Factors associated with concomitant prostate cancer in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients aged 60 years and above.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate hyperplasia and cancer are more prevalent in middle-aged and elderly men. Previous studies have linked both disorders to androgen receptors. Herein, efforts were made to identify factors associated with prostate cancer in patients ≥60 years, aiming to enhance their health management. METHODS: An analytical framework was established utilizing the "Prostate Cancer Early Warning Dataset" from the National Clinical Medical Science Data Center. Variables selection was conducted through LASSO regression, followed by multifactorial logistic stepwise regression to construct a predictive model. RESULTS: A total of 1,502 patients with BPH and 294 with combined PCa were hereby included. Multivariate regression delineated several independent predictors of PCa coexistence, including age (OR [95% CI]: 1.06 [1.04-1.09], p < 0.001), fPSA/tPSA ratio (OR [95% CI]: 0.01 [0.002-0.05], p < 0.001), serum inorganic phosphorus (OR [95% CI]: 5.85 [2.61-13.15], p < 0.001), globulin levels (OR [95% CI]: 1.06 [1.02-1.11], p = 0.005), serum potassium (OR [95% CI]: 0.58 [0.40-0.86], p = 0.006), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (OR [95% CI]: 1.28 [1.06-1.54], p = 0.009), among others. CONCLUSION: The analysis revealed connections between PCa occurrence in men aged over 60 and BPH, along with specific serum biomarkers such as inorganic phosphorus, globulin, LDL cholesterol, lower fPSA/tPSA ratios and serum potassium.

Genetic analysis of agronomic and physiological traits associated with latex yield revealed complex genetic bases in Hevea brasiliensis.

Hevea brasiliensis, a natural rubber producing species, is widely cultivated due to its high rubber yield potential. Natural rubber is synthesised in the rubber particles of laticifers. Latex diagnosis (LD) was established to characterise the physiological state of the laticiferous system by measuring its physiological parameters, i.e., sucrose, inorganic phosphorous (Pi), thiols and total solid content (TSC). Rubber clones are often classified in three groups i.e., quick starters, medium starters and slow starters. To better understand the genetic bases of latex yield, a biparental population was generated from a cross between the quick-starter clone PB 260 and the medium-starter clone SP 217. LD was performed during the peak latex production season and used to calculate sucrose loading. The agronomic and physiological parameters associated with latex yield led to the classification of genotypes according to the rubber clonal typology and to the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) using a high-density map. Inorganic phosphorous content was positively associated with yield during the first year of production thus enabling identification of quick-starter clones. In addition, the LD-based clonal typology led to determine the long-term yield potential and the use of appropriate ethephon stimulation. QTL analysis successfully identified several QTLs related to yield, sucrose, Pi and TSC. One QTL related to sucrose loading was identified in the same position as the QTL for sucrose on linkage group 1. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report QTL analysis for this trait. The use of a high-density map enables the identification of genes underlying QTLs. Several putative genes underlying QTLs related to yield, sucrose and TSC were identified.

Mechanistic characterization of dissolved inorganic phosphorus in water during the red tide.

The eutrophication of water, such as excessive nitrogen and phosphorus, are closely associated with the outbreak of red tide. However, the response of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) to red tide remained unclear in water. In this study, three species of diatoms capable of causing red tides were cultured in simulated seawater with different concentrations of DIP. The changes of biomass, chlorophyll a concentration and the carbon stable isotope composition of microalgae, the DIP concentration and pH of the culture medium were compared among the experimental groups. In addition, correlation verification was used to test the correlation between the change of DIP concentration and other indicators. The results showed that in the experimental period, the DIP concentration of each experimental group decreased significantly first, and the concentration dropped to less than 40% of the initial level. After that, the pH of the medium, the biomass, chlorophyll a concentration and carbon stable isotope composition of the microalgae showed varying degrees of increase, and then stabilized or decreased. These also marked the outbreak of red tide. Moreover, the correlation test showed that there was a correlation between them and the change of DIP concentration. Therefore, by exploring the relationship between the change of DIP concentration in water and the occurrence of red tide, this study provides a possible direction for the current prediction of red tide, and provides a basis for further investigation of the occurrence mechanism of red tide.

