Diagnostic survey of analytical methods used to determine bone mineralization in pigs.

Pigs from 64 commercial sites across 14 production systems in the Midwest United States were evaluated for baseline biological measurements used to determine bone mineralization. There were three pigs selected from each commercial site representing: 1) a clinically normal pig (healthy), 2) a pig with evidence of clinical lameness (lame), and 3) a pig from a hospital pen that was assumed to have recent low feed intake (unhealthy). Pigs ranged in age from nursery to market weight, with the three pigs sampled from each site representing the same age or phase of production. Blood, urine, metacarpal, fibula, 2nd rib, and 10th rib were collected and analyzed. Each bone was measured for density and ash (defatted and non-defatted technique). A bone × pig type interaction (P < 0.001) was observed for defatted and non-defatted bone ash and density. For defatted bone ash, there were no differences among pig types for the fibulas, 2nd rib, and 10th rib (P > 0.10), but metacarpals from healthy pigs had greater (P < 0.05) percentage bone ash compared to unhealthy pigs, with the lame pigs intermediate. For non-defatted bone ash, there were no differences among pig types for metacarpals and fibulas (P > 0.10), but unhealthy pigs had greater (P < 0.05) non-defatted percentage bone ash for 2nd and 10th ribs compared to healthy pigs, with lame pigs intermediate. Healthy and lame pigs had greater (P < 0.05) bone density than unhealthy pigs for metacarpals and fibulas, with no difference observed for ribs (P > 0.10). Healthy pigs had greater (P < 0.05) serum Ca and 25(OH)D3 compared to unhealthy pigs, with lame pigs intermediate. Healthy pigs had greater (P < 0.05) serum P compared to unhealthy and lame pigs, with no differences between the unhealthy and lame pigs. Unhealthy pigs excreted significantly more (P < 0.05) P and creatinine in the urine compared to healthy pigs with lame pigs intermediate. In summary, there are differences in serum Ca, P, and vitamin D among healthy, lame, and unhealthy pigs. Differences in bone mineralization among pig types varied depending on the analytical procedure and bone, with a considerable range in values within pig type across the 14 production systems sampled.

There is little literature or data comparing bone diagnostic results for healthy, lame, and unhealthy pigs. Typically, diagnosticians assessing clinical lameness cases in pigs will measure bone mineralization along with histopathological evaluation to diagnose and assess the severity of metabolic bone disease. Bone ash is the primary method to determine bone mineralization, with the removal of the lipid in the bone (defatting) before the bone is ashed, compared to not removing the lipid before the ashing (non-defatted). Defatting the bone reduces the amount of variation across the bones compared to non-defatting. In this diagnostic survey, there was no difference among the healthy, lame, or unhealthy pigs when comparing defatted bone ash, however, unhealthy pigs had an increased bone ash percentage compared to the healthy and lame pigs when the bones were assessed using the non-defatted procedure. There was variation across production systems and pig types for serum vitamin D. When comparing the pig types, healthy pigs had increased serum Ca, P, and vitamin D [25(OH)D3] compared to the unhealthy pigs, with the lame pigs intermediate.

Effects of warming on soil organic carbon pools mediated by mycorrhizae and hyphae on the Eastern Tibetan Plateau, China.

Mycorrhizae and their hyphae play critical roles in soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. However, their individual contributions to SOC components and stability under climate warming conditions remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of warming on the SOC pools of Picea asperata (an ectomycorrhizal plant) and Fargesia nitida (an arbuscular mycorrhizal plant) mycorrhizae/hyphae on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The results indicated that mycorrhizae made greater contributions to SOC accumulation than hyphae did by increasing labile organic carbon (LOC) components, such as particle organic carbon (POC), easily oxidizable organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon, especially under warming conditions. Plant species also had different effects on SOC composition, resulting in higher mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) contents in F. nitida plots than in P. asperata plots; consequently, the former favored SOC stability more than the latter, with a lower POC/MAOC. Partial least-squares path modelling further indicated that mycorrhizae/hyphae indirectly affected LOC pools, mainly by changing soil pH and enzyme activities. Warming had no significant effect on SOC content but did change SOC composition by reducing LOC through affecting soil pH and iron oxides and ultimately increasing SOC stability in the presence of mycorrhizae for both plants. Therefore, the mycorrhizae of both plants are major contributors to the variation of SOC components and stability under warming conditions.

