Search Results (649)

This study evaluates the multi-year taxonomic diversity and functional structure of beetle assemblages (Coleoptera) within Sub Arini Park, a historic urban green space in Sibiu, Romania. Following a preliminary baseline and methodological calibration phase in 2023, systematic monitoring was conducted during the 2024 and 2025 seasonal cycles utilizing standardized pitfall trapping across diverse park zones. We explicitly tested two hypotheses: (H1) that long-standing historic park management preserves a resilient and functional insect community structure, and (H2) that local spatial heterogeneity and microhabitat variations significantly drive species distribution. A total of 14,843 individuals belonging to 39 species were analyzed. While total abundance exhibited a slight decrease from 2024 (N = 7112) to 2025 (N = 6551), true diversity metrics (Hill numbers) revealed a significant increase in raw species richness (q = 0) from 30 to 39 species, alongside an enhanced equity of frequent species (Shannon diversity, q = 1, increased from 4.26 to 5.12). Functional guild analysis and multivariate PCA demonstrated a highly structured biocenotic distribution; specialist and hygrophilous species (e.g., Carabus variolosus Fabricius, 1787) were strictly constrained to high-humidity riparian corridors, whereas thermophilous generalists dominated open lawns under high anthropogenic stress. Our spatial analysis identified critical degradation within these heavily managed zones, specifically driven by intensive mowing, soil compaction, and organic debris removal. These findings confirm both hypotheses, revealing that the park operates as a heterogeneous mosaic of ecological refugia rather than a uniform habitat block. Crucially, this study provides a concrete, quantitative basis—derived from empirical thresholds of species richness, abundance shifts, and mapped microhabitat preferences—for implementing nature-based management strategies (such as establishing buffer zones with reduced mowing frequencies, limiting trampling, and retaining coarse woody debris) aimed at mitigating urban biodiversity loss and maintaining vital biological pest control services in Central–Eastern Europe. Full article

Reliable, high-quality rainfall data are vital for soil and water management, crop forecasting, and risk assessment. These applications are essential for food security, climate resilience, biodiversity monitoring, and rural livelihoods. Rainfall monitoring in Thailand is challenging due to the limited density of official stations and the inconsistent quality of data from multiple sources, compounded by calibration issues. This study introduces a comprehensive quality control (QC) approach tailored for the Thai context, presenting a systematic pipeline that clarifies the hierarchy and sequence of operations. The method uses rainfall data from 3075 stations of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) and the Thaiwater network. It includes basic QC for data completeness and advanced QC using a quality (Q) index to assess station reliability, diving the stations into five groups: poor (<50), moderate (50–80), acceptable (80–85), good (85–90), and excellent (>90). The results indicate that Thaiwater consistently achieved moderate to excellent Q index values, exceeding 70% annually, with values surpassing 90% in 2023. In contrast, the TMD maintained excellent quality, with values above 90% for all years. Out of over one million daily entries, 87% were verified as correct, though the Thaiwater data for 2024 showed only 70% accuracy. The QC procedures significantly improved data reliability, reducing the root mean square error for GSMaP and IMERG by 1.7% and 1.5%, respectively, and lowering the false alarm rate by approximately 0.001–0.002 without compromising heavy rainfall detection. A systematic QC framework is essential for ensuring high-quality datasets in rainfall applications. Full article

Brassica napus reproductive development and abiotic stress tolerance are critical for yield and quality, and characterizing key transcription factor families is vital for molecular breeding. Here, based on the B. napus cv. Darmor-bzh V5 reference genome, we systematically identified and analyzed the BnaS1fa gene family, uncovering 12 members. Their encoded proteins are mostly small, alkaline, stable, and hydrophilic, with a few having ultra-long structures. Phylogenetic analysis clustered them into three subfamilies; conserved motif and gene structure analyses revealed high overall family conservation with partial member differentiation. Promoter cis-acting element analysis showed enrichment in light, hormone, and stress-responsive elements. Chromosomal localization and intraspecific collinearity analyses indicated the family mainly derived from homologous fragment retention in A and C subgenomes. Transcriptome data demonstrated high BnaS1fa expression in late seed and silique development, with prominent heat stress responses. RT-qPCR, subcellular localization and transcriptional activity assays confirmed BnaS1fa9 and BnaS1fa10 as nuclear-localized transcription factors with heat stress-induced expression. This study elucidates BnaS1fa molecular characteristics and its potential roles in reproductive development and heat stress response, providing candidate genes for B. napus stress-resistant molecular breeding. Further functional validation of these key genes will facilitate the dissection of their precise regulatory mechanisms governing heat stress tolerance and reproductive growth, which can be ultimately applied to advance the genetic improvement of rapeseed stress resistance and yield performance. Full article

