Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in Solanum nigrum L. is known to occur mainly in cell walls and vesicles. However, limited research has been conducted on the toxic effects of Cd specifically targeting mitochondria in S. nigrum leaves. This study aims to delineate the impact of Cd accumulation on mitochondrial structure and function in S. nigrum leaves, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for enhancing its application in phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soils. The results showed that the Cd content in mitochondria would gradually reach saturation with the increase of Cd treatment concentration. However, the accumulation of Cd led to osmotic pressure imbalance and morphological changes within mitochondria, which in turn caused a series of impairments in mitochondrial function. Cd severely damaged the energy metabolism function of mitochondria, especially under 200 mu M CdCl2 stress, the mitochondrial ATP content decreased by 90.65 % and the activity of H+-ATPase decreased by 80.65 %. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria accumulated mainly in the form of H2O2. Compared with the non-Cd control group, the H2O2 content in the Cd-treated groups (50, 100, and 200 mu M CdCl2) increased by 61.62 %, 186.69 %, and 405.81 %, respectively. The inhibition of cellular respiration by Cd and the sharp increase in ROS exacerbated the oxidative damage in mitochondria. Interestingly, the activities of mitochondrial peroxidase (POD) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) exhibit remarkable tolerance under Cd stress. Based on these results, we believe that Cd can cause dysfunction and oxidative damage to the mitochondria of S. nigrum leaves.

This study investigated seasonal changes in litter and soil organic carbon contents of deciduous and coniferous forests at two altitudes (500 and 1000 m a.s.l.), which were used as proxies for temperature changes. To this aim, adjacent pine (P500 and P1000) and deciduous forests (downy oak forest at 500 m a.s.l. and beech forest at 1000 m a.s.l., D500 and D1000, respectively) were selected within two areas along the western slope of a calcareous massif of the Apennine chain (central Italy). Periodic sampling was carried out within each site (a total of 19 sampling dates: 6 in autumn, 4 in winter and spring, and 5 in summer), taking each time an aliquot of the upper mineral soil horizon and measuring litter thickness and CO2 emission from the soil. The samples were then analyzed for their content of organic C, total N, water-soluble organic C and N (WEOC and WEN, respectively), and the natural abundance of 13C and 15N. Soil and litter C and N stocks were calculated. The chemical and isotopic data suggested that organic C and N transformations from litter to the upper mineral soil horizon were controlled not only by temperature but also by the quality (i.e. C:N ratio) of the plant material. In particular, the more the temperature decreased, the more the quality of the organic matter would influence the process. This was clearly showed by the greater 13C fractionation from litter to soil organic matter (SOM) in D1000 than in P1000, which would indicate a higher degree of transformation under the same thermal condition of the plant residues from the deciduous forest, which were characterized by a more balanced C:N ratio than the pine litter. However, while at 500 m altitude a significant SOM 13C fractionation and a parallel increase in soil CO2 emissions occurred in the warmer seasons, no seasonal delta 13C variation was observed at 1000 m for both forests, despite the different quality of SOM derived from deciduous and coniferous forests. Our findings suggested that organic C and N transformations from litter to the upper soil mineral horizon were greatly controlled by the quality of the plant residues, whereas soil temperature would seem to be the major driver for the seasonal evolution of SOM. This study, by considering two different vegetation types (deciduous and coniferous), allowed to evaluate the combined interactions between the plant residue quality and temperature in controlling litter and SOM mineralisation/accumulation processes.

In recent years, microplastic (MPs) and pesticide pollution have become prominent issues in the field of soil pollution. This research endeavored to assess the impact of ultraviolet radiation (UV) on the characteristics of microplastics, as well as investigating the toxicological effect on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) when subjected to the dual stressors of microplastics and acetochlor (ACT). This research found that microplastics aged under UV were more prone to wear and tear in the environment, and produced more oxygen-containing functional groups. Chronic exposure experiments were conducted on ACT and aged-MPs. The results revealed that aged-MPs and ACT inhibited earthworm growth, induced oxidative stress, and caused damage to both the body cavity muscles and the intestinal lumen. Compared with individual exposure, combined exposure increased the oxidative products (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) and altered the expression levels of related genes (TCTP and Hsp70) significantly. PE inflicted more significant harm to the earthworm intestinal tissue compared to PBAT. By 1H-NMR metabolomics, the investigation delved into the repercussions of PE and ACT on the metabolic pathways of earthworms. Exposure to ACT and PE can disrupt the stability of intestinal membranes stability, amino acid metabolism, neuronal function, oxidative stress and energy metabolism. Overall, the research revealed that combined exposure of MPs and ACT exacerbated the negative effects on earthworms significantly, and contributed valuable insights to environmental risk assessment of the combined toxicity of microplastics and pesticides.

