Search Results (220)

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a widely cultivated and economically important fruit crop that is severely affected by Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (race 1.2) (Fom). Conventional management practices have shown limited effectiveness and pose environmental and health risks; therefore, sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives are required to manage this disease. In the present study, 23 endophytic fungal isolates belonging to eight genera were isolated from Ecballium elaterium and screened to determine antifungal potential against Fom using an in vitro antagonistic assay. Two endophytic isolates (Fusarium sp. EeR4 and Fusarium clavum EeR24) exhibited an inhibitory effect against Fom on quarter-strength PDA plates. In growth chamber experiments, F. clavum EeR24-colonized melon seedlings and significantly protected plants from wilting compared to non-colonized pathogen-challenged seedlings. Under greenhouse conditions, F. clavum EeR24 significantly improved morphological and physiological traits, including plant height, weight, number of leaves, membrane stability, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, in Cucumis melo. Endophytic colonization improved catalase (56%), guaiacol peroxide (47%), and superoxide dismutase activity (25%), and increased flavonoid and phenolic content by 11–59% compared to non-colonized Fom-challenged plants. Lipid peroxidation significantly decreased by 37% and proline accumulation increased by 70% in colonized plants compared to non-colonized plants. Histochemical analysis also indicated that endophytic colonization considerably reduced the levels of H₂O₂, O₂⁻, malondialdehyde, and cell mortality in Fom-challenged plants. In addition, the culture filtrate and organic residues of F. clavum EeR24 inhibited the mycelial growth of Fom by 52–58%, respectively. Furthermore, a study on spatial colonization of the endophyte and the pathogen using GFP and RFP tagging indicated that both the endophyte and the pathogen simultaneously colonized the root tissues of C. melo; however, the endophyte significantly reduced the pathogenicity of Fom. These results suggest that endophytic F. clavum EeR24 may be developed as an effective biocontrol agent for the management of Fusarium wilt in melon plants under field conditions. Full article

Background: Emergency triage systems using machine learning traditionally rely on structured tabular data (vital signs), creating a “contextual blind spot” that ignores diagnostic information embedded in unstructured clinical narratives. Hybrid AI models that fuse tabular and text data may improve predictive discrimination, but the magnitude and conditions under which fusion adds value remain unclear. Methods: Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library) were searched from 1 January 2015 to 15 December 2025. Eligible studies employed Hybrid AI models integrating structured and unstructured emergency department data with quantitative baseline comparisons. Twenty-five studies (N ≈ 4.8 million encounters) met inclusion criteria. We extracted marginal performance gains (ΔAUC), calibration metrics, and demographic reporting. Synthesis followed SWiM principles with subgroup meta-regression testing our novel “Complexity Gradient” hypothesis. Results: Hybrid models demonstrated superior discrimination compared to tabular baselines, with effect magnitude dependent on clinical task complexity. Low-complexity tasks (tachycardia prediction) showed minimal gains (median ΔAUC + 0.036, IQR: 0.02–0.05), while high-complexity tasks (hypoxia, sepsis) demonstrated substantial improvement (median ΔAUC + 0.111, IQR: 0.09–0.13). Meta-regression confirmed complexity significantly moderated effect size (R² = 0.42, p = 0.003). Only 12% (3/25) of studies reported calibration metrics (Brier scores: 0.089–0.142). Zero studies stratified performance by race/ethnicity; 88% (22/25) failed to report training data demographics. Discussion: The complexity gradient framework explains when multimodal fusion adds predictive value: tasks where diagnostic signal resides in narrative features (temporality, negation) rather than physiological measurements. However, systematic absence of calibration reporting and fairness auditing prevents clinical deployment. Seventy-two percent of studies had high risk of bias in the analysis domain due to retrospective designs without temporal validation. Conclusions: Hybrid triage models show promise for complex diagnostic tasks but require mandatory calibration reporting and demographic performance stratification before clinical implementation. We propose minimum reporting standards including Brier scores, race-stratified metrics, and temporal validation protocols. Full article

