Search Results (5,270)

Hydraulic fracturing in naturally fractured rock is governed by complex interactions between fluid flow, rock deformation, fracture propagation, and induced seismicity. In this study, a fully coupled hydro-mechanical framework based on the FDEM is developed to investigate fracture evolution and seismic responses during fluid injection in fractured rock masses. Three representative horizontal stress ratios (R = 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) were considered to investigate the influence of stress anisotropy on fracture propagation and induced seismicity. The results demonstrate that stress anisotropy exerts a dominant control on fracture propagation patterns, fluid pressure diffusion, and induced seismicity. Under low stress ratios, fracture propagation is diffuse and strongly influenced by pre-existing fractures, whereas higher stress ratios promote localized, directional fracture growth controlled primarily by the stress field. Fluid pressure becomes increasingly concentrated with increasing stress ratio, leading to higher injection pressures and more pronounced pressure fluctuations. The spatial and temporal evolution of mean stress and volumetric strain closely follows that of fluid pressure, indicating that fluid pressurization directly controls effective stress reduction and associated deformation. Seismic analysis reveals a systematic decrease in the Gutenberg–Richter b-value with increasing stress ratio, indicating a transition from distributed micro-fracturing to more coherent fracture reactivation and larger seismic events. Under quasi-steady injection pressure conditions, fracture propagation is found to be episodic and unstable, as evidenced by pronounced positive and negative spikes in the fracture volume change rate and associated pressure fluctuations; these are accompanied by intermittent fracture opening and closure, stress redistribution, and temporary reductions in cumulative seismic moment. These findings provide new insights into the coupled mechanisms governing hydrofracturing-induced seismicity and have important implications for the assessment and mitigation of seismic risks in subsurface engineering applications. Full article

Background: MASLD is characterised by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which contribute to disease progression. Currently, no effective pharmacological treatment is available, and the first-line treatment remains lifestyle modification, including dietary changes and physical activity. This study aimed to assess the effect of dietary antioxidants, anthocyanins, on the risk of MASLD in a cohort from Southern Italy. Methods: The sample of this study comprised 1, 297 individuals aged between 54 and 64 years from a larger cohort, the NUTRIHEP study cohort. Data on anthocyanin intake were collected using a food-frequency questionnaire. MASLD is diagnosed when fatty liver disease is present in conjunction with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor. Results: Anthocyanin intake was inversely associated with MASLD risk. In Model b, adjusted for adjusted for age, sex, Fasting Glucose, Triglycerides, Diastolic Blood Pressure, Job, Alcohol consumption (g/day), daily energy intake, adherence to the Relative Mediterranean Diet (rMED), Available Carbohydrates, fibre intake, the third quartile (Q3) and the highest intake group (Q4) of anthocyanins showed a negative correlation with MASLD. Analysis of Anthocyanin intake as a continuous variable showed a modest negative association with MASLD risk (OR = 0.990, 95% CI 0.989–0.999), suggesting that higher anthocyanin intake may slightly lower the risk of MASLD. Conclusions: Our study highlights the protective effects of dietary anthocyanins against MASLD. These findings confirm the potential preventive role of dietary polyphenols in MASLD and identify anthocyanins as novel targets for intervention. Full article

Background/Objectives: The traditional classification of astrocytes was based on morphological differences between astrocytes and their location in brain tissue. Astrocytes stained by impregnation techniques were divided into protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes. We still use this classification, often supplemented by GFAP immunostaining. However, protoplasmic astrocytes have been found in the human cerebral cortex as GFAP-negative cells. Methods: In this study, astrocytes were identified using Cajal’s gold sublimation method and GFAP immunostaining. Biopsy samples of normal brain tissue (n = 25) were obtained from adult patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, stroke, gliomas and brain metastases. Results: In all samples, GFAP-positive fibrous astrocytes were found in the subpial region (layer I-I) and in the white matter. GFAP-positive protoplasmic astrocytes were absent or occurred only rarely in the cortical gray matter (layer III–VI) in samples from patients diagnosed with a tumor. Similar staining was also observed using the Cajal method. However, in samples from patients with traumatic brain injury accompanied by high intracranial pressure, GFAP-positive areas with numerous astrocytic processes and cells with a morphology similar to protoplasmic astrocytes were found. Conclusions: We can conclude that protoplasmic astrocytes are GFAP-negative cells that respond to brain injury by GFAP expression. We consider this finding to be a sign of protoplasmic astrocyte differentiation. On the other hand, fibrous astrocytes are GFAP-positive and respond to brain injury with increased GFAP expression. These results raise questions regarding the classification of astrocytes and, in particular, the histological visualization of the neuro-glial-vascular unit. Full article

