Search Results (2,034)

Rapid urbanization has significantly altered urban landscape composition and configuration, making it a key driver exacerbating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. As a rapidly expanding inland city in Central China, Zhengzhou is highly sensitive to changes in landscape composition and spatial configuration. Therefore, clarifying the nonlinear relationship between landscape patterns and the urban thermal environment is of great significance for sustainable urban planning and thermal environment regulation. Taking the main urban area of Zhengzhou as the study area, this paper retrieves land surface temperature (LST) using the radiative transfer equation method based on Landsat 8 remote sensing images from August 2015 to August 2024, and constructs the surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII) index. By integrating multi-dimensional landscape pattern indices, the XGBoost machine learning model, and the SHAP interpretability method, this study systematically analyzes the nonlinear response mechanisms of landscape composition and configuration to SUHII, key regulatory thresholds, and their changes between 2015 and 2024. The results show that: (1) The SUHII in Zhengzhou was substantially higher in 2024 than in 2015. The area proportions of strong and extremely strong heat islands were higher in 2024 (26.16% and 2.34%) than in 2015 (2.22% and 0.12%), and the thermal environment differed between 2015 and 2024, shifting from a localized patch pattern to a more continuously expanding pattern. (2) Landscape area-related indices are the key factors. The areas of green space and water bodies, along with the landscape diversity index, show significant negative correlations, while built-up area and aggregation index show significant positive correlations. (3) SHAP feature importance indicates that water body area is the primary cooling factor, whereas built-up area is the primary warming factor, jointly dominating the spatial pattern of the thermal environment in Zhengzhou. (4) Landscape composition and configuration exhibit significant nonlinear responses to SUHII with region-specific thresholds, and these thresholds were higher/lower in 2024 than in 2015, suggesting a possible association with urban expansion. Specifically, stable cooling effects occurred when the water body area exceeded 3.5 km² in 2015, with the threshold rising to 4.2 km² in 2024. The warming threshold for built-up area decreased from 18.8 km² to 8.5 km², suggesting a higher sensitivity of the thermal environment to built-up area expansion in 2024 compared to 2015, characterized by a regulation pattern of “dominant scale effect and weakened configuration effect”. This study identifies thresholds specific to Zhengzhou’s main urban area at two time points (2015 and 2024), providing quantitative support and scientific basis for blue–green space optimization, precise heat island mitigation, and territorial spatial planning in Zhengzhou. These findings are based on a comparison of two time points (2015 and 2024) and do not directly capture continuous temporal dynamics. Full article

The circadian rhythm is an internal timing system formed by the body’s adaptation to the Earth’s rotation, which helps maintain homeostasis by regulating physiological, metabolic, and behavioral activities. The gut microbiota (GM), the largest microbial ecosystem in the human body, exhibits a bidirectional regulatory relationship with the host circadian clock. Emerging evidence indicates that circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) is linked to disturbances in the diurnal oscillations and compositional balance of the GM, accompanied by reduced short-chain fatty acid levels, increased lipopolysaccharide leakage, and altered tryptophan metabolism. These microbial abnormalities may be involved in anxiety-like behaviors through three major pathways: neuroendocrine (hyperactivation of the HPA axis), immune (microglia-mediated neuroinflammation), and neurotransmitter (imbalance of the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems). Conversely, microbial metabolites such as butyrate and secondary bile acids may reciprocally regulate peripheral clock gene expression, forming a complex “circadian rhythm–GM–anxiety” interaction network. This review summarizes the molecular basis of circadian–GM interactions, potential GM-mediated mechanisms linking CRD with anxiety, and emerging intervention strategies including chrononutrition (time-restricted feeding, sequential nutrient intake), microbiota-targeted therapies (probiotics/prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation), and light therapy and melatonin supplementation. Future directions should focus on cell-specific mechanisms using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, developing personalized interventions that integrate chronotype and microbiome profiling, and conducting large-scale randomized controlled trials to facilitate clinical translation. This review provides a framework for understanding the integrative role of circadian biology and gut microbiota in anxiety and may help develop precision intervention paradigms. Full article

