Search Results (86)

Feed supplementation strategies are essential for optimizing cattle productivity, and the incorporation of non-conventional feed resources may reduce both production costs and environmental impact. This study evaluated the effects of pelletized protein concentrates (including Acacia farnesiana, A. schaffneri, and Agave duranguensis bagasse) on rumen fermentation parameters, microbial communities, and gas emissions. Fistulated bullocks received the concentrate daily, and ruminal contents were collected and filtered before and after supplementation to assess in vitro gas and methane production, pH, and microbial composition using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and mcrA amplicons. In addition, in situ degradability was evaluated during and after the supplementation period. Supplementation led to a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in degradability parameters and methane production, along with a marked decrease in the abundance of Methanobrevibacter and an increase in succinate-producing taxa. These effects were attributed to the enhanced levels of non-fiber carbohydrates, hemicellulose, crude protein, and the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites and methanol. Rumen microbiota composition was consistent with previously described core communities, and mcrA-based sequencing proved to be a valuable tool for targeted methanogen detection. Overall, the inclusion of non-conventional ingredients in protein concentrates may improve ruminal fermentation efficiency and contribute to methane mitigation in ruminants, although further in vivo trials on a larger scale are recommended. Full article

Reclaimed fields have a low soil fertility and low productivity compared to conventional arable land, necessitating research on productivity enhancement. The rice–frog co-culture model is an ecologically intensive practice that combines biodiversity objectives with agricultural production needs, offering high ecological and economic value. However, there is a lack of research on this model that has focused on factors other than soil nutrient levels. The present study evaluated the rice–frog co-culture model in a reclaimed paddy field across three experimental plots with varying frog stocking densities: a rice monoculture (CG), low-density co-culture (LRF), and high-density co-culture (HRF). We investigated the effects of the frog density on greenhouse gas emissions throughout the rice growth. The rice–frog co-culture model significantly reduced methane (CH₄) emissions, with fluxes highest in the CG plot, followed by the LRF and then HRF plots. This reduction was achieved by altering the soil pH, the cation exchange capacity, the mcrA gene abundance, and the mcrA/pmoA gene abundance ratio. However, there was a contrasting nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission pattern. The co-culture model actually increased N₂O emissions, with fluxes being highest in the HRF plots, followed by the LRF and then CG plots. The correlation analysis identified the soil nosZ gene abundance, redox potential, urease activity, nirS gene abundance, and ratio of the combined nirK and nirS abundance to the nosZ abundance as key factors associated with N₂O emissions. While the co-cultivation model increased N₂O emissions, it also significantly reduced CH₄ emissions. Overall, the rice–frog co-culture model, especially at a high density, offers a favorable sustainable agricultural production model. Full article

Water table fluctuation alters environment properties and n-alkane transformation, leading to shifts in the groundwater microbial community and functions. A diesel-contaminated aquifer column experiment of seasonal water table fluctuation was designed to explore the mechanisms. Temporal changes in geochemical parameters, n-alkane concentration, bacterial community and functional gene composition were investigated. The results showed that water table fluctuation accelerated the depletion of the diesel n-alkane leakage point. Owing to the variations in the water table, the electron donors (dissolved organic carbon) and electron acceptors (dissolved oxygen, nitrate and sulfate) underwent regular changes, and the bacterial community structure was altered. Dissolved oxygen was the major parameter correlating with the abundance of aerobic functional genes (the sum of the alk_A, alk_R and alk_P) and was beneficial for enhancing the aerobic biodegradation function potential of n-alkanes. However, the static retention of the water table at the highest level inducing water saturation and hypoxia was the critical factor influencing the abundance of anaerobic functional genes (the sum of assA and mcrA) and was favorable for the anaerobic biodegradation function potential of n-alkane. Overall, this study links seasonal water table dynamics to n-alkane biodegradation function potential in aquifers, and suggests that the quality of recharge water, which impacts microbial community assembly and function, should be considered. Full article