Enterovirus G (EV-G) is an important enteric pathogen widely circulating in swine populations and is characterized by considerable genetic diversity and recombination potential. In recent years, recombinant EV-G strains carrying exogenous papain-like cysteine protease (PLCP) gene insertions have been increasingly reported; however, their genotype distribution and molecular characteristics in major pig-producing regions remain poorly understood. In this study, 356 clinical samples collected from Guangxi, southern China, between 2020 and 2025 were screened for EV-G, and 13 representative strains were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and sequence analysis. The overall EV-G positivity rate in Guangxi was 20.51% (73/356). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 13 Guangxi EV-G strains were mainly classified into three genotypes, G1, G2, and G8, with G1 being the predominant genotype. Notably, PLCP gene insertions of 573–642 nt were identified at the 2C/3A junction in seven strains belonging to three distinct genotypes, G1, G2, and G8, demonstrating the cross-genotype distribution of PLCP insertions within a single geographic region. Phylogenetic analysis of the PLCP sequences demonstrated that all Guangxi-derived PLCP sequences clustered within the EV-G-PLCP clade and were clearly separated from the torovirus PLCP clade. Recombination analysis retained three potential recombination events with clearer combined support from RDP4 and SimPlot analyses, involving Guangxi strains GX3008, GX3022, and GX4292. Selection pressure analysis showed that the VP1 gene was overall under negative selection. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the co-circulation of multiple EV-G genotypes, the cross-genotype distribution of PLCP insertions, and the presence of potential recombination events in Guangxi. This study provides new evidence for understanding the genetic diversity, genomic plasticity, and regional molecular characteristics of EV-G, and also provides an important basis for future PLCP-related functional studies and continued EV-G surveillance. Full article

Government data governance has become an important institutional mechanism for reducing information frictions, improving data-resource allocation, and supporting firm innovation in the digital economy. However, whether government data governance can promote firms’ technological catch-up remains insufficiently understood. Based on the quasi-natural experiment of the establishment of Big Data Administrations, this study constructs a multi-period difference-in-differences model to examine the impact of government data governance on firms’ technological catch-up. Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed firms from 2011 to 2021, the DID estimates indicate that the establishment of Big Data Administrations significantly improves firms’ technological catch-up. This estimated effect remains robust across placebo tests, specifications controlling for differential trends associated with pre-treatment city characteristics, and double/debiased machine learning estimation. Mechanism analyses provide evidence consistent with three channels: technology stimulation, digital-ecosystem optimization, and competition strengthening. Heterogeneity analyses further show that the effect is evident among non-state-owned enterprises, firms with higher information asymmetry, and larger firms. Additional spatial analyses suggest that neighboring cities’ data governance capacity does not generate stable positive spillovers; instead, it may be associated with negative spatial externalities, potentially reflecting siphoning or competitive crowding-out pressures. These findings highlight government data governance as an institutional driver of firm technological progress and provide policy implications for improving digital governance capacity, optimizing digital ecosystems, and promoting high-quality development. Full article

Background and Objectives: A relationship between cognitive decline (CD) and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), common among the elderly population, has not yet been clearly established. Our study aims to evaluate the link between severe cognitive impairment and cognitive impairment, as measured by various neuropsychological tests in patients with or without CCS. In addition, we sought to identify cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) that influence the severity of CD and severe cognitive impairment. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted on 264 people with CVRFs. Of the 264, 132 were classified as patients with CCS and 132 as control subjects without CCS. Neuropsychological assessment tools included the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scales, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Clinical characteristics, echocardiographic measures, and vascular parameters of all subjects were also evaluated. Results: Patients with CCS had significantly lower cognitive performance (MMSE, p = 0.010; MoCA, p = 0.021), reduced functional status (IADL, p = 0.030; ADL, p = 0.012), and higher depression scores (p = 0.004) compared with controls. They also had worse cardiovascular profiles, including lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.001), higher NT-proBNP levels (p = 0.005), and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) (p < 0.05). IMT and blood pressure values were negatively correlated with cognitive and functional scores and positively correlated with depression severity (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified systolic and diastolic blood pressure, age, body mass index, heart rate, reduced daily activity, and depression as independent predictors of cognitive decline in patients with CCS. In the GDS-15 score, each unit increase was associated with a 32.1% higher risk of cognitive decline and a 37.1% higher risk of MMSE-defined severe cognitive impairment, while improved ADL scores significantly reduced this risk. Conclusions: CCS is associated with an increased risk of severe cognitive impairment and also with cognitive decline, influenced by hypertension, subclinical atherosclerosis, depression, and reduced functional status. These findings emphasize the importance of early identification and multidisciplinary management of cognitive impairment in patients with CCS to prevent progression to severe cognitive impairment. Full article

