Search Results (104)

Increasing evidence indicates that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are important to human health and are an underexplored component of many diseases. Certain HERV families show unique expression patterns and immune responses in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients compared to healthy controls, suggesting their potential as biomarkers. Despite these interesting findings, the role of HERVs in ASD needs to be further investigated. In this review, we discuss recent advances in genetic research on ASD, with a particular emphasis on the implications of HERVs on neurodevelopment and future genomic initiatives aimed at discovering ASD-related genes through Artificial Intelligence. Given their pro-inflammatory and autoimmune characteristics, the existing literature suggests that HERVs may contribute to the onset or worsening of ASD in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Therefore, we propose that investigating their fundamental properties could not only improve existing therapies but also pave the way for new therapeutic strategies. Full article

During the past two decades, Hue city has undergone significant changes in its economic development, leading to a rapid transformation of its land-use and land-cover (LULC) patterns. This study used remote sensing data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze changes in the land-use and land-cover in Hue city, providing essential insights for the city’s future development. This research examines indicators such as area and land-cover changes, urban development trends, and the morphology of urban areas during the period from 2000 to 2020, with assessments conducted at ten-year intervals. The results showed that built-up and forest land have increased, while agricultural and unused land have decreased over time. By 2020, the urban area had expanded by more than 60% in the north and northeast directions. Hue city developed through infilling and edge expansion of existing urban areas, while some regions primarily expanded into outlying sections in the east and south by constructing high-end residential areas on former paddy rice fields. These findings yield valuable policy implications that extend beyond the case study of Hue city, offering insights for other cities to pursue inclusive and prosperous futures. Full article

In the context of increasing interest in ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), there remains a paucity of discussion regarding the transition from perception to practice in aiding farmer households to adapt to climate change (CC) while maintaining the provision of essential ecosystem services. Thus, this study aims to explore policymakers’ and local people’s perceptions, from thinking about the implementation of EbA strategies to responding to CC in current and future agricultural production and forestry in upland Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. This study has adopted the Model of Private Proactive Adaptation to CC to investigate the perceptions of EbA among various administrative and household levels through in-depth interviews and focus group discussion methods. Our findings indicate a significant relationship between the perceptions and understanding of EbA among policymakers and farmer households, and the adoption of EbA practices. Many EbA practices are already well-established and have demonstrated their ability to enhance ecosystem services provision, adaptation benefits, and livelihood and food security. These benefits are crucial for helping farmer households to adapt to CC. However, current financial, technical, and market constraints hinder the broader adoption of these practices. Therefore, to increase adaptive capacity to CC and upscale EbA practices, EbA interventions must consider technical, financial, and market aspects. Furthermore, it is essential to provide evidence from both scientific and practical perspectives and disseminate information on EbA practices to encourage broader adoption by local farmers. In addition, supportive policies from various departmental and agency levels are necessary for managers in the agricultural and forest sectors as well as households to recognize EbA as a vital strategy for developing agriculture and forestry in a manner that is sustainable and resilient to CC. Full article

Lung cancer stands out as a leading cause of death among various cancer types, highlighting the urgent need for effective anticancer drugs and the discovery of new compounds with potent therapeutic properties. Natural sources, such as the Conamomum genus, offer various bioactive compounds. Adunctin E (AE), a dihydrochalcone derived from Conamomum rubidum, exhibited several pharmacological activities, and its potential as an anticancer agent remains largely unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate its apoptotic-inducing effect and identify its molecular targets. The network pharmacology analysis led to the identification of 71 potential targets of AE against lung cancer. Subsequent gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome pathway enrichment analyses revealed the involvement of these targets in cancer-associated signaling pathways. Notably, HSP90AA1, MAPK1, and PIK3CA emerged as key players in apoptosis. In silico molecular docking and dynamic simulations suggested a strong and stable interaction between AE and HSP90AA1. In vitro experiments further confirmed a significant apoptotic-inducing effect of AE on lung cancer cell lines A549 and H460. Furthermore, immunoblot analysis exhibited a substantial decrease in HSP90AA1 levels in response to AE treatment. These findings support the potential anticancer activity of AE through the HSP90AA1 mechanism, underscoring its promise as a novel compound worthy of further research and development for anti-lung cancer therapy. Full article

