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PubMed2026

Modulation of heart rate and heart rate variability during animal-assisted treatment of patients in a minimally conscious state: A randomized controlled crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Animal-assisted treatment (AATx) is a promising and increasingly used approach in neurorehabilitation, yet its psychophysiological effects remain largely unexplored. Patients in a minimally conscious state (MCS) show severely altered consciousness with minimal but definite behavioral signs of awareness. Because behavioral assessment in this population is limited, psychophysiological measures such as heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) may offer valuable insights into autonomic regulation during therapy. AIM: The present study investigated whether AATx influences HR and HRV compared to treatment as usual (TAU). METHODS: A randomized controlled crossover design with repeated measures was conducted. HR and HRV data were recorded using an Empatica E4 wristband, and linear mixed-effects models were fitted for each outcome variable. The analytic sample included twenty-one patients with MCS who completed at least one of the four sessions. RESULTS: We found a significant decrease in mean HR (estimate = -12.75, p = .041) and a significant increase in the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) (estimate = 15.76, p = .020) during AATx compared to TAU from the pretreatment to the posttreatment phase, indicating enhanced parasympathetic activation and greater autonomic flexibility. Other HRV parameters revealed no significant effects of AATx, though trends were consistent with the hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide preliminary physiological evidence that AATx can modulate autonomic activity in MCS patients. Despite limitations related to sample size and recording quality, the results highlight the potential of AATx as an emotionally engaging intervention in early neurorehabilitation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Analysis of the Relationship between Early Clinical Factors and Glasgow Outcome Scale in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between early clinical factors and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 98 TBI patients who underwent emergency surgery between January 2021 and January 2024. Based on GOS scores at 6 months post-surgery, patients were classified into a favorable outcome group (GOS ≥ 4, defined as moderate disability or good recovery, n = 58) and an unfavorable outcome group (GOS < 4, i.e., death, persistent vegetative state, or severe disability, n = 40). Baseline and early clinical parameters were compared between groups. Statistically significant variables from univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model to identify independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: Significant intergroup differences were observed in age, time from injury to surgery, bleeding site, midline shift, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score at admission, blood glucose level, and D-dimer level (all p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, time from injury to surgery, GCS score, blood glucose, and D-dimer level were independent predictors of GOS (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early clinical factors, including age, time to surgery, GCS score, blood glucose, and D-dimer level, independently influence GOS in TBI patients. Time from injury to surgery emerged as a potentially modifiable factor in this cohort, suggesting that minimizing delays may improve outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The effects of nitrate and nitrite supplementation on mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized muscle fibres in young healthy adults.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a direct regulator of mitochondrial respiration. Nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) are good sources of NO, but whether their effects on mitochondrial respiration differ between in vivo and in vitro administration remains unclear. In Study 1, 8 participants consumed NO3- -rich beetroot juice (BR) (∼12.8 mmol NO3-) and NO3- -depleted placebo beetroot juice (PL) (∼0.08 mmol NO3-) acutely and chronically for 2 weeks in a randomised, double-blind, crossover design. A substrate-uncoupler-inhibitor titration (SUIT) protocol was used to assess mitochondrial respiration using high-resolution respirometry (oxygen tension: ∼200-450 μM) in permeabilized muscle fibres. In Study 2, skeletal muscle samples were collected from 11 participants. In a randomised, crossover design, different doses (0, 1.5, and 3.0 μM) of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) were administered to permeabilized muscle fibres. Mitochondrial respiration was measured using the same SUIT protocol under lower oxygen tension (∼50-200 μM). Although muscle NO3- concentration significantly increased after both acute and chronic BR supplementation, mitochondrial respiration and exercise performance did not differ between PL and BR in either condition. Similarly, absolute oxygen flux across different respiratory states were not different between different doses of NaNO2. However, the leak control ratio, reflecting the degree of uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration, was significantly higher with 3.0 μM NaNO2 administration (0.12 ± 0.05) compared to 0 μM NaNO2 administration (0.09 ± 0.04, P = 0.03). These findings, involving both in vivo and in vitro administration approaches, albeit in the presence of relatively high oxygen concentrations, suggest that neither NO3- nor NO2- improves mitochondrial respiration, at least in young healthy adults.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Association between fruit and vegetable intake and risk of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