Coral mucus serves as a crucial defensive barrier for corals, where the mucus microbes play a vital role in the coral’s resistance to external stresses. However, detailed knowledge of the effect of UV radiation on coral mucus microbiome is limited, particularly regarding the UV resistance mechanisms of coral mucus microbes. This study investigates changes in the mucus microbial community and possible UV-resistant mechanisms of the mucus microbiota of Porites sp. and Favites sp. under UV stress using high-throughput sequencing, UV-resistant microbial isolation, and RT-qPCR analysis. Compared to the control, UV stress alters microbial community structure by reducing microbial diversity, e.g., the relative abundance of Aquibacter, Agaribacter, and Oleibacter in coral Porites sp., and the Roseobacter clade CHAB_I_5 lineage, Roseivirga, and Nautella in coral Favites sp. increase under UV stress. Meanwhile, it is indicated that the Favites sp. mucus microbiome is much more sensitive than the Porites sp. mucus microbiome. A total of 428 microbial strains belonging to 5 phyla, 7 classes, 15 orders, 23 families, and 47 genera were isolated from these two coral mucus species, with Ruegeria and Rossellomorea as the most abundant cultured taxa. Pseudoalteromonas galatheae strain P12 and Limimaricola pyoseonensis strains P2 and P9 have been proven to exhibit higher UV resistance by enhanced expression of tyr, sod, gogat, and uvrC genes, indicating that the UV resistance of coral mucus bacteria involves complex molecular processes, including upregulation of antioxidant enzyme expression and enhancement of melanin and glutamic acid biosynthesis. These findings enhance our understanding of coral mucus microbial ecological functions, particularly highlighting the coral mucus microbial UV resistance strategy. Full article

Despite the recognized role of oxidative stress (OS) in sperm function, limited data exist on Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway modulation in relation to reliable oxidative damage markers in human semen. In this study, 79 semen samples were collected from men undergoing semen analysis and grouped as varicocele (V, no. 22), urogenital infections (UI, no. 23), unknown fertility status without pathologies (UFS, no. 15), and fertile controls (F, no. 19). After semen analysis, ELISA were used to quantify F₂-Isoprostane (F₂-IsoPs) level, a marker of lipid peroxidation, and Nrf2 in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. The Nrf2 pathway (Keap1, Nrf2, Bach1, HO-1) was assessed in spermatozoa by qRT-PCR. Seminal plasma and sperm Nrf2 positively correlated with F₂-IsoPs (p < 0.001) and negatively with sperm vitality. Sperm Nrf2 also inversely correlated with progressive motility (p < 0.05). Seminal F₂-IsoP levels were lower in F than in the other groups. Sperm Nrf2 was significantly lower in F versus V and UI (p < 0.001) and UFS (p < 0.05), while seminal plasma Nrf2 levels did not differ among groups. qRT-PCR suggested Nrf2 pathway activation mainly in V and UI, consistent with increased OS. Elevated F₂-IsoPs, a marker of poor sperm quality, and sperm Nrf2 could suggest OS-driven Nrf2 activation, providing complementary biomarkers of oxidative status in male reproductive health. Full article

