT year
−1
), and shifting cultivation (7.6 M ha) are other major factors that further aggravate the process of land degradation. In order to alleviate the problem of land degradation, numerous agroforestry technologies have been developed after years of research in different agroclimatic zones of the country. The major agroforestry systems observed in the country are agri-horticulture, silvipasture, and agri-silviculture. This review indicates the potential of agroforestry in enhancing carbon sequestration (1.80 Mg C ha
−1
year
−1
in the Western Himalayan region to 3.50 Mg C ha
−1
year
−1
in the island regions) and reduced soil loss and runoff by 94% and 78%, respectively, in Northeast India. This can be concluded that the adoption of the agroforestry system is imperative for the rehabilitation of degraded lands and also found to have enough potential to address the issues of food, environmental, and livelihood security. This review’s findings will benefit researchers, land managers, and decision-makers in understanding the role of agroforestry in combating land degradation to enhance ecosystem service in India and planning suitable policies for eradicating the problem effectively.
Environmental crises, land degradation, declining factor productivity, and farm profitability questioned the sustainability of linear economy-based existing agricultural production model. Hence, ...there is a dire need to design and develop circular economy-based production systems to meet the twin objectives of environmental sustainability and food security. Therefore, the productive capacity, natural resource conserving ability, and biomass recycling potential of four intensified maize-based systems viz. maize (Zea mays) + sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)-wheat, maize + colocasia (Colocasia esculenta)-wheat, maize + turmeric (Curcuma longa), and maize + ginger (Zingiber officinale) were tested consecutively for three years (2020, 2021 and 22) in a fixed plot manner at Dehradun region of the Indian Himalaya against the existing maize-wheat systems. The result showed that the maize + sweet potato-wheat system significantly reduced runoff loss (166.3 mm) over the maize-wheat system. The highest through fall (68.12 %) and the lowest stem flow (23.54 %) were recorded with sole maize. On the contrary, the maize + sweet potato system has the highest stem flow (36.15 %) and the lowest through fall. Similarly, the maize + sweet potato system had 5.6 times lesser soil erosion and 0.77 t ha−1 higher maize productivity over the maize-wheat system. Furthermore, the maize + sweet potato system recorded significantly higher soil moisture (19.3%), infiltration rate (0.95 cm h−1), and organic carbon (0.78%) over the rest of the systems. The maize + sweet potato system also recycled the highest nitrogen (299.2 kg ha−1), phosphorus, (31.0 kg ha−1), and potassium (276.2 kg ha−1) into the soil system. Hence, it can be inferred that concurrent cultivation of sweet potato, with maize, is a soil-supportive, resource-conserving, and productive production model and can be recommended for achieving the circular economy targets in the Indian Himalayas.
Display omitted
Full text
Available for:
FIS, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
One of the main issues influencing the quality of the soil and agricultural productivity is land degradation. In degraded lands, crop cultivation is not sustainable without adopting resource ...conservation practices. Agroforestry systems that incorporate canopy management practices have the potential to significantly contribute to the restoration of degraded land by preserving natural resources. We hypothesized that restoring degraded land through a combination of tree planting, shade-loving crop cultivation, canopy management, and land management practice could result in significant improvements in soil fertility, productivity, and carbon sequestration. To test this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted involving a combination of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) in conjunction with canopy management practices including coppicing pollarding and lopping. This experiment, designed as a randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments, evaluated the impacts on soil erosion, soil health, and carbon sequestration over four years. The results revealed that mulberry under coppicing combined with turmeric treatment reduced the runoff by 45.3% and 28.7% compared to cultivated fallow and sole turmeric, respectively. Sole mulberry under coppicing treatment showed even greater efficacy, reducing soil loss by 73.3% and 57.8% over cultivated fallow and sole turmeric, respectively. Additionally, the mulberry under coppicing combined with turmeric treatment decreased the losses of N, P, and K by 31.8%, 63%, and 22.5%, respectively, compared to sole turmeric. Moreover, the mulberry under pollarding combined with turmeric enhanced SOC stock and SOC sequestration rates by 23.3% and 107.4%, respectively, over fallow and sole turmeric. This treatment also increased soil moisture and turmeric yield by 25% and 17.6%, respectively, over sole turmeric. Furthermore, sole mulberry under lopping treatment produced the highest above-ground biomass (AGB), carbon stock (CS), and carbon sequestration (CSe), followed by lopping combined with turmeric and pollarding combined with turmeric. Hence, the adoption of a mulberry-based agroforestry system with canopy management practices system could be a sustainable technique for restoring the degraded land. Therefore, this system could be recommended for improving soil fertility, reducing soil degradation, and improving productivity, particularly in the Western Himalayan region of India or similar agro-climatic regions worldwide.
