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Feature fusion enables joint classification of surface electromyography (sEMG) and acceleration (ACC) signals, but classification supervision alone does not explicitly optimize statistical dependence between their learned representations. To address this gap, we propose a dual-branch gesture recognition method that combines supervised classification with mutual information (MI) regularization. A Mutual Information Neural Estimation (MINE)-based dependence regularizer encourages cross-modal dependence during training; the auxiliary projection and critic are removed at inference. The experiments included 11 participants performing 10 gestures under four postures across five repetitions, with within-subject testing and strict leave-one-subject-out evaluation. The method achieved an accuracy/Macro-F1 of 93.78%/93.74% within subjects, 37.02%/34.72% before cross-subject adaptation, and 85.61%/85.57% after adaptation using one target repetition of 40 gesture–posture trials (9 min 20 s of scheduled recording). Compared with the Basic sEMG–ACC fusion baseline using the same recognition architecture without MI regularization, accuracy increased by 2.52, 6.00, and 3.06 percentage points in the three settings, respectively; all matched comparisons remained significant after Holm correction. After one-repetition adaptation, MI also outperformed the evaluated local implementations of MSCNN-TL and an ACC-adapted Multistream CNN with fine-tuning. MI achieved higher mean performance than cross-temporal attention alone (CTA-only) and its combination with MI (CTA+MI), although the cross-subject differences were not significant after Holm correction. These results support MI regularization as an effective addition to classification supervision in the evaluated cross-subject sEMG–ACC framework. The current evaluation focuses on offline steady-action classification and does not cover continuous interaction scenarios such as gesture detection and transition handling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Signal Processing Based on Wearable Non-Invasive Device: 2nd Edition)

24 pages, 1751 KB

Open AccessReview

Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Reprogramming in Osteoclastogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms and Antioxidant Therapy for Bone Disorders

by Mohammad Ibtehaz Alam, Fatima Farhana, Tajiba Rahman Khan, Farjana Sharmin, Mst Hurunnaher, Yu Katsuma, Eiko Sakai and Yoshinori Sumita

Antioxidants 2026, 15(10), 1305; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15101305 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Osteoclasts are the primary bone-resorbing cells responsible for maintaining skeletal homeostasis through balanced bone remodeling. Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress is an emerging regulator of osteoclast differentiation, metabolic reprogramming, and bone resorption, arising from excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant defenses. Dysregulated redox signaling contributes to osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontitis, periapical lesions, and other osteolytic disorders. This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular mechanisms linking oxidative stress to osteoclast metabolism, focusing on ROS sources, mitochondrial dysfunction, redox-sensitive signaling pathways, endogenous antioxidant systems, and emerging antioxidant-based therapies. Oxidative stress regulates osteoclastogenesis through interconnected signaling networks, including NF-κB, MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, AMPK, mTOR, NFATc1, and Keap1/Nrf2. Under both physiological and pathological conditions, osteoclast function is regulated by mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, and epigenetic mechanisms. Although both synthetic and natural antioxidants have been shown to reduce pathological osteoclast activity in preclinical studies, limitations in bioavailability, target specificity, and long-term efficacy hinder clinical translation. Advances in multi-omics technologies, single-cell analyses, biomarker discovery, precision medicine, and targeted antioxidant delivery may facilitate the development of effective therapies for oxidative stress-related bone disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Osteoclast Metabolism: Implications for Bone Disease Treatment)

20 pages, 1215 KB

Open AccessReview

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Implementing Guidelines into Practice

by Lee C. Rogers, Brian D. Lepow, David G. Armstrong, Erika A. Petersen, Rodica Pop-Busui, Solomon Tesfaye, Shravani Durbhakula and Robert G. Frykberg

J. Am. Podiatr. Med. Assoc. 2026, 116(5), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/japma116050084 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is a common and debilitating complication of diabetes, affecting up to 50% of patients. Early identification and management of DPN are crucial to minimize complications and maintain patient quality of life. Multiple guidelines have been developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for DPN screening, diagnosis, and management. However, implementation of these guidelines in clinical practice remains a challenge. Therefore, a task force was assembled by the American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS) to summarize the recent literature in this area. This article outlines the key recommendations of DPN guidelines and discusses their implementation in a local context. The authors provide suggestions for real-world implementation in practice, focusing on documentation, stakeholder engagement, practice support, care pathways, and continuity of care. By adopting a systematic approach to DPN guideline implementation, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of this progressive and disabling condition. Full article

