Search Results (138)

Cultural ecosystem services (CESs) represent a critical link between ecosystems and human well-being and constitute a core foundation for regional sustainable development. The balance between CES supply and demand directly affects the coordination efficiency between ecological conservation and socio-economic development, making it a key prerequisite for ecosystem management, conservation planning, and policy formulation. This study focuses on the circum-Taihu region and integrates multi-source data to assess public perceived demand and spatial supply capacity of CESs. Supply–demand matching relationships are examined across three dimensions, namely, scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and recreation, through the construction of a region-specific CES quantitative indicator system. The impacts of multiple environmental factors on CES supply–demand dynamics are further explored to provide scientific support for coordinated ecological, cultural, and economic sustainability at the regional scale. The findings demonstrate the following: (1) the proposed methodology effectively quantifies CES perception and supply capacity in the circum-Taihu region. Scenic beauty exhibits the highest perception levels, whereas cultural heritage and recreation show lower perception. Cultural heritage displays the strongest supply capacity, whereas scenic beauty and recreation exhibit weaker supply. (2) Significant spatial imbalances exist between CES perception levels and supply capacity across the circum-Taihu region. Areas exhibiting mismatches constitute the largest proportion for cultural heritage CESs, followed by scenic beauty, with recreation displaying the smallest amounts of imbalance. (3) Environmental drivers exert differentiated effects on CES supply–demand relationships. Slope, road network density, and elevation have significant positive effects, whereas the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), distance to water bodies, and distance to roads exhibit significant negative effects. Distance to roads imposes the strongest inhibitory influence on CES perception, whereas elevation emerges as the most influential driver of public perceived CES levels. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patient preoperative cardiorespiratory physical fitness measured by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is highly relevant to postoperative outcomes, with low VO2max associated with a greater symptom burden and a greater prevalence of long-term treatment-related cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients undergoing surgery. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to determine the effects of different components of prehabilitation, including exercise, nutrition, psychological intervention, and different combinations of the aforementioned interventions, on oxygen consumption in people undergoing major abdominal or cardiothoracic surgery. Methods: A literature search was conducted from inception to December 2025. Randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of prehabilitation programmes on pre-surgery VO2max were included. The risk of bias was assessed via the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB 2.0) tool, and the quality of evidence was assessed via the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Pairwise meta-analyses and NMAs were conducted for direct and indirect evidence. Results: Fourteen studies were included in this NMA. The highest effect (ES) for VO2max scores was for the exercise group versus the control group (ES: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.78). When exercise was categorized according to intensity, the highest effect was for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus the control (ES: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.97). Conclusions: Exercise HIIT should be considered the most effective strategy for improving exercise capacity in patients undergoing major abdominal or cardiothoracic surgery. Given the importance of VO2 as a predictor of morbidity, mortality, and the potential occurrence of adverse events after the procedure in surgical patients, it is essential to include its measurement in future studies to estimate both the risk of procedures and the effect of prehabilitation programmes. Full article

Cultural ecosystem services (CESs) play a critical role in urban residents’ well-being, yet conventional evaluations rely heavily on green-space area and overlook how facility quality and basic services influence the delivery of actual cultural benefits. To address this methodological gap, this study develops a three-tier evaluation framework—service potential, actual supply capacity, and actual service utility—to quantify multistage attenuation in CES provision across 95 parks in seven central districts of Shenyang, China. The framework integrates 114 quantitative and qualitative indicators from field surveys, national facility standards, and perception-based assessments, enabling a scientifically robust and replicable assessment of how cultural benefits are transformed from ecological structure to human experience. Results reveal that single-index, area-based assessments substantially overestimate CES supply: district-level supply–demand ratios drop from 66 to 195% to only 11–55% once quality and basic services are incorporated. Comprehensive and special parks retain the highest CES potential, whereas community and linear parks undergo significant losses due to aging facilities, insufficient maintenance, and inadequate infrastructure. Education and cultural services exhibit the most severe shortages, with deficits reaching 59–84%, underscoring structural limitations in learning-oriented spaces. By distinguishing structural (quantity), functional (quality), and experiential (basic service) constraints, the framework provides clear diagnostic guidance for targeted planning and management. Its multistage structure also reflects broader principles of sustainable urban development: improving CES requires not only expanding ecological elements but also enhancing service quality, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting equitable access to cultural benefits. The framework’s generalizability makes it applicable to high-density cities worldwide facing land scarcity and green-space inequality, supporting efforts aligned with SDG 11 to build inclusive, resilient, and culturally vibrant urban environments. Full article