This study investigated the metabolic regulatory effects and underlying microbial mechanisms of Deinococcus radiodurans extract (DRE), using high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice as the primary mechanistic model and naturally overweight felines. In the mouse model, a 1.5% DRE supplementation mitigated HFD-induced obesity, reduced serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, and markedly ameliorated hepatic steatosis. Fecal 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that DRE effectively reversed murine microbial dysbiosis by significantly restoring core commensals depleted by the HFD, notably Ureaplasma and the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producer Odoribacter, while concurrently suppressing the overgrowth of obesity-associated taxa including Alloprevotella and Phascolarctobacterium. As a translational complement, a 28-day DRE intervention in felines under isocaloric maintenance conditions, with no significant change in body weight, body condition score, or fecal score, validated these systemic benefits, significantly enhancing serum total antioxidant capacity by 16.1% and reducing the systemic inflammatory marker serum amyloid A by 27.8%, indicating that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of DRE are independent of weight change. Concurrently, feline fecal microbiota profiling demonstrated a parallel ecological remodeling, characterized by the enrichment of potent SCFA producers (Oscillibacter and the [Eubacterium]_hallii_group) and the profound suppression of the pro-inflammatory pathogen Fusobacterium. Collectively, by integrating deep mechanistic insights from mice with translational evidence from felines, this study demonstrates that DRE exerts comprehensive anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects by regulating lipid metabolism and reshaping the gut microbiota, establishing its robust potential as a novel functional ingredient for metabolic health in companion animals. Full article

Allometric scaling provides a practical framework for predicting human pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters from animal data by relating physiological processes to body size through power-law equations. Despite its simplicity and widespread use in first-in-human (FIH) dose selection, its predictive performance is limited by species-specific differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review summarizes the mathematical foundations, workflows, and diagnostics of allometric scaling, while critically examining where the approach succeeds and where it fails. Core concepts, including clearance, volume of distribution, correction factors, and the rule of exponents, are discussed alongside complementary methods: in vitro–in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE), physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling, and the Wajima normalized time-course method. Historical clinical failures, including fialuridine, TGN1412, BIA 10-2474, and rofecoxib, illustrate the limits of relying solely on allometry, while thalidomide and the fenfluramine combination exemplify toxicodynamic species-selection failures. Modern advances, including the Extended Clearance Classification System (ECCS), target-mediated drug disposition, FcRn recycling, and emerging artificial intelligence and machine-learning methods, are integrated within a framework. Overall, the review treats allometric scaling as a disciplined starting hypothesis that must be triangulated with mechanistic, experimental, and regulatory evidence to support safer and more reliable human translation. Full article

Landfill leachate represents a long-term source of contamination that may significantly affect groundwater and receiving water bodies through the migration of organic, inorganic, and toxic pollutants. This study evaluated the long-term migration of landfill leachate and its potential environmental impacts using the LandSim Release 2 probabilistic software model applied to two municipal waste landfills in the Republic of Serbia: the regional sanitary landfill “Gigoš” in Jagodina and the sanitary landfill “Meteris” in Vranje. The modelling framework integrated laboratory leachate analyses, hydrogeological conditions, engineered barrier system characteristics, and receptor-oriented contaminant transport assessment. Model validation was performed through comparison of simulated and laboratory-measured concentrations. Two scenarios were analyzed for each site: an engineered sanitary landfill scenario with a functional containment system and a conservative barrier-failure scenario representing complete loss of engineered barrier functionality. Ten representative leachate parameters were included, covering nitrogen compounds, inorganic ions, toxic substances, and heavy metals/metalloids. The results showed that engineered protection systems significantly delay contaminant migration and reduce receptor concentrations, while barrier-failure conditions lead to earlier pollutant breakthrough and higher environmental risk. The simulations demonstrated that under the engineered sanitary landfill scenario, receptor concentrations of all analyzed contaminants remained below the corresponding maximum allowable concentrations, with contaminant migration occurring only after several centuries. In contrast, the conservative barrier-failure scenario resulted in substantially earlier contaminant breakthrough, with nitrogen compounds and phenols representing the greatest environmental concern due to their rapid migration and exceedance of regulatory thresholds, while the “Meteris” landfill generally exhibited higher receptor concentrations than the “Gigoš” landfill. These findings highlight the importance of predictive modelling and long-term monitoring for sustainable landfill management and groundwater protection. Full article

Accredited sensory certification is increasingly central to the credibility of EU Geographical Indications (GIs), particularly for wine, where typicity and regional identity compli-cate harmonization. In the absence of shared descriptors, reference standards, and decision rules, sensory control may produce inconsistent conformity outcomes across certification bodies. This study examines the main drivers and limitations of sensory harmonization in GI wine certification, with particular focus on Portugal’s mandatory batch-level sensory approval system. Using a structured narrative review and comparative analysis, it integrates sensory science literature with the EU regulatory framework requiring verifiable organoleptic characteristics in product specifications. National approaches from Portugal, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania and Spain are compared, alongside the harmonized IOC Panel Test model for virgin olive oil. Accreditation is analyzed through International Organization for Standardization standards ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17065, as well as EA guidance. Results show increasing convergence toward formal sensory certification but persistent divergence in how typicity is operationalized and translated into conformity decisions. The study proposes a conceptual framework in which harmonization focuses on evidential conditions rather than uniform sensory identities. Full article

