Nitrogen Levels Research Articles

Organic-inorganic interplay and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Asia's largest opencast lignite minedeposits.

Asia's largest opencast lignite mines, located in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, India, were studied to evaluate the organic and inorganic characteristics and reconstruct the paleo-depositional environment of the lignite deposits. The investigation involved advanced geochemical and analytical techniques, including X-ray fluorescence, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), as well as proximate and ultimate analyses. The physical properties of the lignite revealed a moisture content ranging from a minimum of 7.5% to a maximum of 25%, with an average of 14.4%. The ash content varied between 2.6 and 19%, with an average of 6.6%, suggesting the low mineral impurity levels in the lignite deposits. Volatile matter ranged from 38.2 to 48.9%, while fixed carbon content was observed between 31.4 and 40.3%. The ultimate analysis identified carbon content ranging from 51.93 to 78.58%, with moderate levels of hydrogen (< 5%), nitrogen (< 5%), and sulfur (< 1%). Variations in the Gross Calorific Value (4608-5882kcal/kg) reflect the heterogeneous nature of the lignite, emphasizing the necessity of utilization strategies based on energy density. Major oxide analysis demonstrated strong correlations among SiO2, Al2O3, and TiO2 with ash yield, suggesting a shared origin and close association with the inorganic constituents of the lignite. Trace elements revealed significant associations among elements such as Zr, V, Sr, Nb, Ga, and Cr, providing the geochemical composition of Neyveli lignite. Microstructural investigation via FE-SEM revealed a fine-grained morphology, distinct mineral phases, and porosity characteristics. Weathering indices and alteration studies pointed to a felsic to intermediate igneous provenance for the inorganic components. The study situates the Neyveli lignite deposits within a deltaic depositional system formed during the late Cretaceous to early Tertiary periods. This paleoenvironment was characterized by dynamic hydrological regimes, as evidenced by sedimentary structures and interbedded lignite layers.

Atorvastatin inhibits ischemia‒reperfusion-associated renal tubular cell ferroptosis by blocking the PGE2/EP4 signaling pathway.

Renal ischemia‒reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of acute kidney injury, and its pathological features are manifested primarily by renal tubular epithelial cell injury. The underlying mechanism involves ferroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Atorvastatin (ATO) regulates ferroptosis, and this study explored its role in I/R-induced ferroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. We constructed a renal I/R rat model with bilateral renal pedicles using noninvasive arterial clips and placed HK-2 cells in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) incubators to construct the cell model. The damage to rat kidney tissues and HK-2 cells was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and flow cytometry, and the presence of associated proteins was identified through western blotting. Administering ATO markedly lessened the acute kidney damage caused by I/R, decreased the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CRE), and prevented apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells. Treatment with ATO additionally suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and markers linked to ferroptosis (Fe2+, ROS, MDA, ACSL4, and COX2), thereby reducing acute kidney damage associated with I/R. The expression of PGE2 in renal I/R injury is related to the degree of renal injury, and it mainly regulates ferroptosis by binding to EP4. ATO effectively inhibited the expression of PGE2 and EP4. Overall, this study revealed that ATO inhibited ferroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells by blocking the PGE2/EP4 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating I/R-induced kidney injury.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Status, Mycorrhizal Development and Crop Yields in Maize-Soybean Intercropping for Sustainable Agriculture in Drylands

