Search Results (148)

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly causes fertility difficulties and is associated with substantial psychological distress, particularly in collectivist societies where motherhood is central to female identity and social status. This cross-sectional study examined the association between specific cultural perceptions of fertility difficulties and emotional well-being among married women with PCOS in rural Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Methodology: From July to September 2025, we recruited 583 married women aged 18–48 years with confirmed PCOS using systematic random sampling from the Gynecology Outpatient Department of DHQ Hospital Muzaffargarh. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising validated scales for cultural perceptions of fertility difficulties (10 items, Cronbach’s α = 0.87) and emotional well-being (Urdu DASS-21 Depression and Anxiety subscales plus selected Fertility Problem Inventory items, Cronbach’s α = 0.84–0.91). Multiple linear regression models with robust standard errors were used in this study. Results: A higher perceived cultural importance of childbearing (β = 0.39, 95% CI 0.30–0.48, p < 0.001) and societal pressure to conceive soon after marriage (β = 0.36, 95% CI 0.27–0.45, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased depression and anxiety. Perceived stigma showed an unexpected negative association with depression (β = −0.15, 95% CI −0.24 to −0.06, p = 0.001), possibly reflecting resilience or the mobilization of social support. Conclusions: Cultural perceptions of fertility difficulties are strongly associated with emotional distress in rural populations. Therefore, culturally sensitive psychological screening and support integrated into reproductive health services are recommended. Full article

Personalized medicine regarding the biopsychosocial model can extend to females considering fertility choices through online one-on-one interactions. This finding is relevant, as recent publications suggest that online one-on-one interventions might help them in this regard. An examination of one online one-on-one intervention considers its conceptual appropriateness. The investigation is through a narrative historical analysis of a previous online group meeting, personalized to help researchers reduce their burnout. The finding is that, with an adaptation of the group process to the individual’s schedule, some participants became overwhelmed by being responsible for their schedule. By using a modification of the same process—one that does not depend on them determining their participation schedule—females can respond to writing prompts that reveal their values, from the most objective to those that are increasingly subjective. However, notably, those who are clear about their values would likely experience the least difficulty in assuming responsibility for their participation. In this regard, methodological examples of possible prompts for the modified process are offered. Through the appropriate personalization of an online, one-on-one process, the future aim in testing this process is to improve the likelihood of success in helping females clarify their values for making fertility-related decisions. Full article

In the waxy maize production of Zhejiang Province, China, conventional straw management often causes planting difficulties and nutrient competition. Although no-till with straw retention is known to benefit soil structure, its long-term impacts on local soil health and productivity remain poorly understood. Hence, a six-year field experiment (2016–2021) was conducted with four treatments, i.e., no-till with residue retention (NTRR), no-till with residue removal (NTR0), plow tillage with residue incorporation (PTRR), and plow tillage with residue removal (PTR0), to investigate the long-term effects of tillage and residue management. The results demonstrated that plow tillage (PT) significantly improved soil physical properties, reducing soil compaction and decreasing bulk density compared to no-till (NT) practices. Meanwhile, residue retention (RR) enhanced soil chemical fertility, increasing soil organic matter by 7.8–9.8% and substantially improving available potassium levels. The PTRR treatment achieved the most favorable soil conditions with the lowest compaction and bulk density values among all treatments. PTRR consistently yielded the highest maize production, showing a 1.7–6.9% advantage over PTR0 and a substantial 15.4% yield increase in spring maize compared to residue removal (R0) treatments. Correlation analyses revealed significant relationships between soil quality and productivity, with the Soil Quality Index (SQI) showing strong positive correlations with both yield (r = 0.74, p < 0.01) and economic returns (r = 0.67, p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that PTRR represents an optimal agricultural management strategy for simultaneously enhancing soil health and ensuring sustainable crop production in fresh maize cultivation. Full article

