Search Results (2,698)

Based on the panel data of daily meteorological stations and winter wheat yield in Henan Province from 2000 to 2023, this study comprehensively used the Mann–Kendall trend test, wavelet coherence analysis (WTC), and other methods to reveal the temporal and spatial evolution of extreme precipitation and its multi-scale stress mechanism on grain yield. The results showed the following: (1) Extreme precipitation showed the characteristics of ‘frequent fluctuation-gentle trend-strong spatial heterogeneity’, and the maximum daily precipitation in spring (RX1DAY) showed a significant uplift. The increase in rainstorm events (R95p/R99p) in the southern region during the summer is particularly prominent; at the same time, the number of consecutive drought days (CDDs > 15 d) in the middle of autumn was significantly prolonged. It was also found that 2010 is a significant mutation node. Since then, the synergistic effect of ‘increasing drought days–increasing rainstorm frequency’ has begun to appear, and the short-period coherence of super-strong precipitation (R99p) has risen to more than 0.8. (2) The spatial pattern of winter wheat in Henan is characterized by the three-level differentiation of ‘stable core area, sensitive transition zone and shrinking suburban area’, and the stability of winter wheat has improved but there are still local risks. (3) There is a multi-scale stress mechanism of extreme precipitation on winter wheat yield. The long-period (4–8 years) drought and flood events drive the system risk through a 1–2-year lag effect (short-period (0.5–2 years) medium rainstorm intensity directly impacted the production system). This study proposes a ‘sub-scale governance’ strategy, using a 1–2-year lag window to establish a rainstorm warning mechanism, and optimizing drainage facilities for high-risk areas of floods in the south to improve the climate resilience of the agricultural system against the background of climate change. Full article

Ruminant livestock production plays a crucial role in the agricultural systems of Sub-Saharan Africa, significantly supporting rural livelihoods through income generation, improved nutrition, and employment opportunities. Despite its importance, the sector continues to face substantial challenges, such as low feed quality, seasonal feed shortages, and climate-related stresses, all of which limit productivity and sustainability. Considering these challenges, the adoption of natural feed additives has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance animal performance, optimise nutrient utilisation, and mitigate environmental impacts, including the reduction of enteric methane emissions. This review underscores the significant potential of natural feed additives such as plant extracts, essential oils, probiotics, and mineral-based supplements such as fossil shell flour as sustainable alternatives to conventional growth promoters in ruminant production systems across the region. All available documented evidence on the topic from 2000 to 2024 was collated and synthesised through standardised methods of systematic review protocol—PRISMA. Out of 319 research papers downloaded, six were included and analysed directly or indirectly in this study. The results show that the addition of feed additives to ruminant diets in all the studies reviewed significantly (p < 0.05) improved growth parameters such as average daily growth (ADG), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group. However, no significant (p > 0.05) effect was found on cold carcass weight (CCW), meat percentage, fat percentage, bone percentage, or intramuscular fat (IMF%) compared to the control. The available evidence indicates that these additives can provide tangible benefits, including improved growth performance, better feed efficiency, enhanced immune responses, and superior meat quality, while also supporting environmental sustainability by reducing nitrogen excretion and decreasing dependence on antimicrobial agents. Full article

Almost one in three firefighters develop mental health disorders at some point during their careers, a rate double that in the general population. Frequent exposures to potentially traumatic situations can contribute to symptoms of these disorders, two of the most common being depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While various psychological interventions have been implemented among this group, reports of their effectiveness include mixed results. To this end, the current study endeavored to test the effectiveness of a 12-week intervention combining occupationally-tailored high-intensity functional training (HIFT) and psychological resilience training (RES) in reducing depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs), as well as increasing psychological resilience and mental wellbeing, in career firefighters. Thirty career firefighters completed four mental health measurements over 17 weeks while anthropometrics and physical performance (i.e., number of stations completed in 20 min during an eight-station simulated job-task circuit workout [T-CAC]) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Pre to post comparisons were made via repeated-measures t-tests. Significant mean differences were observed for T-CAC stations completed, PTSSs, and psychological resilience between pre- and post-intervention. In future interventions, researchers should actively engage firefighters, maximize integration with daily operations, and employ culturally-relevant practices to explore the links between physical and mental health. Full article