This paper presents a further step in the development of scale invariant fully conformal cosmology (FCC), formulated in our previous study. Whereas the previous paper focused mainly on the global cosmological consequences of the fully conformal metric and their confrontation with selected astrophysical data, here we analyze its local gravitational and background consequences. On the background of the fully conformal metric we formulate an effective generalization of the weak Schwarzschild field in the corresponding FCC global coordinates and derive from it the associated modified intensity of the Newtonian central field. We further derive the cosmological state/constitutive equation p = − ε/3 as a direct consequence of the fully conformal metric rather than as an ad hoc additional postulate. Likewise, within the fully conformal metric, spatial flatness and the critical density ρ_crit are understood as direct consequences of this metric structure rather than as independently postulated inputs. From the condition of global equilibrium between negative cosmological pressure and the gravitational cohesive pressure of homogeneously distributed matter, the effective particulate fraction is obtained as β ≈ 0.45 of the total critical density ρ_crit. For the relatively well-confirmed baryonic matter fraction ${\overline{\mathrm{\Omega }}}^{bar} \approx 0.05$, this stable-equilibrium condition then leads to the corresponding particulate fraction of collisionless dark matter ${\overline{\mathrm{\Omega }}}_{FCC}^{dm} \approx 0.40$, which is in principle determined by the global cosmological equilibrium within this framework. Because direct identification of the entire dark fraction with standard collisionless cold dark matter would very probably be incompatible with the main structural observables, we discuss an effective phenomenological decomposition into a structuring cold dark matter component (cdm) and an almost homogeneous residual warm-dark-matter-like component (wdm). In this interpretation, the paper preserves the previously introduced global FCC framework while simultaneously providing a concrete background prediction for the matter content and a physically motivated basis for further testing of structure formation within scale invariant fully conformal cosmology. Full article

Background: Although chronic venous insufficiency is often treated as a localized problem, it is a systemic condition that can negatively affect cardiac hemodynamics. This study investigates the associated effects of eliminating the pathologic venous reservoir on right ventricular (RV) functions, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), and inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter in patients undergoing endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for severe great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 154 patients who presented between September 2023 and May 2025 with GSV insufficiency (CEAP C3-C4b) and underwent endovenous RFA. Patients with major cardiopulmonary diseases were strictly excluded. Preoperative and 6-month postoperative transthoracic echocardiography records were analyzed to evaluate RV diastolic diameter, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), sPAP, the TAPSE/sPAP ratio, and IVC diameter. Results: At 6 months post-RFA, compared to preoperative values, a significant decrease was detected in the mean sPAP (14.7 ± 2.5 vs. 11.8 ± 1.8 mmHg, p < 0.001) and IVC diameter (2.1 ± 0.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.2 cm, p < 0.001). Furthermore, significant improvements were observed in TAPSE (20.0 ± 2.0 vs. 21.5 ± 1.8 mm, p < 0.001) and the TAPSE/sPAP ratio (1.36 ± 0.15 vs. 1.82 ± 0.18 mm/mmHg, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Endovenous RFA is associated with favorable changes in right heart parameters. Eliminating pathologic extremity blood pooling may optimize venous return kinetics and subclinically improve right ventricular–pulmonary arterial coupling. Full article

