Search Results (8,888)

Background/Objectives: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have emerged as promising non-invasive biomarkers for assessing metabolic and reproductive health. In the context of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), the volatilomic composition of follicular fluid (FF) may reflect the biochemical environment surrounding the oocyte, influencing fertilization success and embryo development. This study aimed to characterize the volatilomic profile of FF in women undergoing ARTs and to explore associations between specific VOCs and female fertilization-related parameters (FFRPs). Methods: A total of 54 Caucasian women aged 19–39 years, enrolled between October 2015 and July 2019, were recruited at the Assisted Reproduction Laboratory of the Local Health Unit of Cova da Beira, Covilhã. FF samples were analyzed via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in scan mode, identifying 136 VOCs, of which 72 were selected based on prevalence. Sixteen FFRPs were evaluated, including age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, infertility factor, oocyte yield, embryo quality, β-hCG levels, country of birth, and reproductive history. Associations between VOCs and FFRPs were assessed using the Chi-square (χ²) test. Results: Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.05) were identified between 45 VOCs and 11 FFRPs. The detected compounds comprised alkanes, siloxanes, aromatics, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and esters, fatty acid derivatives, epoxides, acrylates, nitriles, and sterols. Several VOCs were associated with more than one FFRP, indicating overlapping metabolic pathways that may influence reproductive performance. Conclusions: The volatilomic profile of FF demonstrates significant variability linked to individual reproductive and metabolic factors. VOC analysis may provide novel insights into follicular physiology, representing a promising approach for identifying potential biomarkers of infertility and ART outcomes. Full article

Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) is one of the most important annual herbs of the Apiaceae family, widely cultivated in southern Spain. Their seeds are highly valued for culinary uses and for producing quality essential oils widely used in food and beverage products, as well as for industry, medicinal, and cosmetics applications. This study investigates the seed yield and essential oil content within a set of 50 anise accessions from worldwide origin, as well as their composition by GC–MS and GC–FID analysis. Accessions showed significant differences in the agronomic parameters measured, including plant height (cm), seed yield (kg ha⁻¹), and the Harvest Index (%), with accessions PA_87 (Spain), PA_47 (Greece), and PA_21 (unknown origin) being the most performant. Essential oil (EO) content varied between 0.8% and 5.7% across different genotypes, resulting in EO production values ranging from 0.1 to 300 kg ha⁻¹. Trans-anethole was identified as the dominant terpene, comprising 84.4% to 94.4% of the content, followed by eugenol (1.4% to 5.5%) and α-muurolene (1.4% to 7.2%). PCA analysis identified five distinct groups and one outlier, influenced by minor terpenes. Indeed, there was a strong negative correlation between estragole and pseudoisoeugenyl 2-methylbutyrate. This study underscores the significance of minor terpenes, which play crucial roles in defining unique aniseed chemotypes, allowing for the selection of cultivars optimized for specific uses in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, these findings emphasize the impact of cultivar genetics on agronomic traits and EO profiles, suggesting the need for further research to optimize plant growth and yield and EO quality. Full article

Owing to its ability to promote early recovery, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a popular regenerative therapy for treating sports injuries. However, its scientific basis has not yet been fully established. To bridge this gap, we focused on systemic antioxidant capacity, which suppresses exacerbated inflammation. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in male professional soccer athletes (n = 30) was assessed alongside body composition measurements and compared with that of non-athletes (n = 31). Metabolic and inflammatory conditions were examined using erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma lactate, glucose, and protein levels. TAC levels were similar in both groups. Moderate correlations were observed between TAC and body fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, and basal metabolic rate in the control group, but not in the pro-athlete group, which exhibited superior body composition indices. These findings suggest that TAC levels may not directly influence PRP therapy in athletes. However, when compared with TAC levels calculated using correlations obtained in controls, the measured TAC levels (329.3 mM) were substantially higher than the compensated levels (62.5 mM for basal metabolic rate) in pro-athletes. This analytical approach indicates that TAC may theoretically be elevated to higher levels in pro-athletes when evaluated using non-athlete-based scales. Full article

