Search Results (3,284)

Changes in cultivated land use significantly impact food production capacity, which in turn affects food security. Therefore, accurately understanding the spatial and temporal variations in cultivated land use is critical for strategic decision-making regarding national food security. Since the second national soil survey was conducted in around 1980, China has implemented major efforts, such as a nationwide soil testing and fertilization project in around 2005 and the establishment of the National Standards for Cultivated Land Quality Grading in 2016. However, limited research has focused on how cultivated land use has changed during these periods and the mechanisms driving these changes. This study, using Enshi Prefecture in the mountainous region of southwestern Hubei Province as a case study, examines the spatiotemporal changes in cultivated land use during 1980–2018. Land use data from 1980, 2005, and 2018 were combined with statistical yearbook data from Enshi Prefecture, and remote sensing and GIS technology were applied. Indicators such as the dynamic degree of cultivated land use, the relative rate of change in cultivated land use, and a Geoscience Information Atlas model were used to explore these changes. Additionally, principal component analysis was employed to examine the mechanisms influencing these changes. The results show that (1) the area of cultivated land in Enshi Prefecture increased slightly from 1980 to 2005, while from 2005 to 2018, it significantly decreased; compared with the earlier period, the transformation of land use types during 2005–2018 was more intense; (2) the increase in cultivated land area from 1980 to 2005 was mainly due to deforestation, the creation of farmland from lakes, and the reclamation of wasteland, while the decrease in land area was primarily attributed to the conversion of farmland back to forests and grassland. From 2005 to 2018, the main drivers for the increase in cultivated land were deforestation and the reclamation of wasteland, while the return of farmland to forests remained the primary reason for the decrease in land area; (3) from 1980 to 2005, the dynamic degree of cultivated land use in each county and city of Enshi Prefecture was generally low. However, between 2005 and 2018, the dynamic degree increased in most counties and cities except Enshi City and Xianfeng County; (4) there were significant variations in the relative rate of change in cultivated land utilization across counties and cities from 1980 to 2005. However, from 2005 to 2018, the relative rate of change decreased in all counties and cities compared to the previous period; (5) since 1980, nearly 50% of the cultivated land in Enshi Prefecture has undergone land classification conversion, with frequent shifts between different land classes; and (6) economic development, population growth, capital investment, food production, and production efficiency are the dominant socioeconomic factors driving changes in cultivated land use in Enshi Prefecture. The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for the protection and optimization of cultivated land resources in the mountainous regions of southwestern Hubei Province. Full article

Pressure from population growth and climate change stress the limited water resources in the Mediterranean region and threaten food security and social stability. Enhancing food production requires the transformation of irrigation systems and enhancement of local capacity for sustainable water and soil management in irrigated agriculture. The aim of this work is the conversion of traditional irrigation practices, by introducing the practice of optimal irrigation scheduling based on local ET estimation and soil moisture monitoring, and the use of continuous feeding by fertigation to enhance both water and nutrient use efficiency. For this, two trials were established between August and November 2023 in two different pedoclimatic zones (Serein and Sultan Yacoub) of the inner Bekaa Plain of Lebanon, characterized by semi-arid and dry subhumid conditions and different soil types. Greenhouse cucumber was tested to compare the prevailing traditional farmers’ practices with the advanced, technology-based, methods of water management. Results showed a significantly higher amount of water applied by the farmers to the protected cucumber, with a potential for average saving of 105 mm of water applied in each season by improved practices. Water input in the traditional practices revealed potential stress to plants. With more than 20% increase in cucumber yield by the transformed practices, a general trend was observed in the fertilization approach and amounts, resulting in lower nutrient recovery in the farmer’s plots. The science-based practices of water and nutrient management showed higher application and agronomic water use efficiency of full fertigation, exceeding 60%, associated with double and triple higher nitrogen use efficiency, compared to those results obtained by the traditional water and fertilizer application methods. The monitored factors can contribute to severe economic and environmental consequences from nutrient buildup or leaching in the soil–groundwater system in the Mediterranean region. Full article

