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Abstract Biochar incorporation into soil has shown potential, in enhancing nitrogen fertilizer (N-fertilizer) efficacy and soil organic carbon content (SOC). This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by investigating the effects of biochar addition over a seven-year period (2014–2020) on inorganic N, SOC, and pH in Haplic Luvisol. The research involved a rain-fed field experiment, with a crop rotation comprising spring barley, maize, spring wheat, and pea. Biochar, applied at the rates of 0, 10, and 20 t ha−1 in 2014, was reapplied to specific plots in 2018. Biochar was also combined with N-fertilizer at three level (N0, N1, and N2). Results showed a significant interactive influence of biochar and N-fertilizer combination on NO3 − and NH4 + contents. Intriguingly, the addition of 10 t biochar ha−1 consistently decreased soil inorganic N levels across most of the examined months. Increasing biochar application rates led to a significant rise in pH, establishing a clear, negative correlation between soil pH and inorganic N content. Biochar significantly increased SOC compared to the control, particularly after the reapplication in 2018. However, this effect showed a diminishing trend over time. The study suggests that incorporating biochar treatments may enhance N-fertilizer effectiveness. However, the long-term implications of biochar application with N-fertilizer on N mineralization are specific to individual soil and biochar combinations. Except the application of 20 t ha−1 biochar at N2 in 2019, biochar did not affect the crop yields. Studied soil properties, including those influenced by biochar had nuanced impact on different aspects of crop yield. Graphical Abstract

An ever-increasing amount of microplastics enters the environment and affects soil properties and plant growth. Investigating how the interactions between microplastics and soil properties vary across different soil types is crucial. In sandy soil, the subcritical SWR induced by microplastics may affect other soil properties. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of adding three types of microplastics (high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene) at a concentration of 5% (w/w) to sandy soil on the persistence and severity of SWR, as well as on various soil properties (bulk density, water sorptivity, and hydraulic conductivity) and plant characteristics (fresh and dry weight, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, and nutrient content) of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). It was found that microplastic contamination increased the persistence and severity of SWR and decreased soil bulk density, water sorptivity, and hydraulic conductivity. The total biomass measurements did not reveal a significant difference between the microplastic treatments and the control group. This study did not confirm any significant influence of microplastic contamination on the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, a measure of crop photosynthesis. Even though the value of photosynthetic efficiency changed with time, the values for all treatments stabilised at the end of the experiment. Microplastic contamination did not significantly alter crops’ nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or zinc contents. However, the copper content was reduced in all treatments, and magnesium and iron were reduced in the PVC and PS treatments compared to the control. The microplastic-induced changes in biomass or photosynthetic efficiency do not correspond to the changes in crop element concentrations.

Humic substances (HSs) constitute a primary component of soil organic matter (SOM) and play a crucial role in soil formation and fertility. However, comprehensive information regarding quantitative and qualitative changes in HS following biochar’s application to soil still needs to be improved. This study reports on the impact of biochar application at rates of 0, 10, and 20 t ha−1 (B0, B10, B20), both with and without nitrogen fertilisation at varying levels (N0, N1, N2), on SOM and HS contents throughout the cropping seasons between 2014 and 2019. The findings reveal changes in SOM and HS contents due to biochar addition and fertilisation. Notably, the most substantial increase in soil organic carbon content was observed in the B20N1 and B10N1 treatments, in stark contrast with the reference B0N0 treatment. A decrease in humification of SOM was noted across all treatments involving biochar, whether alone or combined with different N fertilisation levels. An interesting positive change in HS contents was observed in B10N2, where an increase in humic acids and a decrease in fulvic acids enhanced HS stability and improved HS quality. These findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of SOM and HSs in response to biochar application and nitrogen fertilisation over multiple vegetation seasons of crops on loamy Haplic Luvisols in Central Europe.

Properly chosen soil management practices can stabilize the nutrient regime in the soil, including the mobility and bioavailability of hazardous elements. This study aimed to identify the optimal soil management practices in a productive vineyard on Rendzic Leptosol in the Nitra wine region (Slovakia). Soil samples were collected each spring from two depths, 0–30 cm, and 30–60 cm, with the following treatments: T—soil tillage, P + FYM—plowed farmyard manure, G—grass strips, G + NPK1—first-level fertilization, and G + NPK2—second-level fertilization, from 2019 to 2023. The results indicated that more pronounced changes in soil properties occurred in the 0–30 cm layer. Higher NPK rates significantly affected soil sorption capacity and decreased soil pH when compared to other treatments. While G + NPK2 showed the highest storage of total N, S, P, K, and available P and K, it exhibited the lowest levels of total and available Ca. The T treatment displayed the lowest storage of C, N, S, P, and available K. In terms of hazardous metals (Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn) none exceeded the limiting values in any of the soil management practices. However, in the 0–30 cm layer, Cu concentrations exceeded the limits set by Slovak Republic regulations in the T, P + FYM, G, G + NPK1, and G + NPK2 treatments by 62.6, 73.7, 70.2, 82.1, and 102.9 mg kg−1, respectively. Additionally, as total C increased, Cr concentration was observed to decrease with correlation (r = −0.46). Positive correlations were found between total C and Zn, as well as CaCO3 and Zn in the 0–30 layer.