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, yields of maize and soybean, spore number and colonization percentage of mycorrhiza on both maize and soybean grown in dryland intercropping systems. Theoretical Framework: The quantity of crop production is influenced by the appropriate selection of maize and soybean varieties, as well as the environmental conditions of the intercropping area. Effective plant density management ensures that sufficient growth space is available, allowing plants to thrive and develop optimally. Method: Five treatments of combination of maize and soybeans varieties were planted in a randomized block pattern with an intercropping system of three rows of each crop. The treatments were: V1: NK212 maize: Biosoy I soybean, V2: Bima 20 URI maize: Dega I soybean, V3: NASA 29 maize: Detap soybean, V4: Bisi 18 maize: Biosoy II soybean, and V5: Srikandi maize: Anjasmoro soybean. The observed variables were soil and plant nutrient levels (total nitrogen and phosphorus available), vegetative growth (roots and shoots dry weight per plant), yields (dry cob of maize and dry pod of soybean) both per plant and per plot, and mycorrhiza spore number and colonization percentage at 40 and 92 DAS. The data were analysed by two-way ANOVA with Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) means-testing at 5% significance level. Results and Discussion: The findings revealed that the V4 treatment (Bisi 18 maize: Biosoy II soybean) resulted in the best nitrogen and phosphorus nutritional status and yields, spore number, and colonization percentage from the intercropping system of maize and soybean with three rows of each crop. Hence, intercropping of equal number rows of Bisi 18 maize and Biosoy II soybean can be expected to result in the improvement of nitrogen and phosphorus status on sandy land as an eco-friendly fertilizer implementation that may help ensure environmental sustainability. Research Implications: This study demonstrated that the enhancement nitrogen and phosphorus levels, as well as the increase of spore numbers and the colonization percentage of mycorrhiza, can be achieved through intercropping three rows of Bisi 18 maize with three rows of Biosoy II soybean on sandy soil, combined with the application of eco-friendly fertilizers. This approach may promote long-term environmental sustainability and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 (zero hunger) and SDG 15 (life on land), promoting practices that enhance food security and biodiversity conservation. Originality/Value: This research presents a novel study on the significant changes in nitrogen and phosphorus nutritional status, as well as the productivity of various maize and soybean cultivars grown in a 3:3 row intercropping pattern (three rows of maize alternated with three rows of soybeans) in dryland areas. Such intercropping systems have received limited attention yet they contribute to sustainable agriculture and align with global sustainability goals.

Growth, Productivity, Available Nitrogen, Available Phosphors, Available Potassium, Available Sulphur Influenced by Different Plant Spacing and Nitrogen Levels of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Bathinda Districts of Punjab, India

A field experiment was conducted during (Kharif) seasons of 2023 at the Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab, to effect of different plant spacing and nitrogen levels on growth, productivity and available NPK of maize. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications, under three plant spacings of 45 cm x 15 cm, 55 cm x 20 cm, and 65 cm x 25 cm were included in the treatment plan, along with four nitrogen levels: control (75% of RDN (31.5 kg N/ha), 100% of RDN (42 kg N/ha), and 125% of RDN (52.5 kg N/ha). At every stage of the crop's growth, the leaf area index (LAI) with 125% of RDN was the highest and much better than that with 75% and 100% of RDN. Throughout the crop's growth stages, the spacing of 55 cm x 20 cm generated the least amount of dry matter. At a 45 cm X 15 cm spacing, the highest grain weight of 30.33 g was attained, which was comparable to the remaining plant spacing. At 55 cm X 20 cm, the lowest grain yield (52.76 q/ha-1) was observed. With respect to nitrogen, highest harvest index (34.74%) was associated with application of 75% of RDN which was significantly superior over 100% of RDN With respect to plant spacing significantly highest harvest index (36.64%) was recorded at 45 cm X 15 cm and lowest harvest index (31.98%) was recorded with 65 cm X 25 cm and it was on par with 55 X 20 cm (33.24 %). With regard to plant spacing, higher soil available nitrogen and phosphorous was recorded at spacing of 65 cm X 25 cm, higher available potassium at spacing of 45 cm X 15 cm.

Comparative Evaluation of CERES-Maize, WOFOST-Maize, and Ensemble of Models for Predicting Maize Phenology, Growth, and Grain Yield

