Search Results (3,507)

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) pose a significant health burden globally, and this burden is increasing with an ageing population. Despite this challenge, restorative treatments for NDs remain elusive. In these conditions, the brain is vulnerable to oxidative stress and inflammation due to a deficiency or reduction in antioxidative enzymes. Oxidative stress and inflammation damage neuronal cells, leading to neurodegeneration. Various studies have explored the neuroprotective effects of flavonoids in different in vitro and animal models, primarily due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Crude extracts and active metabolites of Semecarpus anacardium L. have shown potential in reversing dysregulated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. S. anacardium L. extract (SAE) and its phytocomponents, such as butein, anacardic acid, and amentoflavone, have been experimentally demonstrated to modulate oxidative stress and neuroinflammation through coordinated activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant pathways and suppression of NF-ĸB-driven inflammatory signaling. At a molecular level, flavonoids from SAE induce the expression of p38 MAPK and Nrf2, as well as antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, inflammatory genes such as NF-ĸB, MAPK, AP-1, iNOS, and COX-2 are suppressed following treatment with SAE. NF-ĸB inhibition leads to neuroprotection via inhibiting the function of caspase-3 and apoptosis. Overall, this review discusses the protective role of SAE and its phytocomponents in mitigating neuronal oxidative stress, inflammation, and degeneration. Furthermore, this review highlights the translational potential of SAE and its phytocomponents as complementary therapeutic candidates for neurodegenerative disorders. However, variability in extract composition and limited pharmacokinetic characterization remain key barriers to clinical translation. Full article

Rising global temperatures, increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events, with associated growth of agricultural land use and urban expansion, represent critical drivers of biodiversity loss. Within this framework, urban areas are particularly vulnerable due to environmental stressors such as the heat-island phenomenon, soil sealing and depletion, and the accumulation of heavy metals and other pollutants. Recent sustainability-oriented urban policies recognize the strategic role of green infrastructures in mitigating these impacts by delivering essential ecosystem services, including phytoremediation. Here, the focus on herbaceous plants allows the selection of species with short life cycles and high colonization rates in marginal or disturbed urban habitats (e.g., roadside verges, compacted soils, and limited-volume planting areas). Therefore, the present review systematically examines herbaceous plant species with documented phytoremediation capabilities, focusing on Mediterranean native taxa evaluated under urban or peri-urban conditions. A total of 29 species met the selection criteria: taxonomically, Asteraceae represented the most frequent family (35%), followed by Fabaceae (21%), Brassicaceae, and Poaceae (each accounting for 10%). From a functional-trait perspective, hemicryptophytes dominated the dataset (66%), followed by therophytes (31%). Of the selected taxa, 55% primarily exhibited phytoextraction, 14% showed phytostabilization, and 31% demonstrated dual functionality, through combined extraction and stabilization pathways. These traits, combined with ecological adaptability to Mediterranean climatic regimes, support their application in Mediterranean urban environments. Full article

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI), often referred to as “chemobrain,” is a common and sometimes persistent consequence of cancer treatment, characterized by deficits in memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed; it disproportionately affects older adults and women, suggesting a role for aging- and sex-related biological factors, including estrogen depletion. This work examines the potential of dietary phenolic compounds as multi-target modulators of mechanisms underlying CICI. A narrative synthesis of preclinical and clinical evidence was conducted, focusing on major phenolic subclasses (flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, lignans, and secoiridoids) and their effects on pathways implicated in chemotherapy-related neurotoxicity. The reviewed data indicate that phenolic compounds can influence redox balance, neuroinflammatory responses, mitochondrial function, synaptic plasticity, and estrogen-related signaling, with effects that appear to be structure-dependent; however, evidence remains heterogeneous and largely derived from experimental models rather than studies in humans. Overall, the current findings suggest that selected phenolic compounds could mitigate vulnerability to CICI, particularly in higher risk groups such as older individuals and women with low estrogen levels. These compounds represent promising and safe adjunctive strategies, although further well-designed clinical studies are needed to confirm their efficacy and clarify the underlying mechanisms. Full article

Nature-based solutions (NBSs) involving tree-based interventions deliver multiple community benefits, yet evidence linking these benefits to underlying socio-ecological vulnerabilities remains limited. This study synthesised metadata from 131 European treescape NBS case studies spanning eight biogeographical regions using reverse-logic, thematic qualitative analysis. Case studies were identified via adapted PRISMA guidelines from open-access repositories, with community benefit themes categorised and mapped spatially across bioregions. The analysis revealed eleven principal community benefit categories and distinct region-specific patterns: Mediterranean interventions primarily mitigated extreme heat and drought vulnerabilities, whilst Alpine projects addressed slope stability and hazard reduction. The Continental and Atlantic regions emphasised social cohesion, recreational access, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The reverse-logic methodology successfully identified underlying socio-ecological vulnerabilities through systematic analysis of observed benefit profiles across diverse European contexts. This approach provides evidence-based guidance for designing location-sensitive treescape NBS that advance environmental research and public health objectives. The findings establish a methodological foundation for future assessments of NBS effectiveness and for refining location-specific treescape interventions that address community vulnerabilities and enhance adaptive capacity. Full article

