Research on interactions between halophytes and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) has expanded in recent years; however, species-specific and stress-dependent responses remain poorly understood, particularly under extreme salinity and temperature. To address this gap, we conducted two complementary greenhouse experiments using two perennial halophytes with contrasting ecological traits, Arthrocaulon macrostachyum and Atriplex portulacoides. Plants were exposed to three conditions: control (171 mM NaCl; 16/25 °C), extreme salinity stress (1030 mM NaCl; 16/25 °C for 7 days), and extreme heat stress (171 mM NaCl; 28/40 °C for 3 days). Plant recovery was also assessed 72 h after stress. We evaluated the effects of a PGPB inoculum on plant growth, photosynthetic performance and antioxidant activity. Inoculation significantly enhanced growth, increasing biomass retention by 19% and 38% in A. macrostachyum under salinity and heat stress, respectively, and by 90% in A. portulacoides under heat stress, compared with non-inoculated controls. Both extreme salinity and heat stress reduced photosynthetic parameters, such as AN, Ce, gs, ETR, ΦPSII and ΦCO2, altered Vc,max, and increased photoinhibition, with species-specific shifts in photosynthetic limitations. In contrast, inoculation improved these photosynthetic parameters and reduced photosynthetic limitations, although responses varied by species and stress type. In A. macrostachyum, limitations were 9.71% in inoculated vs. 28.72% in non-inoculated plants under salinity, and 17.93% vs. 24.69% under heat stress. Similarly, in A. portulacoides, values were 33.08% vs. 64.69% under salinity and 8.82% vs. 27.32% under heat stress. These physiological improvements contributed to reduced photoinhibition. Inoculation also increased antioxidant enzyme activity, with CAT rising by 40-169% and SOD by 15-61% relative to non-inoculated stressed plants. No significant effects were observed after 72 h of recovery, suggesting that this period may be insufficient to detect early physiological restoration. Overall, PGPB effects were species- and stress-dependent, with A. macrostachyum responding positively to both stressors and A. portulacoides showing greater improvement under salinity, highlighting that PGPB effectiveness is context-dependent and shaped by the dominant stress factor and host ecological traits.

The use of saline water for irrigation is an increasingly important strategy to reduce freshwater consumption in ornamental horticulture; however, the tolerance and physiological responses of many species remain poorly understood. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the response of Cestrum nocturnum to saline irrigation under nursery conditions, integrating physiological, nutritional, and ornamental quality parameters. Plants were subjected to three salinity levels (2.1, 4.7, and 7.2 dS m[-1]) over a 10-week period. The results reveal that C. nocturnum activates early adaptive mechanisms, including stomatal regulation and changes in leaf hydraulic function, in response to salinity. A key finding is the identification of a threshold response: moderate salinity (4.7 dS m[-1]) caused only minor reductions in biomass with limited impact on plant quality, whereas high salinity (7.2 dS m[-1]) led to severe photochemical stress, ion toxicity (Na and Cl accumulation), chlorosis, necrosis, and a strong decline in growth and ornamental value. By linking physiological processes with commercial quality traits, this study fills a critical knowledge gap and establishes practical salinity limits for this species. These results support the use of moderately saline water in C. nocturnum production while defining the thresholds beyond which plant performance is compromised.

Human activities and climate change have degraded coastal ecosystems by elevating nutrient concentrations, thereby exacerbating eutrophication in the coastal waters in the past decades. Increased nutrient levels lead to hypoxia, eutrophication, and frequent harmful algal blooms. However, current estuarine and marine assessments rely on Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) and Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorus (DIP), disconnecting them from land-based total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) indicator controls. To address this, we established site-specific TN and TP criteria based on salinity zonation to support integrated land-sea management. Using 9697 monitoring datasets (2012-2022), the study area was classified into four zones: tidal freshwater zone (salinity ≤2), low brackish mixed water area (2 < salinity ≤15), moderately brackish mixed water area (15 < salinity ≤25), and seawater area (salinity >25). Numeric nutrient criteria were derived using frequency distribution statistics and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analyses to identify ecological response thresholds. The recommended TN criteria for the four respective zones were 1.80, 1.50, 0.50, and 0.40 mg/L, while TP criteria were 0.10, 0.06, 0.05, and 0.04 mg/L. Moreover, the derived reference values were compared and analyzed with those from other coastal waters, both domestically and internationally, to verify their rationality and applicability. Validation using independent data (2021-2024) indicated that TN-based assessment increased the compliance rate of "good quality" water compared to the traditional DIN criteria, effectively mitigating false negatives in water quality evaluation. These results demonstrate that the proposed criteria effectively bridge the gap between riverine discharge limits and marine quality objectives. This study provides a robust scientific foundation for the development of zoning-based nutrient management strategies, offering solutions for different ecological zones. It presents a systematic framework that integrates land-sea nutrient control, which can be applied to manage and mitigate eutrophication in complex estuarine and coastal environments.

