Search Results (2,469)

Heilongjiang Province is China’s largest commercial grain-producing base, meaning that understanding the stability and climatic sensitivity of its major crops are essential for national food security. Using statistical and meteorological data from 2004 to 2023, this study systematically examines the impacts of climate change on cropping structure, yield dynamics, and production stability. The results show that over two decades the total grain crops-sown area and the yield per unit area increased by 79.4% and 38.4%, respectively. The cropping pattern shifted from a diversified structure to a maize-soybean-rice dominated pattern, while the wheat area declined by 92.2%. Additionally, mean and extreme yield fluctuations decreased by 52.3% and 42%, respectively. Rice exhibited the highest yield stability, whereas maize and soybeans experienced marked reductions in interannual variability. Spatial analysis identified Harbin and Daqing as hotspots for yield stability risk, characterized by higher yield standard deviations relative to other cities in the province. Climate elasticity analysis revealed that soybeans and rice were sensitive to warming, while wheat responded positively to increased rainfall. Overall, Heilongjiang’s grain production system has expanded and become more stable at the provincial scale, but it remains vulnerable to emerging climatic risks. Strengthening climate adaptation through crop-specific management, varietal improvement, and field water regulation is vital for enhancing system resilience and sustaining food production in cold-region agroecosystems. Full article

Scopolamine, also known as hyoscine, is a naturally occurring tropane alkaloid derived from plants of the Solanaceae family. Clinically, the compound has long been used for the prevention of motion sickness and postoperative nausea and vomiting, as well as for ophthalmological procedures requiring mydriasis and cycloplegia. However, beyond these established indications, increasing attention has been directed toward its broader neuropharmacological actions. This narrative review aims to summarise current knowledge regarding the pharmacological properties of scopolamine, with particular emphasis on its mechanisms of action and emerging implications in neuroscience and neuropsychiatric disorders. Scopolamine acts as a non-selective antagonist of muscarinic receptor subtypes M1–M5, interfering with cholinergic neurotransmission. Experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that scopolamine induces transient cognitive impairment. This property has led to its widespread use as a pharmacological model of Alzheimer’s disease, enabling investigation of cholinergic contributions to cognitive decline. More recently, several early clinical studies suggested that intravenous administration may produce rapid reductions in depressive symptoms, possibly through modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission and activation of mTORC1-dependent synaptic plasticity pathways in the prefrontal cortex. Nevertheless, subsequent trials have yielded inconsistent results, and the therapeutic relevance of these findings remains uncertain. Current evidence indicates that scopolamine’s neuropsychiatric effects likely arise from complex interactions between cholinergic, glutamatergic, and neurotrophic signalling systems. Taken together, scopolamine represents both a valuable experimental tool for studying cholinergic function and a mechanistic framework for the development of novel therapeutics targeting rapid neuroplastic processes in neuropsychiatric disorders. Full article

This study investigated and optimized the cellulose hydrolysis conditions of VD20 broken rice flour using Viscozyme to enhance protein content and protein recovery efficiency. Four processing variables, including pH (5.0–6.0), temperature (40–60 °C), enzyme concentration (20–40 U/g), and hydrolysis time (34–38 h), were simultaneously evaluated using response surface methodology. The results indicated that temperature, enzyme concentration, and hydrolysis time influenced protein release and recovery, whereas pH had a limited effect within the studied range. All variables exhibited nonlinear effects, with distinct optimal regions beyond which protein extraction efficiency declined. The maximum protein content of approximately 77% was obtained at a pH of 5.56, temperature of about 55 °C, enzyme concentration of 30 U/g, and hydrolysis time of 36 h. In contrast, the highest protein recovery efficiency of approximately 54–55% was achieved at a pH of 5.53–5.57, temperature of about 53 °C, enzyme concentration of about 30 U/g, and hydrolysis time of about 36 h. Simultaneous optimization of both responses identified balanced conditions at a pH of about 5.53, temperature of about 53 °C, enzyme concentration of about 29 U/g, and hydrolysis time of about 36 h, yielding protein content of approximately 76–77% and protein recovery efficiency of about 55%. These findings demonstrate that optimization provides an effective strategy for maximizing protein utilization from VD20 broken rice and support the application of Viscozyme-assisted hydrolysis in the valorization of rice processing by-products. Full article

