Search Results (51,753)

L. monocytogenes is a common foodborne pathogen that typically causes infections through the consumption of food contaminated with this bacterium. This study seeks to elucidate the biodiversity as well as evolutionary characteristics of L. innocua strains from different regions using comparative genomics, exploring the virulence and pathogenic potential of these strains. The findings are expected to deepen our understanding of L. innocua and provide valuable reference for public health risk assessment related to this bacterium. We performed comparative genomics on 108 food-source L. innocua isolates sourced from the USA, England, China, and Egypt to explore their biological traits and assess their pathogenic potential by predicting virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, with subsequent validation of pathogenicity through animal studies. Pan-genomic analysis showed that geographically distinct L. innocua strains possess open genomes, offering a stable genetic basis that facilitates adaptation to diverse environments. Through virulence gene prediction, we found that L. innocua strains from different regions harbor virulence genes identical to those found in pathogenic L. monocytogenes, such as inlA and inlB, as well as internal genes that may enhance the pathogenic potential of the strains. This finding demonstrates that L. innocua strains exhibit pathogenic potential. To validate their virulence, we subsequently conducted virulence assays utilizing the Galleria mellonella larval model. Following infection with L. innocua, 100% mortality was observed in a subset of Galleria mellonella larvae, albeit with a delayed time to death compared to L. monocytogenes infection. This indicates that while L. innocua exhibits attenuated virulence relative to L. monocytogenes, it retains pathogenicity. Consequently, the potential contribution of L. innocua to listeriosis cannot be overlooked in public health risk assessments. L. innocua strains isolated from food can carry virulence and resistance genes identical to those found in pathogenic L. monocytogenes strains, indicating that these L. innocua strains possess certain virulence and pathogenic potential, which was further validated through subsequent animal experimentation. This study enhances our genomic understanding of L. innocua and underscores that detecting its key virulence genes is critical for public health safety, thereby providing valuable insights into its pathogenic potential. Full article

Within the context of global climate change, the hydrological and sediment load dynamics in the Huai River Basin are expected to continue evolving due to intensified human activities and environmental changes. Effective river management requires a clear understanding of the magnitude, causes, and characteristics of these changes, coupled with insight into the dynamic response processes of the river channel. This study applied a suite of statistical methods, including the Mann–Kendall test, Sen’s slope estimator, Pettitt’s test, double mass curve, and morphological analysis, to examine trends in streamflow and sediment load at two hydrological stations in the mid-Huai River from 1982 to 2016, and to assess channel evolution between Wujiadu and Xiaoliuxiang. The results indicate that: (1) both hydrological stations exhibited no significant decrease in annual streamflow, but a significant reduction in sediment load, with a change point detected in 1991 at Wujiadu Station; (2) compared to 1982–1990, the mean streamflow and sediment load decreased by 23% and 50% during 1991–2016, with a significant shift in the streamflow-sediment relationship; (3) while temperature and evapotranspiration increased significantly, precipitation remained relatively stable, indicating that climate change had a minor effect on hydrological elements, and sediment load reduction was primarily driven by large-scale ecological restoration and engineering activities; and (4) differential channel adjustments were observed in response to reduced sediment supply and human activities, modulated by local boundary conditions. Erosion occurred in the WJD section, resulting in a transformation from a U-shape to a V-shape cross-section, whereas the XLX section remained stable with a local adverse gradient. This study reveals the complex mechanisms of hydro-sedimentary and channel evolution under human dominance, offering scientific support for the sustainable management of the Huai River basin and similar regulated rivers. Full article

Background/Objectives: According to the World Drug Report 2025, cannabis is the most abused drug in the world, being sold in illicit markets in various physical forms ranging from herbal cannabis to cannabis resin and liquid cannabis. Currently, the methods used for cannabis identification are largely based on the morphological features and chemical content of the product. In this respect, identification could be severely impacted if the product is highly fragmented or pulverised. As such, DNA-based molecular techniques offer a viable alternative detection approach. In this study, we have developed a robust DNA testing method for cannabis identification, with high sensitivity and specificity. Methods/Results: Two plant DNA barcode regions, rbcL and matK, were successfully amplified in a cohort of 54 cannabis plant samples. DNA sequences obtained from these samples were blast-searched against GenBank and resulted in returned matched identity of at least 99% compared to their corresponding Cannabis sativa reference sequences. In addition, the amplification of two cannabis-unique markers, the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS) and cannabidiolic acid synthase (CBDAS) genes, produced amplicons with expected sizes only in cannabis samples; these amplicons were not detected in those plants closely related to cannabis. Sequence comparison of the majority of samples yielded at least 97% matched identity against C. sativa reference sequences in GenBank. The THCAS and CBDAS markers detected only the cannabis DNA in varying levels of cannabis–hops and cannabis–tobacco DNA mixtures. Lastly, the use of the four markers could effectively differentiate between cannabis and non-cannabis in 27 blinded samples, including 18 actual casework samples. Conclusions: In conclusion, these four genetic markers can be used to discriminate cannabis from other plant species at the genus level, especially in challenging forensic samples lacking morphological features which therefore cannot be determined by traditional detection methods. As such, this method can complement existing techniques to identify a myriad of cannabis samples. Full article

