Search Results (400)

Non-bagging apple cultivation, which is time-saving, labor-saving, and cost-effective, represents the future direction of apple cultivation in China. However, compared with bagging cultivation, it degrades fruit appearance quality, characterized by rough peels and dull colors, with the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms remaining unclear. This study used ‘Tianhong 2’ Fuji apples, grafted onto SH dwarfing rootstock, and integrated transcriptomics–metabolomics to explore these mechanisms. Results showed that non-bagging-cultivated apple peels had higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents but lower anthocyanin content than those of bagging-cultivated ones. Transcriptome sequencing identified 1571 differentially expressed genes (DEGs: 1269 upregulated, 302 downregulated). Functional analysis revealed that the decline in fruit appearance quality was primarily associated with secondary metabolite biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism, and 34 candidate genes were identified. Metabolomic analysis detected 394 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), 38 of which were closely related to the non-bagging-induced appearance degradation, mainly lipids, organic oxygen compounds, and organic acids and their derivatives. Integrated analysis of DEGs and DEMs indicated the involvement of multiple critical metabolic pathways, including cutin, suberin and wax biosynthesis; starch and sucrose metabolism; cyanoamino acid metabolism; and phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis. Compared with bagging-cultivated apples, non-bagging-cultivated apples exhibited faster starch degradation and higher soluble sugar accumulation. Additionally, the accumulation of specific metabolites [e.g., quercetin (HMDB0005794, HMDB03249, LMPK12112097), and suberin components (LMFA01170020, LMFA01050437, HMDB0031885)], along with elevated organic acid levels, contributed to peel roughness and dull coloration. These findings further enrich the theoretical basis for the formation of fruit quality in Fuji apples under non-bagging cultivation and provide valuable theoretical guidance for the practical application of this cultivation mode. Full article

This study aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of apple defect detection under complex lighting conditions. A novel approach is proposed that integrates filtered imaging with color space reconstruction, utilizing YOLOv12 as the detection framework. “Red Fuji” apples were selected, and an imaging platform featuring adjustable illumination and RGB filters was established. Following pre-experimental optimization of imaging conditions, a dataset comprising 1600 images was constructed. Conversions to RGB, HSI, and LAB color spaces were performed, and YOLOv12 served as the baseline model for ablation experiments. Detection performance was assessed using Precision, Recall, mAP, and FPS metrics. Results indicate that the green filter under 4500 K illumination combined with RGB color space conversion yields optimal performance, achieving an mAP50–95 of 83.1% and a processing speed of 15.15 FPS. This study highlights the impact of filter–color space combinations on detection outcomes, offering an effective solution for apple defect identification and serving as a reference for industrial inspection applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Optimization of pediatric head computed tomography (CT) protocols is essential to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic image quality. Previous studies mainly relied on phantom-based measurements or visual assessments, and validation using clinical images remains limited. This study aimed to establish quantitative thresholds for noise and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in pediatric head CT by integrating multicenter clinical data with phantom evaluations. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted using CT systems from eight hospitals, combined with Catphan phantom experiments and pediatric head CT data. Scan parameters, automatic exposure control settings, and reconstruction methods were collected. Image quality was quantified by the standard deviation (SD) of noise and CNR obtained from regions of interest in gray and white matter. Radiation dose was represented by CTDIvol. Relationships among CTDIvol, SD, and CNR were analyzed across scanners from three manufacturers (Canon, FUJI, and GE). Results: Consistent dose–response trends were observed across institutions and manufacturers. Image noise decreased as CTDIvol increased, but reached a plateau at higher doses. CNR improved with dose escalation, then stabilized. Both phantom experiments and clinical analyses identified a target SD of 5 and CNR of 2 as optimal indicators for pediatric head CT. Conclusions: Quantitative thresholds were determined as practical indicators for balancing diagnostic image quality with dose reduction. Further reduction may be achieved through advanced reconstruction methods, such as deep learning-based algorithms. These findings may contribute to standardizing pediatric head CT protocols and supporting safer and more effective diagnostic imaging. Full article

