Search Results (547)

Vetch (Vicia sativa L.), an important forage legume, faces increasing drought stress due to climate change. This study evaluated drought responses in 26 genotypes using both in vitro and field trials. In vitro experiments analysed seedlings grown on culture media either with 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) to simulate drought (C20) or without PEG as a control (C0), measuring root and shoot dry weights as well as proline content. Field trials under rainfed and drought conditions assessed 100 seed weight and seed weight per plant. All traits studied exhibited high variability, with elevated coefficients of variation and broad-sense heritability. Seedling roots grown in C20 had higher dry weight than those in C0, while shoots showed the opposite trend. In C20 medium, proline content increased significantly—by 118.1% in roots and 131.1% in shoots. However, proline concentration did not correlate with field yield traits, limiting its utility as a drought tolerance marker. Principal component analysis grouped genotypes based on biomass production and drought response. Importantly, in vitro root and shoot dry weights were positively correlated with field yield traits, indicating their value as early predictors of agronomic performance and offering a useful tool for selection in vetch breeding programmes. Full article

Background/objectives: Geographic and ethnic differences influence the genetic landscape of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and the frequency of familial HLH (FHL); this in turn can affect outcomes. Methods: We collected data on 98 patients treated for HLH between 1 January 2001 and 31 July 2024 at four tertiary centers, characterizing the genotype/phenotype correlations. Results: Half of the patients, 51 (52%), were symptomatic by age 1 year and 43 (44%) were diagnosed by that age. Our varied population included 43% Sephardic/Ashkenazi/Ethiopian Jews, 50% Muslim Arabs, and 7% Druze. Molecular analysis was performed on 90.5% of patients and revealed an FHL-related variant in 72%. The genetic variation included biallelic variants in PRF1 (21), UNC13D (12), STXBP2 (15), and STX (1). Eight hemizygous variants were found in X-linked lymphoproliferative disorder-related genes. A RAB27A monoallelic variant in an infant with a severe phenotype was considered pathogenic. The recently described HLH-related gene, ZNFX1, was mutated with varying penetrance in three symptomatic siblings. Overall, of the 94/98 with follow-up, 77% are alive. Strikingly, 5/12 (41.6%) patients with UNC13D variants died while 14/15 (93.3%) patients with STXBP2 variants survived. Logistic regression found poor prognosis associated with young age at diagnosis (p < 0.001), any variant (p = 0.016), UNC13D variant (p < 0.001), poor initial treatment response (p = 0.009), and no BMT (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Our cohort included an extremely high rate of genetic testing and detection of FHL-related variants. UNC13D variations are associated with exceedingly poor outcomes. Response to initial treatment seems crucial for positive outcomes, as does access to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Overall, we report a high survival rate, possibly due to a high index of suspicion and prompt diagnosis. Full article

A microgrid (MG) topology combines various kinds of resources like solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines (WTs), energy storage systems, and the conventional utility grid. These different resources need to be coordinated in an optimal way to keep the power balanced, reduce the operational cost, and make the system resilient to any kind of failures. Therefore, an efficient energy management system (EMS) is essential in an MG system to provide suitable and reliable operation under different weather and demand load conditions. In this paper, a new EMS-based multi-objective Nizar Optimization Algorithm (NOA) is proposed. The suggested EMS aims to improve the power quality problem caused by the unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources and then minimize the grid power and battery degradation costs. By leveraging the adaptability of the NOA, the applied EMS method simply optimizes the allocation and energy sharing of the resources in a grid-connected MG. The proposed EMS was verified in simulation using MATLAB software. The performance of the proposed EMS was tested under different weather conditions, and the obtained results have been compared with those obtained in the existing methods. The obtained results indicate that the proposed EMS based on the NOA is capable of adjusting the multi-source energy allocation with minimal grid costs and the battery degradation issue. The proposed NOA indicates robust performance with total cost savings varying from USD 17 to USD 34 compared to other optimizers, as well as a great reduction in degradation cost, up to 27% improvement over the conventional methods. Finally, the proposed EMS offers several advantages over the conventional methods, including the improved dynamic system, faster convergence, lower operational costs, and higher energy efficiency. Full article

