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The management of biowaste and agricultural solid waste is gaining attention due to rising landfill disposal costs and the need for locally available agricultural feedstocks. The biorefinery concept aims to achieve zero waste through valorizing residues as fertilizers. Despite containing NPK macronutrients, residues may not promote plant growth due to limited nutrient availability and phytotoxic compounds. The production of valuable organic, mineral-organic, or mineral fertilizers with confirmed agronomic properties as marketable biorefinery products remains understudied. This comprehensive review broadens our understanding of fertilizer production in biorefineries, which complements the energy (thermal, biogas, biodiesel) and chemical compounds (e.g., succinic acid, propanediol, protein concentrates) that are also generated within biorefineries. It is among the first reviews to investigate the importance of valorizing biorefinery residues as fertilizers, emphasizing methods leading to commercial products and the rationale behind this process. The findings confirm that directly applying unprocessed residues to the soil does not fully exploit their value as by-products. This study contributes to the practical analysis of barriers (legal, chemical, biological, technological) and opportunities (rising prices and reduced global availability of mineral fertilizers) related to fertilizer production in the biorefining process.

ABSTRACTPhosphorus is one of the most important macronutrients needed for the growth of plants. The fertilizer production market uses 80% of natural, non-renewable phosphorus resources in the form of phosphate rock. The depletion of those deposits forces a search for other alternatives, including biological waste. This review aims to indicate the most important ways to recover phosphorus from biowaste, with particular emphasis on wastewater, sewage sludge, manure, slaughter or food waste. A comparison of utilized methods and directions for future research based on the latest research is presented. Combining biological, chemical, and physical methods with thermal treatment appears to be the most effective way for the treatment of wastewater sludge in terms of phosphorus recovery. Hydrothermal, thermochemical, and adsorption on thermally treated adsorbents are characterized by a high phosphorus recovery rate (over 95%). For animal by-products and other biological waste, chemical methods seems to be the most optimal solution with a recovery rate over 96%. Due to its large volume and relatively low phosphorus content, wastewater is a resource that requires additional treatment to recover the highest possible amount of phosphorus. Pretreatment of wastewater with combined methods seems to be a possible way to improve phosphorus recovery. A compressive evaluation of combined methods is crucial for future research in this area.

ABSTRACTThis work is a systematic review that reports state-of-the-art in removal of pharmaceuticals from water and wastewater by photosynthetic organisms in photobioreactors. The PRISMA protocol-based review of the most recent literature data from the last 10 years (2011–2021) was reported. Articles were searched by the combination of the following keywords: photobioreactor, pharmaceuticals, drugs, hormones, antibiotics, biodegradation, removal, wastewater treatment. The review focuses on original research papers (not reviews), collected in 3 scientific databases: Scopus, Web of Knowledge, PubMed. The review considered the following factors: type of microorganisms, type of micropollutants removed, degradation efficiency and associated products, types of photosynthetic organisms and photobioreactor types. The conclusion from the systematic review is that the main factors that limit widespread pharmaceuticals removal in photobioreactors are high costs and the problem of low efficiency related with low concentrations of pharmaceuticals. The review indicated a need for further research in this area due to increasing amounts of metabolites in the food chain, such as p-aminophenol and estrone, which can cause harm to people and ichthyofauna. Pharmaceuticals removal can be improved by adapting the type of microorganism used to the type of contamination and implementing photoperiods, which increase the removal efficiency of e.g. sulfamethazine by up to 28%. In the future, it is necessary to search for new solutions in terms of the construction of photobioreactors, as well as for more effective species in terms of pharmaceuticals biodegradation that can survive the competition with other strains during water and wastewater treatment.

