Search Results (8,013)

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the potential association between the sharp increase in syphilis cases in Japan and the growing popularity of dating apps, with a specific focus on the dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STIs) caused by Treponema pallidum, presents a significant global public health challenge despite being curable with antibiotics. In Japan, the incidence of syphilis has risen dramatically since 2013, surpassing 10,000 reported cases annually by 2022. Methods: To examine this trend, we analyzed the quarterly reported syphilis cases alongside active user data from three major dating apps (App1, App2, and App3) and conducted a stratified linear correlation analysis by gender and age group. Results: The results reveal that syphilis cases showed accelerated growth starting in the first quarter of 2021, and App 3 demonstrated the strongest positive correlation with new syphilis cases. The association was particularly significant among males aged 20–29 (R² = 0.70, p = 0.0007) and 30–39 (R² = 0.82, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the widespread use of dating apps may contribute to the rise in sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, by facilitating extensive new sexual contacts. Notably, this trend became increasingly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future STI prevention strategies should consider integrating dating apps as a potential medium for public health interventions. Additionally, strengthening sexual health services is essential to ensure that responses to global crises do not inadvertently undermine STI prevention and control efforts. Full article

Investigating the characteristics and influencing mechanisms of urban vitality in mountainous cities can contribute to enhanced urban resilience, optimised resource allocation, and sustainable development. However, most existing studies have focused on static analyses at single spatial scales, making it difficult to fully reveal the evolutionary trends of urban vitality under complex topographic constraints or the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of its influencing factors. This study examines Guiyang, one of China’s fastest-growing cities, focusing on both its economic development and population growth. Based on social media data and geospatial big data from 2019 to 2024, the spatiotemporal permutation scan statistics (STPSS) model was employed to identify spatiotemporal areas of interest (ST-AOIs) and to analyse the spatial distribution and day-night dynamics of urban vitality across different phases. Furthermore, by incorporating transportation and topographic factors characteristic of mountainous cities, the multiscale geographically and temporally weighted regression (MGTWR) model was applied to reveal the driving mechanisms of urban vitality. The main findings are as follows: (1) Urban vitality exhibits a multi-center, clustered structure, gradually expanding from gentle to steeper slopes over time, with activity patterns shifting from an afternoon peak to an all-day distribution. (2) Significant differences in regional vitality resilience were observed: the core vitality areas exhibited stable ST-AOI spatial patterns, flexible temporal rhythms, and strong adaptability; the emerging vitality areas recovered quickly with low losses, while low-vitality areas showed slow recovery and insufficient resilience. (3) The density of commercial service facilities and the level of housing prices were continuously enhancing factors for vitality improvement, whereas the density of subway stations and the degree of functional mix played key roles in supporting resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. (4) The synergistic effect between transportation systems and commercial facilities is crucial for forming high-vitality zones in mountainous cities. In contrast, reliance on a single factor tends to lead to vitality spillover. This study provides a crucial foundation for promoting sustainable urban development in Guiyang and other mountainous regions. Full article

Tourism has become a key sector of the global economy and a driver of economic growth. The Wine Routes are a specialized tourist offering that meets the needs of a segment of travelers, contributing to the enhancement and preservation of rural areas. Recent studies have highlighted that among the reasons driving tourists to choose Slow tourism is the desire to discover local food and wine as an expression of territorial culture. This study assumes that the characteristics of Wine tourists may have changed in recent years. An extensive survey was conducted on visitors of Sicilian Wine Routes. The results examine Wine tourism and Slow tourism and their overlap for tourists who travel around rural territories following the lure of food and wine. The results highlight a new segmentation and the existence of a new profile of Eno-Slow tourists with new primary motivations and needs. On a global level, the new Eno-Slow tourist fits perfectly into the international trends of responsible and sustainable tourism, strengthening the image of wine-producing regions as models of balance between culture, nature, and quality of life. These findings are very important as they provide useful guidance for policymakers and stakeholders committed to the sustainable competitiveness of rural tourist destinations, both locally and internationally. Full article

