Search Results (3,332)

Groundwater-fed irrigation sustains global food production but drives chronic aquifer depletion, creating an urgent need for quantitative tools that link irrigation intensity to groundwater response. This study proposes a gray-box machine learning (ML) framework that learns the parametric coefficients of polynomial irrigation–groundwater response functions—rather than predicting state variables directly—thereby embedding physical interpretability into the ML output. Using a well-validated SWAT-GW model of a representative over-exploited piedmont plain in the North China Plain as the training data generator, gradient irrigation scenarios were constructed for 70 hydrological response units over 20 years, producing 21,000 paired records of winter-wheat irrigation intensity versus three groundwater response variables: vertical recharge, aquifer storage change, and water table depth change. Quadratic polynomials were identified as the optimal functional form through joint evaluation of fitting accuracy (R² > 0.994) and ML learnability. Ensemble boosting algorithms predicted the three quadratic coefficients, with R² ranging from 0.74 to 0.97, and retained acceptable accuracy even when input features were restricted to readily available meteorological and soil data. Four management-critical hydrogeological parameters—the precipitation infiltration coefficient (α), irrigation infiltration coefficient (β), natural recharge (R_nat), and recharge–abstraction equilibrium point (IRR_eq)—were successfully inverted from the predicted coefficients and validated against independent regional groundwater resource assessments. The SHapley Additive exPlanations and Causal Forest analyses confirmed that the learned relationships are governed by physically interpretable drivers. The framework advances groundwater machine learning from state-variable prediction toward functional-structure extraction, offering a transferable approach for deriving irrigation–groundwater response curves and sustainability thresholds in over-exploited aquifer systems. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a major economic and food crop whose yield is severely affected by frogeye leaf spot (FLS), caused by Cercospora sojina. Current knowledge of resistance genes remains insufficient for effective molecular breeding. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between the resistant parent, Henong 60 (H60), and the susceptible parent, Dongnong L13 (DN L13), was evaluated under field conditions in Acheng (AC) and Xiangyang (XY). Plants were artificially inoculated with physiological race 7 of C. sojina, and disease severity at the R3 growth stage was recorded. Genotyping using the SoySNP660K chip yielded 54,836 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using the 3VmrMLM model by integrating dual-environment phenotypic data, and four quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) significantly associated with resistance to FLS were identified on chromosomes 8 (1), 17 (1), and 20 (2). By the analysis of genomic annotation, functional enrichment, metabolic pathway analyses, haplotype–phenotype association and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Glyma.20G155700 and Glyma.17G070500 are intended to be candidate genes related to soybean resistance to race 7 of FLS. The findings of this study provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance to FLS in soybean. The identified molecular markers and candidate genes may provide useful resources for marker-assisted breeding and the development of disease-resistant germplasm. Full article

