Search Results (392)

Cold-climate cities remain poorly studied, yet their spontaneous flora is strongly shaped by severe winters and short growing seasons. Heilongjiang Province, the northernmost region of China, provides a valuable case study given its rapid urbanization. As an important component of urban biodiversity, the diversity distribution patterns of spontaneous plants and their underlying causes remain underexplored from multi-scale and multi-dimensional perspectives. Therefore, this study aimed to test how climatic subzones and habitat types jointly influence spontaneous plant diversity across urban landscapes in 14 cities of Heilongjiang Province. Based on vegetation surveys, we applied calculations of α- and β-diversity, along with hierarchical clustering, across climatic subzones, cities, and habitat types to elucidate the diversity patterns and their multi-scale driving mechanisms. The results showed the following: (1) A total of 778 spontaneous plant species were recorded, belonging to 98 families and 395 genera. Native plants accounted for 58.7%, and non-native plants accounted for 41.3% (including 77 invasive species). (2) Perennial herbs dominated overall (45.2%), consistent with winter filtering, whereas annual/biennial herbs were more common in warmer subzones such as II B2. (3) Forest gaps (FG) and shrub–grassland gaps (SG) supported the most diverse spontaneous plant communities, highlighting habitat heterogeneity. (4) Species richness peaked in subzone II B2 and was lowest in subzone I A1, while abandoned land (SA) and shrub–grassland gaps (SG) supported the richest communities. (5) β-diversity analyses indicated homogenization under extreme cold in subzone I A1 and greater turnover in warmer subzone II B2, reflecting contrasting climatic filters. The “light patches” in FG habitats and the “disturbance filtering” in LA habitats further shaped the differences in local communities. This study reveals the diversity distribution patterns and adaptation strategies of spontaneous plants in cold cities, emphasizing their integration into urban planning while addressing the dominance of invasive species. Full article

In Hong Kong, the interaction between traditional values and modern influences creates a unique cultural landscape that influences family dynamics, intergenerational communication, and adolescent mental health. This study aimed to fill critical research gaps by exploring the relationship between authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles within this hybrid cultural context. Parenting style scores were based on the PSDQ-26 questionnaires completed by both parents of 2325 students. These students also provided demographic data used in the analysis (1013 girls, M_age = 13.35, SD = 1.22). The data analysis examined the correlations between parenting styles and variations across gender and age groups. Contrary to patterns observed in Western contexts, the results indicated no significant correlation between authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles (r = 0.02, p > 0.05), suggesting a complex coexistence influenced by Hong Kong’s hybrid sociocultural context. Notably, the study revealed gender-based differences: boys’ parents reported higher levels of democratic participation and reasoning, reflecting authoritative parenting, while also showing greater use of physical coercion and punitive discipline, indicative of authoritarian parenting. Authoritative parenting, but not authoritarian parenting, showed a decline as children matured. By investigating these dynamics, the study not only addresses a significant gap in the literature but also enhances the understanding of how cultural and developmental factors shape parenting practices. These insights are crucial for developing culturally adapted parenting education materials and informing interventions that support child development in diverse cultural settings. Full article

Clostridioides difficile is an obligate anaerobe and is primarily transmitted via the fecal–oral route. Data characterizing the microbiome changes accompanying transitions from non-colonized to C. difficile colonized subjects are currently lacking. In this retrospective cohort study, we examined 16S rRNA gene sequencing data in a total of 481 fecal samples belonging to 107 patients. Based on C. difficile status over time, patients were categorized as Negative-to-Positive, Negative Control, and Positive Control. A linear mixed effects model was fitted to investigate the changes in the Shannon α-diversity index over time. Zero-inflated negative binomial/Poisson mixed effects models or generalized linear mixed models with negative binomial/Poisson distribution were used to investigate the changes in taxon counts over time among different groups. A total of 107 patients were eligible for the study. The median number of stool samples per patient was 3 (IQR 2–4). A total of 42 patients transitioned from C. difficile negative to positive (Negative-to-Positive), 47 patients remained negative throughout their tests (Negative Control) and 18 were always C. difficile positive (Positive Control). A significant difference in microbiome composition between the last negative samples and the first positive samples were shown in Negative-to-Positive patients, ANOSIM p = 0.022. In Negative-to-Positive patients, the phylum Pseudomonadota and family Enterobacteriaceae increased significantly in the first positive samples compared to the last negative samples, p = 0.0075 and p = 0.0094, respectively. Within the first 21 days, Actinomycetota decreased significantly over time in the Positive Control group compared to the other two groups (p < 0.001) while Bacillota decreased in both the Negative-to-Positive group and Positive Control. These results demonstrate that the transition from C. difficile negative to C. difficile positive is associated with alterations in gut microbial communities and their compositional patterns over time. Moreover, these changes play an important role in both the emergence and intensification of the gut microbiome dysbiosis in patients who transitioned from C. difficile negative to positive and those who always tested positive. Full article

