Search Results (408)

Glycyrrhiza uralensis (G. uralensis), a leguminous plant, is an important medicinal and economic plant in saline–alkaline soils of arid regions in China. Its main bioactive components include liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, and flavonoids, which play significant roles in maintaining human health and preventing and adjuvantly treating related diseases. However, the cultivation of G. uralensis is easily restricted by adverse soil conditions in these regions, characterized by high salinity, high alkalinity, and nutrient deficiency. This study investigated the impacts of four multistrain microbial inoculants (Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd) on the growth performance and bioactive compound accumulation of G. uralensis in moderately saline–sodic soil. The aim was to screen the most beneficial inoculant from these strains, which were isolated from the rhizosphere of plants in moderately saline–alkaline soils of the Hexi Corridor and possess native advantages with excellent adaptability to arid environments. The results showed that inoculant Pc, comprising Pseudomonas silesiensis, Arthrobacter sp. GCG3, and Rhizobium sp. DG1, exhibited superior performance: it induced a 0.86-unit reduction in lateral root number relative to the control, while promoting significant increases in single-plant dry weight (101.70%), single-plant liquiritin (177.93%), single-plant glycyrrhizic acid (106.10%), and single-plant total flavonoids (107.64%). Application of the composite microbial inoculant Pc induced no significant changes in the pH and soluble salt content of G. uralensis rhizospheric soils. However, it promoted root utilization of soil organic matter and nitrate, while significantly increasing the contents of available potassium and available phosphorus in the rhizosphere. High-throughput sequencing revealed that Pc reorganized the rhizospheric microbial communities of G. uralensis, inducing pronounced shifts in the relative abundances of rhizospheric bacteria and fungi, leading to significant enrichment of target bacterial genera (Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium), concomitant suppression of pathogenic fungi, and proliferation of beneficial fungi (Mortierella, Cladosporium). Correlation analyses showed that these microbial shifts were linked to improved plant nutrition and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. This study highlights Pc as a sustainable strategy to enhance G. uralensis yield and medicinal quality in saline–alkali ecosystems by mediating microbe–plant–nutrient interactions. Full article

This article presents the potential use of a humic agent called ‘Superhumate’, obtained from weathered coal from the Shubarkol deposit in Kazakhstan. The experiment was conducted using model solutions and surface mine water samples from the “Degelen” site at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. The adsorption of heavy metals and toxic elements using the “Superhumate” agent was carried out under dynamic conditions using a chromatographic column. Tests were conducted at a natural pH range of 5–8 (mine waters) and with a model solution at pH 1.7. Assessing the sorption efficiency of this preparation revealed that at pH 1.7, the agent does not adsorb elements such as Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Under dynamic experimental conditions, using the preparation for mine waters at natural pH levels (pH 5–8), elements such as Be, Sr, Mo, Cd, Cs, Zn, and U were efficiently adsorbed at levels of 60–95%. The sorption efficiency of Pb ions was found to be almost independent of pH. The experimental results obtained with mine water samples indicate that alkaline solutions have the highest sorption efficiency, with pH ≥ 7, which is attributed to the solubility of the agent. Full article