Chemical contamination of milk represents a relevant food safety concern, particularly in countries where systematic monitoring programs are still limited. In Algeria, information on human exposure to aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination remains fragmented or lacking. This study assessed the occurrence of AFM₁ and 17 PFAS in cow and goat milk and explored farm-level management practices potentially influencing contamination. Bulk-tank milk samples were collected from 26 dairy cattle and 11 dairy goat farms. Farm characteristics, including feeding strategies, water sources, grazing practices, and herd size, were recorded using structured questionnaires to characterize farm-level practices and explore their potential association with contamination patterns. AFM₁ was detected in all samples. In cow milk, 96.1% exceeded the EU limit (0.05 µg/kg), with concentrations ranging from 0.048 to 0.410 µg/kg (mean: 0.102 µg/kg), although none exceeded the Codex Alimentarius limit (0.50 µg/kg). Goat milk showed a lower prevalence of samples above the EU limit (36.4%), but higher concentrations were observed (range 0.030–0.578 µg/kg; mean 0.193 µg/kg), with two samples (18.2%) exceeding the Codex limit. PFAS contamination was generally low: 73.0% of cow and 64.0% of goat samples were below detection limits, with only PFBS (cow milk) and PFDA (goat milk) quantified above LOQ. Because of the limited number of farms and the single sampling period, no robust associations could be established between farm-level variables and contaminant concentrations. This preliminary study provides an exploratory overview of AFM₁ and PFAS occurrence in bovine and goat bulk milk from the sampled Algerian farms. These findings reveal widespread AFM₁ contamination within the investigated farms, consistent with possible feed-borne AFB₁ exposure, whereas PFAS occurrence appeared sporadic and generally low. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis addressed through a One Health framework. However, recent European Union (EU) surveillance data reveals a marked divergence in progress between the human and animal sectors. This study analyzes the most recent monitoring reports (European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption Network and European Sales and Use of Antimicrobials for Veterinary Medicine, 2024) to compare the effectiveness of mitigation strategies across sectors. The findings expose a clear paradox: while the veterinary sector has achieved a structural 24.3% reduction in antimicrobial sales in the EU since 2018, human medicine has recorded a 2% increase in overall consumption, diverging from established reduction targets. From a qualitative perspective, veterinary medicine has nearly eliminated the use of critically important antimicrobials in the AntiMicrobial Expert Group (AMEG) (category B), including polymyxins and third-generation cephalosporins, which now account for only 0.24% of total sales. In contrast, human medicine continues to struggle to contain antimicrobial resistance in key sentinel pathogens, notably Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, companion animals, representing 97.9% of non-food-producing animal biomass, emerge as a reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria due to the intensive use of broad-spectrum oral formulations. The results indicate that the veterinary regulatory model, centered on binding volume reduction and preventive strategies, has been more effective in reducing overall antimicrobial consumption compared to the voluntary, guideline-based stewardship approaches currently used in human medicine. Achieving meaningful control of antimicrobial resistance will require human medicine to adopt the same level of structural rigor already implemented in animal production systems. Full article

Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolites produced by the gut microbiota after fiber fermentation. Some SCFAs, such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, have been recognized as essential for human health, especially for the brain; however, the cellular mechanisms activated by these molecules in food-intake-related organs, such as the olfactory bulb, remain unclear. Objective: This study evaluates the effects of acetic acid (AA) and sodium butyrate on the physiology of Ca²⁺ metabolism in olfactory bulb cells (OBCs). Methods: Primary OBC cultures of the postnatal rat (P7-21) were made, and Ca²⁺ imaging experiments were performed to record the intracellular Ca²⁺ responses (iCaR) elicited by the application of AA and sodium butyrate (100 nM–1 mM). Immunocytochemical analyses were performed to identify GFAP⁺ cells and GPR41 and GPR43 receptors in OBCs. Endpoint RT-PCR analyses were made to identify GPR41 and GPR43 transcripts in OBCs. Results: Fewer than 10% of the OBCs tested responded to the application of AA and sodium butyrate with iCaR. Pharmacological studies (20 µM 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB); 10 nM GLPG0974, 120 nM AR420626) showed that iCaR were independent of inositol triphosphate (IP₃)-signaling pathways and that OBCs expressed both GPR41 and GPR43 receptors. Endpoint RT-PCR studies performed in both olfactory bulbs and primary OBC cultures confirmed the expression of the GPR41 receptor. Conclusions: This study shows that AA and butyrate induce intracellular Ca²⁺ responses activated by GPR41 and GPR43 receptors in a discrete cellular population of the rat olfactory bulb. Full article

Inflation has become a major global economic issue, affecting household welfare and poverty reduction efforts, especially in developing countries. Despite growing scholarly attention, understanding of its conceptual foundations, emerging themes, and future research directions remains limited. This review analyzes international studies on inflation and household poverty from 2015 to 2025. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 147 peer-reviewed English-language articles were selected from an initial pool of 659 records in the Scopus database and analyzed using the Biblioshiny package in R for performance metrics and science mapping. The findings reveal a rapidly growing and diverse research area, with an average annual growth rate of 20.77%, involving 362 authors across 147 journals. Most research focuses on high-income nations such as the United States, China, and the UK, while regions heavily affected by inflation-driven poverty, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia, are less represented. Thematic analysis identifies five key areas: macroeconomic instability and inequality; household well-being and food security; energy poverty and commodity prices; COVID-19 and external economic threats; and multidimensional poverty combined with social policies. Around 30% of the publications feature international collaboration, reflecting increased global cooperation. Life-cycle analysis indicates the field is in a growth phase and may reach maturity around 2036. Overall, this review provides a detailed overview of the development and structure of research on inflation and household poverty, highlights notable geographic and thematic gaps, and offers valuable insights for future studies and policies aimed at reducing inflation’s adverse effects on vulnerable economies. Full article