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure rates are consistently higher in females, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Inflammatory processes play a key role in AVF remodeling and venous arterialization, yet their influence may differ by sex. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of inflammatory indices on AVF blood flow and maturation, with a focus on sex-specific differences. Methods: This retrospective analytical study included 110 patients (50 females, 60 males) undergoing initial surgical AVF creation. Postoperative assessments occurred at the fourth and sixth weeks. Patients demonstrating insufficient maturation (blood flow < 600 mL/min) at the fourth week were re-evaluated after two weeks without any intervening procedures or additional interventions. Results: Intraoperative Transit-Time Flow Measurement (TTFM) revealed significantly higher median AVF blood flow in males compared to females (289 mL/min vs. 200 mL/min; p < 0.001). Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) findings confirmed these sex-related differences, demonstrating consistently lower blood flow rates in female patients. An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was associated with approximately a 31% reduction in AVF blood flow among females, whereas an increased C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CrA) correlated with an approximate 9% decline. In males, an elevated systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were significantly associated with decreased AVF blood flow. Conversely, a higher prognostic nutritional index (PNI) positively correlated with AVF blood flow in both sexes. Risk factors associated with inadequate AVF maturation (<600 mL/min at sixth week) included female sex, advanced age, obesity, smoking, anemia, low vitamin D levels, and elevated inflammatory indices (NLR, SII, and SIRI). Conclusions: Inflammatory and nutritional indices derived from routine laboratory tests may assist in estimating AVF maturation likelihood. While DUS reliably assesses AVF blood flow, complementary evaluation methods may be required to assess the broader vascular status. Further research is needed to clarify sex-specific inflammatory mechanisms influencing AVF outcomes and to guide individualized management strategies. Full article

For avalanche risk management, local authorities need streamlined and quantitative approaches to define the risk of exposed elements. In this paper, two quantitative avalanche risk assessment approaches are compared: (1) Wilhelm’s method, referring exclusively to transport routes, defines numerically the risk, and (2) the multi-criteria risk assessment (McRA) (Italian avalanche risk guidelines), which defines the risk through categorical results. It provides a degree of avalanche risk to which the element is exposed, according to the definition of a risk class (RC). This method allows a simplified avalanche risk analysis for different types of buildings or infrastructures. The paper presents a comparison of the two methods for studying avalanche risk on a stretch of road that reaches the village of Planpincieux in Val Ferret (Aosta Valley, IT), highlighting their advantages and drawbacks. Additionally, to demonstrate the flexibility of the multi-criteria risk assessment, a risk analysis was performed on the hotel in Planpincieux hamlet. The key findings illustrate that Wilhelm’s method shines in defining the risk posed by diverse avalanche paths, but is hampered by imprecise parameter definition. McRA, by means of the RC, allows hierarchical and direct assessment of the risk severity at the territory scale but requires hazard intensity maps. Full article

Background and Objectives: Despite the growing amount of new research, the pathophysiology of glaucoma remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between intracranial pressure (ICP), ocular blood flow and structural optic nerve parameters. Materials and Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted involving 24 patients with open-angle glaucoma and 25 healthy controls. Routine clinical examination was performed. Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) images were taken (DRI-OCT Triton, Topcon). The vessel density (VD) values of the ONH were calculated around the optic nerve head (ONH). An orbital Doppler device (Vittamed 205, Kaunas, Lithuania) was used for non-invasive ICP measurements. Color Doppler imaging (CDI) (Mindray M7, Shenzhen, China) was used for retrobulbar blood flow measurements in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA) and short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs). Results: ICP was 8.35 ± 2.8 mmHg in the glaucoma group and 8.45 ± 3.19 mmHg in the control group (p = 0.907). In the glaucoma group, the VD of the superficial vascular plexus in the inferior-nasal (NI) sector of the ONH showed a correlation with ICP (r = 0.451, p = 0.05). In contrast, the control group exhibited weaker correlations. CRA peak systolic velocity (PSV) demonstrated significant moderate correlations with VD in multiple retinal layers, including the avascular retina layer in the temporal (T) sector (r = 0.637, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Lower ICP was significantly associated with the lower VD of the superficial plexus layer in the inferior-nasal sector in the glaucoma group, with the control group exhibiting weaker correlations in all sectors. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to establish associations between intracranial pressure, ocular blood flow and ONH parameters. Full article

