Search Results (123,364)

IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, with geographic and ancestral variation and a course ranging from asymptomatic urinary abnormalities to progressive loss of kidney function. This narrative review links the multi-hit model to risk stratification, biomarkers, current management, and emerging therapies, and highlights implementation gaps. Risk assessment is longitudinal, prioritizing proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate trajectories and integrating Oxford MEST-C, prediction tools, and biomarker and multi-omics approaches, while recognizing limitations in histologic reproducibility and model calibration. Current management is anchored in optimized supportive care aimed at sustained proteinuria reduction and kidney protection, including intensive blood pressure control with maximal tolerated renin–angiotensin system blockade, dietary sodium restriction and lifestyle measures, and sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors for eligible patients. For selected higher-risk patients with persistent proteinuria despite optimized supportive care, immunomodulatory strategies are discussed, including systemic corticosteroids and targeted-release budesonide (Nefecon), emphasizing structured toxicity risk mitigation and cautioning against assuming interchangeability among alternative oral budesonide formulations. Emerging therapies are organized around mechanism-aligned targets across the BAFF/APRIL axis, complement pathways, and endothelin-based approaches, with growing interest in sequencing and combination regimens layered on supportive care. Key gaps include reliance on surrogate endpoints, limited long-term durability and safety data, and uneven evidence for special populations. Full article

Introduction: Motor reserve (MR) has been hypothesized as a protective factor against age-related and pathological motor decline, potentially enhancing quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the influence of MR on motor performance, assessed via mobile health technology (MHT), in drug-naïve Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Methods: Consecutive drug-naïve PD patients and age-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent cognitive and motor assessments. Turning MHT parameters were extracted from the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) performed at self-selected and fast speeds. Participants were categorized into high- or low-MR groups based on the Motor Reserve Index questionnaire (MRIq). Results: Forty-five PD patients and forty healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. PD patients showed longer TUG durations and altered performance compared to HC. No differences were found between high and low motor reserve (MR) groups in demographics or clinical severity. However, high-MR patients exhibited shorter turn duration and higher angular velocities at both self-selected (p < 0.005) and fast speeds (p < 0.05). MR subdomains related to physical and care activities correlated with MHT turning metrics, unlike housework and leisure domains. Conclusions: the findings highlighted the relevance of MR on motor performances assessed by MHT in drug naïve PD, independently from motor severity. Full article

Small-scale inland fisheries in the Amazon are critical for food security, yet their sustainability is increasingly threatened by overexploitation and environmental degradation. In data-limited contexts such as the northern Ecuadorian Amazon, the absence of continuous monitoring constrains the development of adaptive management strategies. This study develops an integrated socio-ecological baseline to support the establishment of fisheries agreements in five Indigenous communities of the Napo and Aguarico rivers. Through a participatory monitoring approach, we generated reproductive parameters (gonadosomatic index, fecundity, size at first maturity), population structure metrics, and length–weight relationships for key subsistence species across three hydrological phases. Reproductive investment exhibited marked seasonality, with peak gonadosomatic indices during rising waters in most species, identifying a critical period for protection. Life-history strategies ranged from high-fecundity periodic strategists to low-fecundity equilibrium species, implying differentiated vulnerability to harvesting. Community perceptions prioritized large migratory catfish and floodplain habitats, aligning with biological indicators of vulnerability. High performance in technical training demonstrated the feasibility of long-term local monitoring systems. By linking biological indicators with local ecological knowledge, this study proposes a pathway from baseline assessment to adaptive co-management. The framework presented here provides a transferable model for strengthening sustainability, governance, and food security in tropical small-scale fisheries facing persistent data limitations. Full article

Cladocora caespitosa is an endemic hermatypic scleractinian in the Mediterranean Sea, currently threatened by both environmental and anthropogenic pressures, whereas Oculina patagonica is a cryptogenic hermatypic scleractinian that is expanding across the basin. This study provides the first assessment of co-occurring natural populations of these shallow-water taxa, examining their population structures, habitat preferences, and responses to environmental stressors based on SCUBA surveys conducted in the summers and autumns of 2022 and 2023. Both species were dominated by medium- to large-sized colonies, indicating relatively stable population structures, with C. caespitosa exhibiting significantly higher densities than O. patagonica. Both scleractinians showed a preference for sub-vertical and vertical rocky substrates, although O. patagonica appeared more tolerant of horizontal surfaces. Disease events were more frequent and severe in C. caespitosa, particularly affecting larger colonies during autumn 2022, whereas O. patagonica showed lower incidence and greater resilience overall. Temporal comparisons suggest that O. patagonica may act as a strong competitor to C. caespitosa; however, both species demonstrate a considerable capacity for recovery, likely due to adaptation to high-stress environments. These findings highlight key differences in ecological strategies and vulnerability to environmental stressors, emphasizing the need for targeted conservation approaches to preserve Mediterranean shallow-water coral communities under accelerating climate change. Full article

