Toxic Conditions Research Articles

Multifunctional TiO2(R)/Fe2O3 Photocatalytic Composites Obtained from Ilmenite Ore

AbstractThe commercialization of the photocatalysis technology requires that the synthesis of the photocatalytic material is easy to scale up. Thus, the synthesis from earth‐abundant minerals represents one plausible solution to obtain materials by a scalable process with a lower environmental impact. So far, the most promising photocatalyst for this application is titanium dioxide (TiO2), which can be obtained from ilmenite ore; however, its synthesis usually implies toxic solvents and complicated reaction conditions. Thus, here is proposed an optimized method to extract higher amounts of TiO2 by a multivariable Plackett‐Burman design of experiments considering the mass of the ore precursor, the addition of phosphoric acid (H3PO4), the digestion temperature, the amount of base to adjust the pH, and the final thermal treatment. From this design, it was possible to minimize the heat treatment and the amount of base used to favor higher TiO2 (rutile) content with the presence of additional phases of iron oxides (Fe2O3) that act as co‐catalyst to enhance the photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO2/Fe2O3 composites obtained was investigated in four model reactions to obtain solar fuels (H2 evolution and CO2 reduction) and to remove endocrine water pollutants (bisphenol A and dyeing water), using visible and natural solar irradiation, respectively.

STOP1 dominates Arabidopsis tolerance to ammonium over NRT1.1/NPF6.3/CHL1

ABSTRACT The Arabidopsis nitrate transceptor NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1.1 (NRT1.1/NPF6.3/CHL1) plays significant roles even in the absence of nitrate. The loss-of-function of NRT1.1 alleviates growth suppression and chlorosis under toxic levels of ammonium as the sole nitrogen source. Recently, we reported that acidic stress-inducible genes are downregulated by NRT1.1 deficiency under ammonium toxicity conditions, implying that NRT1.1 may exacerbate ammonium-dependent acidic stress. The transcription factor SENSITIVE TO PROTON RHIZOTOXICITY 1 (STOP1) enhances Arabidopsis tolerance to ammonium and acidic stresses. Furthermore, STOP1 directly activates NRT1.1 transcription. These previous findings prompted us to analyze the association between NRT1.1 and STOP1 on ammonium tolerance. Here, we show that ammonium-inducible STOP1 plays a dominant role over NRT1.1 in ammonium tolerance and expression of direct target genes of STOP1. We present a novel scheme in which NRT1.1 and STOP1 jointly regulate common target(s) associated with ammonium tolerance.

Influence of Potentially Toxic Elements and Physio-Chemical Parameters of Industrially Contaminated Soil on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity in BBN Corridor, Himachal Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an essential role in plant growth and have great potential to enhance plant tolerance under polluted and toxic conditions. This study deals with a survey of five contaminated sites of the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh (BBN) industrial corridor/hub to investigate the morpho-diversity of endotrophic AM fungi associated with native plants. The high contamination factor of Cd and Fe in different study sites revealed a high intensity of contamination, indicating that the sites were significantly polluted with Cd and Fe. Results showed that AM symbioses were successfully established in the roots of native plants, highlighting their role in mitigating the harmful effects of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) through bioremediation. A total of 50 AMF morphotypes across 9 genera (Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Ambispora, Diversispora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora, Glomus, Rhizophagus, and Sclerocystis) were identified, with Glomeraceae being the most abundant (46%), followed by Acaulosporaceae (39%) and others contributing less (15%). The study also indicated that the hyphal and vesicular infections were prominent than arbuscular infections in roots. This is the first report on the diversity of native and putative AMF species associated with plants in the BBN industrial corridor, suggesting that these fungi could be cultured for further use as a sustainable organic approach in agriculture and rehabilitation practices in polluted areas.