ABSTRACT Crop simulation models are useful for determining the effects of different environmental and management factors on crop growth, phenology, and grain yield. In this study, two process-oriented simulation models, CERES-Maize, and WOFOST-Maize, were evaluated for anthesis date, maturity date, biomass yield, grain yield, harvest index, and maximum leaf area index (LAI-max), and their comparative performance was assessed. The field experiments were conducted using a split–split plot design with four sowing dates {25th May (D1), 4th June (D2), 14th June (D3) and 24th June (D4)} in the main plot, two cultivars (PMH1 and PMH2) in the sub plot, and three nitrogen levels (N1, N2, and N3) in the sub-sub plot at the Research Farm, Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab), to record the dataset for the calibration (2020) and evaluation (2021) of these models. The statistical indices used for the evaluation of these models were R2, root mean square error (RMSE), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), mean bias error (MBE), index of agreement (IoA), and coefficient of residual mass (CRM). The model output was evaluated for the individual and ensemble models (ENSEM). The results of the calibration process revealed that the NRMSE of the CERES-Maize model was below 9% for both cultivars, except for harvest index, whereas the NRMSE of the WOFOST model was below 10%, except for the grain yield of PMH1 and LAI-max of both cultivars. On the other hand, validation results revealed that the NRMSE of both models was below 9% for most parameters, except for LAI-max of the CERES-Maize model for both cultivars and grain yield and LAI-max of the WOFOST-Maize model of PMH2. In addition, the evaluation indices indicated excellent agreement between the observed and simulated results of CERES and WOFOST. However, the performance of the CERES-Maize model was slightly better than that of the WOFOST model, with a lower NRMSE (CERES: ranging from 3.83 to 6.02% and WOFOST: ranging from 3.58 to 8.63%), except for LAI-max. The maximum leaf area index was the least agreed-upon parameter for both models. The RMSE and MBE values confirmed these results. The most accurate results were obtained for the ensemble of models, which reduced the NRMSE of the anthesis dates, biomass yield, and LAI-max. The prediction accuracy of the ensemble of models was also improved for LAI-max by reducing the NRMSE to 5.80%. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that the CERES model is a more reliable tool for accurately estimating phenology and grain yield, whereas the ensemble of models improved the estimation accuracy of most parameters compared with any single model.

Pathogenic and periodontal bacteria may contribute to the fatal outcome of critically ill elderly COVID-19 patients

Some studies suggest that the respiratory microbiome of COVID-19 patients differs from that of healthy individuals, infected patients may have reduced diversity and increased levels of opportunistic bacteria, however, the role of the microbiome in fatal SARS-CoV-2 infection remains poorly understood. Our study aimed to determine whether there are differences in the respiratory microbiome between patients who recovered from COVID-19 and those who died, by characterizing the bacterial communities of both groups. A total of 24 patients who recovered from COVID-19 and 24 who died were included in the study, patient data were analyzed for signs, symptoms and clinical variables. Airway samples were collected and the 16 S rRNA variable regions V3-V4 were amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase, and higher frequencies of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and renal disease were observed in patients with a fatal outcome. Compared to patients who recovered from COVID-19, patients who died exhibited a microbiome enriched in periodontal and pathogenic bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Our results highlighted a dual relationship between SARS CoV-2 infection and an exacerbated periodontopathogen-induced immune response.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Co-Fertilization Affects Pinus yunnanensis Seedling Distribution of Non-Structural Carbohydrates in Different Organs After Coppicing

The effects of nutritional additions on the non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) of Pinus yunnanensis Franch. following coppicing were examined in this work. Three levels of phosphorous (P) addition, namely P0 (0 g/plant), P (2 g/plant), and P+ (4 g/plant), and two levels of nitrogen (N) additions, namely N0 (0 g/plant) and N+ (0.6 g/plant) The treatments consisted of D1 (N0P), D2 (N+P0), D3 (N0P), D4 (N+P), D5 (N0P), and D6 (N+P+), utilizing an orthogonal design to assess how these nutrients influence NSC levels and their components throughout many plant organs in P. yunnanensis. The findings showed that fertilization enhanced NSCs and their components’ contents in P. yunnanensis. P treatment greatly raised NSC levels in sprouts as well as starch (ST) content in stems and sprouts. N treatment greatly raised soluble sugar (SS) and NSC content in stems and greatly accelerated the contents of NSCs and their components in sprouts. The combined application of N and P further improved SS content in stems. Fertilization effects varied over time, with significant increases in NSC content observed at different stages: at 0 d, fertilization significantly raised NSCs and their components in needles; at 90 d, roots and stems showed increases in both NSCs and their components’ contents; at 180 d, stem ST content significantly increased; and at 270 d, NSCs and their components’ contents across all organs were significantly increased. Especially in roots, stems, and sprouts, the combined N (0.6 g/plant) and P (2.0 g/plant) treatment (D4) produced the highest NSC concentration among the treatments. This suggested that NSC formation in plants might be greatly promoted by a balanced N and P fertilization ratio acting in concert. Moreover, fertilizer, as part of a general management plan, has long-term and significant benefits on plant development, especially after coppicing, accelerating recovery, expanding growth potential, and thereby strengthening the plant’s capacity to adapt to environmental changes.

