Search Results (709)

Lychee (Lychee chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical fruit highly appreciated for its vivid red color, sweet flavor, and nutritional properties. However, it is highly perishable, with postharvest losses often due to oxidative browning and dehydration. This study evaluated the organic olive oil coating (OC), a natural lipidic system with the potential to act as a precursor for organogel development, combined with polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) packaging under passive modified atmosphere. Fruits were harvested at commercial maturity and divided into two groups: OC-treated and untreated control (CTR). Both groups were stored at 5 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity and analyzed on days 0, 3, 6, and 9. The OC-treated fruits showed significantly better retention of physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensory qualities. The coating reduced oxidative stress and enzymatic browning, preserving color and firmness. The PA/PE packaging regulated gas exchange, lowering oxygen levels and delaying respiration and ripening. As a result, OC fruits had lower weight loss, a slower increase in browning index and maturity index, and better visual and sensory scores than the CTR group. This dual strategy proved effective in extending shelf life while maintaining the fruit’s appearance, flavor, and nutritional value. It represents a sustainable and natural approach to enhancing the postharvest stability of lychee. Full article

Soil respiration (Rt), consisting of heterotrophic (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra), plays a vital role in terrestrial carbon cycling and is sensitive to soil temperature and moisture. In dryland agriculture, plastic film mulching (PM) is widely used to regulate soil hydrothermal conditions, but its effects on Rt components and their temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) across regions remain unclear. A two-year field study was conducted at two rain-fed maize sites: Anding (warmer, semi-arid) and Yuzhong (colder, drier). PM significantly increased Rt, Rh, and Ra, especially Ra, due to enhanced root biomass and improved microclimate. Yield increased by 33.6–165%. Peak respiration occurred earlier in Anding, aligned with maize growth and soil temperature. PM reduced Q₁₀ of Rt and Ra in Anding, but only Ra in Yuzhong. Rh Q₁₀ remained stable, indicating microbial respiration was less sensitive to temperature changes. Structural equation modeling revealed that Rt and Ra were mainly driven by soil temperature and root biomass, while Rh was more influenced by microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Despite increased CO₂ emissions, PM improved carbon emission efficiency (CEE), particularly in Yuzhong (+67%). The application of PM is recommended to enhance yield while optimizing carbon efficiency in dryland farming systems. Full article

Wildfires can significantly alter soil physicochemical conditions and microbial communities in forest ecosystems. This study aimed to characterize the culturable soil fungal community and evaluate biological activity in Banco Totumo Bijibana, a protected dry tropical forest in Atlántico, Colombia, affected by a wildfire in 2014. Twenty soil samples were collected for microbiological (10 cm depth) and physicochemical (30 cm) analysis. Basal respiration was measured using Stotzky’s method, nitrogen mineralization via Rawls’ method, and fungal diversity through culture-based identification and colony-forming unit (CFU) counts. Diversity was assessed using Simpson, Shannon–Weaver, and ACE indices. The soils presented low organic matter (0.70%) and nitrogen content (0.035%), with reduced biological activity as indicated by basal respiration (0.12 kg C ha⁻¹ d⁻¹) and mineralized nitrogen (5.61 kg ha⁻¹). Four fungal morphotypes, likely from the genus Aspergillus, were identified. Simpson index indicated moderate dominance, while Shannon–Weaver values reflected low diversity. Correlation analysis showed Aspergillus-3 was positively associated with moisture, whereas Aspergillus-4 correlated negatively with pH and sand content. The species accumulation curve reached an asymptote, suggesting an adequate sampling effort. Although no control site was included, the findings provide a baseline characterization of post-fire soil microbial structure and function in a dry tropical ecosystem. Full article

