Search Results (6,633)

In the coming decades, the agricultural system will predictably rely on organic material to produce crops and maintain food security. Currently, the use of inorganic fertilizers to grow crops and vegetables, such as Swiss chard, spinach, and lettuce, is on the rise and has been proven to be detrimental to the soil in the long run. Hence, there is a growing need to use organic waste material, such as spent coffee grounds (SCGs), to grow crops. Spent coffee grounds are made of depleted coffee beans that contain important soluble compounds. This study aimed to determine the influence of different levels (0.32 g, 0.63 g, 0.92 g, and 1.20 g) of spent coffee grounds on the metabolomic profile of Swiss chard. The 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results showed that Swiss chard grown with different levels of SCGs contains a total of 10 metabolites, which included growth-promoting metabolites (trehalose; betaine), defense mechanism metabolites (alanine; cartinine), energy-reserve metabolites (sucrose; 1,6 Anhydro-β-D-glucose), root metabolites (thymine), stress-related metabolites (2-deoxyadenosine), caffeine metabo-lites (1,3 Dimethylurate), and body-odor metabolites (trimethylamine). Interestingly, caprate, with the abovementioned metabolites, was detected in Swiss chard grown without the application of SCGs. The findings of the current study suggest that SCGs are an ideal organic material for growing Swiss chard for its healthy metabolites. Full article

The effect of humic substances on growth performance, excretion, and the digestive organs was studied in pheasant chickens. Three hundred 1-day-old pheasant chicks were assigned to two equal groups. Chicks in the experimental group were fed diets supplemented with humic substances (5 g/kg). Chickens in the experimental group reached significantly higher average daily weight gains (p ˂ 0.05) in the second phase of rearing (29–49 d) at a significantly better feed conversion ratio (p ˂ 0.05). The supplementation of humic substances led to a significant increase in the average body weight of pheasants at the end of the experiment (p ˂ 0.05), and to a significant increase in average daily weight gains for the entire monitored period (p ˂ 0.05). In the experimental group, significantly higher relative weights of the gizzard (p ˂ 0.05), small intestine (p ˂ 0.05), and jejunum (p ˂ 0.05), along with a significantly larger relative length of the duodenum (p ˂ 0.05), were recorded. A significantly higher concentration of dry matter in the droppings of pheasants was found in the experimental group than in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). According to our results, feeding humic substances had the most beneficial effect on pheasant growth performance during the growing phase. Humic substances can also have a positive effect on the microclimate within the breeding facility. Reductions in the water content of droppings contribute to a reduction in the humidity of the litter, thus limiting the activity of nitrogenic bacteria. Full article

Heat stress is a critical constraint to poultry production in tropical regions, where the temperature–humidity index (THI) frequently exceeds thermoneutral thresholds. Despite growing interest in climate-resilient livestock, limited research has explored the genetic sensitivity of local chicken breeds to increasing THI levels. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic effects of increasing THI on growth performance traits in two tropical chicken breeds. The data included body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and absolute growth rate (AGR) from 4,745 black-boned and 3,001 Thai native synthetic chickens across five generations. Growth data were collected from hatching to 12 weeks of age, whereas temperature and humidity were continuously recorded to calculate daily THI values. A reaction norm model was used to estimate genetic parameters and rate of decline of BW, ADG, and AGR traits under varying THI thresholds (THI70 to THI80). Results indicated that the onset of heat stress occurred at THI72 for black-boned chickens and at THI76 for Thai native synthetic chickens. Heritability estimates for BW, ADG, and AGR decreased as the THI increased in both chicken breeds. However, the Thai native synthetic chickens consistently exhibited higher genetic potential across all THI levels (average heritability: BW = 0.28, ADG = 0.25, AGR = 0.36) compared to the black-boned chickens (average heritability: BW = 0.21, ADG = 0.15, AGR = 0.23). Under mild heat stress (THI72), black-boned chickens showed sharp declines in all traits (average reduction in BW = −10.9 g, ADG = −0.87 g/day, AGR = −3.20 g/week), whereas Thai native synthetic chickens maintained stable performance. At THI76, both breeds experienced significant reductions, particularly in males. Estimated breeding values (EBVs) for AGR decreased linearly with THI, though Thai native synthetic chickens showed greater individual variability, with some birds maintaining stable or positive EBVs up to THI80—suggesting the presence of heat-resilient genotypes. In conclusion, Thai native synthetic chickens demonstrated superior thermotolerance and genetic robustness under increasing THI conditions. The identification of breed-specific THI thresholds and resilient individuals provides novel insights for climate-smart poultry breeding. These findings offer valuable tools for genetic selection, environmental management, and long-term adaptation strategies in response to global climate change. Full article

