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Phosphate-solubilising microorganisms (PSM) are often reported to have positive effects on crop productivity through enhanced phosphorus (P) nutrition. Our aim was to evaluate the validity of this concept. Most studies that report ‘positive effects’ of PSM on plant growth have been conducted under controlled conditions, whereas field experiments more frequently fail to demonstrate a positive response. Many studies have indicated that the mechanisms seen in vitro do not translate into improved crop P nutrition in complex soil–plant systems. Furthermore, associated mechanisms are often not rigorously assessed. We suggest that PSM do not mobilise sufficient P to change the crops’ nutritional environment under field conditions. The current concept, in which PSM solubilise P ‘for the plant’ should thus be revised. Although PSM have the capacity to solubilise P to meet their own needs, it is the turnover of the microbial biomass that subsequently provides P to plants over a longer time. Therefore, the existing concept of PSM function is unlikely to deliver a reliable strategy for increasing crop P nutrition. A further mechanistic understanding is needed to determine how P mobilisation by PSM as a component of the whole soil community can be manipulated to become more effective for plant P nutrition.

Purpose Selection for root traits has become a target in (pre-)breeding programs aiming at improving crop ability to capture soil resources. However, the benefit of selected traits in heterogeneous target environments will depend on spatial and temporal interactions between root systems, the soil environment (fertility and water supply) and management (fertiliser placement). Methods We assessed growth and phosphorus acquisition of durum wheat ( Triticum durum L.) lines defined by contrasting seminal root angles (41° ‘Narrow’ vs 82° ‘Wide’), in response to different soil phosphorus placements and seasonal water dynamics. Responses were evaluated in clear pots (seedlings), rhizoboxes (late-tillering stage) and a custom lysimeter system (flowering stage). Results The Narrow genotype increased deep soil exploration (down to 50 cm) during early growth, with a tendency to more rapidly acquire phosphorus placed as a deep fertiliser band (25 cm depth). However, genotypic differences in shoot biomass or phosphorus uptake were not apparent at anthesis, in part due to phosphorus-induced changes in phenological development. Contrastingly, the wide genotype increased root growth in the topsoil (0–10 cm) when phosphorus was stratified in this layer and produced greater biomass at anthesis under these conditions. Shoot and root biomass and phosphorus uptake decreased when the topsoil dried out, with the greatest effect observed for phosphorus stratified in this layer. Conclusion The benefits of the selected root angle trait strongly depend on nutrient and water distributions and dynamics in the target environment. Ideotype breeding efforts and farmer selection of genotypes should consider the context in which genotypes will be deployed. Highlight The interaction between root system architecture and heterogeneous distributions of phosphorus and available water determine the relative performance of durum wheat genotypes with contrasting root angles.

Supply of phosphorus (P) as an agricultural input depends on a limited mineral rock phosphate reserve, but inefficient use means this resource is not being used sustainably. Moreover, losses of P from historically accumulated soil reserves can cause substantial environmental harm. Development of sustainable P management will require optimization of P use efficiency, with this needing a better understanding of the distribution and chemical behaviour of P in soils, including both P applied as a fertilizer and native P. In this review, we discuss in-situ methods for microscopic mapping of P distribution, speciation and plant-available P fractions in soils, including scanning electron microscopy-based energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, nanoscale secondary ion mass spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence microscopy (and associated X-ray absorption spectroscopy), Raman and infrared spectroscopies, diffusive gradients in thin films coupled with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or colorimetry, and autoradiography. These methods can complement the traditional (bulk) methods for P analysis as well as deliver valuable information in their own right or in conjunction as part of an imaging cascade. We compare the merits and limitations of these techniques, which can serve to play a key role in answering questions about P behaviour in soil, from the microscopic to macroscopic scale, and provide some examples of how they may support researchers in their particular research.