Unlocking the growth potential: harnessing the power of synbiotics to enhance cultivation of Pleurotus spp. / é‡Šæ”¾ç”Ÿé•¿æ½œåŠ›ï¼šåˆ©ç”¨åˆç”Ÿå ƒçš„åŠ›é‡åŠ å¼ºä¾§è€³å±žæ¤ç‰©ç§æ¤.

The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) is one of the most widely cultivated mushroom species globally. The present study investigated the effect of synbiotics on the growth and quality of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius. Different synbiotics formulations were applied by spraying mushroom samples daily and measuring their growth parameters, yield, biological efficiency, proximate composition, mineral content, total phenolic content (TPC), and diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Results demonstrated that the most significant yield of oyster mushrooms was harvested from synbiotics sprayed with inulin and Lactobacillus casei (56.92 g). Likewise, the highest biological efficiency obtained with a similar synbiotic was 12.65%. Combining inulin and L. casei was the most effective method of improving the mushrooms' growth performance and nutrient content in both samples. Furthermore, synbiotics that combined inulin and L. casei resulted in the highest TPC (20.550 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry extract (DE)) in white oyster mushrooms (P. ostreatus). In comparison, in grey mushroom (P. pulmonarius) the highest TPC was yielded by L. casei (1.098 mg GAE/g DE) followed by inulin and L. casei (1.079 mg GAE/g DE). The DPPH results indicated that the oyster mushroom could be an efficient antioxidant. The results revealed that applying synbiotics improved the mushrooms' quality by increasing their antioxidant capacity with higher amounts of phenolic compounds and offering better health benefits with the increased levels of mineral elements. Together, these studies demonstrated the potential of using synbiotics as a biofertilizer, which is helpful for mushroom cultivation; therefore, it might solve the challenge of inconsistent quality mushroom growers face.

Evolution of the redox-altered, two-tiered Muralha Flow in the Fronteira Oeste Rift, southern Paraná Volcanic Province.

The thorough redox alteration of a lava flow is an undescribed feature in intraplate basaltic provinces. The Early Cretaceous (134.5 Ma) Paraná Province displays that alteration in the major Muralha Flow. This oxidized and reduced flow from the southern part of the province was studied with satellite images, field surveying, petrography, and published whole rock geochemistry. The 100 x 100 km flow from the Cuesta de Haedo presents two hydrothermal tiers - lower Tier 1 is gray to white, upper Tier 2 is red. Iron oxyhydroxides characterize Tier 2. Tier 1 contains clay minerals, zeolites, pyrite and calcite, and agate (possibly amethyst) geodes. In a first event, the upper Tier 2 was oxidized by hot water from the underlying Guarani Paleoaquifer. The high water/rock ratio decreased due to porosity clogging by precipitation of secondary minerals, and the fluid became reducing. Lowering of Eh and pH was caused by reaction of water with reducing particles (calcite, organic molecules) present in the paleoerg sandstones and with fresh rock surfaces. A lower Tier 1 was then formed during slow, hot water percolation. Reduction was interrupted below 30 °C (calcite formation). Large scale, similar alteration occurred in all studied oceanic ridges and only rarely in continental environments.

Assessment of jaw bone mineral density, resorption rates, and oral health in patients with severe hemophilia: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge about oral hygiene, gingival bleeding, mineral density, and resorption of jaw bones in patients with hemophilia is limited. We evaluated the periodontal and bone status in such patients.  Material and methods: Forty-eight patients with severe type A/B hemophilia and 49 age- and sex-matched controls were included. Assessments included simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), calculus index, debris index, gingival index (GI), gingival bleeding time index (GBTI), and decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFTI). Bone resorption was evaluated using panoramic mandibular index (PMI), mental index (MI), and alveolar crest ratio (ACR). Mineral density in the condyle, angulus, and premolar areas was assessed using fractal analysis, with fractal dimensions denoted as condyle fractal dimension (CFD) for the condyle, angulus fractal dimension (AFD) for angulus, and premolar fractal dimension (PFD) for premolar region. RESULTS: The mean scores were DMFTI = 11.77, OHI-S = 2.44, PMI = 0.268, MI = 5.822, GI = 3.02, GBTI = 2.64, ACR = 2.06, CFD = 1.31, AFD = 1.31, and PFD = 1.17 in the hemophilia group and DMFTI = 11.449, PMI = 0.494, MI = 7.43, GI = 0.67, GBTI = 0.98, OHI-S = 1.45, ACR = 2.87, CFD = 1.35, AFD = 1.35, and PDF = 1.23 in the control group. Differences were significant for all parameters (p < 0.005) except for the DMFTI index.  Conclusions: Because of poor oral hygiene, high bone resorption, and low bone mineral density in these patients, clinicians should consider potential bone changes when planning to treat these patients.

