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Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine Apr 2024Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a rare and benign disease of the scrotal skin that presents as solitary or multiple painless calcified nodules or papules in the absence...
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a rare and benign disease of the scrotal skin that presents as solitary or multiple painless calcified nodules or papules in the absence of systemic disorders of calcium or phosphorus metabolism. Although some theories have been proposed as to the cause of this rare disease, the exact cause remains unknown. In a resource-poor medical setting like Nigeria, a confident diagnosis of this condition can be made with ultrasonography.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this report is to emphasize the role of ultrasound in the imaging diagnosis of idiopathic scrotal calcinosis.
CASE PRESENTATION
This is a case report of a 38-year-old man who presented with recently discharging but longstanding multiple painless scrotal nodules of 22-years duration.
CONCLUSION
This case illustrates the prompt and accurate diagnosis of idiopathic scrotal calcinosis using an ultrasound, a readily available imaging modality in a low-resource setting.Although histology remains the gold-standard for diagnosing idiopathic scrotal calcinosis following surgical excision, this benign disorder has unique sonographic characteristics that could aid the radiologist in making a confident diagnosis.
PubMed: 38939891
DOI: No ID Found -
Animal Bioscience Jun 2024The objective of this work was to determine the energetic values of 14 full-fat deactivated soybeans samples, the effect of partial removal of the hull, and to develop...
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this work was to determine the energetic values of 14 full-fat deactivated soybeans samples, the effect of partial removal of the hull, and to develop equations for predicting digestible (DE), metabolizable (ME), and ME corrected for nitrogen balance (MEn) for pigs.
METHODS
Ten metabolism experiments were conducted over a two-year period to evaluate 14 batches of full-fat deactivated soybeans, following the method of the total collection of feces and urine. One hundred and ninety-two pigs with an average initial body weight of 51.4±5.4 kg were assigned to dietary treatments.
RESULTS
Partial dehulling of soybeans did not affect DE, ME, and MEn values. The variables that best explained the variations (p<0.05) in DE were ureatic activity (UA) and crude fiber. The variables that showed the greatest association (p<0.05) with ME and MEn were UA, protein solubility, and processing pressure. The observed effect of UA on energy values was quadratic (p<0.05). Phosphorus also showed association (p<0.05) with DE and ME and the energy applied per kg of sample showed association (p<0.05) with ME and MEn.
CONCLUSION
The overall mean values of DE, ME, and MEn were 4,558, 4,457, and 4,344 kcal/kg, respectively. The partial removal of the hull prior to soy deactivation did not affect the digestibility or the energy values. This study shows that the processing conditions are the main factors affecting the energetic value of full-fat deactivated soybeans for pigs, which can be accurately predicted using a combination of chemical composition, quality indicators, and processing parameters.
PubMed: 38938022
DOI: 10.5713/ab.23.0519 -
Nature Chemistry Jun 2024Catalytic processes are largely dominated by transition-metal complexes. Main-group compounds that can mimic the behaviour of the transition-metal complexes are of great...
Catalytic processes are largely dominated by transition-metal complexes. Main-group compounds that can mimic the behaviour of the transition-metal complexes are of great interest due to their potential to substitute or complement transition metals in catalysis. While a few main-group molecular centres were shown to activate dihydrogen via the oxidative addition process, catalytic hydrogenation using these species has remained challenging. Here we report the synthesis, isolation and full characterization of the geometrically constrained phosphenium cation with the 2,6-bis(o-carborano)pyridine pincer-type ligand. Notably, this cation can activate the H-H bond by oxidative addition to a single P cationic centre, producing a dihydrophosphonium cation. This phosphenium cation is also capable of catalysing hydrogenation reactions of C=C double bonds and fused aromatic systems, making it a main-group compound that can both activate H at a single molecular main-group centre and be used for catalytic hydrogenation. This finding shows the potential of main-group compounds, in particular phosphorus-based compounds, to serve as metallomimetic hydrogenation catalysts.
PubMed: 38937592
DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01569-y -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Water quality in land-based fish production can be controlled through either instantaneous water exchange or costly wastewater treatment followed by recirculation....