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) obtained by microwave-induced pyrolysis of glutamic acid and triethylenetetramine (trien) are fairly stable, emissive, water-soluble, and positively charged nano-systems able to interact with negatively charged meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS₄). The stoichiometric control during the preparation affords a supramolecular adduct, GQDs@TPPS₄, that exhibits a double fluorescence emission from both the GQDs and the TPPS₄ fluorophores. These supramolecular aggregates have an overall negative charge that is responsible for the condensation of cations in the nearby aqueous layer, and a three-fold acceleration of the metalation rates of Cu²⁺ ions has been observed with respect to the parent porphyrin. Addition of various metal ions leads to some changes in the UV/Vis spectra and has a different impact on the fluorescence emission of GQDs and TPPS₄. The quenching efficiency of the TPPS₄ emission follows the order Cu²⁺ > Hg²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺ ~ Zn²⁺ ~ Co²⁺ ~ Ni²⁺ > Mn²⁺ ~ Cr³⁺ >> Mg²⁺ ~ Ca²⁺ ~ Ba²⁺, and it has been related to literature data and to the sitting-atop mechanism that large transition metal ions (e.g., Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺) exhibit in their interaction with the macrocyclic nitrogen atoms of the porphyrin, inducing distortion and accelerating the insertion of smaller metal ions, such as Zn²⁺. For the most relevant metal ions, emission quenching of the porphyrin evidences a linear behavior in the micromolar range, with the emission of the GQDs being moderately affected through a filter effect. Deliberate pollution of the samples with Zn²⁺ reveals the ability of the GQDs@TPPS₄ adduct to detect sensitively Cu²⁺, Hg^2+, and Cd²⁺ ions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Swine influenza A virus (swIAV), a prevalent respiratory pathogen in porcine populations, poses substantial economic losses to global livestock industries and represents a potential threat to public health security. Neuraminidase (NA) has been proposed as an important component for universal influenza vaccine development. NA has potential advantages as a vaccine antigen in providing cross-protection, with specific antibodies that have a broad binding capacity for heterologous viruses. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a tetrameric recombinant NA subunit vaccine in a swine model. Methods: We constructed and expressed structurally stable soluble tetrameric recombinant NA (rNA) and prepared subunit vaccines by mixing with ISA 201 VG adjuvant. The protective efficacy of rNA-ISA 201 VG was compared to that of a commercial whole inactivated virus vaccine. Pigs received a prime-boost immunization (14-day interval) followed by homologous viral challenge 14 days post-boost. Results: Both rNA-ISA 201 VG and commercial vaccine stimulated robust humoral responses. Notably, the commercial vaccine group exhibited high viral-binding antibody titers but very weak NA-specific antibodies, whereas rNA-ISA 201 VG immunization elicited high NA-specific antibody titers alongside substantial viral-binding antibodies. Post-challenge, both immunization with rNA-ISA 201 VG and the commercial vaccine were effective in inhibiting viral replication, reducing viral load in porcine respiratory tissues, and effectively mitigating virus-induced histopathological damage, as compared to the PBS negative control. Conclusions: These findings found that the anti-NA immune response generated by rNA-ISA 201 VG vaccination provided protection comparable to that of a commercial inactivated vaccine that primarily induces an anti-HA response. Given that the data are derived from one pig per group, there is a requisite to increase the sample size for more in-depth validation. This work establishes a novel strategy for developing next-generation SIV subunit vaccines leveraging NA as a key immunogen. Full article

This study investigates the emission characteristics and environmental impacts of pollutants from bagasse-fired biomass boilers through the integrated field monitoring of two sugarcane processing plants in Guangxi, China. Comprehensive analyses of flue gas components, including PM_2.5, NOx, CO, heavy metals, VOCs, HCl, and HF, revealed distinct physicochemical and emission profiles. Bagasse exhibited lower C, H, and S content but higher moisture (47~53%) and O (24~30%) levels compared to coal, reducing the calorific values (8.93~11.89 MJ/kg). Particulate matter removal efficiency exceeded 98% (water film dust collector) and 95% (bag filter), while NOx removal varied (10~56%) due to water solubility differences. Heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb) in fuel migrated to fly ash and flue gas, with Hg and Mn showing notable volatility. VOC speciation identified oxygenated compounds (OVOCs, 87%) as dominant in small boilers, while aromatics (60%) and alkenes (34%) prevailed in larger systems. Ozone formation potential (OFP: 3.34~4.39 mg/m³) and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP: 0.33~1.9 mg/m³) highlighted aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene, xylene) as critical contributors to secondary pollution. Despite compliance with current emission standards (e.g., PM < 20 mg/m³), elevated CO (>1000 mg/m³) in large boilers indicated incomplete combustion. This work underscores the necessity of tailored control strategies for OVOCs, aromatics, and heavy metals, advocating for stricter fuel quality and clear emission standards to align biomass energy utilization with environmental sustainability goals. Full article

Land degradation from trace metal pollution in North Africa severely compromises soil fertility. This study investigates the synergistic remediation potential of Eucalyptus biochar (EuB) and Casuarina glauca in iron mine soil contaminated with Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, and As. Seedlings were grown for six months in: non-mining soil (NMS), contaminated soil (CS), and CS amended with 5% EuB (CS + EuB). Comprehensive ecophysiological assessments evaluated growth, water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, oxidative stress, and metal accumulation. EuB significantly enhanced C. glauca tolerance to multi-trace metal stress. Compared to CS, CS + EuB increased total dry biomass by 14% and net photosynthetic rate by 22%, while improving predawn water potential (from −1.8 to −1.3 MPa) and water-use efficiency (18%). Oxidative damage was mitigated. EuB reduced soluble Fe by 71% but increased Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cd mobility. C. glauca exhibited hyperaccumulation of Fe, Zn, As, Pb, and Cd across treatments, with pronounced Fe accumulation under CS + EuB. EuB enhanced nodule development and amplified trace metals sequestration within nodules (Zn: +1.4×, Mn: +2.4×, Pb: +1.5×, Cd: +2.0×). The EuB-C. glauca synergy enhances stress resilience, optimizes rhizosphere trace metals bioavailability, and leverages nodule-mediated accumulation, establishing a sustainable platform for restoring contaminated lands. Full article