Background/Objectives: Understanding how different fatigue contexts influence muscle architecture is essential for optimizing training and recovery strategies in endurance athletes. Ultramarathon running involves prolonged mechanical load and high eccentric demands, which may elicit different acute responses compared to controlled laboratory protocols. This study aimed to examine the effects of time, condition (laboratory vs. race), and muscle on ultrasound-derived muscle architecture in ultratrail runners. Methods: A repeated-measures within-subject design was employed. Forty ultratrail runners completed two fatigue conditions: (1) a standardized laboratory downhill running protocol and (2) an ultramarathon race (CSP 2025; 106 km, +5600 m elevation gain). Muscle thickness and pennation angle of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and medial gastrocnemius were assessed using ultrasound before and after each condition. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the effects of time, condition, muscle, and their interactions. Results: Forty participants were recruited; 29 completed all assessments. No significant effects of time or condition were observed for muscle thickness, and no interaction effects were detected, indicating that muscle size remained stable across conditions and time points. A significant main effect of muscle was identified (p < 0.001), reflecting inherent morphological differences, with greater thickness in the vastus lateralis compared to the rectus femoris and medial gastrocnemius. In contrast, pennation angle showed a significant main effect of condition (p = 0.031) and a significant condition × muscle interaction (p = 0.005), indicating muscle-specific differences between laboratory and race contexts. No significant effect of time was observed for pennation angle. Conclusions: Muscle thickness appears to remain stable following acute fatigue, regardless of the assessment context. In contrast, pennation angle may be more sensitive to condition-specific and muscle-dependent factors. These findings suggest that ultrasound-derived architectural changes observed immediately after exercise likely reflect acute physiological responses rather than true structural adaptations. Therefore, the interpretation of muscle architecture should consider both contextual factors and methodological constraints. Full article

Salt, drought and freezing stress were major abiotic factors limiting plant growth, development and yield. Halostachys caspica (Amaranthaceae), a halophyte native to saline-arid desert regions, tolerated multiple abiotic stresses, but its molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance remain unclear. By integrating the small RNA library and transcriptome data of H. caspica under high salinity, HcmiR172e was identified as a differentially expressed miRNA and selected for the study of multiple abiotic stress responses. Using its mature sequence (20 nt) to align with upregulated genes from the transcriptome, HcTOE3 (AP2 subfamily transcription factor belonging to the AP2/ERF family) was preliminarily predicted as its target gene through bioinformatic analysis. Our previous work demonstrated that HcTOE3 was strongly upregulated by multiple abiotic stresses, including salinity, drought, heat and low temperature. Furthermore, overexpression of HcTOE3 conferred freezing tolerance to Arabidopsis throughout the entire growth period. In this study, miRNA expression analyses showed that HcmiR172e was significantly downregulated in the assimilating branches of H. caspica under low temperature, heat, salt, drought, oxidative stress and abscisic acid (ABA) application. Tobacco transient expression assays and 5′RLM-RACE confirmed that HcmiR172e directly cleaved HcTOE3 transcripts in the region close to the 5′end of the ORF. HcmiR172e-overexpressing Arabidopsis displayed increased sensitivity to salt, drought, freezing stresses and ABA treatment, along with enhanced growth inhibition, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, decreased osmolyte content and downregulation of stress-responsive genes. In contrast, HcTOE3-overexpressing Arabidopsis exhibited the opposite phenotypes, physiological responses and corresponding gene expression patterns under multiple stress treatments. These findings collectively elucidated the antagonistic regulatory roles of HcmiR172e and HcTOE3 in plant abiotic stress responses, providing novel molecular targets for engineering stress-tolerant crops for saline, arid, freezing environments. Full article

Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is a devastating soil-borne disease of oilseed rape, and physiological race differentiation of the pathogen greatly hinders disease control. The differential regulatory mechanisms of different P. brassicae races on the rhizosphere microecology remain unclear. This study aimed to reveal the race-specific effects of P. brassicae on the rhizosphere microenvironment, microbial community and nitrogen cycling of oilseed rape. A pot inoculation experiment was conducted with two typical races from Sichuan Province (race 4 CZ and race 2 KD), combined with soil physicochemical determination, high-throughput sequencing and functional prediction. The results showed that CZ exhibited a higher infection rate but a lower disease index than KD. Both races significantly decreased soil pH and reshaped soil nutrient profiles. Notably, CZ treatment caused a more pronounced pH decrease and was characterized by NH₄⁺-N accumulation, whereas KD treatment was dominated by NO₃⁻-N enrichment. Bacterial alpha diversity was increased by both races, following the order KD > CZ > CK. In contrast, fungal alpha diversity was decreased by both races, showing the pattern CK > KD > CZ. Distinct rhizosphere microbial community structures were formed under different race infections, and both races reduced the abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and related functional genes. These findings indicate that distinct P. brassicae races shape race-specific rhizosphere microenvironments by differentially regulating soil acidification, nutrient availability and nitrogen-cycling functional microorganisms, thereby driving divergent pathogenic outcomes. This study is the first to reveal differential regulation of the rhizosphere microecology by distinct physiological races of P. brassicae, offering new insights for region-specific management of clubroot disease. Full article

