Mass-flowering red clover crops have positive effects on bumblebee richness and diversity after bloom

AbstractMass-flowering crop monocultures, like sunflower, cannot harbour a permanent pollinator community. Their pollination is best secured if both managed honey bees and wild pollinators are present in the agricultural landscape. Semi-natural habitats are known to be the main foraging and nesting areas of wild pollinators, thus benefiting their populations, whereas crops flowering simultaneously may competitively dilute pollinator densities. In our study we asked how landscape structure affects major pollinator groups’ visiting frequency on 36 focal sunflower fields, hypothesising that herbaceous semi-natural (hSNH) and sunflower patches in the landscape neighbourhood will have a scale-dependent effect. We found that an increasing area and/or dispersion of hSNH areas enhanced the visitation of all pollinator groups. These positive effects were scale-dependent and corresponded well with the foraging ranges of the observed bee pollinators. In contrast, an increasing edge density of neighbouring sunflower fields resulted in considerably lower visiting frequencies of wild bees. Our results clearly indicate that the pollination of sunflower is dependent on the composition and configuration of the agricultural landscape. We conclude that an optimization of the pollination can be achieved if sufficient amount of hSNH areas with good dispersion are provided and mass flowering crops do not over-dominate the agricultural landscape.

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Red Clover Isoflavones Influence Estradiol Concentration, Exercise Performance, and Gut Microbiota in Female Mice

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.623698 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Yi-Ming Chen ◽

I-Lin Wang ◽

Xin-Yi Zhu ◽

Wan-Chun Chiu ◽

Yen-Shuo Chiu

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Red Clover ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Vehicle Group ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Main Compound ◽

Female Mice ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

In red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; RC) the main compound is isoflavones, which are selective estrogen receptor modulators for maintaining female health. Isoflavones exert antifatigue effects during exercise in high-temperature environments. This study aimed to investigate the effect of RC supplementation on gut microbiota composition to determine whether it improves intestinal barrier function and exercise performance. Female ICR mice were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) and orally administered RC once daily for 6 weeks at 0 (vehicle), 308 (RC-1X), 615 (RC-2X), and 1,538 (RC-5X) mg/kg. RC supplementation decreased the fat mass and increased exhaustive swimming time, grip strength, and muscle glycogen in female mice. In the RC supplementation group, serum levels of lactate, ammonia, and creatine kinase decreased after swimming. The estradiol and progesterone levels were higher in the RC group than in the vehicle group. Regarding gut microbiota composition, the RC-2X group may increase intestinal health related to the microorganisms Pseudobutyrivibrio and Parabacteroide. Thus, the use of RC supplements as nutraceuticals could have positive effects on athletes' gut and overall health.

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Alternatives to hormone therapy for management of climacteric syndrome

Medical Council ◽

10.21518/2079-701x-2021-3-136-143 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136-143

Author(s):

G. B. Dikke

Keyword(s):

Bone Mineral Density ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Hot Flashes ◽

Red Clover ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Menopausal Syndrome ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Breathing Exercises

The “gold” standard of treatment for women with menopausal syndrome (MS) is hormonal therapy, which, however, may not be acceptable in all cases, which determines the need to choose other methods.Effective alternatives to the treatment of MS are tissue-selective modulators of estrogen receptors and phytoestrogens, which contribute to the reduction of both early (vegetative-vascular and psycho-emotional) and mid-term and late disorders (osteoporosis), in contrast to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin / norepinephrine, which affect only the vegetative-vascular and psychoemotional symptoms and bisforphonates, which prevent the loss of bone mineral density. Isoflavones of red clover at a dose of 40 mg when taken for 3 months lead to a reduction in hot flashes in 47-85% of patients, insomnia in 53%, anxiety and depression in 76-81%, and also has a positive effect on endocrine-metabolic disorders and bone mineral density with prolonged use. Their use has been shown to be safe for 3 years. Controlling stress through cognitive behavioral therapy (positive effects on psychological symptoms, stress and depression) and clinical hypnosis (reducing symptoms by 50%) may be helpful in relieving MS symptoms. Supplements with vitamins C, D, K and calcium can be recommended to maintain healthy bones, antioxidants (vitamins C and E) - to enhance the effects of pharmacotherapy. There is no evidence of benefits for vasomotor symptoms of yoga, breathing exercises, relaxation, herbal and homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements.The information accumulated to date on the efficacy and safety of phytoestrogens (red clover extract) makes it possible to recommend them as an alternative to MHT for the treatment of disorders associated with involutive changes in the female reproductive system during the peri- and postmenopausal period.