Optimizing nutrient utilization, hydraulic loading rate, and feed conversion ratios through freshwater IMTA-aquaponic and hydroponic systems as an environmentally sustainable aquaculture concept.
Water quality in land-based fish production can be controlled through either instantaneous water exchange or costly wastewater treatment followed by recirculation. Agricultural-aquaculture integration is an excellent alternative technique for reducing nutrient discharge levels, boosting profitability, and converting fish culture wastewater into valuable products. The current study employed a solar energy system to power two separate IMTA-aquaponics systems (Nutrient Film Technique, NFT, and Floating Raft Systems, FRS) for the cultivation of Nile tilapia, African catfish, thin-lipped grey mullet, freshwater crayfish, freshwater mussels, and a variety of vegetables. Tilapia and catfish were fed exclusively on diets under the IMTA system. All wastewater from tilapia and catfish ponds, both dissolved and solid, flows sequentially to ponds containing other cultivated species. The water then flows through the IMTA system's terminal point to the NFT and FRS systems before returning to the tilapia and catfish ponds, allowing complete control of the nutrient flow throughout this entire circular system. Two 147-day production cycles were concluded. The results from the second production cycle are reported. Total biomass gain for aquatic species in the IMTA system was 736.46 kg, compared to 145.49 kg in the tilapia and 271.01 kg in the catfish monoculture systems. The current IMTA system had a cumulative feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 0.90, while the FCRs for tilapia and catfish were 1.28 and 1.42, respectively. Nile tilapia and catfish consumed 571.90 kg of feed containing 25.70 kg of nitrogen (N) and 9.70 kg of phosphorus (P), reflecting, and gaining 11.41 and 3.93 kg of dietary N and P, representing 44.40 and 40.46% dietary N and P retention, respectively. In the IMTA system, the addition of mullet and prawn as detrivores aquatic animals improves dietary N and P utilization efficiency to 59.06 and 51.19%, respectively, while the addition of mussels as herbivore animals improves dietary N and P utilization efficiency to 65.61 and 54.67%, respectively. Finally, using FRS and NFT as hydroponic systems increased dietary N and P efficiency to 83.51% N and 96.82% P, respectively. This study shows that the IMTA-Aquaponic system, as a bio-integrated food production system, can convert the majority of fish-fed residues into valuable products suitable for desert, rural, and urban areas in impoverished and developing countries.
Topics: Aquaculture; Animals; Fresh Water; Hydroponics; Animal Feed; Nutrients; Catfishes; Wastewater; Tilapia; Cichlids; Nitrogen; Phosphorus
PubMed: 38937517
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63919-7 -
Folia Microbiologica Jun 2024Phosphate-solubilising fungi (PSF) are beneficial microorganisms that play a pivotal role in plant growth by increasing the availability of phosphorus (P) in soil.... (Review)
Review
Phosphate-solubilising fungi (PSF) are beneficial microorganisms that play a pivotal role in plant growth by increasing the availability of phosphorus (P) in soil. Although phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants, it often becomes inaccessible as it binds into insoluble forms. PSF effectively facilitate the release of this bound phosphorus through diverse mechanisms. Numerous fungal species demonstrate the ability to solubilise various types of phosphate compounds. Among the commonly researched PSF are Penicillium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Sclerotium. Moreover, yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae can potentially be leveraged as PSF. PSF secrete organic acids that chelate phosphate ions, thereby increasing their solubility in the soil. Moreover, PSF contribute to the decomposition of organic phosphorus compounds in soil by employing enzymes such as phosphatases, phytases, and phosphonatases. Furthermore, PSF can interact with other soil microorganisms, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM-fungi), fostering synergistic effects that further enhance plant growth and nutrient absorption. The utilisation of PSF as biofertilisers offers numerous advantages over chemical fertilisers, including environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced fertiliser utilisation efficiency. Furthermore, PSF can prove beneficial in challenging environments characterised by high phosphate sorption. Hence, this review serves as an updated study aimed at broadening the understanding of PSF and its potential applications in P solubilisation. This review also focuses on the diversity of PSF, the mechanisms underlying solubilisation, ecological roles of PSF in soil microbiome, and the benefits of sustainable agriculture. By delving into the ecological roles of PSF and their potential as biofertilisers, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture practices and addresses challenges in phosphate-scarce environments.