Depression is a leading cause of global disability, and identifying modifiable lifestyle factors is a public health priority. We conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies examining the association between fruit and vegetable intake and incident depression. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched through November 2025. Data on study characteristics, dietary assessment, outcomes, effect estimates, and covariates were independently extracted by two reviewers. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled relative risks (RRs), and linear and non-linear dose-response relationships were assessed. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2, and evidence certainty was rated with GRADE. Thirteen cohorts with 385,449 participants and 26,592 depression cases were included. Highest versus lowest combined fruit and vegetable intake was associated with a 37% lower risk of depression (RR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.80). Each 200 g/day increase corresponded to a 16% risk reduction (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74-0.94). Separate analyses showed that fruit and vegetable intake reduced depression risk by 16% and 12%, respectively, with a non-linear dose-response for vegetables. These findings indicate that higher consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower depression risk, supporting dietary strategies as a potential approach for mental health prevention. However, given the observational nature of the included studies, these results should be interpreted with caution, as residual confounding may partially account for the observed associations. Registration: This study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD420261279998).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Dual signal-enhanced immunochromatographic test strip based on Au@PtNPs: From sensitive detection of thiamethoxam to multiplex pesticide screening in vegetables.

Immunochromatographic test strip (ICTS) is a rapid analytical technique widely used in environmental and food detection owing to its merits of simple operation and short analysis time. Herein, three-dimensional nanoflower-structured gold‑platinum nanoparticles (Au@PtNPs) were synthesized via a seed-growth method. Compared with conventional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), Au@PtNPs exhibited stronger signal intensity, excellent catalytic performance, and efficient antibody binding efficiency. Colorimetric Au@PtNPs-ICTS and catalytic colorimetric Au@PtNPs-ICTS were developed for the sensitive detection of thiamethoxam (THI) in vegetables. The limits of detection (LODs) for colorimetric Au@PtNPs-ICTS and catalytic colorimetric Au@PtNPs-ICTS quantitative analysis were 0.18 ng/mL and 0.093 ng/mL, respectively, representing approximately 3-fold and 6-fold improvement compared to AuNPs-ICTS (0.56 ng/mL). Furthermore, highly sensitive detection of multiple pesticide residues (chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid) was achieved by replacing the corresponding target antigens and antibodies, which further verified the universality of this immunochromatographic strategy.

Thiamethoxam↗

PubMed2026

Spore-forming Clostridia as overlooked determinants of microbial risk in wastewater reuse systems.

Using treated municipal wastewater for crop irrigation is a key strategy to combat drought-induced water scarcity. However, current wastewater reclamation standards systematically underestimate risks from spore-forming pathogens. As highlighted in a recent minireview by A. Mrozinski, C. Le Maréchal, and E. Topp in Applied and Environmental Microbiology (92:e00173-26, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.00173-26), Clostridioides difficile and Clostridium perfringens survive conventional disinfection, persist indefinitely in agricultural soils, and harbor critical antibiotic resistance genes. To safeguard the food supply and protect public health, regulatory frameworks must shift from relying solely on standard vegetative bacterial indicators and include monitoring resilient, spore-forming pathogens.

Clostridium↗

PubMed2026

Littoral and wetland vegetation decrease carbon emissions from dry inland waters.

Lakes are recognized as active components of the inland water carbon (C) cycle, as organic matter is processed by microbial respiration, inducing large carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions. In the context of long-lasting drought periods, large uncertainties remain about: (1) the influence of wet-dry cycle on CO2 and CH4 fluxes in littoral zones and lacustrine wetlands; and (2) the contribution of emergent vegetation to C fluxes in dry inland waters. At the water-land interface of two shallow lakes, this study focuses on CO2 and CH4 fluxes from vegetated and bare dry inland waters in relation to hydrological fluctuations. Three seasonal campaigns were conducted to measure daytime CO2 and CH4 fluxes in pelagic, littoral and wetland surface waters, as well as in temporarily air-exposed sediments, using floating and static chambers, respectively. Our results reveal that wet-dry cycle in the littoral zone and wetlands strongly influence gaseous C fluxes through contrasting patterns, especially in late summer, when the biological processes are most active (primary production and respiration). In air-exposed littoral zones, organic-poor sandy sediments presented the lowest CO2 and CH4 emissions, whereas in air-exposed lacustrine wetlands, water-saturated sediments accumulated high amounts of plant-derived organic matter, promoting intense microbial activity and the highest C emissions. However, amphiphytes and helophytes vegetation in exposed littoral zones and wetlands reversed the direction of C fluxes, inducing the highest CO2 uptake due to high photosynthesis rates. This study underlines the relevance of considering vegetation in dry inland waters, particularly in lacustrine littoral zones and wetlands, to obtain comprehensive lake C budgets, especially under climate change scenarios.