Droughts are recognized as one of the most devastating extreme climate events, leading to severe socioeconomic losses and ecological degradation globally under climate change. With global warming, the frequency and intensity of extreme droughts are increasing, posing critical challenges to water resource management. The Standardized Precipitation Conversion Index (SPCI) has demonstrated potential in drought monitoring; however, its applicability across diverse climatic zones and multiple temporal scales remains inadequately validated. This study addresses this gap by establishing a novel multi-scale inversion analysis using ERA5-based precipitable water vapor (PWV) and precipitation data. SPCI is selected for its advantage in eliminating climatic background biases through probability normalization, overcoming limitations of traditional indices such as the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). We systematically evaluated the spatiotemporal evolution of Precipitation Efficiency (PE) and SPCI across four climatic zones in China. Results show that the first two principal components explain over 85% of the spatiotemporal variability of PE, with PC1 independently contributing from 82.05% to 83.80%. This high variance contribution underscores that the spatiotemporal patterns of PE are dominated by a few key climatic drivers, validating the robustness of the principal component analysis. SPCI exhibits strong correlation with SPI, exceeding 0.95 in the Tropical Monsoon Zone (TMZ) at scales of 1–6 months, indicating its utility for short-to-medium-term drought monitoring. Distinct zonal differentiation in PE patterns is revealed, such as the bimodal annual cycle in the Tropical-Subtropical Monsoon Composite Zone (TSMCZ). This study evaluates the performance of the SPCI against the widely used SPI and SPEI across four major climatic zones in China. It validates the SPCI’s applicability across China’s complex climates, providing a scientific basis for region-specific drought early warning and water resource optimization. Full article

Sustainable energy development is important for social and economic life because energy is used everywhere by everybody. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the development in Sustainable Development Goal 7 in European countries from 2005 to 2023. SDG 7 is described by seven variables published by Eurostat, covering energy consumption, energy productivity, energy import dependency and energy poverty. Dynamic cluster analysis is the main method used, identifying seven clusters, with membership changing in time. The Composite Energy Index was calculated. Generally, the energy situation described by the variables used has improved, both in individual countries and in Europe as a whole. The best-performing countries are Iceland, Norway and Denmark. In Europe, the average energy productivity measure and share of energy from renewable sources have doubled. The proposed novel approach involves the simultaneous analysis of spatio-temporal data for the whole period, resulting in countries changing their cluster position over time. A new measure of dynamic cluster stability is introduced, and clusters are ordered according to the value of the composite index. Full article

Objective: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the efficacy and safety of steamed ginger extract (GGE03), standardized to high levels of 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione (GD), in reducing body fat and weight among overweight individuals. Methods: Eighty adults aged 18 to 60 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m², were randomly assigned to receive either GGE03 (n = 40; 480 mg/day) or a placebo (n = 40) for 12 weeks. Efficacy and safety parameters were evaluated at baseline and after the intervention period. Results: After 12 weeks, the GGE03 group showed statistically significant reductions in body fat percentage and body fat mass compared to the placebo group, as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Additionally, significant decreases in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference were observed following GGE03 supplementation. Serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were also significantly lower in the GGE03 group compared to the placebo group. No product-related adverse events or clinically significant laboratory abnormalities were noted, indicating that GGE03 was well tolerated. Conclusions: Twelve weeks of GGE03 supplementation were associated with statistically significant improvements in body composition and lipid parameters without safety concerns. These findings support the potential of GD-standardized GGE03 as a well-tolerated functional dietary ingredient for body fat management and metabolic health. Full article