In developed countries such as Spain, where the population is increasingly aging, retirement planning and longevity risk represent major societal challenges. In Spain, in particular, a significant proportion of household wealth is concentrated in real estate, primarily in the form of owner-occupied housing. For this reason, one emerging financial product in the retirement savings space is the reverse mortgage (RM). This study examines the determinants of acceptance of this financial product using survey data collected from Spanish individuals. The intention to take out an RM is explained through performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), bequest motive (BM), financial literacy (FL), and risk (RK). The analysis applies machine learning techniques: decision tree regression is used to visualize variable interactions that lead to acceptance; random forest to improve predictive capability; and Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) to estimate the relative importance of predictors. Finally, Importance–Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) is employed to identify the variables that merit greater attention in the acceptance of RMs. SHAP values indicate that PE and SI are the most influential predictors of intention to use RMs, followed by BM and EE with moderate importance, whereas the positive influence of RK and FL is more reduced. The IPMA highlights PE and SI as the most strategic drivers, and RK and BM act as relevant barriers to the widespread adoption of RMs. Full article

We use partial life expectancy to show the existence in the UK of an asymmetric relationship between life span and health span in five-year age brackets over the life course. Using comparable data from other advanced economies, we investigate why years of improvement in life expectancy after 2010 have come to a halt, and what would have happened if austerity and the COVID pandemic had not occurred. We find that the UK does worse than other countries except for the US. We show that deprivation is a major source of disparities between health and life span and is a key contributing factor. A one-year decrease in life expectancy leads to a 2.5-year reduction in health expectancy, resulting in a 21-year disparity between health and life span in the most deprived area. The resultant gap places a considerable burden on public finances and slows economic growth. Impacts include lower economic activity rates, higher healthcare costs, greater immigration, and upward financial pressures on the state pension. The unresolved policy issue is how to slow the current trend, given the rapidly ageing UK population. Full article

The cardinal Physiology of Gut Health in monogastric animals such as swine and poultry is vital. It is critical for digestive efficiency, immune status, and production levels. This system is related not only to the digestion and absorption of nutrients from feed ingredients contributing to growth and feed utilization efficiency but also to having a strategic microbiota that supports immunity and pathogen resistance, as well as metabolic support. Gut disease, for example, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, diet, or stress, can reduce nutrient digestion and absorption. They can also suppress the immune system and render patients more prone to disease. These are efficiency degradations and increase veterinary and husbandry costs. In addition, nutrient absorption because of deteriorated gut health can affect the environment in different ways: removal of nutrients through leaching and the release of gases (including CH₄ and NH₄). These pressures have led to a focus on the gut in animal research to improve the welfare of animals and ensure sustainable practices in animal production. Recent studies have included the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and other feed additives to enhance the positive effects of the gut microbiota. These are also intervention points to increase nutrient absorption and animal well-being, in turn sustainability. Such approaches are expected to promote a stable microbial community with less dependence on the use of antibiotics, less waste generation, and less environmental impact from animal farming. This review provides a critical evaluation of the current literature on gut health in monogastric livestock, with pigs and poultry as the principal focus. We also considered the impact of gut health on production efficiency and Environmental sustainability. Current progress in nutritional modulation of gut health for increased productivity, enhanced animal welfare, and better profitability are presented. Gut-related biological mechanisms are linked to practical nutritional strategies, and subsequently to animal welfare, production efficiency, and environmental effects, offering a coherent concept for moving from mechanism to system-level sustainability. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly significant in healthcare around the world, especially in China, where rapid population ageing coincides with rising expectations for quality of life and a shrinking care workforce. This study explores Chinese health practitioners’ perspectives on using AI assistants in integrated geriatric and palliative care. Drawing on Actor–Network Theory, care is viewed as a network of interconnected human and non-human actors, including practitioners, technologies, patients and policies. Based in Northeast China, a region with structurally marginalised healthcare infrastructure, this article analyses qualitative interviews with 14 practitioners. Our findings reveal three key themes: (1) tensions between AI’s rule-based logic and practitioners’ human-centred approach; (2) ethical discomfort with AI performing intimate or emotionally sensitive care, especially in end-of-life contexts; (3) structural inequalities, with weak policy and infrastructure limiting effective AI integration. The study highlights that AI offers clearer benefits for routine geriatric care, such as monitoring and basic symptom management, but its utility is far more limited in the complex, relational and ethically sensitive domain of palliative care. Proposing a model of human–AI complementarity, the article argues that technology should support rather than replace the emotional and relational aspects of care and identifies policy considerations for ethically grounded integration in resource-limited contexts. Full article