Background and Objectives: This article investigates the transformative impact of 3D and bio 3D printing technologies in assisted reproductive technology (ART), offering a comprehensive review of their applications in improving reproductive outcomes. Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a thorough literature search focusing on the intersection of ART and additive manufacturing, resulting in the inclusion of 48 research papers. Results: The study highlights bio 3D printing’s potential in revolutionizing female infertility treatments, especially in follicle complex culture and ovary printing. We explore the use of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) as bioink, demonstrating its efficacy in replicating the ovarian microenvironment for in vitro maturation of primordial oocytes. Furthermore, advancements in endometrial cavity interventions are discussed, including the application of sustained-release systems for growth factors and stem cell integration for endometrial regeneration, showing promise in addressing conditions like Asherman’s syndrome and thin endometrium. We also examine the role of conventional 3D printing in reproductive medicine, including its use in educational simulators, personalized IVF instruments, and microfluidic platforms, enhancing training and precision in reproductive procedures. Conclusions: Our review underscores both 3D printing technologies’ contribution to the dynamic landscape of reproductive medicine. They offer innovative solutions for individualized patient care, augmenting success rates in fertility treatments. This research not only presents current achievements but also anticipates future advancements in these domains, promising to expand the horizons for individuals and families seeking assistance in their reproductive journeys. Full article

Androstenedione (AD) is an important intermediate for the production of steroidal drugs. The process of transforming phytosterols into AD by Mycolicibacterium is mainly the degradation process of the phytosterol side chain, and the excessive accumulation of propionyl-CoA produced by Mycobacterium will produce toxic effects, which seriously restricts the transformation performance of strains. In this study, Mycolicibacterium sp. LZ2 (Msp) was used as the research object to study the transcription factor PccD of the TetR family, which has the role of propionyl-CoA metabolism regulation. By constructing overexpression and deletion strains of pccD, it was confirmed that pccD had an inhibitory effect on the transcription of propionyl-CoA carboxylase genes (pccA and pccB). Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and DNase I footprint analysis demonstrated that PccD is directly involved in the transcriptional regulation of pccA and pccB and is a negative transcriptional regulator of the pcc operon. In the study of phytosterol transformation, the growth rate and bacterial viability of Msp-ΔpccD were higher than Msp, but the growth of Msp-pccD was inhibited. As a result of testing of intracellular propionyl-CoA levels and AD production yields, it was found that lower propionyl-CoA levels and higher AD production yields were observed in Msp-ΔpccD. The results expand the cognition of propionyl-CoA metabolism regulation and provide a theoretical basis and reference for the rational transformation of phytosterol transformation strains and secondary metabolite synthesis strains with propionyl-CoA as a substrate, which has important research significance. Full article

Activins and inhibins, members of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily, were initially recognized for their opposing effects on the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone. Subsequent research has demonstrated their broader biological roles across various tissue types. Primarily, activins and inhibins function through the classical TGFβ SMAD signaling pathway, but studies suggest that they also act through other pathways, with their specific signaling being complex and context-dependent. Recent research has identified significant roles for activins and inhibins in the cardiovascular system. Their actions in other systems and their signaling pathways show strong correlations with the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, indicating potential broader roles in the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes the progress in research on the biological functions and mechanisms of activins and inhibins and their signaling pathways in cardiovascular diseases, offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Full article

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most devastating abiotic factors, significantly damaging crops and human health. One of the serious problems it causes is a rise in cadmium (Cd) toxicity. Cd is a highly toxic metal with a negative biological role, and it enters plants via the soil–plant system. Cd stress induces a series of disorders in plants’ morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes and initiates the inhibition of seed germination, ultimately resulting in reduced growth. Fiber crops such as kenaf, jute, hemp, cotton, and flax have high industrial importance and often face the issue of Cd toxicity. Various techniques have been introduced to counter the rising threats of Cd toxicity, including reducing Cd content in the soil, mitigating the effects of Cd stress, and genetic improvements in plant tolerance against this stress. For decades, plant breeders have been trying to develop Cd-tolerant fiber crops through the identification and transformation of novel genes. Still, the complex mechanism of Cd tolerance has hindered the progress of genetic breeding. These crops are ideal candidates for the phytoremediation of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Hence, increased Cd uptake, accumulation, and translocation in below-ground parts (roots) and above-ground parts (shoots, leaves, and stems) can help clean agricultural lands for safe use for food crops. Earlier studies indicated that reducing Cd uptake, detoxification, reducing the effects of Cd stress, and developing plant tolerance to these stresses through the identification of novel genes are fruitful approaches. This review aims to highlight the role of some conventional and molecular techniques in reducing the threats of Cd stress in some key fiber crops. Molecular techniques mainly involve QTL mapping and GWAS. However, more focus has been given to the use of transcriptome and TFs analysis to explore the potential genomic regions involved in Cd tolerance in these crops. This review will serve as a source of valuable genetic information on key fiber crops, allowing for further in-depth analyses of Cd tolerance to identify the critical genes for molecular breeding, like genetic engineering and CRISPR/Cas9. Full article