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in salt lake brines comprises organic compounds dissolved in high-salinity aquatic systems. With complex composition and diverse sources, DOM significantly influences biogeochemical cycles, mineral formation, and resource development in salt lakes. However, few studies have investigated the characteristics and sources of DOM in salt lake brines. In this study, a DOM sample (YC-4) from brine of Shanxi Yuncheng Salt Lake was isolated and characterized using FT-ICR-MS, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, and parallel factor analysis. The results demonstrate that YC-4 DOM exhibits rich chemical diversity, primarily composed of lignin/CRAM-like compounds (54.26%), tannins (16.75%) and proteins (13.43%). The predominant carbon forms in YC-4 DOM were aliphatic C-O bonded compounds (33.74%), aliphatic compounds (24.31%), and carboxylic acid compounds (23.95%). YC-4 DOM consists of five fluorescent components: marine-like humic substances, two types of humic-like substances, fulvic-like substances, and one protein-like substance. The fluorescence signature, characterized by high fluorescence index (FI 1.99), low humification index (HIX 0.66), and high biological index (BIX 1.27), collectively indicates that the DOM in Yuncheng Salt Lake brine is predominantly autochthonous, weakly humified, and highly bioavailable. This study reveals the DOM feature within the “human–environment coupled system” of Yuncheng Salt Lake. The findings provide a scientific basis for the sustainable utilization of its brine DOM resources and further enrich the theoretical system of DOM biogeochemical cycle in high-salinity lake system. Full article

This study explores how governance acts as a critical mediator between key environmental Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)—and overall sustainability performance. Leveraging global datasets from the UN SDG framework and World Bank Governance Indicators, we construct a composite governance index using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to capture institutional quality. Through mediation and path analysis, we reveal striking patterns: governance amplifies the positive impact of SDG 15 on the overall SDG Index, underscoring its role in biodiversity and land management. Conversely, governance introduces an adverse indirect effect for SDG 13, highlighting institutional and regulatory gaps that weaken climate policy outcomes. No significant mediation is observed for SDG 14, indicating strong contextual dependencies in marine governance. These findings confirm governance as a pivotal driver—either reinforcing or constraining environmental progress. Strengthening governance frameworks through transparency, accountability, and regulatory quality can accelerate progress toward the SDGs and advance the 2030 Agenda. This study provides empirical evidence on governance as a mediator and deepens understanding of institutional mechanisms shaping sustainability trajectories. Full article

