Search Results (22,694)

Under the extensive influence of the monsoon climate, droughts in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) occur frequently and pose a serious threat to grain security. To better understand the evolution and drivers of soil drought, this study employed remote sensing-based soil moisture and atmospheric circulation data from 2000 to 2022. It assessed the spatiotemporal characteristics of soil drought across the YRB and its sub-basins, identified the main mutation points and types, and quantified the relative contributions of climatic and circulation factors. The results show that: (1) the most severe soil drought month occurred in August 2022 (Standardized Soil Moisture Index SSMI = –1.69), with two major mutation points in May 2011 (“decrease to increase”) and June 2019 (“increase to decrease”); (2) drought mutations were mainly categorized as “interrupted decrease” (9 sub-basins) and “increase to decrease” (1 sub-basin), most occurring after 2010; (3) the year 2022 experienced the most severe annual drought (SSMI = –0.94), with extreme drought covering 39.36% of the basin in August; (4) precipitation (PC) was the dominant climatic factor influencing drought (percentage area of significant coherence PASC = 15.48%), while the Interannual Pacific Oscillation (IPO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and Dipole Mode Index (DMI) all showed significant remote-correlation effects, with mean Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) values of 0.138, 0.111, and 0.090, respectively. This study clarifies the spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of soil drought in the YRB, providing a scientific basis for improved drought monitoring and agricultural risk management. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are a global concern due to their persistence and capacity to adsorb and transport pollutants. The Canary Islands, influenced by the Canary Current, are particularly vulnerable to MPs accumulation from remote sources. The European Union’s Watch List includes emerging contaminants that require monitoring to assess potential ecological risks, though limited data hinder definitive evaluations. This study conducted a monitoring campaign between December 2023 and September 2024 across eleven beaches on four eastern islands of the archipelago. The aim was to assess MPs pollution (particles between 1 and 5 mm) and the presence of 26 organic contaminants from the EU Watch List adsorbed onto MPs, evaluating seasonal variation and tourism influence. Results show that beaches facing north and east had significantly higher MPs levels—up to an order of magnitude greater (ranged from <10 to >500 items/m²)—due to strong wind exposure, confirming the role of the Canary Current in MPs transport. White/transparent fragments dominated (>50%) among MPs types. Eight Watch List compounds were identified, with UV filters—commonly found in sunscreens—being the most frequently detected, present at nearly all sampling sites. Octocrylene reached concentrations up to 17,811 ng/g in highly touristic beaches. These findings highlight the environmental pressure on insular coastal zones and the relevance of combining MPs monitoring with targeted contaminant analysis in regions affected by oceanic currents and tourism. Full article

The lake systems of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, while serving as vital hubs for socioeconomic development, have become critical zones of heavy metal contamination, posing severe threats to the fragile “Third Pole” ecosystem and regional environmental security. This study investigated the concentration, distribution, sources, and ecological risks of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in lake sediments and riparian soils of Bangong Co Lake, a remote alpine lake on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Lake sediment and soil samples were collected and tested from various shoreline types, including natural and human-affected areas. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) was applied to assess contamination levels, and source apportionment was performed using principal component analysis (PCA) combined with the Absolute Principal Component Score–Multiple Linear Regression (APCS-MLR) receptor model. Results revealed that heavy metal concentrations were generally higher in soils than in sediments. Compared to regional background values, elevated levels of most heavy metals were observed in human-affected shores, while natural-type soils exhibited higher concentrations of Co, Cr, Ni, and As. In sediments, only Cd and As were notably elevated in human-affected areas. The PLI results indicated that most sampling sites were either uncontaminated or slightly contaminated, with higher pollution levels occurring primarily in human-affected shoreline zones. Source apportionment demonstrated that heavy metals in sediments were predominantly derived from natural sources such as rock weathering, with anthropogenic contributions being relatively limited. In contrast, soils exhibited significant anthropogenic influences, with industrial, transportation, and agricultural activities contributing substantially to Cu (53.27%), Pb (58.64%), Zn (57.98%), Cd (34.09%), and As (39.87%). The research underscores the differential impacts of human activities on heavy metal accumulation in sediments and soils of high-altitude lake systems. It offers valuable baseline data for monitoring and managing heavy metal pollution in ecologically sensitive alpine regions. Full article