Cropping systems in many sub-tropical and tropical regions rely on phosphorus (P) fertilisers to maintain crop yields. However, crop responses are often spatially and temporally inconsistent. This study evaluated P availability from dispersed applications of fresh phosphate fertiliser and their residual effect in two contrasting Vertisols - a major soil type for crop production. We collected soils that had received mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) fertiliser four years prior to sampling (residual), as well as unfertilised soils to which we applied MAP at equivalent rates (‘fresh’). Soil P tests quantified the potential P availability arising from the residual and fresh P applications, and P sorption curves were generated to describe the P sorption/desorption dynamics. A 45-day pot trial evaluated wheat growth and P uptake from fresh and residual P applications in both soils. Soil tests and sorption curves reflected differences in P addition in the two soils, although the sorption characteristics did not differ appreciably in response to residual P. Crop growth and P uptake strongly increased with increasing P availability, with greater responses for the freshly applied P. Low P recovery from aged fertiliser applications demonstrated that the availability of residual P for crop uptake after dispersed applications is limited in Vertisols. P-tests and sorption measurements could collectively capture potential soil P reactions and plant P availability in two contrasting Vertisols. Residual P benefits from dispersed applications remained low. Enrichment in a defined soil volume (i.e., banding) merits further investigation in this soil type.

In 2016, a group of experts convened to set priorities for organic phosphorus (P) research, addressing global issues, methodological strengths and weaknesses, and the benefits of understanding the organic P cycle. Seven years later, scientists and students with an interest in organic P reconvened to discuss progress and new insights, and this review highlights recent major research updates. Interest in organic P research has increased since 2016, and new priorities have emerged, including the impact of climate change on organic P, the influence of geopolitical crises on P supplies, and the adoption of sustainable practices like regenerative agriculture. Climate change was a central theme in the 2023 discussions, with an increased emphasis on integrating P and especially organic P into climate change research, which has traditionally focused more on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). The discussions highlighted disparities in accessing analytical equipment globally, and its consequent impact on research quality and scope. To address these issues, coordinated efforts involving the research community, government policies, and international cooperation are needed, much the same as we see with the climate and biodiversity crises. Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, investing in soil health, and enhancing education and extension services are crucial. Future research should focus on standardizing analytical methods, integrating nutrient balance into models, and exploring soil-microbiome-plant interactions. Regular and intedisciplinary workshops, social media engagement, and the establishment of research networks are recommended to maintain momentum in organic P research. Raising public and stakeholder awareness about the importance of organic P is essential for advancing knowledge in this area

Background Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) is a relatively frequent and debilitating disease, with a prevalence ranging from 0.1 to 2% in the Caucasian population. Current Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria of AxSpA rely either on sacroiliitis on imaging plus one SpA feature or positive HLAB27 antigen plus two SpA features, in a patient with chronic low back pain and age at onset of less than 45 years. Therefore, HLA-B27 is a central feature in SpA classification and plays a pivotal role in referral strategies and early diagnosis. The primary objective of the study is to review the prevalence of HLA-B27 in normal and AxSpA populations in Middle Eastern and Arab Countries and to assess the strength of association between HLA-B27 antigen and AxSpA. The secondary objective is to identify the gaps in the methodology of the studies and suggest a framework for future research. Methods Studies were included in the analysis if they reported prevalence of HLA-B27 in AxSpA and/or general population and if they covered geographical location in the Middle East or Arab countries in the Mediterranean basin. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for each country, as a measure of the strength of association between HLA-B27 and AxSpA, compared to the normal population, using the two-by-two frequency table. Available data from the literature were analyzed according to the following quality indicators: sample size, method of HLA-B27 testing, presence of control group and external validity. Results Twenty-seven studies were analyzed. HLAB27 prevalence in the normal population ranged from 0.3% (Oman) to 6.8% (Turkey). HLA-B27 prevalence in AxSpA ranged from 26.2% (Lebanon) to 91% (Turkey). HLA-B27 prevalence in all SpA ranged from 13.87% (Lebanon) to 69.43% (Kuwait). Peripheral SpA was less associated with HLA-B27 than AxSpA, indicating the need of differentiating between the two entities when calculating prevalence. When available (8 studies), the OR ranged from 21.63 (Morocco) to 105.6 (Syria). The high heterogeneity between the results can be due to differences in methodology: study sample size, different classification criteria, absence of control groups, HLA-B27 testing method. Conclusions The prevalence of HLA-B27 in the normal population is significantly lower in the Middle Eastern and Arab countries than in Western Countries. However, HLA-B27 testing can be useful for AxSpA positive diagnosis, given the high OR. Heterogeneity between countries may be due to methodological differences.