Calcium oxide nanoparticles ameliorate cadmium toxicity in alfalfa seedlings by depriving its bioaccumulation, enhancing photosystem II functionality and antioxidant gene expression

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic pollutant that poses significant risks to living organisms and the environment, as it is absorbed by the plant roots and accumulates in different parts of crop during its production. A promising sustainable strategy to counteract these threats to use calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO-NPs) as soil supplements in fodder crops. This approach has shown notable morpho-physiological and biochemical improvements under metal toxicity conditions. However, the specific mechanisms driving Cd tolerance, particularly at physio-biochemical level and antioxidant related genes expression in fodder crops including alfalfa remain unexplored. CaO-NPs supplementation can trigger various signaling pathways that lead to enhance the photosynthetic pigments formation, stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation rate and quantum yield of photosystem II. In this study, we evaluated various doses of CaO-NPs (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1) for their efficacy in reducing Cd bioavailability and toxicity in alfalfa plants. Our results demonstrated that Ca2+ and Cd2+, which share the same ionic radius, compete for ion transport through channels. The small size and high availability of CaO-NPs facilitate their rapid translocation within plant tissues, reducing metal uptake by 61 % in shoots and 30 % in roots. Notably, application of CaO-NPs at 100 mg kg−1 significantly increased shoot length (44 %) and root lengths (35 %) as compared to Cd-treated control plants. The highest dose of CaO-NPs also improved photosynthetic efficiency and gas exchange attributes including (gs, Tr, Pn and Ci) by 66 %, 27 %, 33 % and Ci 21 %, respectively, compared with the Cd treated control. Moreover, CaO-NPs (at 100 mg kg−1) alleviated metal-induced oxidative stress by boosting antioxidant enzyme activity like SOD (25 %) POD (42 %), CAT (72 %) and APX (87 %) and diminishing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production when compared with sole Cd treatment. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that CaO-NPs positively impacted stomatal conductance and mitigated Cd toxicity in leaf ultrastructure. Additionally, the highest dose of CaO-NPs markedly upregulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes, MsCu/Zn SOD, MtPOD, MtCAT, and MtAPX in roots and shoots by 0.67 and 1.03 fold-change (FC), 0.61 and 0.53 FC, 0.54 and 0.88 FC, and 0.46 and 0.66 FC, respectively. In conclusion, CaO-NPs demonstrate significant potential for environmentally friendly mitigation of Cd stress in alfalfa by reducing its uptake, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture.

Plant-derived biochar and salicylic acid as biostimulants for Lycopersicon esculentum under chromium toxicity conditions: Insights from physiochemical attributes, antioxidants, and relative gene expression

Chromium is a widespread toxic trace metal in cultivated lands owing to human actions, insufficient treatment, and unregulated disposal. Chromium toxicity is facilitated by the production of reactive oxygen species, which induce lipid peroxidation and damage the cellular membranes and nuclei. This study evaluated the preparation and characterization of Pterospermum-derived biochar based on a set of test categories from the International Biochar Initiative. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Pterospermum-derived biochar and salicylic acid (SA) in promoting the growth and biochemical attributes of tomato plants grown in Cr-contaminated soils. The results showed that Cr toxicity reduced root (42.86 %) and shoot (23.26 %) lengths, which subsequently increased (65 % root and 39.94 % shoot lengths) under SA and biochar treatments. Increased levels of superoxide anions (O2•-) (104.43 %), malondialdehyde (MDA) (115.53 %), and H2O2 (72.35 %) were observed in the Cr-treated tomato plantlets. The combined treatment of SA and biochar effectively reduced MDA, H2O2, and O2•- levels by 51.17 %, 36.89 %, and 45.53 %, respectively, under Cr toxicity conditions. In addition, the combined treatment with SA and biochar enhanced the activity and gene expression of dehydrogenase (7.06-fold), guaiacol peroxidase (6.51-fold), superoxide dismutase (7.90-fold), polyphenol oxidase (1.89-fold), glutathione-s-transferase (2.55-fold), ascorbate peroxidase (1.26-fold), and glutathione peroxidase (8.75-fold) under Cr toxicity conditions. The results highlight the combined treatment of biochar and SA as an effective amendment that offers an environment-friendly method for alleviating Cr toxicity and promoting growth and the antioxidative defense system in tomato plantlets.

