Contrasting nutrient retention in alpine soils: the role of soil microbiome in phosphorus and nitrogen mobility in scree and meadow environments.

Bariatric surgery is effective for obesity management but associated with kidney stone formation. Give the different post-operative physiology between restrictive type and malabsorptive type bariatric surgery, this study aims to compare difference in post-operative lithogenic risk profiles between these surgical types by assessing the postoperative 24-hour urine chemistry profiles. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of consecutive adults undergoing bariatric surgery at a tertiary center in Hong Kong between April 2017 and October 2019. A total number of 35 patients underwent malabsorptive and 55 underwent restrictive procedures. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative 24-hour urine chemistry were assessed within 12 months after surgery. Abnormal urinary parameters were identified, with between-group comparisons performed using Mann-Whitney U and Chi-squared tests. Propensity scores were estimated using selected covariates, and stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied. IPTW-weighted logistic regression was used to compare the odds of abnormal urinary parameters between surgical groups. At 12 months, the malabsorptive group demonstrated significantly higher urinary oxalate and lower urinary creatinine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, citrate, urate, pH, and calcium phosphate activity compared with the restrictive group. The prevalence of hyperoxaluria (51.4% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.012), hypocitraturia (71.4% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.001), and acidic urine (54.3% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.001) was higher in the malabsorptive group. Conversely, hyperuricosuria was more common in restrictive patients (29.1% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.049). No significant differences were observed for urine volume, sodium, phosphate, or calcium oxalate activity. IPTW-weighted logistic regression demonstrated that malabsorptive procedures were associated with significantly higher odds of hyperoxaluria (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.03-8.44), hypocitraturia (OR 4.13, 95% CI 1.40-12.21), hypomagnesuria (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.11-9.57), and acidic urine pH (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.33-10.64). Malabsorptive bariatric surgery is associated with more lithogenic urinary profiles than restrictive surgery, particularly hyperoxaluria, hypocitraturia, hypomagnesuria, and acidic urine, underscoring increased risk of postoperative nephrolithiasis. Close monitoring of urinary parameters and multidisciplinary management are recommended to mitigate stone risk.

Arsenic (As) is one of the most problematic environmental toxins. Exposure to As, predominantly via drinking water and the intake of food, represents a major human health threat. Various species of As exist in the environment, among them organic and inorganic thioarsenates. Their ubiquitous presence in rice paddy soil pore water has recently been established. Thioarsenates are taken up by plants and show high mobility within plants. They are efficiently translocated from roots to shoots and can be loaded into grains. To date, however, no information is available on the transporter proteins enabling the necessary membrane passages. We tested the hypothesis that the major inorganic thioarsenate, monothioarsenate (MTA), is a substrate for phosphate transporters in experiments with yeast and plant model systems. Short-term uptake assays demonstrated MTA transport, albeit at much lower rates than apparent for arsenate. Plant mutants with defects in phosphate transporters or regulators controlling phosphate deficiency responses were more tolerant to MTA as indicated by growth phenotypes and pigment concentrations. High external phosphate supply suppressed the MTA effects. Also, the mutants accumulated less As in roots and shoots upon MTA exposure. Inside plants, MTA was efficiently converted into arsenite and activated the phytochelatin pathway. Nonetheless, in light of the much lower relative uptake rate for MTA, we hypothesize that this As species exerts specific toxicity effects.

Interpretable machine learning model for predicting refeeding syndrome after colorectal cancer surgery.

Acetyl phosphate (AcP) is a microbial metabolite acting as a link between cell metabolism and signaling, providing the survival of bacteria in the host. AcP was also identified as an intermediate of pyruvate oxidation in mammalian mitochondria and was found in the human blood in some severe pathologies. The possible contribution of circulating AcP to the maintenance of the physiological or pathological states of the body has not been studied. Since AcP can function as a donor of phosphate groups, we have examined in vitro the influence of AcP on calcium signaling in mitochondria and cells by measuring the membrane potential and the calcium retention capacity of mitochondria by selective electrodes and by assaying the cell calcium signaling by Fura-2AM fluorescent radiometry. AcP was shown to induce a concentration-dependent increase in the mitochondrial resistance to calcium ion loading both in the control and in the presence of ADP. This effect was especially pronounced when mitochondria were incubated in a phosphate-free medium; under these conditions, AcP strongly raised the membrane potential and increased the rate of calcium uptake and the calcium retention capacity several times. Moreover, AcP induced similar changes in human cells when calcium signaling was activated by ATP, to a greater extent in neuroblastoma cells than in astrocytes. In the presence of AcP, a tendency for an increase in the amplitude and a decrease in the continuance of the ATP-induced calcium response was observed. These changes are probably associated with the activation of calcium buffering by mitochondria due to the delivery of phosphate during the hydrolysis of AcP. The results show that AcP is involved in the regulation of the Ca2+ balance in cells by activating the accumulation of calcium ions by mitochondria, especially under phosphate deficiency. A shift in calcium signaling mediated by AcP supplementation may be caused by hyperphosphatemia, which is now considered as one of basic contributors to cellular dysfunction and progression of various diseases, including sepsis.