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an important factor in female infertility and is often associated with oxidative stress. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOSs), derived from the degradation of alginate, have been demonstrated to have protective effects against various oxidative stress-related diseases. However, the impact of AOSs on POI has not been previously explored. The current study explored the effects of AOSs on ovarian dysfunction in a mouse model of POI induced by D-galactose (D-gal). Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: the control (CON), POI model (D-gal), and low-, medium-, and high-dose AOS groups (AOS-L, 100 mg/kg/day; AOS-M, 150 mg/kg/day; AOS-H, 200 mg/kg/day). For 42 consecutive days, mice in the D-gal, AOS-L, AOS-M, and AOS-H groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of D-gal (200 mg/kg/day), whereas those in the CON group received equivalent volumes of sterile saline. Following D-gal injection, AOSs were administered via gavage at the specified doses; mice in the CON and D-gal groups received sterile saline instead. AOS treatment markedly improved estrous cycle irregularities, normalized serum hormone levels, reduced granulosa cell apoptosis, and increased follicle counts in POI mice. Moreover, AOSs significantly reduced ovarian oxidative stress and senescence in POI mice, as indicated by lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), higher activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased protein expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), nitrotyrosine (NTY), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and p16 in ovarian tissue. Analysis of the gut microbiota through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis revealed significant differences in gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels (acetic acid and total SCFAs) between control and D-gal-induced POI mice. These differences were largely alleviated by AOS treatment. AOSs changed the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of Ligilactobacillus and decreasing the abundance of Clostridiales, Clostridiaceae, Marinifilaceae, and Clostridium_T. Additionally, AOSs mitigated the decline in acetic acid and total SCFA levels observed in POI mice. Notably, the total SCFA level was significantly correlated with the abundance of Ligilactobacillus, Marinifilaceae, and Clostridium_T. In conclusion, AOS intervention effectively mitigates ovarian oxidative stress, restores gut microbiota homeostasis, and regulates the microbiota–SCFA axis, collectively improving D-gal-induced POI. Therefore, AOSs represent a promising therapeutic strategy for POI management. Full article

Early weaning of piglets elicits weaning stress, which in turn induces oxidative stress and consequently impairs growth and development. Hydrogen-rich water (HRW), characterized by selective antioxidant properties, mitigates oxidative stress damage and serves as an ideal intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HRW on weaned piglets, specifically investigating its impact on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, antioxidant function, intestinal morphology, gut microbiota, and hepatic metabolites. The results demonstrate that HRW significantly increased the average daily feed intake and significantly reduced the diarrhea rate in weaned piglets. Analysis of serum oxidative stress indicators revealed that HRW significantly elevated the activities of total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase while significantly decreasing malondialdehyde concentration. Assessment of intestinal morphology showed that HRW significantly increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Microbial analysis indicated that HRW significantly increased the abundance of Prevotella in the colon. Furthermore, HRW increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Akkermansia, in the jejunum and cecum, while concurrently reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria like Escherichia. Hepatic metabolite profiling revealed that HRW significantly altered the metabolite composition in the liver of weaned piglets. Differentially abundant metabolites were enriched in oxidative stress-related KEGG pathways, including ABC transporters; pyruvate metabolism; autophagy; FoxO signaling pathway; glutathione metabolism; ferroptosis; and AMPK signaling pathways. In conclusion, HRW alleviates diarrhea and promotes growth in weaned piglets by enhancing antioxidant capacity. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the application of HRW in swine production and serve as a reference for further exploration into the mechanisms underlying HRW’s effects on animal health and productivity. Full article