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the role of a secreted serine protease, kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6), during colorectal tumorigenesis driven by a mutant Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene. A first analysis of KLK6 expression in the intestinal tract of Apc-mutant multiple intestinal neoplasia (Apc^Min/+) mice revealed up to four-fold induction of Klk6 mRNA levels in adenomas relative to its level in the adjacent mucosa. Methods and Results: The presence of KLK6 protein in the adenomatous areas was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and optical coherence tomography/laser-induced fluorescence (OCT/LIF) imaging. To assess the contribution of the KLK6 expression on the Apc-mutant intestinal and colon tumorigenesis, we engineered a mouse with floxed alleles of the Klk6 gene (Klk6^lox/lox) and crossed it with a mouse expressing the truncated APC protein under control of the intestinal tract-specific human CDX2P9.5-NLS Cre transgene (CPC;Apc^fl/fl;Klk6^+/+). We found that CPC;Apc^fl/fl mice with disrupted Klk6 gene expression (CPC;Apc^fl/fl;Klk6^fl/fl) had a significantly smaller average size of the small intestinal and colon crypts (p < 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively) and developed a significantly fewer adenomas (p = 0.01). Moreover, a decrease in high-grade adenomas (p = 0.03) and adenomas with a diameter above 2 mm (p < 0.0001) was noted in CPC;Apc^fl/fl;Klk6^fl/fl mice. Further molecular analysis showed that Klk6 gene inactivation in the small intestine and colon tissues of CPC;Apc^fl/fl;Klk6^fl/fl mice resulted in a significant suppression of transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) protein (p ≤ 0.02) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the oncogenic role of KLK6 in the mutant Apc-mediated intestinal tumorigenesis and suggest the utility of KLK6 for early diagnosis of colorectal tumors. Full article

Mariculture plays a crucial role in the marine industry, holding significant importance for global food provision, coastal economic growth, and marine ecological preservation. However, mariculture encounters challenges such as resource scarcity, environmental contamination, and market instabilities. The broad adoption of digital technology presents valuable growth prospects for mariculture. Employing the SBM-GML model, this study assesses the green total factor productivity of mariculture across ten coastal provinces in China from 2006 to 2022 and investigates the influence of digital economy policies on the sector’s green total factor productivity. The results reveal an overall fluctuating upward trend in the green total factor productivity of Chinese mariculture, ranging between 0.975 and 1.074, with variations in technical efficiency surpassing those in technological progress. This underscores that enhancing the green total factor productivity in China’s mariculture sector primarily hinges on technical efficiency. Noteworthy regional disparities point to an imbalance in regional mariculture advancement. Additionally, this study illustrates the favorable impact of digital economic strategies on the sector’s green total factor productivity, with varying effects observed across diverse regions. These findings provide empirical support and policy recommendations which will help government authorities formulate and implement effective policies, fostering the green transformation of mariculture amid the evolving digital economy landscape. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition may have been suggested to have a beneficial effect on the glaucomatous human trabecular meshwork (HTM). To study the effects of the mTOR inhibitors rapamycin (Rapa) and Torin1 on the glaucomatous HTM, transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2)-treated two-dimensionally (2D) and three-dimensionally (3D) cultured HTM cells were used. Methods: We evaluated (1) the levels of autophagy via Western blot analysis using a specific antibody against microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), (2) barrier capacity based on transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) permeability (2D), (3) cellular metabolic functions (2D), (4) the size and stiffness of spheroids, and (5) the mRNA expression of ECM proteins. Results: TGF-β2-induced inhibition of autophagy was significantly inhibited by Rapa and Torin1. Rapa and Torin1 substantially decreased barrier capacity in both TGF-β2-untreated and TGF-β2-treated HTM cells. Cellular metabolic analysis indicated that Rapa, but not Torin1, substantially enhanced both mitochondrial and glycolytic functions of TGF-β2-untreated HTM cells. In the physical properties of spheroids, TGF-β2 resulted in the formation of down-sized and stiffened spheroids. mTOR inhibitors decreased the size but not the stiffness of TGF-β2-untreated spheroids and significantly reduced the TGF-β2-related increase in the stiffness but not the size of spheroids. The diverse effects of mTOR inhibitors on TGF-β2-untreated and TGF-β2-treated spheroids were also observed in the mRNA expression of extracellular matrix proteins. Conclusions: The results taken together suggest that mTOR inhibitors significantly influence the biological aspects of both a single layer and multiple layers of the TGF-β2-treated HTM and untreated HTM. Full article