Bioaerosols released during wildland and prescribed fires may influence ecosystems, air quality, and microbial dispersal, yet their transport and deposition remain poorly understood. This study combined infrared uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) observations of a prescribed burn with the coupled fire–atmosphere model WRF-SFIRE and a Lagrangian particle model in order to evaluate how uncertainties in simulated fire behavior affect predicted bioaerosol (bacterial cell) transport and deposition. A reconstruction of the observed spatiotemporal evolution of the fire was derived from thermal UAS measurements acquired during the burn and incorporated into a WRF-SFIRE simulation, in which the modeled fire spread was constrained to follow this reconstructed progression. This benchmark run was compared with two unconstrained, fully coupled simulations that used a low and a high estimate of fuel moisture content (FMC) to represent typical uncertainty in fire rate of spread (ROS) prediction. Despite substantial differences in fire intensity and plume dynamics among the simulations, the resulting bioaerosol transport pathways and deposition patterns were broadly consistent across cases. The horizontal transport of the bioaerosols was dominated by the ambient Easterly wind and the bioaerosols were lofted by fire-affected updrafts—some exceeding 10 m/s—within the buoyant plume structure resolved in WRF-SFIRE. Deposition hot-spots appeared in consistent locations in the three simulations, especially regions where topography forced up-slope transport. Although the most intense fire produced slightly greater local deposition—likely due to a combination of stronger fire-induced downdrafts and overturning from penetration into strong vertical wind shear above the boundary layer—differences were small relative to the overall deposition footprint. These results suggested that, for burns of this scale, bioaerosol transport and deposition predictions are relatively robust to realistic uncertainties in fire-behavior modeling. This finding indicates that coupled fire–atmosphere and particle-transport modeling frameworks could be employed to quantitatively forecast microbial transport and deposition during future controlled burn experiments. Full article

Kidney development in the first 1000 days of life is vulnerable to numerous prenatal, perinatal, and congenital factors. This review aims to analyze the main determinants of early kidney development and to highlight the role of pediatricians in identifying at-risk infants and implementing preventive strategies to reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). For at-risk newborns, early assessment of kidney size and function is essential for the timely detection of functional decline. Key risk factors include prenatal exposures, perinatal complications, genetic conditions, and postnatal factors. Early, tailored nephrological follow-up is crucial for preventing CKD and its complications. Determining optimal monitoring intervals through clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound evaluations enables risk stratification, ensuring closer surveillance for the most vulnerable infants during this critical window. This review integrates evidence from experimental, epidemiological, and clinical studies and highlights the importance of early-life interventions in shaping renal health across the lifespan. Full article

Agricultural expansion in frontier regions is reshaping land-tenure arrangements and accelerating native vegetation loss, posing significant challenges to territorial governance. MATOPIBA, Brazil, epitomizes this dynamic, concentrating long-standing tensions between agribusiness expansion and environmental conservation in the Cerrado biome. This study examines how the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) reflects these pressures by analyzing property records from 2019 and 2025, mapping overlaps with public lands, and quantifying vegetation change between 1985 and 2024 to evaluate CAR’s potential as a territorial governance instrument. We integrated public datasets, applying geometry validation and cadastral hierarchization procedures. Between 2019 and 2025, registered properties nearly doubled, rising from 7734 to 14,231. Overlaps with protected and public lands were identified, and native vegetation declined by 38.12% over the study period, with losses recorded in approximately 75% of the properties analyzed. These findings indicate that CAR holds significant potential for territorial and environmental governance, but its effectiveness depends on continuous data validation, institutional integration, and strengthened conservation policies. Full article

Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing secondary metabolites predominantly found in Brassicaceae plants, which, upon enzymatic hydrolysis, generate bioactive compounds with potent anti-inflammatory properties. These derivatives modulate key inflammatory pathways by inhibiting NF-κB nuclear translocation, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and suppressing iNOS and COX-2 expressions. They also activate NRF2-dependent antioxidant defenses, upregulating enzymes such as HO-1 and NQO1, and regulate MMPs, contributing to tissue protection during chronic inflammation. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies consistently demonstrates their ability to attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress. Although approximately 137 glucosinolates have been identified, only about twelve have been investigated in detail regarding the anti-inflammatory activity of their derivatives, highlighting a significant gap in current knowledge and considerable potential for the discovery of new therapeutic compounds. In this context, a systematic survey was conducted of plant species reported in scientific literature as sources of glucosinolates, with particular emphasis on studies evaluating their extracts and fractions for anti-inflammatory potential in in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Additionally, this review also aims to highlight the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of glucosinolate-derived compounds, focusing on their modulation of the NF-κB and NRF2 signaling pathways and their ability to regulate matrix metalloproteinases. It also emphasizes that, despite the broad diversity of glucosinolates identified to date, only a limited number have been functionally investigated. By addressing this gap, and based on the systematic survey performed, this review underscores the need for further research to fully explore their therapeutic potential. Full article