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) is a well-known nanomaterial template formed under specific electrochemical conditions. By adjusting voltage, temperature, electrolyte type, and concentration, various microstructural modifications of AAO can be achieved within its hexagonally arranged pore array. To enable broader applications or enhance performance, post-treatment is often employed to further modify its nanostructure after anodization. Among these post-treatment techniques, AAO membrane detachment methods have been widely studied and can be categorized into traditional etching methods, voltage reduction methods, reverse bias voltage detachment methods, pulse voltage detachment methods, and further anodization techniques. Among various delamination processes, the mechanism is highly related to the selectivity of wet etching, as well as the Joule heating and stress generated during the process. Each of these detachment methods has its own advantages and drawbacks, including processing time, complexity, film integrity, and the toxicity of the solutions used. Consequently, researchers have devoted significant effort to optimizing and improving these techniques. Furthermore, through-hole AAO membranes have been applied in various fields, such as humidity sensors, nanomaterial synthesis, filtration, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and tribo-electrical nano-generators (TENG). In particular, the rough and porous structures formed at the bottom of AAO films significantly enhance sensor performance. Depending on specific application requirements, selecting or refining the appropriate processing method is crucial to achieving optimal results. As a versatile nanomaterial template, AAO itself is expected to play a key role in future advancements in environmental safety, bio-applications, energy technologies, and food safety. Full article

Recently, the live commerce market has experienced rapid growth, accompanied by increasingly intense competition. To improve business performance in this dynamic environment, it is essential to foster competent streamers and create effective commerce environments. Therefore, this study developed a research model based on the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) framework, focusing on streamer competencies and the commerce environment, to explore ways to effectively enhance live commerce business performance. Data for this study were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using statistical techniques with 390 respondents. The results revealed that streamers’ competencies (expertise, demonstration skills, and interactive ability) significantly influence consumers’ internal states (perceived functional value of products and perceived trust in product recommendations), which in turn significantly influence purchase intentions. Moreover, the physical surroundings of the studio and the social surroundings, including peers’ perceptions of live commerce, were found to moderate the relationships between consumers’ internal states and their purchase intentions. This study holds academic significance in that it presents a model that effectively understands the mechanisms influencing viewers’ purchase decisions in live commerce contexts. The findings and practical implications discussed in this study are expected to provide valuable insights for developing strategies to enhance the performance of live commerce. Full article

Water scarcity has become a significant constraint to agricultural development in China. In this study, we employed bibliometric methods to systematically review the current research on crop water use efficiency (WUE) and the development trends in the North China Plain (NCP) and Northwest China (NWC). We analyzed 1569 articles (NCP = 788; NWC = 781) from the Web of Science Core Collection (1995–2025) using visualization tools such as CiteSpace and VOSviewer to investigate annual numbers of publications, leading scholars and research institutions, and then to map keyword co-occurrence and co-citation structures. Our results showed that keyword clustering exhibited high structural quality (NCP: Q = 0.7345, S = 0.8634; NWC: Q = 0.758, S = 0.8912), supporting reliable thematic interpretation. The bibliometric analysis indicates a steady growth in annual publications since 1995, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University as leading contributors. From 1995 to 2005, studies centered on irrigation, yield and field-scale WUE, emphasizing the optimization of irrigation strategies and crop productivity. During 2006–2015, the thematic focus has broadened to encompass nitrogen use efficiency, crop quality and eco-environmental performance, thereby moving toward integrated evaluation frameworks that capture ecological synergies. Since 2016, the literature now emphasizes system integration, regional adaptability, climate-response mechanisms and the ecological co-benefits of agricultural practices. Future studies are expected to incorporate indicators such as crop quality, water footprint and carbon isotope indicators to support the sustainable development of agricultural water use. This study offers insights and recommendations for developing a comprehensive crop WUE evaluation framework in China, which will support sustainable agricultural water management and the realization of national “dual carbon” targets. Full article