Promoting green industrial development and enhancing high-quality employment are crucial for advancing county-level economic growth and achieving shared prosperity. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution trends of green industrial development and high-quality employment using panel data from 20 mountainous counties (cities and districts) in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2023. It employs panel models to investigate the effects and mechanisms through which green industrial development fosters high-quality employment. The results indicate that, during the study period, both green industry development and high-quality employment exhibited uneven progress across the 20 mountainous counties (cities and districts) in Zhejiang. Mechanism analysis revealed that green industrial development significantly promotes high-quality employment through two pathways: industrial structure upgrading and technological progress. The heterogeneity analysis indicates that the impact of green industrial development on high-quality employment varies significantly across different industrial structures, with counties dominated by the tertiary sector showing more substantial promotion effects. The threshold regression analysis reveals a dual-threshold effect of technological progress in promoting high-quality employment through green industrial development, presenting an approximately J-shaped nonlinear relationship. The research findings provide significant support for the sustainable development of the ecological environment and society by addressing current imbalances between ecological preservation and economic or social growth. Full article

Background and Objectives: The effect of growth hormone (GH) on body composition is well recognized, and recombinant human GH (rGH) therapy may improve lean mass and related parameters. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in body composition parameters and lipid profile under rGH treatment in children diagnosed with short stature and to explore potential influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted in the Endocrinology Department of the Mures County Hospital, Romania, approved by the local Ethics Committee. All children diagnosed with short stature and receiving rGH treatment were eligible for inclusion if they had four body composition analyses at least 6 months apart. Analyzed variables included age, gender, environment, mean rGH dose, height and body mass index (BMI) SDS, body composition parameters assessed by bioimpedance, and family-related variables. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.25 with a level of significance α = 0.05. Results: There was no statistically significant trend in body composition parameters taken during serial measurements, except for the sarcopenic index and height (p < 0.001). Environment, pubertal development, and family-related variables other than maternal BMI had no significant influence on body composition or lipid profile. Gender differences in body composition revealed that the change in muscle mass (p = 0.009) and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.013) was statistically significantly higher for boys, and body fat (p = 0.013) for girls. In linear regression analysis, mother’s BMI emerged as a significant predictor for changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (p = 0.032, β = −0.691) during rGH therapy. Body composition changes did not differ by treatment indication. Conclusions: Gender may be associated with treatment-related changes in body composition during pediatric rGH therapy, while maternal BMI may predict HDL-C variation. rGH treatment appears to improve the sarcopenic index and has minimal and variable effects on the lipid profile. Full article

Background: The management of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) has evolved significantly over the past two decades, transitioning from corticosteroids and immunomodulators to biologic and small-molecule therapies. These advances have aimed not only to control inflammation but also to promote mucosal healing, improve growth, and enhance long-term quality of life. Objectives: This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the efficacy, safety, and clinical applications of biologic and novel small-molecule therapies in PIBD, highlighting emerging trends in personalized and precision-based management. Methods: A literature search was performed across PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on studies published within the last five years. Additional data were retrieved from key guidelines and position papers issued by ECCO–ESPGHAN, SIGENP, the FDA, and the EMA. Results: Anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents such as infliximab and adalimumab remain first-line biologics with proven efficacy in remission induction and maintenance. Newer biologics—vedolizumab, ustekinumab, risankizumab, and mirikizumab—offer alternatives for anti-TNF-refractory cases, showing encouraging short-term results and favorable safety profiles. Although many are approved only for adults with limited pediatric evidence, emerging small molecules—including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (tofacitinib, upadacitinib) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) modulators (etrasimod)—provide oral, rapidly acting, and non-immunogenic treatment options for refractory disease. Furthermore, the gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as an emerging therapeutic target in PIBD, with growing evidence that host–microbiome interactions can influence both the efficacy and safety of biologics and small-molecule therapies. Conclusions: While biologics and small molecules have transformed PIBD management, challenges remain, including high treatment costs, limited pediatric trial data, and variable access worldwide. Future directions include multicenter pediatric studies, integration of pharmacogenomics, and biomarker-guided precision medicine to optimize early, individualized treatment and improve long-term outcomes. Full article