The National Adaptation Plan of Bangladesh identifies eleven climate-stressed zones, placing nearly 100 million people at high risk of climate-related hazards. Vulnerable groups such as the poor, floating populations, daily laborers, and slum dwellers are particularly affected. However, there is a lack of data on climate-sensitive diseases and related hospital visits in these areas. This study explored the prevalence of such diseases using the Delphi method through focus group discussions with 493 healthcare professionals from 153 hospitals in 156 upazilas across 21 districts and ten zones. Participants were selected by district Civil Surgeons. Key climate-sensitive diseases identified included malnutrition, diarrhea, pneumonia, respiratory infections, typhoid, skin diseases, hypertension, cholera, mental health disorders, hepatitis, heat stroke, and dengue. Seasonal surges in hospital visits were noted, influenced by factors like extreme heat, air pollution, floods, water contamination, poor sanitation, salinity, and disease vectors. Some diseases were zone-specific, while others were widespread. Regions with fewer hospital visits often had higher disease burdens, indicating under-reporting or lack of access. The findings highlight the need for area-specific adaptation strategies and updates to the Health National Adaptation Plan. Strengthening resilience through targeted investment and preventive measures is crucial to reducing health risks from climate change. Full article

Due to the stroke-protective effects of dietary fiber and anthocyanin together with the synergistic interaction, we hypothesized that the functional drink containing the anthocyanins and dietary fiber-enriched functional ingredient from banana and germinated black Jasmine rice (BR) should protect against ischemic stroke. BR at doses of 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg body weight (BW) was orally given to male Wistar rats weighing 290–350 g once daily for 21 days, and they were subjected to ischemic reperfusion injury induced by temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO/IR) for 90 min. The treatment was prolonged for 21 days after MCAO/IR. They were assessed for brain infarction volume, neuron density, Nrf2, MDA, and catalase in the cortex together with serum TNF-α and IL-6. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. in feces were also assessed. Our results showed that BR improved the increase in brain infarcted volume, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 and the decrease in neuron density, Nrf2, catalase, and both bacteria spp. induced by MCAO/IR. These data suggest the stroke-protective effect of the novel functional drink, and the action may involve the improvement of Nrf2, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. Full article

The purpose of the present research is to analyse the negative outcomes associated with the excessive Instagram dependency of those users that access the application through their smartphones. An empirical study was conducted through online interviews using structured questionnaires, resulting in 342 valid responses, with the target population being young users over 18 years old who access Instagram daily. Research shows that dependency on Instagram is primarily driven by individuals’ need for orientation and understanding, with entertainment being a secondary motivation. The results indicate that dependency on the social network is positively associated with excessive use, addiction, and Instastress. Furthermore, excessive use contributes to personal and social problems and increases both stress levels and mindfulness related to the platform. In turn, this excessive use intensifies addiction, which functions as a mediating variable between overuse and Instastress, mindfulness, and emotional exhaustion. This study offers valuable insights for academics, mental health professionals, and marketers by emphasizing the importance of fostering healthier digital habits and developing targeted interventions. Full article

Background: The knee joint performs a vital function in human movement, supporting significant loads and ensuring stability during daily activities. Methods: The objective of this study was to develop and validate a subject-specific framework to model knee flexion–extension by integrating 3D gait data with individualized musculoskeletal (MS) and finite element (FE) models. In this proof of concept, gait data were collected from a 52-year-old woman using Xsens inertial sensors. The MS model was based on the same subject to define realistic loading, while the 3D knee FE model, built from another individual’s MRI, included all major anatomical structures, as subject-specific morphing was not possible due to unavailable scans. Results: The FE simulation showed principal stresses from –28.67 to +44.95 MPa, with compressive stresses between 2 and 8 MPa predominating in the tibial plateaus, consistent with normal gait. In the ACL, peak stress of 1.45 MPa occurred near the femoral insertion, decreasing non-uniformly with a compressive dip around –3.0 MPa. Displacement reached 0.99 mm in the distal tibia and decreased proximally. ACL displacement ranged from 0.45 to 0.80 mm, following a non-linear pattern likely due to ligament geometry and local constraints. Conclusions: These results support the model’s ability to replicate realistic, patient-specific joint mechanics. Full article

