Search Results (3,053)

In vitro fertilization (IVF) exposes embryos to environmental stressors that can disrupt early development and confer long-term health risks, though the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that reducing incubation temperature during the first zygotic cleavage would promote long-term developmental stability in IVF-conceived offspring. Using a mouse model, we compared the long-term effects of standard (37 °C) versus reduced (35 °C) IVF culture temperature on energy balance, circadian rhythms, sleep architecture, and brain histone modifications. Although offspring from both IVF groups exhibited increased body mass without notable effects on glucose metabolism, significant disruptions in circadian rhythms and sleep–wake patterns were detected. The 37 °C group exhibited altered amplitudes in oxygen consumption rhythms and respiratory exchange ratios, as well as pronounced alterations in sleep–wake patterns, including reduced sleep duration and increased nighttime activity. The 35 °C group displayed intermediate phenotypes, substantiating the importance of optimizing embryo incubation parameters. These metabolic and behavioral changes were paralleled by altered histone modifications in the cerebral cortex of IVF offspring, suggesting an epigenetic basis for circadian misalignment. Our results identify disrupted circadian rhythm and sleep architecture as a novel mechanism contributing to metabolic dysfunction in IVF-conceived offspring. The partial mitigation of these effects through reduced culture temperature underscores the importance of optimizing IVF protocols to minimize long-term epigenetic and metabolic risks. Full article

Rational fertilization boosts crop yields and enhances nutritional value, but over-fertilization is counterproductive. Furthermore, water eutrophication caused by excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers has become a major agricultural non-point source pollution problem in the Erhai Lake Basin of China. This study took high-fertility soil as the research object and set up six treatments: no fertilization (CK), local recommended fertilization (T1), optimized chemical fertilizer (T2), organic fertilizer replacing 20% (T3), 40% (T4), 60% (T5) of chemical fertilizer with equal nitrogen. The results show that replacement of chemical nitrogen fertilizers with organic nitrogen fertilizers at an appropriate ratio can optimize soil nitrogen supply, enhance the activity of soil nitrogen cycle enzymes, thereby promoting the activity of nitrogen metabolism enzymes and nitrogen assimilation capacity in potato plants, and ultimately achieve a synergistic effect of increased yield, improved quality and higher fertilizer use efficiency. Among the treatments, the nitrate reductase (S-NR) activity in potato leaves was 36.74% and 41.66% higher under T3 than T1 and T4, respectively. For potato quality, Vitamin C (VC) content was 17.41% higher under T3 than T2; soluble protein content was 11.44%, 10.63%, and 9.44% higher under T3 than T1, T2, and T4, respectively. The replacement of chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers mainly enhances the protein content in potato tubers by increasing soil urease (S-URE) activity and leaf relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) value. Based on the comprehensive differential combination evaluation model, considering potato metabolic absorption, yield, quality, and soil nitrogen content, the T3 treatment is the optimal fertilization method in the Erhai Lake Basin of China. Full article

Bioavailable phosphorus is essential for sustaining high crop productivity, yet excessive inorganic P fertilization often leads to P accumulation in stable soil forms, reducing utilization efficiency. Straw serves as an organic P source and enhances P availability by stimulating microbial activity. However, systematic studies on how organic P inputs (straw returning) and inorganic P fertilizers regulate soil bioavailable P through microbial and enzymatic processes remain limited. A 16-year field experiment was carried out in a rice–wheat rotation system, including five fertilization treatments: no fertilization (CK), optimized fertilization (OPT), increased N (OPTN), increased P (OPTP), and optimized fertilization combined with straw mulching/returning (OPTM). This study evaluates the impacts of long-term organic and inorganic P sources on soil P fractions, extracellular enzyme activities, and the composition of microbial communities, alongside their collective contributions to crop yield. In this study, based on soil samples collected in 2023, we found that fertilization led to significant increases in Citrate-P and HCl-P, enhanced the activities of β-1,4-glucosidase (BG), β-D-cellobiosidase (CBH), and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), and altered both microbial diversity and co-occurrence network complexity. The OPTM treatment showed the highest yield and improved microbial diversity and network complexity, with Enzyme-P, Citrate-P, and HCl-P increasing by 62.64%, 11.24%, and 9.49%, and BG, CBH, and NAG activities rising by 22.74%, 40.90%, and 18.09% compared to OPT. Mantel tests and random forest analyses revealed significant associations between microbial community and biochemical properties, while partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) indicated that inorganic P source enhanced yield primarily through altering soil P dynamics and enzymatic processes, while microbial communities under organic P source acted as key mediators to increase crop productivity. These findings deepen insights into how microbial communities and enzymatic stoichiometry synergistically regulate phosphorus bioavailability and wheat yield, providing a theoretical basis for sustainable fertilization practices in rice–wheat rotation systems. Full article