Fissured rock masses are widespread in deep underground mining engineering, and they are prone to inducing instability and failure during excavation activities. Borehole pressure relief is one of the most effective measures with which to control dynamic disaster in high-stress roadways. After pressure relief, redistribution of stress leads to stress concentration in the far-field surrounding rock (far away from working face), which can be represented by true triaxial compression state. However, current research on the energy evolution behavior of fissured rock masses under far-field conditions remains relatively limited. This study analyzes the energy evolution process, peak energy characteristics, and laws of energy storage and dissipation in fractured sandstone under different fissure dip angles (θ, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°), with intermediate principal stresses (σ₂, 10, 20, … 120 MPa) and minimum principal stresses (σ₃, 10, 20, … 50 MPa). The results indicate that the curve of dissipated energy ratio versus maximum principal strain becomes more distinctly concave as θ increases under true triaxial compression. The growth rate of the dissipated energy ratio and dissipated energy with maximum principal strain gradually decreases when σ₃ is high, and the fissured sandstone is prone to exhibiting ductile failure, leading to a reduced energy dissipation rate. The peak elastic strain energy of fissured sandstone increases gradually with increasing σ₂ and shows a linear characteristic. The energy storage and dissipation law is nonlinear with increasing peak total energy for the fissured sandstone with different values of θ. However, the law exhibits a linear trend under varying σ₂ and σ₃. This study provides a new approach and insight into the failure characteristics of deep fissured sandstone and aims to offer theoretical guidance for the layout and construction safety of roadways or mining panels in far-field surrounding rock in future engineering practices. Full article

Floodplain vegetation is an essential part of riverine wetland ecosystems. Hydrological fluctuations significantly influence its survival and distribution. This study examines the floodplain vegetation of the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River. This study uses annual mean NDVI data over six time periods from 2000 to 2023 to represent the changes in floodplain vegetation. The driving factors include inundation frequency, annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, elevation, and slope gradient. To analyze the data, this study employs multiple analytical methods, including threshold segmentation, pixel-by-pixel linear regression (using the least squares method), Geodetector, and Pearson’s correlation analysis. This study clarifies the spatiotemporal evolution of the NDVI and the distribution of vegetation in these floodplain. It also quantitatively assesses the influence of multiple drivers and reveals the areas and extent of vegetation distribution affected by different inundation frequencies. The findings indicate: (1) Over six time periods from 2000 to 2023, NDVI values and the area covered by vegetation in the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River floodplain exhibited fluctuating growth trends. The area covered by vegetation increased by 66.94 km² in 2023 compared with that in 2000. (2) NDVI values were influenced by multiple interacting drivers, with inundation frequency being the dominant factor affecting vegetation change in the Jingjiang section (q-value: 0.79–0.86), followed by slope (q-value: 0.46–0.56). Interactions between different drivers amplify their impact on the annual average NDVI value. (3) Areas with inundation frequencies of 20%–40% exhibit positive spatial correlation with NDVI values. The maximum area of positive correlation is 112.51 km², which is predominantly distributed across the central and marginal bars of the Jingjiang section. Within this range, inundation frequency has the strongest positive effect on vegetation growth. Full article