•Agroforestry (mulberry + turmeric) in degraded lands with canopy management practices.•Mulberry under pollarding + turmeric improved soil moisture by 42.8% over fallow.•Mulberry under coppicing + turmeric reduced runoff by 28.7% over sole turmeric.•Pollarding in agroforestry system enhanced SOC by 23.3% compared to fallow.•Sole mulberry under lopping increased above ground carbon stock followed by agroforestry.
Full text
Available for:
FIS, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The 20-year study investigated the effects of conservation practices (CPs) and farmers' practices (FPs) on various soil quality parameters, yield, and economics of horticultural land use systems. CPs ...demonstrated significant improvements in soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), compared to FPs. Horticultural systems exhibited higher SOC and available N and P contents than FPs, with substantial variations among different fruit species. CPs also enhanced soil quality index, functional diversity, culturable microbial populations, enzyme activity, and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) compared to FPs. It was observed that the SMBC values were 25.0–36.6% and 4.12–25.7% higher in 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm, respectively, under CPs compared to FPs for all the land use systems. In CPs, dehydrogenase activities (DHAs) in surface soils were 9.30 and 7.50 times higher under mango- and citrus-based horticultural systems compared to FPs. The CPs adopted in aonla, guava, mango, litchi, and citrus-based horticultural systems increased SOC by ~27.6, 32.6, 24.4, 26.8, and 22.0%, respectively, over FPs. Canopy spread, fruit yield, litter yield, and soil moisture were significantly higher in fruit-based horticultural systems under CPs. Economic viability analysis indicated higher net present values (NPVs), benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and shorter payback periods (PBPs) for horticultural land use systems under CPs. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that CPs had a more positive influence on soil parameters, particularly DHA, acid and alkali phosphatase activity, available N, P, and K contents, soil microbial load, and organic carbon. The maximum ecosystem services were contributed through mango-based land uses among all land uses. Mango-based horticultural systems exhibited the least impact from both CPs and FPs, while peach-based systems were most affected by CPs. Overall, the findings highlight the benefits of conservation practices in improving soil quality, microbial populations, enzyme activity, and crop productivity in horticultural systems.
COVID-19, deforestation, and green economy Singhal, Vibha; Jinger, Dinesh; Rathore, Avinash Chandra ...
Frontiers in Forests and Global Change,
02/2024, Volume:
6
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Corona has severely impacted many sectors in the past 2. 5 years, and forests are one of the major hits among all sectors affected by the pandemic. This study presents the consolidated data on ...deforestation patterns across the globe during COVID and also analyzes in depth the region-specific contributing factors. Exacerbated deforestation during COVID alarms biodiversity conservation concerns and pushes back the long-term efforts to combat pollution and climate change mitigation. Deforestation also increases the risk of the emergence of new zoonotic diseases in future, as deforestation and COVID are intricately related to each other. Therefore, there is a need to check deforestation and inculcation of conservation measures in building back better policies adopted post-COVID. This review is novel in specifically providing insight into the implications of COVID-19 on forests in tropical as well as temperate global regions, causal factors, green policies given by different nations, and recommendations that will help in designing nature-based recovery strategies for combating deforestation and augmenting afforestation, thus providing better livelihood, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and better environmental quality.
PDF