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of physical disability in adults in Catalonia. Despite this, there is a lack of evidence of physiotherapy interventions on functional capacity during the chronic phase of the pathology. This multicenter clinical trial will be conducted with a sample size of 75 participants. Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic exercise program in physiotherapy using telerehabilitation to optimize functional recovery and quality of life in people with chronic stroke, and to determine its impact on adherence to the exercise program. Methods: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Three parallel groups will be compared, and two will undergo the same type of therapy. A control group (CG) will perform conventional intervention in primary care. There will be two experimental groups; (EG1) will perform document-guided therapeutic exercises at home and (EG2) will perform therapeutic exercises at home guided by a telerehabilitation program. The outcomes to be measured are degree of independence of a person in their activities of daily living, assessed by the Barthel Index, motor function, muscle tone of the affected limbs, muscle strength of the affected limbs, balance, gait efficiency, perception of musculoskeletal pain, perception of fatigue, risk of falls, perception of quality of life, and the perception of perceived subjective change after treatment. These outcomes will be evaluated at baseline (T0), at ten weeks (T1) (end of the intervention), and at 18 weeks (T2). The study duration per patient will be 18 weeks (a ten-week intervention, followed by an eight-week intervention follow-up). The analysis will be performed using a mixed linear model (ANOVA 3X3) and significance level p < 0.05. Full article

Background: Orthorexia nervosa (OrNe) and healthy orthorexia (HeOr) are two distinct but related dimensions of interest in eating behavior research. Evidence regarding their associations with sociodemographic, dietary, and sport-related variables in physically active young adults remains limited. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 190 physically active young adults (53.2% women; mean age = 23.16 ± 5.13 years). Participants practiced a variety of sports including fitness (25.3%), soccer (13.7%), handball (10.5%), athletics, martial arts, cycling, and other individual or team sports. Although all participants belonged to organized sports teams or structured training groups, 38.9% were not actively competing at the time of data collection. Participants completed validated instruments assessing OrNe, HeOr, and eating-related cognitions, alongside questionnaires on sociodemographic data, dietary habits, sport discipline, training frequency, and supplement use. Hierarchical and K-means clustering were applied using the standardized scores of HeOr, OrNe, and the EHQ total score. Group differences were assessed using t-tests and ANOVA with effect sizes (η²p) reported. Results: Age correlated positively with OrNe, HeOr, and eating-related cognitions, indicating greater consolidation of rigid eating patterns in young adulthood. BMI was associated with OrNe only among men. Vegetarian participants showed higher nutritional knowledge but lower overall orthorexia scores. Supplement users in fitness-related sports reported higher OrNe, whereas participants in collective sports reported lower scores. Three distinct orthorexia profiles were identified, characterized by lower, slightly above-average, and higher scores on orthorexia-related variables. Participants in the higher-scoring profile showed significantly higher EHQ total, OrNe, and HeOr scores compared with the other groups (η²p range = 0.11–0.19). Correlations among orthorexia dimensions were positive and moderate to large. Differences between clusters in sport modality, training frequency, and supplement use underscored the influence of the sporting context. Conclusions: Orthorexia in young physically active adults reflects heterogeneous patterns shaped by the interplay of individual (age, sex, BMI), dietary, and sport-related factors. The identification of differentiated profiles reinforces the multidimensional nature of orthorexia and underscores the relevance of considering specific sport environments when interpreting orthorexic tendencies. Longitudinal research is warranted to examine the stability or variability of these patterns over time and to enable the use of more robust multivariate approaches that further clarify the characterization of orthorexia. Full article