Saline-alkaline (SA) soils pose a serious threat to soybean production worldwide. Although severe saline-alkaline stress can reduce yield by up to 30%, the mechanisms underlying saline-alkaline-induced inhibition of root growth remain unclear. In this study, two soybean cultivars with contrasting tolerance, Chang Nong 26 (CN26) and Jiyu 441 (JY441), were exposed to saline-alkaline stress induced by NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ at Na⁺ concentrations of 0, 21, and 45 mmol·L⁻¹. The effects on seed germination, early seedling growth, antioxidant responses, and root DNA damage were systematically examined. High-level saline-alkaline stress significantly inhibited germination and root elongation in both cultivars. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities increased markedly under stress, indicating activation of antioxidant defenses. Catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) to scavenge ROS and maintain cellular redox balance. Nevertheless, oxygen-free radicals (OFRs) accumulated to a significantly greater extent in the root tips of CN 26 than in JY441, suggesting lower tolerance in CN 26. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis revealed pronounced DNA damage in root tips under saline-alkaline stress, with more polymorphic bands detected in CN 26 than in JY441. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the expression of DNA damage repair-related genes (RAD51, OGG1, RAD4, and ATM) was downregulated in CN 26 roots under stress, whereas E2FA and WEE1 expression was upregulated. In contrast, these DNA repair genes in JY441 were significantly induced during the early stage of stress exposure and subsequently declined. Collectively, this study demonstrates that saline-alkaline stress inhibits soybean growth through the induction of oxidative DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in roots. The reduced capacity for DNA repair in CN 26 likely contributes to its greater sensitivity to saline-alkaline stress. This study provides mechanistic insights into saline-alkaline stress-induced growth inhibition in soybean and offers a theoretical basis for breeding stress-tolerant cultivars. Full article

Introduction: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men in Poland. Prognosis is generally poor, largely due to late diagnosis at advanced stages and the aggressive biological nature of the disease. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment modalities and determine their impact on overall survival in male patients diagnosed with small-cell (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 1431 men (mean age: 61.5 years) treated at the Katowice Oncology Center in Poland between 2002 and 2012. Overall survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Evaluated prognostic factors included clinical stage, surgical intervention (partial or total lung resection), first-line treatment regimen, and the number of treatment cycles. Results: Survival probabilities declined progressively with advancing clinical stage for both SCLC and NSCLC. Patients who underwent surgical resection demonstrated significantly longer survival compared to non-surgically treated patients (p < 0.001). Furthermore, combined radiochemotherapy yielded superior therapeutic outcomes compared to chemotherapy alone. In the non-surgical NSCLC cohort, first-line treatment with platinum derivatives combined with gemcitabine resulted in the highest 1-year survival rate compared to other pharmacological schemes. Discussion: The high mortality observed within the first 12 months post diagnosis reflects the late-stage presentation common during the study period. The findings align with established oncological principles, confirming that surgical resection and multimodal therapies offer the greatest survival advantages for eligible patients. Conclusions: Survival rates for both SCLC and NSCLC are overwhelmingly dictated by early diagnosis and the feasibility of surgical resection. Improving long-term outcomes depends heavily on implementing effective lung cancer screening programs to detect the disease at operable stages and utilizing optimized combined treatment protocols. Full article

Accurate prediction of winter oilseed rape yield is essential for optimising crop management and improving production efficiency. However, the reliability of commonly reported model performance remains uncertain due to the widespread use of random validation strategies. This study evaluated the predictive potential of multi-temporal Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) metrics collected between September 2023 and May 2024 for yield estimation across multiple Lithuanian fields, while explicitly addressing spatial generalisation. The analytical dataset comprised dry yield (t ha⁻¹), monthly NDVI, and field identifiers, and underwent quality control, including outlier removal. Four modelling approaches were compared: ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and a Deep Neural Network (DNN). Model performance was assessed using both random (80/20) and a spatially independent field-wise (GroupSplit) validation schemes designed to assess model transferability to previously unseen fields, further extended by repeated group-based resampling to quantify variability in model generalisation. Under random sampling, RF and XGBoost achieved the highest accuracy (RMSE ≈ 0.85 t ha⁻¹, R² ≈ 0.55). However, under spatially independent validation, predictive performance declined markedly for all models, with tree-based ensembles showing near-zero R² values, indicating limited transferability to unseen fields. In contrast, the DNN demonstrated more consistent generalisation (RMSE = 1.09 t ha⁻¹, R² = 0.28). Repeated field-wise validation confirmed that performance estimates based on random splits substantially overestimate true predictive capability. Feature importance analyses consistently identified spring NDVI, particularly from March to May, as the dominant predictor of yield, whereas autumn NDVI showed weaker and less consistent relationships with yield. These findings demonstrate that a large portion of the predictive skill reported in NDVI-based yield modelling may arise from spatial information leakage rather than transferable crop-environment relationships. By explicitly quantifying the gap between random and spatial validation, this study provides a more realistic benchmark for model performance and highlights the necessity of spatially robust evaluation frameworks for operational yield prediction in precision agriculture. Full article