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The paper presents different aspects of biomass-based fertilizer production along with technological challenges, relevant law — the European Union guidelines concerning renewable resources, in particular bio-based wastes valorization for fertilizer purposes — and products introduction to the market. Fertilizer technology employs different types of biosolids: sewage sludge, ashes from sewage sludge, agricultural residues, and food waste. Organo-mineral fertilizers can be formulated from different mass streams of biological origin: biomass processed by biological conversion (aerobic or anaerobic), chemical conditioning (acids or alkali), or thermal processes (combustion, pyrolysis). Through a combination of different types of processed biomass (e.g., biosolids conditioned with mineral acid can be neutralized and granulated with ashes from the biomass combustion) and by composition correction, it is possible to produce organic-mineral fertilizers. Particular attention was paid to relevant law (agriculture and non-agricultural applications) and technological problems such as large-scale installations. The available fertilizer production technologies constitute a part of the concept of bio-based circular economy, which in turn could lead to sustainable development as envisioned by the new European Green Deal strategy.

The potential of biosorption as a process of ions binding from solutions has not yet been fully exploited. So far, the works have focused predominantly on removing ions (heavy metals or dyes) from the solutions, mainly on a laboratory scale. The surface of biomass is rich in functional groups that can bind various ions, including microelements. Biomass enriched in this way can be a carrier of important nutrients for plants and animals. The paper aims to verify the possibility of using plant biomass—post-extraction residues as carriers of microelements for fertilization and nutritional purposes. A literature analysis was carried out concerning the application of biosorption for biomass valorization; in particular, the degree of biomass enrichment and the bioavailability of microelement preparations obtained were examined. Valorization of post-extraction residues is a part of the circular economy concept; it minimizes waste generation and enables the recovery of materials for other purposes. This application of biosorption is a new trend that has the potential to be used in the production of new fertilizers and supplements for precision agriculture.

This review explores the evolution and impact of sustainable chemistry in agriculture. It traces its historical progress, key milestones, and challenges. The article delves into the fundamental principles, emerging technologies, and benefits of incorporating sustainable chemistry into farming practices. It specifically addresses areas like green synthesis, precision farming, soil health, and the use of organic agrochemicals, highlighting their significance in the field of agriculture. Key advancements discussed include sustainable formulations, technological developments, and policy transitions towards environmentally friendly agriculture. Examples of organic action plans are provided to illustrate the policy shifts towards more eco-friendly practices. The review explores the incorporation of circular economy principles in sustainable agriculture, illustrating a comprehensive approach to reducing waste and enhancing resource efficiency. The paper outlines future prospects of sustainable chemistry in agriculture, highlighting emerging trends and interdisciplinary collaborations. It concludes by indicating how sustainable chemistry can address significant challenges, including food scarcity and environmental degradation.

This article contains main trends, assumptions and thesis about the social economy in Poland, which the author agree with. The main goal of it, is to bring together fundamental facts depicting the situation of the social economy in Poland (in theory and in practice) with the conditions that must be fulfilled in order for it to grow (also from the financial side). In the article, the aspect of profit in a social enterprise, was especially emphasized. To describe the topic the descriptive methods were used. The graphical analysis refers to the last three years, but to understand how the social economy operates in practice, author uses description of the data from 1999 to now, in this paper.