Background: Cardiac-respiratory dual gating in SPECT (DG-SPECT) is an emergent technique for alleviating motion blurring artifacts in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) due to both cardiac and respiratory motions. Moreover, the attenuation artifact may arise from the spatial mismatch between the sequential SPECT and CT attenuation scans due to the dual gating of SPECT data and non-gating CT images. Objectives: This study adapts a four-dimensional (4D) cardiac SPECT reconstruction with post-reconstruction respiratory motion correction (4D-RMC) for dual-gated SPECT. In theory, a respiratory motion-matched attenuation correction (MAC) method is expected to yield more accurate reconstruction results than the conventional motion-averaged attenuation correction (AAC) method. However, its potential benefit is not clear in the presence of practical imaging artifacts in DG-SPECT. In this study, we aim to quantitatively investigate these two attenuation methods for SPECT MPI: 4D-RMC (MAC) and 4D-RMC (AAC). Methods: DG-SPECT imaging (eight cardiac gates and eight respiratory gates) of the NCAT phantom was simulated using SIMIND Monte Carlo simulation, with a lesion (20% reduction in uptake) introduced at four different locations of the left ventricular wall: anterior, lateral, septal, and inferior. For each respiratory gate, a joint cardiac motion-compensated 4D reconstruction was used. Then, the respiratory motion was estimated for post-reconstruction respiratory motion-compensated smoothing for all respiratory gates. The attenuation map averaged over eight respiratory gates was used for each respiratory gate in 4D-RMC (AAC) and the matched attenuation map was used for each respiratory gate in 4D-RMC (MAC). The relative root mean squared error (RMSE), structural similarity index measurement (SSIM), and a Channelized Hotelling Observer (CHO) study were employed to quantitatively evaluate different reconstruction and attenuation correction strategies. Results: Our results show that the 4D-RMC (MAC) method improves the average relative RMSE by as high as 5.42% and the average SSIM value by as high as 1.28% compared to the 4D-RMC (AAC) method. Compared to traditional 4D reconstruction without RMC (“4D (MAC)”), these metrics were improved by as high as 11.23% and 27.96%, respectively. The 4D-RMC methods outperformed 4D (without RMC) on the CHO study with the largest improvement for the anterior lesion. However, the image intensity profiles, the CHO assessment, and reconstruction images are very similar between 4D-RMC (MAC) and 4D-RMC (AAC). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the improvement of 4D-RMC (MAC) over 4D-RMC (AAC) is marginal in terms of lesion detectability and visual quality, which may be attributed to the simple NCAT phantom simulation, but otherwise suggest that AAC may be sufficient for clinical use. However, further evaluation of the MAC technique using more physiologically realistic digital phantoms that incorporate diverse patient anatomies and irregular respiratory motion is warranted to determine its potential clinical advantages for specific patient populations undergoing dual-gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is a paucity of research studying point-of-care ultrasound in the pregnant population, despite the rising incidence of maternal medical complications and, in particular, preeclampsia. This study sought to compare the inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVC-CI) between patients with preeclampsia with severe features (PECS) and gestational age-matched controls and to assess whether pulse pressure (PP) correlates with IVC-CI in PECS. Methods: This was a prospective pilot study of patients recruited at an inpatient hospital and an outpatient office. The case group included admitted patients with a diagnosis of PECS considered to be stable for prolonged antepartum expectant management. One patient per gestational age week from 23 to 34 weeks with PECS was compared to a gestational age-matched patient without any form of preeclampsia and/or gestational hypertension. Patients on magnesium sulfate, those with multiple gestation, large-for-gestational age fetus, fetal growth restriction, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, and/or an anomalous fetus were excluded. Results: IVC-CI was significantly lower in the PECS group compared with controls (mean 20.1% vs. 48.3%, 95% CI = −0.40–−0.16, p < 0.001). There was an inverse relationship between IVC-CI and pulse pressure in patients with PECS. For each additional 1 mmHg in pulse pressure, the odds of having IVC-CI greater than 50% decreased by 13%. Conclusions: Patients with preeclampsia exhibit detectable changes in inferior vena cava diameter that can be assessed with bedside ultrasound and correlated with maternal PP. Future research should focus on validating these findings and exploring the clinical significance of these measurements. Full article