Orchard grass intercropping offers a promising strategy to mitigate forage scarcity and boost fruit yield. However, its applicability in high-altitude regions such as the Xizang Plateau remains poorly understood. During the four-year experiment, the ecosystem service values (ESV) of an apple orchard intercropped with different grass species in Linzhi, southeast Xizang, were investigated in order to assess the applicability of orchard grass planting at high altitudes and identify optimal grass species combinations. Seven treatments were established, including six artificial grass systems (annual legume, annual gramineous, annual legume + gramineous, perennial legume, perennial gramineous, perennial legume + gramineous) and a natural grass control group. Results showed that artificial grass systems, particularly perennial ones, yielded higher total ESV than the natural grass control. Perennial grasses outperformed annual grasses and natural grass in provisioning services (with higher fruit and forage yields) and regulating services (with enhanced carbon sequestration and oxygen production). However, perennial grasses also led to reduced supporting services, primarily due to decreased soil nutrient availability (especially available phosphorus and potassium) and lower plant diversity. The optimal treatments were Dactylis glomerata monoculture and Medicago sativa + D. glomerata mixed culture, which achieved the highest total ESV. Notably, the nutrient depletion observed in perennial grass treatments highlighted the need for supplemental fertilization to ensure long-term sustainability of the system. In conclusion, artificial orchard grass systems significantly enhanced total net ESV in high-altitude regions, whereas individual ecosystem services demonstrated divergent responses to different grass species. Specifically, D. glomerata monoculture and M. sativa + D. glomerata intercropping emerged as the optimal orchard grass patterns in Linzhi. To maintain long-term orchard productivity, adaptive fertilizer management strategies are recommended to counteract potential soil nutrient depletion associated with these grass cultivation systems. Full article

Agricultural straw, a massive lignocellulosic by-product, requires high-value utilization strategies, and larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis (a resource insect) can convert straw into two valuable products: insect protein and frass rich in humic acid (HA). In this study, we investigated the interactions among multiple parameters affecting HA extraction efficiency and optimized the extraction process. The resulting extract was characterized by elemental analysis to determine nutrient elements, trace elements, and heavy metals; by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR) spectroscopy to identify the main categories of bioactive molecules; and by pot experiments to evaluate its effects on plant growth and quality. The optimized extraction conditions yielded extracts with a total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of 46.8 g/L, meeting the Chinese standard for water-soluble humic acid fertilizers (NY 1106-2010). Elemental analysis indicated that the extract was rich in trace elements, and heavy metal contents met the limitation requirements of toxic and harmful substances in fertilizers (GB 38400-2019). ¹³C NMR analysis revealed that the extract was enriched in aliphatic and methoxyl carbons, while pot experiments with cherry radish demonstrated that application of the extract at appropriate dosages significantly promoted plant growth and improved crop quality. These findings provide scientific support for circular agriculture and arable land protection, highlighting both their academic significance and broad application prospects. Full article