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in endurance and ultra-endurance sports and may impair performance or lead to race withdrawal. While nutritional strategies are frequently emphasized, the respective roles of baseline digestive susceptibility and cumulative exercise exposure remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: Two complementary cross-sectional questionnaire-based studies were conducted in endurance athletes. Study 1 included 230 ultra-trail runners and examined determinants of systematic GI symptoms during competition using a composite digestive vulnerability (DV) score reflecting susceptibility indicators. Study 2 included 497 endurance and ultra-endurance athletes from multiple disciplines and investigated multivariable correlates of GI symptoms and GI-related race withdrawal, integrating training-related GI symptoms (proxy of digestive vulnerability), habitual competition duration (≥6 h), sport category and specific digestive symptoms. Logistic regression models were adjusted for age and sex. Results: In Study 1, the DV score was independently associated with systematic GI symptoms during competition (adjusted OR per point = 1.93, 95% CI 1.33–2.80). In Study 2, athletes reporting GI symptoms during training had markedly higher odds of experiencing GI symptoms during competition (adjusted OR = 3.96, 95% CI 2.67–5.87). Habitual exposure to events lasting ≥6 h was independently associated with increased odds of GI-related race withdrawal (adjusted OR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.35–3.78). GI symptoms during competition represented the strongest proximal correlate of withdrawal (adjusted OR = 7.04, 95% CI 4.00–12.30), indicating a sequential relationship between baseline digestive vulnerability, symptom expression during competition and race termination. After adjustment for digestive vulnerability and exercise exposure, no individual nutritional category remained independently associated with GI outcomes. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal symptoms and race withdrawal in endurance athletes were more consistently associated with digestive vulnerability expressed during training and cumulative exercise exposure than with isolated nutritional items. These findings support a vulnerability–exposure framework in which individual digestive susceptibility interacts with prolonged physiological stress during endurance exercise. Identifying athletes with elevated digestive vulnerability during training may represent a practical strategy to improve individualized nutritional preparation and reduce GI-related race interruption. Full article

Physical exercise represents a physiological stressor capable of activating the acute-phase response (APR) in horses. However, the relative contribution of exercise intensity versus duration to acute-phase protein (APP) dynamics remains incompletely defined. This study compared the effects of short, high-intensity gallop exercise (2400 m flat race; n = 12) and prolonged, low-intensity endurance exercise (40 km; n = 13) on serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in Thoroughbred racehorses. Blood samples were collected before exercise and at defined post-exercise time points. Between-group comparisons were performed at shared time points (72 h and 96 h post-exercise) using mixed-effects modeling and effect size analysis. The significant Group × Time interaction for SAA indicates that exercise duration plays a key role in determining the magnitude and persistence of the late-phase systemic inflammatory response. Serum amyloid A emerged as the most sensitive biomarker of cumulative physiological stress following prolonged exercise. These findings support the use of SAA monitoring during recovery to assist training management in equine athletes. Because early post-exercise sampling was not performed in the gallop group, conclusions primarily reflect differences in late-phase (72–96 h) APP kinetics. Full article

Background: Pulse oximetry is widely used to estimate arterial oxygen saturation, yet accuracy may vary for a number of reasons. Data on children with functionally univentricular circulation are limited. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement between arterial oxygen saturation measured by blood gas and pulse oximetry in children with functionally univentricular circulations. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of paired arterial blood gas and pulse oximetry oxygen saturation measurements following Norwood, Glenn, or Fontan procedures. Signed difference was defined as arterial oxygen saturation by blood gas—arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry. Bland–Altman analyses, multivariable regressions, and generalized additive modeling were performed. Results: Mean bias was −4.9 percentage points, indicating pulse oximetry overestimated arterial saturation. The 95% limits of agreement were wide, from −20.7 to 10.8. The agreement was similar in Black and White patients. Fontan physiology demonstrated reduced overestimation by pulse oximetry by multivariable regression. Nonlinear modeling demonstrated more bias in agreement at lower arterial oxygen saturation levels, with arterial oxygen saturation levels explaining 50% of the variance. Conclusions: In functionally univentricular patients, pulse oximetry using the Nellcor MAXN-NS pulse oximeter (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) systematically overestimates arterial saturation, particularly in the setting of hypoxemia. Saturation level, rather than race, was the dominant determinant of bias. Full article