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, and animal models are essential for studying its pathophysiology and testing therapeutic strategies. In this study, a novel hydrogel-based approach was developed and evaluated to induce experimental glaucoma in mice, using composites of hyaluronic acid (HA) and the self-assembling peptide fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (FmocFF). Two formulations with different HA-to-FmocFF ratios were injected either intracamerally or intravitreally in C57BL/6 mice. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored over 21 days, and retinal tissues were analyzed histologically and immunohistochemically. Significant IOP elevation was observed in one hydrogel formulation (Mixture B), yet without detectable retinal ganglion cell loss. A significant reduction in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) density, independent of IOP changes or injection site, was observed in Mixture A. Histological staining confirmed successful delivery and localization of the hydrogel in the anterior chamber, and no evidence of gliosis, microglial activation, or increased apoptosis was revealed by immunostaining. Collectively, these data position the HA-FmocFF hydrogel as a proof-of-concept that advances glaucoma model development, although it does not yet recapitulate the full disease. This model may facilitate future studies of neuroprotection and disease-modifying therapies in glaucoma without confounding inflammatory responses. Full article

Wildfire detection remains a critical challenge for authorities, with human activity being the leading cause. The historical conditions prevailing in burned forest areas require a comprehensive analysis at both the environmental and anthropogenic levels. This study presents a multidimensional dataset comprising data from 2008 to 2024 and integrating Earth observation data and anthropogenic, environmental, meteorological, topographic, and fire-related features. This study evaluates, through time series analysis, the impact of climate trends such as increased temperature in comparison with anthropogenic activities such as deliberate fires. Time series analysis reveals that although climatic conditions with increased temperature and reduced precipitation in Cyprus intensify the risk of fire, the presence of fire events is primarily due to deliberate actions. The findings of this study support national-scale fire modeling, offering a foundation for targeted prevention, early warning systems, and sustainable forest fire management strategies. Full article

Background: Chronic wrist pain is becoming increasingly recognized among athletes engaging in wrist-loading activities such as handstands. However, its prevalence and associated risk factors in handstand practitioners have not been systematically studied. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic wrist pain and to explore associated factors such as discipline, training habits, and pain management strategies. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of chronic wrist pain among handstand practitioners. Eligible participants were individuals aged 18 years or older, of any gender, who practiced handstands regularly (defined as at least once per week). Participants were recruited via a combination of open invitations on social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram) and direct outreach to movement studios and training communities. The survey was administered online using Google Forms and remained open for two months. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Descriptive statistics were used to present sociodemographic characteristics, including age group, gender, sport discipline, and weekly training hours. Participants reported training habits, equipment use, pain history, and management strategies via a self-developed questionnaire designed for this study. Chronic pain was defined as recurring or persistent wrist pain. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses. Associations between chronic wrist pain and survey variables were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests for nominal data, and Chi-square test for trend for ordinal data. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 321 participants were included in the study. The most represented age group was 25–34 years, comprising 123 (38.3%) of the participants. Gender distribution was 174 (54.2%) males and 147 (45.8%) females. The most common sport disciplines were Yoga (88, 27.4%), Capoeira (60, 18.7%), and Movement (52, 16.2%). Chronic wrist pain was reported by 182 (56.7%) of participants. Younger age was significantly associated with higher pain prevalence (p = 0.042). No significant associations were observed between chronic pain and weekly training hours, warm-up routines, brace use, or grip device use. Female participants demonstrated more proactive pain management behaviors (p = 0.016). Sport discipline and training practices showed non-significant trends toward pain differences. Conclusions: Chronic wrist pain is common among handstand practitioners, particularly among younger athletes. These findings suggest that injury risk may relate more to training intensity and biomechanics than to simple training volume. Further research incorporating objective diagnostics and standardized intervention protocols is warranted. Full article