This study introduces a novel approach for the multi-model analysis of complex water distribution networks (WDNs). The research focuses on designing and optimizing various WDN configurations while adhering to hydraulic constraints. Several key parameters and criteria are considered to achieve an efficient design. Additionally, different network layouts are evaluated, including looped and non-looped systems with varying numbers of reservoirs. Next, an analytical approach is developed to optimize the proposed WDNs, taking into account pipe type, length, and diameter, as well as nodal demands, elevations, pressure losses, and water velocities. Cost analysis reveals that a single-reservoir, non-looped WDN has the lowest cost (USD 26,892), while a two-reservoir, looped WDN has the highest (USD 30,861). The design inflows vary linearly, ranging from 0.0212 to 0.205 m³/s for a 0.3 m pipe diameter and from 0.0589 to 0.5694 m³/s for a 0.5 m pipe diameter. Further, a new approach based on the Coral Reef Algorithm (CRA) is developed and implemented to improve the technical and economic viability of the designed WDNs. The CRA effectively showcases its capacity to iteratively enhance network design by reducing overall costs significantly. Notably, higher demand multipliers yield even more efficient solutions, suggesting the algorithm’s adaptability to varying demand scenarios. Full article

Addressing the pressing issue of global warming, sustainable rice cultivation strategies are crucial. Milk vetch (MV), a common green manure in paddies, has been shown to increase CH₄ emissions, necessitating effective mitigation. This two-year field experiment assessed the impact of applying calcium peroxide (CaO₂), widely used in wastewater treatment and soil remediation due to its oxygen-releasing properties, on CH₄ emissions in conventional paddy fields (chemical fertilizer-only) and MV-incorporated fields. The results revealed that in conventional paddy fields, CaO₂ application significantly reduced the average CH₄ emissions by 19% without affecting rice yield. Compared with chemical fertilizer alone, MV incorporation increased the average rice yield by 12% but significantly elevated CH₄ emissions. However, in paddy fields with MV incorporation, CaO₂ application significantly reduced CH₄ emissions by 19% while preserving the yield benefits of MV. Soil analyses indicated that MV incorporation led to increased soil carbon content and increased mcrA and pmoA gene copy numbers, with elevated mcrA gene copy numbers being primarily responsible for the promoted CH₄ emissions. CaO₂ application improved the soil redox potential, reducing mcrA gene copies and consequently mitigating CH₄ emissions. Overall, CaO₂ application can contribute to global efforts to reduce CH₄ emissions while supporting rice productivity. Full article

Coastal zones, which serve as transitional areas between land and sea, possess unique ecological values. Sandy coasts, celebrated for their distinctive natural beauty and ideal recreational settings, have garnered significant attention. However, uncontrolled human activities can exacerbate erosion or even trigger more severe erosion along these coasts. This study utilizes unmanned aerial photography and typical beach profile survey data collected from the main areas of Wanmi Beach over the past eight years to quantify annual changes in beach erosion and elucidate the erosion characteristics and their variations across different shore profiles. Additionally, the impact of various types of human activities in different regions is analyzed, revealing the erosion patterns prevalent in the main areas of Wanmi Beach. The findings indicate that the eastern research area (ERA) has been in a continuous state of erosion, primarily due to a reduction in sediment supply in the region, with severe erosion observed on the foreshore of Fengxiang Beach and Wanmi Bathing Beach (WBB). In contrast, the central research area (CRA), particularly around Yangjiao Bay, has experienced significant siltation in recent years, with the highest siltation volume recorded between 2021 and 2023, totaling 90,352.91 m³. Nevertheless, the foreshore areas at both ends of the research area, distant from Yangjiao Bay, have been subject to erosion. The western research area (WRA) is notably impacted by surrounding aquaculture activities, leading to alternating periods of erosion and siltation on the beach surface. Consequently, due to the influence of human activities on different shore profiles, most of Wanmi Beach, except for the area near Yangjiao Bay, is experiencing erosion. Full article

Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China, which boasts unique hydrological conditions and rich biodiversity. In this study, metagenomics technology was used to sequence the microbial genome of soil samples S1 (sedimentary), S2 (semi-submerged), and S3 (arid) with different water content from the Poyang Lake wetland; the results indicate that the three samples have different physicochemical characteristics and their microbial community structure and functional gene distribution are also different, resulting in separate ecological functions. The abundance of typical ANME archaea Candidatus Menthanoperedens and the high abundance of mcrA in S1 mutually demonstrate prominent roles in the methane anaerobic oxidation pathway during the methane cycle. In S2, the advantageous bacterial genus Nitrospira with ammonia oxidation function is validated by a large number of nitrification functional genes (amoA, hao, nxrA), manifesting in that it plays a monumental role in nitrification in the nitrogen cycle. In S3, the dominant bacterial genus Nocardioides confirms a multitude of antibiotic resistance genes, indicating their crucial role in resistance and their emphatic research value for microbial resistance issues. The results above have preliminarily proved the role of soil microbial communities as indicators predicting wetland ecological functions, which will help to better develop plans for restoring ecological balance and addressing climate change. Full article