This paper presents a scientometric review that provides a quantitative perspective on the evolution of Automation in Construction Journal (AICJ) research, emphasizing its developmental paths and emerging trends. The study aims to analyze the journal’s growth and citation impact over time. It also seeks to identify the most influential publications and the cooperation patterns among key contributors. Furthermore, the study explores the journal’s primary research themes and their evolution. Accordingly, 4084 articles were identified using the Web of Science (WoS) database and subjected to a multistep analysis using VOsviewer version 1.6.18 and Biblioshiny as software tools. First, the growth and citation of the publications over time are inspected and evaluated, in addition to ranking the most influential documents. Second, the co-authorship analysis method is applied to visualize the cooperation patterns between countries, organizations, and authors. Finally, the publications are analyzed using keyword co-occurrence and keyword thematic evolution analyses, revealing five major research clusters: (i) foundational optimization, (ii) deep learning and computer vision, (iii) building information modeling, (iv) 3D printing and robotics, and (v) machine learning. Additionally, the analysis reveals significant growth in publications (54.5%) and citations (78.0%) from 2018 to 2023, indicating the journal’s increasing global influence. This period also highlights the accelerated adoption of digitalization (e.g., BIM, computational design), increased integration of AI and machine learning for automation and predictive analytics, and rapid growth of robotics and 3D printing, driving sustainable and innovative construction practices. The paper’s findings can help readers and researchers gain a thorough understanding of the AICJ’s published work, aid research groups in planning and optimizing their research efforts, and inform editorial boards on the most promising areas in the existing body of knowledge for further investigation and development. Full article

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key target for both cancer diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. Assessing EGFR expression before therapy has become routine in clinical practice, yet current methods like biopsy and immunohistochemistry (IHC) have significant limitations, including invasiveness, limited repeatability, and lack of real-time, whole-body data. EGFR-targeted imaging has emerged as a promising alternative. EGFR-targeting peptides, owing to their favorable physicochemical properties and versatility, are increasingly being explored for a variety of applications, including molecular imaging, drug delivery, and targeted therapy. Recent advances have demonstrated the potential of EGFR-targeting peptides conjugated to imaging probes for non-invasive, real-time in vivo tumor detection, precision therapy, and surgical guidance. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in EGFR-targeting peptides development, with a particular focus on their application in the development of molecular imaging agents, including fluorescence imaging, PET/CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and multimodal imaging. Furthermore, we examine the challenges and future directions concerning the development and clinical application of EGFR-targeting peptide-based imaging probes. Finally, we highlight emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, mutation-specific peptides, and multimodal imaging platforms, which offer significant potential for advancing the diagnosis and treatment of EGFR-targeted cancers. Full article

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of puffed jujube powder (PJP) supplementation in the diet on the slaughter characteristics, growth performance, meat quality, and serum antioxidant capacity of Hainan Black (HB) goats. Twenty-four healthy male HB goats, three months old with an initial body weight of 15.12 ± 3.67 kg, were randomly divided into three groups: the 10% PJP group (basal diet plus 10% PJP); the 20% PJP group (basal diet plus 20% PJP); and the control group (basal diet only). After a 10-day adaptation period, a feeding trial was carried out for 90 days in an ad libitum diet environment. The results show that the final body weight of the 20% PJP group was markedly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control group (22.58 ± 0.94 kg vs. 20.45 ± 1.01 kg). The average daily gain of the 20% PJP group was 83.44 ± 1.78 g/d, which was substantially greater (p < 0.05) than the 59.22 ± 2.13 g/d of the control group. The feed intake of the 20% PJP group was 713.10 ± 4.54 g/d, notably higher (p < 0.05) than the 498.20 ± 4.33 g/d of the control group. In terms of slaughter characteristics, the carcass weight of the 20% PJP group was 13.99 ± 1.22 kg, considerably heavier (p < 0.05) than the 11.79 ± 1.38 kg of the control group. The muscle weight of the 20% PJP group was 11.43 ± 1.42 kg, distinctly greater (p < 0.05) than the 9.59 ± 1.99 kg of the control group. The slaughter rate of the 20% PJP group was 42.41%, showing a notable increase (p < 0.05) compared with the 37.42% of the control group, and the net meat rate of the 20% PJP group was 34.65%, with a significant rise (p < 0.05) compared with the 30.43% of the control group. Regarding serum antioxidant capacity and meat quality, the activities of serum antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were conspicuously increased (p < 0.05) in the 20% PJP group. The meat shear force of the 20% PJP group was decreased by 12.9%, and the cooking loss was improved by 8.9% in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, the supplementation of 20% PJP in the diet was demonstrated to enhance the growth performance, improve the meat quality, and boost the antioxidant status of HB goats, thus presenting a feasible strategy for optimizing tropical goat production systems. Full article