Background: Aerobic exercise induces a range of complex molecular adaptations in skeletal muscle. However, a complete understanding of the specific transcriptional changes following exercise warrants further research. Methods: This study aimed to identify gene expression patterns following acute aerobic exercise by analyzing Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. We performed a comparative analysis of transcriptional profiles of related genes in two independent studies, focusing on both established and novel genes involved in muscle physiology. Results: Our analysis revealed ten consistently upregulated and eight downregulated genes across both datasets. The upregulated genes were predominantly associated with mitochondrial function and cellular respiration, including MDH1, ATP5MC1, ATP5IB, and ATP5F1A. Conversely, downregulated genes such as YTHDC1, CDK5RAP2, and PALS2 were implicated in vascular structure and cellular organization. Importantly, our findings also revealed novel exercise-responsive genes not previously characterized in this context. Among these, MRPL41 and VEGF were significantly upregulated and are associated with p53-mediated apoptotic signaling and fatty acid metabolism, respectively. Novel downregulated genes included LIMCH1, CMYA5, and FOXJ3, which are putatively involved in cytoskeletal dynamics and muscle fiber type specification. Conclusions: These findings enhance our understanding of the transcriptional landscape of skeletal muscle following acute aerobic exercise and identify novel molecular targets for further investigation in the fields of exercise physiology and metabolic health. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is an underlying pathophysiology for type 2 diabetes (T2D). The Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is the simplest method for evaluating IR. At the same time, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in human respiration can be correlated with specific diseases. To date, machine learning (Mach-L) has yet to be used to examine potential relationships between VOCs and IR. The present study has two aims: (1) to identify the VOCs most relevant to HOMA-IR, and (2) to use Shapley addictive explanation (SHAP) to determine the impacts of the distributions and directions of each feature in Taiwanese women. Methods: A total of 1432 Taiwanese women between the ages of 19 and 84 years were enrolled, and 344 VOCs were measured. Traditional multiple linear regression (MLR) was used as a benchmark for comparison, applying three Mach-L methods. Finally, SHAP was used to evaluate the directions of impacts of the features on HOMA-IR. Results: Six VOCs were identified as important: dimethylfuran, propanamine, aniline, butoxyethanol, and isopropyltoluene, in order from most to least important. SHAP found that dimethylfuran, isopropyltoluene, and dodecane were positively correlated to HOMA-IR, while butoxyethanol, aniline, and propanamine were negatively correlated. Conclusions: Using three different Mach-L methods, six VOCs were selected to be related to IR in Taiwanese women. According to their importance, dimethylfuran, propanamine, aniline, butoxyethanol, and isopropyltoluene could be used to help diagnose HOMA-IR. Furthermore, by using SHAP, dimethylfuran, isopropyltoluene, and dodecane had a positive and the other three had a negative influence. Full article

The DNDC-Rice model effectively simulates yield and greenhouse gas emissions within a paddy system, while its performance under upland conditions remains unclear. Using data from a long-term cover crop experiment (fallow [FA] vs. rye [RY]) in a soybean field, this study validated the DNDC-Rice model’s performance in simulating soil dynamics, crop growth, and C-N cycling processes in upland systems through various indicators, including soil temperature, water-filled pore space (WFPS), soybean biomass and yield, CO₂ and N₂O fluxes, and soil organic carbon (SOC). Based on simulated results, the underestimation of cumulative N₂O flux (25.6% in FA and 5.1% in RY) was attributed to both underestimated WFPS and the algorithm’s limitations in simulating N₂O emission pulses. Overestimated soybean growth increased respiration, leading to the overestimation of CO₂ flux. Although the model captured trends in SOC stock, the simulated annual values differed from observations (−9.9% to +10.1%), potentially due to sampling errors. These findings indicate that the DNDC-Rice model requires improvements in its N cycling algorithm and crop growth sub-models to improve predictions for upland systems. This study provides validation evidence for applying DNDC-Rice to upland systems and offers direction for improving model simulation in paddy-upland rotation systems, thereby enhancing its applicability in such contexts. Full article