40 pages, 818 KB

Open AccessReview

Progress in Anti-Obesity Drug Development: A Pharmacodynamics Perspective

by Ishtiaque Ahmad, Sarfuddin Azmi, Monirah A. Albabtain, Mohammad Mustafa, Faisal Kunnathodi, Riyasdeen Anvarbatcha, Bander R. AlWhaiby, Emtenan M. Alharbi, Amr A. Arafat and Haifa F. Alotaibi

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(10), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18101281 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial condition driven by complex neuroendocrine and metabolic pathways that limit the long-term success of lifestyle interventions. Pharmacotherapy has advanced from early monoaminergic agents to incretin-based and multi-receptor agonists with substantially improved efficacy. This review aims to provide pharmacodynamics-focused synthesis of current and emerging anti-obesity medications, emphasizing mechanistic targets, receptor interactions, and translational implications. Methods: We conducted a narrative review integrating Phase I–III clinical trials, mechanistic pharmacology data (receptor affinity, potency, and signaling bias), and regulatory summaries for FDA-approved and selected emerging, investigational, repurposed, or regionally approved anti-obesity agents. Inclusion focused on clinical relevance, pharmacodynamic novelty, and weight-loss efficacy. Results: Approved anti-obesity medications act through diverse pathways, including the inhibition of fat absorption (orlistat), the modulation of central appetite circuits (phentermine/topiramate, naltrexone/bupropion), and incretin-based mechanisms (liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and the oral GLP-1 receptor agonists semaglutide 25 mg and the nonpeptide orforglipron). GLP-1 receptor agonists achieve approximately 6–15% weight loss, while dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/GLP-1 receptor agonists such as tirzepatide reach 15–20%. Emerging agents—including triple agonists (retatrutide), glucagon-based co-agonists, amylin analogs with Phase III efficacy data, earlier-stage growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) pathway agonists, and peripherally restricted cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonists—demonstrate enhanced metabolic effects and potential improvements in lean-mass preservation. Obesity-related alterations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics highlight the need for individualized dosing strategies. Conclusions: Clinical efficacy and tolerability cannot be inferred from receptor identity alone. They emerge from relative receptor potency and efficacy, exposure, tissue access, receptor trafficking, and mechanism-linked adverse effects. Dual and triple agonists can broaden efficacy, but receptor balance and standardized comparative pharmacology remain essential for rational development and individualized dosing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics)

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18 pages, 3534 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Habitat Ecological Intactness and Responses of Wild Giant Panda Populations in Sichuan, China

by Qinlong Dai, Junmu Yue, Yue Wang, Xiaodong Gu and Wei Wei

Biology 2026, 15(20), 1799; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15201799 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Habitat degradation caused by anthropogenic disturbance is a major threat to global biodiversity, yet the spatiotemporal dynamics of the ecological intactness of giant panda habitat and the associated population responses remain poorly quantified. We focused on the Sichuan section of the Giant Panda National Park and the Liangshan Mountains. Using multi-source anthropogenic disturbance data and three national giant panda surveys, we integrated fuzzy overlay analysis, Theil–Sen trend analysis, Geodetector, and the Mann–Whitney U test to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics, contributing disturbance components, and population responses of habitat intactness. The mean habitat intactness in 2020 was 6.70. Intactness declined slowly during 1980–2020, and 73.7% of the habitat remained stable. Among the disturbance components of the intactness index, land-use type and road construction contributed most to its spatial variation, and the joint contribution of any two interacting components exceeded that of either component alone. The intactness of giant panda occurrence sites was higher than that of systematic background points (significant in five of the six survey-by-region comparisons) and was higher in the Liangshan Mountains than in the national park. However, intactness was not significantly correlated with population density. These results indicate that wild giant pandas are concentrated in high-intactness habitat, although intactness alone does not predict population density, and they provide empirical evidence for intactness-oriented conservation management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in 'Conservation Biology and Biodiversity' (2nd Edition))