Efficient nutrient cycling in agroecosystems is essential for sustainable agriculture, and the utilization of waste products from various industries can contribute to this process. In this study, we investigated the potential of using anaerobic digestate from food industry waste (sugar beets and food waste) as a nutrient source for fertilizer production. Digestates were sanitized using a mixture of inorganic acids (H2SO4and H3PO4) or alkaline (KOH), with acidic hydrolysate yielding a higher concentration of amino acids (1981 mg/L) compared to alkaline (186 mg/L). The acidic hydrolysate was centrifuged, and the liquid fraction was used to create a foliar fertilizer. The solid fraction, acidic hydrolysate, sewage sludge incineration ash, and additives (ammonium nitrate, urea with urease inhibitor) were employed to formulate three granular fertilizers. Nitrogen balances were analyzed using Sankey charts for each fertilizer formulation. The highest nitrogen losses (45.90 kg N/1 kg formulation) were recorded in the production of fertilizer containing ammonium nitrate. The fertilizers' effectiveness was evaluated through preliminary wheat germination tests. The highest yields observed for the foliar fertilizer (1% dose) and granular with the addition of urea with a urease inhibitor (20% dose) groups, where fresh sprout mass was approximately 18% and 23% higher than the control, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of using anaerobic digestate from food industry waste for nutrient recycling in agroecosystems, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Ischemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), poses a challenge for regenerative medicine. iPSC technology might lead to a breakthrough due to the possibility of directed cell differentiation delivering a new powerful source of human autologous cardiomyocytes. One of the factors supporting proper cell maturation is in vitro culture duration. In this study, primary human skeletal muscle myoblasts were selected as a myogenic cell type reservoir for genetic iPSC reprogramming. Skeletal muscle myoblasts have similar ontogeny embryogenetic pathways (myoblasts vs. cardiomyocytes), and thus, a greater chance of myocardial development might be expected, with maintenance of acquired myogenic cardiac cell characteristics, from the differentiation process when iPSCs of myoblastoid origin are obtained. Analyses of cell morphological and structural changes, gene expression (cardiac markers), and functional tests (intracellular calcium transients) performed at two in vitro culture time points spanning the early stages of cardiac development (day 20 versus 40 of cell in vitro culture) confirmed the ability of the obtained myogenic cells to acquire adult features of differentiated cardiomyocytes. Prolonged 40-day iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) revealed progressive cellular hypertrophy; a better-developed contractile apparatus; expression of marker genes similar to human myocardial ventricular cells, including a statistically significant CX43increase, an MHC isoform switch, and a troponin I isoform transition; more efficient intercellular calcium handling; and a stronger response to β-adrenergic stimulation.

The objective was to perform a systematic literature review to report the state of the art on the topic of transparent orthodontic archwires.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of using B. megateriumin solubilization of phosphates from different secondary raw materials, such as fish bones, poultry bones, ashes and phosphorite, by identification of the effect of different doses of phosphorus-bearing materials on the growth of microbial cells and the effectiveness of the solubilization process. Both FTIR as well as SEM-EDX techniques were used to compare the effect of the acids on renewable phosphorus source. Two doses of mentioned materials were used: 2 and 30 g/L. The effect of solubilization was expressed as the solubilization factor (SF, %), defined as the ratio (expressed as percentage) of soluble P2O5present in the solution and total phosphorus (expressed as P2O5) introduced into solubilization medium in the solid form. The evaluated SF ranged between 0.672% obtained for phosphorite (30 g/L) and 85% for fish bones (2 g/L) with variations among different sources of phosphate and different doses used in the experiment.

The blood-testis barrier (BTB), formed between adjacent Sertoli cells, undergoes extensive remodeling to facilitate the transport of preleptotene spermatocytes across the barrier from the basal to apical compartments of the seminiferous tubules for further development and maturation into spermatozoa. The actin cytoskeleton serves unique structural and supporting roles in this process, but little is known about the role of microtubules and their regulators during BTB restructuring. The large isoform of the cAMP-responsive scaffold protein AKAP9 regulates microtubule dynamics and nucleation at the Golgi. We found that conditional deletion of Akap9in mice after the initial formation of the BTB at puberty leads to infertility. Akap9deletion results in marked alterations in the organization of microtubules in Sertoli cells and a loss of barrier integrity despite a relatively intact, albeit more apically localized F-actin and BTB tight junctional proteins. These changes are accompanied by a loss of haploid spermatids due to impeded meiosis. The barrier, however, progressively reseals in older Akap9null mice, which correlates with a reduction in germ cell apoptosis and a greater incidence of meiosis. However, spermiogenesis remains defective, suggesting additional roles for AKAP9 in this process. Together, our data suggest that AKAP9 and, by inference, the regulation of the microtubule network are critical for BTB function and subsequent germ cell development during spermatogenesis.