Urban agriculture, particularly homegarden-based urban agriculture, has gained recognition as a valuable tool for promoting sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities. This study investigates community perceptions of the ecosystem services provided by homegarden-based urban agriculture in Bandung City, Indonesia. The research aims to assess how urban residents perceive the contributions of homegardens to food security, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key informants, while quantitative data were obtained from a survey of members of the urban agriculture community. The results revealed that homegardens play a supplementary role in food production, providing fresh produce but contributing only minimally to overall food security. They were recognized for their role in biodiversity conservation, microclimate regulation, disaster risk reduction, social cohesion, and improving mental well-being. Despite these benefits, challenges such as limited space, lack of knowledge, and competing land uses hinder the full integration of homegardens into urban systems. The findings suggest that enhancing education and policy support for urban agriculture can help maximize the utilization of the potential of homegardens in urban sustainability. Future research should focus on overcoming these barriers and exploring strategies for expanding homegarden practices in urban areas. Full article

This perspective paper examines the multifaceted cultural ecosystem services (CESs) provided by wild bees with particular attention to the spiritual, medicinal, and traditional knowledge-based dimensions associated with Afrotropical stingless bees. We integrate these insights within a biocultural framework, highlighting their relational values and arguing that the systematic omission of these cultural roles in pollinator research, policy and conservation constitutes a form of epistemic injustice. We also argue that the systematic recognition and documentation of these cultural roles are critical to advancing more inclusive and effective conservation frameworks. Based on a synthesis of field observations, photo-documentation, and literature review, we propose future research and policy directions aimed at embedding these cultural values more comprehensively within biocultural conservation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolic enzymes are crucial for the detoxification of exogenously administered drugs, especially enzymes expressed in the intestine and the liver. Recent advancements in analytical methodologies enable sensitive and specific quantitative measurements of proteins, facilitating a more accurate evaluation of their expression and relative contribution to drug metabolism. Methods: The aim of the study was to characterize the protein expression levels of 16 Cytochrome P450s (CYP450s) and 2 carboxylesterases (CESs) in human liver and intestinal tissues using absolute quantification by HPLC-MS/MS. Human hepatocytes (HHEP) and human liver microsomes (HLM) were utilized, along with a novel intestinal preparation from cryopreserved human intestinal mucosa (CHIM), to perform proteomic analyses. Results: A comprehensive evaluation of 16 CYP450s and 2 CES enzyme expression in human liver and intestinal tissues is provided to reflect their relative abundance. Among the various in vitro systems evaluated, 14 of 16, 15/16, and 7/16 CYP450 of the isoforms analyzed were detected in HHEP, HLM, and CHIM, respectively. In hepatic systems, CYP2C9 exhibited the highest expression among CYP450 isoforms, a trend consistently observed in both HHEP and HLM. CYP3A4 was the most abundantly expressed isoform in CHIM preparations. Across all systems tested, CES1 and CES2 showed the highest overall protein expression levels, surpassing those of the CYP450s. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the absolute quantification method employed is reliable, producing consistent results across two different in vitro hepatic systems (HHEP and HLM). This study supports the utility of absolute quantification approaches for accurately profiling drug-metabolizing enzymes and provides new, valuable insights to improve in vitro/in vivo extrapolation and more informed predictive pharmacokinetic modeling strategies. Full article

While many studies have investigated ecosystem services, the cooling potential of green and blue infrastructures (GBIs) for alleviating extreme heat in arid regions has been studied less frequently. The aim of this study is to measure GBI cooling potential for mitigating extreme heat in arid and semi-arid regions, using Ahvaz City (south-west Iran) as a case study. Multiple data sources were used with the InVEST urban cooling model to estimate cooling ecosystem services (CESs) by evaluating the cumulative effects of shade, evapotranspiration, and albedo. Results show: (a) spatial heterogeneity in GBI cooling effects; (b) the highest cooling capacity (Cooling Capacity Index = 0.75) is achieved along the Karun River corridor and adjacent irrigated agriculture, where land surface temperature is reduced by 2–6 °C relative to built-up areas; and (c) interconnected GBIs and high vegetation density enhance cooling. High cooling capacity (>0.6) covers only 8.3% of the city (14.2 km²), predominantly the Karun River (4.2 km²) and adjacent agriculture (10.0 km²). In contrast, built-up areas (76% of the city) exhibit low cooling capacity (<0.3). Therefore, improving GBI connectivity and integrating passive cooling strategies are essential to enhance thermal resilience and should be prioritized in urban planning to maximize CES effectiveness and reduce heat-related risks. Full article