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27 pages, 6217 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage-Making, Habit-Forming: The Role of Sunken Warships in Fostering Cooperation and Collaboration in Contested Waters

by Natali Pearson

Heritage 2026, 9(10), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9100415 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

More than 2000 State and merchant vessels lie on the seabed of maritime Southeast Asia, the material legacy of the Second World War. This article asks whether such wrecks can serve to form habits of cooperation, and what might be gained by doing so. Drawing on the concept of heritage diplomacy and focusing on seven Allied wrecks lost in the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia and Timor-Leste, it identifies three dimensions through which sunken military heritage can foster cooperation: affect, the capacity of wrecks to mobilize public and political attention; necessity, the environmental and ethical pressures that compel engagement; and function, the mechanisms that convert engagement into sustained cooperation. It finds that cooperation is most durably realized below the level of the state, that affect and necessity rarely produce cooperation unless relational infrastructure is already in place, and that these relationships generate commemoration far more readily than they do custodianship. Heritage is present in the region’s security architecture, but is rarely used deliberately. The article concludes by arguing that sunken warships are an under-utilized, low-threshold instrument of diplomacy in the contested space of maritime Southeast Asia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploration and Preservation of Historical Shipwrecks and Maritime Heritage)

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18 pages, 766 KB

Open AccessArticle

Surface and Subsurface Soil Response to Tethered Harvest Systems on Steep, Ash-Cap Forest Soils: A Case Study in Eastern Oregon

by Parker Turk, Woodam Chung and Brett Morrissette

Forests 2026, 17(10), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/f17101209 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Restoring resilient forest structure in the fire-prone, densely stocked forests of the Inland Pacific Northwest depends on mechanical thinning, much of it too steep for conventional ground-based equipment. Winch-assisted (tethered) harvesting has expanded mechanized access to such terrain, but its soil impacts on the ash-cap soils of the Blue Mountains remain poorly characterized, with research focused on near-surface response. This study characterized soil response following two operationally distinct tethered mechanized systems, cut-to-length (CTL) and whole-tree (WTL), within the same 15-ha unit on a 40% ash-cap slope in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon. Bulk density and moisture content were measured at the surface and at 30 cm across pre-harvest, immediate post-harvest, and one-year post-harvest periods, and cross-slope profiles were measured to quantify surface soil displacement. CTL corridors showed minimal immediate surface disturbance due to slash-mat protection but densified significantly by one year, likely driven by environmental exposure rather than machine traffic; sub-surface compaction was transient, relaxing within a year. WTL corridors densified immediately at the surface and remained elevated at one year, while sub-surface bulk density declined significantly below pre-harvest levels by one year, though this decrease may partly reflect sampling variability rather than a purely soil-driven process. Neither system showed sustained compaction at 30 cm after one year. These results indicate that, at this study site and under the operating conditions evaluated, no persistent increase in bulk density was detected at 30 cm depth for either system within the one-year monitoring period, though CTL and WTL produced distinct disturbance timelines that land managers should weigh when selecting equipment for similar terrain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Forest Operations and Engineering)

33 pages, 1278 KB

Open AccessReview

Impact of Aggregation on the Immunogenicity of Therapeutic Recombinant Biological Products

by Xiaoying Chen, Sha Guo, Xiaorui Feng, Zhenhao Zhou, Junkai Liu, Maoqin Duan, Yalan Yang, Pengfei He and Hao Wu

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(10), 1604; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19101604 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic recombinant biological products are essential in modern medicine, but their immunogenicity remains a major concern for both clinical safety and therapeutic efficacy. Protein aggregation may occur during manufacturing, storage, transportation, and administration, potentially increasing immune recognition. Here, we have reviewed the mechanisms underlying aggregation-associated immunogenicity and summarized strategies for mitigating the associated risks. Methods: We integrated published evidence on therapeutic recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates, peptide and glycoprotein hormones, and recombinant blood products. We focused on aggregation-induced structural changes, immune activation pathways, differences among product types and aggregation states, and approaches for controlling aggregation and mitigating immunogenicity. Results: Protein aggregation creates or reveals neoepitopes by disrupting the native conformational state, exposing previously buried hydrophobic regions, and generating nonnative interfaces. Aggregates may further promote innate and adaptive immune responses through repetitive epitope presentation, pattern-recognition receptor signaling, complement activation, cytokine release, dendritic-cell maturation, enhanced antigen presentation, and B-cell receptor cross-linking, ultimately increasing the likelihood of anti-drug antibody formation. Aggregate size and morphology, protein characteristics, formulation, storage conditions, administration route, and other biological factors influence the immunogenic potential of aggregates. Thus, effective risk reduction requires integrated control strategies, including molecular and structural optimization, formulation design, manufacturing-process control, appropriate storage and transportation, and sensitive analytical monitoring. Emerging artificial-intelligence approaches may further facilitate the prediction and design of low-immunogenicity biologics. Conclusions: Protein aggregation is a multifactorial determinant of immunogenicity. Controlling aggregation throughout the product lifecycle is essential to reduce immune-mediated risks and maintain safety, stability, and efficacy of therapeutic recombinant biological products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Review Collection in Biopharmaceuticals)