‘Fuji’ apples require long-term storage to ensure year-round supply, and controlled-atmosphere (CA) technology is widely used to preserve their quality and reduce postharvest losses. Nitric oxide (NO), a natural signaling molecule in plants, has shown potential to delay ripening and reduce physiological and pathological disorders during fruit storage. This study evaluated the effect of nitric oxide (NO) treatment during controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage on the postharvest quality of ‘Fuji Mishima’ apples. Apples were stored for 8 months at 1 kPa O₂ +< 0.5 kPa CO₂, 1.0 ± 0.2 °C, and 94 ± 2% RH. The treatments consisted of a control (without NO) and five NO application regimes: 5 µL L⁻¹ applied at the beginning of storage; 5 µL L⁻¹ applied both at the beginning and end; 5 µL L⁻¹ applied every 30 days; 10 µL L⁻¹ applied at the beginning; and 10 µL L⁻¹ applied both at the beginning and end of storage. All NO treatments delayed ethylene production and reduced its levels after 4 days under ambient conditions compared to the control. However, NO had no effect on flesh firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, peel color, or flesh browning. Repeated NO applications (5 or 10 µL L⁻¹) increased peel yellowing. Treatment with 5 µL L⁻¹ applied every 30 days increased decay incidence. Phenolic compounds in the flesh were unaffected, while in the peel, they decreased with 10 µL L⁻¹. Overall, NO application in CA storage of ‘Fuji Mishima’ apples did not maintain fruit quality and, in some cases, increased peel yellowing and decay. Full article

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with major diagnostic challenges in low-resource settings. Urine-based lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assays provide a non-invasive option, particularly for people living with HIV who may struggle to produce sputum. Fujifilm has developed a second-generation SILVAMP TB LAM assay (FujiLAM v.2) to improve diagnostic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FujiLAM v.2 among Nigerian adults with presumptive TB and directly compare it with the first-generation assay (FujiLAM v.1) using the same set of urine samples. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis among Nigerian adults with presumptive TB (n = 178). Stored urine samples collected in Abuja were retested with FujiLAM v.2 and compared with results previously obtained using FujiLAM v.1 on the same specimens. Xpert MTB/RIF and culture served as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, agreement with the reference standard (Cohen’s Kappa), and differences (McNemar’s test) were assessed. Results: FujiLAM v.2 demonstrated sensitivity of 58.3% and specificity of 97.3%, comparable to FujiLAM v.1 (58.3% and 98.0%, respectively). No significant differences were found between test versions across TB or HIV subgroups (p > 0.05). Overall agreement between assays was 97.1% (κ = 0.80). Conclusions: FujiLAM v.2 showed diagnostic performance consistent with the first-generation assay, with similar sensitivity and specificity to the earlier version. These findings support its potential as a rapid, non-sputum-based diagnostic tool to complement TB testing in resource-limited settings. Further studies are needed to assess its implementation within TB diagnostic algorithms, including studies with multiple production lots. Full article

Background: Radiotherapy is a key treatment for head and neck cancers but often compromises oral health, partly through its impact on restorative materials. A specific concern is whether ionizing radiation alters the water absorption and solubility of fluoride-releasing restoratives, potentially affecting their durability. This study aimed to evaluate these properties following clinically relevant radiation exposure. Methods: Seven contemporary fluoride-releasing restorative materials (Fuji IX, Equia Forte HT, Fuji Triage, Activa Presto, Cention, Luminos, and Beautifil II) were tested (n = 10 per group). Specimens were either irradiated with 70 Gy in 35 fractions using a clinical linear accelerator or maintained as non-irradiated controls. Water absorption and solubility were measured over 35 days according to ISO 4049 protocols, and data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: Across all materials, irradiated specimens exhibited slightly higher water absorption and solubility values compared to controls; however, differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Material-specific trends were observed, with Fuji IX, Fuji Triage, Beautifil II, and Equia Forte showing relatively higher absolute values. Conclusions: Clinically relevant ionizing radiation did not significantly affect the water absorption or solubility of the tested fluoride-releasing restorative materials, suggesting preserved physicochemical stability under therapeutic conditions. Full article