The amendment of sandy Haplic Arenosol and clayey loam Gleyic Fluvisol with two rates of biochar derived from the slow pyrolysis of wood feedstock was evaluated under anaerobic conditions in a 63-day laboratory experiment. The rates of biochar were 15 and 30 t ha−1. Both rates of biochar were applied either with or without 90 kg ha−1 of nitrogen fertilizer (NH4NO3). Soils with no amendments were used as control treatments. Our results showed that only the incorporation of 15 t ha−1 of biochar, compared with the control treatment, led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in volumetric water content of the sandy soil and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the parameters of the clayey loam soil. Increasing the biochar rate from 15 to 30 t ha−1 did not result in significant changes in volumetric water content in either type of soil. In the sandy soil, CO2 emissions were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the treatments of 15 and 30 t ha−1 with N fertilizer compared with the control and N fertilizer treatment. In the clayey loam soil, the combined application of both rates of biochar with N fertilizer caused no significant increase in CO2 emissions compared with the control and N fertilizer treatment. The incorporation of 30 t ha−1 of biochar into the sandy soil contributed to a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the cumulative CO2 flux compared with the control treatment. Application of 15 and 30 t ha−1 of biochar into the clayey loam soil led, respectively, to a significant (p < 0.05) and a nonsignificant increase in the cumulative CO2 fluxes compared with the control treatment.

One of the challenges of harnessing higher productivity levels and sustainability of agriculture related to N fertilization is in expanding soil N2O emissions, which has become a serious issue in recent years. Recent studies suggest that biochar may be the solution to this problem, but there is still a knowledge gap related to biochar application rates and its reapplication in Central Europe; therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of biochar (initial application and reapplication in 2014 and 2018, respectively, at rates of 0, 10 and 20 t ha−1) combined with N-fertilizer (N0—0 kg N ha−1; N1—108 kg N ha−1 and N2—162 kg N ha−1) during the growing season of maize in 2019 (warm temperature with normal precipitation) on the changes of soil properties and N2O emissions in the silty loam, Haplic Luvisol, in the temperate climate of Slovakia. The results showed that the application and reapplication of biochar proved to be an excellent tool for increasing soil pH (in the range 7–13%), soil organic carbon—Corg (2–212%), and reducing the soil’s NH4+ (41–69%); however, there were more pronounced positive effects when biochar was combined with N-fertilizer at the higher level (N2). The same effects were found in the case of N2O emissions (reduction in the range 33–83%). Biochar applied without N-fertilizer and combined with the higher fertilizer level had a suppressive effect on N2O emissions. Biochar did not have any effect on maize yield in 2019.

Biochar may offer a substantial potential as a climate change mitigation and soil improvement agent; however, little is known about its effects in fertile soils subjected to standard agricultural practices. The aim of this short-term (60 days) lab experiment, under controlled temperature and soil moisture regimes, was to investigate the interaction between soil compaction and fertiliser and biochar addition in relatively fertile Luvisol. Three different biochar types and two soil compaction levels were investigated to describe their interactive effect on soil greenhouse gas emission (GHG). A very strong effect of soil compaction on N2O emission (+280%) and an interaction with biochar were found. The cumulative N2O emissions from the compacted soil were higher (from +70 to +371%, depending on the biochar type) than the uncompacted soil. Soil compaction resulted in a faster onset and a faster decrease of N2O production. Biochar did not affect the temporal dynamics of N2O evolution from either soil. The addition of digestate/crop biomass biochar has resulted in a significant increase in CO2 evolution both in compacted and uncompacted soils, compared to softwood from spruce (mixture of branches and wood chips) and wood pallets from softwood (spruce without bark) biochar. In the compacted soil, NH4+ availability was positively related to N2O efflux, and CO2 emission was positively correlated to both NH4+ and SOC content. An increase in GHGs as a result of an increase in NH4+ availability was seen both in compacted and uncompacted soils, while the rates of N2O emission were modified by biochar type. Our results show a strong interaction between biochar and soil conditions and a strong effect of biochar type on GHG emissions from agricultural soils.

Understanding nutrient management is essential to ensure healthy and adequate food production, especially in the context of biochar applied to soil with different soil textures. Additionally, farmers are beginning to understand the importance of nutrient management and there are still several knowledge gaps in this area. Several studies on biochar showed its positive effects, especially in sandy and nutrient-poor soils. There is still a lack of information on the impact of biochar on nutrient regimes in texturally different soils with sufficient nutrient supply and favorable soil chemistry. This study investigates the effect of two biochar substrates (a) biochar blended with farmyard manure (BS1), and (b) biochar blended with farmyard manure and digestate (BS2) applied at rates of 10 and 20 t ha−1 alone or in combination with fertilization on the changes in sorption capacity and nutrient regime of two texturally different soils: (a) sandy Arenosol, and (b) loamy Chernozem, (both in western Slovakia) which have a favorable nutrient content. The results showed that in sandy soil, the BS2 at rate of 20 t ha−1 increased the sum of basic cations (by +112%) and CEC (by +93%) compared to the control. In sandy soil, the content of total P increased by +35 and +16% in BS1 20 t ha–1 and BS2 20 t ha−1, respectively, when compared to the unfertilized control. The content of total P increased by +18% in BS1 20 t ha−1 after fertilization compared to the fertilized control. In loamy soil, the content of total P increased significantly by +53 and +14% in unfertilized treatment BS2 20 t ha−1 and fertilized treatment with BS1 at 20 t ha−1 compared to the respective controls. Available Ca increased in sandy soil by +50 and +53% in fertilized treatments with BS2 at 20 t ha−1 and BS1 at 20 t ha−1, respectively, when compared to fertilized control. In loamy soil, available Mg increased by +13% in fertilized treatment with BS1 applied at 20 t ha−1. In conclusion, BS application at a dose of 20 t ha−1 had a stronger positive effect on soil sorption parameters in sandy soil than the application dose of 10 t ha−1. The same BS application rate significantly increased total P in both soils.