This study aimed to observe the therapeutic effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarun HFY11 (LP-HFY11) on lincomycin hydrochloride-induced diarrhea in mice. The results showed that LP-HFY11 alleviated weight loss and intestinal and colon tissue lesions caused by diarrhea. The serum assay showed that LP-HFY11 decreased interleukin 17A (IL-17A), IL-6, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and malondialdehyde levels and increased total antioxidant capacity in mice with diarrhea. LP-HFY11 also downregulated the mRNA expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and upregulated the expression of recombinant sodium/hydrogen exchanger 1 (NHE1) and NHE4 in the colon tissues of mice with diarrhea. In conclusion, the study showed that LP-HFY11 could effectively inhibit diarrhea, and the effect was better than that of the drug Bifidobacterium tetragenous viable bacteria tablets (Bifidobacterium-TVBT). Full article

The realization of ecological product value (EPV) is a crucial pathway for green economic development and the practical implementation of both the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and China’s “Two Mountains Theory”, which emphasizes the need for harmony between ecological protection and economic growth. While China has initiated several pilot projects, there remains no consensus on the classification of ecological products or the measurement of EPV realization levels, largely due to limitations in the existing accounting systems, which fail to address EPV’s complexity. This study introduces a novel framework for measuring EPV realization, categorizing ecological products into pure public, quasi-public, and operational types. It demonstrates the economic value of ecological conservation, providing viable economic incentives for green development. This framework allows governments and businesses to see that protecting and sustainably utilizing natural resources can also yield economic benefits, thus offering a new feasible pathway for green development. Using Zhejiang Province as a case study, the authors present an improved coupling coordination model and a mechanical equilibrium model to assess EPV levels, emphasizing the importance of tailored regional strategies. Additionally, an obstacle degree model is employed to identify and analyze the factors limiting EPV realization. The results show that (1) different types of ecological products follow distinct value realization paths within the “economic–ecological–social” system; (2) EPV realization varies significantly across regions, with a trend of being lower in the southwest and higher in the northeast; (3) obstacles to value realization differ across subsystems, with particular attention needed to improve quasi-public ecological products in the ecological and social domains; (4) factors such as pesticide use and the number of tourist attractions affect EPV realization at the provincial and municipal levels, respectively. This study presents a new EPV measurement framework and highlights the spatial–temporal variability of EPV realization across regions. It provides valuable insights for developing countries and ecologically vulnerable areas seeking to optimize their EPV realization, supporting sustainable development and advancing “Two Mountains Theory” transformation. Full article