Background: Inflammatory biomarkers, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), have been utilized as prognostic factors in various diseases. This study aims to evaluate changes in the NLR, PLR, and LMR in patients diagnosed with a deep neck infections (DNI) to identify useful prognostic markers. Methods: This single-center, retrospective cohort study utilized data from the electronic medical records of patients admitted to the ENT department of a tertiary university hospital between January 2000 and August 2024. Patients diagnosed with a DNI during the study period were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative inflammatory markers were measured in all patients, and NLR, LMR, and PLR values were calculated and analyzed. Results: The post-treatment NLR was significantly lower than the pre-treatment NLR. Similarly, the post-treatment LMR was significantly higher and the post-treatment PLR was significantly lower compared to pre-treatment values. Patients admitted to the ICU had higher inflammatory markers than those in general wards. Additionally, patients with elevated inflammatory markers had longer hospital stays. Inflammatory markers were also higher in older patients and those who underwent surgical treatment. Conclusions: Significant changes in the NLR, LMR, and PLR in patients diagnosed with a DNI can serve as useful prognostic markers. These findings suggest that monitoring these markers may help to assess and improve the inflammatory status of patients, highlighting their potential role in guiding treatment. Full article

Architectural colors significantly influence urban culture, city imagery, regional vitality, and residential experiences. Previous studies have demonstrated that appropriate architectural colors can enhance urban vitality, but research on multicolored buildings remains limited. This study examines the relationship between hue, color variations, and visual quality by cross-verifying eye-tracking physiological indicators with subjective assessments. Using digital models of old residential buildings in Shanghai’s Yangpu District, different color combinations were applied to explore real-world architectural color impacts. Results showed that blue and green combinations reduced visual pressure and created a calming space, while purple combinations were rated highly in both visual perception and subjective evaluations. Brightness differences notably influenced visual quality more than hue differences. However, larger hue variations, when paired with suitable brightness and saturation contrasts, also achieved better visual evaluations. This study fills a research gap by providing mathematical support for color combinations in architectural design, improving visual comfort and enhancing urban vitality. Full article

The Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon (TGCH) in Thua Thien Hue province (Vietnam) is a marsh/lagoon system and ranks among the largest waterbodies in Southeast Asia. It plays a significant role in terms of both socio-economic and environmental resources. However, anthropogenic stress, as well as the discharge of untreated domestic and industrial sewage with agricultural runoff from its three major tributaries, dramatically damages the water quality of the lagoon. Especially after heavy rain and flash floods, the continuous degradation of its water quality, followed by harmful algal and cyanobacterial bloom patterns (HABs), is more perceptible. In this study, several physicochemical factors, cyanotoxins (anatoxins (ATXs), saxitoxins (STXs), microcystins (MCs)), phycotoxins (STXs, okadaic acid (OA), and dinophysistoxins (DTXs)) were analyzed in water and shellfish samples from 13 stations in June 2023 from 13 stations, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for the ATXs and STXs, and the serine/threonine phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) inhibition assay kit for the MCs, OA, and DTXs. The results showed for the first time the co-occurrence of freshwater cyanotoxins and marine phycotoxins in water and shellfish samples in this lagoon. Traces of ATXs and STXs were detected in the shellfish and the orders of magnitude were below the seafood safety action levels. However, toxins inhibiting the PP2A enzyme, such as MCs and nodularin (NODs), as well as OA and DTXs, were detected at higher concentrations (maximum: 130.4 μg equiv. MC-LR/kg shellfish meat wet weight), approaching the actionable level proposed for this class of toxin in shellfish (160 μg of OA equivalent per kg of edible bivalve mollusk meat). It is very important to note that due to the possible false positives produced by the ELISA test in complex matrices such as a crude shellfish extract, this preliminary and pilot research will be repeated with a more sophisticated method, such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), in the upcoming research plan. Full article

This study estimates transient and persistent technical efficiencies (TEs) using a generalized true random-effects (GTRE) model. We estimate the GTRE model using maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation methods, then compare it to three simpler models nested within it to evaluate the robustness of our estimates. We use a panel data set of 945 observations collected from 344 rice farming households in Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta. The results indicate that the GTRE model is more appropriate than the restricted models for understanding heterogeneity and inefficiency in rice production. The mean estimate of overall technical efficiency is 0.71 on average, with transient rather than persistent inefficiency being the dominant component. This suggests that rice farmers could increase output substantially and would benefit from policies that pay more attention to addressing short-term inefficiency issues. Full article