Painful Realities: Navigating the Complexities of Head and Neck Cancer Pain.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatments can cause significant pain, which can profoundly impact patients' quality of life and treatment outcomes. Understanding the full scope of HNC pain is essential for effective management and improved patient care. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the multifaceted nature of pain experienced by individuals with HNC, including its various etiologies and management strategies. HNC pain can arise from tumor extent, treatment-related toxicity, or comorbid conditions. The pathophysiology involves complex interactions between nociceptive, neuropathic, and inflammatory mechanisms. Optimal pain control requires a multimodal patient-tailored approach utilizing both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Enhancing our understanding of HNC pain and optimizing its management is imperative for improving the overall well-being and treatment outcomes of affected individuals. Future research should focus on understanding detailed pain mechanisms, with the goal of developing personalized pain management strategies and exploring novel therapeutic targets. By implementing comprehensive approaches to HNC pain management, healthcare providers can better support patients through their cancer treatment journey.

Oxygen-limited niches enhance activated sludge resilience to shock loads and mitigate antibiotic resistance

Conventional activated sludge (CAS) used in wastewater treatment plants that receive industrial wastewater are frequently challenged by toxic pollutants, which may impede the stable and efficient removal of pollutants. Additionally, these toxic pollutants may also exacerbate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study introduces a novel approach by incorporating oxygen-limited niches (i.e., anaerobic/anoxic zones) into CAS systems, demonstrating a significant improvement in resilience against toxic shock loads and ARG mitigation. Pilot-scale experiments revealed that oxygen-limited niches can positively impact the removal of conventional pollutants under toxic shock conditions and enhance the degradation of pharmaceuticals. 16S rRNA gene and metagenomic sequencing highlighted significant differences in microbial communities between the anaerobic/anoxic and aerobic zones. Furthermore, metagenomic analysis revealed that the oxygen-limited niches lead to lower abundance of ARGs, and the proportion of high-risk ARGs in anaerobic/anoxic zone was significantly lower than that in CAS. 14 genera potentially involved in ARG propagation were identified, and their abundance was obviously lower in anaerobic/anoxic zone. Our findings highlight the introduction of oxygen-limited niches as a modification to CAS systems, offering a new and promising strategy for managing toxic shocks, enhancing pollutant degradation, and reducing the health risks associated with ARGs in wastewater treatment processes.

Comparative analysis of reduced toxicity conditioning regimens between fludarabine plus melphalan and fludarabine plus busulfex in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Reduced-toxicity conditioning (RTC) regimens aim to mitigate regimen-related toxicity while maintaining anti-leukemic efficacy in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We assessed outcomes of RTC regimens utilizing melphalan versus intravenous busulfan combined with fludarabine in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted with 149 consecutive adult ALL patients (median age 51, range 18-60) in remission undergoing allo-HSCT. Patients received either fludarabine 150 mg/BSA plus 2 days of melphalan 70 mg/BSA (FM140, n = 76) from 2009 to 2015 or fludarabine plus 3 days of busulfan 3.2 mg/kg (FB9.6, n = 73) from 2016 to 2021. At 5 years post-HSCT, FM140 demonstrated superior disease-free survival (53.4% vs. 30.5%, p = 0.007) and lower cumulative relapse (27.4% vs. 46.8%, p = 0.026) than FB9.6. Five-year overall survival and non-relapse mortality did not significantly differ. FM140 exhibited a higher incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grades II-IV (49.3% vs. 30.3%, p = 0.016), though rates of acute GVHD grades III-IV and chronic GVHD were similar. Multivariate analysis identified Philadelphia chromosome and minimal residual disease positive status, and FB9.6 conditioning as predictors of increased relapse and poorer disease-free survival. FM140 RTC regimen displayed significantly reduced relapse and superior disease-free survival compared to FB9.6 in ALL patients undergoing allo-HSCT, highlighting its current clinical utility.