Livestock farming is a vital component of global food security, yet it remains a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH₄), which has a global warming potential 28 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO₂). This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge surrounding the sources, biological mechanisms, and mitigation strategies related to CH₄ emissions from ruminant livestock. We first explore the process of methanogenesis within the rumen, detailing the role of methanogenic archaea and the environmental factors influencing CH₄ production. A thorough assessment of both direct and indirect methods used to quantify CH₄ emissions is presented, including in vitro techniques (e.g., syringe method, batch culture, RUSITEC), in vivo techniques (e.g., respiration chambers, Greenfeed, laser CH₄ detectors), and statistical modeling approaches. The advantages and limitations of each method are critically analyzed in terms of accuracy, cost, feasibility, and applicability to different farming systems. We then examine a wide range of mitigation strategies, organized into four core pillars: (1) animal and feed management (e.g., genetic selection, pasture quality improvement), (2) diet formulation (e.g., feed additives such as oils, tannins, saponins, and seaweed), (3) rumen manipulation (e.g., probiotics, ionophores, defaunation, vaccination), and (4) manure management practices and policy-level interventions. These strategies are evaluated not only for their environmental impact but also for their economic and practical viability in diverse livestock systems. By integrating technological innovations with sustainable agricultural practices, this review highlights pathways to reduce CH₄ emissions while maintaining animal productivity. It aims to support decision-makers, researchers, and livestock producers in the global effort to transition toward climate-smart, low-emission livestock farming. Full article

The substrate-induced respiration-inhibition (SIRIN) method has been used to estimate fungi-derived N₂O emissions, but its contribution to soil N₂O emissions remains unclear. There is a need to quantify the fungal fraction of N₂O production more precisely. Here, using isotopocule analysis, we assessed the relative contribution of fungi to soil N₂O production potential under denitrifying conditions, where key limiting factors of denitrification (soil moisture, soil NO₃⁻, and electron donor) were removed. The result showed that the ratio of fungi-derived N₂O emissions (R_F) was 0.83~4.28% in paddy soils, 13.80~23.21% in vineyard soils, and 15.34~65.94% in vegetable field soils, respectively. This indicated that the bacteria were the dominator of soil N₂O production potential in most cases, but fungal pathways could be significant in vegetable field soils. The experiment with bactericide addition showed that inhibitors could affect non-target microorganisms in the SIRIN method. Our further analyses suggest that it is worth to explore the effect of soil organic carbon and microbial synergies on fungi-derived N₂O emissions. Full article

Soil degradation and declining fertility threaten sustainable agriculture and crop productivity. This study evaluates the effects of CFMI-8, a co-fermented microbial inoculant comprising eight bacterial strains selected through genomic and metabolic modeling, on soil health, nutrient availability, and corn performance. Conducted in a randomized complete block design at Findlay Farm, Wisconsin, the field trial assessed soil biological activity, nutrient cycling, and crop yield responses to CFMI-8 treatment. Treated soils exhibited significant increases in microbial organic carbon (+224.1%) and CO₂ respiration (+167.1%), indicating enhanced microbial activity and organic matter decomposition. Improvements in nitrate nitrogen (+20.2%), cation exchange capacity (+23.1%), and potassium (+27.3%) were also observed. Corn yield increased by 28.6%, with corresponding gains in silage yield (+9.6%) and nutritional quality. Leaf micronutrient concentrations, particularly iron, manganese, boron, and zinc, were significantly higher in treated plants. Correlation and Random Forest analyses identified microbial activity and nitrogen availability as key predictors of yield and nutrient uptake. These results demonstrate CFMI-8’s potential to enhance soil fertility, promote nutrient cycling, and improve crop productivity under field conditions. The findings support microbial inoculants as viable tools for regenerative agriculture and emphasize the need for long-term studies to assess sustainability impacts. Full article