Monitoring and tracking the long-term dynamics of vineyard coverage and fresh grape production can support sustainable agricultural planning under evolving climate, market, and land-use pressures. This study presents a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of global viticulture trends from 1961 to 2023, integrating the official statistical database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOSTAT) for grape-producing countries. We applied statistical trend analysis (Mann–Kendall test), Random Forest regression modeling, cross-correlation functions, and dissimilarity analysis to examine patterns and drivers of change in vineyard area, production volume, yield efficiency, and land-use intensity. Our results reveal a significant global decoupling of production from vineyard areas, driven by increasing yields and technological intensification, particularly in rapidly expanding table grape markets in Asia. While traditional European wine regions are reducing vineyard coverage, emerging producers such as China and India are achieving high production with improved land efficiency. Production volume emerged as the dominant predictor of vineyard-harvested areas, while climatic factors, urbanization, and socio-economic dynamics also exerted significant influence. Our findings point to growing polarization in production amounts, alongside convergence in yield and management efficiency across countries. These findings contribute to the understanding of global viticulture transformation and provide insights into optimizing land-use strategies for sustainable grape production under climate change and market evolution. Full article

The awareness of the potential risks associated with the environmental exposition of asbestos is on the rise and has facilitated a new interest in in situ identification and assessment of the hazards of fibrous minerals. The mineralised metacarbonate rocks of the Guelb Moghrein deposit have not been studied regarding the identification and characterisation of fibrous minerals occurrences. Thus, the aim of this study was to collect samples from different lithotypes with visually identifiable fibrous minerals and to examine the geological–structural features pertaining to their mode of occurrence and formation. The mineral fibre components of the rock samples demonstrate that fibrous and asbestiform mineralisation occurred via several modes, including fracture fill, slip-fibre recrystallisation and replacement. The geological diversity of fibrous amphibole mineralisation points to the chemistry of the rocks in this area and open space being the major factors controlling the presence of NOA in this deposit. The variability of NOA due to different fibrous mineral intergrowths is investigated by determining the bulk mineralogical and geochemical properties of the fibrous mineral content of each sample. A novel observation was pointed out in this study, showing the coexistence of fibrous siderite and anthophyllite. The identification of the asbestiform features exhibited by siderite, anthophyllite and talc in the mineralised metacarbonate of the Guelb Moghrein deposit underlines the necessity for further mineralogical research to enhance our understanding of fibrous minerals and how we assess their potential hazards to health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Table tennis is commonly perceived as a recreational or competitive sport; however, growing evidence highlights its potential as a multidimensional tool for health promotion. This study investigates the perceived physical, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of regular table tennis practice, emphasizing its contribution to health beyond the purely sporting dimension. Methods: A mixed-method design with a predominantly quantitative approach was employed. A structured questionnaire was administered to 329 table tennis players in Catalonia. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multiple linear regression, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward’s method) were conducted to examine perceived benefits and identify user profiles. Factor analysis revealed two dimensions: physical–cognitive and emotional–social benefits. Results: The EFA produced a robust two-factor structure, explaining 76.6% of the variance (KMO = 0.941; Bartlett’s test, p < 0.001). Both dimensions showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.91). Regression analysis demonstrated that both factors significantly predicted the overall perception of table tennis as a health-enhancing activity (R² = 0.199), with physical–cognitive benefits exerting the strongest effect (β = 0.375; p < 0.001). Cluster analysis identified three distinct profiles: Skeptical, Functional, and Integrative—with significant differences in perceived benefits (η² = 0.710 for the emotional–social factor). Conclusions: Table tennis emerges as an inclusive, low-impact activity with strong potential to foster physical, emotional, and social well-being. Its accessibility and adaptability make it appropriate for diverse populations. These findings support its inclusion in public health strategies and community programs promoting holistic wellness. Future research should further explore motivational drivers across profiles and extend analyses to underrepresented populations. Full article