Biochar derived from animal and plant facilitates synergistic transformation of heavy metals and phosphorus in sewage sludge composting.

This study investigated the influence of plant-derived biochar (PB) and animal-derived biochar (AB) on behavior of heavy metals and phosphorus fractions during sewage sludge composting. PB was highly effective in reducing the bioavailability of Zn and Cu by 39% and 50%, respectively, while AB decreased the bioavailability of Pb (30%) and Cd (12%). Both biochar increased available phosphorus by over 38%. Acid extractable and bioavailable Pb in AB, and water-soluble, oxidizable and total Zn, acid extractable and oxidizable Cu in PB were positively correlated with moderately resistant organic phosphorus (MROP). Besides, in AB, Cd had strong and positive correlation with highly resistant organic phosphorus (HROP). This suggested biochar facilitated the formation of stable organometallic complexes through binding metal ions to phosphorus fractions, with notable differences based on biochar source. FT-IR showed biochar promoted humification, with PB enhancing carboxyl and polysaccharide formation, while AB encouraged quinone and aryl ether structures. These surface functional groups on the biochar likely contributed to heavy metals and phosphorus binding through chelation, adsorption, and electron shuttling.

Deciphering the Impact of ZnO Nanoparticles and a Sunscreen Product Containing ZnO on Phosphorus Dynamics and Release in Chlorella pyrenoidosa in Aquatic Systems.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) expedite the conversion of organic phosphorus (OP) into PO4-P (Pi), facilitating phosphorus (P) absorption by algae. Our study explored the mechanisms of converting OP (2-aminoethylphosphonic acid (AEP) and ß-glycerol phosphate (ß-GP)) into Pi in Chlorella pyrenoidosa under P deficiency with sunscreen and ZnO NPs. Cell density followed the order of K2HPO4 > ß-GP+ZnO > ß-GP > AEP+ZnO > AEP > P-free. ZnO NPs promoted the conversion of ß-GP, containing C-O-P bonds (0.028-0.041 mg/L), into Pi more efficiently than AEP, which possesses C-P bonds (0.022-0.037 mg/L). Transcriptomics revealed Pi transport/metabolism (phoB (3.99-12.01 fold), phoR (2.20-5.50 fold), ppa (4.49-10.40 fold), and ppk (2.50-5.40 fold)) and phospholipid metabolism (SQD1 (1.85-2.79 fold), SQD2 (2.60-6.53 fold), MGD (2.13-3.21 fold), and DGD (4.08-7.56 fold)) were up-regulated compared to K2HPO4. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identified intracellular P as polyphosphate, orthophosphate, and pyrophosphate. Synchrotron radiation-based X-ray near-edge structure spectroscopy indicated that K2HPO4 and Zn3(PO4)2 in ß-GP+ZnO were increased by 8.09% and 7.28% compared to AEP+ZnO, suggesting superior P storage in ß-GP+ZnO. Overall, ZnO NPs improved photoinduced electron-hole pair separation and charge separation efficiency and amplified the ·OH and ·O2- levels, promoting OP photoconversion into Pi and algae growth.

The influence of biochar from animal and plant on the transformation of phosphorus during paper mill sludge composting.

Biochar has effect on phosphorus adsorption, release, and transformation. This study compared the influence of biochar derived from animal (AB) and plant (PB) during paper mill sludge composting. Results indicated AB not only accelerated sludge decomposition but also had significantly higher levels of available phosphorus (AP) than PB and CK (no biochar), with AP contents in the order of AB > PB > CK. Compared to CK, AB was found to increase the relative abundance of thermophilic bacteria, and PB diversified the microbial community. Based on Pearson and RDA results, TOC/TN ratio (C/N) and organic matter (OM) explained above 50% of the variance in microbial community and phosphorus fractions. Thermophilic bacteria with high levels of OM and C/N promoted the conversion among labile and moderately labile organic phosphorus, moderately labile inorganic phosphorus, and AP. Biochar could enhance the AP conversion pathway, leading to increased levels of AP.

Divergent responses of rhizosphere soil phosphorus fractions and biological features of Salix psammophila to fertilization strategies under cadmium contamination.

