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We examined the effects of three ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbionts on the growth and photosynthesis capacity of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) seedlings and estimated physiological and photosynthetic parameters such as the light compensation point (LCP), biomass, and phosphorus (Pi) concentration of P. thunbergii seedlings. Through this investigation, we documented a new role of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi: enhancement of the survival and competitiveness of P. thunbergii seedlings under low-light condition by reducing the LCP of seedlings. At a CO2 concentration of 400 ppm, the LCP of seedlings with ECM inoculations was 40–70 μmol photons m−2 s−1, significantly lower than that of non-mycorrhizal (NM) seedlings (200 μmol photons m−2 s−1). In addition, photosynthetic carbon fixation (Pn) increased with light intensity and CO2 level, and the Pn of ECM seedlings was significantly higher than that of NM seedlings; Pisolithus sp. (Pt)- and Laccaria amethystea (La)-mycorrhizal seedlings had significantly lower Pn than Cenococcum geophilum (Cg)-mycorrhizal seedlings. However, La-mycorrhizal seedlings exhibited the highest fresh weight, relative water content (RWC), and the lowest LCP in the mycorrhizal group. Concomitantly, ECM seedlings showed significantly increased chlorophyll content of needles and higher Pi concentrations compared to NM seedlings. Overall, ECM symbionts promoted growth and photosynthesis while reducing the LCP of P. thunbergii seedlings. These findings indicate that ECM fungi can enhance the survival and competitiveness of host seedlings under low light.

Background Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy affecting Chinese women, and early routine screening is incredibly important for its prevention and control. This study aimed to investigate the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in female breast cancer screening practices using the composite SES index. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 1816 women in Eastern China. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire from January 2020 to May 2021. We used principal component analysis to construct the composite SES index using educational level, annual household income, and occupation. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the SES index and breast cancer screening utilization. Results Of the participants, 19.27% reported having performed breast self-examination, 12.89% reported having undergone clinical breast examination, and 3.52% reported having received mammography. The SES has a significant influence on the patronage of female breast cancer screening in Eastern China. The composite SES index was found to have a positive and significant association with breast cancer screening practices. An interaction was found between the SES index and patient characteristics, such as health awareness, marital status, and location of residence. In addition, the SES index had a positive effect on breast cancer-related knowledge. Conclusions Socioeconomic inequalities existed in Eastern China and were related to breast cancer screening patronage. The composite SES index was identified as a significant determinant of breast cancer screening practices. Our results highlighted the negative impacts of socioeconomic inequities on female breast cancer screening utilization. This suggests that reducing socioeconomic inequalities in breast cancer screening requires more focused interventions and concerted outreach activities for groups with lower education levels, lower income, or lower occupational classes.

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Aims Pisolithus sp. as a class of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi with multiple HM tolerance. However, the physiological mechanism and ecological response of Pisolithus sp. ECM plants to chromium (Cr) remain unclear. Pisolithus sp.1 (Cr tolerant strain) and Pisolithus sp.2 (Cr sensitive strain) ECM Pinus thunbergii were synthesized to explore their different physiological and ecological response to Cr in this work. Methods Biomass, nutrient elements and Cr concentration of plants; Cr form and content in soil; Physicochemical properties, enzyme activities and microbial high-throughput analysis of soil were performed by pot and acute exposure experiments. Results The growth and Cr tolerance of P. thunbergii were improved after been inoculated with Pisolithus sp.1 by reducing the transportation of Cr from roots to shoots, increasing the N assimilation rates of host through mycelium, and enhancing the available phosphorus (P) and enzyme activities in soil. The above-mentioned process were co-driven by the fungi in Basidiomycetes and Ascomycota phylum, the predominant bacteria Brevundimonas sp., Muribaculaceasand Lachnospiraceae, as well as hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) tolerant and reducing strain Simplicillium and Pichia. Pisolithussp.2 promoted the Mg accumulation in shoots of host and increased the abundance of Gibberella, Mortierella and Didymella in soil, which accelerated the P solubilization in soil and nutrient transformation in host to response to Cr. Conclusions Our results showed that Pisolithussp.1 ECM P. thunbergii had high adaptability to Cr, and this work also have an important theoretical guiding significance and application value for mycorrhizal phytoremediation of Cr-contaminated soil.

The retention of copper (Cu) in saline–alkali soil (SAS) during long-term application of biogas residue (BR) with a high concentration of Cu raises concerns. In this work, the fate of Cu was detected using adsorption isotherms, scanning electron microscope—energy dispersive spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, isothermal titration calorimetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and microzone X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The results showed that the main groups for Cu adsorption by SAS and BR were carboxyl, hydroxyl, amide and amine. The adsorption of Cu by the carboxyl group was entropy–enthalpy co-driven (|ΔH| < |TΔS|, ΔH < 0). The adsorption of Cu by the amine group was entropy-driven (|ΔH| > |TΔS|, ΔH > 0). The adsorption of Cu on the SAS and BR was achieved by organic matter rather than minerals. The degradation of BR in the SAS increases the content of Cu adsorption groups such as carboxyl and amine groups, and Cu was adsorbed on the surface or inside SAS through organic groups. This study provides further theoretical support for the application of BR in SAS.