This study examines how peer perceptions and school power dynamics shape the identity development of learners with disabilities in South African full-service schools. Guided by Michel Foucault’s lens, particularly ‘care of the self,’ the research explores pathways from vulnerability to empowerment. Using a qualitative, exploratory design, data were generated through semi-structured interviews with learners (n = 20; ages 12–18) and non-participant classroom observations across four full-service schools, followed by thematic analysis with double-coding to enhance reliability. Findings show that negative peer perceptions and routine categorisation practices intensify isolation, self-doubt, and internalised stigma; yet many learners actively navigate identity threats via self-advocacy, supportive relationships, and self-care practices (e.g., mindfulness, journaling, goal setting). These practices are associated with greater self-awareness, confidence, and agency, particularly where school climates promote inclusion, positive peer interaction, and arts/sport participation. The analysis highlights a persistent tension between biopower in schooling (assessment, surveillance, normalisation) and students’ self-care efforts; however, supportive environments mitigate this tension and enable identity affirmation. The study concludes that embedding structured self-care opportunities, strengthening positive peer cultures, and integrating disability perspectives across the curriculum can convert harmful perceptions into opportunities for resilient identity formation and learner empowerment. Full article

Natural ecosystems are facing threats from natural and anthropogenic stressors. Wetlands are among the most delicate natural ecosystems and are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of urbanization. One of the intended purposes of the wetlands is to mitigate the impact of urbanization (e.g., stormwater), but we often lack a comprehensive understanding of their capacity in doing so. Determination of water balance is essential in understanding the efficacy of a wetland when it comes to treating excess stormwater. This study therefore considers the Sparrovale Wetland in Victoria, Australia, to assess its performance in mitigating the impacts of urbanization in the surrounding catchment areas. A 1D model (HYDRUS-1D) was previously developed by the authors based on extensive field and laboratory measurements on one side (north) of the wetland. It was crucial to understand the two-dimensional water balance dynamics in the Sparrovale Wetland to utilize its full potential for managing excessive stormwater. This study therefore employed the HYDRUS-2D model (based on HYDRUS-1D) supported by extended, spatially explicit in situ measurements. The model was run (with additional input of inflow added to the rainfall) on the average Van Genuchten parameters obtained from the previously developed HYDRUS-1D model and the extended determination of the parameters. The model performance in simulating measured water content was good for both the south (average RMSE = 0.013 m³/m³) and the north side (average RMSE = 0.028 m³/m³). The model was also used to simulate surface water levels in the wetland and showed a good agreement (RMSE = 0.1 m AHD and R² = 0.72) with in situ surface water level measurements. This developed model was used to determine the water balance dynamics (infiltration, evapotranspiration, soil water storage, surface and bottom boundary flux) in the Sparrovale Wetland. Our results indicate that evapotranspiration is the major factor controlling the water flux losses in the Sparrovale Wetland, while the role of infiltration was minimal, which might be attributed to the dominant soil type (clay) and shallow groundwater levels in the Sparrovale Wetland. Insights provided by this study might be helpful in optimizing the performance of the Sparrovale Wetland in managing the excess stormwater arising from the surrounding catchments. Full article

The finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) is a species frequently observed in Korean coastal waters that remains highly vulnerable to bycatch and habitat disturbance. To develop effective conservation strategies, it is essential to understand their acoustic behavior and environmental preferences. This study utilized Passive Acoustic Monitoring to investigate the acoustic characteristics and activity patterns of finless porpoises in coastal waters near cage aquaculture farms from September to October 2021. A total of 372,707 clicks and 175,119 click trains were identified. Mean acoustic parameters were peak frequency 122.0 ± 11.1 kHz, 3 dB bandwidth 15.4 ± 12.0 kHz, 10 dB bandwidth 45.3 ± 16.1 kHz, and ICI 39.0 ± 34.8 ms. Click activity exhibited a distinct diel pattern, with significantly higher activity during the early morning and nighttime. Generalized Additive Model analysis revealed significant non-linear relationships between click activity and tide, temperature, salinity, and hour. Specifically, click activity decreased with rising temperatures and lower salinity, while the effect of tide was relatively limited. These findings provide critical baseline data for the development of acoustic deterrent devices tailored to Korean marine environments and contribute to the management of bycatch mitigation and coastal ecosystem conservation. Full article

