Sodium Contents in Dairy Cow Urine and Soil Aggregate Sizes Influence the Amount of Nitrogen Lost from Soil

Cow urine deposition on pasture soils is a major source of N-related environmental impacts in the dairy farming systems. The urine-N can potentially be lost to the ground water as nitrate (NO3-) and to the atmosphere as nitrous oxide (N2O). These N-related environmental impacts are possibly related to the sodium (Na+) concentrations in urine. We sampled a pasture soil and separated it into three aggregate size groups (0–3, 3–5, and 5–7 mm). Then, cow urine with variable Na+ concentrations (4.3–6.1 g Na+ L−1) was added to the soil cores. We treated the cores with simulated heavy rains and measured the amounts of calcium (Ca2+), Na+, potassium (K+), and inorganic-N leached from the soils. N2O emission rates were also determined throughout the experimental period. Increasing Na+ concentration in urine decreased the loss of NO3- (−20%), after repeatedly applied simulated rain treatments (30 mm × 3), whereas it increased the loss of ammonium (31%) and K+ (19%). For the loss of Ca2+ and the emissions of N2O, the effect of the Na+ concentrations was unclear. Field level studies and studies focusing on the mechanisms behind the changes in nutrient losses are needed

DOCK2 is involved in the host genetics and biology of severe COVID-19

「コロナ制圧タスクフォース」COVID-19疾患感受性遺伝子DOCK2の重症化機序を解明 --アジア最大のバイオレポジトリーでCOVID-19の治療標的を発見--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-08-10.Identifying the host genetic factors underlying severe COVID-19 is an emerging challenge. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 2, 393 cases of COVID-19 in a cohort of Japanese individuals collected during the initial waves of the pandemic, with 3, 289 unaffected controls. We identified a variant on chromosome 5 at 5q35 (rs60200309-A), close to the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 gene (DOCK2), which was associated with severe COVID-19 in patients less than 65 years of age. This risk allele was prevalent in East Asian individuals but rare in Europeans, highlighting the value of genome-wide association studies in non-European populations. RNA-sequencing analysis of 473 bulk peripheral blood samples identified decreased expression of DOCK2 associated with the risk allele in these younger patients. DOCK2 expression was suppressed in patients with severe cases of COVID-19. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis (n = 61 individuals) identified cell-type-specific downregulation of DOCK2 and a COVID-19-specific decreasing effect of the risk allele on DOCK2 expression in non-classical monocytes. Immunohistochemistry of lung specimens from patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia showed suppressed DOCK2 expression. Moreover, inhibition of DOCK2 function with CPYPP increased the severity of pneumonia in a Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by weight loss, lung oedema, enhanced viral loads, impaired macrophage recruitment and dysregulated type I interferon responses. We conclude that DOCK2 has an important role in the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe COVID-19, and could be further explored as a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic target

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Effect of organic amendment on soil carbon dynamics in agricultural ecosystems

IITA Staff Acknowledged: Prof. Nhamo Nhamo, Dr. Chikoye David & Dr. SuzukiSoil carbon (C) contents and dynamics are important in the maintenance of health soils. Organic amendments (e.g. crop residue and organic manure) are known as materials to increase soil C. The degradation of organic amendments and physical disturbance of soils, performed by the fauna, can alter soil microbial community, and thus influence rates of the C cycles. However, little is known about the interaction between different soil biological communities (i.e. soil fauna and microbes) regarding soil C dynamics. Hence the objectives of this research were (1) to investigate the effects of different types of earthworms on CO2 emissions and microbial biomass during organic material decomposition, (2) to determine the effects of organic amendments on above-ground ecosystems in two agricultural soils in Zambia and (3) to quantify the interaction between soil C dynamics and microbial community changes after organic amendments in two agricultural soils in Zambia. This first experiment measured the changes in CO2 emissions and soil microbial biomass during barley decomposition with and without earthworms (Metaphire Hilgendorfi and Eisenia Fetida). After 32 days incubation, M. hilgendorfi had a potential to accumulate microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrate-N, compared to E. fetida. The result suggested that the interaction between soil microbes and earthworm is influenced by earthworm species, consequently influencing the soil C and N dynamics. The second experiment investigated the changes aboveground ecosystems after organic amendments (e.g. cattle manure, poultry manure etc.) in two different soils in Zambia. We conducted two field experiments using different organic amendments in sandy loam soils and loamy sand soils in Zambia. A split-plot design was used with crop type (cassava, maize, soybean and control (bare) as the main plot and soil amendment (chemical fertilizer, cattle manure, poultry manure, maize residue, and control) as the subplot factors. The results showed that the total number of soil fauna in each site was totally different; we found around 1000/200 individuals at sandy loam soils/loamy sand soils. Organic amendments stimulate soil fauna abundance. For crop production, the organic amendments had positive effects on crop yields in both soils. Based on the results, organic amendments largely contribute to stimulate soil fauna abundance with the increase in nutrient cycles in sandy loam soils, while organic amendments act as nutrient source for crop production in loamy sand soils. Finally, the third experiment focused on the influence of the organic amendments on C dynamics and soil microbes in C depleted agricultural soils in Zambia (same treatments of second experiments). The results indicate that in the loamy sand soil, organic amendments altered the microbial activity but did not have a major impact regarding the C sequestration in the soil. Contrastingly, the effects of the organic amendments on CO2 emissions and microbial activities in the sandy loam soil were unclear. Factors such as soil texture and moisture ranges controlled the impacts of organic amendments on soil C cycle and bacterial communities. These studies indicate that the response of organic amendments is markedly influenced by soil biological community. Those different response consequently influenced soil C dynamics and agricultural production. To maintain/increase soil C in agricultural systems, the factors affecting the soil biological community have to be taken into account