Efficiency of biochar and compost on soil bio-chemical properties and yield of knol-khol (Brassica oleracea L.)

A field experiment was conducted to assess how the combined application of biochar with various organic amendments affects the soil biochemical properties and the yield characteristics of knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongyloides L.). The outcomes showed that biochar with organic amendments substantially enhanced the biological characteristics of the soil as compared to the control treatment. There was a notable increment in soil microbial biomass carbon by 33.27 % and dehydrogenase activity by 5.68 % following the integrated application of farmyard manure, vermicompost and biochar (T8). In addition, several knol-khol growth metrics showed significant improvement in T8 compared to the control, including leaf number (1.36 times), plant height (1.38 times) and knob diameter (2.3 times). In T8, the knolkhol production increased by a remarkable 3 times, demonstrating the beneficial effects of the combined treatment on marketable output. The results of the experiment showed that T8 had significantly higher levels of accessible nitrogen (12.38 %), available potassium (8.54 %), available phosphorus (24.19 %) and organic carbon (9.5 %) than the control. According to this, the concurrent application of farmyard manure, vermicompost and biochar enhanced soil fertility and boosted plant and microbial nutrient availability, which in turn led to higher profitability.

The economic benefits, energy use efficiency, and carbon footprint of fragrant super rice and nonfragrant super rice under different planting methods and nitrogen levels.

The objective of this study was to investigate the input and output of energy, carbon input and sequestration, and economic benefits of fragrant and nonfragrant rice under different crop management practices, with the aim of providing theoretical guidance for sustainable rice production. Two high-yield and popular rice varieties, Yuxiangyouzhan and Jiyou615, were grown under three nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 150, and 220 kg ha-1) and three planting methods (manual transplanting, mechanical transplanting, and mechanical direct seeding) during 2018 and 2019. The results showed that the economic, energy, and carbon benefits of the different rice varieties varied in response to the different fertilizations and planting methods. The average energy outputs of Yuxiangyouzhan and Jiyou615 were 214 423.26 and 218 474.90 MJ ha-1, respectively. The mean harvest index and mean energy use efficiency of Jiyou615 were slightly greater, at 4.21% and 3.93%, respectively, than those of Yuxiangyouzhan, while the mean carbon input-sequestration ratio of Yuxiangyouzhan was slightly greater, at 1.79%, than that of Jiyou615. Yuxiangyouzhan had a significantly greater mean benefit-cost ratio (5.76%) than Jiyou615. In addition, Yuxiangyouzhan had a significantly greater mean nominal economic return on energy input (12.21%), nominal economic return on energy output (13.20%), nominal economic return on carbon input (12.65%), and nominal economic return on carbon sequestration (11.31%) than Jiyou615. The results suggest that suitable high-yield and high-quality varieties with better consumer demand and the synergistic effect of variety and crop management in sustainable rice production are highly meaningful. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of Environmental Factors of Stream Ecosystems on Aquatic Invertebrate Communities