19 pages, 1024 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancement of Conversion Efficiency of B(In)GaAs Solar Cells: A Simulation and Numerical Investigation

by Dalanda Slimi, Faouzi Saidi, Abdelhamid Helali, Abdelkader Aissat, Mohamed Houcine Dhaou, Mohamed Alaaedine Madani and Demir Ilkay

Materials 2026, 19(20), 4271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19204271 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

This study focuses on the modeling and optimization of B_xGa_1−xAs/In_yGa_1−yAs double-junction photovoltaic cells and GaAs/B_xIn_yGa_1−x−yAs quantum well pin cells. It relies on Silvaco Atlas software 2.10.26R to simulate these structures, considering the desired number of QWs or the constant percentage of boron and indium in the III-V-based alloys of B_xGa_1−xAs, In_yGa_1−yAs, and B_xIn_yGa_1−x−yAs. The B_xIn_yGa_1−x−yAs material finds its application in the fabrication of quantum wells incorporated into the intrinsic GaAs-type absorber layer. This absorber layer is positioned between the heavily doped base and the emitting regions, in order to generate a uniform field that allows all photogenerated carriers to escape from the QWs. As part of the modeling, a comparison was made between a 40-layer GaAs/B_xIn_yGa_1−x−yAs quantum well solar cell and a standard GaAs solar cell. This analysis revealed an increase in the conversion efficiency of the simulation results from 22.66% to 31.73%. As a result, the integration of quantum wells into the structure of solar cells seems promising to optimize their performance. The optimized B_xGa_1−xAs/In_yGa_1−yAs tandem structure demonstrated a short-circuit current density of 17.50 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage of 1.99 V, a fill factor of 87.29%, and a conversion efficiency of 30.40% under AM1.5G illumination at 300 K. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Optical and Photonic Materials)

20 pages, 281 KB

Open AccessArticle

Institutionalized Patriarchy Beyond Representation: Rurality, Gender, and Political Participation Among Amazigh Women in Morocco

by Hanane El Baraka, Rhizlane Michrafy, Mohammed Khalid Brandalise Rhazzali and Lahcen El Assaoui

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(10), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15100688 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

The objective of this article is to examine how gendered institutional practices constrain the substantive political participation of Amazigh-speaking women elected to local councils in Morocco. Although constitutional reforms, gender quotas, and the official recognition of Amazigh have expanded women’s formal political representation, less attention has been paid to the institutional processes that continue to restrict their effective participation in local governance. Existing studies have primarily attributed women’s political marginalization to sociocultural and structural factors, while paying comparatively limited attention to how everyday institutional arrangements reproduce unequal opportunities for political participation. Drawing on Feminist Institutionalism, the Capability Approach, Bourdieu’s concept of linguistic capital, Spivak’s notion of subaltern silencing, and intersectionality, this study examines how linguistic, spatial, and temporal arrangements operate as interconnected mechanisms of exclusion. Focusing on the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region as a case study, the analysis draws on semi-structured interviews with elected women councilors and local government officials. The findings indicate that the institutional dominance of Arabic in council deliberations, the organization of meetings in male-dominated spaces such as rural cafés, and the scheduling of meetings at times that conflict with women’s social responsibilities can collectively constrain Amazigh-speaking women’s ability to understand political debates, participate effectively in deliberations, and influence decision-making processes. These practices suggest that gendered institutional inequalities can be reproduced not only through explicit legal discrimination, but also through routine institutional arrangements embedded in the everyday functioning of local councils. The article argues that substantive political participation depends not only on formal legal representation but also on equitable access to the linguistic, spatial, and temporal conditions required for meaningful democratic deliberation. It contributes to the debate on women’s political participation by showing how apparently ordinary institutional rules, routines, spaces, and practices can reproduce gendered inequalities and thereby contribute to the persistence of institutionalized patriarchal relations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Democracy, Politics and Innovation, Social Integration and Global Politics in the Contemporary World)