Male fertility is important to ensure herd health and productivity. The camelid male breeding soundness examination (BSE) is strongly recommended because natural mating remains the primary breeding method due to the challenges in semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination. Guidelines for the BSE have been proposed but not adopted in practice. The investigation of male reproductive failure includes history, general health examination, examination of the genitalia, semen evaluation, and testing for contagious diseases. Difficulties in ejaculate collection and semen viscosity are challenges in camelid male fertility investigation. This review summarizes the outcomes of BSE in our practice on South American camelids (SACs) and camels. The results and discussion are presented under four main categories: congenital defects, impotentia coeundi, impotentia generandi, and male reproductive emergencies. There is a difference between camels and SACs in the incidence of various disorders. Congenital defects are common in SACs in particular cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia and rete testis cysts. Orchitis is more common in camels, particularly in areas where brucellosis is prevalent. Testicular degeneration occurs in all camelids and has been associated with heat stress, aging, systemic diseases and overuse of anabolic steroids. Precise diagnosis of fertility impairment may require disease testing, testicular biopsy, cytogenetics and endocrine evaluation. A significant proportion of males are referred because of reproductive emergencies, due to poor management, which results in loss of genetic potential. Implementation of regular BSE is possible in SACs but can be difficult in dromedaries because of the large variation in breed characteristics and management systems. Full article

High-standard farmland fertility enhancement projects can lead to the sustainable utilization of arable land resources. However, due to difficulties in project implementation and uncertainties in costs, resource allocation efficiency is constrained. To address these challenges, this study first analyzes the impact of geography and engineering characteristics on cost indicators and applies principal component analysis (PCA) to extract key influencing factors. A hybrid prediction model is then constructed by integrating the Northern Goshawk Optimization (NGO) algorithm with a Backpropagation Neural Network (BP). The NGO–BP model is compared with the RF, XGBoost, standard BP, and GA–BP models. Using data from China’s 2025 high-standard farmland fertility enhancement projects, empirical validation shows that the NGO–BP model achieves a maximum RMSE of only CNY 98.472 across soil conditioning, deep plowing, subsoiling, and fertilization projects—approximately 30.74% lower than those of other models. The maximum MAE is just CNY 88.487, a reduction of about 32.97%, and all R² values exceed 0.914, representing an improvement of roughly 5.83%. These results demonstrate that the NGO–BP model offers superior predictive accuracy and generalization ability compared to other approaches. The findings provide a robust theoretical foundation and technical support for agricultural resource management, the construction of projects, and project investment planning. Full article

The undertaking of distant hybridization holds paramount significance for the innovation of tea germplasm resources and the cultivation of superior, specialized tea varieties. However, challenges manifest during the process of tea plant distant hybridization breeding, with reproductive barriers impeding the successful acquisition of hybrid progeny; the precise stages at which these barriers occur remain unclear. In this study, utilizing Camellia sinensis cv. Jinxuan as the maternal parent, as well as C. gymnogyna Chang and C. sinensis cv. Yinghong No.9 as the paternal parents, interspecific distant hybridization (DH) and intraspecific hybridization (IH) were conducted. The investigation involved the observation of pollen germination and pollen tube behavior on the stigma, the scrutiny of the developmental dynamics of the ovary post-hybridization, and the examination of the stages and reasons for reproductive disorders during tea tree distant hybridization. The findings indicate that both IH and DH exhibit pre-fertilization barriers. The pre-embryonic development of hybrids obtained from DH is normal, but there is a significant fruit drop during the stage of fruit development. The germination rate of mature seeds obtained from DH is low, and there are pronounced post-fertilization disorders, which are the primary reasons for the difficulty in achieving successful tea plant distant hybridization. An analysis of the genetic variation in phenotypes and chemical components in the progeny after distant hybridization revealed widespread variation and rich genetic diversity. The identification of progeny with a high amino acid and caffeine content holds promise for future production and breeding, providing valuable theoretical references for the selection of parents in the creation of low-caffeine-content tea germplasm resources. Full article