Disinfecting Aspergillus flavus represents a promising strategy to mitigate aflatoxin contamination in agricultural soils and crops. In this study, the efficient disinfection of Aspergillus flavus using a g-C3N4/alpha-Fe2O3 heterojunction under visible light irradiation, along with the roles and mechanisms of the main reactive oxygen species involved in the disinfection process were demonstrated. The g-C3N4/alpha-Fe2O3 exhibited a high photocatalytic disinfection efficiency of up to 91 %, with hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) identified as the main active species. The production of chitin in the cell walls of Aspergillus flavus was mainly interfered with center dot OH, leading to the destruction of cellular components such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids during the disinfection process. The metabolic interference induced by center dot OH resulted in cell structural damage and the release of essential intracellular constituents, ultimately leading to the death of Aspergillus flavus. These findings provided valuable insights into Aspergillus flavus control that was beneficial for its future agricultural applications.

Cycas panzhihuaensis inhabits regions where summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees C, and these extreme conditions may intensify with ongoing global warming. However, how this species adapts to such thermal extremes is not well understood. To investigate the responses of C. panzhihuaensis to heat stress, some physiological characteristics along with lipid and fatty acid profiles were analyzed. The results show that heat stress induced soil water loss but did not cause leaf water loss and visible symptoms of leaf damage. However, photoinhibition was induced and heat dissipation was inhibited under the stress. In the recovered plants, both heat dissipation and maximum photochemical efficiency exhibited significant increases compared to the stressed plants but did not return to the control level. Most lipid categories including phospholipids and saccharolipids accumulated significantly following both the stress and subsequent recovery. However, the content of total neutral glycerolipids maintained unchanged after various treatments. The ratio of phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine decreased significantly and the ratios of both digalactosyldiacylglycerol/monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and triacylglycerol/diacylglycerol increased significantly in the stressed plants. Compared to the control plants, the relative content of polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly increased, while that of both saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids significantly declined in both stressed and recovered plants. Under stress conditions, the unsaturation levels of total neutral glycerolipids and their constituent components significantly increased, whereas those of phosphatidylglycerol and total saccharolipids exhibited a marked decrease. In conclusion, C. panzhihuaensis can tolerate extremely high temperatures to some extent which might be associated with the adjustments in lipid composition and unsaturation levels.

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), formed through the degradation of larger plastic materials, are emerging pollutants of significant concern. While their impact on aquatic ecosystems is well documented, their effects on terrestrial, especially farm animals remain underexplored. This review assesses the potential threats of MPs and NPs to Bangladesh's livestock sector by analyzing the results of experimental models and environmental studies. In Bangladesh, MPs and NPs have been detected in agricultural soils, air, water bodies, and aquatic organisms, indicating possible entry into animal systems through contaminated feed, water, and inhalation. Once internalized, these particles may trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage, impairing vital biological systems. Documented health consequences include reduced fertility, hematotoxicity, gut microbiota imbalance, gut-brain axis disruption, skeletal disorders, and metabolic dysfunction. Additionally, MPs and NPs can induce genomic changes, including altered gene expression and DNA hypomethylation, intensifying physiological damage and reducing productivity. Therefore, managing plastic contamination is vital in protecting animal health, ensuring food safety, and preserving human well-being around the globe, especially in vulnerable regions like Bangladesh. Given the critical role of livestock and poultry in ensuring food security and public health, the findings highlight an urgent need for comprehensive research and mitigation strategies.

Nepal, a landlocked country in the Himalayan region, was struck by a devastating earthquake of magnitude Mw 7.8 on 25th April, 2015. The major earthquake destroyed millions of structures and caused immense loss of life. Unfortunately, only a few seismic stations recorded the earthquake, presenting a challenge for understanding the observed non-uniform structural damage in the region. In this study, synthetic ground motions are generated at the bedrock level using the stochastic finite fault method. The ground motions are later estimated at the surface level using the equivalent linear site response analysis program, using soil profiles from 9 borehole locations from the Kathmandu basin. The key characteristics of the synthetic strong ground motions are tabulated and analyzed. Peak ground accelerations (PGA) at bedrock in the region range from 0.064 g to 0.09 g. Remarkably, the Kankali site (BH6) exhibits the highest outcrop acceleration response, with bedrock and outcrop PGAs measuring 0.083 g and 0.170 g, respectively. Observations indicate that soil profiles experience their greatest amplification ratio within the frequency range of 1.2 Hz-7.3 Hz. Plots of response spectra for the synthetic ground motions are derived and compared with the provisions of the Nepal's seismic design code. The key characteristics of strong ground motions and observations from the derived response spectra correlate well with the available reports of structural damage in the earthquake. These observations provide valuable insights into seismic vulnerability and soil behavior that is crucial for seismic hazard assessment and engineering design considerations.