Study on the role of iron chelators in the management of iron overload among transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) pediatric patients

This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of Deferasirox, an oral iron chelator, in reducing iron burden in pediatric patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. Thalassemia syndromes, particularly beta-thalassemia, are inherited hemoglobin disorders requiring regular blood transfusions, leading to iron overload and subsequent complications. Effective management of iron overload is crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality. It was a descriptive observational study on Children between the ages of 2 years and 12 years who present with transfusion-dependent thalassemia and areon blood transfusion and develop iron overload, which is evaluated by serum ferritin levels of more than 2000mcg/l are administered iron chelator Deferasirox (14 mg/kg/d)and patients are evaluated for myocardial, hepatic, pancreatic iron burden and conditions of iron toxicity with the help of Cardiac MRI T2, LIC (Liver Iron Concentration), MRI T2 Pancreas, LVEF (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction). A total of 22 patients enrolled in the study; significant reductions were observed in mean serum ferritin levels (2,388 mcg/dl to 2,054 mcg/dl, p=0.0009), transferrin saturation (70.45% to 64.32%, p=0.00005), and serum transaminases (44.55 U/L to 40.27 U/L, p=0.003) at 6 months. Cardiac MRI T2* increased from 19.55 ms to 22.95 ms (p=0.045) at the end of 6 months and at the end of 12 months from 19.55 to 28.23 (p=0.0016), and LIC reduced from 20.73 mg Fe/g dw to 11.59 mg Fe/g dw (p=0.00005). Pancreatic T2 improved from 15.96 ms to 20.23 ms at 12 months (p=0.007). A transient increase in serum creatinine was observed at 6 months from 0.64+/-0.14 mg/dL to 0.7+/-0.13mg/dL(p=0.009), which returned to normal at the end of 12 months to 0.63 mg/dL, no additional therapy-related adverse events were reported. Deferasirox has demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing iron overload in pediatric patients with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia over a 12-month period. The substantial improvements in serum ferritin, cardiac MRI T2*, LIC, transferrin saturation, and pancreatic T2, coupled with its excellent safety profile, support the use of DFX as a cornerstone in the management of iron overload in this vulnerable population.

Excessive boron fertilization-induced toxicity is related to boron transport in field-grown pomelo trees.

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development; however, the process of B toxicity in citrus production is still poorly understood. We proposed a hypothesis that B toxicity in citrus trees is related to the characteristics of B transport from soil to leaf or fruit. For this, a field experiment was conducted for two treatments, control (B free or without B) and B fertilizer treatment (100 g Na2B4O7·10H2O plant-1), to investigate the effects on plant growth, nutrient uptake, fruit yield and quality, and B transport in 10-year-old pomelo trees [Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck cv. Guanximiyou]. Our results showed that excess B fertilization directly led to B toxicity in pomelo trees by dramatically increasing soil total B and water-soluble B contents. B toxicity induced interveinal chlorosis in leaves and decreased leaf biomass and function, resulting in a decreased 45.3% fruit yield by reducing 30.6% fruit load and 21.4% single fruit weight. Also, B toxicity induced changes in mineral elements between leaf positions and fruit parts, in which the concentrations of B, potassium, and magnesium were increased while those of nitrogen and iron were decreased. Under B toxicity conditions, fruit quality parameters of total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/titratable acidity (TA), total soluble sugar, sucrose, pH, vitamin C, and total phenol contents decreased, which were regulated by the lower carbohydrate production in new leaves and the lower transport capacity in old leaves. Moreover, B toxicity significantly increased the transfer factor and bio-concentration factor of B in pomelo plants, with higher levels in leaf organs than in fruit organs. Taken together, excess B fertilization-induced B toxicity in pomelo trees, with induced growth inhibition and nutrient disorder, results in reduced fruit yield and quality, which are related to B transport from soil to organs. The findings of this study highlight the understanding of B toxicity in citrus plants and strengthen B management in pomelo production for high yield and high quality.

Vacuum-filtration fabrication of copper-based halide scintillation screen for high-resolution X-ray imaging

Zero-dimensional (0D) organic-inorganic Cu(I)-based halides have garnered significant attention due to their low toxicity, efficient emission, and moderate fabrication conditions. However, the challenge remains in developing stable and efficient 0D hybrid Cu(I)-based halides for effective X-ray imaging. In this study, a yellow-emitting 0D hybrid copper halide, (ETPP)2Cu2I4 (Ethyl triphenylphosphonium, ETPP), was successfully synthesized via a slow evaporation method. This compound demonstrated an impressive steady-state light yield of 23,200 photons/MeV under X-ray radiation and an ultralow detection limit of 150.9 nGyair s−1, approximately 35 times lower than the standard medical examination dosage. Utilizing a vacuum-filtration method, we fabricated a flexible film that outperforms traditional methods and achieved an exceptional X-ray imaging resolution of 16.0 lp/mm. This study introduces a novel approach to fabricating high-performance X-ray imaging scintillators based on 0D Cu-based halides, showcasing excellent scintillation performance and stability for non-destructive testing.