The Role of Different Earthworm Species (Metaphire Hilgendorfi and Eisenia Fetida) on CO₂ Emissions and Microbial Biomass during Barley Decomposition

Earthworms are commonly known as essential modifiers of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles, but the effects of their species on nutrient cycles and interaction with soil microbial activities during the decomposition of organic materials remain unclear. We conducted an incubation experiment to investigate the effect of two different epigeic earthworms (M. hilgendorfi and E. fetida) on C and N concentrations and related enzyme activities in agricultural soils with added barley residues (ground barley powder). To achieve this, four treatments were included; (1) M. hilgendorfi and barley, (2) E. fetida and barley, (3) barley without earthworms, and (4) without earthworms and without barley. After 32 days incubation, we measured soil pH, inorganic N, microbial biomass C (MBC), water or hot-water soluble C, and soil enzyme activities. We also measured CO₂ emissions during the incubation. Our results indicated the earthworm activity in soils had no effect on the cumulative CO₂ emissions. However, M. hilgendorfi had a potential to accumulate MBC (2.9 g kg⁻¹ soil) and nitrate-N (39 mg kg⁻¹ soil), compared to E. fetida (2.5 g kg⁻¹ soil and 14 mg kg⁻¹ soil, respectively). In conclusion, the interaction between soil microbes and earthworm is influenced by earthworm species, consequently influencing the soil C and N dynamics

Small-Scale Variability in the Soil Microbial Community Structure in a Semideveloped Farm in Zambia

The conversion of natural lands into agricultural lands can lead to changes in the soil microbial community structure which, in turn, can affect soil functions. However, few studies have examined the effect of land use changes on the soil microbial community structure in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the relationships among soil characteristics and microbial communities in natural and agricultural ecosystems in a semideveloped lowland farm in the central region of Zambia, within which small-scale wetlands had been partly developed as watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and/or maize (Zea mays) farms. We sampled soils from four different land use types within this farm: “native forest,” “grassland,” “watermelon farm,” and “maize farm.” We found that the land use type had a significant effect on the soil bacterial community structure at the class level, with the class Bacilli having significantly higher relative abundances in the forest sites and Gammaproteobacteria having significantly higher relative abundances in the maize sites than in the other land use types. These findings indicate that these bacterial classes may be sensitive to changes in soil ecosystems, and so further studies are required to investigate microbial indicators for the sustainable development of wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa

Falls and Physical Inactivity in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer and Hand–Foot Syndrome

Objective: This study aims to ascertain the incidence and association of falls and physical inactivity in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and hand–foot syndrome (HFS) after receiving chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 outpatients with HFS of Grade 1 or above, according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, following the receipt of chemotherapy or targeted therapy for gastrointestinal cancer in Japan between November 2016 and February 2017. For measurement, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the participants, 18% experienced falls and 60% reported physical inactivity. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the DLQI treatment domain score was the only factor associated with falls (odds ratio [OR] =8.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.27–50.63, P = 0.027). Physical inactivity was associated with DLQI symptom and feeling domain scores (OR = 5.54, 95% CI = 1.26–24.33, P = 0.023) and the with-oxaliplatin or paclitaxel regimen (OR = 3.71, 95% CI = 1.06–13.03, P = 0.041). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest patients should be informed that HFS is a risk factor for physical inactivity and falls

Responses of CO2 emissions and soil microbial community structures to organic amendment in two contrasting soils in Zambia

In sub-Saharan Africa, efforts have been made to increase soil carbon (C) content in agricultural ecosystems due to severe soil degradation. The use of organic materials is a feasible method for recovering soil organic C; however, the effects of organic amendments on soil microbial communities and C cycles under C-limited soil conditions are still unknown. In this study, we conducted field experiments in Zambia using organic amendments at two sites with contrasting C content. At both sites, temporal changes in soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and prokaryotic community structures were monitored during the crop growing season (126 days). The organic amendments increased CO2 emissions and prokaryotic abundance at the Kabwe site, whereas no direct impacts were observed at the Lusaka site. We also observed a larger temporal variability in the soil microbial community structure at Kabwe than that at Lusaka. These contrasting results between the two soils may be due to the microbial community stability differences between each site. However, as organic amendments have considerable potential to enhance microbial abundance and consequently sequester C at the Kabwe site, site-specific strategies are required to address the issues of soil C depletion in drylands