With the advancement of urbanization and motorization, urban traffic conditions increasingly affect both travel efficiency and system stability, yet existing studies based on high-frequency OD data mainly focus on single aspects such as congestion patterns or travel time variability, lacking a unified analytical framework that jointly captures time-varying travel impedance, reliability, and anomaly risks under comparable conditions, especially in cross-city contexts. This study constructs a standardized analytical framework with a novel integration based on a “city × weekday × 5 min interval” structure, using high-frequency navigation OD data from eight major cities in China over four consecutive weeks, totaling approximately 560,000 valid samples. Travel Time per Unit Distance (TTUD) is employed as the core metric, and a distance-stratified weighting approach is adopted to improve cross-city comparability. Reliability is characterized by variability, dispersion, and tail risk, and anomalous events are identified using a dynamic baseline. The results reveal clear intra-week temporal regularity and significant inter-city heterogeneity, with weekday evening peaks generally lasting longer than those on weekends, reflecting sustained commuting pressure and slower dissipation of travel demand. A total of 249 anomaly events are detected, with higher frequency and persistence on weekdays, highlighting the increased vulnerability of traffic systems during peak commuting periods and indicating that commuting periods are more prone to sustained deviations due to higher system load and demand instability. Overall, the proposed framework provides a unified and comparable basis for cross-city traffic performance evaluation and supports practical applications such as peak-period traffic management, congestion mitigation, and traffic risk monitoring. Full article

Natural hazards and their negative impacts on assets are increasing because of a variety of causes, including climate change, population expansion, and urbanization. Moreover, several areas are susceptible to multiple hazards that interact spatially and/or temporally, necessitating a multi-hazard assessment to adequately mitigate their effects. The goal of this study is to investigate the direct monetary losses produced by the simultaneous interaction of two independent hazards in Lisbon’s city centre, i.e., earthquake and pluvial flood. Seismic hazard has been assessed in terms of macro-seismic intensity, while flood scenario allows for the prediction of water depth for different return periods through a hydrologic-hydraulic model in HEC-RAS software. The seismic and flood vulnerability of the urban investigated compound was evaluated through MCDM methodology—specifically, AHP and TOPSIS methods. A framework for multi-hazard analysis was subsequently developed, explicitly accounting for the interaction between the two hazards and their joint occurrence probabilities based on historical data from the case study area. The results demonstrate that multi-hazard losses are 108 M€ for a 2-year return period and 232 M€ for a 475/500-year scenario, emphasizing that floods contribute more across all return periods in the research area; however, for longer return periods, the earthquake contribution increases significantly. Full article

Conserving the genetic resources of major forest species is essential for mitigating climate risks associated with global change. Species distribution models and their projections under future emission scenarios are key tools for assessing climate-related threats to populations targeted for conservation efforts. In this study, we analyzed the populations included in the Spanish Network of Forest Genetic Conservation Units, comprising 297 units across twenty main forest tree species in Spain. We used species distribution models with high-resolution environmental data to assess habitat suitability across different climate scenarios and time periods. We introduced a Climatic Vulnerability Index to identify Genetic Conservation Units at risk of maladaptation by evaluating shifts in current conditions. Our results reveal spatial and interspecific heterogeneity in the future climatic vulnerability of the conservation network, as well as a relationship between expert-defined marginality and current climatic unsuitability under the Spanish Group model. Overall, our findings provide a basis for prioritizing conservation actions, guiding adaptive forest management, and supporting the long-term monitoring and viability of forest genetic resources under accelerating climate change. Full article

Quantitative risk assessment of flash floods is crucial for developing disaster prevention and mitigation strategies. This study developed a refined framework that innovatively integrates field-validated data from Chongqing’s flash flood disaster investigation project with AHP, factor analysis, and cluster analysis to quantify hazard, vulnerability, resistance, and risk indicators at a 30 m grid. Unlike existing coarse-scale assessments that rely on generic indicators, this hybrid model, calibrated by observed disaster evidence, significantly enhanced the local relevance and reliability of risk zoning. The validity of this framework was confirmed through validation against objective weighting methods and historical flash flood locations. The results indicated that the risk value of flash floods in Chongqing was between 0.24 and 0.69, with extremely high-risk and high-risk zones covering 42,388 km² (51.47%) of the study area. This accurately identifies areas at high risk of flash floods and provides a basis for government decision-making regarding priority areas for disaster risk reduction investments. Verification showed that 83.44% of historical disaster points fall within medium-risk or above zones, confirming the framework’s accuracy in identifying flood-prone hotspots and providing actionable support for targeted early warning and resource allocation. Full article