Background: CP (CP) and HCP (HCP) are rare and high-risk conditions, often historically managed with radical intervention and associated with hemorrhage and fertility loss. Objective: To summarize current evidence on the conservative, fertility-preserving management of cervical and heterotopic cervical pregnancies and to illustrate a stepwise pharmacologic protocol applied in our tertiary center. Methods: A narrative literature review (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science; inception—July 2025) was conducted using the following key terms: “CP,” “HCP,” “methotrexate,” “mifepristone,” “misoprostol,” “uterine artery embolization,” “hysteroscopy,” and “Doppler ultrasound.” We integrated a personal institutional case that applied stepwise pharmacologic priming, Doppler-guided surveillance, and delayed evacuation. Results: Evidence—primarily from case reports and small series—supports conservative, multi-modal strategies combining systemic or local methotrexate ± mifepristone, timed to Doppler-confirmed vascular regression, before surgical intervention. Adjuncts such as misoprostol, hysteroscopic resection, balloon tamponade, and uterine artery embolization further reduce hemorrhage risk while maintaining fertility. Our case utilized a novel, incremental dosing strategy of mifepristone followed by methotrexate, a week-long interval to confirm vascular involution via Doppler, and delayed suction curettage with minimal blood loss. Conclusions: Conservative, imaging-guided management is promising for reducing hemorrhagic complications and preserving fertility in CP/HCP. Future multicenter registries and standardized Doppler-based protocols are urgently needed to refine decision-making and optimize outcomes. Full article

The efficacy of coated fertilizers in enhancing nutrient use efficiency and reducing environmental impacts depends on their coating properties. This study developed three biodegradable, waterborne polyacrylate latexes (A, B, and C) as eco-friendly coatings for controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) using the Wurster fluidized bed process. The latexes were synthesized with varying hard-to-soft monomer ratios and cross-linked with 2 wt% aziridine to investigate how monomer composition affects coating properties and nutrient release. The results showed that coating B, which had an intermediate hard-to-soft monomer ratio, demonstrated optimal properties. It exhibited the lowest swelling capacity (2.54% at 60 °C), a suitable glass transition temperature (15.34 °C), and the slowest nutrient release, with cumulative nitrogen release remaining below 60% after 11 days in water at 40 °C. In field trials, the fertilizer coated with material B produced the highest rice yield among tested domestic CRF brands. It also achieved a significant 19.1% yield increase compared to a single basal application of conventional compound fertilizer. These findings confirm that this modified latex provides an effective and environmentally friendly solvent-free coating strategy for high-performance CRFs. Full article

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) are two related conditions characterized by a reduced ovarian reserve. Their etiologies are multifactorial, encompassing iatrogenic causes such as chemotherapy, pelvic surgery, or radiotherapy, as well as non-iatrogenic factors including genetic and chromosomal abnormalities, environmental exposures, autoimmune mechanisms and idiopathic sources. Early recognition of these conditions is essential, as timely and appropriate management can significantly impact both reproductive potential and long-term health. In women with POI, hormone replacement therapy is required to prevent the detrimental effects of estrogen deficiency on wellbeing and overall health, while in women with DOR, management focuses on counseling, fertility preservation when pregnancy is not an immediate goal, and strategies to optimize assisted reproductive outcomes when conception is desired. In addition, emerging research into ovarian rejuvenation offers promising new avenues for future therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes current knowledge on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of POI and DOR, while highlighting innovative developments in reproductive medicine. Full article

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers results in environmental issues, including loss of soil fertility, eutrophication, increased soil acidity, alterations in soil characteristics, and disrupted plant–microbe symbiosis. Here, we synthesize recent studies available from up to 2025, focusing on engineered biochar and its application in addressing issues of soil nutrient imbalance, soil pollution from inorganic and organic pollutants, soil acidification, salinity, and greenhouse gas emissions from fields. Application of engineered biochar enhanced the removal of Cr (VI), Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Eu³⁺ by 85%, 73%, 57.2%, 12.7%, 99.3%, and 99.2%, respectively, while Cu²⁺ and V⁵⁺ removal increased by 4 and 39.9 times. Adsorption capacities for Sb⁵⁺, Tl⁺, and F⁻ were 237.53, 1123, and 83.05 mg g⁻¹, respectively, and the optimal proportion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal was 57%. Herbicides such as imazapyr were reduced by 23% and 78%. Low-temperature pyrolyzed biochar showed high cation exchange capacity (CEC) resulting from improved surface functional groups. Although biochar application led to a yield increase of 43.3%, the biochar–compost mix enhanced it by 155%. The analysis demonstrates the need for future studies on the cost-effectiveness of biochar post-processing, large-scale biochar aging studies, re-application impact, and studies on biochar–compost or biochar–fertilizer mix productivity. Full article