Wetlands↗

PubMed2026

Complementary feeding patterns in preterm and term infants.

Complementary feeding is essential for infants' nutritional status and development, marking the transition to solid foods when breast milk or formula alone is insufficient. Despite its importance, clear recommendations on which foods to introduce when initiating complementary feeding in preterm infants are lacking. By using data from our previously published randomized controlled trial on the timing of complementary feeding in preterm infants, the current study explores the complementary feeding patterns of preterm infants and compares them with those of term-born infants, providing insights into parental decision-making and potential long-term health impacts. Complementary feeding practices differed significantly between preterm (n = 255) and term (n = 159) infants, with preterm infants more often receiving vegetables as their first solid food (85.4% versus 68.8%, difference 17.6% with 95% CI 12-35%). The group with early introduction of vegetables had a lower BMI-for-age z-scores (β -0.28 [95% CI -0.55 - 0.02]) and weight-for-height z-scores (β -0.27 [95% CI -0.53 to -0.01]) at two years of age. Additionally, preterm infants showed a greater variety in the numbers of different fruits and vegetables consumed by six months (corrected) age than term-born counterparts (8.29 (SD 3.65) versus 6.26 (SD 3.47), p < 0.001). These results indicate that complementary feeding patterns in preterm infants differ from term-born infants, with potential positive implications on growth. These data contribute to the development of accurate feeding protocols for preterm infants. Given that feeding practices are culturally influenced, further multinational research is essential to refine complementary feeding guidelines for preterm infants and support caregivers in informed decision-making.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Pregnancy diet based on ancestral patterns increases growth in subcortical fetal brain regions.

Evidence on the biological basis for maternal nutrition effects on fetal and newborn neurodevelopment remains limited. This randomized controlled trial in Ecuador tested a maternal dietary pattern-derived from empirical studies of nutrition in human evolution and adapted locally-on offspring growth and brain development. Pregnant women (n = 215) in their first trimester were randomized to: 1) control (n = 104); or 2) Mikhuna ("nourish" in Kichwa) intervention (n = 111). The intervention, from 12 wk gestation to birth, consisted of a weekly food delivery (8 eggs, 500 g fish, and a variety of sustainably sourced fruits and vegetables) and a behavior change communication strategy encouraging diet diversity and limiting highly processed foods. Longitudinal data collection occurred at 12 wk, 21 wk, 35 wk gestation, and 2 wk postpartum, and included ultrasound imaging of fetal bone and brain parameters, maternal dietary intakes, anthropometry, socioeconomic and demographic variables, and other biomarkers. At close of intervention, a significantly higher percentage of women met the minimum dietary diversity threshold in Mikhuna (74.5%) vs. control groups (55.8%) (P = 0.004). Generalized linear regression models showed significant differences in Mikhuna compared to control for: corpus callosum length 0.19 cm (95% CI [0.02, 0.35]), gangliothalamic ovoid height 0.15 cm (95% CI [0.03 to 0.26]), and femur length -0.10 cm (95% CI [-0.19, -0.02]) from 21 wk to 35 wk; and corpus callosum Z 0.56 (95% CI [0.03, 1.09]) and femur length Z -0.21 (95% CI [-0.42, 0.00]) at 35 wk. The Mikhuna intervention increased the growth of subcortical fetal brain structures, which have established roles in motor control, cognition, and signal transmission.

Female↗

PubMed2026

A point-of-use SERS assay for rapid detecting difenoconazole and flusilazole residues in fruit juices using Au/COF substrate.

We developed a ready-to-use surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor for rapid, pretreatment-free detection of difenoconazole (DIF) and flusilazole (FLU) in peach and lychee juices. The substrate combines Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) with covalent organic frameworks (COF) and is implemented on a portable 25-well plate, enabling in situ testing. Juices can be directly applied to the SERS-active Au/COF composite, allowing simultaneous adsorption and signal generation. The correlation between SERS intensity and logarithmic concentration yielded R-values between 0.925 and 0.986, meeting the monitoring needs of non-laboratory scenarios. The entire workflow completes within 12 min, offering a faster alternative to conventional methods while maintaining high sensitivity and reproducibility. Detection limits reach 0.96-1.22 ppb for DIF and FLU, both of which are below the regulatory maximum residue limits. Distinct SERS fingerprints enable reliable discrimination of mixed residues across juice matrices, supporting rapid on-site monitoring and cost-effective pesticide surveillance.