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent environmental contaminant primarily ingested through seafood consumption. Gestational exposure induces profound neurological and developmental deficits in the fetus that often persist throughout childhood. This developmental vulnerability arises from the immature state of the blood–brain barrier and a limited endogenous antioxidant capacity in the developing CNS. Postnatal exposure via breastfeeding further compromises neurodevelopment, specifically impairing visuospatial processing and memory. While fetal and placental mercury accumulation correlates with gestational age, the specific mechanisms of transplacental transport remain poorly defined. Mechanistically, MeHg predominantly accumulates in fetal renal tissue, followed by the brain and liver. This review aims to elucidate MeHg-induced oxidative stress and autophagic collapse mediated by the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK/TSC2/mTOR pathways. Furthermore, we evaluate neuroprotective candidates, specifically N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and CCL chemokine modulation, as strategies to mitigate fetal impairment and the associated cellular damage. Full article

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria experiences multiple environmental stresses due to intensive oil exploration and pervasive gas flaring, both of which contribute to local and regional climate changes, extreme weather events, and excessive and erratic rainfall. Consequently, flooding remains a recurrent natural disaster, disproportionately impacting the low-lying states of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers. This study employs remotely sensed geospatial data and a GIS-based weighted overlay analysis to delineate flood-prone areas on a regional scale in the central Niger Delta states. Flood susceptibility was determined through a weighted overlay of digital elevation model (DEM), slope, proximity to streams, rainfall, and LULC data, among others. Weights of criteria were derived through an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) with a very good consistency ratio of 2.5%. Land use and land cover (LULC) and rainfall data were further analyzed to detect trends of changes between 2012 and 2022. The results show that relatively 77% of the study region is prone to flooding. Areas prone to very high flooding are about 16%, high is 29%, moderate is 32%, while low and very low flood-prone areas cover 18% and 5% of the study region, respectively. There is also a notable increase in average annual rainfall and land cover changes. Average rainfall increased by 58.1% between 2012 and 2017, and by 11.5% between 2017 and 2022. Land cover change analysis further indicates that approximately 1.3% of the study area was converted predominantly to flooded zones and water bodies from 2017 to 2022. The results of this study could be useful for urban regional planning, flood mitigation, and resettlement policies aimed at reducing flood vulnerability and enhancing resilience in the central Niger Delta, as well as other places where similar challenges exist. Full article

Background/Objectives: Transitions to new vaccines or antigen schedules represent complex system changes requiring coordinated governance, reliable data systems, domestic financing, and multisectoral collaboration. In 2025, African countries were moving toward a switch from separate pentavalent and inactivated poliovirus vaccines to the combined hexavalent vaccine. This project report describes the Hexavalent Vaccine Switch Early Adopters Workshop in Dakar, Senegal, which included ten African countries, and its implications for future vaccine introductions. Methods: We conducted a practice analysis drawing on structured documentation of plenary presentations, country case studies, interactive problem-solving sessions, and national roadmap exercises. A thematic framework aligned to ten process points for the hexa switch guided synthesis. Results: Countries reported shared system vulnerabilities, including coexistence risks of legacy and new vaccine stocks, inconsistent data completeness, under-resourced vaccine safety surveillance, and financing uncertainties. Early adopter countries demonstrated operational feasibility, logistical efficiencies, and opportunities for reducing injection burden. Outputs included a Health System Adaptation Checklist, a Switch Risk Mitigation Catalog, and 12-month national roadmaps. Conclusions: Regional peer-learning mechanisms can accelerate decision-making, improve operational quality, and strengthen accountability for vaccine introductions. Structured cross-country collaborations can transform a product switch into a scalable system-strengthening opportunity. Full article

South Africa is highly susceptible to climate variability and long-term climatic shifts, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of changing extreme precipitation patterns to guide effective mitigation and adaptation responses. This study examined variations in extreme precipitation indices from 1981 to 2023 across the eastern Free State Province using daily rainfall records derived from the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS). Ten extreme precipitation indices were evaluated, with trend detection conducted through the Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) technique. Findings indicate that the majority of municipalities exhibited statistically significant declining trends (p < 0.05) in total wet-day precipitation (PRCPTOT), R99P, R95P, the Simple Daily Intensity Index (SDII), CDD, RX5day, R20mm, and R10mm, suggesting an overall reduction in both heavy and moderate rainfall occurrences. In contrast, significant upward trends (p < 0.05) were identified in CWD, and RX1day, reflecting a shift toward prolonged wet periods and more intense short-duration rainfall events. Taken together, these divergent patterns point to the simultaneous emergence of heightened drought vulnerability driven by reduced cumulative rainfall and increased flood risk linked to intensified precipitation extremes. These results underscore the importance of forward-looking, climate-resilient water resource management and context-specific adaptation strategies suited to the eastern Free State’s complex mountainous terrain. Full article