Selective concentration of iron, titanium, and zirconium substrate minerals within Gregory's diverticulum, an organ unique to derived sand dollars (Echinoidea: Scutelliformes).

Gregory's diverticulum, a digestive tract structure unique to a derived group of sand dollars (Echinoidea: Scutelliformes), is filled with sand grains obtained from the substrate the animals inhabit. The simple methods of shining a bright light through a specimen or testing response to a magnet can reveal the presence of a mineral-filled diverticulum. Heavy minerals with a specific gravity of >2.9 g/cm3 are selectively concentrated inside the organ, usually at concentrations one order of magnitude, or more, greater than found in the substrate. Analyses of diverticulum content for thirteen species from nine genera, using optical mineralogy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, as well as micro-computed tomography shows the preference for selection of five major heavy minerals: magnetite (Fe3O4), hematite (Fe2O3), ilmenite (FeTiO3), rutile (TiO2), and zircon (ZrSiO4). Minor amounts of heavy or marginally heavy amphibole, pyroxene and garnet mineral grains may also be incorporated. In general, the animals exhibit a preference for mineral grains with a specific gravity of >4.0 g/cm3, although the choice is opportunistic and the actual mix of mineral species depends on the mineral composition of the substrate. The animals also select for grain size, with mineral grains generally in the range of 50 to 150 µm, and do not appear to alter this preference during ontogeny. A comparison of analytical methods demonstrates that X-ray attenuation measured using micro-computed tomography is a reliable non-destructive method for heavy mineral quantification when supported by associated analyses of mineral grains extracted destructively from specimens or from substrate collected together with the specimens. Commonalities in the electro-chemical surface properties of the ingested minerals suggest that such characteristics play an important role in the selection process.

Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of Apis cerana honey from Lombok and Bali Islands.

Limited honey production worldwide leads to higher market prices, thus making it prone to adulteration. Therefore, regular physicochemical analysis is imperative for ensuring authenticity and safety. This study describes the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of Apis cerana honey sourced from the islands of Lombok and Bali, showing their unique regional traits. A comparative analysis was conducted on honey samples from Lombok and Bali as well as honey variety from Malaysia. Moisture content was found slightly above 20% in raw honey samples from Lombok and Bali, adhering to the national standard (SNI 8664:2018) of not exceeding 22%. Both honey types displayed pH values within the acceptable range (3.40-6.10), ensuring favorable conditions for long-term storage. However, Lombok honey exhibited higher free acidity (78.5±2.14 meq/kg) than Bali honey (76.0±1.14 meq/kg), surpassing Codex Alimentarius recommendations (≤50 meq/kg). The ash content, reflective of inorganic mineral composition, was notably lower in Lombok (0.21±0.02 g/100) and Bali honey (0.14±0.01 g/100) compared to Tualang honey (1.3±0.02 g/100). Electric conductivity, indicative of mineral content, revealed Lombok and Bali honey with lower but comparable values than Tualang honey. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) concentrations in Lombok (14.4±0.11 mg/kg) and Bali (17.6±0.25 mg/kg) were slightly elevated compared to Tualang honey (6.4±0.11 mg/kg), suggesting potential processing-related changes. Sugar analysis revealed Lombok honey with the highest sucrose content (2.39±0.01g/100g) and Bali honey with the highest total sugar content (75.21±0.11 g/100g). Both honeys exhibited lower glucose than fructose content, aligning with Codex Alimentarius guidelines. The phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were significantly higher in Lombok and Bali honey compared to Tualang honey, suggesting potential health benefits. Further analysis by LC-MS/MS-QTOF targeted analysis identified various flavonoids/flavanols and polyphenolic/phenolic acid compounds in Lombok and Bali honey. The study marks the importance of characterizing the unique composition of honey from different regions, ensuring quality and authenticity in the honey industry.