Cultivating resilience in wheat: mitigating arsenic toxicity with seaweed extract and Azospirillum brasilense.

Arsenic (As) toxicity is a serious hazard to agricultural land due to growing industrialization, which has a negative effect on wheat crop yields. To address this issue, using seaweed extract and Azospirillum brasilense has emerged as an effective strategy for improving yield under stress conditions. However, the combined application of A. brasilense and seaweed extract in wheat crops under As toxicity has not been fully explored. The effectiveness of combining A. brasilense and seaweed extract in reducing As toxicity in wheat production was examined in this study through a 2-year pot experiment with nine treatments. These treatments included a control with no additives and two As concentrations (50 and 70 μM). At 50 and 70 μM, As was tested alone, with seaweed extract, with A. brasilense, and both. Significant results were achieved in reducing As toxicity in wheat crops. Arsenic at 70 μM proved more harmful than at 50 μM. The application of A. brasilense and seaweed extract was more effective in improving crop growth rates, chlorophyll levels, and stomatal conductance. The combined application notably decreased As concentration in wheat plants. It was concluded that applying A. brasilense and seaweed extract not only improves wheat growth but can also improve soil parameters under As toxicity conditions by increasing organic matter contents, boosting nutrient availability, and increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes.

The potential of phosphorus-solubilizing purple nonsulfur bacteria in agriculture: Present and future perspectives

Abstract Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macronutrients for crops. It is present in soil in two forms: soluble and insoluble. However, plants cannot absorb the insoluble forms, including Al-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P; thus, the phosphorus use efficiency is reduced. Therefore, the biological approaches should focus more on sustainable agriculture to overcome this constraint. This article cites publications relating to the biological P solubilizer group of bacteria, which have a highly potential adaptation to many conditions in soils. Among the biological approaches, purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) are a potent group of bacteria according to their adaptability in acidic, saline, and toxic conditions based on their mechanisms in producing exopolymeric substances and siderophores under such adverse environments like acid-sulfate and saline soils. PNSB can solubilize P in soil to have more P availability for soil microbes and plants. This particular group of bacteria has been widely applied in liquid and solid forms from agricultural waste to promote plant growth under submerged conditions. Moreover, this article summarized the P-solubilizing mechanisms of P-solubilizing bacteria and introduced future research perspectives on patterns of PNSB in aspects of nutrient-providing potency, plant growth-promoting capability, and biological control capacity. However, the specific mechanisms of P solubilization by PNSB have not been well documented since the P-solubilizing mechanisms have been investigated on general P-solubilizing bacteria. Thus, specific pathways and metabolites relating to the P-solubilizing PNSB should be investigated, and attention should be addressed to them soon.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation With Reduced Toxicity Conditioning for Pediatric B Lymphoid Malignancy.

Conventional conditioning regimens for children with lymphoid malignancy undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are myeloablative and involve high-dose total body irradiation (TBI). Such regimens are associated with significant late complications. Here, we used a reduced-toxicity conditioning regimen comprising fludarabine, cytarabine, melphalan, and low-dose TBI (FLAMEL) to treat 5 patients with lymphoid malignancy before HCT. Four patients maintained complete remission (range, 18 to 63mo), whereas the remaining patient who had positive minimal residual disease (MRD) before HCT relapsed. FLAMEL might be a suitable conditioning regimen for children with lymphoid malignancy if pre-HCT MRD is negative.