The aim was to investigate the genetic effects of a SNP located in the precursor region of gga-miR-3528. (1) Single-nucleotide polymorphisms within precursor regions of microRNAs play crucial biological roles. (2) Utilizing a Gushi–Anka F₂ resource population (n = 860), we screened and validated miRNA SNPs. A SNP mutation in the miR-3528 precursor region was identified. Specific primers were designed to amplify the polymorphic fragment. Genotyping was performed for this individual SNP across the population, using the MassArray system. Association analyses were conducted between this SNP and chicken growth and body measurement traits, carcass traits, meat quality traits, and serum enzyme activities. (3) The rs14098602 (+12 bp A > G) was identified within the precursor region of gga-miR-3528. Significant associations (p < 0.05) were observed between this SNP and chicken growth traits (body weight at the age of 0 day, body weight at the age of 2 weeks, and body weight at the age of 4 weeks), carcass traits (evisceration weight), meat quality traits (subcutaneous fat rate and pectoral muscle density), and serum enzyme activities (total protein, albumin, globulin, cholinesterase, and lactate dehydrogenase). (4) These findings suggest that the polymorphism at rs14098602 may influence chicken growth, meat quality, and serum biochemical indices, through specific mechanisms. The gga-miR-3528 gene likely plays an important role in chicken development. Therefore, this SNP can serve as a molecular marker for genetic breeding and auxiliary selection of growth-related traits, facilitating the rapid establishment of elite chicken populations with superior genetic resources. Full article

Acromegaly is caused by an excessive secretion of growth hormone and the secondary elevation of IGF-1 levels, leading to progressive changes in multiple body systems, including the craniofacial region and oral cavity. Dental manifestations such as mandibular overgrowth, macroglossia, malocclusion, periodontal disease, and prosthetic difficulties represent not only a clinical component of the disease but also a significant therapeutic and diagnostic challenge. The aim of this review is to present the current state of knowledge on the relationship between acromegaly and oral health and to analyze the role of interdisciplinary collaboration between endocrinologists and dentists in patient care. For this narrative review, a literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases covering the period from 2000 to 2025. Sixty-two peer-reviewed publications meeting the methodological and thematic criteria were included in the analysis, including original studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and case reports. The results indicate significant correlations between disease activity and the severity of periodontal and microbiological changes, while effective endocrine treatment only results in the partial regression of morphological changes. Particular attention was given to the role of the dentist in recognizing the early symptoms of the disease, planning prosthetic and surgical treatment, and monitoring therapy-related complications. Interdisciplinary collaboration models, including integrated clinics and co-managed care, were also described as optimal systemic solutions for improving treatment quality. The conclusion drawn from the analysis are as follows: there is a need for the permanent integration of dentistry into the standard of interdisciplinary care for patients with acromegaly, in both diagnostic and therapeutic dimensions. Increasing awareness among dentists and developing integrated collaboration models may reduce the time to diagnosis, improve patients’ quality of life, and enable the more effective management of craniofacial complications in the course of this rare disease. Full article

The use of eco-organic ingredients as a source of protein in aquaculture diets needs important attention due to the growing demand for organic seafood products. The present study evaluated the effects of fish meal substitution by different organic ingredients on the growth, body composition, retention efficiency, enzyme activity, and nutrient digestibility of white shrimp Penaeus vannamei. The four dietary formulations tested were formulated with organic ingredients and the fish meal was replaced by the following organic protein meals: Iberian pig viscera meal (PIG), trout by-product meal (TRO), insect meal (FLY), and organic vegetable meal (WHT), in addition to a control diet (CON) that included 15% fish meal. A growth trial was carried out for 83 days, raising 1 g shrimp to commercial size (20 g). Shrimp were stocked at 167 shrimp/m³ (15 individuals per 90 L tank). The results showed that the growth obtained by shrimp fed with TRO (19.27 g) and PIG (19.35 g) were similar in weight gain to the control diet (20.76 g), while FLY (16.04 g) and WHT (16.73 g) meals resulted in a significant lower final weight. The FLY diet showed significantly lower protein digestibility (68.89%) compared to the CON, PIG, TRO, and WHT diets, and significantly higher trypsin activity (0.17 mU/g) compared to shrimp fed with the PIG, TRO, and WHT diets. Shrimp fed with WHT have a significantly lower body weight percentage of protein (19.69%) than shrimp fed with the WHT and TRO diets, and some significant differences in dietary aminoacidic levels affecting amino acid body composition. These results indicate that Iberian pig viscera and trout by-product meal can successfully replace fish meal in Pacific white shrimp aquaculture. Full article