The study focuses on looking for answers to the following questions: 1. Is biochar application a suitable solution for reducing CO2 emissions? 2. What application rate significantly reduces CO2 production to the atmosphere? 3. Does have the application of enriched biochar a justification in relation to reducing CO2 production? The experiment was established on Haplic Luvisol at the experimental site of SUA in Nitra (Dolná Malanta), where we measured CO2 emissions from the soil to the atmosphere under the following treatments: different rates (0, 10, 20 t ha-1) of pure biochar (B0, B10 a B20) and enriched biochar (EB10, EB20) combined with different levels of mineral nitrogen at doses of 0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1 (N0, N40, N80). Overall, the average values of CO2 emissions were lower by 19.8 %, 13.3 %, 12.9 %, 9.4 % and 8.7 % in B10N0, B20N40, B20N0, B20N80 and B10N40 treatments as compared to B0N0 (control) during the studied period. On the other hand, the average values of CO2 were higher by 20% in B10N80 treatments as compared to control (B0N0). Application of enriched biochar whether individually (EB10N0, EB20N0) or with additional N (EB10N40, EB20N40, EB10N80, EB20N80) increased average CO2 by 29.7 %, 34.6 %, 36.0 %, 44.9 %, 45.8 % and 53.6 % as compared to control (B0N0). The cumulative CO2 emissions for the whole studied period (2014) were in the following order from the lowest one B10N0 < B20N0 < B20N40 < B20N80 < B10N40 < B0N0 (control) < B10N80 < EB20N40 < EB20N80 < EB10N80 < EB20N0 < EB10N0 < EB10N40.

Recent findings of changing climate, water scarcity, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions have brought major challenges to sustainable agriculture worldwide. Biochar application to soil proves to be a suitable solution to these problems. Although the literature presents the pros and cons of biochar application, very little information is available on the impact of repeated application. In this study, we evaluate and discuss the effects of initial and reapplied biochar (both in rates of 0, 10, and 20 t ha−1) combined with N fertilization (at doses of 0, 40, and 80 kg ha−1) on soil properties and N2O emission from Haplic Luvisol in the temperate climate zone (Slovakia). Results showed that biochar generally improved the soil properties such as soil pH(KCl) (p ≤ 0.05; from acidic towards moderately acidic), soil organic carbon (p ≤ 0.05; an increase from 4% to over 100%), soil water availability (an increase from 1% to 15%), saturated hydraulic conductivity (an increase from 5% to 95%). The effects were more significant in the following cases: repeated rather than single biochar application, higher rather than lower biochar application rates, and higher rather than lower N fertilization levels. Initial and repeated biochar applications, leading to N2O emissions reduction, can be related to increased soil pH(KCl).

Due to climate change the productive agricultural sectors have started to face various challenges, such as soil drought. Biochar is studied as a promising soil amendment. We studied the effect of a former biochar application (in 2014) and re-application (in 2018) on bulk density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water content and selected soil water constants at the experimental site in Dolná Malanta (Slovakia) in 2019. Biochar was applied and re-applied at the rates of 0, 10 and 20 t ha−1. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied annually at application levels N0, N1 and N2. In 2019, these levels were represented by the doses of 0, 108 and 162 kg N ha−1, respectively. We found that biochar applied at 20 t ha−1 without fertilizer significantly reduced bulk density by 12% and increased porosity by 12%. During the dry period, a relative increase in soil water content was observed at all biochar treatments—the largest after re-application of biochar at a dose of 20 t ha−1 at all fertilization levels. The biochar application also significantly increased plant available water. We suppose that change in the soil structure following a biochar amendment was one of the main reasons of our observations.

Several studies have reported that biochar can improve soil properties which are linked with higher crop yields and this effect is long-term. This paper aimed to study the effects of biochar (0, 10 and 20 t ha−1) and its combinations with N-fertilization (zero, first and second level of N-fertilization) after 3 and 4 years of its application on improving soil characteristics of loamy Haplic Luvisol and crop yields (Dolná Malanta, Slovakia). The results indicated an increase in soil pH (+7%), improvement in sorption properties (hydrolytic acidity decreased by 11%, sum of basic cations and base saturation increased by 20% and 5%, respectively) and soil organic carbon rose by 27% with increasing biochar rate in the soil. N-fertilization applied to biochar treatments was a stabilizing moment in C sequestration even in the case of its labile forms. Overall, humus stability and quality were not significantly changed, however in biochar treatments without N-fertilization, the humus stability and quality decreased 3 and 4 years after biochar application. Yield parameters differed with relation to climate conditions during both vegetation crop seasons, however the combination of 20 t ha−1 of biochar with the first and second level of N-fertilization had the highest potential to increase the grain yield.