Potential Drug-Nutrient Interactions of 45 Vitamins, Minerals, Trace Elements, and Associated Dietary Compounds with Acetylsalicylic Acid and Warfarin-A Review of the Literature.

In cardiology, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and warfarin are among the most commonly used prophylactic therapies against thromboembolic events. Drug-drug interactions are generally well-known. Less known are the drug-nutrient interactions (DNIs), impeding drug absorption and altering micronutritional status. ASA and warfarin might influence the micronutritional status of patients through different mechanisms such as binding or modification of binding properties of ligands, absorption, transport, cellular use or concentration, or excretion. Our article reviews the drug-nutrient interactions that alter micronutritional status. Some of these mechanisms could be investigated with the aim to potentiate the drug effects. DNIs are seen occasionally in ASA and warfarin and could be managed through simple strategies such as risk stratification of DNIs on an individual patient basis; micronutritional status assessment as part of the medical history; extensive use of the drug-interaction probability scale to reference little-known interactions, and application of a personal, predictive, and preventive medical model using omics.

Minerals and the Menstrual Cycle: Impacts on Ovulation and Endometrial Health.

The role of minerals in female fertility, particularly in relation to the menstrual cycle, presents a complex area of study that underscores the interplay between nutrition and reproductive health. This narrative review aims to elucidate the impacts of minerals on key aspects of the reproductive system: hormonal regulation, ovarian function and ovulation, endometrial health, and oxidative stress. Despite the attention given to specific micronutrients in relation to reproductive disorders, there is a noticeable absence of a comprehensive review focusing on the impact of minerals throughout the menstrual cycle on female fertility. This narrative review aims to address this gap by examining the influence of minerals on reproductive health. Each mineral's contribution is explored in detail to provide a clearer picture of its importance in supporting female fertility. This comprehensive analysis not only enhances our knowledge of reproductive health but also offers clinicians valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies and the recommended intake of minerals to promote female reproductive well-being, considering the menstrual cycle. This review stands as the first to offer such a detailed examination of minerals in the context of the menstrual cycle, aiming to elevate the understanding of their critical role in female fertility and reproductive health.

Particle analysis of surgical lung biopsies from deployed and non-deployed US service members during the Global War on Terrorism.

The role that inhaled particulate matter plays in the development of post-deployment lung disease among US service members deployed to Southwest Asia during the Global War on Terrorism has been difficult to define. There is a persistent gap in data addressing the relationship between relatively short-term (months to a few years) exposures to high levels of particulate matter during deployment and the subsequent development of adverse pulmonary outcomes. Surgical lung biopsies from deployed service members and veterans (DSMs) and non-deployed service members and veterans (NDSMs) who develop lung diseases can be analyzed to potentially identify residual deployment-specific particles and develop associations with pulmonary pathological diagnoses. We examined 52 surgical lung biopsies from 25 DSMs and 27 NDSMs using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to identify any between-group differences in the number and composition of retained inorganic particles, then compared the particle analysis results with the original histopathologic diagnoses. We recorded a higher number of total particles in biopsies from DSMs than from NDSMs, and this difference was mainly accounted for by geologic clays (illite, kaolinite), feldspars, quartz/silica, and titanium-rich silicate mixtures. Biopsies from DSMs deployed to other Southwest Asia regions (SWA-Other) had higher particle counts than those from DSMs primarily deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, due mainly to illite. Distinct deployment-specific particles were not identified. Particles did not qualitatively associate with country of deployment. The individual diagnoses of the DSMs and NDSMs were not associated with elevated levels of total particles, metals, cerium oxide, or titanium dioxide particles. These results support the examination of particle-related lung disease in DSMs in the context of comparison groups, such as NDSMs, to assist in determining the strength of associations between specific pulmonary pathology diagnoses and deployment-specific inorganic particulate matter exposure.

Mineral patterns in hair: A decisive factor between reproducible and repeat breeder dairy cows.