Soil oligotrophy in areas heavily contaminated with heavy metals poses a significant challenge to vegetation establishment and phytoremediation processes. Phosphorus (P) cycling plays a critical role in global biogeochemical cycles, but there is limited understanding of its response to varying fertilization strategies and its correlation with phytoremediation effectiveness. This study primarily investigated the effects of various fertilization strategies, including nitrogen (N, 300 mg·kg-1), P (100 mg·kg-1), NP (combined N and P at 300 mg·kg-1 and 100 mg·kg-1, respectively), and HP (high P, 300 mg·kg-1) application, on rhizosphere soil P fractions and P-solubilizing microbial community (harboring phoD and phoC genes, respectively) of Salix psammophila under cadmium contamination. Application of NP significantly enhanced plant growth and cadmium accumulation, whereas HP inhibited cadmium bioaccumulation but promoted its translocation. Compared to untreated soil, N application promoted P cycling, leading to increases of 141.9 %, 60.4 %, and 10.3 % in Resin-Pi, diluted HCl-Pi, and conc.HCl-Pi, respectively. P application decreased organic phosphorus (Po) fractions by 24.4 % - 225.8 %, but N incorporation mitigated the declining trend in Po and augmented alkaline phosphatase activity. Fertilization strategies significantly regulated phoC- or phoD-harboring bacterial community structure, but their differential nutrient demands resulted in distinct responses. The phoD-harboring bacteria exhibited higher diversity and network complexity, with numerous biomarkers and fertilizer-sensitive OTUs discovered across treatments. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis indicated that phytoremediation efficiency was directly affected by Pi fractions, and phoD-harboring bacteria exhibited stronger associations with Pi fractions than phoC-harboring bacteria. In conclusion, our results reveal potential pathways through which fertilization strategies influence phytoremediation by affecting the structure of P-solubilizing microbial community. Furthermore, our study emphasizes the importance of combined N and P application in promoting Cd accumulation in plants, with high P levels appearing as an ideal fertilization strategy for phytoremediation targeting the harvest of aboveground biomass.

New insights into estimation of bioavailable inorganic phosphorus in natural coastal seawater.

Considering the impact of the high salinity and high turbidity of coastal seawater on phosphorus forms, a new method was proposed to determine bioavailable inorganic phosphorus (BIP). The phosphorus most relevant to eutrophication is BIP, and traditional analysis methods may underestimate the degree of eutrophication. In this study, a microelectrode of multigold (AuµE) was fabricated for direct voltammetric determination of BIP without filtration, and BIP environmental characteristics including distribution and correlation relationships with environmental factors in typical coastal seawater of Northern China were analyzed. The proposed AuµE showed a low detection limit of 0.03 µM. The surface and bottom BIP concentrations ranged from 1.00 to 2.13 and from 0.88 to 2.05 µM, respectively. BIP dominated the total P (TP) accounting for 48.5-67.5 % in the surface layer samples, and 32.6-92.7 % in the bottom layer samples, respectively. The concentrations of BIP were obviously higher than those of DIP, indicating that DIP may underestimate the probability of eutrophication occurring. And BIP was positively correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO) (P < 0.05). BIP may be a promising indicator of eutrophication potential in coastal areas with high salinity and high turbidity. The proposed reliable voltammetry method provides a new indicator for environmental assessment and represents a significant step in the comprehensive analysis of P species.

Dietary non-phytate phosphorus requirements for optimal productive and reproductive performance, and egg and tibial quality in egg-type duck breeders.