In laboratory assay, the diversity of bacteria and microscopic fungi and the community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) of microorganisms were observed after the addition of bio-sludge (40 t.ha-1) from a biogas station and addition of bio-fertlizers - AZOTER (10 dm-3.ha-1) to the arable soil with PCR-DGGE and BIOLOG® method (Eco Plates). The differences were recorded in the microbial diversity (bacteria and microscopic fungi) among variants according to the Shannon index. The differences in community of microscopic fungi were markedly higher among the soil samples with the additions of both bio-fertilizers compared to control soil samples. The occurrence of individual OTUs (operational taxonomic units) bacteria and microscopic fungi were different after 105 days of incubation from the status after the 1st day of incubation. The community metabolic diversity (CMD) was influenced by the incubation time (105 days) as well, but not by application of bio-fertilizers. We observed a significant decrease (LSD test, P

Key priorities in biochar research for future guidance of sustainable policy development have been identified by expert assessment within the COST Action TD1107. The current level of scientific understanding (LOSU) regarding the consequences of biochar application to soil were explored. Five broad thematic areas of biochar research were addressed: soil biodiversity and ecotoxicology, soil organic matter and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil physical properties, nutrient cycles and crop production, and soil remediation. The highest future research priorities regarding biochar’s effects in soils were: functional redundancy within soil microbial communities, bioavailability of biochar’s contaminants to soil biota, soil organic matter stability, GHG emissions, soil formation, soil hydrology, nutrient cycling due to microbial priming as well as altered rhizosphere ecology, and soil ph buffering capacity. Methodological and other constraints to achieve the required LOSU are discussed and options for efficient progress of biochar research and sustainable application to soil are presented. First published online: 14 Dec 2016

Except for food production the sector of agriculture contribute significantly to emissions of some Greenhouse gases (GHGs), especially N2O. Agricultural practices (especially increase of N consumption in the sector) are now recognized as a major factor influencing increase of N2O emissions into the atmosphere. Estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector both at a local and regional level are necessary to create possible mitigation strategies with respect to environmental efficiency and economic possibility. We used the DNDC (DeNitrification and DeComposition) model that simulates a full carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) balance, including different C and N pools, and the emissions of all relevant trace gases from soils as NH3, N2O, NO, NO2 and N2. However, for this study only N2O was considered. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 1997) includes methodologies for calculating both direct and indirect emissions of N2O related to agricultural production. Finally, the modeled emissions by DNDC were compared with those estimated according to IPCC methodology at a regional level. The rules of a good practice in GHGs inventory in agriculture were taken into account. The N2O emissions estimated by DNDC model ranged 0,09–0,68 kg N2O‐N/ha yr with an average value of 0,28 kg N2O‐N/ha yr. The N2O emissions estimated according to IPCC methodology ranged 0,46–2,86 kg N2O‐N/ha yr with an average value of 1,66 kg N2O‐N/ha yr. Simulated N2O emissions were lower than the N2O emissions estimated by IPCC methodology (1997). The simulated N2O emissions ranged 0,04–0,51 % of the total N applied to a field as a mineral N‐fertilizer. If DNDC and IPCC emissions are compared in this study, it can be concluded that simulated (DNDC) emissions are in the range of default emission factors (1,25 ±1 %) defined by IPCC methodology (1997), except for 2002. N2O emisijų iš priesmėlio dirvožemių Dunojaus žemumoje įvertinimas, taikant DNDC modelį Santrauka Dėl žemės ūkio sektoriaus, išskyrus maisto gamybą, kai kurių šiltnamio efektą sukeliančių dujų (ŠED), ypač N2O, emisijos labai padidėja. Žemės ūkis (ypač sektoriuje didinant naudojamo N kiekius) dabar laikomas pagrindiniu veiksniu, turinčiu įtakos didėjančiai N2O emisijai atmosferoje. Atsižvelgiant į ekonomines galimybes ir aplinkos apsaugos efektyvumą vietiniu ir regioniniu lygiais būtina sukurti ŠED mažinimo strategiją. Taikytas DNDS (denitrifikacijos ir destruktūrizaci jos) modelis, imituojantis anglies (C) ir azoto (N) balansą, įskaitant skirtingas C ir N sankaupas, ir visų tiesiogiai susijusių dujų, tokių, kaip: NH3, N2O, NO, NO2 ir N2 pėdsakų iš grunto emisijas. Tačiau šiame tyrime buvo atsižvelgta tik į N2O. Tarpvyriausybinė klimato kaitos tyrimų specialistų grupė (IPCC, 1997) parengė tiesioginės ir netiesioginės N2O emisijos, susijusios su žemės ūkio gamyba, apskaičiavimo metodikas. Galiausiai pagal DNDS modeliuotos emisijos buvo palygintos su įvertintomis pagal IPCC metodiką regioniniu lygiu. N2O emisija, nustatyta pagal DNDS modelį, kito nuo 0,09 iki 0,68 kg N2O–N/ha m, vidutinė vertė – 0,28 kg N2O–N/ha m. N2O emisija, nustatyta pagal IPCC metodiką, kito nuo 0,46 iki 2,86 kg N2O–N/ha m, vidutinė vertė – 1,66 kg N2O–N/ha m. Sumodeliuotoji N2O emisija buvo mažesnė nei N2O emisija, įvertinta pagal IPCC metodiką (1997), ir kito 0,04–0,51 % nuo bendrojo N, naudoto lauke kaip mineralinė N trąša. DNDS ir IPCC emisijų palyginimas leidžia teigti, kad sumodeliuotųjų (DNDS) emisijų kitimas atitinka pagal IPCC metodiką (1997) nustatytųjų emisijų ribas (1,25 ± 1 %), išskyrus 2002 metus. Reikšminiai žodžiai: N2O emisija, DNDS modelis, klimato kaita, šiltnamio efektą sukeliančios dujos (ŠED), IPCC metodika, emisijos veiksniai. Оценка с использованием модели ДНДС эмиссий N2O из почвы в низменности Дуная Резюме Сектор сельского хозяйства в значительной мере способствует эмиссии газа, в особенности N2O, вызывающего парниковый эффект. Для оценки эмиссии этого газа из сектора сельского хозяйства на местном и региональном уровнях необходимо создать возможную стратегию уменьшения эмиссий, обращая внимание на эффективность охраны окружающей среды и экономические возможности. Нами использована модель ДНДС (денитрификации и деструктуризации), которая имитирует полный баланс углерода (C) и азота (N), включая различные скопления C и N и других газов, таких как NH3, N2O, NO, NO2 и N2, а также следы эмиссий из грунта. В этом исследовании внимание уделялось лишь N2O. Межправительственная группа по изменению климата (IPCC, 1997) подготовила методики для расчета прямой и косвенной эмиссии N2O, связанной с сельскохозяйственным производством. Эмиссии, смоделированные с использованием ДНДС, были сравнены с эмиссиями, оцененными по методике IPCC, на региональном уровне. При этом основывались на правилах удачной практики, применявшейся во время инвентаризации газа парникового эффекта в сельском хозяйстве. Эмиссия N2O, установленная с использованием модели ДНДС, изменялась в пределах от 0,09 до 0,68 кг N2O-N/гa м, ее среднее значение было 0,28 кг N2O-N/гa м. Эмиссия N2O, установленная по методике IPCC, изменялась в пределах от 0,46 до 2,86 кг N2O-N/гa м, среднее значение было 1,66 кг N2O-N/гa м. Смоделированная эмиссия N2O была меньше, чем эмиссия N2O, рассчитанная по методике IPCC. Смоделированная эмиссия N2O менялась в пределах от 0,04 до 0,51 % от общего N, который использовался как минеральное удобрение. Сравнение эмиссий, полученных по методикам ДНДС и IPCC, позволяет утверждать, что смоделированные эмиссии (ДНДС) изменяются в пределах факторов эмиссии, указанных по методике (1,25 ± 1 %) IPCC (1997), за исключением 2002 года. Ключевые слова: эмиссия N2O, модель ДНДС, потепление климата, газ, способствующий парниковому эффекту, методика IPCC, факторы эмиссии. Firstd Published Online: 14 Oct 2010