Mining can significantly affect the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of groundwater chemistry. From July to August 2024, the research team collected 26 surface water and groundwater samples in the Shengli Coal Mine area of the Mongolian Plateau, conducting comprehensive hydrogeochemical analyses on surface water flowing through the mining area, groundwater within the mining area, seepage water, and groundwater outside the mining area. The results indicate that groundwater in this region is notably affected by human activities such as mining operations. Specifically, in surface water flowing through the mining area, concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), sulfates, nitrates, and nickel showed significant increases. Compared to groundwater systems in other areas of the Mongolian Plateau, nickel levels in the mining area’s groundwater were significantly higher, while nitrate levels exhibited the opposite trend. A significant positive correlation was observed between metal element concentrations in surface water and groundwater. The study found that abnormal distributions of heavy metals such as beryllium (Be), thallium (Tl), and tin (Sn) may originate from point-source pollution caused by mining activities. Furthermore, concentrations of manganese (Mn), arsenic (As), and antimony (Sb) in the groundwater of this area exceeded relevant regulatory limits, with arsenic being particularly prominent. The levels of arsenic in both surface water and groundwater may pose carcinogenic risks to human health. This study shows that nearly half of the sampled water bodies in the area require purification treatment to meet drinking water standards, highlighting the urgent need for further attention to water quality safety issues. The conclusions derived from this research provide theoretical support for understanding the long-term evolutionary mechanisms of groundwater in mining areas, while also offering important insights for improving groundwater environmental management and ensuring water resource security in mining regions. Full article

As the pace of modern life continues to accelerate, the pressure participants face is growing, and mental health issues are becoming increasingly prominent. Against this backdrop, meditation, as a proven method for stress relief and relaxation, has garnered widespread attention. However, many people face challenges during meditation, such as difficulty entering a meditative state quickly or achieving sub-optimal outcomes. This is particularly true for beginners, who often struggle to accurately gauge the rhythm of meditation and thus fail to fully harness its regulatory effects on both body and mind. To address these issues, this study proposes a handheld meditation device. By making contact with the body via sensors, the device can measure multiple physiological metrics in real time, including skin conductance, electromyography, and heart rate. Based on these measurements, the device can monitor the user’s emotional fluctuations in real time. When emotional changes are detected, it uses the data to play music, release specific scents, or adjust lighting ambiance, thereby dynamically regulating the user’s psychological state. This helps users better immerse themselves in a meditative state and effectively enhances the benefits of meditation. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the device’s design principles, detailing its hardware components—including various sensors and emotional regulation modules—and explaining the operational logic of its software algorithms. The effectiveness and reliability of the device were verified through rigorous experiments. The study also thoroughly examines the application prospects and potential value of this handheld meditation device, exploring new approaches and methods for the development of meditation technology and related equipment. Full article

This study assessed the effect of dietary supplementation with Kluyveromyces lactis (K. lactis) hydrolysate (HKL) on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, systemic immune–antioxidant status, and fecal microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of fifty-four piglets, with an initial body weight of 6.07 ± 0.086 kg and age of 25 ± 1 days, were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments over 28 days (6 replicates per treatment; 3 piglets per replicate): a control diet (CON), CON supplemented with 5 g/kg HKL (HKL1), or CON supplemented with 10 g/kg HKL (HKL2). Throughout the trial, growth performance was monitored, apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients was determined, serum samples were collected for immune and antioxidant assessments, and fecal samples were gathered for microbiota analysis. The results indicated that compared to the CON group, both HKL1 and HKL2 groups exhibited improved growth performance, as evidenced by increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) from day 0 to 28 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, HKL2 significantly enhanced average daily gain (ADG) from day 0 to 14 and reduced the feed-to-gain ratio (F: G) during the same period (p < 0.05). Diarrhea incidence was markedly decreased by HKL supplementation at both day 1–14 and day 15–28 (p < 0.001). HKL supplementation increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter, ash, calcium, and phosphorus (p < 0.05). On day 14, serum total protein and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were elevated, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced in HKL-supplemented piglets (p < 0.05). By day 28, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, were increased, while interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were decreased in HKL-supplemented piglets (p < 0.05), suggesting HKL possesses immunomodulatory and antioxidant regulatory capacities. HKL also enriched several health-associated commensal bacteria, including [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group, unclassified_f_Peptostreptococcaceae, Candidatus Saccharimonas, Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-003, and Negativibacillus, suggesting a microbiota-modulatory effect in weaned piglets. These results indicate that dietary supplementation with HKL could improve growth performance and nutrient utilization, reduce post-weaning diarrhea, and promote a more favorable immune–antioxidant status and microbial profile in weaned piglets, with the 10 g/kg dosage demonstrating greater overall efficacy. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel K. lactis products and the application of K. lactis hydrolysate in weaned piglets. Full article