(1) Background: Adolescence is a critical period for the development of health-related behaviors, including dietary habits and physical activity. This cross-sectional study examined the associations between participation in organized sports, nutrient intake, and body composition in a sample of Greek adolescents. (2) Methods: A total of 224 adolescents aged 12–18 years from schools in the Attica region, Greece, participated in the study. Physical activity and organized sports participation were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and dietary intake was evaluated using three-day self-reported food records analyzed with Cronometer^® nutrition analysis software. (3) Results: Boys had higher fat-free mass and basal metabolic rate and lower fat-mass percentage than girls. Organized sports participation was common and differed by sex, with boys reporting higher participation and greater adherence to physical activity recommendations than girls. Organized sports participation was associated with differences in selected nutrient intakes, particularly among late adolescents; however, several differences were attenuated when nutrient intake was standardized per 1000 kcal, suggesting that part of the observed pattern may reflect differences in total energy intake. (4) Conclusions: These cross-sectional findings suggest that age-defined adolescent stage and organized sports participation are associated with differences in sports involvement, body composition, and nutrient intake among Greek adolescents; however, causal relationships cannot be established, and the findings should be interpreted as associations. Full article

This study investigates the ethnobiology of wild food plants in Arbëreshë (Albanian-speaking) and neighbouring Calabrian communities in north-eastern Calabria, inland southern Italy. It examines how traditional ecological knowledge, plant use patterns, and cultural perceptions are represented across two datasets, contributing to the understanding of biocultural dynamics in Mediterranean rural contexts. Fieldwork was conducted through forty-six semi-structured interviews in five villages in north-eastern Calabria, Southern Italy. Data were compared with an ethnobotanical dataset collected in the Vulture area (northern Lucania, southern Italy) during 2000–2001. The comparison is treated as cross-spatial and diachronic at the level of observed ethnobotanical records. Because the study areas differ in ecological and socio-economic conditions, comparisons are presented as descriptive contrasts rather than as direct temporal change. Taxa were classified by citation frequency, and comparisons were conducted at genus level to describe patterns of presence and variation in reported wild plant use. A total of 82 wild food taxa were documented. The dataset was dominated by vascular plants, with frequent representation of the families Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, and Lamiaceae. Arbëreshë participants reported 60 genera, including seven genera not recorded in the comparative dataset (Asphodeline, Pimpinella, Hirschfeldia, Silene, Bellevalia, Leontodon, and Crocus). Calabrian participants reported 28 genera, including three not recorded among Arbëreshë participants (Clinopodium, Suillus, and Urospermum). Twenty-one genera were present in both datasets. Differences in citation frequency and genus composition are observed between datasets, with variation across groups and contexts. The results show a shared set of commonly reported wild food taxa across datasets, alongside variation in less frequently reported genera. The findings describe differences in ethnobotanical records across communities and time-separated datasets, reflecting combined influences of ecological context, sampling conditions, and local knowledge practices. Full article

Studies on chimpanzees suggest that some plants are consumed for their biological properties. Low frequency of consumption, small ingested quantities, complex food processing for a low nutritional value, and local ecological knowledge from human populations can serve as useful indicators for detecting self-medicative behavior. Since 2008, wild chimpanzees have been monitored in Sebitoli, Kibale National Park, Uganda. This study focuses on a plant locally called “Angel’s trumpet,” selectively consumed by chimpanzees but previously botanically unidentified. Across 890 observation days, 25 consumption events were recorded involving 18 chimpanzees, each ingesting about 10 g of pith. The plant was botanically identified as Acnistus arborescens, a species native to Central and South America and not previously reported in Africa. The plant is known to contain withanolides particularly studied in mice and humans for their anxiolytic effects. Chemical analysis of leaves and pith conducted during this survey revealed diverse withanolides and cinnamides, with some compounds unique to the pith. This finding highlights a chimpanzee-guided discovery of a non-native plant with known bioactive properties. This study opens avenues for further research on its distribution, potential invasiveness, and potential uses for its biological effects by both humans and wildlife in Africa. Full article