Abstract Aims In patients with recently diagnosed non‐ischaemic LV systolic dysfunction, left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) and favourable prognosis has been documented in studies with short‐term follow‐up. The aim of our study was to assess the long‐term clinical course and stability of LVRR in these patients. Methods and results We prospectively studied 133 patients (37 women; 55 [interquartile range 46, 61] years) with recently diagnosed unexplained LV systolic dysfunction, with heart failure symptoms lasting

Abstract Objectives The use of hemoadsorption (HA) has become popular in the treatment of vasoplegic states associated with massive cytokine release, including septic shock. However, this approach does not seem to be based on robust evidence, and it does not follow international guidelines. To understand the pathophysiological rationale and timing of HA, we conducted a large animal septic shock experiment. Design Prospective randomized large-animal peritoneal septic shock experiment. Setting Laboratory investigation. Subjects Twenty-six anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and instrumented pigs randomly assigned into (1) sham-operated group with HA (SHAM, n = 5); (2) sepsis animals without HA (SEPSIS, n = 5); (3) sepsis group with HA at norepinephrine initiation (EARLY, n = 8); and (4) sepsis group with HA initiated at norepinephrine rate reaching 0.5 μg/kg/min (LATE, n = 8). Interventions Peritoneal sepsis was induced by cultivated autologous feces inoculation. A CytoSorb cartridge (200 g) with a blood flow rate of 200 mL/min and heparin anticoagulation was used to perform HA. The animals received sedation and intensive organ support up to 48 h or until they experienced cardiovascular collapse. Measurements and main results Systemic hemodynamics, multiple-organ functions, and immune-inflammatory response were measured at predefined periods. The HA treatment was not associated with any measurable benefit in terms of systemic hemodynamics and organ support. The systemic inflammatory markers were unaffected by any of the treatment timings. In contrast, the HA resulted in higher vasopressor load and decreased 36-h survival (5 animals in SHAM (100%), 4 (80%) in SEPSIS, 4 (57%) in EARLY, and 2 (25%) in LATE; p = 0.041). The HA exposure in healthy animals was associated with hemodynamic deterioration, systemic inflammatory response, and cytopenia. Conclusions In this large-animal-controlled fulminant sepsis study, the HA was unable to counteract the disease progression in the early or advanced septic shock phase. However, findings from the HA-exposed sham animals suggest potential safety concerns.