Optimal dietary non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) is essential in poultry to maximise productive and reproductive performance, along with indices of egg and bone quality. This study aimed to establish the NPP requirements of egg-type duck breeders aged from 54 to 80 weeks on the following traits: egg production, egg incubation, egg quality, tibial characteristics, reproductive organ, plasma indices, and the expression of genes related to phosphorus absorption. Longyan duck breeders aged 54 weeks (n = 300) were randomly allotted to five treatments, each containing six replicates of 10 individually caged birds. Birds were fed corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 0.18, 0.25, 0.32, 0.38, and 0.45% NPP/kg for 27 weeks. The tested dietary NPP levels did not affect egg production or egg quality indices. The hatchling weight of ducklings increased (quadratic, P < 0.01) as dietary NPP level increased, and the highest value occurred with 0.25% NPP. The number of large yellow follicles (LYF), and the relative weights of LYF and ovary showed linear and quadratic responses to dietary NPP levels; the lowest number and relative weight of LYF occurred with 0.38% NPP, and the lowest ovarian weight was obtained with 0.25% NPP. There were no differences in tibial length, breaking strength, and mineral density in response to dietary NPP levels. In contrast, tibial content of Ca increased (linear, P < 0.01) with dietary NPP levels increasing from 0.18 to 0.45%, and the tibial content of P increased at 0.32% NPP and the higher dietary NPP levels. Plasma concentration of P showed a quadratic (P < 0.05) response to the dietary NPP levels, where the highest value was seen at 0.38% NPP. In conclusion, dietary NPP levels from 0.18 to 0.45% had no effects on egg production, and egg and tibial quality of duck breeders. The duck breeders fed a diet with 0.25% NPP showed the highest hatchling weight of their offspring, while those fed 0.38% NPP had the lowest number and relative weight of LYF. These results indicated that the diet with 0.25% NPP can be used in egg-type duck breeders to improve the hatchling weight of their offspring, without adverse effects on their productivity. The regression model indicated that the maximal hatchling weight of ducklings was obtained from duck breeders fed the diet with 0.30% NPP.

Factors regulating interaction among inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus species, plant uptake, and relevant cycling genes in a weakly alkaline soil treated with biochar and inorganic fertilizer.

To highlight how biochar affects the interaction between inorganic nitrogen species (ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and nitrite nitrogen: NH4+-N, NO3¯-N, and NO2¯-N) and phosphorus species (calcium phosphate, iron phosphate, and aluminum phosphate: CaP, FeP and AlP) in soil and plant uptake of these nutrients, walnut shell (WS)- and corn cob (CC)-derived biochars (0.5 %, 1 %, 2 %, and 4 %, w/w) were added to a weakly alkaline soil, and then Chinese cabbages were planted. The results showed that the changes in soil inorganic nitrogen were related to biochar feedstock, pyrolysis temperature, and application rate. For soil under the active nitrification condition (dominant NO3¯-N), a significant decrease in the NH4+-N/NO3¯-N ratio after biochar addition indicates enhanced nitrification (excluding WS-derived biochars at 2 % and 4 %), which can be explained by the most positive response of ammonia-oxidizing archaeal amoA to biochar addition. The CC-derived biochar more effectively enhanced soil nitrification than WS-derived biochar did. The addition of 4 % of biochars significantly increased soil inorganic phosphorus, and the addition of CC-derived biochars more effectively increased Ca2P than WS-derived biochars. Biochars significantly decreased plant uptake of phosphorus, while generally had little influence on plant uptake of nitrogen. Interestingly, NO2¯-N in soil significantly positively correlated with total phosphorus in both soil and plant, and significantly negatively correlated with phoC, indicating that a certain degree of NO2¯-N accumulation in soil slightly facilitated plant uptake of phosphorus but inhibited phoC-harboring bacteria. The NO3¯-N in soil significantly positively correlated with Ca2P and Ca8P, while the NH4+-N/NO3¯-N ratio significantly negatively correlated with Ca10P and FeP, indicating that the enhanced nitrification seemed to facilitate the change in phosphorus to readly available ones. This study will help determine how to scientifically and rationally use biochar to regulate inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus species in soil and plant uptake of these nutrients.

Educación alimentaria en pacientes en dialisis / Nutritional education in dialysis patients