Background: The rapid advancement of mobile health [mHealth] applications significantly improved healthcare accessibility. However, the adoption of these applications among the elderly population remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the attitudes of elderly individuals in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia, toward mobile health applications, focusing on awareness, perceived benefits, usability concerns, and privacy issues. The findings will help guide strategies to enhance digital health adoption among older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly individuals [≥60 years] residing in the Aseer region. A total of 500 participants were recruited using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews utilizing a validated questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, awareness, usage patterns, perceived benefits, and barriers to mHealth applications. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The study included 500 elderly individuals in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. The majority of participants [70.4%] were aware of mobile health applications, with higher awareness among younger elderly [60–69 years, p = 0.008], individuals with higher income [p = 0.015], and those living with family [p < 0.001]. Mobile health apps were widely used, primarily for contacting healthcare providers [83.8%], managing appointments [79.4%], and medication management [79.2%]. Participants perceived these apps as highly useful, particularly for disease monitoring [mean = 4.34] and healthcare communication [mean = 4.34]. Awareness was negatively correlated with age [r = −0.109, p = 0.015], emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance digital health adoption among older populations. Conclusions: Despite growing awareness, mHealth application usage remains limited among the elderly in the Aseer region due to digital literacy challenges and usability concerns. Addressing these barriers through user-friendly designs, targeted education, and privacy assurance measures may enhance adoption. Policymakers and healthcare providers should implement tailored interventions to promote digital health solutions for this population. Full article

Social isolation is a critical but understudied concern for people living with HIV (PLHIV), particularly in rural U.S. communities where social visibility is high and access to supportive services is limited. Disclosure of HIV status is often framed as a health-promoting behavior that facilitates engagement with care and access to social support, yet it can also increase vulnerability to exclusion and isolation, especially where confidentiality is difficult to maintain. Using data from a pilot survey of rural PLHIV in the United States ($n=17$), this study examines when disclosure may function adaptively and when it may coincide with a heightened social burden. A Social Isolation Index was constructed from 15 indicators of exclusion across family, community, and institutional domains. Disclosure was measured both by the number of people informed and whether sexual partners were told. Typological methods and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) were applied to explore how disclosure patterns relate to race, sexual identity, and reported isolation. The results indicate that disclosure is not uniformly protective: several participants who disclosed widely also reported high levels of isolation, with heterosexual and Black participants often reporting a higher cumulative burden. These findings challenge one-size-fits-all assumptions about disclosure in public health messaging and underscore the need for tailored strategies that recognize both disclosure and nondisclosure as potentially adaptive responses in rural and marginalized communities. Full article

Urban green spaces in arid environments can serve as biodiversity reservoirs, yet their ecological contributions remain underexplored. This study assessed avian diversity on the Universidad Autónoma Chapingo campus Unidad Regional Universitaria de Zonas Áridas (URUZA) in the Chihuahuan Desert, northern Mexico. From February 2022 to April 2025, bird surveys were collected through point transects and photographic records. The species were categorized by seasonality status, trophic guild, and conservation status according to the IUCN Red List and Mexican NOM-059. The Shannon, Margalef, Jaccard, and Bray–Curtis Indices were used to analyze diversity. Statistical analysis was undertaken with log-linear models to evaluate spatial and functional patterns. A total of 90 bird species, including protected and vulnerable species, were identified, belonging to 16 orders and 35 families. The areas with the greatest diversity of vegetation and water bodies also presented the greatest diversity and richness of bird species. Resident birds dominated species richness and trophic structure, although migratory birds contributed to functional heterogeneity. Significant differences were observed between seasonality and trophic guilds. This study demonstrates that the campus contributes to sustainability by preserving biodiversity in arid land, educating the community about the importance of conservation, and laying the groundwork for more informed and sustainable environmental and economic management. Full article