With the industry development of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus aquaculture, the indoor high cost and low survival rate have become serious problems. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize substrate selection for seedling protection in outdoor pond net cages. This study explores the succession of periphyton on the different substrate surface types, including a curvimurate net (CU), nylon mesh (NM), and ground cages (including a ground cage net (CN) and ground cage plate (CP)), and their effects on the seedling protection of sea cucumbers. In addition, we monitored the substrates’ dry weight, chlorophyll-a, and the community composition of substrates, alongside seedling growth, yield, and survival rate. The results show that a total of 7 phyla, 23 genera, and 31 species were detected on the substrates, with diatoms dominating (19 species) and Chlorophyta (4 species) being the main species. The CU had the highest total number of alga species attached, significantly higher than the other substrates in week 13 (p < 0.05). In week 9, the diatom density dropped to its lowest point, and, after September, it rose with the decrease in water temperature. In terms of dry weight with and without ash, CP increased rapidly in the early stage, with NM, CU, and CP being significantly higher than CN in week 13 (p < 0.05). The chlorophyll-a content showed a decreasing–increasing–decreasing trend, with CU reaching 3.62 ± 0.48 μg/cm² in the 13th week, significantly higher than other substrates (p < 0.05). Finally, the A. japonicus survival rate and yield in the CU group at week 12 were significantly higher than those in the NM and ground cage groups (p < 0.05). At week 17, the average weight, yield, and survival rate in the CU group were still optimal, with the yield 5.76 times that in the initial dosage. These results suggest that the CU has a suitable mesh size, has good permeability, and may stably support sediment, which is conducive to the growth of benthic diatoms. In addition, it can provide sufficient natural feed and a good habitat environment and is the preferred substrate for A. japonicus seedling protection in outdoor pond net cages. Full article

Understanding the long-term dynamics of global tea production is essential for assessing supply stability, climate sensitivity, and producer competitiveness. This study examines annual tea production data for major producing countries—China, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, Vietnam, and other producer groups—over the period 1961–2023 and provides production forecasts for 2024–2028 using country-specific ARIMA models. Unlike most existing studies focusing on single countries or short-term horizons, this research offers a unified multi-country and long-term comparative framework that integrates time-series forecasting with market concentration indicators. The results reveal pronounced cross-country heterogeneity in production behavior, with China exhibiting strong structural growth, while other producers display more moderate or climate-sensitive patterns. Forecasts suggest a continued increase in global tea production toward 2028, although projections are subject to uncertainty, as reflected by model-based confidence intervals. Overall, the study contributes robust, statistically validated insights to support evidence-based strategies for sustainable tea supply and international market planning. Forecasts suggest a continued increase in global tea production toward 2028, although projections are subject to uncertainty, as reflected by model-based confidence intervals. These forecasts highlight a robust upward trend in global tea supply due to both technological advancements and market expansion. Full article

The increasing accumulation of plastic debris in aquatic environments has raised concerns about the ecotoxicological effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs). This study examined PSNPs toxicity during a critical developmental stage by exposing 15 days post-fertilization (dpf) larvae of blotched snakehead (Channa maculata), an economically important freshwater fish, to PSNPs concentrations of 0.05–20 mg/L for 15 days. Histopathological analysis showed concentration-dependent damage, including hepatocellular vacuolization (5–10 mg/L) and hepatic sinusoidal dilation (20 mg/L) in the liver, alongside intestinal injuries ranging from villus erosion to rupture (5–20 mg/L). Biochemically, PSNPs triggered a biphasic oxidative response, where superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities peaked at 5 mg/L before declining, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels exhibited an opposite trend. Transcriptomic analysis and Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) indicated that PSNPs disrupted growth, energy metabolism, and immune regulation in C. maculata larvae, evidenced by the dysregulation of growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (GH/IGF) axis genes and up-regulation of immune-related genes. Furthermore, Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (HNRNP) gene family as hub genes from the key turquoise module, suggesting that PSNPs interfere with RNA processing and post-transcriptional control. In summary, PSNPs caused multi-level toxicity in C. maculata larvae, providing new insights into their ecotoxicological hazards in freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Organoids are self-organizing multicellular structures generated in vitro that recapitulate the micro-architecture and function of an organ. They are commonly derived from stem cells but can also emerge from pieces of proliferative tissues. Organoid technology has opened novel ways to model development and disease, but it is not without challenges. Computational models of organoids have been established to elucidate organoid growth and facilitate the optimization of organoid cultures. This article is a systematic review of in silico organoid models constructed at single-cell or subcellular resolution. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for original papers published in peer-reviewed journals before 26 September 2025, yielding 439 records after deduplication. Two independent reviewers screened their titles and abstracts, retrieved 84 papers for full-text scrutiny, and identified 32 papers that met the inclusion criteria. They were grouped by organoid type: 12 intestinal, 1 airway, 2 pancreas, 3 neural, 1 kidney, 1 inner cell mass, 9 tumor, and 3 generic. The analysis of these works revealed that computer simulations guided experimental work. Parsimonious computational models provided insights into diverse organoid behaviors, such as the rotation of airway organoids, size oscillations of pancreatic organoids, epithelial patterning of neural tube organoids, or nephron segment formation in kidney organoids. Generally, a deep understanding was achieved through combined in silico and in vitro investigations (e.g., optic cup morphogenesis). Recent research trends suggest that next-generation computational models of organoids may emerge from a more detailed understanding of the complex regulatory circuits that govern stem cell fate, and machine-learning-based, high-throughput imaging of organoids. Full article