Background: Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune epithelitis characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands. Although labial salivary gland biopsy remains the reference standard for diagnosis, it is invasive and may not always be feasible in routine practice. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of parotid gland shear-wave elastography (SWE) and to investigate its relationship with histopathological findings in patients with suspected pSS. Methods: This prospective study included 93 participants (53 patients with pSS and 40 controls). Shear-wave elastography measurements of the parotid glands were obtained, and their association with histopathological findings was analyzed. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate independent predictors of histopathological positivity. Results: Mean shear-wave elastography velocity values (m/s) were significantly higher in the pSS group than in controls (p < 0.001), and this difference remained significant after adjustment for age (adjusted β = 2.141, p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated moderate discriminative performance for predicting histopathological positivity (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61–0.89). The optimal cut-off value of 2.17 m/s yielded a sensitivity of 69.0% and a specificity of 94.1%. A moderate positive correlation was observed between right parotid elastography values and histopathological grade (r = 0.483, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, elastography mean and anti-SSA positivity showed positive but non-significant associations with histopathological positivity. The model demonstrated good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow p = 0.866) and high apparent discrimination (AUC = 0.947), with reduced performance after internal validation. Conclusions: Parotid shear-wave elastography is a non-invasive imaging method with moderate diagnostic performance in pSS. Elastography measurements correlate with histopathological involvement and remain significantly elevated after age adjustment. SWE may serve as a complementary tool for pre-biopsy risk stratification, particularly when biopsy is contraindicated or declined. Further validation in larger, independent cohorts is required. Full article

Filamentous fungi exhibit high heavy metal resistance; elucidating their resistance mechanisms is of practical importance for fungal utilization and for engineering other microorganisms. However, the molecular basis of copper tolerance in filamentous fungi remains poorly understood, with few studies addressing this specific trait. Previously, we isolated a copper-hyper-resistant strain, P. janthinellum GXCR, and generated two mutagenized derivatives, EC-6 and UC-8. To investigate copper resistance, wild-type GXCR (WT) and mutants EC-6 and UC-8 were subjected to integrated physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses. Copper tolerance followed the rank order: WT > UC-8 > EC-6. Supplementation with Mn²⁺ or exogenous proline enhanced copper resistance. Under copper stress, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels increased in all strains, correlating dynamically with activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content, with all exhibiting a biphasic response: an initial rise followed by a decline with increasing Cu²⁺ concentration. WT accumulated less Cu and Cd but more Cr (at high concentration) than the mutants. In contrast, intracellular Pb accumulation in all three strains decreased monotonically with rising Pb doses. RNA-seq of WT and EC-6 grown in TYB with 0, 0.5 and 3 mM Cu²⁺ identified 8 copper-resistance-related genes, verified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) clustered genes into 10 modules; integrating physiological data identified 10 traits, and the four most correlated modules yielded 116 hub genes mostly linked to energy metabolism, cell components and transporters. copA and ATP7, encoding Cu²⁺-exporting ATPases, were identified as central regulators of copper homeostasis and key contributors to enhance copper tolerance. These findings provide molecular insights into copper resistance of filamentous fungi and valuable genetic targets for rational strain engineering. Full article

Dairy cows typically respond to stressors by altering their behavior, such as reducing eating time (ET) and rumination time (RT). Although declines in milk yield (MY) have been extensively studied, models to quantify perturbations in ET and RT are still lacking. This study adopts a smoothing approach to identify and characterize perturbations in MY, ET, and RT in response to the main primary stressors, heat stress (HS), lameness (L), and mastitis (M), while evaluating the influences of parity and stage of lactation. A total of 350 Italian Simmental cows were monitored in farms equipped with automatic milking systems and accelerometers. Within this population, cows with a lactation period of at least 150 days were selected. A double-curve smoothing model (λ = 100 and λ = 10,000) was applied to calculate response and recovery times and to quantify production and feeding behavior losses. The results indicate that L causes the longest (30.6 d and 28.8 d, respectively) perturbations for both MY and ET. While L caused the greatest loss in milk production (14.7 kg), HS resulted in the greatest losses regarding feeding behavior (ET: 175.2 min and RT: 210.3 min). In general, M had a lower impact, likely due to the timeliness of treatments. Primiparous cows showed faster responses to stress but slower recovery times compared to multiparous ones. However, multiparous cows exhibited greater total MY losses. The method proved effective for quantifying resilience and opens new perspectives in health monitoring, allowing for the identification of both economic loss and each animal’s capacity to cope with pathological and environmental events, improving the overall sustainability of the dairy farm. Full article