To investigate the dose-dependent effects of neonatal-onset phosphate deficiency on bone growth and mineralization and assess whether supraphysiological vitamin D3 or calcitriol can rescue skeletal defects. Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 7 diets: phosphate-free (0P), low phosphate (1/2P), normal phosphate (NP), calcium-free (0Ca), phosphate/vitamin D-free (0P/D), and 0P/D supplemented with either supraphysiological vitamin D3 (0P/D + D3) or calcitriol (0P/D + calcitriol). Longitudinal radiographic assessments were performed before euthanasia at 6-8 wk. Serum analyses measured phosphate (sP), calcium (sCa), phosphotropic hormones, and bone turnover markers. Tibial growth plates were examined by H&E staining, micro-CT, and histomorphometry. The 0P group developed severe hypophosphatemia, rickets-like growth plate widening, osteopenia, and growth retardation. The 1/2P group showed similar hypophosphatemia but no growth impairment and non-significant reductions in bone mass. The 0Ca group exhibited hypocalcemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and high bone resorption, yet maintained normal growth and intermediate mineralization. Vitamin D interventions normalized sP but worsened bone loss and growth impairment compared to the 0P group. Biochemically, sP correlated positively with bone formation markers and negatively with fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23); vitamin D showed dual effects on bone turnover. Phosphate sufficiency during the early postnatal period is critical for bone mineralization and growth in neonatal rats. Isolated calcium deficiency caused a distinct osteomalacic phenotype with preserved growth. Supraphysiological-dose vitamin D metabolites corrected hypophosphatemia but failed to rescue—and may have exacerbated—skeletal defects, cautioning against vitamin D monotherapy without concurrent phosphate supplementation.

SlSTOP1-SlFRDL1-mediated citrate exudation modulates apoplastic iron-redox homeostasis to promote primary root elongation under phosphate deficiency in tomato.

ABSTRACTSoybean growth and yield are susceptible to abiotic stresses such as phosphate (P) deficiency and drought. Symbiotic association of plant roots with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve water uptake, thereby increasing stress resilience. This study evaluates the interactive effects of P availability, drought, and AMF symbiosis on physiology, reflectance traits, roots, and metabolite responses in two soybean genotypes during the early reproductive stages. Under P deficiency (P−), AMF colonization significantly (p < 0.05) increased, enhancing root hair development and maintaining ~30% lower leaf water potential (Ψ) under drought stress. Drought significantly (p < 0.05) negatively impacted photosynthesis as well as triggered shifts in metabolite accumulation and reflectance‐based vegetation indices in both P treatments. P− sufficient (P+) plants developed significantly higher biomass. Chlorophyll‐related vegetation indices were more responsive to P during drought, showing 45%–60% reductions in P− plants compared with only 25%–35% in P+ plants. The ratio of red‐to‐far‐red chlorophyll fluorescence also significantly decreased (10%) under drought, indicating altered canopy spectral balance and stress‐induced pigment changes. Carbohydrates, jasmonic acid, and amino acids exhibited significant variations (p < 0.05) among genotypes and P treatment under drought. Interestingly, a metabolite involved in phylloquinone biosynthesis (C11H12O6) was strongly upregulated under drought in P− plants with a strong correlation (r = 0.72) to Ψ. These findings highlight the critical role of P in AMF symbiosis for drought resistance. The integration of remote sensing and mass spectrometry‐based metabolite profiling provides a comprehensive multiscale approach to link physiological and molecular responses, facilitating rapid and informed breeding decisions under diverse environmental stresses.

The Tartary buckwheat WRKY transcription factor FtWRKY28 positively regulates low phosphate stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants.