Reducing farmland abandonment and improving land resource utilization efficiency are critical pathways for safeguarding national food security. This study aims to identify the mechanism through which Land Consolidation (LC) affects farmers’ abandonment behavior at the land parcel scale, providing empirical evidence for improving LC policies and optimizing abandonment governance strategies. Using micro-survey data from 5014 land parcels in Sichuan Province collected in 2024, this study employs Probit, IV-Probit, and other econometric models to conduct empirical analysis, combining mechanism tests and heterogeneity analysis to systematically evaluate the suppression effects of LC. The results show that: (1) On the whole, LC significantly inhibits farmers’ abandonment behavior, with a notable decrease in the probability of abandonment for renovated land parcels. (2) The mechanism analysis indicates that LC alleviates farmers’ resource constraints and labor bottlenecks by expanding parcel size, operational scale, and improving the degree of land parcel consolidation, thereby reducing abandonment risk. (3) The heterogeneity analysis reveals that LC shows stronger suppression effects on abandonment behavior in flat land parcels, remote land parcels, and among ordinary farmers. In conclusion, LC is not only an essential measure for improving land quality and agricultural production efficiency but also a key policy tool for reducing farmers’ abandonment, stabilizing land use, and ensuring food security. Future efforts should promote targeted consolidation strategies, strengthening differentiated governance for varying land attributes and farmer types to achieve accurate and efficient abandonment management. Full article

As critical ecosystems, coastal zones necessitate the identification of their ecosystem service values, trade-off/synergy patterns, spatiotemporal evolution, and driving factors to inform scientific decision-making for sustainable ecosystem management. This study selected the coastal zone of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as the research region. By incorporating land-use types such as mangroves, tidal flats, and aquaculture areas, we analyzed land-use changes in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The InVEST model was employed to quantify six key ecosystem services (ESs): annual water yield, urban stormwater retention, urban flood risk mitigation, soil conservation, coastal blue carbon storage, and habitat quality, while spatial correlations among them were examined. Furthermore, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to assess trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services, and redundancy analysis (RDA) combined with the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model were applied to identify driving factors and their spatial heterogeneity. The results indicate that: (1) Cultivated land, forest land, impervious surfaces, and water bodies exhibited the most significant changes over the 30-year period; (2) Synergies predominated among most ecosystem services, whereas habitat quality showed trade-offs with others; (3) Among natural drivers, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI, positive effect) and evapotranspiration were critical factors. The proportion of impervious surfaces served as a key land-use change driver, and the nighttime light index emerged as a primary socioeconomic factor (negative effect). The impacts of drivers on ecosystem services displayed notable spatial heterogeneity. These findings provide scientific support for managing the supply-demand balance of coastal ecosystem services, rational land development, and sustainable development. Full article

Biological samples of non-human origin, commonly encountered in wildlife crime investigations, present distinct challenges regarding forensic DNA analysis efforts. Although the types of samples encountered in human identity testing can vary to some degree, analyzing DNA from one species is facilitated by unified processes, common genetic marker systems, and national DNA databases. In contrast, non-human animal species identification is confounded by a diverse range of target species and a variety of sampling materials, such as feathers, processed animal parts in traditional medicine, and taxidermy specimens, which often contain degraded DNA in low quantities, are contaminated with chemical inhibitors, and may be comingled with other species. These complexities require specialized analytical approaches. Compounding these issues is a lack of validated non-human species forensic sampling and typing kits, and the risk of human DNA contamination during evidence collection. Markers residing on the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) are routinely sought because of the large datasets available for comparison and their greater sensitivity of detection. However, the barcoding results can be complicated at times for achieving species-level resolution, the presence of nuclear inserts of mitochondrial DNA (NUMTs), and the limitation of mtDNA analysis alone to detect hybrids. Species-specific genetic markers for identification have been developed for a few high-profile species; however, many CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)-listed organisms lack specific, validated forensic analytical tools, creating a significant gap in investigative enforcement capabilities. This deficiency stems in part from the low commercial nature of wildlife forensics efforts, a government research-driven field, the difficulty of obtaining sufficient reference samples from wild populations, limited training and education infrastructure, and inadequate funding support. Full article