Background: We aimed to (i) identify the factors associated with performance in non-elite runners, (ii) present the terms and definitions/attributes used to characterize runners, and (iii) identify how performance has been operationalized. Methods: Our search was conducted using the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Medline Ovid, Cochrane, PsycInfo, Scielo, Scopus, and SportDiscus in October 2023 and updated in February 2026. Original articles that assessed factors associated with performance in non-elite runners competing in distances ranging from 5 km to ultramarathons were included. The findings were summarized by race distance. The Joanna Briggs Institute Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies critical appraisal tool was used for quality assessment. Results: A total of 4151 studies were identified, and 66 studies were included in the final selection. “Recreational” and “athletes” were the most used terms, and finish time was the most common indicator of performance. Performance decline was influenced by arm circumference and mid-axillary skinfold thickness, smoking, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and weather characteristics. Training variables, physiological determinants, and social variables were positively related to performance. Conclusions: The field struggles with a lack of clarity regarding the nomenclature and criteria used to categorize runners. The relevance of a predictor differs according to race distance, with physiological aspects becoming less important at higher distances (i.e., marathon and ultramarathon). Full article

Marathons are one of the ultimate challenges of human endeavor. As a consequence of the growing passion of amateur runners for this discipline, a strong need has been shown for counselling during the preparation and for advice on how to manage their efforts during the race. This monitoring should be based on parameters collected during the race and correctly interpreted. Multifractality parameters, which have proved their relevance in many other areas of signal processing, are natural candidates for this purpose. This paper shows that, due to the extreme irregularity of the data, the previously used multifractal techniques cannot be applied in this context, in contrast with the recently introduced parameters based on the weak scaling exponent, which require no a priori assumptions for their use; these parameters yield new classification parameters in the processing of physiological data captured on marathon runners. The comparison of their values reveals how marathon runners handle variations in the irregularity of their races and therefore gives a new insight on the way that runners of different levels conduct their run; therefore, this study shows that the use of these parameters offers a promising tool in order to give advice on how to improve performances. Full article

This retrospective report investigated whether starting racehorses’ training and racing early is associated with a less successful and a shorter racing career. The data of 600 Thoroughbred racehorses from the German Racehorse Association’s archiving programme were evaluated. The horses were classified into three groups regarding their different ages when starting training and racing: early training (16–24 months old)/early racing (two years old); early training/late racing (>two years old); and late training (25–30 months). Statistical models investigated effects on the horses’ length of career. The results showed that the length of their racing career was influenced by sex; geldings showed the longest career as they do not enter breeding programmes, and were analyzed separately. Geldings entering training early, with their first race at two years old, showed higher ratings and a similar length of racing career than those with their first race at three years old or more. Thus, early racing appeared to have had no negative effect on the length of the racing career or perseverance in racing in the geldings investigated. Further studies researching training effects and physiological resilience should consider alternative explanations for racing selection criteria (e.g., early maturation advantage and prior unsoundness) and the reason for ending a racing career. Full article

Background/Objectives: Competitive karting places high physiological and cognitive demands on drivers. This field study investigated the acute effects of racing on heart rate variability (HRV), perceived fatigue and neuromuscular function, and cognitive-motor performance during an official event held under persistent rain. Methods: Longitudinal, repeated-measures design across two conditions: control (race video viewing) and competition (qualifying and race). Four drivers (Junior, X30 Senior, X30 Super Shifter) were assessed pre/post-control and post-qualifying/race on Day 1 (Saturday) and pre/post-race only on Day 2 (Sunday). Measures included continuous heart rate, pre/post HRV (HRV4Training; rMSSD, SDNN), perceived fatigue (ROF), bilateral handgrip strength, and visuomotor performance (reaction times and accuracy). Results: On Day 1, SDNN and rMSSD decreased significantly after qualifying versus pre- and post-control (p < 0.05), remaining globally lower post-race; no changes emerged in frequency-domain indexes. Perceived fatigue, handgrip strength, and mean/max reaction times did not change significantly; an improvement in minimum reaction time was observed post-race versus post-control (p = 0.033). rMSSD consistently decreased after racing on both days (p < 0.05) with no day × time interaction observed, and accuracy improved on Sunday, reflected by more correct attempts (hits) and fewer failed attempts (errors) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Racing was associated with lower time-domain HRV indices (rMSSD/SDNN), consistent with heightened autonomic activation without measurable decrements in handgrip-based neuromuscular function or cognitive-motor performance. The improved accuracy on Day 2 may be related to an increased level of physiological activation and readiness associated with race day. Routine HRV monitoring across race weekends is recommended to guide recovery decisions when subjective scales show limited immediate sensitivity. These findings are preliminary due to the small and heterogeneous sample and should be interpreted cautiously. Full article