ABSTRACT The inhibition of primary root (PR) growth is a major developmental response of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) to phosphate (Pi) deficiency. Previously, our laboratory demonstrated that under Pi deficiency, a blue light-triggered malate-mediated photo-Fenton reaction and a canonical Fenton reaction in root apoplasts together form an Fe redox cycle, which results in Pi deficiency-induced inhibition of PR growth by continuously producing hydroxyl radicals (·OH). In this model, blue light, malate, Fe2+, Fe3+, H2O2, low pH, and low Pi are critical components, and the LPR1/LPR2 and STOP1-ALMT1 modules are key regulators that affect the occurrence and extent of these chemical reactions. However, whether the function of ALMT1 in the Pi deficiency-induced inhibition of PR growth relies on low pH in the rhizosphere and, conversely, whether ALMT1 is involved in regulating rhizosphere acidification remain elusive. Here, we show that low pH in the rhizosphere is required for malate-mediated inhibition of PR growth under Pi deficiency. Moreover, although not the principal factor, ALMT1 facilitates rhizosphere acidification under Pi deficiency. Our results shed new light on the function of ALMT1 and rhizosphere acidification under Pi deficiency.

Rice is one of the primary commodities cultivated by Indonesian farmers such as in the Tuban Regency. To increase rice productivity is critically important to evaluate the condition of soil fertility. Soil fertility assessment is needed to determine balanced fertilization. Balanced fertilization is critically essential in the production process. This research analysis method used the SOFIX database. The soil samples were carried out in rice fields based in one of the agriculture-integrated areas in the Tuban Regency. The results show that the soil had a deficient bacteria number and low nitrogen and phosphate circulation activities. On the other hand, all parameters such as total carbon, total potassium, total nitrogen, and total phosphorous also tend to be low. Therefore, applying balanced fertilization to recover soil fertility. Organic materials used to improve bacterial activities. The results suggest that paddy soil fertility status in Tuban Regency leads to recovery by adding organic materials.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), the staple food for more than half of the world's population, depends on a balanced phosphate supply to sustain its growth, development, and defense mechanisms. While phosphate is fundamental to plant metabolism, its specific role in the Rice-blast pathosystem remains an emerging area of research. Recent studies reveal that excess phosphate enhances disease severity, whereas phosphate deficiency restricts fungal entry, highlighting phosphate homeostasis as a hidden determinant of blast susceptibility. Paradoxically, the pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae can activate the phosphate starvation response (PSR) in rice, even under phosphate-sufficient conditions. This Mini Review integrates these seemingly conflicting findings into a unified framework linking phosphate signaling with pathogen-induced PSR. We further discuss how the M. oryzae Nudix effector (MoNUDIX) disrupts host phosphate signaling and propose that strengthening arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, alongside optimized fertilization, could restore phosphate balance and enhance resistance to blast disease in rice plants.

Phosphorus (P) is a critical element that limits plant growth in agricultural and natural ecosystems, and its deficiency can significantly reduce wheat yield. We systematically evaluated the response of 296 natural wheat populations to low phosphate (Pi) stress at the seedling stage. Using genome-wide association studies with 190 892 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers, we identified 580 marker-trait associations that exhibited a significant association with low-Pi tolerance coefficients for 18 P use efficiency (PUE) related traits. This analysis revealed 44 multi-environment stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 904 candidate genes. By integrating root transcriptome data from low-Pi tolerant and sensitive genotypes under low-Pi treatment for 3 days, 14 days, and post-Pi resupply for 4 days, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify specific modules associated with PUE. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis identified four hub genes (TraesCS2A03G0333400, TraesCS2A03G0335700, TraesCS4B03G0787300 and TraesCS7D03G0752400) linked to PUE, among which TraesCS4B03G0787300 (TaERF112), a candidate gene for the stable QTL qRDW4B.1. Further validation through expression analysis and gene knockout experiments confirmed that TaERF112 positively regulates low-Pi tolerance in wheat seedlings. This study provides novel insights into the genetic and molecular basis of wheat PUE, offering a foundation for breeding P-efficient wheat varieties that enhance agricultural sustainability.