Urban parks provide diverse cultural ecosystem services (CESs), which are crucial for residents’ mental well-being. However, few studies have investigated how urban parks’ CESs and their interactions vary across seasons. In this study, we used the downtown area of Chengdu, China, as a case study, and evaluated urban parks’ CESs based on social media comments and further explored their seasonal dynamics. We then analysed the seasonal trade-offs/synergies of these CESs for service pairs using Pearson correlation and for multiple services using bundle identification. The results show the following: (1) Most CESs except for social interaction had the highest intensities in autumn, and recreational activities and education were the CESs with the highest and lowest intensities among the four seasons, respectively. Education service showed the greatest seasonal variation, while recreational activities and physical and mental recovery were stable among different seasons. (2) Some CES pairs exhibited trade-offs/synergies, but those relationships changed over seasons. Specifically, there were trade-off/synergy relationships between seven CES pairs in spring, three CES pairs in summer and autumn, and four CES pairs in winter. (3) In terms of the trade-offs/synergies among multiple CESs, we identified three types of CES bundles, i.e., physical and mental recovery- and aesthetics-dominated, inspiration- and education-dominated, and social interaction- and recreation-dominated bundles. More than 50% of the urban parks exhibited the physical and mental recovery- and aesthetics-dominated bundle in four seasons, and the seasonal change between this bundle and the social interaction and recreation-dominant bundle was the most obvious among all the bundle changes. This study revealed urban parks’ CES seasonal dynamics and identified the seasonal variations in CES trade-offs/synergies, providing a reference for CES management in urban parks. Full article

Cultural ecosystem services are difficult to evaluate due to their subjective nature and the lack of indicators of the benefits they provide to people. This study applied an innovative methodology to assess the cultural landscape’s ecosystem services in the coastal countryside of La Janda in Cádiz, Spain, based on heritage assets situated outside urban centers. After identifying 700 cultural landmarks scattered throughout La Janda that represent the region’s cultural values and foster feelings of identity and belonging at a local level, public domain routes totaling 243.78 km have been selected to appreciate them. These routes have been incorporated into an Android application, enabling users to access a bibliographic summary of the landmarks and generate data on social preferences when contemplating cultural heritage. Integrated into a Public Participation Geographic Information System, these data serve as an indicator for evaluating cultural ecosystem services and support efforts to conserve and enhance the cultural capital spread across the territory. These data also allow for the identification of symbolic and emotional values linked to place identity, offering valuable inputs for sustainable place-branding strategies that promote the territory beyond conventional tourism models. Full article

Assessment of cultural ecosystem services (CESs) is a key component in advancing the sustainable development of urban ecosystems. Mapping the spatial distribution of CESs provides spatially explicit insights for urban landscape planning. However, most assessments lack regional adaptability, particularly in cities with pronounced environmental and cultural heterogeneity. To address this gap, this study focused on the central urban area of Lhasa, using communities as units to develop a tailored CES assessment framework. The framework integrated the MaxEnt model with multi-source indicators to analyze the spatial distribution of five CES categories and their relationships with environmental variables. Spatial statistics and classification at community level informed the CES spatial optimization strategies. Results indicated that high-value CES areas were predominantly concentrated in the old city cluster, typified by Barkhor and Jibenggang subdistricts, following an east–west spatial pattern along the Lhasa River. Distance to tourist spot contributed 78.3% to cultural heritage, 86.1% to spirit and religion, and 42.2% to ecotourism and aesthetic services, making it the most influential environmental variable. At the community level, CESs exhibited a distinct spatial gradient, with higher values in the central area and lower values in the eastern and western peripheries. For the ecotourism and aesthetic category, 61.47% of the community area was classified as low service, whereas only 1.48% and 7.33% were identified as excellent and high. Moreover, communities within subdistricts such as Barkhor and Zhaxi demonstrated excellent service across four CES categories, with notably lower performance in the health category. This study presents a quantitative and adaptable framework and planning guidance to support the sustainable development of CESs in cities with similar characteristics. Full article