Propionate, a critical intermediate in anaerobic digestion, and its syntrophic removal, is sensitive to stress. To our knowledge, this study investigates for the first time the response of a metabolic gene panel to organic loading rate (OLR) stress in propionate-degrading methanogenic consortia in lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors. The experimental phases included stabilisation (1.4–2.8 g COD/L/day), electroactive enrichment, OLR shock (6 g COD/L/day), and early recovery. Quantitative PCR was used to assess the abundance of key functional genes (16SrRNA, mcrA, pilA, and hgtR). During stabilisation, ~200 mLCH₄/h was produced, the mcrA/16SrRNA ratio was 0.78–2.64, and pilA and hgtR abundances were 1.29–2.27 × 10⁵ and 2.12–4.37 × 10⁴ copies/gVS. Following the OLR shock, methane production ceased entirely, accompanied by a sharp decline in the mcrA/16S ratio (0.08–0.24) and significant reductions in pilA (1.43-log) and hgtR (1.34-log) abundance. Partial recovery of pilA and hgtR abundance (1.19 × 10⁵ and 8.57 × 10⁴) was observed in the control reactor after the early recovery phase. The results highlight the utility of mcrA, 16SrRNA, pilA, and associated ratios, as reliable indicators of OLR stress in lab-scale UASB reactors. This study advances the understanding of molecular stress responses in propionate-degrading methanogenic consortia, focusing on direct interspecies electron transfer in process stability and recovery. Full article

Paddy fields are the main agricultural source of greenhouse gas methane (CH₄) emissions. To enhance rice yield, various fertilization practices have been employed in rice paddies. However, the key microbial and abiotic factors driving CH₄ emissions under different fertilization practices in paddy fields remain largely uncharted. This study conducted field experiments in a traditional double-cropping rice area in South China, utilizing five different fertilization practices to investigate the key factors influencing CH₄ emissions. High-throughput sequencing and PICRUSt2 functional prediction were employed to investigate the contributions of soil physicochemical properties, CH₄-metabolizing microorganisms (methanogens and methanotrophs), and key genes (mcrA and pmoA) on CH₄ emissions. The results showed that CH₄ emission fluxes exhibited seasonal variations, with consistent patterns of change observed across all treatments for both early- and late-season rice. Compared to the no-fertilization (NF) treatment, cumulative CH₄ emissions were lower in early-season rice with green manure (GM) and straw returning (SR) treatments, as well as in late-season rice with GM treatment, while rice yields were maintained at higher levels. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that potential methanogens were primarily distributed among four orders: Methanobacteriales, Methanocellales, Methanomicrobiales, and Methanosarcinales. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the relative abundance of the CH₄-related key gene mcrA and these microorganisms. Functional analysis indicated that these potential methanogens primarily produce methane through the acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways. Aerobic CH₄-oxidizing bacteria, predominantly from the genus Methylocystis, were detected in all the treatments, while the CH₄ anaerobic-oxidizing archaea ANME-1b was only detected in chemical fertilization (CF) and cow manure (CM) treatments. Our random forest analysis revealed that the relative abundance of two methanogens (Methanocellales and Methanosarcinales) and two environmental factors (pH and DOC) had significant impacts on the cumulative CH₄ emissions. The variance decomposition analysis highlighted the CH₄-metabolizing microorganisms explained 50% of the variance in the cumulative CH₄ emissions, suggesting that they are the key microbial factors driving CH₄ emissions. These findings provide guidance for the development of rational measures to reduce CH₄ emissions in paddy fields. Full article