The phaeozem in Northeast China is rich in soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the excessive and inefficient application of chemical fertilizers, particularly nitrogen fertilizers, has primarily led to a decrease in soil pH in this region. Currently, the relationship between soil pH and the stability of soil organic carbon (SOC) remains ambiguous. This study, conducted over 13 years of field experiments, focused on soils exhibiting varying degrees of pH resulting from different nitrogen application rates. The research employed aggregate classification, ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and analysis of microbial community composition to investigate the alterations in the SOC stabilization mechanisms under varying nitrogen application levels. Our results demonstrated that the decline in soil pH led to reductions in macroaggregates (>2 mm) and the soil aggregate destruction rate (PAD) by 4.8–14.6%, and in soil aggregate unstable agglomerate index (E_LT) by 9.7–13.4%. The mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) exhibited significant declines (p < 0.05) with decreasing pH levels. According to the ¹³C NMR analysis, the SOC was predominantly composed of O-alkyl carbon and aromatic carbon. At a pH of 5.32, the Alip/Arom values decreased, while the molecular structure of SOC became more complex under different levels of pH. In addition, the increase in [Fe(Al)-OC] (31.4–71.9%) complex indicates a shift in the stability of organic carbon from physical protection to organic mineral binding. Declining soil pH significantly reduced the diversity of soil microbial communities and promoted a shift toward copiotrophic microbial groups. Overall, declining soil pH resulted in a decline in soil aggregate stability and an increase in SOC aromaticity. This drove the shift in the stabilization mechanism of SOC in the black soil ecosystem of meadows in Northeast China from physical protection to chemical stability. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive geospatial framework for assessing coastal vulnerability and ecosystem service distribution along the Greek coastline, one of the longest and most diverse in Europe. The framework integrates two complementary components: a Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index applied to all identified beach units, and Coastal Flood Risk Indexes focused on low-lying and urbanized coastal segments. Both indices draw on harmonized, open-access European datasets to represent environmental, geomorphological, and socio-economic dimensions of risk. The Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index is developed through a multi-criteria approach that combines indicators of physical erodibility, such as historical shoreline retreat, projected erosion under climate change, offshore wave power, and the cover of seagrass meadows, with socio-economic exposure metrics, including land use composition, population density, and beach-based recreational values. Inclusive accessibility for wheelchair users is also integrated to highlight equity-relevant aspects of coastal services. The Coastal Flood Risk Indexes identify flood-prone areas by simulating inundation through a novel point-based, computationally efficient geospatial method, which propagates water inland from coastal entry points using Extreme Sea Level (ESL) projections for future scenarios, overcoming the limitations of static ‘bathtub’ approaches. Together, the indices offer a spatially explicit, scalable framework to inform coastal zone management, climate adaptation planning, and the prioritization of nature-based solutions. By integrating vulnerability mapping with ecosystem service valuation, the framework supports evidence-based decision-making while aligning with key European policy goals for resilience and sustainable coastal development. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to describe changes in physical performance and nutritional status among frail adults at risk of falls receiving muscle-targeted oral nutritional supplementation (MT-ONS) as part of routine clinical care. Methods: A prospective, open-label, single-centre, uncontrolled, descriptive study was conducted in a real-world clinical setting. Patients ≥ 70 years attending an outpatient fall clinic were consecutively recruited and assessed at baseline and after at least 90 days of MT-ONS (100% whey protein enriched with leucine and vitamin D), provided as part of a comprehensive care plan including exercise recommendations, medication review, and home adaptation advice. Sociodemographic, physical performance [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)], nutritional status [Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, (MNA^®-SF)], walking ability [Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs)], number of falls, muscle strength (dynamometry), body composition (Tanita), health-related quality-of-life (SF-12), functional capacity (Barthel Index), and adherence data were collected. Statistics analyses were descriptive and exploratory. Results: Twenty-six participants were assessed (58% women, age: 82.1 ± 5.4 years). Mean SPPB score increased from 7.3 (±3.6) to 8.0 (±4.0) (p = 0.3). At baseline, 35% were malnourished, 42% at risk of malnutrition, and 23% well-nourished. After ≥90 days of MT-ONS, 4% were malnourished, 54% at risk, and 42% well-nourished. The number of falls decreased from 1.2 falls/month (±0.9) to 0.2 falls/month (±0.3, p < 0.0001). Favourable changes in physical performance were positively correlated with improvements in nutritional status (p = 0.03). Adherence was high (92%), largely attributed to pleasant taste (71%) and smell (58%) and positive health perceptions (58%). Conclusions: In routine clinical practice, frail adults at risk of falls who received MT-ONS, 100% whey protein enriched with leucine and vitamin D for ≥90 days, as part of a comprehensive care plan improved their physical performance and nutritional status and reduced the number of falls. These findings should be interpreted as preliminary. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the structural differences and functional potential of the gut microbiota between Sichuan-Tibetan black pigs (n = 5) and Landrace pigs (n = 5) under identical rearing conditions. Fecal samples were collected and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing followed by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. The results revealed 963 and 910 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in Sichuan-Tibetan black pigs and Landrace pigs, respectively, with 808 OTUs shared between the two breeds. While both breeds shared Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria as the dominant phyla, significant compositional differences were observed at the genus level. Sichuan-Tibetan black pigs exhibited higher abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Parabacteroides, and Collinsella, whereas Landrace pigs were enriched in Bacteroides. Alpha diversity analysis showed no significant differences in Shannon, Simpson, or ACE indices, though the Chao index differed markedly between the two groups. Beta diversity analysis (PCoA and NMDS) confirmed distinct microbial community structures between the breeds. Functional prediction analysis demonstrated that metabolic pathways dominated in both groups, but with notable functional differentiation: the microbiota of Sichuan-Tibetan black pigs showed significant enrichment in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and amino acid biosynthesis; whereas, Landrace pigs were characterized by enhanced carbon and energy metabolism pathways. Additionally, BugBase phenotype prediction revealed significant differences in stress tolerance, cell wall properties, and oxygen utilization capabilities between the two groups. These findings provide valuable insights into the breed-specific characteristics of gut microbiota in swine and establish a foundation for further research on host-microbe interactions and their implications for animal health and nutrition. Full article