La enfermedad renal crónica terminal aumenta el riesgo cardiovascular y puede ocasionar defectos en la mineralización ósea. Para prevenir esto, se debe mantener el fósforo plasmático normal, que depende de la diálisis, los quelantes y la ingesta de fósforo, principalmente de origen inorgánico, incorporado mediante aditivos alimentarios. Las intervenciones nutricionales son pilares en el tratamiento de estos pacientes. El objetivo es facilitar estrategias alimentarias a un grupo de pacientes pediátricos en diálisis, mediante educación alimentaria nutricional, para aumentar el consumo de alimentos naturales, disminuyendo la ingesta de fósforo inorgánico especialmente de los productos cárnicos procesados. Materiales y métodos: se estudió una población pediátrica en diálisis. Se preparó un programa educativo con atención personalizada, instrucción alimentaria y seguimiento mensual, seguido de un taller. Resultados: n: 17 pacientes, edad decimal media de 12,3, 53% sexo masculino, 88% en hemodiálisis. Previo a la intervención el 64,7% consumía productos cárnicos procesados. Luego del taller el 58,8% disminuyó su consumo, el 41,2% aumentó la ingesta de preparaciones caseras, el 53% incorporó nuevos condimentos, de los cuales el 89% presentó al incorporarlos, mejor aceptación a las preparaciones. Conclusiones: la hiperfosfatemia está presente en alrededor del 50% de los pacientes en diálisis asociándose a un incremento entre 20% al 40% del riesgo de mortalidad. La presencia de fósforo oculto en los alimentos y la falta de adherencia hacen prioritario trabajar en programas educativos que favorezcan el aprendizaje colaborativo, centralizados en prácticas culinarias, para brindar herramientas que faciliten una alimentación natural, disminuyendo el consumo de ultraprocesados (AU)

Chronic end-stage renal disease increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and may lead to defects in bone mineralization. In order to prevent these risks, normal plasma phosphorus levels should be maintained. Achieving this goal depends on dialysis, chelators, and phosphorus intake, mainly of inorganic origin, incorporated through food supplements. Nutritional interventions are crucial in the treatment of these patients. The objective is to facilitate nutritional strategies to a group of pediatric dialysis patients, through food education, to increase the consumption of natural foods, decreasing the intake of inorganic phosphorus, especially from processed meat products. Materials and methods: a pediatric population undergoing dialysis was studied. An educational program was prepared with personalized care, nutritional instruction, and monthly follow-up visits, followed by a workshop. Results: n: 17 patients, mean age 12.3 years, 53% male, 88% on hemodialysis. Prior to the intervention, 64.7% consumed processed meat products. After the workshop, 58.8% decreased their consumption, 41.2% increased the intake of homemade food, 53% incorporated new seasonings, of whom 89% reported better acceptance of the preparations when they were incorporated. Conclusions: hyperphosphatemia is observed in around 50% of patients undergoing dialysis and is associated with a 20% to 40% increased risk of mortality. The presence of hidden phosphorus in food and the lack of adherence point to the need for the development of educational programs that promote collaborative learning, focusing on food-preparation practices. These programs should provide tools that facilitate a natural diet, reducing the consumption of ultra-processed food (AU)

Non-specific phospholipase C4 hydrolyzes phosphosphingolipids and phosphoglycerolipids and promotes rapeseed growth and yield.

Phosphorus is a major nutrient vital for plant growth and development, with a substantial amount of cellular phosphorus being used for the biosynthesis of membrane phospholipids. Here, we report that NON-SPECIFIC PHOSPHOLIPASE C4 (NPC4) in rapeseed (Brassica napus) releases phosphate from phospholipids to promote growth and seed yield, as plants with altered NPC4 levels showed significant changes in seed production under different phosphate conditions. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9)-mediated knockout of BnaNPC4 led to elevated accumulation of phospholipids and decreased growth, whereas overexpression (OE) of BnaNPC4 resulted in lower phospholipid contents and increased plant growth and seed production. We demonstrate that BnaNPC4 hydrolyzes phosphosphingolipids and phosphoglycerolipids in vitro, and plants with altered BnaNPC4 function displayed changes in their sphingolipid and glycerolipid contents in roots, with a greater change in glycerolipids than sphingolipids in leaves, particularly under phosphate deficiency conditions. In addition, BnaNPC4-OE plants led to the upregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism, phosphate release, and phosphate transport and an increase in free inorganic phosphate in leaves. These results indicate that BnaNPC4 hydrolyzes phosphosphingolipids and phosphoglycerolipids in rapeseed to enhance phosphate release from membrane phospholipids and promote growth and seed production.

