Search Results (107)

Background/Objectives: Nitrogen, as an indispensable macroelement for plants, is essential for tuber development. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the key factors underlying nitrogen regulation of potato tuber formation. Methods: The potato variety Kexin 37 was used as the material, and nitrogen deficiency, normal nitrogen level and excessive nitrogen level were employed as treatments, respectively. The response of potato tuber formation to nitrogen was systematically analyzed from the perspective of physiology and transcriptomics. Results: Nitrogen deficiency led to the thickening of the cell wall and plasma membrane, an increase in intercellular space and a decrease in mitochondria in the stolon. The plant height, chlorophyll content, dry matter quality and nitrogen accumulation were significantly reduced, and the number of tubers per plant, tuber weight per plant and commodity rate were significantly reduced. Excessive nitrogen application resulted in late maturity of plants and excessive formation of small potatoes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes related to nitrogen stress were mainly enriched in pathways associated with material transport, cell division and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, there are a series of hub genes in response to nitrogen stress, including polyubiquitin-like, auxin response factor 7-like and protein RRP6-like 2. By constructing a co-expression network, transcription factors (TFs) such as C2H2, WRKY and ARF are involved in regulating tuber formation. Conclusions: The present study constitutes an investigation into the identification of hub genes and potential pathways associated with the formation of potato tubers under varying nitrogen conditions. It provides new insights for further study on enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in potato. Full article

The design of multifunctional biomaterials that offer both structural support and biochemical cues is essential for enhancing tissue regeneration. In this study, hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds composed of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and bioactive factors secreted by Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were fabricated via co-electrospinning. Nanofibers were produced in aligned and random configurations following an optimized protocol developed at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC). Their morphology and topography were characterized by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and fiber orientation was quantified via Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis. The scaffolds showed fiber diameters of 542.9 ± 62.3 nm, with aligned fibers predominantly oriented within 20° of the principal axis. Human AD-MSCs were used to assess biocompatibility and cell–material interactions. Aligned and random nanofiber architectures elicited distinct cellular responses. AD-MSCs on aligned fibers exhibited smaller spreading areas (~320 μm²) vs. on random nanofibers (~500 μm²) and substantially higher proliferation, resulting in a shorter cell-doubling time (~25 h) than those on random nanofibers (~130 h) or control substrates (~70 h). In addition, aligned nanofibers promoted markedly faster migration, reaching rates of ~5000 μm²/h surface coverage, compared with random nanofibers (~770 μm²/h) and controls (~1800 μm²/h). Together, the results show that nanofiber alignment and biochemical functionalization jointly influence MSC behavior and improve regeneration, highlighting the potential of these PLCL-based hybrid secretome/PLCL nanofibers for advanced wound healing. Full article