Traditional knowledge of edible plants is essential for food security, nutrition, and cultural identity in rural communities, yet many regions, including Mueang District, Yasothon Province (MY), remain underexplored in ethnobotanical studies. The lack of systematic documentation of local plant diversity and uses in MY presents a significant gap in understanding how these resources contribute to the sustainability of local food systems. This study addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive ethnobotanical survey of edible plants in Mueang District, Northeastern Thailand. Documenting 170 species across 60 families, the study reveals a rich plant diversity reflecting a dynamic interplay of native and introduced species, as well as cultivated and wild-harvested resources that sustain local food security, nutrition, and cultural traditions. Fabaceae emerged as the most species-rich family, while staple cereals such as Oryza sativa L. and Zea mays L. dominate use-value rankings. Quantitative indices, including Species Use Value (SUV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), and Fidelity Level (%FL), elucidate nuanced patterns of plant utilization, highlighting multifunctional species that bridge food and medicine. High cultural consensus on key medicinal plants underscores the deep integration of traditional healthcare within local food systems. The diversity of edible plant uses—from beverages and condiments to medicinal foods—illustrates adaptive strategies that enhance dietary diversity and ecological resilience. These findings contribute to the understanding of biocultural diversity and underscore the importance of conserving both plant biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to promote sustainable, locally adapted food systems. The study also identifies priority species for future pharmacological and agronomic research to support climate-resilient food sovereignty. Full article

Landscape patterns serve as important drivers of macroinvertebrate biodiversity. However, the mechanisms through which landscape dynamics influence biodiversity across different elevation gradients in undammed rivers remain poorly understood. Here, this study investigated macroinvertebrate communities in the Chishui River, which represents the only undammed tributary maintaining a natural flow regime in the upper Yangtze River. We documented 97 macroinvertebrate taxa (3 phyla, 16 orders, and 57 families) with a mean density of 314.93 ind./m². NMDS and PERMANOVA analyses revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in macroinvertebrate community composition, but no overall seasonal variation. However, functional diversity indices (e.g., FRic) exhibited seasonal fluctuations across the river system. Furthermore, we assessed nine landscape metrics to capture heterogeneity, complexity, and fragmentation effects. Random forest modeling with nine predictors revealed that landscape heterogeneity primarily drove functional diversity in the upstream areas, whereas landscape fragmentation was the dominant factor in the downstream areas. Functional diversity, which reflects trait-based ecological roles, provides more direct insights into ecosystem processes than taxonomic diversity alone. Notably, the taxonomic diversity indices (Margalef richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity, Simpson diversity, and Pielou evenness index) showed no significant correlations with landscape metrics. These findings highlight the critical role of functional diversity in evaluating landscape-mediated ecological effects. For effective conservation, management strategies should prioritize reducing anthropogenic disturbances in downstream areas while preserving natural landscape heterogeneity. Full article

Background: Child hospitalisation can have emotional, practical, financial, and social sequalae for the family. By understanding the impact and challenges involved, this research can inform clinical practice and interventions to help mitigate the impacts of hospitalisation. Exploring the experiences and realities of child hospitalisation for main caregivers, extended caregivers, and child siblings is the focus of this research. Method: Semi-structured interviews were designed and conducted. Eight families participated in the research. Three interviews were conducted per family, with a total of twenty-three interviews conducted overall. Interviews were recorded using Microsoft Teams application. Analysis: The interviews underwent analysis employing the Framework Method, uncovering patterns and insights relevant to the impact of child hospitalisation from varying familial perspectives. Results: Overarching themes of emotional impact, relational impact, practicalities, adjustment, communication, and “take-home messages from families” were identified and discussed. Conclusions: By identifying gaps in support, communication barriers, access inequalities, and other implications, targeted clinical interventions and preventions can be developed to empower families and healthcare professionals. This study promotes a greater understanding of the challenges associated with child hospitalisation and signifies the importance of restructuring support systems worldwide. Full article