We aim to evaluate the extent to which food fraud incidents cause food safety concerns, using three complementing sources: (1) the publicly available fraud issues as collected by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Union in monthly food fraud reports; (2) academic literature that documents food fraud incidents; and (3) reports of criminal investigations of food fraud in The Netherlands. We studied the nature of these concerns in terms of their severity, types of hazard and investigate this in relation to the type of food fraud as well as the types of product. The findings reveal that approximately one out of three cases of food fraud carries a considerable food safety risk. Within these cases, food laundering—(re)introducing already illegal food into the food chain—was the main type of fraud most predominant and carried most food safety risk. This study demonstrates how food frauds have further-reaching food safety consequences than meets the eye, impacting on the food safety system. Perpetrators, amongst other flaws, seem to consciously ignore food safety risks and regulations. The analytical research community could consider not focusing exclusively on fraudulent food enhancement, but also consider how to extend their contribution to the detection of food laundering. Full article

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) remains one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among preschool children worldwide. Feeding practices during infancy play a significant role in shaping oral microbial colonization and caries risk. This study aimed to evaluate the association between breastfeeding, artificial feeding, and the occurrence of ECC among children aged 3–5 years. Methods: A cross-sectional clinical and epidemiological study was conducted involving 103 children aged 3–5 years. Parents completed a structured questionnaire. Participants were divided into three groups based on infant feeding history: exclusively breastfed, exclusively artificially fed, and mixed-fed. Clinical oral examinations assessed dmft indices. Statistical analysis included Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests for dmft scores, Chi-square tests for categorical variables, Spearman correlations, and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of dental caries. Results: Among participants, 43.6% were exclusively breastfed, 41.7% mixed-fed, and 14.5% exclusively artificially fed. The mean dmft index was highest in formula-fed children (4.2 ± 3.78), followed by mixed-fed (2.97 ± 3.19) and breastfed children (1.75 ± 2.99). Kruskal–Wallis analysis showed significant differences in dmft among groups (p = 0.005), with breastfed children having lower dmft than both formula-fed (p = 0.009) and mixed-fed (p = 0.006) children. Caries presence was significantly associated with feeding type (χ² = 14.00, p = 0.001) and fluoride toothpaste use (χ² = 7.56, p = 0.023). A weak negative correlation was observed between dmft and breastfeeding duration (ρ = −0.266, p = 0.007). Logistic regression identified longer breastfeeding duration (OR = 0.889, 95% CI: 0.81–0.97, p = 0.010) and use of fluoride toothpaste (OR = 0.323, 95% CI: 0.13–0.81, p = 0.012) as protective factors against dental caries. Parental questionnaire responses suggested prolonged bottle feeding and nocturnal feeding habits as contributing factors. Conclusions: Longer breastfeeding duration and regular use of fluoride toothpaste were associated with lower risk of dental caries in children. Formula feeding was associated with higher dmft scores. Infant feeding practices significantly influence the risk of early childhood caries. Encouraging breastfeeding and educating parents on appropriate weaning and oral hygiene measures may reduce ECC incidence and support better long-term oral health outcomes. Full article

The tumour suppressor TP53 (tumor protein p53) is a master regulator of cell cycle, DNA repair, and apoptosis, and its mutation is a hallmark of cancer, with individual mutations exerting distinct effects on tumour biology. Despite accounting for ~7% of all TP53 variants, splice site mutations remain the least studied class, and their functional and clinical consequences are poorly understood. We analyzed 25,058 TP53 variants (18,562 somatic; 6496 germline) to characterize the frequency, molecular impact, transcriptional effects, genomic instability, and clinical outcomes of splice mutations. These alterations showed distinct distributions and substitution patterns between germline and somatic contexts and were frequently associated with copy number alterations, reduced TP53 mRNA, and variable protein expression. Transcriptomic profiling identified two transcriptional phenotypes: one with global suppression of canonical p53 target genes and another with mixed activation and repression independent of tumour type. Genomic instability was elevated in a subset of splice-mutant tumours, correlating with increased relapse risk, while other splice mutations showed lower instability but divergent clinical outcomes, including unexpectedly poor prognoses. Our findings fill a critical knowledge gap, defining the biological and clinical spectrum of TP53 splice site mutations and highlighting their potential as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in precision oncology. Full article