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a pathogenic fungus that grows mostly on birch species (Betula pendula Roth and B. pubescens Ehrh.) and has traditionally been used as an anticancer medicine. This study aimed to compare the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of chagas growing on both Betula spp. on various cancer cell lines. The freeze-dried extracts contained triterpenes inotodiol, lanosterol betulin, and betulinic acid typical to conks growing on Betula species. The cytotoxic activity of chaga growing on Betula pendula and B. pubescens 80% ethanolic extracts against 31 human cancer cell lines was evaluated by a sulforhodamine B assay. Chaga extract showed moderate activity against all cancer cell lines examined; it did not result in high cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ ≤ 20 µg/mL). The strongest inhibitions were observed with chaga (growing on B. pendula) extract on the HepG2 and CAL-62 cell line and with chaga (from B. pubescens) extract on the HepG2 cell line, with IC₅₀ values of 37.71, 43.30, and 49.99 μg/mL, respectively. The chaga extracts from B. pendula exert somewhat stronger effects on most cancer cell lines studied than B. pubescens extracts, which can be attributed to a higher content of inotodiol in B. pendula extracts. This study highlights the potential of chaga as a source of bioactive compounds with selective anticancer properties. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first investigation of the chemical composition of I. obliquus parasitizing on B. pubescens. Full article

Bentonite slurry trenches are becoming increasingly popular in the excavation of trenches, especially for diaphragm wall construction. The problem that needs to be addressed is the stability of bentonite slurry trenches. This paper presents a stability analysis of trenches with temporary support from bentonite slurry, with unit weights ranging from 10.5 to 12.0 kN/m³ in the realistic stratum, and C3 in the Hue city area. Our analysis employs the Shear Strength Reduction Technique (SSR) with Mohr–Coulomb materials to numerically evaluate the factor of safety (FS). The finite element method (FEM) software program (RS2 v. 121 and RS3 v. 4.0) and the finite difference method (FDM) FLAC v. 7.0 software were used. Additionally, the limit equilibrium method (LEM) of Bell–Washbourne and three-dimensional (3D) Bishop were used to calculate trench stability. The results of the analysis show a good agreement between RS2 and FLAC2D, and between RS3 and FLAC3D. Secondly, upon comparison, it was noted that the factor of safety of the 3D software programs (RS3 v. 4.0, FLAC v. 7.0) was higher than that of the 2D software programs (RS2 v. 11.0, FLAC v. 7.0), ranging from 52.3 to 63.0% for trench lengths of 6 m. However, for trench lengths of 54 m, the factor of safety values in 2D and 3D configurations were nearly equal. Thirdly, the factor of safety of the Bell–Washbourne method (LEM) was lower than that of the numerical analysis methods (FLAC and RS programs). Using the three-dimensional numerical method appears to be effective for estimating stability. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two common diseases that affect the elderly population worldwide. The identification of common genes associated with AD and T2DM holds promise for potential biomarkers and intriguing pathogenesis of these two complicated diseases. This study utilized a comprehensive approach by integrating transcriptome data from multiple cohorts, encompassing both AD and T2DM. The analysis incorporated various data types, including blood and tissue samples as well as single-cell datasets, allowing for a detailed assessment of gene expression patterns. From the brain region-specific single-cell analysis, PIP4K2A, which encodes phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinase type 2 alpha, was found to be expressed mainly in oligodendrocytes compared to other cell types. Elevated levels of PIP4K2A in AD and T2DM patients’ blood were found to be associated with key cellular processes such as vesicle-mediated transport, negative regulation of autophagosome assembly, and cytosolic transport. The identification of PIP4K2A’s potential roles in the cellular processes of AD and T2DM offers valuable insights into the development of biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy, especially in the complication of these two diseases. Full article

This study compared the therapeutic effects of engineered exosomes derived from RAW264.7 cells overexpressing hsa-let-7i-5p (engineered exosomes) to exosomes from human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hpMSC exosomes) against sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were divided into lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS plus engineered exosome (LEExo), or LPS plus hpMSC exosome (LMExo) groups, alongside control groups. The results showed that lung injury scores (based on pathohistological characteristics) and the levels of lung function alterations, tissue edema, and leukocyte infiltration in LEExo and LMExo groups were comparable and significantly lower than in the LPS group (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of inflammation (nuclear factor-κB activation, cytokine upregulation), macrophage activation (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α activation, M1 phase polarization), oxidation, and apoptosis were diminished in LEExo and LMExo groups compared to the LPS group (all p < 0.05). Inhibition of hsa-let-7i-5p attenuated the therapeutic effects of both engineered and hpMSC exosomes. These findings underscore the potent therapeutic capacity of engineered exosomes enriched with hsa-let-7i-5p and their potential as an alternative to hpMSC exosomes for sepsis treatment. Continued research into the mechanisms of action and optimization of engineered exosomes could pave the way for their future clinical application. Full article