Nitrogen (N) deficiency in apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) leads to characteristic physiological symptoms, including leaf and fruit discoloration. Fertigation, i.e., the application of dissolved fertilizers, can significantly improve the growth and fruit quality of apples while optimizing nutrient uptake through a more precise and better timed application than conventional fertilization. This study therefore investigates how different fertilization treatments affect the N concentration of different age categories of apple leaves. Apples of the variety ‘Braeburn’ were grown hydroponically on the low-vigorous rootstock M9. Four fertilizer treatments were used: (1) Hoagland solution (HS); (2) HS nitrogen excluded; (3) HS iron excluded; and (4) HS magnesium excluded. Through vegetation, leaf samples were taken from three shoot positions representing different leaf ages (young, semi-young and old) and then chemically analyzed. The lowest N concentrations across all leaf ages and sampling moments were found in the treatment with N excluded (1.69–2.07% N), while the highest values occurred in the treatments where iron (2.00–2.49% N) or magnesium (1.98–2.37% N) were excluded. The seasonal changes in N concentration reflect interactions between the leaf age and the sampling moment. These results show that the N concentration of apple leaves strongly depends on the type of fertilization. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi establish mutualistic symbioses with plant roots, enhancing plant growth and improving soil fertility through nutrient exchange. Among these, soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are critical for symbiosis formation, directly influencing nutrient uptake and translocation within the symbiotic system. This study aimed to examine the regulatory roles of N and P levels on AM fungal development and associated bacterial communities in culture. Sorghum was used as the host plant in pot experiments with two AM fungi, Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae, under varying N and P concentrations. The analyzed parameters included mycorrhizal colonization, propagule production, plant biomass, nutrient contents (N, P, and K), and bacterial community diversity. N3P1 treatment (150 mg/L N, 30 mg/L P) yielded the highest colonization rate, spore production, and arbuscule abundance in both AM fungal symbionts. At equivalent N and P concentrations, the N, P, and K contents in inoculated plants were significantly higher than those in controls. AM fungal inoculation markedly increased the bacterial diversity in the culture (Shannon index raised by 15.2–28.7%) and enriched beneficial taxa, such as Bradyrhizobium and Pseudomonas. N and P concentrations substantially influenced AM fungal symbiosis, with optimal development observed under N3P1 conditions. By regulating AM symbiotic establishment, N and P levels reshaped microbial community composition, providing theoretical guidance for industrialized AM fungal cultivation and inoculant production. Full article

The European grayling is an ecologically and recreationally important salmonid fish species. However, its wild populations have declined in recent years across Europe due to habitat degradation, predation and overexploitation. Unfortunately, conservation measures such as stocking with hatchery-reared fish may threaten the genetic integrity of native populations. The use of triploid all-females, which display markedly reduced fertility, offers a potential solution to this problem. While protocols for inducing triploid and gynogenetic development of the species exist, an effective method for producing neo-males, essential for large-scale triploid female stock production, is still lacking. In the present study, the potential suitability of 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (OHA) and 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) for masculinization of the European grayling was investigated, aiming to provide preliminary data to support the future development of a reliable biotechnique for neo-male production in this species. Pilot trials of hormonal masculinization were conducted by feeding 20-day post-hatch fry with diets supplemented with OHA (10 mg/kg—OHA_10ppm, 20 mg/kg—OHA_20ppm) or MT (3 mg/kg—MT_3ppm, 6 mg/kg—MT_6ppm) for ~80 days. In the OHA-treated groups, the proportion of externally male-like individuals ranged from 66.7% (OHA_10ppm) to 76.6% (OHA_20ppm). However, some of these specimens were found to be genetically female with ovaries (4.5% and 28.8%, respectively), which indicated a dissociation between external dimorphism and gonadal development. In turn, MT treatments resulted in strong disruption of the female gonads with the intersex individuals comprising 28.6% (MT_3ppm) and 57.1% (MT_6ppm), indicating that the applied hormonal treatment was insufficient for complete masculinization. The results indicate that androgen-mediated neo-male induction by OHA and MT is possible in the species but requires optimization of dose, timing and delivery, potentially combining embryonic immersion with prolonged dietary administration. Full article