Understanding how geometry governs interfacial contact and material removal is central to designing efficient bioinspired surface systems. Gastropod radular teeth form natural arrays of microscale cutting elements optimized for repeated interaction with compliant and semi-rigid substrates, yet experimentally validated shape–performance relationships remain limited. Here, we isolate geometric effects on interfacial mechanics using stereolithography-printed biomimetic tooth arrays inspired by the taenioglossan radula of the hard-substrate grazer Spekia zonata. Two morphologically distinct tooth types (central and marginal) were systematically varied in cusp and stylus geometry (four variants each), while array configuration, material, and boundary conditions were kept constant. Tooth stiffness was quantified in bending tests as load-induced height reduction. Interfacial performance was assessed using a controlled pull-through assay in agarose substrates of two stiffness levels (0.4% and 0.8%), with continuous force recording and measurement of removed mass. Marginal-tooth geometries were stiffer and consistently removed more substrate than central variants. Although work increased substantially in stiffer gels, removal did not scale proportionally and declined for central teeth, revealing a decoupling between mechanical input and yield. Performance correlated with active engagement rather than work alone, indicating geometry-limited contact regimes. These findings establish geometry-controlled stiffness and engagement as key parameters for efficient abrasive interfaces. Full article

Cover crops (CCs) provide key ecosystem services, including nitrogen (N) retention and increased soil organic carbon (SOC), although their short-term benefits may be limited in dry continental climates. This study assessed a conservation system combining CC and non-inversion tillage (MT+CC) over a full crop rotation (sunflower–winter wheat–corn–sunflower) in south-eastern Romania, compared with plough-based tillage (PT). A randomized block design was conducted on a clay loam Luvisol, and N retention was estimated annually from soil mineral N and the biomass and N content of CC and weeds. MT+CC increased N retention during the first three years (+20.30 kg ha⁻¹ before corn; +26.67 kg ha⁻¹ before sunflower), but this advantage declined, and in year four PT showed higher N retention due to intensive weed growth. MT+CC reduced corn and sunflower yields, likely because of water competition and temporary N immobilization, but increased winter wheat yields. After four years, SOC was significantly higher under MT+CC (1.42%) than PT (1.37%), while total N remained unchanged, resulting in a higher C:N ratio. Consequently, in continental climates, CC use has a limited N retention potential, and excessively late CC sowing and termination is risky in crop rotations dominated by high-N-demand spring crops. Full article

Background: Physical activity requiring self-control may yield greater post-activity cognitive improvements. Implementing such tasks within The Daily Mile could enhance cognition further while adding variety to the initiative. This study examined whether the inclusion of self-control tasks within The Daily Mile influences subsequent cognition and enjoyment. Methods: Participants, numbering 99 (10.2 ± 1.1 y), completed three trials (Daily Mile Normal, Daily Mile Self-Control, and resting), using a within-subject, order-balanced, crossover design. The Daily Mile Self-Control involved students completing tasks requiring self-control for 30 s every 2 min within The Daily Mile. Cognitive tests (Stroop test, Sternberg Paradigm, Visual Search test) were administered prior to, immediately following and 45 min following The Daily Mile and resting trials. During the trials, distance covered (m), average heart rate (beats·min⁻¹) and physical activity enjoyment (PACES) were measured. Focus groups explored factors affecting enjoyment during The Daily Mile trials. The effects of physical activity vs. rest on cognitive function were examined first, followed by the effect of adding self-control tasks to The Daily Mile. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the Daily Mile trials on distance covered or physical activity enjoyment. However, average heart rate was significantly higher in The Daily Mile Self-Control compared to The Daily Mile Normal. Compared to rest, The Daily Mile had a positive effect on inhibitory control. Working-memory accuracy maintained following activity, but perceptual accuracy was briefly impaired. Following the addition of self-control tasks, working memory response times improved. However, accuracy on inhibitory control and perception declined immediately after activity, compared to The Daily Mile Normal. Thematic analysis indicated varied perceptions among participants, with some valuing the simplicity and control of The Daily Mile Normal, and others favoring The Daily Mile Self-Control due to the variety and cognitive challenge. Conclusions: Incorporating self-control tasks into The Daily Mile produced mixed cognitive and qualitative responses, compared to The Daily Mile Normal. This suggests that tailoring physical activity to individual preferences may optimize engagement and cognitive outcomes. Full article