Although scholarship has long called for attention to the intersection of race and gender in workplace harassment, the experiences of Black Americans remain insufficiently theorized. Existing frameworks often assume harassment to be gender-based in ways that center White women’s victimization, leaving limited conceptual space to understand how Black women and Black men are targeted. In this essay, we synthesize research on racialized sex-based harassment (RSBH) to illustrate how harassment directed at Black Americans is shaped by cultural narratives that simultaneously sexualize, criminalize, and devalue them. Specifically, we introduce sociohistorical archetypes (e.g., Jezebel, Mammy, Sapphire, Mandingo, Brute, Uncle Tom) as cultural mechanisms through which RSBH is enacted, rationalized, and normalized within organizational contexts. We argue that RSBH functions as a mechanism for enforcing racialized gender hierarchy: it draws on sociohistorical meanings attached to Black femininity and masculinity to mark certain identities as inherently available, threatening, or subordinate. We further review evidence linking RSBH to psychological distress, social identity threat, physiological strain, and career stagnation, as well as factors that shape vulnerability and adaptation. By conceptualizing RSBH as a patterned and predictable form of identity-based harm, grounded in the lasting impact of sociohistorical archetypes, rather than a variation of generalized sexual harassment, this work advances theories of harassment and race in organizations. We conclude by outlining implications for measurement, organizational policy, and intervention efforts aimed at disrupting the reproduction of racialized gender inequality at work. Full article

N-Acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc) and N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) are important components of glycosylation, affecting numerous physiologic processes. The effects of age, body mass index (BMI), race, or sex on serum levels of ManNAc and Neu5Ac are poorly understood. However, these associations are of substantial interest. Simultaneous quantification of ManNAc and Neu5Ac, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), was developed and validated for human serum samples. This method has high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, with limits of detection as low as 1.02 ng/mL for ManNAc or 1.14 ng/mL for Neu5Ac. A set of 155 serum samples from the Adventist Health Study 2 (AHS-2) cohort was analyzed. Concentrations of conjugated Neu5Ac were 35.1 ± 9.4 µg/mL and 33.0 ± 9.5 µg/mL in black and white participants, respectively. Conjugated and total Neu5Ac levels were significantly higher in women, with p-values of 0.029 and 0.026, respectively. The free forms of Neu5Ac were 594 ± 421 ng/mL and 439 ± 168 ng/mL in black and white participants, respectively. Similarly, conjugated and total ManNAc levels were higher in black participants, at 1.81 ± 0.81 µg/mL and 1.90 ± 0.83 µg/mL, compared to 1.32 ± 0.52 µg/mL and 1.41 ± 0.53 µg/mL in white participants (both cases, p < 0.001). Free ManNAc was 93.1 ± 36.2 ng/mL in black and 89 ± 20.2 ng/mL in white participants. Subjects with higher BMI tend to have higher free ManNAc (p = 0.041). Furthermore, older subjects tend to have higher free (p ≤ 0.001) and total (p = 0.045) ManNAc. The improved LC-MS/MS quantification method should facilitate further investigations. Full article

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a devastating global disease. Its control through the deployment of host resistance genes relies on a detailed knowledge of the pathogen’s race structure and the corresponding avirulence (Avr) genes. To guide effective rice breeding for blast resistance, this study investigated the population dynamics of M. oryzae in Jilin Province from 2022 to 2024. The distribution frequencies of seven Avr genes were detected using PCR and Avr gene-specific primers, and the physiological race structure of 193 isolates was characterized using a set of Chinese differential cultivars, which contains seven cultivars. The results revealed a high prevalence and stability of specific Avr genes, with Avr-Pi9, Avr-Pias, Avr-Piz-t, and Avr-Pib all exhibiting detection frequencies exceeding 80%. In particular, Avr-Pib showed a high frequency (80.83%) and a very low disease incidence (0.64%) on the differential variety Sifeng 43 (which carries Pib), confirming its low mutation rate and the ongoing effectiveness of the corresponding resistance gene. Conversely, the significant decline in Avr-co39 suggests that its corresponding resistance gene should be avoided. Race diversity increased over the three-year period, characterized by a shift toward a more complex structure dominated by ZG1, ZA17, ZA43, and ZB31. Based on the gene-for-gene interactions and pathogen population structure, we recommend a breeding strategy that prioritizes the incorporation of the highly effective Pib, Pi54, and Pik genes, utilizing resistant donors like Sifeng 43. These results can help inform the design of sustainable management strategies adapted to the changing pathogen population. Full article