Globally, phosphogypsum (PG) is the primary by-product of the phosphorus industry. Aspergillus niger (A. niger), one of the most powerful types of phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF), can secrete organic acids to dissolve the phosphates in PG. This study investigated heavy metal (HM) remediation by PG and A. niger under the co-existence of Pb and Cd. It demonstrated that 1 mmol/L Pb²⁺ stimulated the bioactivity of A. niger during incubation, based on the CO₂ emission rate. PG successfully functioned as P source for the fungus, and promoted the growth of the fungal cells. Meanwhile, it also provided sulfates to immobilize Pb in the solution. The subsequently generated anglesite was confirmed using SEM imaging. The immobilization rate of Pb reached over 95%. Under co-existence, Pb²⁺ and 0.01 mmol/L Cd²⁺ maximized the stimulating effect of A. niger. However, the biotoxicity of Pb²⁺ and elevated Cd²⁺ (0.1 mmol/L) counterbalanced the stimulating effect. Finally, 1 mmol/L Cd²⁺ dramatically reduced the fungal activity. In addition, organic matters from the debris of A. niger could still bind Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ according to the significantly lowered water-soluble Pb and Cd concentrations. In all treatments with the addition of Cd²⁺, the relatively high biotoxicity of Cd²⁺ induced A. niger to absorb more Pb²⁺ to minimize the sorption of Cd²⁺ based on the XRD results. The functional group analysis of ATR-IR also confirmed the phenomenon. This pathway maintained the stability of Pb²⁺ immobilization using the fungus and PG. This study, hence, shed light on the application of A. niger and solid waste PG to remediate the pollution of Pb and Cd. Full article

Carbonaceous–siliceous–argillaceous rock-type uranium deposits, a major uranium resource in China, pose significant environmental risks due to heavy metal contamination. Geochemical investigations in the former Zoige uranium mine revealed elevated As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, U, and Zn concentrations in soils and sediments, particularly at river confluences and downstream regions, attributed to leachate migration from ore bodies and tailings ponds. Surface samples exhibited high Cd bioavailability. The integrated BCR and mineral analysis reveals that Acid-soluble and reducible fractions of Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb are governed by carbonate dissolution and Fe-Mn oxide dynamics via silicate weathering, while residual and oxidizable fractions show weak mineral-phase dependencies. Positive Matrix Factorization identified natural lithogenic, anthropogenic–natural composite, mining-related sources. Pollution assessments using geo-accumulation index and contamination factor demonstrated severe contamination disparities: soils showed extreme Cd pollution, moderate U, As, Zn contamination, and no Cr, Pb pollution (overall moderate risk); sediments exhibited extreme Cd pollution, moderate Ni, Zn, U levels, and negligible Cr, Pb impacts (overall extreme risk). USEPA health risk models indicated notable non-carcinogenic (higher in adults) and carcinogenic risks (higher in children) for both age groups. Ecological risk assessments categorized As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn as low risk, contrasting with Cd (extremely high risk) and sediment-bound U (high risk). These findings underscore mining legacy as a critical environmental stressor and highlight the necessity for multi-source pollution mitigation strategies. Full article

Electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), an acidic by-product from manganese production, presents dual challenges of environmental pollution and resource waste. This study developed a silicon–manganese organic compound fertilizer (SMOCF) via the aerobic fermentation of EMR supplemented with bagasse, molasses, and activated sludge. The physicochemical analysis revealed that the EMR’s composition was dominated by silicon (7.1% active Si), calcium, sulfur, and trace elements. Critical parameters during composting—including water-soluble Mn (1.48%), organic matter (8.05%), pH (7.4), moisture (20.28%), and germination index (GI = 87.78%)—met organic fertilizer standards, with the GI exceeding the phytotoxicity threshold (80%). The final SMOCF exhibited favorable agronomic properties: neutral pH, earthy texture, and essential macronutrients (1.36% K, 1.11% N, 0.48% P). Heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb) in the SMOCF predominantly existed in stable residual forms, with total concentrations complying with China’s organic fertilizer regulations (GB/T 32951-2016). The ecological risk assessment confirmed a minimal mobilization potential (risk assessment code < 5%), ensuring environmental safety. This work demonstrates a circular economy strategy to repurpose hazardous EMRs into agriculturally viable fertilizers, achieving simultaneous pollution mitigation and resource recovery. The optimized SMOCF meets quality benchmarks for organic fertilizers while addressing heavy metal concerns, providing a scalable solution for industrial EMR valorization. Further studies should validate the field performance and long-term ecological impacts to facilitate practical implementation. Full article

In order to evaluate spatial pollution patterns of the Shaying River and assess human health risk, thirty-three sampling points were established in different reaches of the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Shaying River. According to the difference in human activities and land use types, the sampling points were artificially divided into three areas: mountainous area, urban area, and agricultural area. Water samples and sediments were collected at each sampling site, and the physicochemical parameters of the water at each site were measured simultaneously. The nutrient content of water samples and the heavy metal content of sediments were measured in the laboratory. The water pollution status of the Shaying River, as well as the status of heavy metal pollution and its associated risk to human health, were assessed and analyzed using the Water Quality Index (WQI) method, principal component analysis (PCA) method, potential ecological risk index method, and health risk assessment method, respectively. The results of the Water Quality Index indicated that the water quality of the Shaying River was moderate, with the reaches in the urban area being more polluted, the agricultural area being the second most polluted, and the mountainous area being in better condition. The results of the principal component analysis showed that soluble ions, organic matter, and nutrients were the main factors contributing to water pollution in the Shaying River, and there was significant variability in the factors contributing to water pollution in different regions, with human activities being the main cause of this variation. The results of a potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in sediments showed that heavy metal pollution in the water bodies of the Shaying River was serious and had significant spatial variability. Mountain reaches were the most polluted, followed by agricultural reaches, and urban reaches were the least polluted. The results of the health risk assessment showed that non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in different reaches of the Shaying River were within acceptable limits, while carcinogenic risks in agricultural areas exceeded thresholds. Among them, agricultural areas had the highest health risk, with Cr being the most carcinogenic heavy metal and Pb and Cr being the most non-carcinogenic heavy metals. The assessment also found that children’s carcinogenic risk was 8.4 times higher than adult males and 7.3 times higher than adult females. This study involves the typical diverse areas where the Shaying River passes, in order to provide data support and a theoretical basis for environmental protection of the Shaying River Basin. Full article

Acid rain alters soil chemistry significantly and is a key driver of heavy metal pollution. This study investigates the environmental impact of acid rain-induced heavy metal migration in the Siding Lead–Zinc mining area in south China. Tailings, surrounding soils, and riverbed sediments were examined through simulated acid rain soil column leaching experiments. Leachate parameters—including pH, redox potential (Eh), total dissolved solids (TDSs) and heavy metal concentrations—were used to develop machine learning models (Random Forest and Support Vector Machine) to quantify the influence of environmental factors on metal migration. The results showed that leachates were generally alkaline and reductive after leaching, with Cd, Pb, and Zn as the dominant migrating metals. Leachates from tailings and nearby soils exceeded safe drinking water standards, with significantly higher cumulative metal release than other samples. The RF model outperformed the SVM model in predicting heavy metal concentrations. Feature importance analysis revealed that, beyond sample characteristics, pH and Eh were critical factors driving metal migration. Zn and Cd showed strong sensitivity to these parameters, with pH and Eh contributing over 80% to their migration. The findings highlight that acid rain can enhance the solubility and migration of heavy metals, posing a serious threat to the quality of surrounding water and underscoring the requirement for effective mitigation strategies to protect the ecological environment in mining areas. Full article