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is of primary importance to the food industry, state inspection authorities and consumers alike due to the carcinogenic nature of this toxin and the respective health risk associated with its presence in dairy products. In the present work, 1197 raw cow milk samples were collected and analyzed for AFM1 in the Republic of Cyprus during a five-year period (2021–2025) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Health exposure assessment and risk characterization were also performed for the Cypriot population (men, women and children) regarding milk consumption through the calculation of Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Index (HI) and Margin of Exposure (MoE). Results showed that AFM1 in cow milk varied with season: 7.34 ± 8.59 ng/kg for winter, 6.86 ± 10.00 ng/kg for spring, 6.43 ± 7.44 ng/kg for summer and 5.36 ± 7.11 ng/kg for autumn. Among the analyzed years, 2022 and 2025 showed wider concentration ranges, with several samples presenting elevated AFM1 levels compared to the other years. Of the 1197 milk samples analyzed for AFM1 content, 633 were <LOD, 284 < LOQ, 278 at concentrations of 10–50 ng/kg, and only two samples exceeded the limit set by the EU (50 ng/kg). The average amount of AFM1 exposure EDI ranged between 0.026 ng/kg b.w./day for men and 0.061 ng/kg b.w./day for children. HI was <1, recording values of 0.130 for men, 0.155 for women and 0.305 for children. Finally, MoE recorded values > 10,000 (15,385 for men and 12,903 for women) and 6557 for children, indicating that the amount of AFM1 consumed through milk by children may comprise a considerable risk for this population group and consequently AFM1 contamination of milk demands its regular monitoring and evaluation of the respective risk involved. Full article

The Oriental Magpie Pica serica invaded Hokkaido, Japan, in the 1980s, but little is known about its current population status or potential for further range expansion. Here, we compile records on the distribution of magpies from 2012 to 2016 and estimate potential suitable habitats. Field surveys and citizen science reports revealed that breeding and individual birds occurred in 28 municipalities located in western Hokkaido. Although dozens or more birds have become established in three of these municipalities on the Pacific coast, populations in the other 25 appear not self-sustaining. Suitable habitats for magpies were almost exclusively limited to urban residential areas, presumably due to the availability of anthropogenic food resources. While these apparently suitable habitats occur throughout Hokkaido Island, no sightings have been recorded in eastern Hokkaido, suggesting that magpies have not crossed the forest area that runs north–south through the central part of the island. Suitable habitats, estimated based on the habitat selection by the largest population in Tomakomai, are concentrated near the centers of each municipality, separated by agricultural land, which may have slowed down the range expansion of the magpie through the Allee effect. The island-like fragmentation of suitable habitats is advantageous for comparative studies of magpie populations, food resources, predators, and competitors. Furthermore, the magpie has a distinctive black-and-white coloration and a unique, loud call, making it well-suited for citizen science surveys. Continuous monitoring of Hokkaido’s magpie population by experts and citizens will provide excellent opportunities to ask ecological questions involving bird distributions and the establishment of invasive species. Full article

This scoping review evaluates the role of vector-associated dissemination in contaminating the Philippine food supply chain with antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Salmonella, an emerging infectious disease threat, using a One Health perspective to map the mechanisms through which insects and rodents bridge environmental reservoirs to human food systems. This scoping review was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. From 1969 records identified through systematic database searches, 52 studies met the inclusion criteria. These comprised 21 primary Philippine studies, 28 non-Philippine studies (including ASEAN-based historical baseline reports), and 3 policy/gray literature studies, prioritized to reflect tropical ecological and agricultural settings. Results suggest that intensive swine and poultry farming may contribute to the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) linked to genes such as bla_TEM and qnr. Evidence suggests that Salmonella persists in environmental matrices, such as manure and irrigation water, and that synanthropic vectors, including Rattus rattus and various fly species, potentially serve as biological and mechanical bridges in transmission. Clinical data reveal an alarming trend toward invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis (iNTS) showing reduced susceptibility to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. Despite these findings, major evidence gaps remain, particularly regarding the prevalence of vector-borne Salmonella in pre-harvest produce. Consequently, mitigation requires a One Health framework that integrates non-antibiotic interventions, pest management to disrupt transmission pathways, and rapid diagnostic tools, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), to enhance market surveillance. Full article