We highlight key diagnostic gaps in a reported case of toluene-related toxic optic neuropathy, including the absence of anion gap calculation, lack of explicit methanol exclusion, and incomplete temporal characterization of visual symptoms. A comprehensive toxicological workup - including serum methanol levels, osmolar gap, and metabolic profiling - is essential to distinguish toluene from methanol or mixed solvent toxicity in cases of acute bilateral visual loss.

Extreme climate events are becoming more frequent and intense under climate change, but their impacts on marine food webs are not well understood. In the North Atlantic, salinity anomalies over decadal timescales have been well studied, but extreme freshening has been observed in recent years at a magnitude far greater than prior measurements. Further, short-term fresh pulses and their ecological effects are poorly understood. We integrate recent monitoring data from the New York Bight with long-term datasets to document the ecosystem impacts of a short-term fresh pulse which influenced this region from September 2023 to September 2024. Mean surface salinity in this region was lower from February through August than in any other year of observation in a 30-year dataset, with salinity anomalies of -0.80 to -1.43 psu (mean - 1.13 psu). Profound ecosystem impacts of this event were observed throughout the food web. We observed aragonite saturation levels below 1, reflecting corrosive conditions for calcifying organisms. Elevated densities of key copepods occurred in spring and summer, while fish and invertebrates showed marked equatorward shifts in a reversal of recent poleward trends. Humpback whale body condition and residence time were unusually high. Anomalously high sightings rates of endangered North Atlantic right and sei whales occurred during a particularly fresh period in summer. Our findings address a gap in knowledge regarding the ecological impacts of fresh pulses, and portend widespread impacts of these events under continued climate change with implications for commercial and protected species.

Xylitol, a high-value sugar alcohol, holds significant potential for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Biomanufacturing xylitol from low-cost, green feedstocks provides a sustainable alternative to the energy-intensive and highly polluting chemical synthesis process. Current research primarily focuses on xylose-to-xylitol bioconversion, whereas native glucose-to-xylitol converters remain underexplored. In particular, a systematic understanding of their osmotic stress adaptation and metabolic regulation is lacking, which directly impedes the scale-up of xylitol production from low-cost glucose. To address this gap, this study investigated Zygoascus hellenicus, an osmotolerant yeast capable of directly converting glucose to xylitol, and proposed a novel strategy to enhance xylitol production by supplementing exogenous osmoprotectants. Results showed that adding 80 mL/L glycerol or 80 g/L trehalose increased xylitol titers to 28.44 g/L and 23.63 g/L, representing improvements of 41.99% and 17.99%, respectively, compared with the control group. Mechanistic investigations revealed the dual regulatory roles of these osmoprotectants. Physiologically, they enhanced osmotic tolerance, preserved membrane integrity, and stabilized enzyme activity. Metabolically, they significantly activated key enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway, including glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (G6PDH and 6PGDH) and inhibited glycolytic enzymes, thereby redirecting carbon flux toward xylitol biosynthesis. Dynamic metabolic flux analysis (dMFA) further confirmed that osmoprotectant treatment substantially increased the metabolic flux through the xylitol synthesis pathway mediated by G6PDH and 6PGDH, while reducing carbon flow in glycolysis. This study provides mechanism-based insights into xylitol production from glucose in a native producer, revealing a green and alternative glucose-based biomanufacturing route.