This study investigated the impact of slow cooling on browning and fruit quality at three maturity stages (early, mid and late). Slow cooling reduced core browning in early/mid-harvest pears, as the browning indexes of early-, middle- and late-harvested ‘Yali’ pears at 60 d were 0.13, 0 and 0.1, respectively, preserving firmness and soluble solids. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that upregulated genes in ‘Yali’ pears facilitated stress adaptation via enhanced catalytic activity and phosphorylation. Mid-harvested pears exhibited activation of phosphorus metabolism and DNA repair mechanisms to maintain cellular homeostasis, whereas the late-harvested counterparts showed significant suppression of photosynthesis-related pathways and pyrimidine metabolism, which collectively accelerated senescence progression. Universal downregulation of hormone-response pathways such as ethylene and auxin revealed systemic stress adaptation decline. Then, the PbRAV transcription factors’ role was also studied. EMSA confirmed that GST-PbRAV2 binds to the PbLAC15 promoter, linking RAV2 to laccase regulation. Overripe pears showed PbRAV2 dysregulation, impairing LAC15 suppression and accelerating browning. Findings provide a theoretical basis for using slow cooling to mitigate browning in pear storage. Full article

The possibility of designing the nutrient composition of invertebrate biomass was investigated. Two model species of terrestrial invertebrates, the house cricket Acheta domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826), were studied after feeding on substrates alternately enriched with certain nutrient precursors proposed in single and double doses. Crickets and earthworms showed similar tendencies to increase the B vitamin content of those vitamins whose initial level was high. Double-dose enrichment of the food substrate increased the levels of vitamin C, fat-soluble vitamins and most B vitamins. In a control group of crickets, vitamin C levels were 1.5 times lower than in a control group of earthworms. After enrichment of the feed substrate, the vitamin C content in the biomass of the crickets did not change significantly, but in the earthworms it increased significantly. The content of a wide range of minerals did not change after single-dose enrichment, but some micro-elements such as Pb and Se decreased significantly in earthworms after double-dose enrichment of the feed substrate. The calorific value of crickets was twice that of earthworms and did not change significantly after double-dose enrichment. It is shown that the nutrient composition of invertebrate biomass can be increased by enriching the feed substrate with precursors. The most effective increases are observed for all vitamins and several minerals. The results can be used to achieve specific nutrient concentrations in biomass for food and medical purposes. Full article

While carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)—a biocompatible and water-soluble cellulose derivative—holds promise for biomedical applications, challenges remain in synthesizing CMC-based hydrogels with covalent crosslinking through free radical polymerization without requiring complex, multi-step processes. In this study, we introduce a facile one-pot strategy that combines CMC with acrylamide (AAm) under cryogelation and low-intensity UV irradiation to achieve covalent bonding and a high polymerization yield. The resulting polyacrylamide/carboxymethyl cellulose (PAAm/CMC) porous gels were systematically evaluated for their chemical, physical, thermal, and drug-release properties, with a focus on the effects of AAm concentration and polymerization temperature (frozen vs. room temperature). Notably, the cryogel synthesized with 2.5 M AAm (PC2.5) exhibited significantly enhanced mechanical properties—that is, an 8.4-fold increase in tensile modulus and a 26-fold increase in toughness—compared with the non-cryo gel. Moreover, PC2.5 demonstrated excellent cyclic compression stability in water and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), with less than 10% reduction in modulus after 100 cycles. These increases in the mechanical properties of PC2.5 are attributed to the formation of macropores with high polymer density and high crosslinking density at the pore walls. PC2.5 also showed slower drug release in PBS and good cytocompatibility. This study presents a simplified and efficient route for fabricating mechanically robust, covalently crosslinked PAAm/CMC cryogels, highlighting their strong potential for biomedical applications in drug delivery systems. Full article

The aim of the conducted research was to assess the impact of gypsum deposit development on changes in the radiation levels of the abiotic components of the environment. For this purpose, a study of the radioactivity of water, bottom sediment, soil, gypsum and loam samples was performed. Ground-based studies of the distribution of the values of the ambient dose equivalent rate of gamma radiation and radon flux density were also carried out. It was shown that due to the high solubility of gypsum, the degree of karstification of the territory increases under the influence of meteoric waters, and as a result of the intensification of anthropogenic impact, the degree of chemical weathering of rocks increases. This leads to a coordinated change in not only the chemical but also the radiation conditions. In particular, radioactive contamination of quarry waters and areas of increased radon flux density in soil air were established. In bottom sediments, the significant correlations of ¹³⁷Cs, ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U activity concentrations with carbonates, organic matter and soluble salts contents, as well as Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Mo, Cd, Co, Ti and V, indicate a significant role of the anthropogenic factor in the accumulation in bottom sediments. This factor is associated with both regional atmospheric transport (¹³⁷Cs) and the activity of the mining enterprise in the study area (²³⁸U and ²³⁴U). Full article