The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture has increased their levels in water bodies, threatening aquatic ecosystems. Among these, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos are widely used in Mexico and can cause toxic effects even at low doses. In aquatic organisms, early exposure to these pollutants can disrupt vital processes, such as sex determination, through oxidative stress. This study assessed the effects of exposure to environmental concentrations of glyphosate (100 μg/L), chlorpyrifos (1.5 μg/L), and their combination on zebrafish (Danio rerio) from early stages to 90 days post fertilisation (dpf). Survival was measured using Kaplan–Meier curves; lipid peroxidation was assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA); sex-related gene expression was measured by qPCR of selected genes at 30 dpf; and gonadal development was assessed by histology at 65 dpf. The results showed increased MDA levels in exposed fish. Glyphosate caused early toxicity and a higher proportion of undifferentiated fish, implying delayed sex determination. Chlorpyrifos induced oxidative stress and affected amh gene expression linked to masculinisation. Combined exposure reduced survival and altered gene expression and gonadal development. Exposure shifted the sex ratio toward males, suggesting that pesticide-induced oxidative stress may alter the expression of sex determination genes during early development. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Advanced-stage and recurrent metastatic endometrial cancer (EC) is a complex and challenging disease with a poor prognosis. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment for advanced and recurrent mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) EC. Case Presentation: A 57-year-old female patient with stage 2 dedifferentiated EC with MMRd (immunohistochemistry revealed PMS2 loss) and stage 1 renal clear cell carcinoma received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, underwent radical hysterectomy, received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and underwent partial nephrectomy. Disease progression with recurrent metastases to the third rib and T12 + L1 vertebrae was observed by positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) in April 2024. She also had concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma. Genetic testing confirmed sensitivity to dostarlimab-gxly and pembrolizumab, leading to the initiation of pembrolizumab (200 mg Q3W) and lenvatinib (20 mg QD) in June 2024 after spine surgery. Treatment-related skin toxicities prompted a dose reduction to pembrolizumab 100 mg and lenvatinib 10 mg, but persistent discomfort led to lenvatinib discontinuation in December 2024, with symptom improvement. PET-CT in October 2024 revealed significant improvement in metastatic disease, with probable residual malignancy in the left third rib and posterior pleura, whereas recent follow-up PET-CTs in April and November 2025 showed significantly decreased ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose avidity in the spine and ribs compared with prior studies. She was admitted for her 30th Keytruda cycle in February 2026, with stable vital signs, normal tumor markers, and no post-infusion adverse reactions. Conclusions: We present a 57-year-old female patient initially diagnosed with FIGO Stage 2 EC, who subsequently developed distant metastases and was restaged as FIGO Stage 4B recurrent disease. The management of this patient illustrates the multimodal treatment approach and the critical role of molecular subtyping in guiding immunotherapeutic strategies for recurrent advanced EC. Full article

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally vital oilseed and cash crop. The LONELY GUY (LOG) gene family acts as a core regulator of cytokinin activation, governing plant meristem maintenance, growth, development, and stress responses. However, the genome-wide characteristics, evolutionary dynamics, and biological functions remain largely uncharacterized in peanut. In this study, 24 AhLOG genes were identified from the cultivated peanut Tifrunner. Phylogenetic analysis, gene structure characterization, and conserved motifs validated the high evolutionary conservation of the AhLOG gene family, and subcellular localization prediction indicated most AhLOG proteins were distributed in the cytoplasm. Promoter cis-element analysis revealed abundant hormone-responsive and stress-responsive cis-elements in the promoter regions of the AhLOG genes. Synteny analysis uncovered highly conserved collinear relationships between cultivated peanut and its diploid progenitors (A. duranensis, A. ipaensis) as well as the wild tetraploid relative (A. monticola), while numerous conserved orthologous syntenic pairs were detected between peanut and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Tissue expression profiles revealed remarkable functional divergence among members: AhLOG3 and AhLOG16 were widely involved in both vegetative and reproductive development, while several other AhLOG genes exhibited strict tissue-specific expression. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that AhLOG genes were significantly induced by abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), drought and salt treatments, with distinct expression patterns under these abiotic stress conditions. Collectively, this work provides a systematic understanding of the AhLOG gene family and offers key candidate genes along with theoretical support for further functional investigation and molecular breeding of stress-resistant peanut. Full article

Pterocephalus hookeri (C.B.Clarke) Höeck is a classic traditional Tibetan medicinal herb with multiple pharmacological activities. The inconsistent usage of its medicinal parts (whole herb, aboveground part (AP), and underground part (UP)) in commercial circulation severely restricts its clinical safety and quality stability. Currently, most existing chemical investigations focus on the whole herb, whereas the intraspecific chemical discrepancies between AP and UP remain poorly clarified. Herein, an integrated analytical strategy combining ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)-based untargeted metabolomics, feature-based molecular networking (FBMN), and paper-based analytical device desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (PAD-DESI-MSI) was established to characterize differential metabolites and their spatial distribution in P. hookeri. A total of 101 compounds were annotated, and 12 vital differential metabolites were further screened with variable importance in projection (VIP) values > 1. The visualized distribution differences of these biomarkers were validated via heatmap and PAD-DESI-MSI analysis. Obvious differences in chemical accumulation characteristics were confirmed between AP and UP, which can guide reasonable clinical medication and rational dosage regulation referring to metabolite abundance. Moreover, optimized data filtering thresholds effectively eliminated metabolomic false positives, and FBMN exhibited excellent capacity for differential biomarker screening. This study provides a solid chemical basis for the quality evaluation and rational medicinal application of P. hookeri. Full article