Salinity is a major abiotic threat on plant productivity and biodiversity worldwide, particularly in degraded soils and grass-dominated coastal ecosystems. Identifying species-specific physiological mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance is essential for selecting resilient crop and forage grasses. However, the integrated analysis of root ion fluxes, shoot ionic balance, and root anatomy within a physiological framework in grasses under salt stress remains insufficiently understood. To address this gap, we compared three grass species-Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra, and Puccinellia maritima-to determine how root ion flux dynamics, shoot ionic status, and root anatomical traits contribute to contrasting salinity responses. The results reveal species-specific patterns in ion flux response to salt stress, underscoring contrasting strategies for K[+] retention and H[+] dynamics. P. maritima showed high K[+] retention with minimal loss and stable H[+] dynamic following salt exposure, whereas L. perenne exhibited pronounced and sustained K[+] leakage alongside strong perturbations in H[+] flux. F. rubra showed transient ion flux disturbances with partial recovery from K[+] loss. These root-level responses were closely linked to shoot ionic status: L. perenne accumulated substantial NaCl-derived osmolarity in leaves, whereas leaf osmolarity in P. maritima and F. rubra remained comparatively low even under high salinity. Furthermore, root anatomical observation revealed earlier and more extensive suberization in P. maritima, with limited development in F. rubra. These structural differences provide a mechanistic context for the observed variations in ion behavior, offering insights into species-specific adaptations to salt stress. Collectively, these findings indicate that effective salinity tolerance in grasses is closely associated with coordinated regulation of root ion fluxes, restricted salt accumulation in shoot, and the presence of supportive anatomical features, characteristics exemplified by P. martima. This study highlights the importance of integrative analysis within the physiological framework for identifying salt-resilient grasses. Such a comprehensive and efficient screening approach is crucial for advancing sustainable agriculture and facilitating ecosystem restoration in saline environments.

INTRODUCTION: Ethylene glycol (EG) is a common constituent of automotive antifreeze and industrial solvents. Following ingestion, it is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase to glycoaldehyde and subsequently to glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, and oxalic acid. These metabolites cause high anion gap metabolic acidosis and calcium oxalate crystal deposition, leading to acute kidney injury (AKI) and neurological impairment. METHODS: We describe the case of a 65-year-old man with chronic alcohol use who presented to the emergency department 48 h after ingesting a ‘strong mixed drink’ for inebriation. RESULTS: On admission, he was confused, tachypneic, and dehydrated. Laboratory studies revealed severe metabolic acidosis (pH 6.86), a markedly elevated anion (31.6 mmol/L) and lactate (138.5 mg/dL) gaps, hyperkalemia, and rising creatinine, in the absence of shock or hypoperfusion. A family member provided the ingested product (ISOTECH-ITCOOLANT), which contained monoethylene glycol. Immediate management included intravenous bicarbonate, 10% ethanol as an antidote, thiamine and folic acid supplementation, and urgent hemodialysis. Calculated and measured osmolarity, osmolar gap, lactate gap, and urinary oxalate confirmed EG poisoning. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of early recognition and prompt initiation of antidotal therapy and extracorporeal removal in EG intoxication, as delayed presentation may result in severe renal and neurological injury despite appropriate treatment.

Photosynthetic microbial desalination cells (PMDCs) are recognized for their environmental sustainability and economic benefits, employing microalgae as a biocathode. However, existing research primarily explores PMDC using low anolyte concentrations, leaving a notable gap in understanding their performance in desalination when treating high-strength wastewater. This study explores PMDC performance using Scenedesmus obliquus as a biocatalyst and compared it with a conventional microbial desalination cell (MDC) at 15, 25, and 35 g/L salinities under high-strength anolyte conditions. Both systems operated at 25 g/L NaCl achieved the best efficiency, corresponding to lower internal resistance. PMDC achieved 29.93% desalination, an average voltage of 283.33 mV, and anode COD removal of 83.9%, which were 17.7%, 39.2%, and 3.6% higher than MDC. In addition, PMDC simultaneously removed 42.9% of PO4[3-]-P and 66.4% of NH4[+]-N, with algal biomass production of 486.5 mg/L/d at the cathode. Statistical analysis confirmed that PMDC produced significantly higher voltage and COD removal than MDC at all salt concentrations (p < 0.0001). In contrast, desalination efficiency showed minimal variation in response to salinity changes in both reactors (p > 0.05) likely due to membrane-controlled ion transport and crossover, despite PMDC achieving higher mean salt removal across all levels attributed to stabilized biocathode environment and enhanced ionic transport. Post experimental morphological analysis revealed membrane scaling and structural degradation, which contributed to performance limitations. These results provide new insights into PMDC behavior across different saline environments and high substrate loads, offering guidance for future low-cost system design in resource-constrained saline wastewater settings.