Background: The treatment of cavitated lesions has evolved with minimally invasive dentistry (MID), whereby we can leave demineralized enamel that could potentially be remineralizable with the use of materials such as resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs) that allow these lesions to be repaired and remineralized while removing less tooth tissue. The aim of our study was to compare the influence of aging on adhesion to sound enamel, demineralized enamel, and the healthy dentin of five RMGICs (Vitremer^®, ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative, Riva LC, Ionolux^®, and GC Fuji II LC) and fluoride release. There are currently no studies on adhesion in demineralized enamel. Method: A total of 1035 bovine incisors were analyzed in 45 groups of 23 teeth each. The groups were established based on three factors: time (24 h, 1 month, and 3 months); substrate (sound enamel, demineralized enamel, and healthy dentin); and type of material. In each group, 20 samples underwent shear bond strength (SBS) and fracture type analysis. Adhesive interfaces were observed in three samples from each group using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Daily and cumulative fluoride release rates were calculated. Results: Adhesion improved over time on both demineralized and sound enamel. ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative had the highest SBS values (33.63 ± 10.69 MPa), and Vitremer^® had the lowest (4.10 ± 4.63). Most fractures were adhesive. Vitremer^® and Ionolux^® showed the highest daily and cumulative fluoride release rates (Vitremer daily (24 h): 225.30 ± 26.28 ppm/g; Vitremer cumulative (30 days): 635.99 ± 305.38 ppm/g; Ionolux daily (24 h): 207.59 ± 48.43 ppm/g; Ionolux cumulative (30 days): 501.21 ± 138.71 ppm/g) and ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative showed the lowest (ACTIVA daily (24 h): 10.50 ± 0.85; ACTIVA cumulative (30 days): 39.10 ± 2.16). Conclusions: ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative was the material with the best adhesion values on all substrates and at all times, but it showed the lowest fluoride release rates. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is not universally recommended for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), NAC with gemcitabine plus S-1 (NAC-GS) has become a commonly used regimen for resectable PDAC in Japan. Furthermore, the impact of achieving textbook outcomes (TO) in patients receiving NAC-GS remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective study included 265 patients who were diagnosed with resectable PDAC at our institution between January 2009 and December 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups: the NAC-GS group (n = 81; 2019–2023) and the upfront surgery (UFS) group (n = 164; 2009–2018). After comparing the clinical outcomes between groups, multivariate analyses for survival were performed. Additionally, outcomes stratified by the achievement of the modified TO were analyzed in the NAC-GS group. Results: The completion rate of NAC-GS was 90.1%. Patients in the NAC-GS group exhibited significantly longer survival than those in the UFS group (2-year recurrence-free survival: 61.4% vs. 37.9%, p < 0.01; 2-year overall survival: 83.2% vs. 61.2%, p < 0.01). Multivariate analyses identified lymph node metastasis, NAC-GS induction, and completion of adjuvant chemotherapy as factors significantly associated with improved survival. Moreover, among patients who received NAC-GS, those who achieved modified TO demonstrated significantly longer survival than those who did not. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the clinical efficacy of NAC-GS in patients with resectable PDAC. Induction of NAC-GS was significantly associated with improved long-term outcomes. In multidisciplinary treatment strategies for PDAC, achieving a modified TO may lead to improved survival of patients undergoing NAC-GS. Full article