Plants adapt to phosphate starvation by remodeling root architecture and reallocating carbohydrates. Glucose-6-phosphate 1-epimerase (G6PE), a key enzyme in carbon and energy metabolism, is hypothesized to contribute to phosphate starvation responses. Here, we investigated the role of G6PE in rice and Arabidopsis through phenotypic, physiological, and molecular analyses of osg6pe and atg6pe mutants. Under normal-phosphate (NP) conditions, both mutants exhibited significantly reduced biomass and fresh weight compared with the wild-type (WT) plants, indicating growth inhibition caused by the mutations. Under low-phosphate (LP) conditions, the mutants displayed enhanced root growth, suggesting that G6PE functions as a negative regulator of radial root growth under phosphate deficiency. The osg6pe mutant showed elevated phosphate content and increased leaf starch accumulation under LP, whereas it accumulated more phosphate but less starch under NP. Expression analysis revealed that G6PE transcripts were suppressed under NP but remained relatively stable under LP. Notably, among phosphate starvation-induced (PSI) genes, only PHT1;4 showed notable transcriptional changes in both species. These findings indicate that G6PE contributes to phosphate homeostasis by modulating carbohydrate metabolism, restraining radial root growth, and selectively regulating PHT1 expression under phosphate-deficient conditions.

Yamuna River supplies over 70% water to the Indian capital Delhi. It has become one of the most polluted rivers globally, impacting the daily lives of over 57 million people. This study analyzes the changes in the water quality of the Yamuna River resulting from the inflow of wastewater from the Najafgarh Drain (Sahibi River) and investigates the phycoremediation potential of microalga Scenedesmus sp. Water quality parameters were assessed at the points where drains meet with the river, revealing significant degradation in water quality. Results show a 12.33 ± 0.5% decrease in pH and substantial increase in salinity (137 ± 2.2%), conductivity (155.73 ± 2.7%), total dissolved solids (TDS) (135.27 ± 3.4%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (113.33 ± 3.6%), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (150 ± 4.5%), and other chemical contaminants. Heavy metal analysis of Yamuna after merging with drain using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) revealed alarming concentrations, particularly of lead (Pb, 44.33 ± 0.03µg/L) and mercury (Hg, 1.06 ± 0.02µg/L), exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis identified a wide range of pollutants, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, plasticizers, xenobiotic compounds, and persistent chemicals like perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFBS). Treatment with Scenedesmus sp. significantly reduced pollution in Najafgarh Drain water, with the highest reductions in manganese (Mn) at 95.86 ± 6.92% and cadmium (Cd) at 86.90 ± 2.97%. Scenedesmus sp. reduced magnesium (Mg) by 87.98 ± 7.84%, Pb by 80.12 ± 4.02% in Yamuna water, and effectively lowered nitrate and phosphate levels by 86.62 ± 8.6% and 65.53 ± 4.35%, respectively. The algae also contributed to significant reductions in salinity, conductivity, TDS, COD, and BOD. This study highlights the critical role of the Najafgarh Drain in polluting Yamuna and demonstrates the potential of Scenedesmus sp. for water quality improvement. A comprehensive approach that combines pollution source reduction and bioremediation using Scenedesmus is essential for restoring and enhancing Yamuna's water quality.

It is well known that elevated phosphate concentrations in water bodies trigger the eutrophication process, posing adverse environmental, health, and economic consequences that necessitate effective removal solutions. Phosphate removal has therefore been widely studied using various methods, including chemical precipitation, membrane filtration, and crystallisation. However, most of these methods are often expensive or inefficient for low phosphate concentrations. Therefore, in this study, an eco-friendly, sustainable and biodegradable adsorbent was manufactured by extracting calcium ions from an industrial by-product, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and magnesium ions from magnesium dross (MgD), then immobilising them on sodium alginate to form Ca-Mg-SA beads. The new adsorbent was applied to remove phosphate from water under different flow patterns (batch and continuous flow), initial pH levels, contact times, agitation speeds and adsorbent doses. Additionally, the degradation time of the new adsorbent, recycling potential, its morphology, formation of functional groups and chemical composition were investigated. The results obtained from batch experiments demonstrated that the new adsorbent achieved 90.2% phosphate removal efficiency from a 10 mg/L initial concentration, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 1.75 mg P/g at an initial pH of 7, a contact time of 120 min, an agitation speed of 200 rpm and an adsorbent dose of 1.25 g/50 mL. The column experiments demonstrated a 0.82 mg P/g removal capacity under the same optimal conditions as the batch experiments. The findings also showed that the adsorption process fitted well to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models and followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Characterisation of Ca-Mg-SA beads using EDX, SEM and FTIR confirmed successful ion immobilisation and phosphate adsorption. Furthermore, the beads fully biodegraded in soil within 75 days and demonstrated potential recycling as a fertiliser.

Overexpression of MdTGA1 enhances the adaptability to nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.).

No Abstract.

Rapid phosphorus adsorption: Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) modified glass pumice (MPAC-G) with exceptional regenerability for low-concentration aquaculture effluents.

Molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to low phosphate stress and potential applications in crop improvement