Magnolia pugana (Iltis & A. Vazquez) A. Vázquez & Carvajal, an endemic Mexican species of the Magnoliaceae family, has received limited phytochemical and pharmacological attention. This study reports, for the first time, the chemical composition and in vitro bioactivities of essential oils (EOs) obtained from its leaves, flowers, and seeds. EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and flame ionization detection (GC-FID), revealing cyclocolorenone, a sesquiterpene, as the major compound (38–40%) across all plant parts. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH• and ABTS• radical scavenging assays, complemented by bioautographic thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Antibacterial activity was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against human pathogenic bacteria, while cytotoxicity was assessed in MCF-7 (breast) and HT-29 (colon) cancer cell lines. Seed and flower EOs exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 21.5 mg/mL and 9.04 mg/mL, respectively. Strong antibacterial effects were observed against Gram-positive strains, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 355.11 µg/mL) and S. aureus (MIC = 710.23 µg/mL). Leaf EO showed selective cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ = 27.25 µg/mL), while seed EO was most active against HT-29 cells (IC₅₀ = 54.01 µg/mL). These results suggest that M. pugana EOs, especially those from seeds, are a promising source of natural antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents. Full article

The impact of aerosols and clouds on solar energy production is a critical factor for the performance of photovoltaic systems, particularly in regions with dynamic and seasonally variable atmospheric conditions. In Northwestern Greece, the bifacial solar park in Kozani—the largest in Eastern Europe—serves as a valuable case study for evaluating these effects over a 20-year period (2004–2024). By integrating ERA5 reanalysis data and CAMS satellite-based radiation products with modeling tools such as PVGIS, seasonal and annual trends in solar irradiance attenuation were investigated. Results indicate that aerosols have the greatest impact on solar energy production during spring and summer, primarily due to increased anthropogenic and natural emissions, while cloud cover exerts the strongest effect in winter, consistent with the region’s climatic characteristics. ERA5’s estimation of absolute energy output shows a strong correlation with CAMS satellite data (R² = 0.981), supporting its reliability for trend analysis and climatological studies related to solar potential dynamics in the Southern Balkans. The bifacial park demonstrates an increasing energy yield of approximately 800.71 MWh/year over the study period, corresponding to an annual reduction of ~538 metric tons of CO₂ and a financial gain of ~12,827 €. This is the first study in the Eastern Mediterranean that combined ERA5 and CAMS datasets with the PVGIS simulation tool in a long-term evaluation of bifacial PV systems. The combined use of reanalysis and satellite datasets, rarely applied in previous studies, highlights the importance of localized, climate-informed modeling for energy planning and management, especially in a region undergoing delignification and decarbonization. Full article