Abstract Animal models are essential in understanding of the mechanisms of sepsis moreover the development and the assessment of emerging therapies. In clinically relevant porcine model, however, a significant variability in the host response has been observed among animals. Thus, there is a strong demand to better understand the potential sources of this heterogeneity. In this study, we compared faecal microbiome composition of 12 animals. Three samples were collected at different time points from each animal. Bacteriome was subjected to 16S rDNA profiling. A significant difference in bacterial composition was associated with the season (p 0.3). The season batch explained 55% of the total variance in the bacteriome diversity. The season term was highly significant from the high-resolution level of the bacterial amplicon sequencing variants up to the level of phylum. The diversity of the microbiome composition could significantly influence experimental model of sepsis, and studies are warranted to demonstrate the effects of gut microbiome diversity on the host-response. If confirmed, control of the gut microbiome should become a standard part of the pre-clinical sepsis experiments.

Almost a quarter of a millennium after the discovery of an acidic substance in sour milk by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele and more than 100 years after the demonstration of a tight connection between this lactic acid and tissue hypoxia in shock, we are still surrounded by false beliefs and misunderstandings regarding this fascinating molecule. Common perceptions of lactate, the conjugate base of lactic acid, as a plain waste product of anaerobic metabolism and a marker of cellular distress could not be further from the truth. Lactate is formed and utilized continuously by our cells, even under fully aerobic conditions, in large quantities, and although marked hyperlactatemia is always a red flag in our patients, not all these conditions are life-threatening and vice versa—not all critically ill patients have hyperlactatemia. Lactate also does not promote acidosis by itself; it is not toxic, nor is it a metabolic renegade. On the contrary, it has many beneficial properties, and an interpretation of hyperlactatemia might be trickier than we tend to think. The aim of this article is to debunk some of the deeply rooted myths regarding this fascinating molecule.

Infectious diseases, which often result in deadly sepsis or septic shock, represent a major global health problem. For understanding the pathophysiology of sepsis and developing new treatment strategies, reliable and clinically relevant animal models of the disease are necessary. In this review, two large animal (porcine) models of sepsis induced by either peritonitis or bacteremia are introduced and their strong and weak points are discussed in the context of clinical relevance and other animal models of sepsis, with a special focus on cardiovascular and immune systems, experimental design, and monitoring. Especially for testing new therapeutic strategies, the large animal (porcine) models represent a more clinically relevant alternative to small animal models, and the findings obtained in small animal (transgenic) models should be verified in these clinically relevant large animal models before translation to the clinical level.

We calculate the spectral function of light quark flavours in 2+1 flavour vacuum QCD in the isospin-symmetric approximation. We employ spectral Dyson-Schwinger equations and compute the non-perturbative quark propagator directly in real-time, using recent spectral reconstruction results from Gaussian process regression of gluon propagator data in 2+1 flavour lattice QCD. Our results feature a pole-like peak structure at time-like momenta larger than the propagator's gapping scale as well as a negative scattering continuum, which we exploit assuming an analytic pole-tail split during the iterative solution. The computation is augmented with a general discussion of the impact of the quark-gluon vertex and the gluon propagator on the analytic structure of the quark propagator. In particular, we investigate under which conditions the quark propagator shows unphysical complex poles. Our results offer a wide range of applications, encompassing the ab-initio calculation of transport as well as resonance properties in QCD.

Coronary artery aneurysm is a relatively rare disorder that is usually discovered as a secondary finding in patients undergoing coronary artery angiography. Coronary artery fistulas are relatively more frequent than rare aneurysms and are often associated with other cardiac abnormalities. The etiology of aneurysms is mostly atherosclerotic, and they are less frequently associated with other acquired or congenital diseases, such as Kawasaki disease, connective tissue diseases, septic emboli, arteritis, and iatrogenic disease. We report a 70-year-old woman with a rare combination of a coronary artery aneurysm associated with a coronary artery fistula, which drained into the pulmonary artery. The diagnosis of our patient was made by selective coronary angiography and confirmed by computed tomography angiography. The patient was treated surgically because of the symptomatic course of the disease.

Lattice simulations along with studies in continuum QCD indicate that non-perturbative quantum fluctuations lead to an infrared regularisation of the gluon propagator in covariant gauges in the form of an effective mass-like behaviour. In the present work we propose an analytic understanding of this phenomenon in terms of gluon condensation through a dynamical version of the Higgs mechanism, leading to the emergence of color condensates. Within the functional renormalisation group approach we compute the effective potential of covariantly constant field strengths, whose non-trivial minimum is related to the color condensates. In the physical case of an SU(3) gauge group this is an octet condensate. The value of the gluon mass obtained through this procedure compares very well to lattice results and the mass gap arising from alternative dynamical scenarios.

Background: Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has elicited considerable interest as an adjunctive therapy in sepsis. However, the encouraging effects of experiments with MSC in rodents have not been adequately studied in large-animal models with better relevance to human sepsis.Objectives: Here, we aimed to assess safety and efficacy of bone marrow-derived MSCs in a clinically relevant porcine model of progressive peritonitis-induced sepsis.Methods: Thirty-two anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and instrumented pigs were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 8 per group): (1) sham-operated group (CONTROL); (2) sham-operated group treated with MSCs (MSC-CONTROL); (3) sepsis group with standard supportive care (SEPSIS); and (4) sepsis group treated with MSCs (MSC-SEPSIS). Peritoneal sepsis was induced by inoculating cultivated autologous feces. MSCs (1 × 106/kg) were administered intravenously at 6 h after sepsis induction.Results: Before, 12, 18, and 24 h after the induction of peritonitis, we measured systemic, regional, and microvascular hemodynamics, multiple-organ functions, mitochondrial energy metabolism, systemic immune-inflammatory response, and oxidative stress. Administration of MSCs in the MSC-CONTROL group did not elicit any measurable acute effects. Treatment of septic animals with MSCs failed to mitigate sepsis-induced hemodynamic alterations or the gradual rise in Sepsis-related organ failure assessment scores. MSCs did not confer any protection against sepsis-mediated cellular myocardial depression and mitochondrial dysfunction. MSCs also failed to modulate the deregulated immune-inflammatory response.Conclusion: Intravenous administration of bone marrow-derived MSCs to healthy animals was well-tolerated. However, in this large-animal, clinically relevant peritonitis-induced sepsis model, MSCs were not capable of reversing any of the sepsis-induced disturbances in multiple biological, organ, and cellular systems.