Hericium coralloides is a highly valued gourmet and medicinal species with growing market demand across East Asia, though industrial production remains limited by cultivation challenges. This study investigated the molecular characteristics, biological traits, domestication potential, and cultivation protocols of Hericium coralloides strains collected from the Changbaishan Nature Reserve (Jiling, China). Optimal conditions for mycelial growth included mannose as the preferred carbon source, peptone as the nitrogen source, 30 °C incubation temperature, pH 5.5, and magnesium sulfate as the essential inorganic salt. The fruiting bodies had a protein content of 2.43% g/100 g (fresh sample meter). Total amino acids comprised 53.3% of the total amino acid profile, while essential amino acids accounted for 114.11% relative to non-essential amino acids, indicating high nutritional value. Under optimized domestication conditions—70% hardwood chips, 20% cottonseed hulls, 8% bran, 1% malic acid, and 1% gypsum—bags reached full colonization in 28 days, with a 15-day maturation phase and initial fruiting occurring after 12–14 days. The interval between flushes was 10–12 days. The average yield reached 318.65 ± 31.74 g per bag, with a biological conversion rate of 63.73%. These findings demonstrate that Hericium coralloides possesses significant potential for edible and commercial applications. This study provides a robust theoretical foundation and resource reference for its artificial cultivation, supporting its broader industrial and economic utilization. Full article

As a typical grain base with a dense population and high-level urbanization, the North China Plain (NCP) faces a serious threat to its sustainable development due to water shortage. Surface water area (SWA) is a key indicator for continuously measuring the trends of regional water resources and assessing their current status. Therefore, a deep understanding of its changing patterns and driving forces is essential for achieving the sustainable management of water resources. In this study, we examined the interannual variability and trends of SWA in the NCP from 1990 to 2023 using annual 30 m water body maps generated from all available Landsat imagery, a robust water mapping algorithm, and the cloud computing platform Google Earth Engine (GEE). The results showed that the SWA in the NCP has significantly increased over the past three decades. The continuous emergence of artificial reservoirs and urban lakes, along with the booming aquaculture industry, are the main factors driving the growth of SWA. Consequently, the expansion of artificial water bodies resulted in a significant increase in water evaporation (0.16 km³/yr). Moreover, the proportion of water evaporation to regional evapotranspiration (ET) gradually increased (0–0.7%/yr), indicating that the contribution of water evaporation from artificial water bodies to ET is becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ever-expanding artificial water bodies have become a new hidden danger affecting the water security of the NCP through evaporative loss and deserve close attention. This study not only provides us with a new perspective for deeply understanding the current status of water resources security in the NCP but also provides a typical case with great reference value for the analysis of water resources changes in other similar regions. Full article

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are presented in approximately 50% of East Asian populations with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard treatment, patient outcomes are also influenced by host-related factors. This study aimed to investigate clinical and radiological factors associated with early mortality and develop a prognostic prediction model in advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Methods: A retrospective cohort was conducted in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC treated with first line EGFR-TKIs from January 2012 to October 2022 at Chiang Mai University Hospital. Clinical data and radiologic findings at the initiation of treatment were analyzed. A multivariable flexible parametric survival model was used to determine the predictors of death at 18 months. The predicted survival probabilities at 6, 12, and 18 months were estimated, and the model performance was evaluated. Results: Among 189 patients, 84 (44.4%) died within 18 months. Significant predictors of mortality included body mass index <18.5 or ≥23, bone metastasis, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥ 5, albumin-to-globulin ratio < 1, and mean pulmonary artery diameter ≥ 29 mm. The model demonstrated good performance (Harrell’s C-statistic = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.66–0.78). Based on bootstrap internal validation, the optimism-corrected Harrell’s C-statistic was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.71–0.71), derived from an apparent C-statistic of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.74–0.75) and an estimated optimism of 0.04 (95% CI: 0.03–0.04). Estimated 18-month survival ranged from 87.1% in those without risk factors to 2.1% in those with all predictors. A web-based tool was developed for clinical use. Conclusions: The prognostic model developed from fundamental clinical and radiologic parameters demonstrated promising utility in predicting 18-month mortality in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC receiving first-line EGFR-TKI therapy. Full article