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Selection and RAPD analysis of Pseudomonas ssp. isolates able to improve biological viability of potato seed tubers

Genetika ◽

10.2298/gensr1301237p ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 237-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dobrivoj Postic ◽

Mira Starovic ◽

Tatjana Popovic ◽

Predrag Bosnic ◽

Aleksandra Stanojkovic-Sebic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rapd Analysis ◽

Red Clover ◽

Potato Seed ◽

Potato Tubers ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Seed Tubers ◽

Sprouting Capacity ◽

Important Variety ◽

Molecular Comparison ◽

The Mean

Indoleacetic acid (IAA) producing Pseudomonas isolates from the rhizosphere of maize (Q4 and Q20), alfalfa (Q1 and Q16) and wild red clover (B25) were selected for the investigation of their effect on the biological vitality of the potato seed tubers. The production of IAA ranged from 4.09 to 15.9 ? gmL- 1 after 24h of cultivation and 4.08 to 26.4 ? gmL-1 after 48h of cultivation. The molecular comparison by RAPD analysis also was done. RAPD patterns of selected Pseudomonas spp. isolates obtained by BC318, AF14, SPH 1 and AP 10 primers demonstrated the suitability of RAPD method in distinguishing a high variability among the four isolates (44 to 68%). The effect on the biological viability of potato (industrially important variety Pirol) was observed during the seven weeks of sprouting at the temperature of 18-20?C. Potato tubers treated by the selected isolates formed slightly lower number of sprouts, but statistically higher mean length - up to 129.9% higher than the control. The mean sprouting capacity was 64.5% higher than a control. Obtained results suggested positive effects of selected IAA producing Pseudomonas isolates on the length of potato tubers and sprouting capacity as the parameters which define biological viability.

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Onobrychis viciifolia; a comprehensive literature review of its history, etymology, taxonomy, genetics, agronomy and botany

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

10.1017/s1479262118000230 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 403-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Mora-Ortiz ◽

L. M. J. Smith

Keyword(s):

Green Revolution ◽

Red Clover ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Forage Legume ◽

The European Union ◽

Onobrychis Viciifolia ◽

Positive Effects ◽

The Past ◽

Legume Crop ◽

Intensive Farming

AbstractOnobrychis viciifolia(sainfoin) is a forage legume crop with many positive agronomic, environmental, nutritional and nutraceutical attributes. Farmers also benefit from its drought tolerance in areas of low rainfall and light free draining soil, mainly due to its deep taproot. It is resistant to most common pest and diseases and is a valuable resource for pollinators, specifically cultivated for honey production in some regions. It has many benefits for animals, being highly palatable and without danger of bloat, which can be life-threatening to livestock. Its decline in Northern Europe started during the Green Revolution and was impacted by changes towards more intensive farming. Unlike other forage legume crops such as red clover and lucerne, sainfoin does not respond well to inputs and is difficult to establish and maintain. Sainfoin could be classified as an ‘orphan crop’ with very little genetic improvement or agronomic studies in the past 60 years. In the past 5–10 years, however, there has been a resurgence in interest and this has given rise to a number of studies and initiation of systematic improvement of the crop, which is indispensable to its reintroduction into the farmed environment. Interest has been driven in part by considerable evidence to suggest that condensed tannins present in the legume foliage, together with other polyphenol compounds, have positive effects on animal nutrition together with anthelmintic properties. These compounds are also thought to play a role in environmental benefits. There remain many challenges to address in order to optimize the potential for cultivation of sainfoin and its use as a beneficial forage crop. This review makes particular reference to a recently completed project; ‘Legume Plus’, funded by the European Union and embracing a multi-disciplinary approach to both understand and improve the crop for farmers. The present review covers results from both this project and other studies during the past 5 years, also drawing on historic studies of etymology, taxonomy, genetics, agronomy and botany, aiming to be a useful resource for research and for practical plant breeders and agronomists.

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Effects of landscape complexity on pollinators are moderated by pollinators' association with mass-flowering crops

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2019.0387 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 286 (1900) ◽

pp. 20190387 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Thijs P. M. Fijen ◽

Jeroen A. Scheper ◽

Bastiaen Boekelo ◽

Ivo Raemakers ◽

David Kleijn

Keyword(s):

Natural Habitat ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Community Size ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Pollinator Decline ◽

Mass Flowering ◽

Landscape Complexity ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Pollinator Community ◽