Sublethal effects of nitenpyram on the development of silkworm

The utilization of nitenpyram for aphid and whitefly control may induce environmental contamination and negative repercussions on non-target organisms. Formerly, we found that nitenpyram would pollute the peripheral and sub-peripheral areas of the adjacent mulberry orchard. Under acute toxicity conditions, nitenpyram induced oxidative damage in silkworms, affected biological metabolism, synthesis, immunity, and signal transduction. Considering the impact of nitenpyram mist drift on mulberry leaves, we investigated the effects of low concentrations of nitenpyram on silkworms. The results showed that silkworms exposed to 0.17 mg/L, 0.35 mg/L and 0.70 mg/L of nitenpyram (1/40 LC50, 1/20 LC50 and 1/10 LC50) showed obvious poisoning symptoms. The cocoon weight and cocoon shell weight decreased gradually with increases in the concentration, and these decreases prolonged the growth and development time of silkworms and induced the detoxification enzymes carboxylesterase (CarE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) to cope with the stress damage caused by nitenpyram. Exposure to low concentrations of nitenpyram downregulates genes involved in the drug metabolism-other enzymes and peroxisome pathway in silkworms. Additionally, through injection of miRNA mimics and inhibitors, we discovered that detoxifying enzyme pathway genes are influenced by bmo-miR-3382-3P, bmo-miR-3213-5P and bmo-miR-133, regulating the immune response of silkworms. This study provides an overall view of the toxicity and detoxification metabolism of nitenpyram in silkworm, and provides a reference for environmental assessment.

The role of ascorbate redox turnover in iron toxicity tolerance

Iron (Fe) toxicity is a major abiotic stress in lowland rice production. Breeding tolerant varieties has proven challenging due to the complex genetic architecture of Fe toxicity tolerance and the strong genotype-by-environment interactions. Additionally, conventional methods for phenotyping visible stress symptoms are often inaccurate, inconsistent, and lack reproducibility.In our previous work, we identified that ascorbate redox regulation, mediated by the activities of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and ascorbate oxidase (AO), contributed to high tolerance in an indica rice genotype across various environments. To explore whether this mechanism is common among other rice genotypes, we selected ten genotypes with contrasting stress symptoms under Fe-toxic conditions to examine the roles of DHAR and AO in regulating Fe toxicity tolerance. Additionally, we aimed to develop objective and accurate image-based phenotyping methods to replace the traditional leaf bronzing scoring method.Among the ten genotypes we tested, we found significant positive correlations between DHAR activity and stress symptoms in plants grown under both Fe toxicity and control conditions, suggesting a general link between ascorbate redox regulation and Fe toxicity tolerance. Using RGB signals from leaf images of plants exposed to 1000 mg/L Fe2+, we evaluated 36 different color indices to quantify stress symptoms. We identified the normalized green‒red difference index as most significant in quantifying stress symptoms under Fe toxicity conditions.Our findings suggest that DHAR activity could be potentially employed as a biomarker in the screening of rice germplasms and breeding tolerant cultivars to Fe toxicity.

Identifying the factors affecting financial toxicity status in patients with middle and advanced colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the second most prevalent type of cancer in China. The financial implications of treatment are a significant factor to be taken into account for patients diagnosed with middle and advanced stages of colorectal cancer (III-IV CRC). The research aims to explore current financial toxicity (FT) conditions and analyze factors that may influence it in patients with middle and advanced CRC. This is a cross-sectional survey. The participants of the study were individuals diagnosed with middle and advanced colorectal cancer who were admitted to the hospital between January and June 2023. The cross-sectional survey utilized a variety of instruments, including a general information questionnaire, a cancer patient report outcome economic toxicity scale, a medical coping style questionnaire, an Anderson symptom assessment scale, a disease shame scale, and a social support scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to examine the factors influencing FT. A cohort of 264 patients diagnosed with stage III-IV CRC were included in the study. The majority of patients with intermediate and advanced CRC (87.1%, n = 230) reported experiencing substantial financial strain. Multivariate analysis revealed that factors influencing FT included low family monthly income, out-of-pocket expenses, unemployment, undergoing surgical treatment, the level of stigma, and the severity of symptoms (P < 0.001). Patients with stage III-IV cancer (CRC) demonstrate increased levels of financial toxicity (FT), a common occurrence in individuals with moderate to severe CRC. In patients with stage III-IV CRC, the presence of FT is correlated with various factors including family monthly income, medical payment methods, work status, surgical treatment, stigma levels, and symptom severity. These characteristics may serve as influencing factors for subsequent treatment decisions.