As a traditional element of Chinese medicine, Hippocampus erectus is well known for promoting adolescent growth, yet its active fractions and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the aqueous extract of H. erectus was subjected to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion and ultrafiltration to separate three molecular weight fractions (<10 kDa, 10–30 kDa, >30 kDa). Their chemical profiles were characterized, and osteogenic activities were systematically evaluated using cell assays, a juvenile rat model, and integrated transcriptomics and data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics. Results revealed that chemical profiling showed the >30 kDa fraction was mainly composed of hemocyanin subunits, and the 10–30 kDa fraction was enriched in growth-related amino acids and steroid derivatives; functionally, the 10–30 kDa fraction promoted preosteoblast proliferation and early differentiation via enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, while the >30 kDa fraction dominated late osteoblast maturation and mineralization. Both fractions significantly increased rat body and bone length by expanding growth plate proliferative zones and elevating serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) levels. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Wingless-related integration site (Wnt), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), and extracellular matrix (ECM)–receptor interaction as potential core regulatory pathways. Integrated multi-omics analysis further confirmed Frizzled-related protein B (Frzb) and AKT1 substrate 1 (Akt1s1) as candidate key regulatory targets enriched in the Wnt and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways. These findings elucidate the multi-fraction, multi-pathway mechanism of H. erectus in promoting skeletal development, providing scientific evidence for its traditional use and a theoretical basis for growth-promoting functional food development. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease (HD), involve the gradual loss of structure or function of neurons in the nervous system and are an increasing threat to the aging population worldwide. Although these disorders have different clinical features which affect cognition, movement and other vital body functions, they share key underlying molecular and cellular processes. This starts with protein misfolding and aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, dysregulated protein homeostasis, neuroinflammation, and disrupted cell death pathways. Recent findings have added disease-specific processes, like amyloid-β and tau aggregates in AD, α-synuclein aggregation and mitophagy failure in PD’s, TDP-43-related impaired RNA metabolism in ALS, and mutant huntingtin causing transcription aberrations in HD. Protein interactome network analysis showed mechanistic crosstalk between pathogenic proteins of AD and PD. New evidence highlights how lysosomal dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and microglial activation, act as a common axis in neurodegeneration. Advancements in genomics and epigenomics have found shared genetic risk loci and regulatory processes that affect how diseases develop and progress. Simultaneously, new biomarkers like circulating microRNAs, exosome-related pathological proteins, neurofilament light chain, inflammatory cytokines, and microglial activation markers are powering early diagnosis tools and disease variations. New imaging techniques also allow for the identification of protein aggregations before symptoms appear. Overall, these findings are accelerating targeted treatments and personalized medicine aimed at disease progression. This review highlights current insights into the molecular mechanisms of NDs and discusses new biomarkers and treatment targets that help future diagnostic and treatment strategies. Full article

Objectives: Autologous bone grafting remains the gold standard for maxillofacial reconstruction but is limited by tissue scarcity and donor-site morbidity. Consequently, substitutes like bioactive glass (BG), beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), and deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) are widely used. However, comprehensive mechanistic comparisons among them remain scarce. Materials and Methods: We systematically evaluated these substitutes under standardized in vitro conditions to compare their physicochemical transformations, degradation profiles, biological performances, and underlying osteogenic molecular pathways. Results: In simulated body fluid, BG underwent rapid hydroxyapatite mineralization, whereas the highly porous DBB and dense β-TCP remained structurally inert. Degradation assays revealed BG exhibited the fastest mass loss and ion release, β-TCP showed intermediate degradation, and DBB maintained high in vitro structural stability. Biologically, all materials showed favorable cytocompatibility and comparable angiogenic potential. However, BG demonstrated significant antibacterial activity (E. coli, S. aureus) and a strong potential to enhance osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the protein-level expression of RUNX2 and OCN, alongside the transcriptional upregulation of Bmp2, Runx2, and Ocn. Transcriptomic profiling and pharmacological validation suggest that the enhanced osteogenic performance of BG might be associated with specific regulatory pathways, supporting the hypothesis that the suppression of NF-κB-mediated inflammation and the activation of the ECM-Integrin-FAK mechanotransduction axis play potential roles. Conclusions: BG offers high bioactivity and notable potential to enhance osteogenic differentiation in vitro but degrades rapidly. DBB ensures structural durability without intrinsic osteoinductivity, and β-TCP provides a balanced, intermediate profile. These in vitro mechanistic insights provide a theoretical foundation for future in vivo evaluations and designing next-generation bone scaffolds. Full article