Biochar has been studied extensively in terms of its influence on soil hydrophysical properties, but only small part of results was obtained from the field experiments. In this study, the soil water content was measured in 5-10 cm depth at experimental plots which received 20 t/ha and 0 t/ha (control) of biochar amendment at the Malanta area (Slovakia). The experimental area was cultivated with maize in 2015 and spring wheat in 2016. Our field measurements show that the positive effect of biochar amendment (20 t/ha) on soil water content is strongly related to the type of the crop grown and not straightforward. Unexpectedly, during the monitoring campaign in 2015 the soil water content of the biochar-amended soil was lower than control. In 2016, negligible differences were observed in soil water contents at both experimental plots, especially during the dry spells. However, higher soil water content was measured at the plot with biochar amendment after the series of precipitation events during the physiological maturity of the spring wheat. Moreover, the biochar amendment did not increase the biomass production and yields of maize in 2015, but it significantly increased the biomass production and yields of spring wheat in 2016.

The study brings new insights into the topic of the contamination characteristics of the mining region of Kutná Hora (Central Bohemia). The previous meta-analysis of the contamination studies showed that there could be a surprisingly low spatial range of contaminated river sediment downstream of Kutná Hora. The study should answer the question as to whether it is justifiable to interpret the presence of contaminants as a result of Kutná Hora mining. There was found a rapid increase in concentrations between the background area and contaminated Kutná Hora. Increase of medians (in mg/kg) of As: 33 and 148, Cu: 34 and 57, Pb: 35 and 82, Zn: 85 and 232; means increased ca 10 times. Then a decrease between the contaminated area and the confluence area was observed. But this decrease was influenced by the presence of extreme values in the contaminated area and therefore it was observed only in means. Medians of the elements concentrations did not decrease. The concentrations of the elements decreased after the confluence to lower values, but they stayed at the contaminated area levels. The background levels were observed only in the probes related to Labe alluvium. But also in these probes, the contamination was traced by multivariate analyses - by clear separation of As, Cu, Pb, Zn from other elements. The contamination was manifested in probes after the confluence mainly in the topsoil levels of alluvium, ca. in 10 to 40 cm. The original starting point of this study, that the contamination is not firmly manifested in the areas after the confluence, based on meta-analysis of regional studies, is not valid.

Předkládaná studie shrnuje výsledky revizního geodetického zaměření, povrchových sběrů a geofyzikálního průzkumu sídliště v poloze Dubina, k. ú. Jevany, na Černokostelecku. Nově bylo dokumentováno několik drobnějších povrchových tvarů, například relikty pece v trojdílném domě, a také komunikační systémy, které provazovaly lokalitu s okolím. Keramika získaná povrchovými sběry umožnila posunout opuštění lokality do mladšího horizontu pustnutí na Černokostelecku (druhá polovina 14. století). Sídelní sociální interpretace lokality není jednoznačná. Mohlo se jednat o drobné sídliště složené ze dvou poddanských usedlostí, nebo o dvůr nápravníka. Zemědělský potenciál zázemí byl velmi nízký, lokalita navíc ležela na rozvodí a problém tak představovala absence vydatného a trvalého vodního zdroje.

The complex pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock involves myocardial depression, the pathophysiology of which, however, remains unclear. In this study, cellular mechanisms of myocardial depression were addressed in a clinically relevant, large animal (porcine) model of sepsis and septic shock. Sepsis was induced by fecal peritonitis in eight anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and instrumented pigs of both sexes and continued for 24 h. In eight control pigs, an identical experiment but without sepsis induction was performed. In vitro analysis of cardiac function included measurements of action potentials and contractions in the right ventricle trabeculae, measurements of sarcomeric contractions, calcium transients and calcium current in isolated cardiac myocytes, and analysis of mitochondrial respiration by ultrasensitive oxygraphy. Increased values of modified sequential organ failure assessment score and serum lactate levels documented the development of sepsis/septic shock, accompanied by hyperdynamic circulation with high heart rate, increased cardiac output, peripheral vasodilation, and decreased stroke volume. In septic trabeculae, action potential duration was shortened and contraction force reduced. In septic cardiac myocytes, sarcomeric contractions, calcium transients, and L-type calcium current were all suppressed. Similar relaxation trajectory of the intracellular calcium-cell length phase-plane diagram indicated unchanged calcium responsiveness of myofilaments. Mitochondrial respiration was diminished through inhibition of Complex II and Complex IV. Defective calcium handling with reduced calcium current and transients, together with inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, appears to represent the dominant cellular mechanisms of myocardial depression in porcine septic shock.