Endofungal Bacterial Microbiota Promotes the Absorption of Chelated Inorganic Phosphorus by Host Pine through the Ectomycorrhizal System.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi play an irreplaceable role in phosphorus cycling. However, ectomycorrhizal fungi have a limited ability to dissolve chelated inorganic phosphorus, which is the main component of soil phosphorus. Endofungal bacteria in ectomycorrhizal fruiting bodies are always closely related to the ecological function of ectomycorrhizal fungi. In this study, we explore endofungal bacteria in the fruiting body of Tylopilus neofelleus and their function during the absorption of chelated inorganic phosphorus by host pine through the ectomycorrhizal system. The results showed that the endofungal bacterial microbiota in the fruiting body of T. neofelleus might be related to the dissolution of chelated inorganic phosphorus in soil. The soluble phosphorus content in the combined system of T. neofelleus and endofungal bacteria Bacillus sp. strain B5 was five times higher than the sum of T. neofelleus-only treatment and Bacillus sp. strain B5-only treatment in the dissolution experiment of chelated inorganic phosphorus. The results showed that T. neofelleus not only promoted the proliferation of Bacillus sp. strain B5 in the combined system but also improved the expression of genes related to organic acid metabolism, as assesed by transcriptomic analysis. Lactic acid content was five times higher in the combined system than the sum of T. neofelleus-only treatment and Bacillus sp. strain B5-only treatment. Two essential genes related to lactate metabolism of Bacillus sp. strain B5, gapA and pckA, were significantly upregulated. Finally, in a pot experiment, we verified that T. neofelleus and Bacillus sp. strain B5 could synergistically promote the absorption of chelated inorganic phosphorus by Pinus sylvestris in a ternary symbiotic system. IMPORTANCE Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) have a limited ability to dissolve chelated inorganic phosphorus, which is the main component of soil phosphorus. In the natural environment, the extraradical hyphae of ECMF alone may not satisfy the phosphorus demand of the plant ectomycorrhizal system. In this study, our results innovatively show that the ectomycorrhizal system might be a ternary symbiont in which ectomycorrhizal fungi might recruit endofungal bacteria that could synergistically promote the mineralization of chelated inorganic phosphorus, which ultimately promotes plant phosphorus absorption by the ectomycorrhizal system.

Organic and inorganic nutrients modulate taxonomic diversity and trophic strategies of small eukaryotes in oligotrophic oceans.

As the oligotrophic gyres expand due to global warming, exacerbating resource limitation impacts on primary producers, predicting changes to microbial assemblages and productivity requires knowledge of the community response to nutrient availability. This study examines how organic and inorganic nutrients influence the taxonomic and trophic composition (18S metabarcoding) of small eukaryotic plankton communities (< 200 µm) within the euphotic zone of the oligotrophic Sargasso Sea. The study was conducted by means of field sampling of natural microbial communities and laboratory incubation of these communities under different nutrient regimes. Dissimilarity in community composition increased along a depth gradient, with a homogeneous protist community within the mixed layer and distinct microbial assemblages at different depths below the deep chlorophyll maximum. A nutrient enrichment assay revealed the potential of natural microbial communities to rapidly shift in composition in response to nutrient addition. Results highlighted the importance of inorganic phosphorus availability, largely understudied compared to nitrogen, in constraining microbial diversity. Dissolved organic matter addition led to a loss of diversity, benefiting a limited number of phagotrophic and mixotrophic taxa. Nutrient history of the community sets the physiological responsiveness of the eukaryotic community to changing nutrient regimes and needs to be considered in future studies.

The influence of turbulence on sediment phosphorus sorption.