Triazoles↗

PubMed2026

Effects of apple phenolics on the human metabolome: modulation of key metabolic pathways.

Apples are widely recognized for their potential health benefits, partly attributed to their phenolic compounds. However, their impact on human metabolism remains incompletely understood. This study investigated metabolic effects of apple-derived phenolic compounds using untargeted metabolomics approach across multiple biofluids. In a crossover intervention study, 30 healthy men consumed a phenolic-rich apple juice or a placebo for two weeks. Blood, urine and saliva samples were collected before and after each intervention and analyzed by direct infusion ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry. Consumption of apple phenolic compounds resulted in significant alterations of the human metabolome, including increased levels of phenolic-derived degradation products and microbial-associated metabolites across all biofluids. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed pronounced effects on phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, as well as linoleic and arachidonic acid metabolism, Overall, these findings demonstrate that apple phenolic compounds induce measurable, microbiota-associated and systemic metabolic changes, providing new insights into their metabolic fate and biological relevance.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Exploring the mechanism of aroma production in fermented cherry juice by L. brevis LD1.0600 using flavomics and whole genome analysis.

This study focused on L.brevis LD1.0600 with excellent fermentation traits: it analyzed genome-wide key regulatory genes for micro-metabolites, combined with fermented cherry juice flavor metabolomics data, and used machine learning to explore correlations between gene regulation, metabolite production, and flavor formation. The SVM model screened and verified fermented cherry juice VOCs; through OAV and flavor wheel analysis, LD1.0600 emerged as the top-performing strain, with a sweet, fruity dominant aroma. Key aroma-active components (OAV > 100) included 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, benzaldehyde, 2-methyl-butanoic acid and hexanoic acid, and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol and hexanoic acid elevated by LD1.0600-regulated genes (Chrom1-001884, Chrom1-000925, fabF and Chrom1-000199). At the same time, through research, a "strain screening-SVM screening of DVCs-OAV screening of key aroma components-whole genome sequencing of flavor regulatory genes" system was established. This system can not only be applied to the screen fermentation strains, but also can be extended to the application of other fermentation products.

Fermentation↗

PubMed2026

Brain network alterations underlying cue reactivity and craving in abstinent methamphetamine users: a systematic review of functional MRI findings.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is marked by intense craving and high relapse risk, often triggered by drug-related cues. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides key insight into the neural basis of this cue reactivity, implicating large-scale brain networks for reward, motivation, and control. Yet, findings remain inconsistent across studies due to differences in task design, abstinence duration, and participant characteristics. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesises evidence on how abstinence influences brain network alterations underlying cue reactivity and craving in methamphetamine users, integrating task-based and resting-state fMRI findings within leading neurobiological models of addiction. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Ovid was conducted up to August 10, 2025, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible fMRI studies examined cue reactivity or craving in abstinent methamphetamine users. Data were extracted on activation, connectivity, and brain-behaviour associations, and synthesised narratively. RESULTS: Task-based studies revealed heightened activation across reward, salience, and control networks during cue exposure, which diminished as parietal and executive control systems re-engaged with longer abstinence. Resting-state findings showed disrupted intrinsic connectivity among default mode, salience, and frontoparietal networks, reflecting persistent imbalances linked to craving and use severity. CONCLUSION: fMRI evidence shows that MUD is marked by network-level disruption linking reward, salience, and control systems. Task-based findings reveal strong cue reactivity in reward circuits, while resting-state data show persistent imbalance among default mode and control networks. With abstinence, partial restoration of network integrity emerges, highlighting both vulnerability and opportunities for targeted, recovery-based interventions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Orange juice and hesperidin increase flavanone exposure without detectable short-term vascular benefits: a randomized crossover trial.