Kiwifruit (Actinidia Lindl.) cultivation is restricted to climates similar to its native habitat in China. The seeds, a product of sexual reproduction, are used to produce rootstocks in commercial plantations, being an important source of genetic diversity for adaptation to variable conditions and emerging challenges. It is known that obtaining kiwifruit plants from seeds is difficult due to their characteristic dormancy. However, the effect of habitat and parents on seed characteristics and their relationship to the seedlings produced is unknown. Here, we show that plants with tolerance to extreme conditions provide advantages to their offspring. We point out that Actinidia arguta cv. Passion Poppers (kiwiberry), capable of tolerating extreme temperatures below zero, has a larger seed size (volume over 15 mm³) and weight (100 seeds weigh nearly 200 mg), greater germination capacity (90.75 ± 1.03), and more robust seedlings (quotient of 20.28 ± 0.75) than classic green and golden kiwifruits, and one tropicalized commercial kiwifruit from Veracruz, Mexico. These findings highlight that parental origin influences seed quality and seedling establishment. We noted that A. arguta seeds offer opportunities for mass plant propagation. In addition, the use of parental plants adapted to extreme conditions could be an effective strategy to improve seed and seedling quality, with factors such as long-term survival and development in new environments awaiting to be explored in extent. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lung cancer (LC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, with both environmental and occupational exposures contributing to its incidence. While oncogene-addicted tumors—defined by single driver mutations—have garnered attention due to their therapeutic implications, less is known about the mutational landscape of tumors potentially arising from occupational exposure to carcinogens. This real-life observational study aimed to assess whether previous occupational exposure to lung carcinogens correlates with distinct LC phenotypes, particularly non-oncogene-addicted (nOA) profiles. Methods: A total of 199 LC patients were enrolled across two specialized oncology centers in Northern Italy between 2021 and 2023. Each participant underwent detailed occupational history taking and molecular characterization using next-generation sequencing. Patients were stratified into nonexposed (NE), low exposed (LE), and high exposed (HE) to carcinogens for lung based on standardized questionnaires and sector-specific assessments. Results: No significant differences were found in histological subtypes across exposure groups. However, people with adenocarcinoma and high occupational exposure to lung carcinogens were more frequently characterized by a nOA phenotype compared to those with low occupational exposure. Logistic regression models—adjusted for age, sex, and smoking habits—confirmed that HE patients had a significantly higher likelihood of developing nOA tumors (OR = 3.07; 95% CI: 1.16–8.11; p = 0.023). This association persisted after adjusting for smoking habits Exposures occurring 5–10 years before diagnosis seemed to be associated with an increased nOA profile. Conclusions: These findings suggest that high levels of exposure to occupational carcinogens impact LC phenotypes. Indeed, these phenotypes are more complex to treat and show the worst prognosis. Assessing the occupational exposure to lung carcinogens during work may offer prognostic insights and support the request for more adequate compensation for the patients. Further studies are warranted to validate these results and to explain the mechanisms that produce the differences observed in LC phenotypes in people with high exposure to occupational carcinogens. Full article

This study investigated the factors influencing user acceptance of the Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) functionality in new energy vehicles in China. An extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was developed, incorporating additional factors such as social influence, travel scenarios, price value, perceived trust and perceived risk. A questionnaire survey was conducted in Guangzhou, China, and 260 valid responses were obtained. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between the factors. The results indicated that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, travel scenarios, price value, and perceived trust had significant positive effects on attitudes towards NOA, whereas social influence and perceived risk did not. Attitude was the primary determinant of the behavioral intention to use NOA. The findings suggest that to enhance NOA acceptance, new energy vehicle companies should emphasize specific application scenarios, reduce technology costs, provide value-added services, and strengthen user trust in the technology. This study contributes to the understanding of NOA acceptance and provides practical insights into the promotion of driver assistance systems in the context of new energy vehicles in China. Full article

Background: Fumarate hydratase (FH) deficiency is a rare metabolic alteration in breast cancer that may drive tumor progression through angiogenic remodeling. However, its role in shaping the tumor microenvironment remains poorly defined, limiting our understanding of metabolism-driven angiogenesis and its therapeutic significance. Methods: We analyzed genomic and transcriptomic profiles from thousands of breast cancer samples, including the TCGA cohort, to identify FH mutations and copy number alterations. Differential expression, pathway enrichment, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed to characterize metabolic and signaling changes. Clinical relevance was examined in a triple-negative breast cancer patient with an FH mutation treated with bevacizumab. Results: FH alterations were enriched in larger, primary tumors and in older patients. FH-deficient tumors displayed metabolic reprogramming, with reduced oxidative phosphorylation and TCA cycle activity, accompanied by upregulation of angiogenesis, VEGF signaling, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition pathways. WGCNA identified 11 hub genes (including CDH5, CLDN5, VWF, and PECAM1) linked to a pro-angiogenic microenvironment. A clinical case illustrated a durable and exceptional response to bevacizumab-based therapy in an FH-mutant patient. Conclusions: FH deficiency promotes an angiogenic tumor microenvironment and may serve as a predictive biomarker for VEGF-targeted therapies. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities to inform precision oncology. Full article