The effect of mean flow velocity on phosphorus (P) partitioning between water and sediment has received much attention in recent decades. However, the impact of turbulence on the efficiency and capability of sediment adsorbing and desorbing dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) is still unclear. A series of contrasting experiments on the sediment sorption and desorption of DIP with the flow turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) ranging from 1.95 to 2.93 pa have been conducted. It was found that the adsorbed P onto unit mass of sediment increases with the increase in TKE. It is because an increase in TKE results in a rise in the effective adsorption capacity of sediment (bm) by 20-30% during the adsorption process. The bm shows the maximum rise from 0.18 to 0.25 mg/g when TKE increases from 1.95 to 2.93 pa with a fixed sediment concentration of 0.5 g/L. To account for the direct effect of TKE on P adsorption, the Langmuir model is modified by introducing a newly defined coefficient (fA-TKE). The fA-TKE shows a good linear relationship with TKE. Comparison between the modified model and the classic model shows that the amount of adsorbed P could be overestimated by over 50% if the direct effect of turbulence intensity is ignored. The experimental data show that the increase in TKE also enhances the desorption process, with the degree of P desorption (Ddes) increased by 44%. The relation between Ddes and TKE can be well represented using a logarithmic function to quantify the direct effect of turbulence intensity on desorption of P.

Functional expansion of the natural inorganic phosphorus starvation response system in Escherichia coli.

Phosphorus, an indispensable nutrient, plays an essential role in cell composition, metabolism, and signal transduction. When inorganic phosphorus (Pi) is scarce, the Pi starvation response in E. coli is activated to increase phosphorus acquisition and drive the cells into a non-growing state to reduce phosphorus consumption. In the six decades of research history, the initiation, output, and shutdown processes of the Pi starvation response have been extensively studied. Simultaneously, Pi starvation has been used in biosensor development, recombinant protein production, and natural product biosynthesis. In this review, we focus on the output process and the applications of the Pi starvation response that have not been summarized before. Meanwhile, based on the current status of mechanistic studies and applications, we propose practical strategies to develop the natural Pi starvation response into a multifunctional and standardized regulatory system in four aspects, including response threshold, temporal expression, intensity range, and bifunctional regulation, which will contribute to its broader application in more fields such as industrial production, medical analysis, and environmental protection.

Effects of macromolecular organic acids on reducing inorganic phosphorus fixation in soil.

To improve the availability of inorganic phosphorus (P) in soil, we investigated the role of three macromolecular organic acids (MOAs), including fulvic acid (FA), polyaspartic acid (PA), and tannic acid (TA), in reducing the fixation of inorganic P fertilizer in the soil. AlPO4, FePO4, and Ca8H2(PO4)6·5H2O crystals were chosen as insoluble phosphate representatives in the soil to simulate the solubilization process of inorganic P by MOAs. The microstructural and physicochemical properties of AlPO4, FePO4, and Ca8H2(PO4)6·5H2O were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) before and after treatment of MOAs. In addition, the amounts of leached P and fixed inorganic P in Inceptisols and Alfisols affected by MOAs combined with superphosphate (SP) fertilizer were determined by soil leaching experiments. The presence of the three MOAs significantly increased the concentration of leached P and reduced the contents of insoluble inorganic phosphate formed with iron, aluminum, and calcium fixed in the soil, in which PA combined with SP had the most significant effect. Furthermore, the less inorganic P fixation in the combination treatment of MOAs and SP resulted in a greater wheat yield and P uptake. Therefore, MOAs could be a synergistic material for increasing P fertilizer utilization.

The influence of serial 50 µL microsampling on rats administered azathioprine, the immunosuppressive drug.

According to the ICH S3A Q&A, microsampling is applicable to pharmaceutical drugs and toxicological analysis. Few studies have reported the effect of microsampling on the toxicity of immunotoxicological drugs. The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the toxicological effects of serial microsampling on rats treated with azathioprine as a model drug with immunotoxic effects. Fifty microliters of blood were collected from the jugular vein of Sprague-Dawley rats at six time points from day 1 to 2 and 7 time points from day 27 to 28. The study was performed at three organizations independently. The microsampling effect on clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, hematological parameters, biochemical parameters, urinary parameters, organ weights, and tissue pathology was evaluated. Azathioprine-induced changes were observed in certain hematological and biochemical parameters and thymus weight and pathology. Microsampling produced minimal or no effects on almost all parameters; however, at 2 organizations, azathioprine-induced changes were apparently masked for two leukocytic, one coagulation, and two biochemical parameters. In conclusion, azathioprine toxicity could be assessed appropriately as overall profiles even with blood microsampling. However, microsampling may influence azathioprine-induced changes in certain parameters, especially leukocytic parameters, and its usage should be carefully considered.