The study was performed on new and used (from in vitroand in vivoexperiments) orthodontic bands by using SEM-EDX technique. The bands were retrieved from earlier experiments: in vitrotests, in which the bands were incubated in a continuous flow system with various media: artificial saliva, lysozyme, orange juice and Coca Cola®. The bands were also retrieved from previously conducted in vivotests on animals (pigs) and humans (patients). The micrographs of bands were presented as well as their chemical composition, reported in terms of atomic density. The bands that were used showed a significant contribution of oxygen as compared to brand new ones, and the contribution of Fe and Ni decreased, whereas the Cr contribution remained unchanged. The elements were inter-correlated. An antagonistic, statistically significant dependence was found between Fe and O, as well as between Fe and Cr. This could signify that that protective passivation layer of Cr2O3was formed, which did not fully protect Ni and Fe from dissolution.

Phosphorus (P) recovery from dairy wastewater involves its accumulation into phosphorus-rich sludge using a physico-chemical or biological process. The high iron content in chemical sludge decreases its usability in agricultural activities. The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an option used to treat the sludge to obtain hydrochar for various applications, including its use as an energy source and as a carbon-dense material. The HTC process leaves a bigger volume of nutrient-rich liquor, which phosphorus (P) purification was the subject of this work. By direct precipitation, the product iron content was 17.96%, a value higher than accepted limits for phosphate fertilizers. Thus, P extraction followed by struvite precipitation was studied. The use of oxalic acid extracted 86.7% of P from HTC liquor, while 86.6% of iron was removed. The process conditions of pH 9, and salt dosage of 1.73:1.14:1 for Mg:NH4+:P mole ratio for struvite precipitation were obtained with a P recovery of 99.96%, and the effluent P concentration below 2 mg∙L−1. The quality of products as fertilizers was tested by both in-vitro and in-vivo assays. High iron content in the product demonstrated a negative effect on plant germination, whilst the precipitation product from P extract demonstrated an advantage of P purification into struvite for plant macro and micronutrient availability. The used method of P extraction followed by struvite precipitation is useful for both P and iron recovery into two separate products with agricultural and chemical applications, respectively.

Gap junctions are intercellular channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells, allowing the passage of small molecules (<1kDa) and thereby the regulation of many different processes. In the male gonad, the most abundant protein that builds gap junctions is connexin 43 (Cx43, GJA1). Specific knock-out of Sertoli cells (SCCx43KO−/−) results in an impaired spermatogenesis up to the Sertoli cell only syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare the testicular expression pattern of the androgen receptor (AR) in wild type (WT) and SCCx43KO−/−mice. In both WT and SCCx43KO−/−testes, the AR staining was restricted to the nuclei of Sertoli, Leydig, and peritubular cells. However, the staining intensity varied between control and mutant mice. In the latter, the AR expression depended on the level of the seminiferous tubule impairment. In tubules with qualitatively normal spermatogenesis, the AR protein expression was similar to that observed in the testes of WT mice. Conversely, seminiferous tubules with an arrest of spermatogenesis at the level of spermatogonial or spermatocyte phase expressed the AR at a lower intensity. In Sertoli cell only tubules (no germ cells in the tubules), the AR immunoreaction was mainly weak or undetectable. Moreover, AR staining was lower in Sertoli and Leydig cells (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively) of SCCx43KO−/−mice compared to WT mice, as revealed by a semiquantitative analysis. In conclusion, the deletion of Cx43 leads to a partial disruption of the AR signaling pathway, indicating a possible reason for the observed impaired spermatogenesis.

The aim of this article was to investigate the interactions of metal cations in aqueous solutions with the biomass of the freshwater macroalga Vaucheriasp. This problem is important when elaborating new applications of biosorption, e.g.the production of mineral feed additives for livestock from the biomass of algae enriched with microelement ions. Potentiometric titration was applied as a quick and cheap screening test to search for new efficient biosorbents. It revealed a variety of functional groups capable of cation exchange on the macroalgal surface, including carboxyl, phosphate, hydroxyl or amino groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on natural and chromium‐loaded Vaucheriasp. confirmed that carboxyl groups played a dominant role in the biosorption. The study also showed that Ca(II), Na(I), K(I), and Mg(II) ions were released from the biomass after biosorption of Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions, indicating that ion exchange was a key mechanism in the biosorption of metal ions by Vaucheriasp. biomass. It was noticed that the mass of the microelement cations bound by the macroalga was proportional to the total mass of light metal ions [Na(I), K(I), Ca(II), and Mg(II)] released from the biomass.