Mitigating heavy metal (HM) contamination in soil is vital for ecological and food security. Accurately mapping these pollutants and understanding their drivers are essential prerequisites for informed regional environmental governance. However, conventional spatial interpolation techniques used to estimate HM concentrations are susceptible to systematic biases and inadequate spatial resolution. To address these limitations, this study developed a novel hybrid model, termed HASM–ANN, coupling high-accuracy surface modeling (HASM) with artificial neural networks (ANNs). This approach generated high-resolution spatial distributions of HMs (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Cr, and Pb) in agricultural soils of the Eastern Longquan Mountain region, Chengdu, China. Furthermore, the geographical detector (GD) and the Multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) models were employed to explore driving mechanisms. Results indicate that HASM–ANN significantly outperformed conventional interpolations (ordinary/universal kriging, IDW) and HASM–coupled other machine learning downscaling methods. The proposed model demonstrated high predictive accuracy, yielding R² values between 0.75 and 0.86, and consistently achieved a significantly lower RMSE across all targeted soil heavy metals compared to the HASM. Analysis of the explanatory power (q) revealed that soil As was primarily influenced by clay content (CC, q = 0.45) and available phosphorus (AP, q = 0.42), whereas Cd was mainly driven by AP (q = 0.51) and PM_2.5 (q = 0.43). The spatial distribution of Hg was largely governed by soil organic matter (SOM, q = 0.53). Additionally, Cu concentrations were determined by SOM (q = 0.38), CC (q = 0.34), and pH (q = 0.31). Notably, Cr was significantly influenced by CC (q = 0.42), pH (q = 0.38), and elevation (q = 0.31), while Pb was further driven by SOM (q = 0.46) and PM_2.5 (q = 0.39). By offering high-precision mapping and elucidating the underlying driving mechanisms, this research directly facilitates informed environmental governance to protect ecological integrity and public health. Full article

Dendroctonus valens LeConte represents a major invasive pest species in China. Both larvae and adults primarily feed on the phloem of the tree trunk base and roots, disrupting nutrient transport and leading to host tree mortality, which poses a severe threat to forest ecosystems and the forestry economy. Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) is a key enzyme in insect juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis. In this study, we identified a JHAMT-encoding gene, DvJHAMT, in D. valens via bioinformatic analysis. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that DvJHAMT is predominantly expressed during the egg and larval stages. In the fourth-instar larvae, the highest expression levels were observed in the head and epidermis, suggesting a central regulatory role during this critical developmental period. To investigate its function via RNA interference (RNAi), a nanomaterial, star polycation (SPc), was employed for the transdermal delivery of dsRNA into the fourth-instar larvae. The results demonstrated that DvJHAMT knockdown significantly downregulated mRNA levels, resulting in marked decreases in larval survival, pupation, and eclosion rates. Notably, treatment with 0.7 µg dsDvJHAMT-SPc resulted in a 96.67% mortality rate and a reduced pupation rate of 41.67% at 34 days post-treatment. Furthermore, RNAi led to developmental deformities and significant weight loss in larvae. ELISA assays confirmed that DvJHAMT silencing led to reduced JHAMT enzyme activity and JH III titers in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that DvJHAMT plays a vital role in JH biosynthesis and that its suppression exhibits potent lethal effects, suggesting that DvJHAMT is a promising candidate for RNAi-based management of D. valens. Full article