Background/Objectives: High-quality prognostic communication in pediatric oncology is essential to support informed decision making, foster trust, and honor goals of care. While families differ in their preferences for how prognosis is discussed, clinicians often rely on assumptions rather than directly eliciting these preferences, risking misalignment and distress. To address this gap, we aimed to characterize patient, parent, and oncologist perspectives on key variables, experiences, and circumstances that influence their preferences for prognostic communication. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 85 participants (25 patients aged 12–25, 40 parents, and 20 oncologists) to elicit their preferences for prognostic communication and the reasons behind these preferences. Rapid analysis was conducted to generate themes and identify patterns and variances across participant cohorts. Results: Four distinct themes underpinning prognostic communication preferences were described by patients, parents, and oncologists: (1) personality, ideals, and values; (2) general life experiences; (3) prior interactions with the medical system; and (4) faith. Participants emphasized that personal identity and prior experiences significantly shaped how they wished to receive prognostic information. Clinicians and parents often linked preferences to core aspects of their professional or caregiver identities. Conclusions: Understanding the individualized factors shaping communication preferences can guide clinicians in tailoring prognostic discussions. Open-ended inquiry into identity, personal values, and past experiences can foster respectful, personalized communication in pediatric oncology. Further research is needed to determine best practices for prompting discussion about prognostic communication preferences that incorporates the reasons underpinning these preferences. Full article

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is currently reduced to a few, small fragments surrounded by anthropic landscapes. Urban forest remnants play an important role in housing biodiversity in urbanized areas and enabling species dispersion between larger natural areas. Describing and monitoring the biodiversity in these anthropized environments is a useful tool for urban ecology and species conservation. By compiling long-term data, this study proposes a species list of tropical diurnal butterflies for an Atlantic Forest remnant in Southeastern Brazil and describes the temporal diversity patterns of the community. Inventories were carried out from the 1970s to 2000 to record butterfly incidence data in a 250 ha fragment of seasonal, semideciduous Atlantic Forest, resulting in a species list of 706 species presented here for the first time for the studied area. From 1998 to 2000, weekly standardized observations enabled inferences on temporal trends in butterfly diversity. Total species richness peaked in the climatic transitions, and a cycle of 52 weeks was reported for beta diversity. Butterfly families lack synchronized temporal fluctuations. Nymphalidae and specifically the fruit-feeding nymphalids were considered good surrogates for short-term studies and monitoring community changes. Full article

Background/Objectives: This systematic review addresses the disproportionate impact of the opioid epidemic on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations by examining the socio-ecological and social network factors that influence opioid use and misuse. While previous reviews have largely focused on treatment modalities or structural determinants such as socioeconomic status and rurality, few studies have explored the role of social networks as risk or protective factors, particularly within AI/AN communities. Methods: Applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, the review synthesized findings from three scholarly databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, ProQuest), six institutional repositories (e.g., Indigenous Studies Portal), and one academic search engine (Google Scholar). Studies that examined the influence of social network domains on opioid misuse in AI/AN populations in the United States, reported quantitative or qualitative data, and were published between 2010 and 2022 were included in this review. Study quality was assessed with the JBI Checklists for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies and Qualitative Research. Of the 817 articles initially identified, 7 met the inclusion criteria, with most studies focusing on AI/AN adolescents and young adults, a demographic shown to be especially susceptible to opioid misuse. Results: The review identified several social network domains that significantly affect opioid use patterns, including familial relationships, peer associations, community dynamics, educational influences, cultural traditions, social media engagement and the effect of historical and intergenerational trauma. These domains can function either as protective buffers or as contributing factors to opioid misuse. Conclusions: The findings underscore the necessity for future longitudinal research to elucidate the causal pathways between these social network factors and opioid behaviors, particularly concerning trauma and digital media exposure. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of culturally grounded, evidence-based prevention strategies that address the multifaceted social environments of AI/AN individuals. Such approaches are critical to fostering resilience and mitigating the opioid crisis within these historically marginalized populations. Full article