The color of urban architecture plays a crucial role in influencing the visual comfort of city inhabitants. During overcast and rainy conditions, there is a noticeable shift in how people perceive the comfort level of building colors and their visual recognition. This research selects Hangzhou, a city renowned for its prevalent overcast rainy weather in China, gathering 60 samples across two distinct architectural types. It encompasses 120 architectural images captured during both overcast rainy and clear days. Furthermore, color values were extracted utilizing the Chinese architectural color card, adhering to the Munsell color system. As an empirical approach, a survey was conducted, enlisting 40 participants for a questionnaire assessment based on the Likert scale. Following descriptive analysis of the data, SPSS was utilized to conduct correlation analysis and regression analysis, unveiling the relationship between visual comfort and color attributes (hue, value, chroma). Subsequently, RStudio was employed to analyze the threshold of architectural color comfort, comparing overcast rainy weather with clear weather. The findings suggest a significant correlation between the value contrast of architectural colors and visual comfort during overcast rainy weather. Concerning value, the visual comfort threshold for residential buildings is within the range of 7 ≤ value < 10 and 3 ≤ value contrast < 5, whereas for commercial buildings, it is within the range of 4 ≤ value < 7 and 3 ≤ value contrast < 5. Regarding chroma, there is no correlation between chroma contrast and commercial buildings, while the visual comfort threshold for residential buildings lies within the range of 0 ≤ chroma < 4 and 4 ≤ chroma contrast < 8. Full article

Bathymetry data is indispensable for a variety of aquatic field studies and benthic resource inventories. Determining water depth can be accomplished through an echo sounding system or remote estimation utilizing space-borne and air-borne data across diverse environments, such as lakes, rivers, seas, or lagoons. Despite being a common option for bathymetry mapping, the use of satellite imagery faces challenges due to the complex inherent optical properties of water bodies (e.g., turbid water), satellite spatial resolution limitations, and constraints in the performance of retrieval models. This study focuses on advancing the remote sensing based method by harnessing the non-linear learning capabilities of the machine learning (ML) model, employing advanced feature selection through a meta-heuristic algorithm, and using image extraction techniques (i.e., band ratio, gray scale morphological operation, and morphological multi-scale decomposition). Herein, we validate the predictive capabilities of six ML models: Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), CatBoost (CB), Extreme Gradient Boost (XGB), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), and KTBoost (KTB) models, both with and without the application of meta-heuristic optimization (i.e., Dragon Fly, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Grey Wolf Optimization), to accurately ascertain water depth. This is achieved using a diverse input dataset derived from multi-spectral Landsat 9 imagery captured on a cloud-free day (19 September 2023) in a shallow, turbid lagoon. Our findings indicate the superior performance of LGBM coupled with Particle Swamp Optimization (R² = 0.908, RMSE = 0.31 m), affirming the consistency and reliability of the feature extraction and selection-based framework, while offering novel insights into the expansion of bathymetric mapping in complex aquatic environments. Full article

The objective of this study was to verify the genetic dissimilarity and validate image phenotyping using RGB (red, green, and blue) sensors in tropical carrot germplasms. The experiment was conducted in the city of Carandaí-MG, Brazil, using 57 tropical carrot entries from Seminis and three commercial entries. The entries were evaluated agronomically and two flights with Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) were conducted. Clustering was performed to validate the existence of genetic variability among the entries using an artificial neural network to produce a Kohonen’s self-organizing map. The genotype–ideotype distance index was used to verify the best entries. Genetic variability among the tropical carrot entries was evidenced by the formation of six groups. The Brightness Index (BI), Primary Colors Hue Index (HI), Overall Hue Index (HUE), Normalized Green Red Difference Index (NGRDI), Soil Color Index (SCI), and Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI), as well as the calculated areas of marketable, unmarketable, and total roots, were correlated with agronomic characters, including leaf blight severity and root yield. This indicates that tropical carrot materials can be indirectly evaluated via remote sensing. Ten entries were selected using the genotype–ideotype distance (2, 15, 16, 22, 34, 37, 39, 51, 52, and 53), confirming the superiority of the entries. Full article