Introduction: A major health issue in individuals living at high-altitude regions is an increase in the number of red blood cells (RBCs). This condition generates a series of physiological alterations including the nervous system, where damage can occur due to increased blood viscosity. This increased viscosity, in turn, could compromise oxygen uptake, potentially linked to a degree of cognitive impairment. Objective: To determine the association between exposure to chronic hypoxia and sleep quality with the degree of cognitive impairment in a young adult population residing at different altitude levels. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 apparently healthy subjects (aged 21–26 years) permanently residing in four Peruvian cities: Lima (154 m), Arequipa (2335 m), Puno (3820 m), and La Rinconada (5100 m) (n = 50 per location). Physiological profiles (SpO₂, blood pressure, heart rate, hemoglobin, and hematocrit) were measured. Cognitive impairment and sleep quality were evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sex-stratified hierarchical multiple linear regression models with bootstrapping were utilized for independent correlation analysis. Results: Hemoglobin levels gradually increased with altitude, peaking at 19.47 ± 3.01 g/dL in La Rinconada, while SpO₂ decreased to 81.64%. Moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment was exclusively restricted to the extreme altitude population of La Rinconada, where only 10% of subjects remained unaffected. In the sex-stratified multivariate regression, residency in La Rinconada initially served as a robust negative predictor of MoCA scores among women (β = −5.52, p < 0.001); however, this geographical effect lost statistical significance after adjusting for biological variables in Model 2 (β = −4.72, p = 0.178). In the fully adjusted models, neither individual hemoglobin levels nor SpO₂ fluctuations displayed an independent linear association with cognitive performance in either sex (p > 0.05). Sleep quality was poor across cohorts but showed no significant association with cognitive impairment (p = 0.174). Conclusions: Chronic exposure to severe hypoxia (>5000 m) is associated with a greater presence of cognitive impairment, which is largely accounted for by individual physiological adaptations rather than isolated, linear effects of independent hematological or subjective sleep parameters. Full article

Rice straw, one of the most abundant agricultural residues worldwide, remains significantly underutilized as a ruminant feed source owing to its intrinsic lignocellulosic recalcitrance. This study investigated the effects of co-extruding rice straw with varying proportions of corn flour on nutritional composition and in vitro digestibility for ruminant nutrition. Extrusion was conducted using a twin-screw extruder at 180 °C barrel temperature, 5 MPa pressure, and 50% feed moisture content. Five corn levels were formulated on a dry matter basis: pure rice straw (RS100); three blends with increasing corn flour inclusion: RS75:C25 (75% straw + 25% corn flour), RS67:C33 (67% straw + 33% corn flour), and RS60:C40 (60% straw + 40% corn flour); and pure corn flour (C100) as a control. Chemical composition including neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), cellulose, hemicellulose, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and starch was analyzed. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was determined using a pepsin-cellulase assay. Regression analysis within the practical 0–40% corn flour inclusion range revealed a significant quadratic relationship with IVDMD (R² = 0.999, p < 0.001). The optimal corn flour proportion was calculated to be approximately 37.5%, which closely matched the RS60:C40 formulation (40% corn flour). Among the tested formulations, RS60:C40 exhibited the greatest extrusion-induced nutritional improvements. Relative to its pre-extrusion values, cellulose decreased by 55.7% (p < 0.05), followed by ADF (16.1%), NDF (12.8%), and hemicellulose (10.2%); IVDMD increased by 34.2% (p < 0.01) and WSC by 56.7% (p < 0.05). Compared with RS100 after extrusion, RS60:C40 raised IVDMD by 49.5% and lowered cellulose by 60.6%. Its IVDMD also surpassed those of RS75:C25 and RS67:C33 (p < 0.05), whereas RS75:C25 showed only marginal improvements. ADL content showed no extrusion-induced change (p > 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the RS60:C40 formulation revealed that, unlike the intact fibrous structures observed prior to extrusion, post-extrusion samples exhibited extensive disruption of the fibrous matrix. Pearson correlation analysis further supported these findings, showing strong positive correlations between IVDMD and WSC (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) and strong negative correlations between IVDMD and NDF (r = −0.95, p < 0.001). In conclusion, extrusion generally increased IVDMD and WSC while reducing fiber fractions, with the effect depending on corn level. Co-extrusion with 40% corn flour effectively enhanced the nutritional value of rice straw, offering a viable strategy for producing a more digestible ruminant feed. Full article