Aster spp., a key grass species for the ecological restoration of alpine degraded grasslands on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, often suffers from pest damage during its flowering and seed maturation stages, severely limiting the effectiveness of ecological restoration and the sustainable utilization of germplasm resources. This study focused on nine widely distributed species of Aster in the Three River Source Region of Qinghai Province, systematically investigated the structure of arthropod communities and the spatiotemporal dynamics of pests, and developed an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. Through systematic surveys at multiple sites, a total of 109 arthropod species were identified (57 families of insects, 96 species; 7 families of spiders, 13 species). The Diptera (Tephritidae) and Hemiptera (Miridae) were identified as dominant groups. Tephritis angustipennis was determined to be the key pest, with its population density reaching a peak in mid-to-late August (p < 0.05). Based on the occurrence patterns of the pest, an IPM strategy integrating physical, chemical, and biological control methods was proposed: flower head bagging as a physical barrier significantly reduced plant damage but required balancing the risk of seed sterility. A combination lure (broad-spectrum fruit fly lure + a mixture of sugar and vinegar) showed a significant effect in attracting and killing adult flies. In chemical control, spraying a combination of insecticides (DB: 10% β-Cypermethrin aqueous emulsion (9 mL/acre) + 5% avermectin (20 mL/acre)) during the leaf expansion stage to early flowering stage achieved approximately 80% pest mortality within 24 h; additionally, supplementary spraying of 5% broflanilide (30 mL/acre) during the full flowering stage prolonged the efficacy and delayed the development of insecticide resistance. In terms of natural enemy utilization, Lycosidae and Thomisidae demonstrated significant potential for naturally regulating pest populations. Physiological mechanism studies showed that the difference in responses between plant catalase (CAT) activity and insect glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was a key factor driving control efficacy (the cumulative explanation rate reached 94%). This IPM strategy, by integrating physical barriers, dynamic trapping, targeted spraying, and natural enemy control, significantly enhances control efficiency and ecological compatibility, providing a theoretical basis and technical paradigm for the ecological restoration of degraded alpine grasslands and the sustainable management of medicinal plants in cold regions. Full article

Mammals harbor diverse microbial communities across different body sites, which are crucial to physiological functions and host homeostasis. This study aimed to understand the structure and function of gut and lung microbiota of pregnant Pomona leaf-nosed bats using V3-V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Of the 350 bats captured using mist nets in Yunnan, nine pregnant Pomona leaf-nosed bats with similar body sizes were chosen. Gut and lung samples were aseptically collected from each bat following cervical dislocation and placed in sterile cryotubes before microbiota investigation. Microbial taxonomic annotation revealed that the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota were most abundant in the guts of pregnant bats, whereas Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota were abundant in the lungs. Family-level classification revealed that Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Streptococcaceae were more abundant in the guts, whereas Rhizobiaceae and Burkholderiaceae dominated the lungs. Several opportunistic and potentially pathogenic bacterial genera were present at the two body sites. Bacillus, Cronobacter, and Corynebacterium were abundant in the gut, whereas Bartonella, Burkholderia, and Mycoplasma dominated the lungs. Alpha diversity analysis (using Chao1 and Shannon indices) within sample groups examined read depth and species richness, whereas beta diversity using unweighted and weighted UniFrac distance metrics revealed distinct clustering patterns between the two groups. LEfSe analysis revealed significantly enriched bacterial taxa, indicating distinct microbial clusters within the two body sites. The two Random Forest classifiers (MDA and MDG) evaluated the importance of microbial features in the two groups. Comprehensive functional annotation provided insights into the microbiota roles in metabolic activities, human diseases, signal transduction, etc. This study contributes to our understanding of the microbiota structure and functional potential in pregnant wild bats, which may have implications for host physiology, immunity, and the emergence of diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alport syndrome (AS) predominantly presents with X-linked inheritance worldwide. However, the epidemiological landscape remains poorly characterized, particularly among ethnic minority groups like the Roma minority in Slovakia. Our study aimed to investigate the inheritance patterns of AS in this region and determine whether a distinct pattern predominates. Methods: Selective genetic screening for pathogenic variants previously occurring in Slovakia was performed. Samples from patients with persistent (familial) hematuria ± hearing loss who had not yet undergone biopsy or genetic testing were analyzed by high-resolution melting analysis. The prevalence of AS per million (pm) population was calculated by adding information on patients with previously confirmed AS. Results: Twenty-five new cases of ARAS, one digenic form, and two cases of XLAS were identified by screening. In total, we collected information on 46 patients with genetically or bioptically confirmed AS in the region of eastern Slovakia, corresponding to a prevalence of 29 pm population. The c.1598G>A (p.Gly533Asp) pathogenic variant of the collagen type IV alpha 4 chain, which follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, was the most prevalent variant that was exclusively confirmed in Roma patients (n = 35), suggesting a founder effect. Within the Roma community, the prevalence of ARAS (the most prevalent inheritance pattern) corresponds to 133 pm of the Roma population, based on midpoint population estimates. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a unique genetic profile of AS in the Roma population, characterized by a high prevalence of ARAS, with implications for genetic counseling and screening strategies. Full article