Closed hydroponics (recirculating) is increasingly recognized as a sustainable approach for conserving water and fertilizer resources. However, concerns remain among growers regarding ionic imbalances and yield instability during nutrient–solution recirculation. This study aimed to clarify these issues through continuous ionic monitoring of drainage water and optimization of nutrient compensation intervals in commercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation. Two greenhouse systems, an open (non-recirculating) and a closed (recirculating) system, were compared. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and major ions (NO₃⁻, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻, and Na⁺) were analyzed using ion chromatography. Based on ionic fluctuation trends, compensation intervals of 0, 2, and 4 weeks were evaluated in the closed system. Contrary to expectations of growers, open hydroponics exhibited greater ionic imbalance due to uncontrolled leaching. Periodic compensation (every 4 weeks) stabilized ionic ratios, reduced fertilizer input by 67–69%, and decreased water use by 33–36% compared with the open system. These findings demonstrate that drainage-based ionic monitoring and interval-based compensation can improve the environmental and economic performance of closed hydroponics. Full article

Sustainable production also involves analyzing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the entire cultivation and processing cycle. The emissions balance for different sugar beet varieties is a key element of environmental assessment in sustainable production systems. It is consistent with the objectives of the European Green Deal and aims to decarbonize agri-food technology. This study aims to assess and compare GHG emissions associated with the cultivation of three sugar beet variants (Viola, Jaromir, and Pulitzer) taking into account their technological and quality characteristics. The varieties were selected based on their registration in the National Register and their importance in agricultural practice in Poland, as well as their contrasting technological profiles, which allow for the assessment of the relationship between raw material quality and GHG balance. The study combines life cycle assessment (LCA) with physiological parameters such as CO₂ assimilation, sugar content, yield, fuel consumption, and fertilizer use. The aim is to identify the correlation between the technological value of a variety and its environmental impact. It has been shown that genotypic characteristics have a significant impact on both yield and emissions. The Viola and Jaromir varieties showed a favorable balance between photosynthetic efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, while the Pulitzer variety, despite low emissions per kilogram of product, showed poorer yield performance. The importance of using integrated assessment methods combining production efficiency, environmental efficiency, and crop quality was emphasized. Such an approach is essential for the development of sustainable agricultural practices in line with the EU’s climate neutrality goals. Further research is needed to optimize agrotechnical strategies tailored to the requirements of individual varieties, contributing to climate-resilient and environmentally friendly crop production. Full article

Managing eutrophic waterbodies produced large quantity of cyanobacterial sludge (CS), a biomass rich in nitrogen (N) that can be recycled through composting. However, how this management affects the compost fertility and ammonia (NH₃) volatilization is little known. This study used a chicken manure and wheat straw mixture with struvite, as the control composting treatment (CK). Subsequently, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of the chicken manure was substituted with CS at the initiation of composting, which were named CS10%, CS20%, CS30%, and CS40%, respectively. The results showed that compost pH decreased by 0.2–0.5 units, while total N content significantly increased by 10.4–20.8% under all CS amended treatments compared to the CK. Furthermore, cumulative NH₃ volatilization in the CS amended treatments increased with higher CS substitution rates, showing a significant increase of 21.3–110.0%. In CS amended treatments, the initial contents of microcystin–RR and –LR were 82.0–328.0 μg kg⁻¹ and 48.0–192.0 μg kg⁻¹, respectively, which were degraded by 35.7–79.5% and 30.2–77.8%, peaking at 30% CS substitution. Notably, the CS40% treatment showed degradation rates dropping to 62.3% and 60.7%, accompanied by a significant increase in microcystin content. Meanwhile, the heavy metals (total arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and lead) contents of all composts complied with organic fertilizer standard (NY/T 525–2021) of China. Interestingly, the CS10% had significantly lower heavy metal concentrations compared to the CK, thus enhancing compost safety. In conclusion, 10% was an optimal CS incorporating ratio to improve the quality of compost derived from chicken manure, wheat straw and struvite, while reducing NH₃ emissions, which provided a feasible technical pathway for recycling the CS. Full article