Parasites have gained increased recognition for their ecological relevance in riverine systems, which are highly vulnerable to biodiversity losses and degradation resulting from climate change and anthropogenic pressures. In recent decades, restoration efforts have been launched in many degraded watercourses to mitigate the influence of stressors. Yet, the ecological consequences of multiple stressor exposure and release remain complex, with the return to near-natural biotic communities representing only one possible trajectory. Parasites are still poorly understood in this context. To address this gap, we used the streamside mesocosm system ExStream to investigate the effects of multiple potential stressors and their release on biofilm-associated micro-eukaryotic parasites at a recently restored site of the Boye River. The Boye River system, a tributary of the Emscher River located in the Ruhr metropolis in western Germany, suffered from long-term hydromorphological degradation and pollution in the past until its restoration. In the ExStream experiment, we used a full-factorial design to manipulate flow velocity, salinity, and temperature during a stressor phase. The system entered a recovery phase afterwards, where the treatments were set to control conditions in all recovering mesocosms. Assessing metabarcoding data from biofilms that grew on the mesocosm walls revealed shifts in parasite assemblages between stressor and recovery phases, and reduced flow velocity was associated with altered community compositions and diversity decline. Our findings highlight that biofilm-associated parasite communities can provide important insights into the ecological dynamics of degraded and recovering river systems, and demonstrate that stressor legacies may persist beyond the period of exposure.

Seawater intrusion poses a significant threat to groundwater resources worldwide, particularly in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. The research evaluated the seawater intrusion (SWI) and groundwater salinization in the coastal aquifers of Khulna and Shatkhira districts, Bangladesh to overcome the knowledge gap on the integrated hydrochemical and spatial assessment of seawater intrusion in the coastal areas. Hydro-chemical and statistical analysis, including Piper and Gibbs diagrams, Pearson correlation, Wilcox plot, spatial analysis, heat map and seawater fraction (fsw) were generated to depict lateral extent of SWI in the southwestern part of Bangladesh. The results revealed significant levels of salinity intrusion in coastal aquifers. Groundwater exhibited high TDS and EC contents with Na[+], Ca[2+], Mg[2+], K[+], Cl[-] and F[-] concentrations which exceeded WHO standards. Approximately 87.5% of water samples were unsuitable for drinking purposes based on EC classification, while 50% showed unsuitability for irrigation. Salinity in the groundwater ranged widely from 0.04516 to 5.11458 ppt. Piper diagrams identified predominant hydro-chemical facies as Na[+] + Cl[-] type, with chloride concentrations ranging from 25 to 2831.13 mg/L, indicating salinity intrusion. Gibbs diagrams confirmed rock-water interaction and seawater mixing. An increasing fsw trend seaward indicated more influence of SWI over GW aquifers closed to shoreline and inverse Simpson ratio highlighted slightly to injuriously saline categories, with significant chloride concentrations indicating potential salinity risks. The study concluded that the seawater intrusion is occurring in the coastal aquifers of Khulna and Satkhira districts of Bangladesh while significantly reducing the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. Our findings recommend governments' intervention for sustainable groundwater monitoring and management along with policy advancement to protect coastal aquifers under climate change and anthropogenic pressures.

A 45-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain for the past two days. He had been receiving treatment for diabetes for 6 years. Two weeks before hospitalization, despite experiencing a loss of appetite and difficulty in eating, he continued drinking alcohol. Canagliflozin and metformin were discontinued concurrently. Laboratory findings revealed high anion gap metabolic acidosis due to elevated serum ketone bodies and mild hyperglycemia. Alcohol ketoacidosis was diagnosed on the basis of a history of excessive alcohol intake and an increased osmolarity gap. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed distension of the stomach with no obstructing mass.