The cryopreservation of limited sperm samples, especially those retrieved from patients, poses significant challenges due to the small number of viable cells available for freezing. Traditional microliter cryopreservation methods are fraught with difficulties, as thawed sperm cells become nearly impossible to locate under a microscope due to their mobility and the multiple focal planes presented by larger drops. This search time is critical, as sperm cells enter a state of decline post thaw. Conversely, when sperm cells are cryopreserved in nanoliter volumes, they can be easily discovered but do not survive the freezing and thawing processes entirely. This phenomenon is attributed to the diffusion of water molecules from the droplet into the surrounding oil, which, while designed to limit evaporation, inadvertently increases solute concentrations in the aqueous environment, leading to cellular desiccation. This article elucidates the mechanisms underlying this lethal diffusion effect and presents a novel approach for freezing in nanoliter volumes, which has demonstrated significantly improved survival rates through carefully optimized procedures in clinical trials. Our findings highlight the importance of adapting cryopreservation techniques to enhance the viability of individual sperm cells, ultimately facilitating better outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies. This study provides the first quantification of nanoscale water diffusion dynamics during cryopreservation, establishing a predictive model that explains the catastrophic loss of sperm viability and identifying the critical role of water diffusion as a major impediment for limited samples. The novelty of our results lies in both elucidating this specific mechanism of cell death and introducing a novel approach: utilizing water-saturated oil as a protective layer. This method effectively mitigates the osmotic stress caused by water loss, demonstrating remarkably improved cell survival. This work not only advances the scientific understanding of cryopreservation at the nanoscale but also offers a practical, impactful solution poised to revolutionize fertility treatments for patients with low sperm counts and holds promise for broader applications in biological cryopreservation. Full article

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an important crop worldwide, due to its nutritional properties. It is well known as a rich source of vitamins (A, C, and D) and various minerals that are vital in human diets. The aim of this review was to explore the economic viability of organic fertilizers that improve growth, yield, and quality during pineapple production in Africa. This study was conducted through a comprehensive analysis of the literature from peer-reviewed journals. It was reviewed that organic fertilization is a general agricultural approach that prioritizes environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and soil health through the avoidance of chemicals, including inorganic fertilizers. It was also found that organic fertilizers can effectively improve growth performance, yield, and the quality of the pineapple fruit to levels comparable to those of the fruit grown using inorganic fertilizers. Subsistence and smallholder farmers have adopted organic fertilization more than commercial farmers. Various challenges, including high certification costs, limited market access, high operating costs, inadequate farmer training, and limited knowledge on producing fruit using organic fertilizers, have been reviewed. The potential for higher market prices for organically produced fruit was noted, together with the challenges. Despite higher market prices and environmental benefits from organic fertilization, the economic viability of organic fertilizers for pineapple production is constrained by other factors, such as pest management difficulties, as the policies of conservation agriculture limit the use of chemical pesticides or the introduction of alien species as biocontrol agents. Full article

Global food security is facing numerous severe challenges. Population growth, climate change, and irrational agricultural inputs have led to a reduction in available arable land, a decline in soil fertility, and difficulties in increasing crop yields. As a result, the supply of food and agricultural products is under serious threat. Against this backdrop, the development of new technologies to increase the production of food and agricultural products and ensure their supply is extremely urgent. Agricultural nanotechnology, as an emerging technology, mainly utilizes the characteristics of nanomaterials such as small size, large specific surface area, and surface effects. It plays a role in gene delivery, regulating crop growth, adsorbing environmental pollutants, detecting the quality of agricultural products, and preserving fruits and vegetables, providing important technical support for ensuring the global supply of food and agricultural products. Currently, the research focus of agricultural nanotechnology is concentrated on the design and preparation of nanomaterials, the regulation of their properties, and the optimization of their application effects in the agricultural field. In terms of the research status, certain progress has been made in the research of nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, nano-sensors, nano-preservation materials, and nano-gene delivery vectors. However, it also faces problems such as complex processes and incomplete safety evaluations. This review focuses on the horticultural industry, comprehensively expounding the research status and application progress of agricultural nanotechnology in aspects such as the growth regulation of horticultural crops and the quality detection and preservation of horticultural products. It also deeply analyzes the opportunities and challenges faced by the application of nanomaterials in the horticultural field. The aim is to provide a reference for the further development of agricultural nanotechnology in the horticultural industry, promote its broader and more efficient application, contribute to solving the global food security problem, and achieve sustainable agricultural development. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Uterine fibroids affect up to 25% of women of reproductive age and can lead to significant symptoms or impact fertility, often requiring surgical management. While hysteroscopic myomectomy is suitable for intracavitary fibroids, intramural and subserosal fibroids typically necessitate open or minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Laparoscopic approaches offer notable advantages, including reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery. However, MIS is frequently avoided in cases of very large fibroids due to technical difficulty and concerns about safe tissue extraction. Power morcellation, previously used for specimen removal, has fallen out of favor due to the risk of disseminating occult malignancies, especially in women over 35. Therefore, establishing the feasibility of MIS without morcellation in such cases is essential. Case Presentation: A woman of reproductive age presented with a symptomatic uterine fibroid measuring approximately 4 kg (1500 cm³). Laparoscopic myomectomy was performed using a modified trocar entry technique and contained tissue fragmentation, avoiding morcellation. The operation was completed successfully without complications. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day two. Histopathological examination confirmed a benign leiomyoma. Conclusions: This case highlights the feasibility of laparoscopic removal of an exceptionally large uterine fibroid without morcellation. Through careful patient selection, strategic trocar placement, and controlled tissue fragmentation, MIS can be safely performed in select high-volume cases. These findings support reconsidering the size limitations of laparoscopic myomectomy when conducted by experienced surgeons using appropriate techniques. Full article