Stream metabolism is traditionally defined as the combined metabolism of all aerobic organisms in a stream. Its component processes of oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic respiration create and consume dissolved oxygen (DO) and therefore can be measured using time series of DO concentration, solar radiation, and water temperature, in conjunction with a model of DO dynamics that includes photosynthesis, respiration, and oxygen exchange with the atmosphere. A complication is that stream communities typically exhibit pronounced longitudinal heterogeneity in habitat type (e.g., shaded versus unshaded reaches) and species composition and abundance. The influence of a given stream reach and associated community on DO concentration propagates downstream with the current, gradually being replaced, over a transition zone, by the influence of the next downstream reach. Knowing the approximate length of this transition zone is important when estimating stream metabolism with one-station DO monitoring, since it indicates which stream reach and associated community the metabolism estimates apply to. We propose new methods for estimating the transition-zone length and for estimating the proportions of DO at a given location in a stream reach that entered the reach from upstream, from photosynthesis within the reach, and from atmospheric uptake within the reach. We also propose methods for estimating the residence-time distribution of DO present at a given stream location, and the corresponding distribution of upstream distances at which the DO entered the stream. Both distributions are approximately exponential. Thus, habitat immediately upstream of the sonde has the greatest influence on metabolism estimates with one-station monitoring, and it is therefore important to place the sonde so this habitat is representative of the study reach. Full article

This study presents an integrated approach to sustainable soil and crop management by evaluating the individual and combined effects of cow manure (CM), rice husk biochar (RHB), and potassium humate (KH)—three underutilized, low-cost organic amendments derived from agricultural byproducts. Uniquely, it investigates how these amendments simultaneously affect soil physical and chemical properties, plant growth, and the accumulation of bioactive compounds in sunflower sprouts, thereby linking soil health to crop nutritional quality. The application of 2% w/w KH alone resulted in the greatest increases in macroaggregation (+0.51), soil pH (from 6.8 to 8.6), and electrical conductivity (+298%). The combination of 1% w/w CM and 2% KH led to the highest increases in soil organic carbon (OC, +62.9%) and soil respiration (+56.4%). Nitrate and available phosphorus (P) peaked with 3% w/w RHB + 2% KH (+120%) and 1% w/w CM + 0.5% KH (+35.5%), respectively. For plant traits, 0.5% w/w KH increased the total leaf area by 61.9%, while 1% w/w CM enhanced shoot and root biomass by 60.8% and 79.0%, respectively. In contrast, 2% w/w KH reduced chlorophyll content (−43.6%). Regarding bioactive compounds, the highest total phenolic content (TPC) was observed with 1% w/w KH (+21.9%), while the strongest DPPH antioxidant activity was found under 1% w/w CM + 1% w/w KH (+72.6%). A correlation analysis revealed that biomass production and secondary metabolite accumulation are shaped by trade-offs arising from resource allocation under stress or nutrient limitations. Potassium, P, soil microbial respiration, and OC emerged as key integrators connecting soil structure, fertility, and plant metabolic responses. Overall, the combination of 1% w/w CM with 0.5–1% w/w KH proved to be the most effective strategy under the tested conditions. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of different types and rates of locally produced organic residues on soil organic matter (SOM) and soil health in highly degraded loamy soils of olive orchards in arid southern Tunisia. Three residues were tested: poultry manure, raw date palm waste, and composted date palm waste mixed with manure. A randomised field trial was conducted over three years. Two years after application, soil samples were analysed for physical and chemical properties, basal respiration, nitrogen mineralisation, microbial biomass, enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, phosphomonoesterase, β-glucosidase, urease, arylsulphatase), and community-level physiological profiles. All residues increased SOM and available phosphorus (Pi), with dose-dependent effects sustained over time, though significant increases were only observed at the highest application rates. The most notable improvements occurred in soils amended with composted date palm waste. In contrast, biological and biochemical parameters showed little response, even after remoistening to stimulate microbial activity. This limited response was attributed to the absence of vegetation and, consequently, of root exudates and plant residues. This will be further investigated by assessing changes in the same biological and biochemical properties following the implementation of an intercropping system, which is expected to enhance both SOM content and microbial activity in these soils. Full article