Rural household energy-saving behavior is central to low-carbon development in ecologically fragile plateau regions. This study explores whether climate risk perception promotes household energy-saving behavior, through which livelihood capital mechanisms this effect operates, and which livelihood capital configurations support high levels of such behavior. Drawing on survey data from 315 rural households in Xining, China, a sustainable livelihood framework is integrated with the pressure–state–response model, and PLS-SEM, an ANN, and fsQCA are applied. The integrated framework regards climate risk perception as external pressure, livelihood capital as the household livelihood state, and energy-saving behavior as the behavioral response. The sustainable livelihood framework identifies the multidimensional resource conditions of rural households, whereas the pressure–state–response model specifies the causal sequence through which perceived climate pressure affects livelihood states and induces behavioral responses. The results show that climate risk perception significantly promotes energy-saving behavior. Physical, human, and social capital exert positive effects, whereas natural and financial capital exert negative effects. Moreover, natural, financial, and social capital significantly mediate the link between climate risk perception and energy-saving behavior. Multi-group analysis shows that physical capital matters more for agriculture-dominated households than non-farm households. The ANN results identify social and human capital as the strongest predictors, and the fsQCA results show that high levels of energy-saving behavior arise not from any single condition but from multiple capital configurations, in which social capital is consistently central. Energy conservation under climate risk is therefore best understood as a multidimensional, nonlinear adaptation process embedded in household livelihood structures rather than a response to any single factor. These findings extend rural energy-saving research by linking climate pressure, livelihood conditions, and configurational decision logic in a plateau socio-ecological context. Policy interventions should combine energy-efficient infrastructure, targeted financial incentives, community-based diffusion, and livelihood-sensitive support for rural households. Full article

Investigating the spatial correlation characteristics and configurational pathways of ecological space service value (ESSV) is of importance for alleviating urban ecological pressure. This study, focusing on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in China, employs the modified value equivalent method, gravity model, and configurational analysis model to elucidate the spatiotemporal evolution mechanisms of ESSV. The results demonstrate that: (1) The extent of ecological space decreased sharply (328.25 km²), primarily converting to other ecological space. Among these, the grassland ecological space experienced the largest reduction (215.34 km²), whereas the decline in forest ecological space was relatively modest (58.85 km²). (2) ESSV showed a fluctuating but overall increasing trend, with ΔESSV dominated by negative changes. Spatially, the pattern was characterized by higher values in the west, lower values in the east, and a contiguous high-value area in the central region. (3) The network of ESSV exhibited multiple connections and multiple cores, with the strength of network linkages continuously strengthening and showing a trend of expansion from the central region toward the south and north. (4) High ESSV depends on the configurational effects of multidimensional resilience factors. Several configurational modes were identified, including single-core resilience-driven and multi-dimensional resilience synergy-driven modes. Full article

Small pelagic fishes are essential for artisanal fisheries and food security in São Tomé and Príncipe, yet biological information required for stock assessment remains scarce. This study examined the population dynamics and life-history traits of Caranx crysos, Euthynnus alletteratus, Hemiramphus balao, and Cheilopogon melanurus using 9052 specimens collected from artisanal landings between 2023 and 2025. C. melanurus (35.2%) and H. balao (34.0%) dominated the sampled catches, followed by C. crysos (18.1%) and E. alletteratus (12.7%). Standardized CPUE series modelled using GAMs revealed significant temporal and seasonal variation in relative abundance, with contrasting species-specific trends. Length–weight relationships revealed negative allometric growth in three of the four species examined (75%), with b values ranging from 2.50 to 3.19, while Fulton’s condition factor differed significantly among species (Kruskal–Wallis χ² = 6702.7, p < 0.001). Sex-ratio analyses showed significant deviations from parity in C. crysos and C. melanurus, whereas E. alletteratus and H. balao remained balanced. Gonadosomatic index and maturity-stage distributions indicated year-round reproductive activity with distinct spawning peaks. Length at first maturity (L50) ranged from 30.2 cm to 38.8 cm among species. Growth parameters estimated from length-frequency data using the von Bertalanffy Growth Function fitted through ELEFAN_GA in TropFishR yielded L∞ values of 43.9–68.4 cm and K values of 0.065–0.336 yr⁻¹. Growth performance index (φ′) ranged from 2.48 to 2.99, corresponding to theoretical longevities of 8.9–46.3 years. Length-based cohort analysis indicated biomass concentration in intermediate size classes and increasing fishing mortality towards larger individuals. Exploitation rates revealed contrasting fishing pressures among species, while sensitivity analyses identified growth and mortality parameters as the main sources of uncertainty. These findings provide the first integrated biological baseline for the assessment and management of small pelagic resources in São Tomé and Príncipe. Full article