Spain is among the European countries facing the highest water stress, notably along the Mediterranean arc. Despite this, it possesses unique capabilities in water management; it leads Europe in water reuse and desalination technologies, and has the continent’s highest number of dams per capita, securing most of its urban water supply. Nonetheless, the investment gap in the urban water cycle challenges Spain’s ability to meet European Union environmental targets and ensure the sustainability of public health and economic activities. Therefore, this study analyzes the causes of Spain’s urban water investment deficit, arguing that these challenges stem from institutional factors rather than a lack of resources or technological development. The research identifies three primary governance failures: the lack of a national governing body to harmonize water policies, a fragmented pricing system that drives the infrastructure gap, and a regulatory framework that restricts private sector involvement in managing non-conventional water resources. Consequently, this study highlights the urgent need for adaptive governance to deploy all available tools to respond to the specific needs of each territory in scenarios of uncertainty and climate change. Full article

Water bodies play an important role in regulating settlement microclimates, and understanding the influence of water body morphology is essential for climate-adaptive settlement planning. This study quantified three key morphological parameters, scale, dispersion degree, and enclosure morphology, to investigate their effects on the microclimate of traditional Weizi settlements. Based on field measurements and ENVI-met simulations, fifteen water body layout scenarios were developed and evaluated using air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and PET. The results indicate that water body scale, enclosure morphology, and dispersion degree exert differentiated effects on thermal–humidity regulation, whereas their influence on wind speed is limited. The cooling and humidifying capacities followed the order of scale > enclosure morphology > dispersion degree, while the spatial influence range followed the order of enclosure morphology > scale > dispersion degree. PET analysis further demonstrated that larger water bodies, lower dispersion levels, and higher enclosure degrees contribute to improved outdoor thermal comfort. Under a constant water surface area, the optimal configuration consisted of a centralized water body layout with a water–land ratio of 0.49, a double-enclosure morphology, and a length-to-width ratio of 2:3. These findings provide quantitative guidance for climate-responsive planning and the design of water-adaptive settlements. Full article

While medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium- and long-chain triglycerides (MLCTs), and carotenoids individually possess anti-obesity properties, the synergistic metabolic regulatory effects of their combined intervention remain under-investigated. This study explored the effects of MCTs or structured MLCTs combined with natural carotenoids on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. After establishing obesity in C57BL/6J mice using a 60% HFD, a ten-week intervention was conducted using 45% HFD containing 150 mg/kg carotenoids across three groups: MCT-C, MLCT-C, and a physical mixture of MCTs and long-chain triglycerides plus carotenoids (MCT+LCT-C), alongside a low-fat diet (LFD) control. Results showed that among the three HFD-fed intervention groups, the MCT-C group had the lowest body weight with significantly lower fat mass, fat pad coefficient, and adipocyte area, but higher liver coefficient and serum alanine aminotransferase levels compared to the LFD control group (p < 0.05). The MLCT-C and MCT+LCT-C groups exhibited higher body weight, white adipose tissue expansion, and adipocyte hypertrophy, with MCT+LCT-C showing the largest adipocyte volume and uniquely presenting hepatocyte necrosis, unlike other groups. Serum total cholesterol was lowest in MCT-C, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in MLCT-C and MCT+LCT-C. Notably, compared with the MCT+LCT-C group, MLCT-C demonstrated distinctly superior capabilities in maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis, as evidenced by enhanced community alpha diversity and significantly reduced the abundance of harmful Pseudomonadota, while preserving a highly comparable core functional profile. Collectively, these findings confirm that lipid structure differentially shapes gut microbiota and influences energy metabolism, providing a scientific basis for precision nutrition interventions. Full article