Background/Objectives: Due to the increasing incidence of pancreatic and periampullary cancers with advancing age, coupled with the growing evidence supporting minimally invasive pancreatectomy, the demand for such procedures is rising. However, data on the feasibility of robotic pancreatectomy in octogenarian patients remain scant. This study aimed to investigate overall outcomes of robotic pancreatectomy and evaluate its safety and feasibility in octogenarian patients. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted, including 380 patients who underwent robotic pancreatectomy at two high-volume centers in Japan from April 2020 to December 2024. Using prospectively collected data, we compared outcomes between younger patients (<80 years) and octogenarian patients (≥80 years). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of age on postoperative outcomes. Results: Among the 380 patients, with a median age of 72 (interquartile range: 61–77) years, 213 underwent robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD), and 167 underwent robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP). Octogenarian patients were found to have more comorbidities and a higher incidence of malignant diseases. Octogenarians experienced significantly longer hospital stays post-RPD (22 [octogenarian; n = 36] vs. 14 [younger; n = 177] days, p < 0.001) and post-RDP (14 [n = 23] vs. 10.5 [n = 144] days, p = 0.02), yet their perioperative outcomes were comparable. Multivariable analyses indicated that age (≥80 years) was not a significant risk factor for major complications following robotic pancreatectomy (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.59–2.84; p = 0.479). Conclusions: This multicenter study conducted at high-volume centers suggests that robotic pancreatectomy can be safely performed in carefully selected octogenarian patients. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of human blood contamination, before and after hardening of the materials, on microhardness of high-viscosity Fuji IX GP Extra (Fuji IX) and resin-modified Fuji II LC (Fuji II) glass-ionomer cement (GIC) and glass-hybrid material EQUIA Forte HT (EQUIA), with and without protective coating EQUIA Forte Coat (Coat), before and after thermocycling. Four groups (n = 40): 1. Fuji IX; 2. Fuji II; 3. EQUIA and 4. EQUIA + Coat were further subdivided into 3 subgroups: (1) Control; (2) blood contamination before hardening; (3) blood contamination after hardening, resulting in a total of 12 groups of 10 samples each. Samples were prepared using teflon molds (5 mm × 2 mm). Microhardness was measured using a Vickers microhardness tester before and after thermocycling (10,000 cycles), and data were statistically analyzed (Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, ANOVA, Scheffe’s test). In the control groups, the highest microhardness was measured for EQUIA+Coat before thermocycling (70.71 ± 8.79) and after thermocycling (68.6 ± 7.65). Within the groups exposed to blood after hardening, the highest microhardness was recorded in the thermocycled EQUIA+Coat group (73.07 ± 8.85). Blood contamination before hardening negatively affected the microhardness of Fuji II, Fuji IX, and EQUIA+Coat. Exposure to blood after hardening increased the microhardness of Fuji IX and EQUIA, thermocycled Fuji IX and thermocycled EQUIA + Coat samples. Full article

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are bioactive restorative materials valued for their sustained ion release and remineralisation capacity. However, their long-term interactions with sound enamel and dentine remain underexplored. This 12-month in vitro study aimed to evaluate microstructural and compositional changes in sound dental tissues adjacent to four GICs—Ketac Universal, Fuji IX and Equia Forte Fil (conventional GICs) and the advanced Glass Carbomer (incorporating hydroxyapatite nanoparticles)—using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Glass Carbomer uniquely formed hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and mineralised regions indicative of active biomineralisation—features not observed with conventional GICs. It also demonstrated greater fluoride uptake into dentine and higher silicon incorporation in both enamel and dentine. Conventional GICs exhibited filler particle dissolution and mineral deposition within the matrix over time; among them, Equia Forte released the most fluoride while Fuji IX released the most strontium. Notably, ion uptake was consistently higher in dentine than in enamel for all materials. These findings indicate that Glass Carbomer possesses superior bioactivity and mineralising potential which may contribute to the reinforcement of sound dental tissues and the prevention of demineralisation. However, further in vivo studies are required to confirm these effects under physiological conditions. Full article

This research addresses the enhancement of operational efficiency in apple-picking robots through the design of a bimanual spatial configuration enabling obstacle avoidance in contemporary orchard environments. A parallel coordinated harvesting paradigm for dual-arm systems was introduced, leading to the construction and validation of a six-degree-of-freedom bimanual apple-harvesting robot. Leveraging the kinematic architecture of the AUBO-i5 manipulator, three spatial layout configurations for dual-arm systems were evaluated, culminating in the adoption of a “workspace-overlapping Type B” arrangement. A functional prototype of the bimanual apple-harvesting system was subsequently fabricated. The study further involved developing control architectures for two end-effector types: a compliant gripper and a vacuum-based suction mechanism, with corresponding operational protocols established. A networked communication framework for parallel arm coordination was implemented via Ethernet switching technology, enabling both independent and synchronized bimanual operation. Additionally, an intersystem communication protocol was formulated to integrate the robotic vision system with the dual-arm control architecture, establishing a modular parallel execution model between visual perception and motion control modules. A coordinated bimanual harvesting strategy was formulated, incorporating real-time trajectory and pose monitoring of the manipulators. Kinematic simulations were executed to validate the feasibility of this strategy. Field evaluations in modern Red Fuji apple orchards assessed multidimensional harvesting performance, revealing 85.6% and 80% success rates for the suction and gripper-based arms, respectively. Single-fruit retrieval averaged 7.5 s per arm, yielding an overall system efficiency of 3.75 s per fruit. These findings advance the technological foundation for intelligent apple-harvesting systems, offering methodologies for the evolution of precision agronomic automation. Full article

