The distribution and availability of phosphorus fractions in restored cut slopes soil aggregates along altitude gradient

The distribution and availability of phosphorus (P) fractions in restored cut slope soil aggregates along altitude gradients were studied. We examined soil aggregates total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP) and phosphorus activation coefficient (PAC), and discovered that there was no significant difference in TP at four altitudes (p> 0.05), but there was a significant difference in AP at 3009 m, 3347 m and 3980 m (p< 0.05). At 3009 m, 3347 m and 3654 m, the AP accumulation in small size aggregates were more advantageous. Overall, PAC dropped steadily as aggregate size increased, as shown by PAC (3654 m)> PAC (3347 m)> PAC (3009 m)> PAC (3980 m) in altitudes. In all particle size soil aggregates, total inorganic phosphorus (TPi) > total organic phosphorus (TPo) > residual phosphorus (R-P) at 3009 m, 3347 m and 3654 m; TPo> TPi> R-P at 3980 m. Through correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis, we concluded that active NaHCO3-Pi was the main AP source. It was suggested that more attention should be paid to the ratio of small particle size aggregates, so as to increase soil AP storage. At low (3009 m) and high altitude (3980 m), inorganic P fertilizer and P activator were added into soil to improve the activation ability of soil P and the AP supply, so as to promote the healthy development of slope soils ecosystem.

A influência antrópica na qualidade da água do rio Tapajós, na cidade de Santarém-PA

O Rio Tapajós é uma das maiores bacias hidrográficas da região Norte do país, e o crescimento populacional de algumas cidades amazônicas coloca em risco a qualidade das suas águas. A cidade de Santarém, no Oeste do Pará, é uma das maiores cidades paraenses e não tem uma rede de esgoto eficiente, logo boa parte do esgoto doméstico é lançado in natura em igarapés e no rio Tapajós, o que afeta diretamente a balneabilidade do rio, que é um dos destinos turísticos em ascensão no país, devido às praias de água doce, a qualidade do pescado, que é parte da dieta alimentar da região e pode ser um vetor de doenças, as quais podem aumentar os gastos com a saúde pública. Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência antrópica no rio Tapajós foi realizada uma amostragem em seis pontos do rio na região conhecida como a orla da cidade. Foram analisados parâmetros físico-químicos, biológicos e nutrientes), Apesar de boa parte dos parâmetros estarem em conformidade com a CONAMA 357/05, os parâmetros biológicos foram acima do permitido para a classe II, indicando influência antrópica. Os dados apontaram que a presença de material particulado em suspensão (MPS), coliformes totais e fósforo inorgânico dissolvido (PID), sugerem aumento da degradação da qualidade da água. O estudo da queda na qualidade de água nos rios amazônicos é importante, pois a relação socioeconômica entre a população e os recursos hídricos é muito importante para a manutenção das funções ambientais, econômicas e sociais na região. The anthropic influence on the water quality of the Tapajós River, in the city of Santarém-PA A B S T R A C TThe Tapajós River is one of the largest hydrographic basins of the Northern region of the country, and the population growth of some Amazonian cities puts the quality of its waters at risk. The city of Santarém, in western Pará, is one of the largest cities in Pará and does not have an efficient sewage system, so much of the domestic sewage is released in natura into streams and the Tapajós River, which directly affects the balneability of the river, which is one of the tourist destinations on the rise in the country, due to its freshwater beaches, the quality of the fish, which is part of the diet of the region and can be a vector of diseases, which can increase spending on public health. To evaluate the anthropic influence on the Tapajós River, sampling was carried out at six points on the river in the region known as the city edge. Although most of the parameters complied with CONAMA 357/05, the biological parameters were above the permitted for class II, indicating anthropic influence. The data pointed out that the presence of suspended particulate matter (SPM), total coliforms, and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), suggest increased degradation of water quality. The study of the decline in water quality in Amazonian rivers is important because the socioeconomic relationship between the population and water resources is very important for the maintenance of environmental, economic, and social functions in the region. Keywords: Tapajós River, sewage, inorganic phosphorus, suspended particulate matter