Honeybees play a vital role in pollinating crops and wild plants, but their health and efficiency are strongly influenced by their body size. Large bees tend to have longer lifespans, stronger foraging abilities, and greater resistance to diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms that control honeybees’ body size are not fully understood. In this study, we focused on 3 to 5-day-old larvae of Apis mellifera ligustica and investigated the roles and interactions of juvenile hormone (JH), juvenile hormone esterase (JHE), and TITIN in regulating honeybees’ body size using RNAi, exogenous hormone treatment, and qRT-PCR. The results showed that suppression of Jhe expression caused JH accumulation in larvae, subsequently reducing Titin expression and ultimately increasing adult body size. Furthermore, exogenous application of JHIII also inhibited the expression of Titin. Suppression of Titin expression alone directly increased the body size of adult honeybees, but did not affect the JH titer, which indicates that JH negatively regulates Titin expression in a unidirectional manner, whereas Titin does not feedback-regulate JH titer. The study suggests a regulatory link between JH, Jhe, and Titin in body size control. The discovery of this pathway, when combined with traditional breeding methods, may provide insights for future breeding strategies in honeybees. Full article

Background: Pediatric obesity (PO) is a chronic disease requiring multidisciplinary management. Recent clinical guidelines emphasize the need for accessible, patient-centered solutions, positioning mHealth interventions as vital “clinical extenders” in modern practice. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the efficacy and evolution of mHealth interventions for PO management between 2020 and 2026. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating mHealth for PO. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and a meta-analysis was performed on a subset of studies reporting zBMI data. Results: Twenty-three RCTs met the inclusion criteria, of which six were included in the quantitative synthesis. The meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in BMI z-score (MD = −0.20; 95% CI: −0.36 to −0.04; p = 0.02), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 60%; Q = 13.5, p = 0.019). Beyond anthropometric outcomes, mHealth interventions consistently improved behavioral parameters, including dietary quality and sedentary time. However, engagement declined over time in standalone digital interventions (“mHealth fade-out”), whereas hybrid models integrating human support demonstrated improved retention and sustained effects. Anthropometric and behavioral outcomes showed partially divergent trajectories, with behavioral improvements often preceding measurable changes in BMI, and data on body composition were rarely reported, limiting a more precise understanding of changes in adiposity beyond BMI. Conclusions: mHealth is an effective catalyst for obesity management when integrated into a multidisciplinary framework. Future protocols must prioritize developmental tailoring—targeting parental empowerment in early childhood and encouraging adolescent autonomy—to ensure sustained engagement and a clinical focus that looks beyond BMI. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vancomycin hydrochloride (HCl) for injection is a vital antibiotic for severe infections. Vancomycin is an indispensable first-line antibiotic for life-threatening infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia and serves as a key oral agent for severe Clostridium difficile infection. This makes rigorous quality monitoring essential. Concerns about the efficacy of certain generic vancomycin HCl products have prompted regulatory agencies to increase post-market evaluations to ensure patient safety. Aligned with these efforts, this study aimed to comparatively evaluate the potency and quality of five randomly procured generic intravenous vancomycin HCl products marketed in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Using both microbiological and chemical methodologies as recommended by the US Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines. Results: The microbiological assay, utilizing the USP “Antibiotics—Microbial Assay” method using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 via the agar diffusion technique, demonstrated a strong linear correlation (R² > 0.98) between inhibition zone diameters and vancomycin concentration. All five tested generics products showed compliance (~ 105%) with USP <81> biological activity standards. For chemical quantification, a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated according to ICH Q2(R2) guidance. This method showed excellent linearity (R² = 0.998), accuracy (96.9–102%), and good precision. Conclusions: Both methods confirmed the potency of the tested generics within USP limits. However, minor variations observed between microbiological and chemical results highlight the importance of employing complementary techniques for comprehensive quality assessment. These findings underscore the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and ongoing post-market surveillance to ensure the continued safety, efficacy, and availability of quality-assured generic antibiotics in the Saudi market. Full article

The maturation of oocytes is a critical step in mammalian reproduction, involving dynamic regulation of gene expression. Therefore, investigating how gene expression varies during different stages of oocyte maturation is highly important. This study employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze bovine oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (MII) stages. The results identified 1787 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two stages, with 1556 genes upregulated and 231 downregulated in the GV stage. Further investigation using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that the upregulated genes are mainly involved in mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism, whereas the downregulated genes are primarily associated with signaling pathways. Validation through RT-qPCR confirmed that COA4, TKT and GPX4 were significantly higher in GV-stage oocytes, while ISG15, MAP1LC3C and ZEB2 were notably downregulated. This study highlights significant gene expression differences between GV and MII bovine oocytes, underscoring the vital roles of genes related to energy metabolism and signaling during oocyte maturation. The expression patterns of these genes provide important molecular markers for further elucidating the mechanisms underlying oocyte maturation. Full article