To address the scientific challenges of low water–fertilizer use efficiency and the difficulty in achieving the synergistic improvement of the yield and quality in solar greenhouse cucumber production on the North China Plain, this study investigated the effects of varying water and nitrogen supplies on cucumber growth, yields, water–nitrogen use efficiency, and quality. The aim was to establish optimized water and nitrogen management strategies for high-yield, high-quality, and resource-efficient cultivation. A two-factor completely randomized design was implemented, with three irrigation levels (W1: $1.0E_{p-20}$, W2: $0.75E_{p-20}$, and W3: $0.5E_{p-20}$) based on cumulative pan evaporation and four nitrogen application amounts (N1: 432 kg·ha⁻¹, N2: 360 kg·ha⁻¹, N3: 288 kg·ha⁻¹, N4: 216 kg·ha⁻¹). Cucumber growth indicators were observed during the growing season, and the water and nitrogen application rates were scientifically optimized. The results showed that a full water and nitrogen supply enhanced the leaf area index, dry weight accumulation, and yield. Moderate water and nitrogen savings had a minimal impact on plant growth and production while significantly improving the water and fertilizer use efficiency. Using principal component analysis to comprehensively evaluate the cucumber quality, it was found that the irrigation amount had a significant impact on quality, with the quality improving as the irrigation amount decreased. By employing a regression formula and spatial analysis methods, this study optimized the water and nitrogen application rates with the goals of maximizing the cucumber yield, water–nitrogen efficiency, and quality. For spring cucumbers, the recommended combination is an irrigation amount of 225~240 mm and a nitrogen application amount of 350~380 kg·ha⁻¹. For autumn cucumbers, the recommended combination is an irrigation amount of 105~120 mm and a nitrogen application amount of 375~400 kg·ha⁻¹. This research provides theoretical and technical support for high-yield, high-quality, and efficient irrigation and nitrogen management in solar greenhouses in the North China Plain. Full article

The abandonment of farmland in Europe is a significant issue due to its environmental, socio-economic, and landscape consequences. This tendency mainly impacts marginal and inner areas, located far from large urban districts, because of biophysical and/or socio-economic factors. Although European and national regulations try to turn the fragility of these territories into an opportunity for sustainable development, many of these areas, especially in southern Europe, continue to suffer socio-economic disparities. For this reason, it is necessary to consider regional and district-wide initiatives that can economically revitalize marginal areas while safeguarding their natural capital. Alternative cropping systems, capable of optimizing the quality of some food crops, can play an essential role in the economic development of populations living in marginal areas. These areas, represented by inland zones often abandoned due to the difficulty of applying mechanized agriculture, can represent an opportunity to rediscover sustainable and profitable practices. Among the high-value crops, saffron (Crocus sativus L.), “red gold” and “king of spices”, stands out for its potential. Indeed, thanks to the use of tuff tubs, a more eco-sustainable choice compared to the plastic pots already mentioned in the literature, it is possible to improve the quality of this spice. Furthermore, Crocus sativus L. not only lends itself to multiple uses but also represents a valid opportunity to supplement agricultural income. This is made possible by its high profitability and beneficial properties for human health, offering a way to diversify agricultural production with positive economic and social impacts. It is known that the saffron market in Italy suffers from competition from developing countries (Iran, Morocco, India) capable of producing saffron at lower costs than European countries, thanks to the lower cost of labor. Therefore, this study seeks to identify marginal areas that can be recovered and valorized through an eco-sustainable cultivation system with the potential to enhance the quality of this spice, making it unique and resilient to competition. Specifically, this paper is organized on a dual scale of investigation: (a) at the local level to demonstrate the economic-ecological feasibility of saffron cultivation through the adoption of an alternative farming technique on an experimental site located in Tricarico (Basilicata—Southern Italy, 40°37′ N, 16°09′ E; 472 m. a.s.l.) that, although fertile, is not suitable for mechanized cropping systems; (b) at the regional level through a spatially explicit land suitability analysis to indicate the possible location where to export saffron cultivation. The final map, obtained by combining geo-environmental variables, can be considered a precious tool to support policymakers and farmers to foster a broad agricultural strategy founded on new crop management systems. The adoption of this alternative agroecological system could optimize the use of land resources in the perspective of increasing crop productivity and profitability in marginal agricultural areas. Full article