Developing accurate activity data on tree biomass using remote sensing tools such as LiDAR and drone-mounted sensors is essential for improving carbon accounting in the agricultural sector. However, direct biomass measurements of perennial fruit trees remain limited, especially for validating remote sensing estimates. This study evaluates the potential of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and drone-mounted RGB sensors (Drone_RGB) for estimating biomass in two major perennial crops in South Korea: apple (‘Fuji’/M.9) and citrus (‘Miyagawa-wase’). Trees of different ages were destructively sampled for biomass measurement, while volume, height, and crown area data were collected via TLS and Drone_RGB. Regression analyses were performed, and the model accuracy was assessed using R², RMSE, and bias. The TLS-derived volume showed strong predictive power for biomass (R² = 0.704 for apple, 0.865 for citrus), while the crown area obtained using both sensors showed poor fit (R² ≤ 0.7). Aboveground biomass was reasonably estimated (R² = 0.725–0.865), but belowground biomass showed very low predictability (R² < 0.02). Although limited in scale, this study provides empirical evidence to support the development of remote sensing-based biomass estimation methods and may contribute to improving national greenhouse gas inventories by refining emission/removal factors for perennial fruit crops. Full article

Based on an integrated analysis, this study summarized the current status of soil quality in Yantai apple orchards, developed a multivariate regulation model for key soil physicochemical properties, and proposed optimized fertilization strategies to improve soil quality in the region. The study analyzed the physicochemical properties of the topsoil (0–30 cm) in 19 representative apple orchards across Yantai, including indicators like pH, organic matter (OM), major nutrient ions, and salinity indicators, using standardized measurements and multivariate statistical methods, including descriptive statistics analysis, frequency distribution analysis, canonical correlation analysis, stepwise regression equation analysis, and regression fit model analysis. The results demonstrated that in apple orchards across the Yantai region, reductions in pH were significantly mitigated under the combined increased OM and exchangeable calcium (Ca). Exchangeable potassium (EK) rose in response to the joint elevation of OM and available nitrogen (AN), and AN was also positively influenced by EK, while OM also exhibited a promotive effect on Olsen phosphorus (OP). Furthermore, Ca increased with higher pH. AN and EK jointly contributed to the increases in electrical conductivity (EC) and chloride ions (Cl), while elevated exchangeable sodium (Na) and soluble salts (SS) were primarily driven by EK. Accordingly, enhancing organic and calcium source fertilizers is recommended to boost OM and Ca levels, reduce acidification, and maintain EC within optimal limits. By primarily reducing potassium’s application, followed by nitrogen and phosphorus source fertilizers, the supply of macronutrients can be optimized, and the accumulation of Na, Cl, and SS can be controlled. Collectively, the combined analysis of soil quality status and the multivariate regulation model clarified the optimized fertilization strategies, thereby establishing a solid theoretical and practical foundation for recognizing the necessity of soil testing and formula fertilization, the urgency of improving soil quality, and the scientific rationale for nutrient input management in Yantai apple orchards. Full article

Crop diseases pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity and global food security. Timely and accurate disease identification is crucial for improving crop yield and quality. While most existing deep learning-based methods focus primarily on image datasets for disease recognition, they often overlook the complementary role of textual features in enhancing visual understanding. To address this problem, we proposed a cross-modal data fusion via a vision-language model for crop disease recognition. Our approach leverages the Zhipu.ai multi-model to generate comprehensive textual descriptions of crop leaf diseases, including global description, local lesion description, and color-texture description. These descriptions are encoded into feature vectors, while an image encoder extracts image features. A cross-attention mechanism then iteratively fuses multimodal features across multiple layers, and a classification prediction module generates classification probabilities. Extensive experiments on the Soybean Disease, AI Challenge 2018, and PlantVillage datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms state-of-the-art image-only approaches with higher accuracy and fewer parameters. Specifically, with only 1.14M model parameters, our model achieves a 98.74%, 87.64% and 99.08% recognition accuracy on the three datasets, respectively. The results highlight the effectiveness of cross-modal learning in leveraging both visual and textual cues for precise and efficient disease recognition, offering a scalable solution for crop disease recognition. Full article