Potential of agrohomoeopathy in agricultural evolution: A scoping review

Agrohomoeopathy is a new era of homoeopathy that aims to revolutionize the agricultural sector by enabling organic farming and chemical-free crop production. This scoping study investigates the potential of agrohomoeopathy in agriculture and examines its benefits and limitations. A comprehensive scoping review of 76 published research articles was conducted to explore the effects of agrohomoeopathy on crop development, antifungal toxicity, and stress conditions. The included research papers showed more positive results towards lower potency, with only 5 showing negative results after the homoeopathic intervention. However, some studies found limitations such as non-relevant or difficult-to-follow studies, sub-standard methodology, lack of replication, lack of negative controls, and no use of statistical analysis. There were no standard operating procedures or specific guidelines for agrohomoeopathic experiments. The authors present the details of agrohomoeopathic studies in Table 3 and critically appraise individual papers in the discussion section. The agrohomoeopathic practice will lead to cost-effective farming and beneficial effects on human health. The authors suggest developing standard operating procedures for agrohomoeopathic experiments and enabling the switch from conventional to agroecological farming.

Selecting Phosphorus-Solubilizing Strains of Purple Nonsulfur Bacteria Isolated From Pineapple Cultivated Acid Sulfate Soils

The presence of acid sulfate soils is such an obstacle for pineapple cultivation in Vietnam due to their low pH, high toxicity and poor nutrient availability, especially phosphorus (P), which is immobilized by cations in the soils. Therefore, the study occurred to select purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) strains that can solubilize P under toxic and acidic conditions. There were 33 strains that can tolerate the acidic condition, and they were selected and tested for viability and P solubilization under conditions containing Al3+, Fe2+, and Mn2+ toxins. Four strains, including W15, W39, W42 and W48 suffered from growth inhibition by Al3+, Fe2+ and Mn2+ less than the other strains under both microaerobic light and aerobic dark conditions (ML and AD conditions). In addition, there were four strains (W15, W25, W42 and W48) solubilizing Al-P well (21.4-25.2 mg L-1), two strains (W23 and W42) solubilizing Fe-P well (15.9-17.3 mg L-1), and two strains (W17 and W42) solubilizing Ca-P well (23.0-36.4 mg L-1) under both ML and AD conditions. Ultimately, there were five strains selected (W17, W23, W25, W42 and W48) and identified as Rhodopseudomonas palustris strain W17 and W23, Cereibacter sphaeroides strain W23, W42 and W48 based on the 16S rRNA technique. The selected strains also produced ALA, EPS and siderophores at 1.31-2.19 mg L-1, 0.78-1.89 mg L-1, and 16.2-55.6%, respectively. Therefore, these strains were promising in providing nutrients for pineapples in the form of biofertilizer.

Evaluating Ecological Nano-Calcium from Eggshells: Effects on Calcium Nutrition and Oxidative Stress in Lettuce Under Saline and Boron Toxicity

AbstractNano-fertilizers with higher efficacy compared to conventional fertilizers can provide advantage for plant cultivation in both productive and problematic soils. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of nano-calcium (nano-Ca) on lettuce plants grown in saline-boron toxic soil. Nano-calcium fertilizer was prepared from eggshells. Functional and structural properties of nano-Ca was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) before plant experiment. The treatments was; control, 40 mM NaCl and 20 mg kg−1 B (NaCl + B), and 40 mM NaCl and 20 mg kg−1 B with 4 mM Nano-Ca (NaCl + B + nano-Ca). The nano-Ca significantly increased the dry weight and calcium (Ca) concentration of lettuce plants under saline-B toxic conditions. Although there was a decrease in the concentrations of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and boron (B) with nano-Ca treatment, it was not statistically significant. Salinity and boron toxicity lead to increased lipid peroxidation. In the present study, the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker for lipid peroxidation, along with a significant decrease in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, was observed with the application of nano-Ca. There was no significant alteration in superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) observed in lettuce grown under saline and boron toxic conditions. However, catalase activity (CAT) increased with nano-Ca application, while the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) decreased. The study results suggest that nano-Ca serves a protective function for lettuce plants cultivated under saline and boron toxic conditions.