Oil spill simulation models are essential for predicting the oil spill behavior and movement in marine environments. In this study, we comprehensively reviewed a large and diverse body of peer-reviewed literature obtained from Scopus and Web of Science. Our initial analysis phase focused on examining trends in scientific publications, utilizing the complete dataset derived after systematic screening and database integration. In the second phase, we applied elements of a systematic review to identify and evaluate the most influential contributions in the scientific field of oil spill simulations. Our analysis revealed a steady and accelerating growth of research activity over the past five decades, with a particularly notable expansion in the last two. The field has also experienced a marked increase in collaborative practices, including a rise in international co-authorship and multi-authored contributions, reflecting a more global and interdisciplinary research landscape. We cataloged the key modeling frameworks that have shaped the field from established systems such as OSCAR, OIL-MAP/SIMAP, and GNOME to emerging hybrid and Lagrangian approaches. Hydrodynamic models were consistently central, often integrated with biogeochemical, wave, atmospheric, and oil-spill-specific modules. Environmental variables such as wind, ocean currents, and temperature were frequently used to drive model behavior. Geographically, research has concentrated on ecologically and economically sensitive coastal and marine regions. We conclude that future progress will rely on the real-time integration of high-resolution environmental data streams, the development of machine-learning-based surrogate models to accelerate computations, and the incorporation of advanced biodegradation and weathering mechanisms supported by experimental data. These advancements are expected to enhance the accuracy, responsiveness, and operational value of oil spill modeling tools, supporting environmental monitoring and emergency response. Full article

Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat) Hemsl. (Hangbaiju), which has been widely consumed as a herbal tea for over 3000 years, is renowned for its biosafety and diverse bioactivities. This study investigates the impact of polyphenol-rich Hangbaiju extracts (HE) on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. HE contains phenolic acids and flavonoids with anti-obesity properties, such as apigenin, luteolin-7-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-(6″-acetylglucoside), etc. To establish the obesity model, mice were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 8 per group) and administered with either HE or water for 42 days under high-fat or low-fat dietary conditions. Administration of low (LH) and high (HH) doses of HE both significantly suppressed body weight growth (by 16.28% and 16.24%, respectively) and adipose tissue enlargement in obese mice. HE significantly improved the serum lipid profiles, mainly manifested as decreased levels of triglycerides (28.19% in LH and 19.59% in HH) and increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (44.34% in LH and 54.88% in HH), and further attenuated liver lipid deposition. Furthermore, HE significantly decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio 0.23-fold (LH) and 0.12-fold (HH), indicating an improvement in the microecological balance of the gut. HE administration also elevated the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Allobaculum, norank_f__Muribaculaceae), while suppressing harmful pathogenic proliferation (e.g., Dubosiella, Romboutsia). In conclusion, HE ameliorates obesity and hyperlipidemia through modulating lipid metabolism and restoring the balance of intestinal microecology, thus being promising for obesity therapy. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a vital role in the restoration of tropical forests by enhancing soil fertility, facilitating plant establishment, and improving ecosystem resilience. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global scientific output on AMF in the context of ecological restoration, based on 3835 publications indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases from 2001 to 2024. An average annual growth rate of approximately 9.45% was observed, with contributions from 10,868 authors across 880 journals. The most prominent journals included Mycorrhiza (3.34%), New Phytologist (3.00%), and Applied Soil Ecology (2.79%). Thematically, dominant research areas encompassed soil–plant interactions, phytoremediation, biodiversity, and microbial ecology. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified “arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,” “diversity,” “soil,” and “plant growth” as core topics, while emerging topics such as rhizosphere interactions and responses to abiotic stress showed increasing prominence. Despite the expanding body of literature, key knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning AMF–plant specificity, long-term restoration outcomes, and integration of microbial community dynamics. These findings offer critical insights into the development of AMF research and underscore its strategic importance in tropical forest restoration, providing a foundation for future studies and informing ecosystem management policies. Full article