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face elevated risk of hepatobiliary complications. The biliary safety of GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists in this population is uncertain. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the TrinetX LIVE global health research network. Adults (≥18 years) with coexisting T2DM and IBD were assigned to exposure (semaglutide or tirzepatide) or comparator (no GLP-1/GIP therapy) cohorts. The index was first prescription (or matched date). Primary outcomes—cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, and cholangitis—were identified by ICD-10 codes. Propensity score matching (1:1 greedy nearest neighbor; caliper 0.1 SD) balanced demographics, comorbidities, GI surgeries, and antidiabetic medications. Results: After propensity score matching, 32,052 patients were included (16,026 per cohort), achieving excellent covariate balance with standardized mean differences < 0.1 for nearly all variables. GLP-1/GIP agonist use was associated with significantly lower risks of multiple biliary complications. Cholelithiasis occurred in 3.5% of GLP-1/GIP users compared with 6.3% of nonusers (risk ratio [RR] 1.81, 95% CI 1.64–2.00; hazard ratio [HR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.14–1.41; p < 0.001). Cholecystitis similarly occurred less frequently among users (0.8% vs. 2.2%; RR 2.74, 95% CI 2.24–3.34; HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.50–2.27; p < 0.001). Choledocholithiasis was also reduced in the GLP-1/GIP cohort (0.6% vs. 1.5%; RR 2.72, 95% CI 2.14–3.46; HR 1.90, 95% CI 1.48–2.44; p < 0.001). Cholangitis events were rare in both groups (0.1% vs. 0.2%) with no significant difference on survival analysis (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.58–1.97; p = 0.08). Conclusions: In adults with T2DM and IBD, GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists are associated with substantially reduced risks of gallstone-related complications. These real-world data support the gastrointestinal safety of GLP-1–based therapy in a high-risk population and suggest possible biliary protective effects warranting prospective, agent-specific studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Whilst cancer is a leading cause of death in people with HIV, less is known about clinical outcomes after cancer. Methods: Participants from the RESPOND and D:A:D cohorts with the five most common cancers (Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS); non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); and lung, anal and prostate cancers) were followed from first cancer diagnosis after 2006/2012 [D:A:D/RESPOND] until death, final follow-up or administrative censoring (2016/2021). Incidence rates (IR) were calculated for post-cancer mortality; for non-fatal events (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, another primary cancer, AIDS events) individually and as a non-fatal composite clinical outcome (CCO). Predictors or mortality and CCO were assessed using Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations. Results: Amongst 2485 participants with cancer, mortality and CCO IRs were highest after lung cancer (445.4/1000 person years [95% CI 399.7, 494.9], 117.1 [94.3, 143.8], respectively) compared to other cancers and lowest after KS (21.3 [16.9, 26.6], 43.9 [37.5, 51.3]). The most common non-fatal outcomes were AIDS events after NHL and KS, diabetes after lung and prostate cancer and another primary cancer after anal cancer. Among people with NHL and anal cancer, a diagnosis in more recent years was associated with lower mortality risk. Increasing the time-updated CD4 count reduced mortality by 15–40% (per 100 cells/µL) after NHL and anal and lung cancers and reduced CCO risk by 17–28% after KS and NHL. Smoking, low BMI and multimorbidity increased CCO risks by two to three times after KS and NHL. Conclusions: Risk of post-cancer mortality and non-fatal outcomes varies by cancer type and risk profile, suggesting the need for personalized post-cancer clinical monitoring. Full article

Mangrove sediments in the South China Sea, particularly in the Hainan Island region, play a crucial role in regulating heavy metal migration and sequestration. However, the impact of converting mangrove areas to fish and shrimp culture ponds on heavy metal pollution in the Bamen Bay Mangrove Reserve is unclear. This study evaluates the pollution levels and ecological risks of Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, and As in sediments from three land-use types using pollution indices (CF, PLI, RI) and the geo-accumulation index (I_geo). Multivariate analysis explores the relationships between metals and their potential sources. The results show significant differences in pollution levels (p < 0.05), with culture ponds having the highest pollution and ecological risk (RI = 73). As is the primary ecological risk factor (Er = 129). Zn and Cr are positively correlated with organic matter, while As and Pb show negative correlations with pH and salinity. Culture ponds increase heavy metal load and ecological risk, adversely impacting the mangrove ecosystem. These findings provide scientific support for land-use management and pollution control in mangrove wetlands. Full article