The effects of fallow season water and straw management on methane (CH₄) emissions during the fallow season and the subsequent rice-growing season are rarely reported, and the underlying microbial mechanisms remain unclear. A field experiment was conducted with four treatments: (1) fields flooded in both the fallow and rice seasons (FF), (2) fields drained in the fallow season and flooded in the rice season (DF), (3) FF with straw retention (FFS), and (4) DF with straw retention (DFS). The CH₄ emissions in fields under different water and straw treatments were monitored using the static closed chamber method. Methanogenic and methanotrophic communities in these fields were examined using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis based on the mcrA gene and pmoA gene encoding methyl coenzyme M reductase and particulate methane monooxygenase, respectively. The results showed that CH₄ emissions were significantly affected by water management, straw retention, season, and their interactions. Over 80% of CH₄ emissions occurred during the rice season. Field drainage during the fallow season reduced CH₄ emissions by 47.0% and 53.8% with and without straw during the rice season, respectively. Water management altered the abundance and composition of methanogens and methanotrophs, whereas the effects of straw retention were less pronounced. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay revealed that field drainage in the fallow season decreased the mcrA gene abundance by 30.0% and 23.2% with and without straw in rice season, respectively, and increased the pmoA gene abundance by 108.9% and 213.7% with and without straw in rice season, respectively. CH₄ flux was significantly positively associated with mcrA gene copy number and the ratio of mcrA to pmoA gene copy number, whereas it was significantly negatively correlated with the pmoA gene copy number. Results indicated that fallow drainage greatly decreased CH₄ emission not only during the fallow season but also during the subsequent rice season by altering the community composition of methanogens and methanotrophs. These findings provide scientific insight into the role of water and straw management in controlling CH₄ emissions through microbial community dynamics. Full article

Cordyceps militaris, a fungus widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology, is recognized for its abundant bioactive compounds, including cordycepin and carotenoids. The growth, development, and metabolite production in various fungi are influenced by the complex interactions between regulatory cascades and light-signaling pathways. However, the mechanisms of gene regulation in response to light exposure in C. militaris remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to identify light-responsive genes and potential transcription factors (TFs) in C. militaris through an integrative transcriptome analysis. To achieve this, we reconstructed an expanded gene regulatory network (eGRN) comprising 507 TFs and 8662 regulated genes using both interolog-based and homolog-based methods to build the protein–protein interaction network. Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa were chosen as templates due to their relevance as fungal models and the extensive study of their light-responsive mechanisms. By utilizing the eGRN as a framework for comparing transcriptomic responses between light-exposure and dark conditions, we identified five key TFs—homeobox TF (CCM_07504), FlbC (CCM_04849), FlbB (CCM_01128), C6 zinc finger TF (CCM_05172), and mcrA (CCM_06477)—along with ten regulated genes within the light-responsive subnetwork. These TFs and regulated genes are likely crucial for the growth, development, and secondary metabolite production in C. militaris. Moreover, molecular docking analysis revealed that two novel TFs, CCM_05727 and CCM_06992, exhibit strong binding affinities and favorable docking scores with the primary light-responsive protein CmWC-1, suggesting their potential roles in light signaling pathways. This information provides an important functional interactive network for future studies on global transcriptional regulation in C. militaris and related fungi. Full article

Massive labile carbon and nitrogen inputs into lakes change greenhouse gas emissions. However, the rapid driving mechanism from eutrophic and swampy lakes is not fully understood and is usually contradictory. Thus, we launched a short-term and anaerobic incubation experiment to explore the response of greenhouse gas emissions and microbial communities to glucose and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) inputs. Glucose addition significantly increased CH₄ and CO₂ emissions and decreased N₂O emissions, but there were no significant differences. NO₃⁻-N addition significantly promoted N₂O emissions but reduced CH₄ accumulative amounts, similar to the results of the Tax4Fun prediction. Bacterial relative abundance changed after glucose addition and coupled with the abundance of denitrification genes (nirS and nirK) decreased while maintaining a negative impact on N₂O emissions, considerably increasing methanogenic bacteria (mcrA1) while maintaining a positive impact on CH₄ emissions. Structural equation modeling showed that glucose and NO₃⁻-N addition directly affected MBC content and greenhouse gas emissions. Further, MBC content was significantly negative with nirS and nirK, and positive with mcrA1. These results significantly deepen the current understanding of the relationships between labial carbon, nitrogen, and greenhouse emissions, further highlighting that labile carbon input is the primary factor driving greenhouse gas emissions from eutrophic shallow lakes. Full article