Furfural extraction oil (FEO) is rich in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and is hard to convert under mild conditions. To address this upgrade challenge, this study proposed a co-aquathermolysis process with corn stalk and a Ni/Mo hydrofining catalyst. Key parameters, including reaction temperature, time, catalyst dosage, and corn stalk dosage, were systematically evaluated for their impact on upgrade performance. Under optimized conditions (oil-to-water mass ratio 2:1, 280 °C, 18 h, 8 wt% catalyst, 8 wt% corn stalk), a viscosity reduction rate of 19.96% was achieved, significantly exceeding the 12.69% rate obtained without corn stalk. Meanwhile, the average molecular weight decreased from 430.0 to 353.3 g·mol⁻¹ and the aromatic ring index declined from 3.049 to 2.593. The H/C ratio increased to 1.568, and the sulfur content decreased to 0.09210%. ¹H NMR analysis revealed that corn stalk promotes long-chain scission and inhibits aromatic condensation, leading to a reduced aromatic carbon fraction. A detailed hydrocarbon composition analysis corroborated the conversion of tricyclic and tetracyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to monocyclic and bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These findings offer valuable insights for the modification of FEO via aquathermolysis and establish biomass utilization as a practical strategy for FEO upgrades. Full article

Milk production and quality are increasingly affected worldwide by rising ambient temperatures associated with climate change, with heat stress (HS) representing one of the major environmental challenges for dairy cattle. HS alters physiological and metabolic processes, leading to significant changes in milk composition, particularly in regions exposed to prolonged summer heat. The Temperature–Humidity Index (THI) is widely used to assess the degree of thermal discomfort and its impact on dairy performance. This study investigated the effects of heat stress on milk quality parameters in a dairy herd managed under identical conditions, comprising Romanian Black Spotted (RBS, Holstein strain) and Romanian Spotted (RS, Simmental strain) cows. Descriptive statistics were performed using the SAVC for Windows program, while differences between means were evaluated using the t-test in GraphPad Prism 9. Milk quality traits were significantly affected when THI values exceeded 73, with a consistent decline observed from early summer onwards. In the RBS breed, milk protein content decreased significantly compared with spring values, reaching 3.25% (p < 0.0001) in 2023 and 3.35% (p < 0.01) in 2024. Similar trends were recorded in the RS breed, with minimum protein values of 3.10% (p < 0.0001) and 3.19% (p < 0.0001). Fat content, casein concentration, and milk urea levels also showed highly significant HS-related changes (p < 0.0001). Overall, heat stress negatively affected milk quality, while the RS breed appears less affected under the studied conditions than the RBS breed. Full article

In southwest China, vegetation restoration is widely used in karst rocky desertification control projects. However, mechanistic evidence explaining how plant community composition and species diversity regulate cadmium (Cd) bioavailability remains limited. Here, the plant community’s species diversity, soil properties, Cd, and available Cd contents were evaluated. Four plant community types, NR (natural recovery), PMC (Pistacia weinmannifolia + Medicago sativa + Chrysopogon zizanioides), and PME (Pistacia weinmannifolia + Medicago sativa + Eragrostis curvula), were selected as the research objects. The species composition was recorded, and dominant plant species and soil samples were collected to analyze Cd accumulation characteristics. Relative to NR, composite restorations increased plant diversity and soil nutrient availability and reduced soil compaction, with PMC showing the strongest remediation, decreasing total Cd by 49.4% and available Cd by 59.5%. Model-averaged regression and hierarchical partitioning analyses further identified nitrogen availability and community structure as the dominant drivers. Specifically, available nitrogen (AN), vegetation coverage, Margalef species richness (DMG), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺–N), and total N (TN) were the main factors of soil total Cd, and BD, TN, nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻–N), mean crown diameter (MCD), and Shannon–Wiener index (H′) were the main factors of soil available Cd. The results indicate that PMC provides a plant community structure configuration decisions of a scalable, site-adaptable strategy for durable Cd stabilization and soil conservation in thin, carbonate-rich karst soils. Full article