Prolonged inundations are altering coastal forest ecosystems of the southeastern US, causing extensive tree die-offs and the development of ghost forests. This hydrological stressor also alters carbon fluxes, threatening the stability of coastal carbon sinks. This study was conducted to investigate the interactions between hydrological drivers and ecosystem responses by analyzing daily eddy covariance flux data from a wetland forest in North Carolina, USA, spanning 2009–2019. We analyzed temporal patterns of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (RE) under both flooded and non-flooded conditions and evaluated their relationships with observed tree mortality. Generalized Additive Modeling (GAM) revealed that groundwater table depth (GWT), leaf area index (LAI), NEE, and net radiation (Rn) were key predictors of mortality transitions (R² = 0.98). Elevated GWT induces root anoxia; declining LAI reduces productivity; elevated NEE signals physiological breakdown; and higher Rn may amplify evapotranspiration stress. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed critical early warning thresholds for tree mortality: GWT = 2.23 cm, LAI = 2.99, NEE = 1.27 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, and Rn = 167.54 W m⁻². These values offer a basis for forecasting forest mortality risk and guiding early warning systems. Our findings highlight the dominant role of hydrological variability in ecosystem degradation and offer a threshold-based framework for early detection of mortality risks. This approach provides insights into managing coastal forest resilience amid accelerating sea level rise. Full article

In response to the stress commonly experienced by young people in high-pressure daily environments, a music-based stress-relief interactive system was developed by integrating music-assisted care with emotion-sensing technology. The design principles of the system were established through a literature review on stress, music listening, emotion detection, and interactive devices. A prototype was created accordingly and refined through interviews with four experts and eleven users participating in a preliminary experiment. The system is grounded in a four-stage guided imagery and music framework, along with a static activity model focused on relaxation-based stress management. Emotion detection was achieved using a wearable EEG device (NeuroSky’s MindWave Mobile device) and a two-dimensional emotion model, and the emotional states were translated into visual representations using seasonal and weather metaphors. A formal experiment involving 52 users was conducted. The system was evaluated, and its effectiveness confirmed, through user interviews and questionnaire surveys, with statistical analysis conducted using SPSS 26 and AMOS 23. The findings reveal that: (1) integrating emotion sensing with music listening creates a novel and engaging interactive experience; (2) emotional states can be effectively visualized using nature-inspired metaphors, enhancing user immersion and understanding; and (3) the combination of music listening, guided imagery, and real-time emotional feedback successfully promotes emotional relaxation and increases self-awareness. Full article

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has shown neuroprotective effects in acute brain injury, but its role in chronic radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) remains unclear. This study investigated the long-term efficacy of HRW in mitigating cognitive impairment and neuronal damage caused by chronic RIBI. Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, irradiation (IR), IR with memantine, IR with HRW, and IR with combined treatment. All but the control group received 20 Gy whole-brain X-ray irradiation, followed by daily interventions for 60 days. Behavioral assessments, histopathological analyses, oxidative stress measurements, ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging, transcriptomic sequencing, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and serum ELISA were performed. HRW significantly improved anxiety-like behavior, memory, and learning performance compared to the IR group. Histological results revealed that HRW reduced neuronal swelling, degeneration, and loss and enhanced dendritic spine density and neurogenesis. PET/CT imaging showed increased hippocampal glucose uptake in the IR group, which was alleviated by HRW treatment. Transcriptomic and molecular analyses indicated that HRW modulated key genes and proteins, including CD44, CD74, SPP1, and Wnt1, potentially through the MIF, Wnt, and SPP1 signaling pathways. Serum CD44 levels were also lower in treated rats, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for chronic RIBI. These findings demonstrate that HRW can alleviate chronic RIBI by preserving neuronal structure, reducing inflammation, and enhancing neuroplasticity, supporting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for radiation-induced cognitive impairment. Full article