Orange juice is a major dietary source of hesperidin, a citrus flavanone with vascular protective effects in experimental models. However, whether nutritionally realistic intake levels induce measurable benefits in humans remains unclear. We investigated the effects of orange juice and hesperidin supplementation, at realistic dietary doses, on vascular function, flavanone bioavailability, and molecular responses. Thirty-seven centrally overweight men completed a randomized, double-blind, controlled, three-period crossover trial with three 6-week interventions separated by washout periods. Participants consumed daily 330 mL of 100% orange juice (OJ), an isoenergetic control beverage (CON), or a hesperidin-enriched control beverage (HESP, 210 mg day-1). Fasting vascular, metabolic and anthropometric parameters were assessed before and after each intervention, with flow-mediated dilation (FMD) as the primary endpoint. Postprandial FMD, circulating flavanone metabolites and oxylipin profiles were evaluated following a standardized high-fat meal challenge, and flavanone bioavailability was assessed by 24 h urinary excretion. Whole-blood transcriptomics were performed in a subset (n = 9). Plasma exposure to phase II hesperetin metabolites (AUC0-6 h) and 24 h urinary excretion were comparable after OJ and HESP, indicating effective hesperidin delivery and limited matrix effects on bioavailability. Neither intervention significantly affected fasting or postprandial FMD, vascular, metabolic or anthropometric parameters, or oxylipin profiles versus CON. Marked interindividual variability was observed in vascular responses and flavanone bioavailability, although treatment effects were unrelated to baseline endothelial function or flavanone exposure. Exploratory transcriptomic analyses suggested modulation of pathways involved in vascular biology following OJ and HESP. Under nutritionally realistic conditions, orange juice and hesperidin induced measurable biological engagement without detectable short-term vascular benefits, highlighting the complexity of linking flavanone exposure to functional vascular outcomes in humans.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Health-Related quality of life (HRQoL) and health state utility values (HSUV) in patients with head and neck Cancer: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment can substantially impair speech, swallowing, eating, appearance, and social functioning, resulting in persistent reductions in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Although the EuroQol 5-Dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) is widely used to assess generic HRQoL and derive health state utility values (HSUVs), EQ-5D-based evidence in HNC has not been comprehensively synthesized. This study aimed to summarize EQ-5D-based HRQoL and HSUVs in HNC, estimate pooled utility and EQ-VAS scores, explore subgroup differences, and identify predictors of poorer HRQoL. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261307907). PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched from inception to February 10, 2026. Studies reporting baseline EQ-5D utility values and/or EQ-VAS scores in patients with HNC were included. Random-effects meta-analyses using the DerSimonian-Laird (DL) estimator with the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman (HKSJ) adjustment were performed to pool mean scores. Between-study variance (τ2) and 95 % prediction intervals (PI) were calculated to capture parameter dispersion. Subgroup analyses were conducted across clinical and methodological vectors. RESULTS: Twenty studies involving 7,403 patients were included. The pooled mean EQ-5D utility score was 0.79 (95 % CI: 0.75-0.83; τ2 = 0.0011; 95 % PI: 0.72-0.86). The pooled mean EQ-VAS score was 69.36 (95 % CI: 65.71-73.01; τ2 = 38.4586; 95 % PI: 55.11-83.61). Extreme heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 96.4 % and 97.1 %, respectively). Utility values were significantly higher in studies utilizing the EQ-5D-5 L than the EQ-5D-3 L version (0.82 vs. 0.76). By tumor subsite, nasopharyngeal cancer showed the highest utility value (0.85, exploratory), whereas oral cancer demonstrated the lowest (0.73). Adjusted multivariable models revealed that advanced stage, high treatment intensity, severe pharyngolaryngeal pain, dysphagia, malnutrition, and older age were robust predictors of poorer HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HNC experience substantial and persistent HRQoL impairment, with meaningful variations driven by tumor subsites and instrument versions. In light of the extreme heterogeneity, these pooled findings establish a macro-level, broad reference estimate rather than a fixed target. These parameters directly inform localized survivorship care planning, health technology evaluations, and cost-utility decision-making modeling in head and neck oncology.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Epigenetic Gene Networks Governing Immune State Transitions Across the Lifespan.