Understanding the responses of stream ecosystems to environmental disturbances is essential for maintaining and restoring healthy ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed the associations between benthic macroinvertebrate communities and environmental factors using machine learning approaches to identify key stressors potentially influencing stream ecosystem health. Various machine learning models were evaluated, with random forest (RF) and gradient boosting machine (GBM) identified as the optimal models for predicting tolerant species (TS) and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) species densities. SHAP analysis revealed that watershed variables, such as elevation, flow velocity, and slope, significantly influenced EPT and TS populations. EPT population density increased with elevation and flow velocity but decreased significantly with higher levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen (TN), and agricultural land-use proportions, with negative effects becoming evident beyond threshold levels. Conversely, TS population density showed a positive response to elevated BOD, TN, and agricultural land-use proportions, stabilizing at the threshold levels of BOD and TN, but continuing to increase with greater agricultural land use. Through machine learning, this study provides critical insights into how environmental variables are associated with the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. By identifying threshold levels of key stressors, this approach offers actionable guidance for managing agricultural runoff, enhancing riparian buffers, and implementing sustainable land-use practices. These findings contribute to the development of integrated watershed management strategies that promote the long-term sustainability of stream ecosystems.

Influence of organic inputs on the grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat grain quality is a major concern as it feed a large population of the world and it is also a chief source of nutrition in developing countries. Extensive research has been carried out to enhance its nutritional value and quality and nutrient supply is one of the most favorable procedures. The present study also focusses on improving and analysing grain quality traits through addition of organic inputs such as FYM, vermicompost and biofertilizers and was conducted at Trans-Gangetic regions (Punjab) in a loamy sand soil with medium levels of available nitrogen. The experiment consisted of different levels of FYM, vermicompost, inorganic fertilizers (to supply N) and biofertilizer inoculation and unfertilized control. Among various organic treatments, higher FYM level, FYM250+Biof had the highest GAS (5.93 and 5.63), SDS-sedimentation value (49.7 and 35.3 cc) and protein content (12.4 and 12.3%) during both the years. Significantly lower phenol reaction score was also observed with FYM250+Biof (3.3 and 4.2 for the year 2016-17 and 2017-18). Also, the micro-nutrient content (Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) was significantly higher with organic inputs indicating wide range of nutrient supply and improved status of soil. Protein being a chief factor to influence various quality parameters had strong correlation with grain hardness (r = 0.946 and 0.961), hectolitre weight (r = 0.943 and 0.846), SDS (r = 0.979 and 0.963) and gluten. PRS, an undesirable factor, had negative correlation with all the other factors. Micronutrients, such as Cu, Fe Zn and Mn also had variable correlation with different parameters.

Clinical and biochemical characteristics for patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes syndrome: a pilot observational study

BackgroundPolyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is rare life-threatening condition associated with a clonal plasma cell neoplasm.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the clinical and biochemical features in patients with POEMS syndrome before and post-therapy.MethodsCharacteristics of demographic information, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators, and imaging examination were retrospectively collected when diagnosed and post-therapy in the patients POEMS syndrome between 2018 and 2024.ResultsNineteen newly-diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with POEMS syndrome were enrolled. The diagnosis of POEMS syndrome was re-analyzed and matched the diagnostic criteria updated in 2023. All patients presented the symptoms of polyneuropathy and positive for M-protein. Most patients suffered with hyperpigmentation (n = 18), organomegaly (n = 18), elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (n = 17), extravascular volume overload (n = 15), sclerotic bone lesions (n = 11), and hypothyroidism (n = 10). Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, total protein, and albumin levels were down-regulated, while uric acid level was up-regulated in patients with POEMS syndrome. Reduced triiodothyronine, thyroxine, free triiodothyronine levels were negatively correlated with urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid levels in patients with POEMS syndrome. VEGF level, which was negatively correlated with Ca2+ level (r = −0.56), was reduced in most patients with POEMS syndrome receiving bortezomib/ixazomib and lenalidomide/thalidomide therapy. Aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, and estimated glomerular filtration rate levels were increased, while creatinine and uric acid levels were reduced post-therapy in patients with POEMS syndrome.ConclusionPatients with POEMS syndrome had impaired liver and renal function, and effective therapy might partly repair the liver and renal dysfunction.