Background: Obesity represents a major public health challenge worldwide and contributes substantially to the burden of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. While body mass index (BMI) is widely used in clinical practice, indices reflecting central adiposity may provide additional prognostic value. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of general and central obesity in an adult population across different age groups from Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, and to examine their associations with cardiometabolic outcomes and lifestyle factors. Methods: A quasi-representative cross-sectional study was conducted among 3512 adults (mean age 53.7 ± 14.9 years). Anthropometric indices, including BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were measured. Cardiometabolic outcomes included diabetes, hypertension, and their combined presence. Multicollinearity was assessed using the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF), and the discriminatory ability of indices was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis and DeLong’s test. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25) was 68.4%, while central obesity (WHtR ≥0.5) affected 66.9% of participants. BMI demonstrated the highest discriminatory ability in this dataset for hypertension (AUC = 0.852) and diabetes (AUC = 0.796), significantly outperforming WC and WHR (p < 0.05). However, 24.4% of individuals with normal BMI exhibited high-risk central adiposity. Significant sex-specific differences were observed: short sleep duration (<6 h) was a strong predictor of obesity in women (aOR = 2.98), whereas smoking showed stronger associations in men. Age-stratified analyses revealed that while BMI stabilizes in the oldest age group (75–89 years), WHtR continues to increase, reflecting age-related redistribution of visceral fat. A strong protective effect of physical activity was observed, supported by quasi-complete separation in active subgroups. Conclusions: General and central obesity represent a substantial health burden in this urban population. While BMI remains a robust screening tool, the integration of WHtR enhances the identification of “hidden” cardiometabolic risk particularly in older adults and individuals with normal BMI. Given the quasi-representative nature of the sample, these findings are primarily generalizable to similar urban populations and may inform targeted regional public health strategies. Full article

In addition to its well-documented biological properties, Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) can serve as an effective substrate for fermentation involving lactic acid bacteria. In this study, Aloe vera gel was fermented using Lactobacillus strains (L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. fermentum, L. paracasei). The chemical composition of the gel and its fermented products were analyzed using chromatographic methods, identifying key bioactive compounds, including the predominant aloesin. Antioxidant activity was assessed using chemical methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) and in an in vitro cellular model, analyzing superoxide dismutase activity and the level of reactive oxygen species in skin cells. The L. rhamnosus ferment exhibited the strongest antioxidant properties. Cytoprotective properties were evaluated in HaCaT and HDF cell lines. The tested samples showed no cytotoxicity, and the ferments often outperformed the unfermented gel. Moreover, the developed model cosmetic gel based on fermented Aloe gel stimulated keratinocyte proliferation. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the ferments effectively inhibit the activity of enzymes associated with skin aging processes (collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase), often more effectively than the unfermented Aloe gel. The results obtained indicate the potential of fermented Aloe vera gel as an ingredient in products that protect the skin. Full article

Xanthomonas species are Gram-negative bacterial pathogens responsible for diseases in over 400 plant hosts, including numerous economically important crops such as Brassica species. The limited efficacy and environmental concerns associated with chemical control strategies underscore the need for sustainable and targeted alternatives. In this study, we evaluated the suitability and biocontrol efficacy of phages Phi1 and Phi3 to combat Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) in broccoli plants. Kill-curve assays demonstrated that both phages effectively suppressed Xcc growth across a range of multiplicities of infection. Transmission electron microscopy further confirmed their lytic activity, revealing pronounced structural damage to Xcc cells following phage treatment, accompanied by the subsequent release of phage progeny. To assess host specificity and biosafety, the phages were tested against 41 bacterial isolates that were isolated and taxonomically characterized from broccoli and cauliflower in this study. Neither Phi1 nor Phi3 exhibited lytic activity against any non-target isolate, indicating high host specificity and minimal risk to the native Brassica-associated microbiota. In planta assays demonstrated that the combined application of Phi1 and Phi3 reduced Xcc-induced symptom severity in broccoli plants by 80%. Collectively, these results demonstrate that phages Phi1 and Phi3 represent effective and biologically precise agents for the control of black rot disease in Brassica crops. Full article