This article examines the policy drift of the 1st Right, Portugal’s main housing program, originally designed to guarantee the right to adequate housing for families in situations of severe deprivation. This study aims to analyze how the program’s integration into the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) reconfigured its redistributive objectives. Taking the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA) as a critical case, this study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining systematic documentary and legislative analysis (2018–2025), discourse analysis of official communications, and empirical analysis of 18 municipal Local Housing Strategies, supplemented by financial execution data from RRP monitoring reports. The results reveal three interlinked forms of policy drift: (i) territorial deviation, driven by unequal municipal capacities and resource absorption; (ii) instrumental deviation, resulting from the prioritization of rehabilitation of pre-existent public housing stock over the provision of new housing; and (iii) social deviation, marked by the expansion of eligibility criteria that extend benefits to middle-income groups. Together, these dynamics demonstrate how a social-rights-based housing policy can be reshaped when integrated into a financial recovery framework, such as the RRP. This article contributes to international debates on housing governance by demonstrating how multilevel financing mechanisms can reinforce territorial inequalities, reorient policy instruments, and dilute redistributive objectives—even within ostensibly progressive recovery frameworks. It concludes by advocating for stronger social performance monitoring, differentiated instruments for distinct target groups, and improved temporal alignment between social policy objectives and EU funding cycles. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diffuse sinonasal exophytic papillomas (DSNEPs) are rare entities, with similarities to recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRPs). DSNEP treatment is usually based on surgical excision, but the recurrence rate is high. Bevacizumab injections have been increasingly used as an adjuvant option for RRP, but their role in DSNEP treatment remains unknown. The current study describes the preliminary experience, safety profile, and exploratory outcomes of sublesional bevacizumab injections following surgical excision. Methods: We undertook a retrospective, single-centre study of a cohort of patients diagnosed with DSNEP between 2011 and 2018. All patients were treated with surgical excision and sublesional bevacizumab injections. The effect of bevacizumab was evaluated using a severity score developed to quantify lesion size and the extent of affected areas in each patient. Results: Seven patients diagnosed with DSNEP were treated. All patients were male, with a median age at diagnosis of 42 years [38–44.5]. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was detected in all patients: HPV-11 in six cases (85.7%) and HPV-6 in one case (14.3%). Bevacizumab was injected into the submucosa of their surgical sites. The median follow-up was 55.5 months [40.85–82.73]. Most patients (85.72%) presented recurrence, with a median of 3 years [1.5–4]. A statistically significant reduction in the severity score was observed (p = 0.017), although this finding cannot be attributed solely to bevacizumab due to study design limitations. No relevant complications were reported. Conclusions: Nasal sublesional bevacizumab injections were well tolerated and feasible as an adjuvant approach to DSNEP. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm its safety and assess its potential benefit. Full article

The two-component system HPK₆/RRP₆ related to the pln locus of plantaricin biosynthesis was screened out. The overexpression of LuxR-type regulator RRP₆ promoted the transcription of ABC transporter-related genes, thereby increasing plantaricin EF yield. Its yield in 163(rrp₆) reached 16.01 mg/L, which was 1.20-fold that of the original strain. The regulatory mechanism indicated that RRP₆ could bind to two sites of the plnG1 promoter, promoting its transcription and translation, accelerating the secretion of plantaricin and auto-inducing peptide, and enhancing the extracellular plantaricin yield. Amino acids Q73, R144, T171, and Y175 play a crucial role in the binding of RRP₆. Furthermore, potential regulatory compensation within the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 163 genome may compensate for the negative effects after the deletion of rrp₆. These results provide a novel strategy for increasing plantaricin EF yield, which facilitates its large-scale application as a natural and safe food preservative in agriculture and the food industry. Full article

Baseline-free methods in structural health monitoring (SHM) are crucial as they allow for real-time damage detection and assessment, eliminating the dependency on initial condition data. This study proposes a baseline-free damage detection method for pipes by combining line-structured light (LSL) with regional resonance pairs (RRPs). The 5 damage indices, combined with the RRP frequency ratio, enable Level 3 damage identification (detection, location, and quantification). The key idea is to sort the RRP frequencies to predict the damage location. A pre-established quantitative relationship is then used to estimate the damage based on the form of material volume loss. The proposed method is evaluated by 800 simulated test cases, showing an accuracy of around 90% for damage detection, location, and quantification. The method is further validated through modal data from a pipe with artificial damage, which provides a novel idea for baseline-free damage identification in pipes. Full article