Immune function across development, tissue repair, aging, and disease depends not only on signaling pathways but also on epigenetic architectures that determine whether coordinated transcriptional programs can be accessed and resolved. Increasing evidence indicates that epigenetic gene networks regulate the accessibility and reversibility of semi-stable immune states, shaping plastic, homeostatic, reparative, and degenerative configurations. We propose the concept of epigenetic transition windows, defined as temporally and contextually restricted intervals during which epigenetic constraints are relaxed, permitting coordinated and reversible transitions between immune states. During development, these windows are broad and support immune tolerance and adaptive plasticity. In adulthood they become spatially and temporally restricted, preserving stability while enabling conditional adaptation. With aging, they progressively narrow, contributing to chronic inflammation, impaired repair, and increased vulnerability to neurodegeneration. Conversely, pathological persistence of regulatory permissiveness may underlie immune evasion and sustained plasticity in cancer. We outline operational genomic readouts for quantifying transition windows, including chromatin accessibility variance, enhancer switching dynamics, reversibility metrics, and cross-cell coordination indices, and derive experimentally testable predictions that distinguish this model from pathway-centric or damage-centric explanations. By reframing immune dysfunction as a failure of regulated state transition rather than excessive signaling alone, this framework integrates inflammaging, trained immunity, immune resolution failure, and tumor immune escape within a unified regulatory architecture and provides a systems-level perspective on immune adaptability across the lifespan.

Epigenesis, Genetic↗

PubMed2026

Dynamics of soil fungal communities restored with biochar from a quarry site.

Quarrying activities have intensified due to population expansion, leading to landscape degradation and ecological destruction. Quarry restoration is usually mandatory in Hong Kong, China. Although biochar is used for sustainable soil amendment, its effectiveness in restoring quarry soil with poor properties has rarely been investigated. A 24-month field study was conducted to evaluate the ecological feasibility of restoring a quarry site by using native species (that is, Castanopsis fissa and Cyclobalanopsis edithiae) and biochar amendment. The results revealed that after 24 months, the application of biochar increased the organic carbon, phosphorus and potassium of the vegetated soil by at least 120 %, 31 % and 12 %, respectively, due to higher cation exchange capacity and better plant growth. The relative abundance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota increased by 24 % and 47 % with biochar application when C. fissa was planted, which was likely associated with the improved nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Even though adding biochar to bare soil was found to increase the complexity of fungal co-occurrence networks, biochar application only increased fungal diversity in vegetated quarry soil but usually reduced its fungal richness. Moreover, fungal co-occurrence networks in vegetated soil became less complex, suggesting that biochar potentially helped plants to assemble specific, beneficial fungal communities. This effect is most pronounced in the soil planted with C. edithiae, where the structure of fungal communities after 24 months was significantly different from that at other restoration times. This study identifies key fungal phyla enhanced by biochar in quarry soil and provides an effective strategy for facilitating the restoration and management of degraded lands, especially quarry sites.

Charcoal↗

PubMed2026

Ecotoxicological responses of aquatic macrophytes to 2,4-D: A global synthesis of species sensitivity and ecological risk.

The widespread use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has raised concern about its persistence, mobility, and effects on non-target aquatic vegetation in freshwater ecosystems. Here, we provide a global synthesis of the ecotoxicological responses of aquatic macrophytes to 2,4-D based on a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 86 peer-reviewed studies published between 1947 and 2025. A consistent gradient of species-specific sensitivity was observed across macrophyte growth forms. The submerged species Myriophyllum spicatum showed high susceptibility, with EC₅₀ values of 0.04-0.182 mg/L and marked growth inhibition at low concentrations, whereas floating species such as Lemna minor and Pontederia crassipes were more tolerant, requiring higher concentrations (7.08 to >100 and 8.1 mg/L, respectively) to produce comparable effects. Importantly, this sensitivity ranking was consistent across laboratory and field experimental settings. These interspecific differences likely reflect variation in herbicide uptake, translocation, and detoxification capacity associated with growth form. The overlap between EC₅₀ values for M. spicatum and regulatory thresholds for 2,4-D in surface waters suggests that current limits may be insufficient to protect sensitive submerged macrophyte communities. Regarding remediation, L. minor and Salvinia natans emerged as the most promising candidates for phytoremediation, while P. crassipes showed limited capacity to reduce herbicide concentrations in water. Despite advances, no study directly compared oxidative stress biomarkers between submerged and floating species, representing a critical gap in understanding the biochemical basis of the sensitivity gradient. Overall, this synthesis highlights the need to account for taxon-dependent sensitivity when evaluating the ecological risks of 2,4-D and provides a basis for improving regulatory frameworks and management of herbicide contamination in freshwater ecosystems.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