Ensuring fertilizer quality in Vietnam's Mekong Delta: The role of government and market initiatives

AbstractMotivationIf fertilizer is of low quality, farmers can be reluctant to use it, leading to low crop yields and low profitability. Although low‐quality fertilizer is often reported in the global south, little is said about how to solve the problem.PurposeWe examine how the government, fertilizer manufacturers and dealers, and farmers have dealt with fertilizer quality in Vietnam. We evaluate the quality of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer samples in the Mekong Delta, a hub of rice production.Approach and methodsWe conducted in‐depth interviews and discussions with stakeholders to understand the mechanisms for ensuring fertilizer quality and their effectiveness.It became clear that concerns about fertilizer quality were not regarding products from large state enterprises that dominate the market, but rather about fertilizer from smaller, often newer, manufacturers. We collected 141 samples of NPK fertilizers from smaller manufacturers in the Mekong Delta to compare the measured levels of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potassium (K) with their declared levels.FindingsThree complementary strategies for ensuring fertilizer quality have been identified: (1) government regulation and oversight through licensing, mandatory quality labelling, and random inspections; (2) manufacturer initiatives to establish brand reputation through warranties and dealer certification; and (3) farmer observations of fertilizer effectiveness that are communicated back to local dealers. The overall quality of fertilizers in the market was notably high, with the main brands from state enterprises capturing 95% of the market share. However, concerns were raised regarding the quality of lesser‐known fertilizer brands from newer manufacturers.Analysis of 141 fertilizer samples revealed that 48.9% of the minor‐brand fertilizers were lacking in at least one nutrient, exceeding the legally allowed deviation of 10%. Samples usually had excessive nitrogen and insufficient potassium.Policy implicationsThese findings highlight the necessity of coordinated government and market efforts to ensure fertilizer quality. Government regulation alone may not eliminate substandard fertilizer from the market, but it can be effective when combined with market initiatives from fertilizer manufacturers, dealers, and farmers.

Comparison of rhizobacterial communities between secondary forest and palm oil plantations in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract. Yuliatin E, Hariani N, Dharma B, Patang F, Budiman. 2025. Comparison of rhizobacterial communities between secondary forest and palm oil plantations in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 490-499. The conversion of primary forests to plantations is considered a sustainable form of land management; however, its implications for soil rhizobacterial diversity remain insufficiently explored. This study compared the rhizobacterial communities associated with Palm oil Plantation (PP) and Secondary Forest (SF) in East Kalimantan using a metagenomic approach. The soil samples were collected around the Secondary Forest soil (SF) and Palm oil Plantation soil (PP) plant roots in Berambai, Samarinda. The samples were then analyzed for soil physico-chemical properties such as pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic matter, and C/N ratio. At the same time, the rhizobacterial diversity was analyzed using a metagenomic analysis through Illumina Hiseq. Soil physico-chemical assessments showed acidic conditions in both soils, with PP being more acidic (pH 4.41) than SF (pH 5.38); nutrient analysis indicated medium nitrogen levels and high organic carbon in both soils, while PP had elevated P content due to fertilization. Metagenomic analysis revealed similar rhizobacterial richness, but diversity was slightly higher in PP. Dominant phyla included Proteobacteria and Acidobacteriota, with notable orders like Rhizobiales and Acidobacteriales. The functional analysis highlighted rhizobacterial roles in organic decomposition, plant growth promotion, and nitrogen fixation, illustrating ecological adaptation to soil conditions and management practices. This study provides insights into the rhizobacterial functional diversity in distinct soil environments.

Enhanced therapeutic effects of hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles in renal ischemic injury

BackgroundExtracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to provide significant protection against renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). Hypoxia has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the tissue repair capabilities of MSCs. However, the specific effects of hypoxia on MSCs and MSC-EVs, as well as their therapeutic potential in renal IRI, remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the alterations occurring in MSCs and the production of MSC-EVs following hypoxia pre-treatment, and further explored the key intrinsic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of hypoxic MSC-EVs in the treatment of renal IRI.MethodsHuman umbilical cord MSCs were cultured under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Proliferation and related pathways were measured, and RNA sequencing was used to detect changes in the transcriptional profile. MSC-EVs from both normoxic and hypoxic conditions were isolated and characterized. In vivo, the localization and therapeutic effects of MSC-EVs were assessed in a rat renal IRI model. Histological examinations were conducted to evaluate the structure, proliferation, and apoptosis of IRI kidney tissue respectively. Renal function was assessed by measuring serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. In vitro, the therapeutic potential of MSC-EVs were measured in renal tubular epithelial cells injured by antimycin A. Protein sequencing analysis of hypoxic MSC-EVs was performed, and the depletion of Glutathione S-Transferase Omega 1 (GSTO1) in hypoxic MSC-EVs was carried out to verify its key role in alleviating renal injury.ResultsHypoxia alters MSCs transcriptional profile, promotes their proliferation, and increases the production of EVs. Hypoxia-pretreated MSC-EVs demonstrated a superior ability to mitigate renal IRI, enhancing proliferation and reducing apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells both in vivo and in vitro. Protein profiling of the EVs revealed an accumulation of numerous anti-oxidative stress proteins, with GSTO1 being particularly prominent. Knockdown of GSTO1 significantly reduced the antioxidant and therapeutic effects on renal IRI of hypoxic MSC-EVs.ConclusionsHypoxia significantly promotes the generation of MSC-EVs and enhances their therapeutic effects on renal IRI. The antioxidant stress effect induced by GSTO1 is identified as one of the most critical underlying mechanisms. Our findings highlight that hypoxia-pretreated MSC-EVs represent a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for renal IRI.Graphical

Differences in plant responses to nitrogen addition between the central and edge populations of invasive Galinsoga quadriradiata in China.

Increased nitrogen deposition significantly impacts invasive plants, leading to population differentiation due to different environmental pressures during expansion. However, various populations respond differently to elevated nitrogen levels. This study explores the responses of central and edge populations of the annual invasive plant Galinsoga quadriradiata to different levels of nitrogen addition. The results indicate that the central population has a stronger need for nitrogen, with nitrogen addition promoting the growth of its aboveground parts, reducing intraspecific competition, and increasing reproductive allocation and total biomass. Specifically, nitrogen addition provides more nutritional resources, easing resource competition among plants, reducing intraspecific competitive pressure, and allowing plants to allocate more energy to growth and reproduction, thereby enhancing their expansion potential. In contrast, the edge populations respond differently to nitrogen. Although nitrogen addition promotes the growth of their underground parts and enhances root development, the impact on aboveground parts is smaller. The enhancement of underground parts helps edge populations better adapt to barren environments, improving their survival and competitive ability in new environments, thus increasing their expansion potential. Overall, the growth impact on edge populations due to nitrogen addition is smaller, possibly indicating they have exceeded their nitrogen limit. The study demonstrates that the degree of population differentiation in invasive plants at different invasion stages is a critical factor in studying their spread potential, aiding in predicting plant invasion trends under climate change and providing theoretical support for formulating targeted management strategies.

Yiqi Juanshen decoction alleviates renal interstitial fibrosis by targeting the LOXL2/PI3K/AKT pathway to suppress EMT and inflammation

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health concern, with renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) as a key feature. Effective management of RIF is crucial for treating CKD. Yiqi Juanshen decoction (YQJSD), as traditional Chinese medicine, has shown promising results in CKD treatment. This study evaluates YQJSD’s effectiveness in ameliorating RIF and explores the underlying molecular mechanisms using the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. YQJSD has been shown to effectively reduce serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, decrease extracellular matrix deposition, and down-regulate the expression of α-SMA, COL4α1, Fibronectin (FN). Mechanistically, YQJSD exerts its effects by modulating multiple pathways: it inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like NF-κB1, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CCR1. Simultaneously, YQJSD suppresses the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulating the expression of Snail1, Vimentin, Twist1, and FSP1, while increasing E-cadherin expression. Moreover, YQJSD can regulate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by decreasing the expression of LOXL2 and PIK3R1, along with p-AKT1/2/3. This modulation of the LOXL2/PI3K/AKT pathway contributes to the inhibition of both EMT and inflammation, highlighting a critical role in the therapeutic intervention against RIF. These findings suggest that YQJSD may serve as a promising therapeutic management of RIF in CKD patients.