This paper explores a resource utilization governance model that uses concentrated industrial production to transform agricultural waste into energy and fertilizer, aiming to reduce surface pollution and support the agricultural Circular Economy (CE). However, challenges such as raw material collection difficulties, low stakeholder participation, and limited social benefits persist. To address these issues, we develop a decision-making game model for an agricultural waste recovery and organic fertilizer production supply chain involving farmers, manufacturing enterprises, and the government. We analyze three subsidy strategies—no subsidy, subsidies to farmers, and subsidies to enterprises—while considering regional factors such as waste density and road complexity. Our results show that subsidies to both farmers and enterprises increase waste recycling and social welfare. Specifically, in regions with high waste density and complex roads, subsidies should target manufacturing enterprises, while in areas with flat terrain and high waste density, subsidies should favor farmers. In regions with low waste density and complex terrain, farmers should be prioritized. These findings propose solutions and policy recommendations for enhancing government involvement in agricultural waste management and guiding corporate investment decisions. Full article

Polymers, as metamaterials, represent an emerging area of research, where designed microstructural geometries lead to the competitively superior mechanical properties in these materials. Such materials are quite broadly used in energy absorption, impact protection, and biomedical systems. Polymeric metamaterials improve energy absorption and impact protection compared to traditional materials by leveraging their engineered microstructural geometries, which enhance their ability to dissipate energy and withstand impacts more effectively. However, for them to perform optimally, the relations between their micro and macro geometrical configurations need to be clearly understood. This paper reviews the significance of multi-scale modeling as one of the effective approaches for linking these differences. Considering the most recent developments in all these methods, including polymeric electronic materials at the microscale, mesoscale cellular structure, and at macroscale computational engineering, this paper underscores the holistic cross-fertilization of these methods. Some of their prominent uses include different engineering applications, such as structures for impact attenuation and load-carrying systems, demonstrating multi-scale procedures as promising tools to solve engineering problems. However, issues such as technical difficulties and the integration of experimental data within nonlinear and time-dependent considerations lead to challenges in the modeling of polymeric metamaterials. This review concludes with the identification of new trends such as the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) within modeling processes, as well as sustainability aspects which help to overcome existing constraints while allowing for great development opportunities. Along with the information of core research questions and gaps, this paper seeks to provide a systematic framework of technologies and applications that can be the basis for future research and development of polymeric metamaterials. Full article

Organic fertilizers are a revolutionary concept in coconut farming as they provide a package for sustainable coconut production. This review examines the multiple advantages of organic fertilization methods and types of organic fertilizers, which include compost, vermicompost, livestock manure, green manure, crop residues, and biofertilizers. The review focuses on the best practices, application methods, time of application, frequency and rate of application of nutrients for coconut palm at various developmental stages. The study provides a detailed and systematic review of the environmental, economic and social impacts of organic fertilization. Benefits include enhanced soil health, biodiversity promotion, carbon sequestration, cost effectiveness, quality improvement of the yield, food security and possibilities of creating rural income. Issues including resource accessibility difficulties, nutrient deficiencies, and intensive labor requirements are explored in detail, as well as future trends that focus on advanced technologies, new research areas, and policy approaches. Thus, the study reviews organic fertilization as a coherent concept that can be applied to coconut production and other goals of environmental protection, food security, and sustainable development of agriculture. Full article