Rising atmospheric CO₂ is expected to fertilize forest photosynthesis; yet, ecosystem-scale observations often reveal muted responses, creating a critical knowledge gap in global climate projections. In this review, we explore this paradox by moving beyond the traditional ‘CO₂ fertilization’ paradigm. We propose an integrated framework that positions elevated CO₂ as a complex modulator whose net effect is determined by a hierarchy of cross-scale constraints. At the plant level, photosynthetic acclimation acts as a universal first brake on the initial biochemical potential. At the ecosystem level, nutrient availability—primarily nitrogen in temperate/boreal systems and phosphorus in the tropics—emerges as the dominant bottleneck limiting long-term productivity gains. Furthermore, interactions with the water cycle, such as increased water-use efficiency, create state-dependent dynamic responses. By synthesizing evidence from pivotal Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) experiments, we systematically evaluate these constraining factors. We conclude that accurately predicting the future of the forest carbon sink necessitates a paradigm shift: from single-factor analysis to multi-stressor approaches, and from ecosystem-scale observations to an integrated understanding that links these phenomena to their underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms. This review provides a roadmap for future research and informs more realistic strategies for forest management and climate mitigation in a high-CO₂ world. Full article

Many researchers have used the species composition, relative abundance and distribution pattern of profundal benthic macroinvertebrate communities in particular, especially chironomid fauna, as indicators of the trophic state and pollution of lakes. In addition, compared with previous benthic macroinvertebrate data, it is expected that the process of eutrophication/oligotrophication of lakes can also be traced. Benthic macroinvertebrate distribution was studied in Lake Kawaguchi, Japan (maximum depth 16.1 m; mean depth 9.3 m), on 7 March 2025. The benthic animals identified were aquatic oligochaetes, chironomid larvae, shellfish and others. Differences among environmental factors and zoobenthos densities and rank correlation were analyzed using a non-parametric test. The mean density of oligochaetes, which was the dominant group, was 2457 ± 1247 individuals/m², followed by chironomid larvae at 816 ± 391 individuals/m². The larvae of Propsilocerus akamusi were the most abundant species at 669 ± 358 individuals/m², followed by Chironomus plumosus at 109 ± 114 individuals/m². Other chironomids (38 ± 75 individuals/m²) were also captured. Benthic communities were collected at all sites, but each taxa had its own characteristics. Oligochaetes and C. plumosus were widely distributed throughout the lake, whereas the distribution of P. akamusi was skewed toward the western part of the lake. In comparison with previous studies, P. akamusi larvae were now found to be the most abundant chironomid species in this lake, accounting for an increased percentage of the chironomid community, while C. plumosus larvae had decreased in recent years. In addition, the higher levels of organic matter in the upper sediment layer of the lake suggest ongoing eutrophication. Previous studies classified Lake Kawaguchi as mesotrophic–eutrophic, but reconsideration of this classification is warranted given the above findings. We suggest that this lake be ranked as a eutrophic lake (chlorophyll-a concentration; ca. 0.05 mg/L) based on a long-term investigation of the changes in chironomid fauna. Full article

Background: Oral semaglutide is the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This real-world retrospective study evaluated its effectiveness and tolerability in patients requiring a third-line antidiabetic agent due to poor glucoregulation. Methods: Adult patients with T2DM who were taking oral semaglutide and were monitored at tertiary diabetes centers in Croatia were identified through electronic medical records between October 2022 and December 2024. Patients’ data were included in the analysis if they had been on oral semaglutide for at least six months. Results: A total of 163 patients (72 females and 91 males) were recruited, with 96.9% classified as overweight or obese. Among them, 145 had a BMI greater than 30 (mean BMI: 34.18 ± 4.60). The addition of oral semaglutide to their treatment regimen resulted in significant reductions in BMI, HbA1c, and both postprandial and fasting blood glucose levels, as well as in AST and ALT levels (all p < 0.05). There was also an increase in HDL levels (p = 0.007). The side effects observed were consistent with those previously recognized. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that oral semaglutide is safe and effective for glycemic and extraglycemic management in a real-world setting when used as a third-line agent. The best outcomes in terms of weight and HbA1c reduction can be expected when it is introduced early, ideally within the first five years of diabetes duration, and particularly in patients who are insulin naive. Full article