Oral administration of melatonin increases plasma calcium and magnesium and improves bone metabolism in aged male mice

We previously reported that the oral administration of melatonin from 4 to 20 months to male mice improved femoral bone strength and bone density during the aging. Additionally, melatonin receptor, MT2, was immunologically detected in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts of the mouse femoral bone. Thus, melatonin can act on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts to maintain bone strength during the aging process. Here, we analyzed plasma calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and inorganic phosphorus ([PO4]3-) in 20-month-old male mice with or without administration melatonin (15-20 mg/kg/day) in drinking water. We found that plasma Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels in melatonin-treated mice increased significantly as compared with control mice. In [PO4]3-, melatonin administration tended to increase its plasma level, but did not reach statistical significance. The potential association between these divalent ions and metabolism markers of femoral bone was also examined. In the femoral diaphysis, the plasma Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were positively correlated with periosteal and endosteal circumference which were significantly associated with the Strength Strain Index. Therefore, melatonin treatment enlarged femoral diaphysis and enhanced bone strength by increasing mineral depositions. In addition, the plasma melatonin levels were significantly positive correlation with total bone density and critical thickness in the femoral diaphysis. Since we had not observed the primary trabecular bone and osteoclasts in 20-month-old mice previously, it is suggested that plasma Ca2+ and Mg2+ are not elevated due to bone resorption. The increased plasma Ca2+ and Mg2+ by melatonin may originate from the intestinal absorption of these ions since melatonin binds to the vitamin D3 receptor, its activation is known to promote the intestinal absorption of Ca2+.

Sustainable Utilization of Sewage Sludge through the Synthesis of Liquid Fertilizer

In a world with a growing human population, resources are becoming increasingly scarce. To ensure food supply, fertilizers are often used to accelerate growth when planting agricultural products. Sewage sludge (SS), containing as high as 10–15 wt% Phosphorus (P), can be synthesized into liquid fertilizer. P species in SS can generally be classified into four types: inorganic phosphorus (IP), organic phosphorus (OP), nonapatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP), and apatite phosphorus (AP). However, OP is not leached out by wet chemical methods and NAIP is not bioavailable. This study investigated the P-form conversion (OP and NAIP to AP) in SS by adding 8 wt% CaO at 300 °C. SS through pretreatment can easily leach out P when combined with organic acid. The content of heavy metals is in accordance with fertilizer regulations in a leaching solution. The solution was mixed with potassium and ammonia compounds to synthesize a liquid fertilizer. To ensure the safe and efficient use of liquid fertilizer and undertake an analysis of heavy metals, an aquatic organisms (D. magna) toxicity test, and the growth of plants test were both used. The liquid fertilizer can be demonstrated to accelerate the growth of plants while not causing the death of D. magna in short time, as the liquid fertilizer has enough nutrients to help the D. magna to survive.

Phosphorus and Nitrogen Limitation as a Part of the Strategy to Stimulate Microbial Lipid Biosynthesis

Microbial lipids called a sustainable alternative to traditional vegetable oils invariably capture the attention of researchers. In this study, the effect of limiting inorganic phosphorus (KH2PO4) and nitrogen ((NH4)2SO4) sources in lipid-rich culture medium on the efficiency of cellular lipid biosynthesis by Y. lipolytica yeast has been investigated. In batch cultures, the carbon source was rapeseed waste post-frying oil (50 g/dm3). A significant relationship between the concentration of KH2PO4 and the amount of lipids accumulated has been revealed. In the shake-flask cultures, storage lipid yield was correlated with lower doses of phosphorus source in the medium. In bioreactor culture in mineral medium with (g/dm3) 3.0 KH2PO4 and 3.0 (NH4)2SO4, the cellular lipid yield was 47.5% (w/w). Simultaneous limitation of both phosphorus and nitrogen sources promoted lipid accumulation in cells, but at the same time created unfavorable conditions for biomass growth (0.78 gd.m./dm3). Increased phosphorus availability with limited cellular access to nitrogen resulted in higher biomass yields (7.45 gd.m./dm3) than phosphorus limitation in a nitrogen-rich medium (4.56 gd.m./dm3), with comparable lipid yields (30% and 32%). Regardless of the medium composition, the yeast preferentially accumulated oleic and linoleic acids as well as linolenic acid up to 8.89%. Further, it is crucial to determine the correlation between N/P molar ratios, biomass growth and efficient lipid accumulation. In particular, considering the contribution of phosphorus as a component of coenzymes in many metabolic pathways, including lipid biosynthesis and respiration processes, its importance as a factor in the cultivation of the oleaginous microorganisms was highlighted.