PubMed: 38937405
DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01181-0 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Nutrient requirement for crop growth, defined as the amount of nutrient that crops take up from soil to produce a specific grain yield, is a key parameter in determining...
Nutrient requirement for crop growth, defined as the amount of nutrient that crops take up from soil to produce a specific grain yield, is a key parameter in determining fertilizer application rate. However, existing studies primarily focus on identifying nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) requirements solely in relation to grain yield, neglecting grain protein content, a crucial index for wheat grain quality. Addressing this gap, we conducted multi-site, multi-cultivar, and multi-year field trials across three ecological regions of China from 2016 to 2020 to elucidate variations in nutrient requirements for grain yield and grain protein. The research findings revealed that wheat grain yield ranged from 4.1 to 9.3 Mg ha (average 6.9 Mg ha) and grain protein content ranged from 98 to 157 g kg (average 127 g kg) across the three regions. Notably, the N requirement exhibited a nonlinear correlation with the wheat grain yield but a linear increase with increasing grain protein, while the P and K requirements positively correlated with grain yield and protein content. Regression models were formulated to determine the nutrient requirements (M), enabling the prediction of N, P, and K requirements for leading cultivars with varying grain yields and protein contents. Implementing nutrient requirements based on M projections resulted in substantial reductions in fertilizer rates: 22.0 kg ha N (10.7 %), 9.9 kg ha P (20.2 %), and 8.1 kg ha K (16.3 %). This translated to potential savings of 0.4 Mt. N, 0.23 Mt. P, and 0.17 Mt. K, consequently mitigating 5.5 Mt. CO greenhouse-gas emission and yielding an economic benefit of 0.8 billion US$ annually in China. These findings underscore the significance of considering grain yield and protein content in estimating nutrient requirements for fertilizer recommendations to realize high-yielding, high-protein wheat production, and minimize overfertilization and associated environmental risks.
PubMed: 38936741
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174187 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024As a terrestrial ecosystem, alpine grasslands feature diverse vegetation types and play key roles in regulating water resources and carbon storage, thus shaping global... (Review)
Review
As a terrestrial ecosystem, alpine grasslands feature diverse vegetation types and play key roles in regulating water resources and carbon storage, thus shaping global climate. The dynamics of soil nutrients in this ecosystem, responding to regional climate change, directly impact primary productivity. This review comprehensively explored the effects of climate change on soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and their balance in the alpine meadows, highlighting the significant roles these nutrients played in plant growth and species diversity. We also shed light on machine learning utilization in soil nutrient evaluation. As global warming continues, alongside shifting precipitation patterns, soil characteristics of grasslands, such as moisture and pH values vary significantly, further altering the availability and composition of soil nutrients. The rising air temperature in alpine regions substantially enhances the activity of soil organisms, accelerating nutrient mineralization and the decomposition of organic materials. Combined with varied nutrient input, such as increased N deposition, plant growth and species composition are changing. With the robust capacity to use and integrate diverse data sources, including satellite imagery, sensor-collected spectral data, camera-captured videos, and common knowledge-based text and audio, machine learning offers rapid and accurate assessments of the changes in soil nutrients and associated determinants, such as soil moisture. When combined with powerful large language models like ChatGPT, these tools provide invaluable insights and strategies for effective grassland management, aiming to foster a sustainable ecosystem that balances high productivity and advanced services with reduced environmental impacts.
PubMed: 38936732
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174295 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Schwertmannite (Sch) is found in environments abundant in iron and sulfate. Microorganisms that utilize iron or sulfate can induce the phase transition of...