Adverse environmental and postharvest conditions challenge the functional quality of lemons, an economically vital citrus crop. Melatonin (MEL) has emerged as an effective regulator of plant stress responses and secondary metabolism. This study evaluated the effects of pre- and postharvest MEL treatments, combined with cold storage, on the fruit quality of two lemon cultivars (‘Fino’ and ‘Verna’). The research focused specifically on endogenous MEL and flavanone dynamics. Three experimental conditions were assessed: (a) preharvest MEL application at 0.1 and 1 mM; (b) preharvest treatment followed by cold storage; and (c) combined pre- and postharvest MEL treatment followed by cold storage. Preharvest treatments increased endogenous MEL at harvest in a dose- and cultivar-dependent manner. Specifically, 1 mM being optimal for ‘Fino’, while 0.1 mM was more effective for ‘Verna’. During cold storage, ‘Fino’ fruit, characterized by low basal endogenous MEL levels, showed a marked increase in MEL accumulation, suggesting the stimulation of biosynthesis. In contrast, ‘Verna’ fruit, which had initially high endogenous MEL content, exhibited a pronounced decline, indicating MEL consumption to counteract oxidative stress. Flavanone content increased dose-dependently after preharvest treatment and was preserved during storage in ‘Fino’ but declined in ‘Verna’. These findings demonstrate that the fruit cultivar must be considered a critical factor in MEL-based strategies, as identical treatments may yield markedly different outcomes even within the same species. Full article

Adequate fertilization with nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) is essential to sustain crop productivity and minimize nitrogen losses to the environment. However, the increasing imbalance in fertilizer use in Poland, with low potassium inputs, may impair long-term soil fertility and nitrogen use efficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term potassium omission on maize productivity and nitrogen use efficiency under varying nitrogen fertilization rates. A 16-year field experiment (2003–2018) was conducted in two different regions of Poland (Grabów and Baborówko), on soils with medium to low available potassium content. Maize response to potassium fertilization cessation was evaluated at increasing nitrogen rates (50–250 kg N ha⁻¹). Grain yield, nitrogen uptake (Yn), nitrogen surplus (Ns), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were assessed according to the EU Nitrogen Expert Panel (EUNEP) approach. Potassium omission had little effect on maize yield and NUE indices. At nitrogen rates commonly applied in agricultural practice in Poland (~100 kg N ha⁻¹), NUE strongly exceeded 100%. The other NUE indices—nitrogen surplus and nitrogen uptake remained optimal (<80 kg N ha⁻¹, and >80 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively), regardless of potassium treatment. These results indicate a low risk of nitrogen losses under moderate nitrogen inputs, even without potassium fertilization. However, given the declining NUE trend on soils with low potassium content, a reduction in nitrogen use efficiency can be expected, particularly under high nitrogen application rates and continued unbalanced potassium fertilization. Full article

In the context of rapid urbanisation, the accelerating conversion of ecological land into built-up areas has intensified conflicts between urban expansion and ecological sustainability, making accurate simulation and forecasting of land-use development increasingly important for sustainable spatial planning. This challenge is particularly urgent in cities where ecological functions are closely linked to water resources and landscape structure. The present study adopts Jinan, designated the “City of a Thousand Springs”, as a paradigmatic example of a mountain–spring–urban composite ecosystem. The study systematically analyses how disparate development pathways influence regional water yield, carbon storage, and their interactions. Land-use patterns for 2030 were simulated with the PLUS model under three scenarios: natural development (NDS), ecological spring protection (ESPS), and economic development (UDS). The InVEST model was used to quantify water yield, carbon storage and water–carbon coupling coordination for 2020 and each scenario. Results show that between 2000 and 2020, construction land expanded by 954.85 km² while cropland declined by 632.46 km². Rising impervious surface coverage led to modest increases in total water yield across scenarios (0.65~1.07%), with the smallest increase under ESPS. High-yield areas remained concentrated in built-up zones. Carbon storage declined by 0.41~0.75%, most notably under UDS, and maintained a stable “high south-low north” spatial pattern. Water–carbon coupling was dominated by initial to moderate coordination, while trade-off areas were mainly distributed across plains. The results provide a spatial basis for the promotion of sustainable land use, integrated ecosystem management and urban ecological security planning, offering practical insights for advancing sustainability-oriented development in rapidly urbanising regions. Full article