Under the dual pressures of climate change and anthropogenic activities, the sustainability of the fragile ecosystem on the Qingzang Plateau has garnered considerable attention. This study, taking the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhasa River, and Nianchu River Basin (YNL) of Xizang as a case study, systematically assesses the spatiotemporal evolution of its ecosystem services from 2000 to 2020. It reveals a critical dynamic: while regional ecosystem services have shown an overall improving trend over the past two decades, driven jointly by a warmer and wetter climate and ecological engineering projects, the adverse impacts of human activities have intensified significantly, posing an emerging and growing threat to regional ecological security. Based on the InVEST model, this research quantifies four key services and constructs a Comprehensive Ecosystem Service (CES) index to evaluate the overall ecosystem function. Subsequently, an integrated Principal Component Analysis and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PCA-PLS-SEM) analytical framework is employed to decouple the complex pathways driving CES successfully. The results confirm that climate and topography are the fundamental natural drivers determining the spatial pattern of ecosystem services, which is characterized as being high in the east and low in the west. The core contribution of this study lies in its quantitative identification of the coexisting reality of “ecological improvement” and “development pressure” in the region. It emphasizes that future management strategies must urgently shift from a static conservation approach to an integrated paradigm capable of proactively addressing human–land contradictions. This provides a critical scientific basis for safeguarding China’s national ecological security barrier. Full article

As research on national cultural parks advances, the significance of conducting multi-dimensional perception evaluations of their cultural ecosystem services (CESs) becomes increasingly apparent. This study examines the eight dimensions of CESs within the Grand Canal National Cultural Park from the perspective of soundscape preference. Using Tongzhou Grand Canal Forest Park as a case study, five categories of soundscapes comprising 19 sound sources were identified through the analysis of online textual data. This study then collected public preferences and perceptions of these five soundscapes via on-site questionnaires and analyzed the data using SPSS26 for correlation and IPA analyses. The results indicate that the overall evaluation of the park’s CESs is positive. There is a significant mutual influence between soundscape preference and CES perception. Specifically, the preference for natural soundscape significantly impacts the evaluation of each CES dimension, while satisfaction with leisure and entertainment is positively correlated with preferences for all types of soundscapes. Additionally, there are notable differences in soundscape preference among different age groups. These findings not only enhance our understanding of soundscape planning in national cultural parks but also provide valuable guidance for their management and design. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is an age-related muscle disease that reduces strength and function in older adults. Exercise is a key intervention, but existing protocols vary widely and often lack adaptation to sarcopenia severity. The present study aims to review the effectiveness of exercise protocols developed after the EWGSOP2 consensus and evaluate their adaptation to sarcopenia severity stages. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. PubMed and Scopus were searched for studies published after the EWGSOP2 consensus involving participants of 65 years and over with primary sarcopenia and managed through exercise-only interventions. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and quality and transparency of exercise intervention were assessed with the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 558 participants. Most interventions included resistance training, often within multicomponent programs. Statistically significant improvements were reported in muscle strength, mass, and physical performance. Additional benefits included enhancements in sleep quality, respiratory function, and specific biomarkers. However, only two studies classified sarcopenia severity, and reporting quality varied considerably. Conclusions: Exercise interventions, especially multicomponent and individualized protocols, are effective at improving outcomes related to sarcopenia in older adults. However, better alignment with diagnostic classifications and standardized reporting are needed to improve clinical translation and program replication. Full article