45 pages, 1463 KB

Open AccessReview

A Survey on U-Net with Variants and Their Applications in Two-Dimensional Medical Image Segmentations

by Tianhui Wu, Shamsher Ullah, Bowen Yu, Farhan Ullah, Jianghao Wang, Zhiqiang Gao, Kenji Yoshigoe and Yue Zhao

J. Imaging 2026, 12(10), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging12100497 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Medical image segmentation plays a critical role in computer-assisted diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical navigation, and quantitative medical image analysis. Among deep learning-based segmentation architectures, U-Net has become one of the most influential frameworks because of its encoder–decoder structure and skip connections for integrating semantic and spatial information. This review focuses on U-Net and representative variants for two-dimensional medical image segmentation. We systematically analyze their architectural evolution, including attention-based designs, enhanced skip connections, deformable convolutions, and Transformer-based extensions and discuss their advantages, limitations, and application boundaries. Quantitative performance results are synthesized from published studies rather than reproduced through new benchmarking experiments; direct numerical comparisons are restricted to models evaluated within the same study or under clearly defined benchmark settings. We further relate architectural modifications to modality-specific challenges in MRI, CT, ultrasound, fundus imaging, dermoscopy, and microscopy. Finally, current challenges in computational efficiency, cross-domain generalization, data scarcity, interpretability, and clinical deployment are discussed, together with promising directions for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Medical Imaging)

18 pages, 695 KB

Open AccessReview

Recovery-Phase Viral Pancreatitis (RVP): Proposal of a New Clinical Framework Arising During the Natural Course of Viral Infection

by Yuzuru Ohshiro

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(20), 7794; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15207794 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

We propose recovery-phase viral pancreatitis (RVP) as a new clinical framework for acute pancreatitis arising during natural recovery from viral infection. Although pancreatic injury during acute viral illness has been widely reported, pancreatitis arising after improvement of systemic viral symptoms remains poorly characterized. We conducted a focused narrative review with descriptive case-level analysis of published reports of virus-associated acute pancreatitis. We identified 19 cases of recovery-phase pancreatitis involving multiple unrelated viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, dengue virus, hepatitis A virus, and Epstein–Barr virus, although most cases (13/19, 68%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2. We propose a hypothetical two-hit model in which possible pancreatic viral involvement or antigen persistence during acute infection (Hit 1) is followed by recovery-associated immune recognition and pancreatic inflammation (Hit 2). Though RVP may share pathophysiological features with classical immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), we believe it should be distinguished from IRIS because it arises during the natural course of viral infection. RVP has been described after hospital discharge and may therefore represent an underrecognized temporal association, in which its relationship to the preceding viral infection may be overlooked. Recognition of RVP may facilitate appropriate diagnosis of pancreatitis arising during recovery from viral infection and provide a framework for future mechanistic investigations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acute Pancreatitis and Its Complications: Current Diagnostics and Management)

30 pages, 1595 KB

Open AccessReview

Structure–Activity Relationships of Natural and Synthetic Anthraquinones: Relevance for Pharmacology and Nutritional Supplementation