Salt stress severely limits global crop productivity by disrupting ionic balance, physiological processes, and cellular ultrastructure, particularly in salt-sensitive forages like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L). Addressing this issue requires environmentally feasible and innovative strategies. This study investigated the comparative potential of Nano-FeO and FeSO4 (30 mg kg-1) soil supplements with rhizobium on alfalfa salt tolerance employing morphological, physicochemical, and cellular approaches. The results demonstrated that FITC-nFeO and rhizobium significantly reduced Na+ uptake, enhanced K+ accumulation, and improved the Na+/K+ ratio in alfalfa roots and shoots relative to FeSO4. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that FITC-nFeO ameliorated root ultracellular structure and leaf stomatal functionality, facilitating improved gaseous exchange characteristics and photosynthetic performance. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed FITC-tagged nFeO adhesion to roots, supported by transmission electron microscopy findings of preserved chloroplast ultrastructure under FITC-nFeO and rhizobium application. FITC-nFeO also mitigated oxidative damage of ROS, as evidenced by reduced hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content, through enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. Overall, in comparison to FeSO4, FITC-nFeO with rhizobium retrieved the salt-induced damages in alfalfa by promoting morpho-physiological and ultracellular integrity. This study highlights the role of nanotechnology in enhancing the resilience of forages on salt-contaminated soils, paving the way for eco-friendly remediation strategies.

BackgroundThis review provides an overview of how antibiotic residues are found in the environment and affect livestock, thereby shedding light on the physiological mechanisms of their toxicity.ObjectiveWe aimed to emphasize the need for improved antibiotic management in agricultural practices to mitigate environmental contamination and reduce risks to livestock. Understanding the mechanisms by which antibiotic residues exert toxic effects is critical to the development of sustainable solutions.ResultsAntibiotic residues in the environment are a growing concern because of their widespread use in livestock farming and persistence in ecosystems. This review examines the pathways by which antibiotics enter soil, water, and sediments, primarily through manure application, wastewater discharge, and direct excretion by animals. Once in the environment, these residues affect soil quality, water systems, and animal health, posing risks, such as toxicity, disruption of microbial communities, and physiological harm to livestock. Persistent antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines, accumulate in animal tissues and alter metabolism, leading to adverse effects, such as joint damage and impaired growth. In addition, these residues can degrade into toxic metabolites, further affecting livestock health and the environment.ConclusionCollectively, these findings suggest that future research may be required to prioritize strategies to mitigate environmental contamination by antibiotics and explore alternatives to reduce exposure in livestock production.

The microbiota, a component of the plant holobiont, plays an active role in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Nowadays, with recurrent drought and global warming, a growing challenge in viticulture is being addressed by different practices, including the use of adapted rootstocks. However, the relationships between these practices, abiotic stress and the composition and functions of the rhizosphere microbiota remain to be deciphered. This study aimed to unravel the impact of five rootstocks, water management and the combination of both on the rhizosphere bacterial microbiota in grapevines using shotgun metagenomics approach. The results showed that drought impacted the diversity, composition and functionality of the rhizosphere bacterial community. The genera Mycolicibacterium, Mycobacterium and Rhodococcus, and the bacterial functions, including DNA damage repair, fatty acid synthesis, sugar and amino acid transport, oxidative stress reduction, toxin synthesis and detoxification of exogenous compounds were significantly enriched under drought conditions. Rootstocks also significantly affected the rhizosphere bacterial richness but its influence on diversity and functionality compared to water management was weaker. Some taxa and function could be linked to water managements applied. The interaction between rootstocks and water management further influenced the rhizosphere composition, especially under drought conditions, where distinct clustering was observed for specific rootstocks. The results highlight the importance of conducting multifactorial studies to better understand their impact on shaping functional rhizosphere bacterial communities. This study paves the way for future research on beneficial bacterial inoculation and genetic engineering of rootstock to cope with drought stress.