Antarctica’s extreme cryospheric conditions impose severe thermodynamic constraints on the natural attenuation of hydrocarbon pollutants. Despite the Antarctic Treaty System’s protections, the footprint of human logistics has left persistent reservoirs of petroleum hydrocarbons that threaten endemic biodiversity. This review critically synthesizes the state-of-the-art in Antarctic bioremediation, moving beyond traditional culture-dependent studies to integrate recent multi-omics breakthroughs (2020–2025). We analyze the molecular mechanisms limiting bioavailability in frozen soils and highlight the adaptive strategies of psychrophilic consortia, including the modification of membrane fluidity and the expression of cold-active enzymes (e.g., RHDs, AlkB). Notably, we discuss emerging findings on novel long-chain alkane degradation genes (almA, ladA) identified in 2025, which challenge previous assumptions about recalcitrance. Furthermore, the review evaluates the engineering bottlenecks of in situ versus ex situ strategies, emphasizing the synergistic potential of bacterial–fungal co-cultures and the ecological necessity of “climate-smart” remediation to mitigate methane emissions from thawing permafrost. By bridging the gap between fundamental microbial genetics and applied field engineering, we propose a roadmap for the next generation of biotechnological solutions in the warming polar environment. Full article

Evaporation is a key component of air–sea coupling processes and understanding the uncertainty in its estimation is essential for climate research and prediction. Based on four widely used datasets (OAFlux, NCEP2, MERRA2 and ERA5), this study systematically analyzes the seasonal evolution of inter-dataset uncertainty in evaporation variation over the tropical Indian Ocean using an evaporation decomposition method. Our main contribution is to show that evaporation variation uncertainty is not seasonally uniform but organized into distinct seasonal regimes with different dominant controlling factors and sensitivity structures. The results reveal significant seasonal dependence of evaporation variation uncertainty: the uncertainty is relatively small in boreal spring and autumn but larger in boreal summer and winter. The evaporation variation is primarily controlled by the relative humidity term (RH^*) in boreal summer and by the wind speed term (U^*) in other seasons. More importantly, the sources of uncertainty differ fundamentally between seasons: the large uncertainty of RH^* in boreal summer mainly originates from the high and variable sensitivity of evaporation to relative humidity, whereas the large uncertainty of U^* in boreal winter primarily stems from substantial inter-dataset discrepancies in wind speed data itself. These findings reveal that evaporation variation uncertainty arises from both input data discrepancies and the nonlinear sensitivity of evaporation processes, with their relative contributions varying seasonally. This study provides a physically based explanation for evaporation uncertainty and offers a useful basis for evaporation dataset selection and climate model evaluation. Full article

This article presents an integrated design studio pedagogy for flood-resilient urban waterfronts that employs groundscape strategies, treating the ground as an active design medium to generate hybrid structures integrating landscape, architecture, and infrastructure. Implemented at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design (Fall 2024), the studio challenged students to transform North Little Rock’s flood-vulnerable riverfront by replacing conventional levee infrastructure with ground-based public architectural interventions. The study adopts a pedagogical case-study approach, examining a studio cohort in which all projects were developed under shared site conditions, design constraints, and instructional frameworks. Five assignments progressed from collaborative precedent analysis to individual technical development, integrating computational modeling, performance simulations, and expert consultations across structural, envelope, MEP, and site engineering. Student work is analyzed through comparative sectional diagrams and selected in-depth project studies to evaluate how groundscape functioned as a shared solution type for multiscalar integration. The results show that groundscape operates productively when tested against specific site constraints rather than deployed as a generalized esthetic. In response to flood elevations, degraded ecology, and limited public access, students developed distinct ground-based operations—such as embedding, lifting, and integrating flood walls as spatial thresholds—demonstrating architecture’s capacity to mediate between civic space, environmental performance, and flood protection. By situating groundscape within a problem-oriented pedagogy, the study consolidates modernist, postmodern, and contemporary groundscape discourse and demonstrates how architectural education can engage productively with climate-adaptation challenges. Full article

Our previous work demonstrated that bovine milk-derived extracellular vesicles (mEVs) could alleviate the inflammatory response of mice colitis, along with hundreds of differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs. This study further analyzed the profiles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and explored the correlation with DE mRNAs by constructing ceRNA networks. Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a control diet or a diet added with mEVs for 30 days. Then the mice were given dextran sulphate sodium in drinking water for 7 days to induce colitis. A total of 40 miRNAs, 541 lncRNAs and 643 circRNAs exhibited changes in mEVs pretreatment group. Among these DE miRNAs, mEVs pretreatment significantly increased the expressions of miR-122, miR-147, miR-210, miR-1224, miR-148a, and miR-212, which might participate in the inflammatory response of the colitis models. The expression of Tug1 increased after mEVs pretreatment, while Snhg5 and H19 decreased, which might be involved in intestinal barrier restoration. Functional analysis of the DE ncRNAs suggested mEVs might exert protective effects not only through modulation of inflammatory responses but also by enhancing intestinal stem cell function and epithelial regeneration, which were mainly regulated by Wnt and Hippo signaling pathways according to the ceRNA networks. Full article