Background: Liver regeneration is essential for restoring hepatic mass after injury or resection, with metabolic reprogramming as a critical driver. Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (RRP), a traditional Chinese medicine for chronic liver diseases, regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. This study evaluated the effects of RRP on liver regeneration and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods: A 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) mouse model was employed, and integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted to characterize the global features of RRP-induced metabolic reprogramming and its association with hepatocyte proliferation. To further validate these findings, the AML12 hepatocyte cell line and primary mouse hepatocytes were used to identify key targets of RRP. Results: RRP significantly enhanced liver regeneration, as evidenced by the upregulation of hepatocyte proliferation markers. Transcriptomic, metabolomic, and biochemical analyses showed that RRP promoted lipid catabolism and H3K27ac remodeling-dependent hepatocyte proliferation by increasing acetyl-CoA flux. RRP also enhanced carbohydrate consumption and pentose phosphate pathway, as well as protecting mitochondrial integrity, which contribute to both energy production and nucleotide synthesis during cell cycle progression. Notably, RRP-induced AMPK activation was involved in these metabolic reprogramming events, since pharmacological inhibition of AMPK with Compound C attenuated the promotive effects of RRP on liver regeneration. Conclusions: RRP promotes liver regeneration by enhancing metabolic reprogramming mediated by AMPK activation, highlighting its therapeutic potential for metabolic adaptation and postoperative recovery in compromised liver. Full article

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and thoracic radiotherapy are standard treatments for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in patients with high PD-L1 expression or symptoms such as superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). Both therapies carry a risk of pulmonary toxicity, which may be exacerbated by opportunistic infections due to corticosteroid use. We report a unique case of a 65-year-old man with squamous-cell NSCLC and high PD-L1 expression (80%), who developed a rare complication: radiation recall pneumonitis (RRP), with superimposed Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and severe symptomatic hyponatremia induced by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). The coexistence of these three complications—radiotherapy- and immunotherapy-associated lung injury, opportunistic infection, and electrolyte imbalance—represents an exceptional clinical scenario not previously described in the literature. This report highlights the importance of differential diagnosis, early recognition of complications, and close monitoring of electrolytes in NSCLC patients undergoing complex treatment regimens. Full article

Soil erosion affects agricultural and environmental sustainability and needs to be addressed. The Cagayan de Oro River Basin (CDORB), one of the major river basins in the Philippines, provides economic, social, and environmental services to the city and municipalities inside the basin. More than 70% of the area of the river basin is devoted to various forms of agricultural production. Land cover critically influences erosion dynamics as vegetation reduces rainfall impact, enhances infiltration, and limits sediment transport. This study employs the Hydrologic Engineering Center–Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) integrated with the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) to evaluate soil erosion under different rainfall return periods (5, 10, 25, 50, 100 years) and four land cover scenarios: No Reforestation Intervention (NI), Maximum Forest Cover (MF), Slope-Based Land Use (SB), and Reforestation on Public Domain (PD). Model results showed that soil loss increased with rainfall intensity, with NI yielding the highest average erosion of 1443 t ha⁻¹. Conservation scenarios reduced erosion by up to 53% compared to NI. Among the conservation scenarios, MF, SB, and PD yielded average erosion of 21, 716, and 1304 t ha⁻¹, respectively. While the MF scenario had the least soil loss, no space was assigned for economic production. On the other hand, the SB approach offered the best balance, halving erosion across all rainfall return periods, but at the same time has sufficient space available for economic production. These findings demonstrate the scientific value of integrating HEC-HMS and MUSLE for event-based erosion modeling and highlight how comparing multiple land-cover scenarios can inform data-driven land use planning and policy formulation for sustainable watershed management. Full article

Background: Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a rare form of PKD that leads to the development of multiple renal cysts and hepatic fibrosis. Aim: The first documented case of large hepatic cyst associated with dual PKHD1-PKD1 variants. Case report: We present the case of a 5-year-old boy with a kidney US image typical of ARPKD and numerous large cysts in the liver not typical for this disease. Genetic analysis revealed heterozygous missense mutations in the PKHD1 gene (maternally, c.107C>T/p.Thr36Met in exon 3; paternally, c.4870C>T/p.Arg1624Rrp in exon 32) and an additional new variant in PKD1 (maternally, c.5323G>A/p.Gly1775Ser in exon 32). Genetic tests excluded mutations in genes responsible for polycystic liver disease (PCLD). However, the presence of the PKD1 mutation is clinically not clear due to the normal abdominal US image in the mother; it seems to be the most likely explanation for unusual phenotype in our patient. Conclusions: This case may contribute to the understanding of the phenotypic variability in ARPKD and the potential modifying role of mutations in other PKD-related genes. Comprehensive genetic panels are crucial for explaining atypical phenotypes and prognosis in patients with PKD. Full article

Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) secrete a rich array of paracrine factors including growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles that hold promises for regenerative medicine. This study evaluated the effects of WJ-MSC-derived secretome on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), focusing on their adhesion, spreading, proliferation, endogenous collagen secretion, and migration. Morphometric analysis revealed that the secretome enhanced cell adhesion and spreading on rat tail collagen (RTC) substrates after 24 h. AD-MSCs showed a ~30% increase in the cell spreading area (from 4007 μm² to 5081 μm²p < 0.05), though without notable shape changes. In contrast, fetal bovine serum (FBS) promoted cell elongation with a reduced aspect ratio. Proliferation assays demonstrated a selective stimulatory effect of the secretome on AD-MSCs with a significant increase at day 3, while HDFs’ proliferation remained unchanged. Cell cycle profiling showed transient S-phase accumulation in AD-MSCs (24–48 h), followed by G0/G1 arrest (72 h), while HDFs remained in G0/G1. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed the enhanced extracellular deposition of endogenously synthesized collagen in AD-MSCs, while no comparable response was observed in HDFs. Scratch assays showed increased migration in both cell types upon secretome exposure compared to collagen-only controls, suggesting a paracrine-mediated pro-migratory effect. These results demonstrate that WJ-MSC secretome boosts the regenerative capacity in AD-MSCs while keeping fibroblasts quiescent, highlighting its strong potential for cell-free therapies in tissue engineering, wound repair, and regenerative medicine. Full article

The awareness of tourism’s environmental impact has increased interest in sustainable alternatives such as green hotels, yet tourists often fail to translate pro-environmental attitudes into action, reflecting the attitude–behavior gap. This study extends the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by incorporating Environmental Knowledge and Climate Change-Related Risk Perceptions (CC-RRPs) as background factors and testing their effects on Green Hotel Purchase Intentions (GHPIs) among Spanish travelers. Data from 1442 respondents were analyzed using covariance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with bootstrapped mediation testing. Results show that In-Group Norms are the strongest predictor of GHPIs, followed by Eco-Hotel Attitudes, while Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) has a weaker but significant effect. Environmental Knowledge predicts all three mediators, and CC-RRPs predict Attitudes and Norms but not PBC. Crucially, both antecedents affect GHPIs only indirectly, supporting a mediation-based framework. These findings clarify the distinct roles of Environmental Knowledge as a cognitive antecedent and CC-RRPs as cognitive–affective evaluations that motivate attitudes and norms, while also highlighting the centrality of social influence in a Southern European context. Beyond theoretical contributions, the results underscore the importance of trust and authenticity: addressing greenwashing through transparent communication and credible certification frameworks is essential to ensure sustainable hospitality choices. Full article

Objectives: The aim of the study was to gauge the clinical usefulness of the Derkay scale in assessing the severity of voice dysfunction in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Material and Methods: The study included 29 patients (8 women and 21 men) with a mean age of 40.2 years. To subjectively assess each patient’s voice, the Polish version of the Voice Handicap Index questionnaire was used. Acoustic parameters were calculated using the Multidimensional Voice Program, which included mean fundamental frequency (F0), frequency changes (% Jitter), amplitude changes (% Shimmer), noise-to-harmonic ratios (NHRs), and the soft phonation Index (SPI). The stage of RRP was assessed using the Derkay scale, together with the anatomical location of the lesion (from laryngeal endoscopy) and the impact RRP had on the general condition of the patient. Results: In women, Derkay clinical and total scores showed significant, positive, and strong correlations with almost all VHI-30 subscales (rho = 0.73–0.76). In men, the correlations were weaker (rho = 0.38–0.55) but were strong between the Derkay total score and F0 and total score and Jitter (rho = 0.63–0.65). Patients with human papilloma virus HPV-6 had significantly higher soft phonation index values (M = 11.97) compared to patients with HPV-11 (M = 6.91, U = 34.0; p = 0.019). Conclusions: The Derkay classification system correlates well with objective acoustic frequency measures and patient-reported voice outcomes. The system may be helpful in identifying patients at increased risk of voice dysfunction. It could be used to guide decisions about voice assessment and rehabilitation. Full article

The Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Mega Region (CCEMR), as a strategic economic hub in Western China, is increasingly facing challenges in balancing urban growth, agricultural stability, and ecological conservation within its territorial spatial planning framework. This study addresses the critical need to integrate multidimensional resilience assessment into China’s territorial spatial planning system. A framework for functional resilience assessment was developed through integrated GIS spatial analysis, with three resilience dimensions explicitly aligned to China’s “Three Zones and Three Lines” (referring to urban, agricultural, and ecological space and spatial control lines) territorial planning system: urban resilience was evaluated using KL-TOPSIS ranking, where weights were derived from combined Delphi expert consultation and AHP; agricultural resilience was quantified through the entropy method for weight determination and GIS raster calculation; and ecological resilience was assessed via a Risk–Recovery–Potential (RRP) model integrating Ecosystem Risk, Recovery Capacity (ERC), and Service Value (ESV) metrics, implemented through GIS spatial analysis and raster operations. Significant spatial disparities emerge, with only 1.29% of CCEMR exhibiting high resilience (concentrated in integrated urban–ecological zones like Chengdu). Rural and mountainous areas demonstrate moderate-to-low resilience due to resource constraints, creating misalignments between resilience patterns and current territorial spatial zoning schemes. These findings provide scientific evidence for optimizing the delineation of the Three Major Spatial Patterns: urbanized areas, major agricultural production zones, and ecological functional zones. In this research, a transformative methodology is established for translating resilience diagnostics directly into territorial spatial planning protocols. By bridging functional resilience assessment with statutory zoning systems, this methodology enables the following: (1) data-driven resilience construction for the Three Major Spatial Patterns (urbanized areas, major agricultural production zones, and ecological functional zones); (2) strategic infrastructure prioritization; and (3) enhanced cross-jurisdictional coordination mechanisms. The framework positions spatial planning as a proactive tool for adaptive territorial governance without requiring plan revision. Full article

Background: To compare the costs of open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP), robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), low-dose brachytherapy (LDBT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), cryotherapy (Cryo), and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for low/intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa), from the healthcare system perspective. Methods: This retrospective, IRB-approved study compared the costs and charges of primary treatment options for localized PCa at Duke University Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. We identified cases by querying the relevant disease, procedural, and charge codes from Duke Finance. Consecutive cases with NCCN high-risk disease, prior treatment, or missing institutional financial information were excluded. Costs were calculated from the point at which the treatment option was selected until the last treatment session (SBRT and IMRT) or hospital discharge (other modalities). All modalities except RRP were considered technology-intensive. Results: A total of 552 patients with a mean age of 65.0 years met the inclusion criteria. NCCN risk categories included 85 (13%) low, 218 (41%) favorable-intermediate, and 249 (46%) unfavorable-intermediate risk cases. RALP, RRP, Cryo, and HIFU were single-session treatments, whereas IMRT, SBRT, and LDBT were delivered over multiple sessions. IMRT and SBRT were the most expensive modalities, followed by RALP, HIFU, LDBT, Cryo, and RRP. The number of sessions (ρ = 0.55, p < 0.001) and being technology-intensive (ρ = 0.58, p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with treatment costs. Conclusions: In this cohort of PCa patients, treatment costs were highest for IMRT and SBRT, followed by RALP, HIFU, LDBT, Cryo, and RRP. The number of treatment sessions was a significant predictor of higher costs. Full article