Although the benefits of rational grazing by polygastric animals are well known, little is understood about how chicken grazing affects soil biological health and its capacity to store organic matter. This study aimed to assess the impact of long-term free-range chicken grazing in an olive grove on the soil chemical and biochemical properties, including the total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial biomass (Cmic), basal respiration, and microbial community structure, as well as the soil’s capability to stock organic carbon and total nitrogen. A field experiment was conducted in an olive grove grazed by chickens for over 20 years, with the animal load decreasing with distance from the poultry houses. At 20 m, where the chicken density was highest, the soils showed reduced OC and TN contents and a decline in fungal biomass. This was mainly due to the loss of both aboveground vegetation and root biomass from intensive grazing. At 50 m, where grazing pressure was lower, the soil OC, TN, and microbial community size and activity were similar to those in a control, ungrazed area. These findings suggest that high chicken density can negatively affect soil health, while moderate grazing allows for the recovery of vegetation and soil organic matter. Rational management of free-range chicken grazing, particularly through the control of chicken density or managing grazing time and frequency, is therefore recommended to preserve soil functions and fertility. Full article

This study aimed to characterize the time-dependent effects of methane (CH₄) inhalation, initiated at defined intervals following sepsis onset, on organ function, systemic oxygen utilization, and mitochondrial respiration in a rodent model. Adult rats were subjected to abdominal sepsis or sham operation. Septic animals were assigned to groups receiving 2.2% CH₄ in normoxic air at specific post-insult phases (early: 3–6 h; intermediate: 16–19 h; late: 19–22 h), while a control group remained untreated. At 24 h, organ function was evaluated using a Rat-Specific Organ Failure Assessment (ROFA) score, along with measurements of plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, Complex I–II-linked oxidative phosphorylation in renal and cerebellar tissues, systemic oxygen extraction, and global tissue perfusion (pCO₂-gap). Sepsis induced significant organ dysfunction, impaired hemodynamics, reduced oxygen utilization, and decreased mitochondrial respiration. CH₄ inhalation improved survival when administered early, restored cerebellar mitochondrial respiration during the intermediate phase, and in the late phase reduced ROFA scores and MPO levels, while attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction in renal and cerebellar tissues. All CH₄-treated groups demonstrated improved renal function and enhanced tissue oxygenation. Targeted CH₄ inhalation during sepsis confers protective effects by preserving mitochondrial function, reducing inflammation, and improving oxygen dynamics, suggesting promising therapeutic potential. Full article

Abundant large organic aggregates, which form mucous webs up to a few decimeters in length, have been observed in Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS), northeastern Brazil. This communication presents preliminary results from field (February 2015) and laboratory (June 2015) experiments that aimed to determine preliminary values for respiration and near-maximum photosynthesis and the impact of macroaggregates on respiration rates. The experiments included the determination of respiration in controls, with the mechanical removal and addition of macroaggregates. The field experiment during a flood tide presented the lowest respiration rate (−7.0 ± 0.7 µM L⁻¹ d⁻¹), average net primary production (8.9 ± 4.5 µM L⁻¹ d⁻¹), and gross primary production (16.0 ± 10 µM L⁻¹ d⁻¹), with a ratio of gross primary production to respiration of 2.3. The control experiments during an ebb tide showed a mean respiration rate of 8.7 ± 2.3 µM L⁻¹ d⁻¹, whereas, after macroaggregate removal, this was 9.5 ± 4.5 µM L⁻¹ d⁻¹. In the laboratory experiments, the control sample respiration rate of 18.4 ± 1.4 µM L⁻¹ d⁻¹ was slightly increased to 20.6 ± 0.1 µM L⁻¹ d⁻¹ after aggregate removal. The addition of aggregates to the control sample increased the respiration rate by approximately 3-fold, to 56.5 ± 4.8 µM L⁻¹ d⁻¹. These results indicate that macroaggregates could have an important role in pelagic and benthic respiration, as well as in the whole bay’s metabolism. Full article