by Nataliya V. Yaglova, Sergey S. Obernikhin, Elina S. Tsomartova, Elizaveta V. Chereshneva and Dibakhan A. Tsomartova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(20), 8960; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27208960 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Anthraquinones constitute an extensive class of natural and synthetic derivatives. Natural anthraquinones are widely utilized as active ingredients in dietary supplements and traditional medicine. However, their inherent polypharmacology frequently complicates their biomedical application; while a broad spectrum of biological activities is advantageous in defined clinical settings, it often triggers off-target or adverse reactions under other conditions. Consequently, standardizing both chemical composition and biological efficacy remains a critical challenge for drug development and supplement formulation. Although extensive research has focused on the chemistry and pharmacology of anthraquinones, the underlying structure–activity relationships (SARs) remain fragmented across individual studies, lacking a unified framework that correlates substituent effects and electronic properties with specific biological endpoints. This review systematically evaluates the relationship between the chemical structure of anthraquinones and their biological properties. Specifically, we analyze how the pharmacological profiles and toxicity of anthraquinones are governed by three levels of structural modification: simple monomers, dimeric systems, and hybrid architectures, ultimately providing structure-guided principles for designing optimized therapeutics and safer dietary supplements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds in Health and Disease: Progresses, Challenges, Opportunities, 2nd Edition)

22 pages, 1802 KB

Open AccessArticle

Improved Habitat Mapping Reveals Ecological Heterogeneity and Ecosystem Service Potential in a Mediterranean Mountain Natura 2000 Site

by Ioannis P. Kokkoris, Triantafyllia S. Zacharaki, Evanthia N. Alexandropoulou, Evangelos M. Pappas and Panayotis Dimopoulos

Land 2026, 15(10), 1917; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15101917 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Mediterranean mountain protected areas require detailed habitat information for conservation and management. We revised the habitat type map of Mt. Falakro Natura 2000 SAC (GR1140004), northern Greece, as a pilot application focused on grasslands. Evidence comprised 48 vegetation plots surveyed in June 2025, georeferenced photographs, observations during travel across the wider study area, and subsequent photointerpretation informed by this field evidence. Three Annex I (Dir. 92/43/EEC) habitat types absent from the baseline inventory were identified: 6170, 6210 and priority habitat type 6230*. The mapped extent of 62A0 was 87.3% lower in the revised dataset, whereas 6170 occupied 2223.52 ha; larger mapped areas were also recorded for 4060 and 5210. These differences document revised habitat type attribution and do not establish equivalent temporal ecological change. The floristic evidence and spatially explicit revisions identify distinct conservation and monitoring targets within the grassland–heathland–shrubland–forest mosaic. Existing CICES habitat type–ecosystem service associations highlight potential ecosystem services and their inclusion in forest and pasture management. The case study supports systematic remapping of Greek Natura 2000 sites using high-resolution orthoimagery, extensive fieldwork and independent reference data. Such mapping could inform conservation efforts, nature restoration and ecosystem accounting, towards the implementation of EU and national strategies and regulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Grassland Ecosystem Services: Research Advances and Future Directions for Sustainability: 3rd Edition)

17 pages, 1389 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification of the Plasma Membrane H⁺-ATPase in Poplar and Their Responses to Abiotic Stresses and Nitrogen Availability

by Jiayi Gu, Limengjie Wang, Bingjing Li, Lianke Guan, Hang Wang, Kebing Du and Jie Luo

Life 2026, 16(10), 1691; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16101691 - 9 Oct 2026

Abstract

Plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase (HA) plays critical roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses, whereas few studies have focused on the HA gene family in poplar. In this study, 13 HA genes were identified from each of the two haplotype genomes of 717 poplar (Populus tremula × P. alba 717-1B4), and all identified HA proteins in 717 poplar contained three conserved functional domains. Cis-element analysis revealed that promoters of 717 poplar HA genes contained a large number of light-, stress-, and hormone-responsive cis-elements. Transcriptome data showed that P. trichocarpa PtrHA5 and PtrHA7 specifically responded to short-term heat and long-term drought stress in stems and roots, respectively, while PtrHA3 and PtrHA10 responded to multiple abiotic stresses in roots, stems, and leaves. In 717 poplar, PtaHA9 was significantly down-regulated in roots under low-nitrate conditions and up-regulated under high-nitrate conditions. Co-expression network analysis in P. trichocarpa indicated that PtrHA9 had the largest number of co-expressed genes and shared overlapping co-expressed genes with other PtrHA genes. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of genes within the co-expression network suggested that genes co-expressed with PtrHAs were enriched in energy metabolism, enzyme-activity regulation, and transmembrane substance transport. Collectively, this study systematically characterized the evolutionary and expression profiles of the HA gene family in 717 poplar and suggests putative functional associations of HA genes with poplar stress adaptation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)

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