Core Components

Conserving and restoring semi-natural habitat, i.e. enhancing landscape complexity, is one of the main strategies to mitigate pollinator decline in agricultural landscapes. However, we still have limited understanding of how landscape complexity shapes pollinator communities in both crop and non-crop habitat, and whether pollinator responses to landscape complexity vary with their association with mass-flowering crops. Here, we surveyed pollinator communities on mass-flowering leek crops and in nearby semi-natural habitat in landscapes of varying complexity. Surveys were done before and during crop bloom and distinguished between pollinators that visit the crop frequently (dominant), occasionally (opportunistic), or not at all (non-crop). Forty-seven per cent of the species in the wider landscape were also observed on leek flowers. Crop pollinator richness increased with local pollinator community size and increasing landscape complexity, but relationships were stronger for opportunistic than for dominant crop pollinators. Relationships between pollinator richness in semi-natural habitats and landscape complexity differed between groups with the most pronounced positive effects on non-crop pollinators. Our results indicate that while dominant crop pollinators are core components of crop pollinator communities in all agricultural landscapes, opportunistic crop pollinators largely determine species-richness responses and complex landscapes are local hotspots for both biodiversity conservation and potential ecosystem service provision.

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Late-season mass-flowering red clover increases bumble bee queen and male densities

Biological Conservation ◽

10.1016/j.biocon.2014.02.027 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 172 ◽

pp. 138-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Maj Rundlöf ◽

Anna S. Persson ◽

Henrik G. Smith ◽

Riccardo Bommarco

Keyword(s):

Red Clover ◽

Bumble Bee ◽

Mass Flowering ◽

Late Season

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Effects of a 6-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program on the Aging Voice

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2020_jslhr-19-00124 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (4) ◽

pp. 1018-1032

Author(s):

Chia-Hsin Wu ◽

Roger W. Chan

Keyword(s):

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Vocal Tract ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Control Group ◽

Perceptual Evaluation ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Aging Voice ◽

Before And After

Purpose Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises with tubes or straws have been widely used for a variety of voice disorders. Yet, the effects of longer periods of SOVT exercises (lasting for weeks) on the aging voice are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week straw phonation in water (SPW) exercise program. Method Thirty-seven elderly subjects with self-perceived voice problems were assigned into two groups: (a) SPW exercises with six weekly sessions and home practice (experimental group) and (b) vocal hygiene education (control group). Before and after intervention (2 weeks after the completion of the exercise program), acoustic analysis, auditory–perceptual evaluation, and self-assessment of vocal impairment were conducted. Results Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences between the two groups in smoothed cepstral peak prominence measures, harmonics-to-noise ratio, the auditory–perceptual parameter of breathiness, and Voice Handicap Index-10 scores postintervention. No significant differences between the two groups were found for other measures. Conclusions Our results supported the positive effects of SOVT exercises for the aging voice, with a 6-week SPW exercise program being a clinical option. Future studies should involve long-term follow-up and additional outcome measures to better understand the efficacy of SOVT exercises, particularly SPW exercises, for the aging voice.

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Clinical Success Using the Audio-Visual Feedback Training for Cluttering

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_pers-sig17-2019-0018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 1589-1594

Author(s):

Yvonne van Zaalen ◽

Isabella Reichel

Keyword(s):

Visual Feedback ◽

Clinical Success ◽

Pause Duration ◽

Digital Audio ◽

Male Adolescents ◽

Feedback Training ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Speech Monitoring ◽

Adolescents And Adults

Purpose Among the best strategies to address inadequate speech monitoring skills and other parameters of communication in people with cluttering (PWC) is the relatively new but very promising auditory–visual feedback (AVF) training ( van Zaalen & Reichel, 2015 ). This study examines the effects of AVF training on articulatory accuracy, pause duration, frequency, and type of disfluencies of PWC, as well as on the emotional and cognitive aspects that may be present in clients with this communication disorder ( Reichel, 2010 ; van Zaalen & Reichel, 2015 ). Methods In this study, 12 male adolescents and adults—6 with phonological and 6 with syntactic cluttering—were provided with weekly AVF training for 12 weeks, with a 3-month follow-up. Data was gathered on baseline (T0), Week 6 (T1), Week 12 (T2), and after follow-up (T3). Spontaneous speech was recorded and analyzed by using digital audio-recording and speech analysis software known as Praat ( Boersma & Weenink, 2017 ). Results The results of this study indicated that PWC demonstrated significant improvements in articulatory rate measurements and in pause duration following the AVF training. In addition, the PWC in the study reported positive effects on their ability to retell a story and to speak in more complete sentences. PWC felt better about formulating their ideas and were more satisfied with their interactions with people around them. Conclusions The AVF training was found to be an effective approach for improving monitoring skills of PWC with both quantitative and qualitative benefits in the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social domains of communication.

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