Honeybee products (HBPs), including honey, bee pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax, and bee brood, are increasingly used in food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic contexts. Because of their natural origin, HBPs can provoke allergic reactions ranging from localised dermatitis to life-threatening, systemic anaphylaxis. As the use of bee products for health purposes grows in apitherapy (a branch of alternative medicine), raising public awareness of their potential risks is essential. This narrative review synthesises the clinical manifestations of HBP allergy, culprit allergens present in each product, immunological mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, at-risk populations, and knowledge gaps. The analysis of the available literature suggests that, although relatively rarely, HPB may trigger allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock. The sensitisation mechanism may be associated with both primary sensitisation and cross-reactivity and can be classified into type I (IgE-mediated) and type IV (T-cell-mediated). However, bee bread appears less allergenic than other HBPs, potentially due to lactic fermentation that can degrade allergenic proteins. Severe reactions following intake of bee bread have not been reported to date. Management of HBP allergic reactions centres on avoiding the products, educating about the risks, and providing more precise product labelling, specifying the allergen content. Individuals with atopy and beekeepers are at heightened risk of developing anaphylaxis; therefore, they should be particularly aware of the potential dangerous consequences of HPB use. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of HBP allergies and improve safety for all users. Full article

Background: Preventing postoperative infections in hand surgery is an important factor for achieving sustainable results of surgical procedures. To prevent infections, especially when implants are used, preoperative prophylactic antibiotics are applied in adherence to predominantly national guidelines, which are not specifically tailored to hand surgery. However, several studies related to elective soft tissue hand surgery indicate that the preoperative use of antibiotics does not reduce the incidence of postoperative infections. Evidence regarding their efficacy in osteosynthesis of the hand and wrist remains limited. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 542 adult patients who underwent hand or wrist osteosynthesis between 2016 and 2019 at our university center. They were enrolled in an antibiotic treatment group and a control group without antibiotic treatment. The prophylaxis group (P) underwent surgery in the main operating theater under intravenous anesthesia, whereas the non-prophylaxis group (NP) was treated under WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthetic No Tourniquet) in an outpatient operating theater without receiving preoperative antibiotics. Theater construction and installation were otherwise similar, and both were classified as grade 1 theaters. We applied propensity modeling and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to achieve balanced treatment groups with respect to risk factors for infection, and we calculated the odds ratio of prophylaxis and infection. Inclusion factors for risk of infection were age, female sex, smoking, diabetes, metabolic disease, inflammatory disease, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, hepatopathy, renal disease, polytrauma, open fracture, being a manual worker, and occupational accidents. To assess the severity of the cases, we considered whether the fractures were intraarticular, multi-fragmentary, or open, and we collected data on the types of surgical implants that were used. Results: No significant association was found between antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative infection rate (infection rate P: 3.86%; NP: 3.27%; unadjusted OR: 1.19; adjusted OR after IPTW: 1.09). In terms of risk factors, there was an insignificant trend of higher infection rates in the subgroups smoking, cardiovascular disease, open fracture, occupational accident, and open fixations. Conclusions: In this cohort, routine use of preoperative antibiotics in hand osteosynthesis did not reduce infection rates. The effectiveness of the widespread standardized application of prophylactic antibiotics to reduce the risk of postoperative infections in osteosynthesis of the hand and wrist remains debatable. Our findings set the basis for further prospective studies aiming at clearer guidelines for evidence-based perioperative patient care. Full article

Recent botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) formulations have shifted towards the use of polysorbate 20 (PS20) and polysorbate 80 (PS80) as a non-human-derived excipient to enhance product stability. Polysorbates are a distinct class of synthetic non-ionic surfactants with high heterogeneity in chemical structure and properties. Accumulating mechanistic and clinical evidence suggests that they may trigger immunological reactions, including hypersensitivity and immunogenicity. Such risks are largely associated with their susceptibility to degradation via hydrolysis and oxidation, forming reactive byproducts that can interact with proteins and immune pathways. Despite these mechanistic insights, data on the association between polysorbate excipients and observed immune outcomes in practice is relatively sparse and excipient-related immunogenicity and hypersensitivity is often underrecognized in practice. This review provides a summary of polysorbate excipients in BoNT/A formulations, focusing on their chemical properties and degradation pathways, characterizing downstream immune effects and appraising available clinical data of polysorbate-containing BoNT/A formulations. Finally, we discuss potential risk mitigation strategies including process modifications that could prevent degradation, and consideration of alternative excipients, such as human serum albumin, that has been shown to be immunologically inert and has an established safety profile. By integrating chemical, mechanistic, and clinical perspectives, this review seeks to clarify the implications of polysorbate use in BoNT/A formulations and inform both clinical practice and future formulation strategies. Full article