Schwertmannite (Sch) is found in environments abundant in iron and sulfate. Microorganisms that utilize iron or sulfate can induce the phase transition of Schwertmannite, consequently leading to the redistribution of coexisting pollutants. However, the impact of the molar ratio of sulfate to iron (S/Fe) on the microbial-mediated transformation of Schwertmannite and its implications for the fate of cadmium (Cd) have not been elucidated. In this study, we examined how S/Fe influenced mineral transformation and the fate of Cd during microbial reduction of Cd-loaded Schwertmannite by Desulfovibrio vulgaris. Our findings revealed that an increase in the S/Fe ratio facilitated sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in mitigating the toxicity of Cd, thereby expediting the generation of sulfide (S(-II)) and subsequently triggering mineral phase transformation. As the S/Fe ratio increased, the predominant minerals in the system transitioned from prismatic-cluster vivianite to rose-shaped mackinawite. The Cd phase and distribution underwent corresponding alterations. Cd primarily existed in its oxidizable state, with its distribution being directly linked not only to FeS content but also showing a robust correlation with phosphorus. The coexistence of vivianite and FeS minerals proved to be more favorable for Cd immobilization. These findings have significant implications for understanding the biogeochemistry of iron (oxyhydr)oxides and Cd fate in anaerobic environments.
PubMed: 38936727
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174275 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Climate and land-use changes have an overlying impact on non-point source (NPS) pollution in river basins. However, the control effect of Best Management Practices...
Climate and land-use changes have an overlying impact on non-point source (NPS) pollution in river basins. However, the control effect of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for NPS pollution is not yet clear under future scenarios. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was coupled with the entropy-weighted method, global climate patterns and land-use data to explore the dynamic variations in total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) loads in the Jing River Basin during the baseline (2000-2020) and future periods (2021-2065), evaluate the pollution reduction effectiveness of individual and combined BMPs, and propose practical BMP configurations. Results indicate that a future trend of urban land expansion, particularly in the economic scenario (LU_SSP585), leads to weakened environmental ecosystems, while the sustainable scenario (LU_SSP126) exhibits more balanced land development. The MIROC-ES2L model demonstrates higher Taylor skill scores, forecasted significant increases in precipitation, maximum, and minimum temperatures under the SSP585 scenario. Spatial heterogeneity in TN and TP loads is notable, showing an upward trajectory in the future. The interaction between land-use and climate change has complex effects on TN and TP loads, with land-use-induced TN changes being relatively small (4.6 %) and TP changes substantial (24.3 %). The spatial distribution, under overlying effects, leans towards the influence of climate change, emphasizing its dominant role in TN and TP load variations. Distinct differences exist in the reduction of NPS pollution loads among different BMPs, with combined BMPs demonstrating superior effectiveness. The environmental-cost effectiveness trends of BMPs remain consistent across various future scenarios. RG (Return agricultural land to grass), RG + TT (Terracing), and RG + FR10 (Fertilizer reduction: 10 %) + GW (Grassed waterway) + FS (Filter strip) + TT emerge as the most effective single, double, and multiple BMP combinations, respectively. The results offer valuable insights for preventing and mitigating future NPS pollution risks, optimizing land-use layouts, and enhancing watershed management decisions.
PubMed: 38936719
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174260 -
The Journal of Physical Chemistry... Jun 2024Two-dimensional materials with layered structures, appropriate band gaps, and high carrier mobility have attracted tremendous interest for their potential applications....
Two-dimensional materials with layered structures, appropriate band gaps, and high carrier mobility have attracted tremendous interest for their potential applications. Here we report the growth of monolayer SnP on Au(111) surfaces by molecular beam epitaxy. The kinetic processes for the growth and the crystalline properties are studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. The weak interaction between SnP and its Au(111) substrate is signified by the random crystal orientation distributions of SnP nanosheets. The electronic structures exhibit a band gap of ∼0.25 eV and high charge carrier mobility comparable to that of black phosphorus engineered by compressive strain. Additionally, domain boundary junctions with opposite chirality are observed, resulting from the strained film in the epitaxial growth process. Our work provides a method to fabricate high-quality monolayer SnP and suggests that the monolayer SnP is a promising candidate for applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.
PubMed: 38935845
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01195