Phosphorus and its solubility in aerosols from continental and marine sources in the sea areas near China: Results from a 40-day cruise mission in late spring.

Accurate assessments of soluble phosphorus (P) in aerosol particles are essential to understand the atmospheric nutrients supply to the marine ecosystem. We quantified total P (TP) and dissolved P (DP) in the aerosol particles collected in the sea areas near China in a cruise mission from May 1 to June 11, 2016. The overall concentrations of TP and DP were 3.5-99.9 ng m-3 and 2.5-27.0 ng m-3, respectively. When the air originating from the desert areas, TP and DP were 28.7-99.9 ng m-3 and 10.8-27.0 ng m-3, respectively, and P solubility was 24.1-54.6 %. When the air influenced mainly by anthropogenic emissions from eastern China, TP and DP were 11.7-12.3 ng m-3 and 5.7-6.3 ng m-3, respectively, and P solubility was 46.0-53.7 %. More than half of the TP and more than 70 % of the DP were from pyrogenic particles, with a considerable DP converted via aerosol acidification after the particles met humid marine air. On average, aerosol acidification promoted the fractional solubility of dissolved inorganic P (DIP) to TP from 22 % to 43 %. When the air originating from the marine areas, TP and DP were 3.5-22.0 ng m-3 and 2.5-8.4 ng m-3, respectively, and P solubility was 34.6-93.6 %. About one-third of the DP was from biological emissions in organic forms (DOP), leading to higher solubility than in the particles from continental sources. These results reveal the dominance of inorganic P in TP and DP from the desert and anthropogenic mineral dust and the significant contribution of organic P from marine sources. The results also indicate the necessity to treat aerosol P carefully according to different sources of the aerosol particles and atmospheric processes the particles experience in assessing aerosol P input to seawater.

[Accumulation, Migration, and Transformation of Soil Phosphorus in Facility Agriculture and Its Influencing Factors].

The aim of this study was to apply phosphorus fertilizer scientifically and reasonably and reduce the pollution risk to the facility agricultural environment. Taking the facility agriculture concentration area in Daxing District of Beijing as the research object, the phosphorus content in soil (0-100 cm) of the facility agriculture profile with different planting years was measured and analyzed to explore the characteristics of phosphorus accumulation, migration, and transformation. The results showed that the contents of total phosphorus and available phosphorus in the surface soil of facility agriculture varied widely, which was significantly higher than that in the surrounding grain field soil, which was mainly related to the amount of phosphorus applied by farmers in different planting years. With the increase in soil depth, the contents of total phosphorus and available phosphorus decreased gradually, showing surface aggregation ω (total phosphorus) ranging from 0.38 to 2.58 g·kg-1 and ω (available phosphorus) ranging from 1.60 to 256.00 mg·kg-1. With the increase in planting years, the contents of soil total phosphorus and available phosphorus first increased and then decreased, reached a peak in approximately 15 years, then gradually decreased, tended to be stable, and generally remained at a high level. Inorganic phosphorus was mainly concentrated in the surface soil of the facility agriculture, in which Ca-P accounted for the largest proportion of inorganic phosphorus, up to 98.38%; Ca10-P was the main form of Ca-P, up to 78.70% of Ca-P, and Ca2-P accounted for the smallest proportion, only 9.50% of Ca-P. The contents of different forms of inorganic phosphorus showed the vertical distribution characteristics of enrichment in the surface soil and a decrease downward. There were differences in the proportion of different forms of inorganic phosphorus to total phosphorus in different soil depths, in which the change in Ca-P was obvious, whereas the change in Fe-P and 0-P was not significant, indicating that the migration and transformation of Fe-P and O-P in the facility agricultural soil was poor, and the migration and transformation of inorganic phosphorus was mainly Ca-P. According to the correlation and path analysis, the direct path coefficient of Ca2-P to available phosphorus was the largest (0.787), which was not only the main source of soil available phosphorus but also the main form of inorganic phosphorus migration and transformation. Under the condition of protected cultivation, soil phosphorus showed a large accumulation trend, the availability of Ca10-P was low, and the accumulation was large. How to improve this portion of phosphorus sources is the key to the management of protected soil phosphorus.