Reproduction, especially impregnation, is a critical aspect of dairy cow management that directly influences herd milk productivity. We conducted a noninvasive hair mineral assay to compare the mineral profiles of two dairy cow groups: reproducible and repeat breeder, by investigating the levels of 11 essential minerals (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr, Se, and P) and 6 toxic elements (Hg, Pb, Cd, Al, As, and Ni) in both groups. We also conducted principal component and correlation matrix analyses to compare hair mineral patterns between the groups. Compared to their reproducible counterparts, repeat breeder cows had lower levels of Na, K, and Se. However, Fe, Cd, Al, and As levels were higher in repeat breeders than in their reproducible counterparts. The correlation matrix showed notable correlation patterns for each group. Ca, K, and Na levels were positively correlated in reproducible cows, whereas repeat breeder cows showed positive correlations only between Ca and K levels. Se showed positive correlations with Zn only in the reproducible cow group. Negative correlations were not found in the reproducible group, whereas the repeat breeder group exhibited 7 negative correlations. Despite the limitations of hair mineral analysis, this study provided useful insights into the reproductive potential of dairy cows. These findings aid in easing the prediction of repeat breeder occurrences in herds and are expected to facilitate timely mineral supplementation and other interventions to improve overall herd reproduction in dairy farms.

Electrochemically coupled CH4 and CO2 consumption driven by microbial processes.

The chemical transformations of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gases typically have high energy barriers. Here we present an approach of strategic coupling of CH4 oxidation and CO2 reduction in a switched microbial process governed by redox cycling of iron minerals under temperate conditions. The presence of iron minerals leads to an obvious enhancement of carbon fixation, with the minerals acting as the electron acceptor for CH4 oxidation and the electron donor for CO2 reduction, facilitated by changes in the mineral structure. The electron flow between the two functionally active microbial consortia is tracked through electrochemistry, and the energy metabolism in these consortia is predicted at the genetic level. This study offers a promising strategy for the removal of CH4 and CO2 in the natural environment and proposes an engineering technique for the utilization of major greenhouse gases.

Threat of mining to African great apes.

The rapid growth of clean energy technologies is driving a rising demand for critical minerals. In 2022 at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), seven major economies formed an alliance to enhance the sustainability of mining these essential decarbonization minerals. However, there is a scarcity of studies assessing the threat of mining to global biodiversity. By integrating a global mining dataset with great ape density distribution, we estimated the number of African great apes that spatially coincided with industrial mining projects. We show that up to one-third of Africa's great ape population faces mining-related risks. In West Africa in particular, numerous mining areas overlap with fragmented ape habitats, often in high-density ape regions. For 97% of mining areas, no ape survey data are available, underscoring the importance of increased accessibility to environmental data within the mining sector to facilitate research into the complex interactions between mining, climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.

Renal hyperparathyroidism- a risk factor in the development of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

Background: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare complication of prolonged peritoneal dialysis (PD) exposure, characterised by peritoneal thickening, calcification, and fibrosis ultimately presenting with life-threatening bowel obstruction. The presence or role of peritoneal calcification in the pathogenesis of EPS is poorly characterised. We hypothesise that significantly aberrant bone mineral metabolism in patients on PD can cause peritoneal calcification which may trigger the development of EPS. We compared the temporal evolution of bone mineral markers during PD in EPS patients with non-EPS long-term PD controls. Methods: Linear mixed model and logistic regression analysis were used to compare four-monthly serum levels of calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) over the duration of PD exposure in 46 EPS and 46 controls (PD, non-EPS) patients. Results: EPS patients had higher mean calcium (2.51 vs. 2.41 mmol/L) and ALP (248.00 vs. 111.13 IU/L) levels compared with controls (p=0.01 and p<0.001 respectively, maximum likelihood estimation). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high serum calcium and phosphate levels during PD were associated with a 4.5 and 2.9 fold increase in the risk of developing EPS respectively. Conclusion: High levels of calcium and phosphate in patients on PD were identified to be risk factors for EPS development. Possible reasons for this may be an imbalance of pro-calcifying factors and calcification inhibitors promoting peritoneal calcification which increases peritoneal stiffness. Mechanical alterations may trigger, unregulated fibrosis and subsequent development of EPS. Improved management of secondary hyperparathyroidism during PD may ultimately diminish the EPS risk.