Assembly of the dimeric complex III (CIII2) in the mitochondrial inner membrane is an intricate process, in which several accessory proteins are involved as assembly factors. Despite numerous studies, this process is yet to be fully understood. Here we report the identification of human OCIAD2 (Ovarian Carcinoma Immunoreactive Antigen domain containing protein 2) protein as an assembly factor for CIII2. OCIAD2 was found deregulated in several carcinomas and also in some neurogenerative disorders, however its non-pathological role had not been elucidated.  We have shown that OCIAD2 localizes to mitochondria and interacts with electron transport chain (ETC) proteins. Complete loss of OCIAD2 using gene editing in HEK293 cells resulted in abnormal mitochondrial morphology, a substantial decrease of both CIII2and supercomplex III2+IV, and reduction in CIII enzymatic activity. Identification of OCIAD2 as a protein required for assembly of functional CIII2provides a new insight into the biogenesis and architecture of the ETC. Elucidating the mechanism of OCIAD2 action is important both for the understanding of cellular metabolism and for an understanding of its role in malignant transformation.

This paper presents attempts to enrich hens eggs with ions of copper, manganese, and zinc through the use of new feed additives (19 mg Cu2+; 124 mg Mn2+and 85 mg Zn2+) such as biomass of alfalfa and goldenrod after extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide enriched with microelements via biosorption. Mechanical parameters of eggs (shell thickness and strength, Haugh unite), hen's laying performance, microelements content in albumen and yolk were examined and the transfer factor from feed to eggs was determined. The highest transfer of microelements content in albumen occurred in the group of hens fed with enriched goldenrod in a 100% dose (daily dose of microelements from biomass; Cu2+106%; Mn2+104%; Zn2+104% more in comparison to the inorganic salt group), while the highest yolk enrichment with microelements manifested itself for hens fed with enriched goldenrod in a 50% dose (daily dose of microelements from biomass; Cu2+32%; Zn2+22% more in comparison to the inorganic salt group). These groups also had the highest total microelements concentration. Mechanical properties of eggs varied insignificantly during the trial. Production parameters did not differ statistically among all experimental group. Eggs produced with need additives had better organoleptic parameters than fed with conventional premixes, which is why they were preferred by the respondents. The presented technology allows obtaining low-cost feed materials characterized by high bioavailability of components. The produced feed additives can serve as potential material for biofortification of eggs with nutrients.

The paper discusses the potential applicability of the process of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) in the production of algal extracts with the consideration of the process conditions and yields. State of the art in the research on solvent-free isolation of biologically active compounds from the biomass of algae was presented. Various aspects related with the properties of useful compounds found in cells of microalgae and macroalgae were discussed, including their potential applications as the natural components of plant protection products (biostimulants and bioregulators), dietary feed and food supplements, and pharmaceuticals. Analytical methods of determination of the natural compounds derived from algae were discussed. Algal extracts produced by SFE process enable obtaining a solvent-free concentrate of biologically active compounds; however, detailed economic analysis, as well as elaboration of products standardization procedures, is required in order to implement the products in the market.

The dynamic cross-talk between epididymal cells is hormonally regulated and, in part, through direct cell-to-cell interactions. To date, no information is available regarding possible impact of anti-androgens on the proteins involved in the gap junctional communication within the boar epididymis. Thus, a question arised whether prenatal or postnatal exposure to an anti-androgen flutamide alters the expression of gap junction protein - connexin43 (Cx43) and androgen receptor (AR) expression in the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis and leads to delayed effects on morphology and function of adult pig epididymis.