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of mortality, disability, and health-system burden in Korea’s rapidly aging population. We aimed to describe national stroke incidence trends from 2011 to 2023, characterize ecological associations between stroke incidence and health-screening indicators, and generate model-based projections through 2028 to support health-system planning. Methods: This retrospective ecological longitudinal analysis used three publicly available aggregate national data sources: (1) NHIS annual aggregate statistics on crude and age-standardized stroke incidence, stroke case counts, first-onset vs. recurrent stroke, and case-fatality rates (2011–2023); (2) regional standardized health-awareness survey rates for stroke symptoms, myocardial infarction symptoms, blood pressure, and blood glucose (2017–2025); and (3) national cancer-screening outcome tallies for breast and cervical cancer (2010–2024). All analyses used pre-aggregated annual summary data; individual-level NHIS records were not used. Annual trends were modeled with ordinary least-squares linear regression (n = 13 annual observations). Pearson correlations were computed only for overlapping observation windows. Model-based projections are presented with 95% prediction intervals and are explicitly distinguished from observed NHIS values. This study is purely descriptive and ecological; no causal inference is made. Results: Crude stroke incidence increased from 199.2 to 221.1 per 100,000 (2011–2023; slope +2.32/year, R² = 0.83), whereas age-standardized incidence declined from 158.3 to 113.2 per 100,000 (slope −3.41/year, R² = 0.96), a pattern consistent with demographic aging as a contributing factor to growing absolute burden, though formal age-decomposition analysis would be required to confirm this inference. Total cases increased from 99,837 to 113,098; the 30-day case-fatality rate declined from 8.5% to 7.5%. Ecological correlations showed that blood glucose awareness was strongly negatively correlated with age-standardized incidence (r = −0.944, p = 0.001, n = 7), though these are ecological associations and must not be interpreted as individual-level causal relationships. Model-based projections estimate crude incidence near 230.7 (95%PI 219.2–242.2) and age-standardized incidence near 103.2 (95%PI 95.7–110.8) per 100,000 by 2026. Conclusions: Concurrent increase in crude burden and decline in age-standardized incidence reflects demographic aging as the primary driver of Korea’s stroke burden. Projections support integrated cardiovascular prevention, public health education, and age-sensitive service planning. All projections are short-horizon statistical extrapolations intended for policy scenario planning only and must not be interpreted as observed future NHIS outcomes. Full article

Introduction: Biological invasions constitute one of the main threats to freshwater ecosystems, causing significant ecological changes through the introduction of exotic species that compete with or prey upon native species. In Portugal, the introduction and spread of exotic species in lotic and lentic ecosystems, such as pike (Esox lucius), European catfish (Silurus glanis), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), all top predators, may have a big impact on autochthonous species. In contrast, bleak (Alburnus alburnus), European perch (Perca fluviatilis), and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) compete aggressively for food resources. In the Sousa River basin, gudgeon (Gobio lozanoi) is considered an exotic species with potential ecological impact, with the minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) stand having been recently identified in Portugal and, so far, recorded only in this river basin, and not yet being classified as an invasive species in Portugal. Public knowledge regarding invasive aquatic biodiversity remains a significant bottleneck for conservation. Because recreational angling is a prominent dispersal vector, initiatives that directly target this community are relevant. Objective: The aim is to carry out a bibliographic review on the exotic ichthyofauna species present in the Sousa River, with special focus on the invasion potential of the minnow (P. phoxinus). Methodology: The literature review was conducted based on the ScienceDirect, Springer Nature Link, and Fauna Norvegica databases, selecting publications between 2006 and 2025 concerning relevant studies on the potentially invasive characteristics of the minnow (P. phoxinus). The methodology is based on the analysis of studies regarding the impacts caused on riparian ecosystems. Results: The species P. phoxinus presents a generalist diet and high adaptive capacity, allowing it to colonise new habitats and compete aggressively with native species for trophic resources. Its presence is associated with negative impacts on brown trout populations (Salmo trutta), reducing growth and productivity, especially in mountain ecosystems. Increased species density also causes a significant decrease in benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity. Studies conducted in the Douro basin indicate that the arrival of minnow in Portugal resulted from human action, probably associated with its use as live bait in recreational fishing. Conservation programmes use diverse tactics to bridge the awareness gap. Recent initiatives feature electrofishing demonstrations to visually differentiate species, theatrical performances, and even culinary show-cooking events using invasive predators like the European catfish to promote harvesting. Conclusions: The potential transition of P. phoxinus into an exotic and invasive species may be associated with the ecological pressure exerted on native communities, particularly through competition for trophic resources, highlighting the need to assess its dispersion in the Sousa basin and its impacts on fish fauna and benthic macroinvertebrates. It is important to do more sampling to understand its real distribution in the Sousa Basin. Additionally is important to explain to recreational anglers and the general population the impacts of fish transfer and the adverse effects of invasive species on freshwater Portuguese ecosystems. Full article