Varietal responses to a soil amendment: Balancing cadmium mitigation and mineral biofortification in wheat production.

The application of soil amendment (SA) and the cultivation of low Cd-accumulating varieties have been a widely favored strategy to enable the safe utilization of Cd-contaminated arable land. However, little has been reported on the reciprocal effects of SA on the Cd mitigation and nutritional quality of different wheat varieties. In this study, we evaluated the impact of an SA on agronomic traits, Cd accumulation, translocation and mineral nutrition of 12 wheat varieties in an acidic field with a Cd concentration of 0.46 mg/kg. The results showed that the SA significantly reduced soil DTPA Cd (42.3 %) and resulted in a slight decrease in wheat grain yield (4.24-9.72 %, average 7.62 %). Similarly, the SA significantly reduced grain Cd concentrations (average 61.65 %) while increased the concentrations of beneficial elements such as Mo and Se in all wheat varieties. However, this intervention also led to a reduction in the concentration of essential mineral elements (such as Ca, Fe, and Mn) in whole wheat grain and starchy endosperm, as well as a reduction in their proportion in the bran. Based on genotypic differences, Huaimai 33, Zhenmai 168, Sumai 188 and Yangmai 28 were considered to be the relatively most promising wheat varieties for achieving a balance among food safety, nutritional quality, and economic yield in this region. Taken together, this study highlights the varietal differences in Cd mitigation and mineral accumulation in different wheat varieties in response to the SA, offering new perspectives for phytoremediation and biofortification strategies for Cd-contaminated farmland.

Investigation of the interface of fungal mycelium composite building materials by means of low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy.

Low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (low-vacuum SEM) is widely used for different applications, such as the investigation of noncoated specimen or the observation of biological materials, which are not stable to high vacuum. In this study, the combination of mineral building materials (concrete or clay plaster) with a biological composite (fungal mycelium composite) by using low-vacuum SEM was investigated. Fungal biotechnology is increasingly gaining prominence in addressing the challenges of sustainability transformation. The construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to the climate crises and, therefore, can highly profit from applications based on regenerative fungal materials. In this work, a fungal mycelium composite is used as alternative to conventional insulating materials like Styrofoam. However, to adapt bio-based products to the construction industry, investigations, optimisations and adaptations to existing solutions are needed. This paper examines the compatibility between fungal mycelium materials with mineral-based materials to demonstrate basic feasibility. For this purpose, fresh and hardened concrete specimens as well as clay plaster samples are combined with growing mycelium from the tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius. The contact zone between the mycelium composite and the mineral building materials is examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The combination of these materials proves to be feasible in general. The use of hardened concrete or clay with living mycelium composite appears to be the favoured variant, as the hyphae can grow into the surface of the building material and thus a layered structure with a stable connection is formed. In order to work with the combination of low-density organic materials and higher-density inorganic materials simultaneously, low-vacuum SEM offers a suitable method to deliver results with reduced effort in preparation while maintaining high capture and magnification quality. Not only are image recordings possible with SE and BSE, but EDX measurements can also be carried out quickly without the influence of a coating. Depending on the signal used, as well as the magnification, image-recording strategies must be adapted. Especially when using SE, an image-integration method was used to reduce the build-up of point charges from the electron beam, which damages the mycelial hyphae. Additionally using different signals during image capture is recommended to confirm acquired information, avoiding misinterpretations.

Microbial mechanisms in nitrogen fertilization: Modulating the re-mobilization of clay mineral-bound cadmium in agricultural soils.