Fungi, from saprophytes to pathogens, face predictable daily fluctuations in light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient availability. To cope, they have evolved an internal circadian clock that confers a major adaptive advantage. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular architecture and physiological relevance of fungal circadian systems, moving beyond the canonical Neurospora crassa model to explore the broader phylogenetic diversity of timekeeping mechanisms. We examine the core transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL) centered on the FREQUENCY/WHITE COLLAR (FRQ/WCC) system and contrast it with divergent and non-canonical oscillators, including the metabolic rhythms of yeasts and the universally conserved peroxiredoxin (PRX) oxidation cycles. A central theme is the clock’s role in gating cellular defenses against oxidative, osmotic, and nutritional stress, enabling fungi to anticipate and withstand environmental insults through proactive regulation. We provide a detailed analysis of chrono-pathogenesis, where the circadian control of virulence factors aligns fungal attacks with windows of host vulnerability, with a focus on experimental evidence from pathogens like Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, and Magnaporthe oryzae. The review explores the downstream pathways—including transcriptional cascades, post-translational modifications, and epigenetic regulation—that translate temporal signals into physiological outputs such as developmental rhythms in conidiation and hyphal branching. Finally, we highlight critical knowledge gaps, particularly in understudied phyla like Basidiomycota, and discuss future research directions. This includes the exploration of novel clock architectures and the emerging, though speculative, hypothesis of “chrono-therapeutics”—interventions designed to disrupt fungal clocks—as a forward-looking concept for managing fungal infections. Full article

Cells are assaulted daily by stresses that jeopardize genome integrity. Primary human cells adapt their response to the intensity of replication stress (RS) in a diphasic manner: below a stress threshold, the canonical DNA damage response (cDDR) is not activated, but a noncanonical cellular response, low-level stress-DDR (LoL-DDR), has recently been described. LoL-DDR prevents the accumulation of premutagenic oxidized bases (8-oxoguanine) through the production of ROS in an adaptive way. The production of RS-induced ROS (RIR) is tightly controlled: RIR are excluded from the nucleus and are produced by the NADPH oxidases DUOX1/DUOX2, which are controlled by NF-κB and PARP1; then, RIR activate the FOXO1-detoxifying pathway. Increasing the intensity of RS suppresses RIR via p53 and ATM. Notably, LoL-DDR is dysregulated in cancer cell lines, in which RIR are not produced by NADPH oxidases, are not detoxified under high-level stress, and favor the accumulation of 8-oxoguanine. LoL-DDR dysregulation occurred at an early stage of cancer progression in an in vitro model. Since, conversely, ROS trigger RS, this establishes a vicious cycle that continuously jeopardizes genome integrity, fueling tumorigenesis. These data reveal a novel type of ROS-controlled DNA damage response and demonstrate the fine-tuning of the cellular response to stress. The effects on genomic stability and carcinogenesis are discussed here. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a multifactorial disorder driven by a combination of disruptions in proteostasis and organelle communication. The 2020 Lancet commission reported that approximately 10 million people worldwide were affected by AD in the mid-20th century. AD is the most prevalent cause of dementia. By early 2030, the global cost of dementia is projected to rise by USD 2 trillion per year, with up to 85% of that cost attributed to daily patient care. Several factors have been implicated in the progression of neurodegeneration, including increased oxidative stress, the accumulation of misfolded proteins, the formation of amyloid plaques and aggregates, the unfolded protein response (UPR), and mitochondrial–endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium homeostasis. However, the exact triggers that initiate these pathological processes remain unclear, in part because clinical symptoms often emerge gradually and subtly, complicating early diagnosis. Among the early hallmarks of neurodegeneration, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the buildup of misfolded proteins are believed to play pivotal roles in disrupting proteostasis, leading to cognitive deficits and neuronal cell death. The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles is a characteristic feature of AD. These features contribute to chronic neuroinflammation, which is marked by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that exacerbate oxidative stress. Given these interconnected mechanisms, targeting stress-related signaling pathways, such as oxidative stress (ROS) generated in the mitochondria and ER, ER stress, UPR, and cytosolic chaperones, represents a promising strategy for therapeutic intervention. This review focuses on the relationship between stress chaperone responses and organelle function, particularly the interaction between mitochondria and the ER, in the development of new therapies for AD and related neurodegenerative disorders. Full article