Localized pericardial calcification is a relatively rare finding of often unknown etiology. We present the case of a 68-year-old man who was found to have bulky pericardial calcification, resulting in external compression of epicardial coronary arteries. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.)

Fauna Europaea provides a public web-service with an index of scientific names (including synonyms) of all living European land and freshwater animals, their geographical distribution at country level (up to the Urals, excluding the Caucasus region), and some additional information. The Fauna Europaea project covers about 230,000 taxonomic names, including 130,000 accepted species and 14,000 accepted subspecies, which is much more than the originally projected number of 100,000 species. This represents a huge effort by more than 400 contributing specialists throughout Europe and is a unique (standard) reference suitable for many users in science, government, industry, nature conservation and education. Coleoptera represent a huge assemblage of holometabolous insects, including as a whole more than 200 recognized families and some 400,000 described species worldwide. Basic information is summarized on their biology, ecology, economic relevance, and estimated number of undescribed species worldwide. Little less than 30,000 species are listed from Europe. The Coleoptera 2 section of the Fauna Europaea database (Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga and Polyphaga excl. the series Elateriformia, Scarabaeiformia, Staphyliniformia and the superfamily Curculionoidea) encompasses 80 families (according to the previously accepted family-level systematic framework) and approximately 13,000 species. Tabulations included a complete list of the families dealt with, the number of species in each, the names of all involved specialists, and, when possible, an estimate of the gaps in terms of total number of species at an European level. A list of some recent useful references is appended. Most families included in the Coleoptera 2 Section have been updated in the most recent release of the Fauna Europaea index, or are ready to be updated as soon as the FaEu data management environment completes its migration from Zoological Museum Amsterdam to Berlin Museum für Naturkunde.

Tillage systems have impact on soil properties, crop growth and through this directly and indirectly influence the cropland CO2 emission and therefore the global warming. In Slovakia, the wider adoption of conservation practices has barriers such as large acreage of compacted soils, the absence of detailed regionalization of suitable soils for such practices and the scientific evaluation of its application on sustainable soil productivity and environment protection. This study evaluated the short-termeffect of conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT) with (N1) and without (N0) N fertilizer application on soil CO2 emission from cropland planted with a red clover (Trifoliumpratense) during 40 days in 2013 on a tillage field experiment initiated in 1994. CO2 flux, soil temperature, and soil water contentwere monitored during the studied period in western Slovakia.Results of this study showed that there wasn’t significant difference (p< 0.05) in soil CO2 between conventional tillage and reduced tillage for both, not fertilized and fertilized plots. Averaged 40 days CO2 emissions were greater in reduced tillage as compared to conventional tillage for both fertilization levels. A linear regression between CO2 emission and soil temperature in conventionally and reduced tilled plots showed that soil temperature (r = 0.88-0.94; P

The paper is focused on the purpose made, or local monitoring of areal unit of the Nitra river basin (Slovakia, Central EU with total area 4501 km2) in order to obtain the inputs on soil, moisture and hydrophysical characteristics of the given area. In this study, there was evaluated the share of individual soil texture classes in the Nitra river basin on the basis of map records and its comparison with the soil samples taken from the 111 selected sites. Soil samples were taken from two depths of soil profile (15-20 cm, 40-45 cm). The sites were chosen according to the percentage representation of individual soil texture classes. Based on the identification of sampling points localization and following analysis of granularity ratio, it can be concluded that the grain composition from the soil samplings does not correspond fully with the map records. Subsequently, drainage branches of moisture retention curves were measured for all sites Obtained hydrophysical data were enabled on the web-portal. With the use of OpenGeo Suite software, version 4.0.2 and its components Geoserver and Geoexplorer, the data on soil characteristics were published online at: http://fzki.uniag.sk/02FacultyStructure/02Departments/KBH/02Research/Hydrophysics.Thus, information about the soil characteristics in the basin is available to specialists.

We examined whether it is possible to relate concentrations of trace elements in alluvial sediments with records concerning the intensity of mining, and use them as a means of dating. We conducted our research in the medieval mining district of the town of Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic. Samples were collected under the pond dam and analysed for clay, silt and sand content and for As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn concentrations. We observed two main peaks of element concentrations (Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, V and Zn), independent of grain fractions. The peaks were interpreted as a result of human activity. The concentration curves, stratigraphy and location of the dam/alluvium boundary were compared with historical records of mining production. This means of dam dating into the 16th century agreed with historical dating from written sources. Trace elements were also successfully used as stratigraphic markers. The comparison between concentration patterns of V and other well interpreted elements (Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) enabled to recognize a material directly originating from the mines. The elements thus helped to interpret local sedimentation history.

Sepsis, newly defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, is the most common cause of death in ICUs and one of the principal causes of death worldwide. Although substantial progress has been made in the understanding of fundamental mechanisms of sepsis, translation of these advances into clinically effective therapies has been disappointing. Given the extreme complexity of sepsis pathogenesis, the paradigm “one disease, one drug” is obviously flawed and combinations of multiple targets that involve early immunomodulation and cellular protection are needed. In this context, the immune-reprogramming properties of cell-based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) represent an emerging therapeutic strategy in sepsis and associated organ dysfunction. This article provides an update of the current knowledge regarding MSC in preclinical models of sepsis and sepsis-induced acute kidney injury. Recommendations for further translational research in this field are discussed.