Soil cadmium (Cd) can affect crop growth and food safety, and through the enrichment in the food chain, it ultimately poses a risk to human health. Reducing the re-mobilization of Cd caused by the release of protons and acids by crops and microorganisms after stabilization is one of the significant technical challenges in agricultural activities. This study aimed to investigate the re-mobilization of stabilized Cd within the clay mineral-bound fraction of soil and its subsequent accumulation in crops utilizing nitrogen ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), at 60 and 120 mg kg-1. Furthermore, the study harvested root exudates at various growth stages to assess their direct influence on the re-mobilization of stabilized Cd and to evaluate the indirect effects mediated by soil microorganisms. The results revealed that, in contrast to the NO3--N treatment, the NH4+-N treatment significantly enhanced the conversion of clay mineral-bound Cd in the soil to NH4NO3-extractable Cd. It also amplified the accumulation of Cd in edible amaranth, with concentrations in roots and shoots rising from 1.7-6.0 mg kg-1 to 4.3-9.8 mg kg-1. The introduction of NH4+-N caused a decrease in the pH value of the rhizosphere soil and stimulated the production and secretion organic and amino acids, such as oxalic acid, lactic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, and l-serine, from the crop roots. Furthermore, compared to NO3--N, the combined interaction of root exudates with NH4+-N has a more pronounced impact on the abundance of microbial genes associated with glycolysis pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle, such as pkfA, pfkB, sucB, sucC, and sucD. The effects of NH4+-N on crops and microorganisms ultimately result in a significant increase in the re-mobilization of stabilized Cd. However, the simulated experiments showed that microorganisms only contribute to 3.8-6.6 % of the re-mobilization of clay mineral-bound Cd in soil. Therefore, the fundamental strategy to inhibit the re-mobilization of stabilized Cd in vegetable cultivation involves the regulation of proton and organic acid secretion by crops.

Carbon footprint of maize-wheat cropping system after 40-year fertilization.

Two main challenges which human society faces for sustainable development goals are the maintenance of food security and mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here, we examined the impacts of six fertilization treatments including unfertilized control (CK), mineral nitrogen (N, 90 kg N ha-1), mineral N plus 30 kg P ha-1 phosphorus (NP), NP combined with 3.75 Mg ha-1 straw (NP + Str), farmyard manure (Man, 75 Mg ha-1), and NP combined with manure (NP + Man) on crop productivity and carbon emissions (soil GHG emission; GHGI, yield-based GHG intensity; NGHGB, net GHG balance; carbon footprint, CF) in a maize-wheat cropping system during two years (April 2018-June 2020) in a semi-arid continental climate after 40 years of fertilization in the Northwest China. Manure and straw increased total GHG by 38-60 % compared to the mineral fertilizers alone, which was mainly due to the 49-80 % higher direct emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) rather than nitrous oxide (N2O). Compared to the N fertilizer alone, organic amendments and NP increased cumulative energy yield by 134-202 % but decreased GHGI by 38-55 %, indicating that organic fertilizers increased crop productivity at the cost of higher GHG emissions. When the soil organic carbon changes (ΔSOC) were accounted for in the C emission balance, manure application acted as a net C sink due to the NGHGB recorded with -123 kg CO2-eq ha-1 year-1. When producing the same yield and economic benefits, the manure and straw addition decreased the CF by 59-85 % compared to N fertilization alone. Overall, the transition from mineral to organic fertilization in the semi-arid regions is a two-way independent solution to increase agricultural productivity along with the reduction of C emissions.

In situ incubation of iron(II)-bearing minerals and Fe(0) reveals insights into metabolic flexibility of chemolithotrophic bacteria in a nitrate polluted karst aquifer.

Groundwater nitrate pollution is a major reason for deteriorating water quality and threatens human and animal health. Yet, mitigating groundwater contamination naturally is often complicated since most aquifers are limited in bioavailable carbon. Since metabolically flexible microbes might have advantages for survival, this study presents a detailed description and first results on our modification of the BacTrap© method, aiming to determine the prevailing microbial community's potential to utilize chemolithotrophic pathways. Our microbial trapping devices (MTDs) were amended with four different iron sources and incubated in seven groundwater monitoring wells for ∼3 months to promote growth of nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (NRFeOxB) in a nitrate-contaminated karst aquifer. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences implies that the identity of the iron source influenced the microbial community's composition. In addition, high throughput amplicon sequencing revealed increased relative 16S rRNA gene abundances of OTUs affiliated to genera such as Thiobacillus, Rhodobacter, Pseudomonas, Albidiferax, and Sideroxydans. MTD-derived enrichments set up with Fe(II)/nitrate/acetate to isolate potential NRFeOxB, were dominated by e.g., Acidovorax spp., Paracoccus spp. and Propionivibrio spp. MTDs are a cost-effective approach for investigating microorganisms in groundwater and our data not only solidifies the MTD's capacity to provide insights into the metabolic flexibility of the aquifer's microbial community, but also substantiates its metabolic potential for anaerobic Fe(II) oxidation.