Enhancing Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Performance with Optimized Nitrogen and Sulphur Levels

An experiment was conducted to study the impact of nitrogen and sulphur levels on the performance of mungbean. The experiment consisted of two factors viz. nitrogen levels and sulphur levels. The nitrogen application included four levels viz., N1: RDN @ 30 kg N ha-1; N2: Foliar application of Nano-urea @ 2 ml/L of water at 20-25 DAS; N3: Foliar application of Nano-urea @ 2 ml/L of water at 40-45 DAS and N4: Foliar application Nano-Urea @ 2 ml/L of water at 60-65 DAS whereas Sulphur application included three levels viz., S0: 0 kg ha-1; S1:15 kg ha-1 and S2: 30 kg ha-1 which was applied through Gypsum. The results showed that application of N3 resulted in higher performance of Mungbean in terms of growth parameters viz., plant height, DMA and LAI, yield attributes and yield. This indicates the importance of applying nano urea at the optimal growth stage to meet the crop's nutrient demands during critical periods of development. Likewise, increasing sulphur levels from S0 to S2 showed a positive effect on crop performance, with the highest results observed at 30 kg sulphur ha-1 S2.

Effects of Feeding Methionine Hydroxyl Analogue Chelated Zinc, Copper, and Manganese on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Mineral Excretion, and Welfare Conditions of Broiler Chickens: Part 2: Sustainability and Welfare Aspects

This study investigated the effects of the dietary supplementation of mineral methionine hydroxyl analogue chelates (MMHACs) zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) on excreta nitrogen and mineral levels, housing conditions, and the welfare status of broilers. Three-hundred eighty-four day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments, each consisting of eight replicate pens of twelve birds per pen. The treatments were (1) inorganic trace mineral ZnSO4 (110 ppm), CuSO4 (16 ppm), and MnO (120 ppm) (ITM); (2) MMHAC Zn (40 ppm), Cu (10 ppm), and Mn (40 ppm) (M10); (3) inorganic trace mineral ZnSO4 (110 ppm), tribasic copper chloride (125 ppm), and MnO (120 ppm) (T125); and (4) MMHAC Zn (40 ppm), Cu (30 ppm), and Mn (40 ppm) (M30). Three feeding phases including the starter (days 0–10), grower (days 10–21), and finisher (days 21–42) were used. The findings showed that birds offered MMHACs at both levels had significantly lower Zn and Mn levels, and birds offered the T125 diet had higher Cu levels in the excreta compared to those fed the other diets on days 10, 16, 21, 28, and 42 (p &lt; 0.001). The life cycle assessment showed that MMHAC supplementation at 30 ppm can be expected to improve the sustainability of the poultry industry in terms of reduced emissions into the environment, whereas excreta nitrogen and moisture content, litter conditions, levels of air gases (ammonia, carbon dioxide, and methane), and welfare indicators were similar between the dietary treatments. Hence, the supplementation of MMHACs to broiler diets at 30 ppm could maintain litter quality and welfare status while reducing emissions into the environment and the Zn, Mn, and/or Cu excretion of broilers, therefore reducing the environmental impacts of broiler production.

Optimizing Irrigation and Nitrogen Application for Greenhouse Tomato Using the DSSAT–CROPGRO–Tomato Model

The aim of this study was to optimize water-saving and high-efficiency irrigation and nitrogen application scheduling for greenhouse tomato cultivation in North China. Using experimental data on water and nitrogen inputs, the DSSAT-GLUE parameter adjustment tool was employed to calibrate the genetic parameters of the DSSAT–CROPGRO–Tomato model. Simulations were conducted to assess greenhouse tomato growth, water use, and yield under varying water and nitrogen conditions. After calibration, the model showed average relative errors of 3.19% for the phenological stages, 3.33% for plant height, and 4.52% for yield dry weight, meeting accuracy standards. The results from the calibrated model indicated that increasing irrigation or nitrogen levels initially enhanced yield but led to diminishing returns beyond optimal ranges. The maximum tomato yield and water–nitrogen use efficiency were achieved with irrigation quotas between 320 and 340 mm and nitrogen applications between 360 and 400 kg·ha−1. These findings provide a guideline for efficient water and nitrogen management for greenhouse tomatoes under drip irrigation conditions.