Phosphorus Supplementation Mitigates Perivascular Adipose Inflammation–Induced Cardiovascular Consequences in Early Metabolic Impairment

Background The complexity of the interaction between metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular complications has long been recognized to extend beyond simple perturbations of blood glucose levels. Yet, structured interventions targeting the root pathologies are not forthcoming. Growing evidence implicates the inflammatory changes occurring in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) as early instigators of cardiovascular deterioration. Methods and Results We used a nonobese prediabetic rat model with localized PVAT inflammation induced by hypercaloric diet feeding, which dilutes inorganic phosphorus (Pi) to energy ratio by 50%, to investigate whether Pi supplementation ameliorates the early metabolic impairment. A 12‐week Pi supplementation at concentrations equivalent to and twice as much as that in the control diet was performed. The localized PVAT inflammation was reversed in a dose‐dependent manner. The increased expression of UCP1 (uncoupling protein1), HIF‐1α (hypoxia inducible factor‐1α), and IL‐1β (interleukin‐1β), representing the hallmark of PVAT inflammation in this rat model, were reversed, with normalization of PVAT macrophage polarization. Pi supplementation restored the metabolic efficiency consistent with its putative role as an UCP1 inhibitor. Alongside, parasympathetic autonomic and cerebrovascular dysfunction function observed in the prediabetic model was reversed, together with the mitigation of multiple molecular and histological cardiovascular damage markers. Significantly, a Pi‐deficient control diet neither induced PVAT inflammation nor cardiovascular dysfunction, whereas Pi reinstatement in the diet after a 10‐week exposure to a hypercaloric low‐Pi diet ameliorated the dysfunction. Conclusions Our present results propose Pi supplementation as a simple intervention to reverse PVAT inflammation and its early cardiovascular consequences, possibly through the interference with hypercaloric‐induced increase in UCP1 expression/activity.

INFLUENCE OF HEAVY METALS ON ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM AND BIOCHEMICAL INDEXES IN RATS

The study was undertaken to examine the effect of heavy metals on antioxidant system and biochemical indexes in the organism of rats. The influence of heavy metals on indexes The influence of heavy metals on the indicators of the antioxidant system (activity of the antioxidant system enzymes – glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) and the processes of lipid peroxidation (content of hydroperoxides and products of thiobarbituric acid) was determined. It is established, that the antioxidant system functions more intensively in blood and liver of rats under the action of heavy metals. The study of enzyme activity showed the activation of the latter under conditions of heavy metal intoxication in 1.5–2.0 times (depending on heavy metal) compared with the control. We found that blood levels of total and direct bilirubin, creatinine, and urea increased in intoxicated rats from all experimental groups compared with intact animals. However, a decrease in the content of albumin, total protein, cholesterol, and triglycerides was also found in all experimental groups, in comparison with intact rats. Under the action of heavy metals, the activity of total α-amylase, lactate dehydrogenase, and glucose concentration increases in blood of rats. According to the results of studies in intoxicated animals compared with the intact group, there was a change in the cation-anion pool, in particular, a tendency to decrease the content of sodium and inorganic phosphorus and increase chlorides, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.