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world after maize and rice. Its importance stems from its contribution to food security in most parts of the world. Although the crop is widely cultivated globally, it faces numerous biotic and abiotic challenges, among which plant-parasitic nematodes pose a significant threat. The objective of the study is to map the nematode species affecting potato crops while drawing links with their pervasiveness and outlining effective control strategies. The article selection process followed the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 41 articles were selected for the review from an initial 944 records retrieved from the Web of Science, Scopus, CAB Abstract, and reference list based on their relevance to the study criteria. The findings indicate that G. pallida, G. rostochiensis, M. incognita and M. javanica were the most reported nematodes globally. Chemical and biological control remain the most widely used management strategies, while incorporating resistant cultivars, abiotic inducers, organic fertilizers, and crop rotation offers greater potential to enhance the sustainability and resilience of farming systems. A significant global research gap persists in nematode surveillance and diagnostic surveys of potato-growing regions. Full article

Agricultural commodity markets remain central to household survival across many developing economies, yet their volatility is rarely framed as an adolescent sexual and reproductive health problem. This mini review uses a structured narrative approach anchored in a screened evidence map of 1065 records, from which 50 papers were retained and 16 studies were prioritized for full synthesis. We define adolescent reproductive health holistically, including sexual agency, contraceptive information and use, pregnancy intention, antenatal and obstetric care, protection from coercion, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. The review provides a concrete answer to the primary question: agricultural commodity price volatility is a distal, context-conditioned determinant of adolescent reproductive health, not a uniform direct cause. Its effects operate mainly through food security, household income, labor allocation, school continuity, gendered bargaining power, and service access. Negative shocks more consistently erode nutrition, schooling, transport to care, and access to adolescent-friendly services, especially among rural girls in households with weak shock buffers. Positive shocks may increase births or union formation when income effects dominate, but they may also harm health when higher labor demand raises the opportunity cost of caregiving and service use. Direct adolescent-specific causal evidence remains limited; therefore, adjacent evidence on fertility, child health, schooling, and maternal or neonatal outcomes is interpreted through an explicit evidence hierarchy rather than treated as equivalent to direct adolescent evidence. Policy priorities include shock-responsive social protection, school retention, contraceptive supply continuity, adolescent-friendly care, and early warning systems that trigger health and education responses during commodity instability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Furan derivatives are commonly encountered in food and environmental matrices and may exert biological effects, but their acute cardiovascular actions and potential mitochondrial targets remain insufficiently characterised. This study examined the effects of two simple furan compounds, 2-acetylfuran (2AF) and 5-methylfurfural (5MFF), on arterial blood pressure in vivo and on oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver mitochondria. Methods: Arterial blood pressure was recorded invasively in anaesthetised rats after intraperitoneal administration of 2AF or 5MFF (0.3 µL/g). Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, as well as heart rate, were monitored over time. Mitochondrial respiration was assessed in isolated rat liver mitochondria using high-resolution respirometry. Results: Both 2AF and 5MFF induced a rapid hypotensive response, with significant reductions in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures within 10–15 min after administration. MAP was reduced to a similar extent by both compounds. However, their chronotropic and pulse pressure responses differed: 5MFF increased heart rate and pulse pressure, whereas 2AF induced a delayed bradycardic response without a significant change in pulse pressure. In isolated liver mitochondria, both compounds markedly reduced ADP-stimulated respiration and decreased the respiratory control index, indicating reduced coupling efficiency. Both compounds also increased the cytochrome c effect, suggesting partial impairment of outer mitochondrial membrane integrity. Conclusions: 2AF and 5MFF exert acute hypotensive effects in anaesthetised rats and impair oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver mitochondria. This study provides the first in vivo evidence that 2AF and 5MFF exert hypotensive effects and identifies them as bioactive furan compounds with dual haemodynamic and bioenergetic actions. Full article