The sustainability of local implicit debt reflects its effect on promoting economic growth. By analyzing the sustainability of local implicit debt, valuable insights can be gained to support the high-quality economic development of relevant countries. This study, using provincial panel data from China spanning 2006 to 2020, constructs a measurement method for local implicit debt using the MIMIC model and investigates the sustainability of local implicit debt from an economic growth perspective. The results show that local implicit debt has a rising trend but strong economic tournament pressure; an imperfect financial system and stricter financial regulation will affect the scale of local implicit debt. The economic effects of small-scale local implicit debt are not significant; however, when the scale of local implicit debt exceeds CNY 123.88 billion, it can have a significant stimulating effect on regional economic growth. Local implicit debt has a significant sustainability and can significantly drive regional economic growth, with the driving effect being more pronounced in the western regions and at higher thresholds. Full article

In this study, the stomach contents of the crocodile toothfish Champsodon snyderi from the offshore waters of the South Sea of Korea were analyzed to understand their feeding characteristics. Bottom-trawlers in the South Sea of Korea were used to collect a total of 228 C. snyderi individuals with lengths ranging from 3.6 cm to 12.3 cm. Based on the index of relative importance and variations in the stomach contents according to fish size, C. snyderi was identified as a spatiotemporal opportunistic feeder that consumes abundant prey resources in the South Sea of Korea. Although no distinct dietary shift was observed with growth, there was a decreasing and increasing trend in the proportion of amphipods and shrimp consumed, respectively, in association with increasing C. snyderi body size in the nearshore waters of the South Sea of Korea. In addition, differences in the stomach content composition were observed in relation to interactions between season and size. Our findings indicate that the feeding characteristics of C. snyderi are affected by the abundance and composition of prey within its habitat. Full article

Returning biogas slurry to fields is an important approach for the resource utilization of organic waste. It enhances soil fertility and crop growth, but its long-term effects on soil ecosystems need evaluation. A meta-analysis approach was employed to comprehensively assess the influence of biogas slurry application from multiple perspectives (soil enzyme activities, heavy-metal accumulation, microbial communities, and fundamental nutrients) across different time scales: short-term (<1 year), medium-term (1–3 years), and long-term (>3 years). The results demonstrate that the ecological effects of biogas slurry application exhibited a pronounced time-dependency. Specifically, short-term application (less than 1 year) significantly increased soil urease (23.0%) and sucrase activity (22.1%), along with organic matter and available nutrients. However, it also resulted in the rapid accumulation of heavy metals, including Hg and As. Under medium-term application, sucrase activity further surged (108.1%). Meanwhile, phosphatase activity and total potassium content decreased, and heavy-metal accumulation showed declining trends. Following long-term application, microbial richness substantially improved, but certain heavy metals (Cu, Zn and Cd) continued to accumulate. In summary, this study reveals distinct temporal-scale mechanisms by which field biogas slurry application regulates soil functions. Full article