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is widely regarded as the gold standard for evaluating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in breast cancer; however, it poses challenges such as the need for specialized training and issues related to signal degradation from dye quenching. Silver-enhanced in situ hybridization (SISH) serves as an automated alternative, employing permanent staining suitable for bright-field microscopy. Determining HER2 status involves distinguishing between “Amplified” and “Non-Amplified” regions by assessing HER2 and centromere 17 (CEN17) signals in SISH-stained slides. This study is the first to leverage deep learning for classifying Normal, Amplified, and Non-Amplified regions within HER2-SISH whole slide images (WSIs), which are notably more complex to analyze compared to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides. Our proposed approach consists of a two-stage process: first, we evaluate deep-learning models on annotated image regions, and then we apply the most effective model to WSIs for regional identification and localization. Subsequently, pseudo-color maps representing each class are overlaid, and the WSIs are reconstructed with these mapped regions. Using a private dataset of HER2-SISH breast cancer slides digitized at 40× magnification, we achieved a patch-level classification accuracy of $99.9\%$ and a generalization accuracy of $78.8\%$ by applying transfer learning with a Vision Transformer (ViT) model. The robustness of the model was further evaluated through k-fold cross-validation, yielding an average performance accuracy of $98\%$, with metrics reported alongside $95\%$ confidence intervals to ensure statistical reliability. This method shows significant promise for clinical applications, particularly in assessing HER2 expression status in HER2-SISH histopathology images. It provides an automated solution that can aid pathologists in efficiently identifying HER2-amplified regions, thus enhancing diagnostic outcomes for breast cancer treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent urological condition affecting elderly men. Prunella vulgaris L. (PV), a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Asia, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. In this study, we determined the effect of PV extract on the development of BPH. Methods: Rats were treated via a daily hypodermic injection of testosterone propionate (TP; 3 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Groups of BPH rats were treated with or without PV (60 or 80 mg/kg) by oral gavage. Results: In BPH model rats, PV considerably reduced their relative prostate weight and serum concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone. The TP-induced increases in epithelial thickness in the prostate, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, and cyclin D1 expression were remarkably reduced, whereas terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells and cleaved caspase-3 levels were increased, in PV-treated rats compared to BPH rats. The mRNA expression levels of growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-2), were significantly reduced in PV-treated rats. Mechanistically, the TP-induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was reduced by PV administration. Conclusions: These results designate that PV effectively ameliorates the development of testosterone-induced BPH through anti-androgenic, anti-proliferative, and pro-apoptotic activities, suggesting that it could be a potential therapeutic substance for BPH. Full article

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using the expression profile of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β-1-3) to assess the progression of L/S spine degenerative disease. The study group consisted of 113 lumbosacral (L/S) intervertebral disc (IVD) degenerative disease patients from whom IVDs were collected during a microdiscectomy, whereas the control group consisted of 81 participants from whom IVDs were collected during a forensic autopsy or organ harvesting. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to exclude degenerative changes in the IVDs collected from the control group. The molecular analysis consisted of reverse-transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, and an immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). In degenerated IVDs, we noted an overexpression of all TGF-β-1-3 mRNA isoforms with the largest changes observed for TGF-β3 isoforms (fold change (FC) = 19.52 ± 2.87) and the smallest for TGF-β2 (FC = 2.26 ± 0.16). Changes in the transcriptional activity of TGF-β-1-3 were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Significantly higher concentrations of TGF-β1 (2797 ± 132 pg/mL vs. 276 ± 19 pg/mL; p < 0.05), TGF-β2 (1918 ± 176 pg/mL vs. 159 ± 17 pg/mL; p < 0.05), and TGF-β3 (2573 ± 102 pg/mL vs. 152 ± 11 pg/mL) were observed in degenerative IVDs compared with the control samples. Determining the concentration profiles of TGF-β1-3 appears to be a promising monitoring tool for the progression of degenerative disease as well as for evaluating its treatment or developing new treatment strategies with molecular targets. Full article

In recent years, as the capital-driven economic growth model gradually encounters bottlenecks and regional economic competition intensifies, governments at all levels have turned to attracting high-quality talent to promote economic transformation and upgrading. Against this backdrop, the quality of the ecological environment has gradually become an important factor affecting labor mobility. This paper explores the impact of environmental inequality on labor mobility by matching provincial and municipal data with micro-data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), especially focusing on how environmental inequality affects labor decision-making through cognitive and non-cognitive abilities. The results from the benchmark regression confirm that environmental inequality significantly suppresses labor mobility, while robustness tests further validate these findings. Additionally, the mediation mechanism analysis reveals that environmental inequality influences labor mobility through impairments in both cognitive and non-cognitive abilities. The study also conducts an analysis of the heterogeneity of different social groups, finding that environmental inequality has a particularly significant impact on groups with higher levels of education, property owners, and residents living in economically disadvantaged areas. Based on this, the paper puts forward policy recommendations for different groups, emphasizing the importance of optimizing environmental quality, improving education levels, and enhancing the social support system. The research conclusions provide theoretical support for local governments in enhancing regional competitiveness and attracting high-quality labor. Full article