Development and progression of malignancies are accompanied and influenced by alterations in the surrounding immune microenvironment. Understanding the cellular and molecular interactions between immune cells and cancer cells has not only provided important fundamental insights into the disease, but has also led to the development of new immunotherapies. The C-type lectin Dendritic Cell ImmunoReceptor (DCIR) is primarily expressed by myeloid cells and is an important regulator of immune homeostasis, as demonstrated in various autoimmune, infectious and inflammatory contexts. Yet, the impact of DCIR on cancer development remains largely unknown. Analysis of available transcriptomic data of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients revealed that high DCIR gene expression is associated with improved patients’ survival, immunologically \"hot\" tumors and high immunologic constant of rejection, thus arguing for a protective and immunoregulatory role of DCIR in CRC. In line with these correlative data, we found that deficiency of DCIR1, the murine homologue of human DCIR, leads to the development of significantly larger tumors in an orthotopic murine model of CRC. This phenotype is accompanied by an altered phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and a reduction in the percentage of activated effector CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in CRC tumors of DCIR1 - deficient mice. Overall, our results show that DCIR promotes antitumor immunity in CRC, making it an attractive target for the future development of immunotherapies to fight the second deadliest cancer in the world.

Aims Increased subsoil water extraction through breeding of ‘designer’ root system architecture (RSA) may improve crop performance and resilience in the face of climate change (i.e. changing seasonal rainfall patterns). However, in many dryland environments, root systems face both water and nutrient scarcity (e.g. phosphorus (P)), with both resources often heterogeneously distributed in space and time. Under these conditions, interactions among RSA, nutrient distribution and soil water will determine crop performance, but remain poorly understood. Methods We grew two sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) genotypes defined by contrasting RSA (narrow or wide nodal root angle) in prepared soil cores with heterogeneous distributions of P and water along the soil profile. Plant growth and water use, shoot biomass, P uptake and root distribution were quantified in response to the different water × P combinations. Results Soil P placement and soil water distribution interactively determined plant growth and development in a genotype-dependent manner. The two sorghum genotypes shared common responses to P and water availability though varied for root and shoot traits and their relative responses to combined P and water stress. Conclusions Plant responses to the different water × P combinations were illustrative of the occurrence of spatio-temporal trade-offs between root architecture and efficient soil resource capture. The results suggest that the relative ability of crop root systems to effectively exploit soil profiles with greater resource availability will not necessarily be important for crop productivity in heterogeneous soil systems. Local environmental constraints should be considered when deploying genotypes with selected root architectural traits.

Marine algae, encompassing both macroalgae and microalgae, have emerged as a promising and prolific source of bioactive compounds with potent anticancer properties. Despite their significant therapeutic potential, the clinical application of these peptides is hindered by challenges such as poor bioavailability and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. To overcome these limitations, innovative delivery systems, particularly nanocarriers, have been explored. Nanocarriers, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and micelles, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of marine algal peptides, ensuring controlled release and prolonged therapeutic effects. Marine algal peptides encapsulated in nanocarriers significantly enhance bioavailability, ensuring more efficient absorption and utilization in the body. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, indicating that nanocarrier-based delivery systems can significantly improve the pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic outcomes of marine algal peptides. This review delves into the diverse anticancer mechanisms of marine algal peptides, which include inducing apoptosis, disrupting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting angiogenesis. Further research focused on optimizing nanocarrier formulations, conducting comprehensive clinical trials, and continued exploration of marine algal peptides holds great promise for developing innovative, effective, and sustainable cancer therapies.

Background To contribute to the mission of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and guide future interventions in Cameroon in general, and in Makenene in particular, this study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population of Makenene towards the fight against malaria. Methods Using a semi-structured questionnaire, a descriptive cross-sectional household community survey was carried out in randomly selected households in Makenene, a locality situated between forest and savannah ecotypes. Results Out of the 413 households surveyed, all (100%) claimed to have heard of malaria with over 94% (n = 391) associating disease transmission with mosquito bites. The main mosquito control tools used in the area were mosquito nets (92.25%). The majority of participants had good knowledge (55.93%; n = 231), good practices (71.67%, n = 296) but moderate attitudes (47.94%; n = 198) towards malaria control and fight. Good knowledge and practices were recorded mostly in educated persons including public servants and students. Good attitudes were adopted mostly by public servants and students of secondary and higher levels of education. Conclusion In Makenene, the population exhibits good knowledge and practices towards malaria and its control. However, despite high LLINs ownership and use, people still complain about malaria in the area. Control tools should be monitored, repaired or replaced when necessary to support the achievement of the NMCP mission.