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The study systematically investigated the key biological and ecological characteristics of Cyamophila willeti, a major pest of the tree species Styphnolobium japonicum. We focused on its circadian mating rhythm, oviposition preference, and the effects of temperature on population parameters. Using the age-stage, two-sex life table approach, we compared the development, reproduction, and population growth potential under different temperature conditions. Results showed that mating activity peaked at 12:00 and 17:00, with females significantly preferring shoot tips for oviposition. At 25°C, female and male adult longevities were 39.88 ± 0.93 and 46.71 ± 1.69 days, respectively, and the mean fecundity per female was 647.75 ± 52.94 eggs. At 29°C, longevity was significantly reduced to 11.88 ± 4.10 days for females and 13.89 ± 4.31 days for males, while fecundity decreased to 47.63 ± 4.26 eggs. Most nymphs did not develop beyond the fifth instar at 33°C. These findings indicate that the optimal temperature for population growth of C. willeti is around 25°C, whereas high temperatures (≥29°C) significantly suppress survival and reproduction. This study establishes a foundation for monitoring C. willeti and developing effective control strategies.
Food production represents a complex sustainability challenge, including climate change and freshwater scarcity. In order to promote the incorporation of sustainable prepared protein dishes into the agrifood market, this study aims to assess the environmental performance of three different burgers: a beef burger, a plant-based burger (soy, beans, and rice), and a hybrid burger (50–50 composition) by comparing the water use and the CO2 emissions relative to their nutritional value. The environmental indicators used to perform the current study were the water footprint, the carbon footprint (CF), and their respective nutritional productivity indexes (considering fats, proteins, and carbohydrates). The water needed to produce the beef burger was 1.8 times greater than the quantity needed to produce the hybrid burger, and 21 times greater in the case of the plant-based one. In turn, regarding the CF, the beef burger emitted approximately 2 times more kgCO2e along the supply chain when compared with the hybrid burger, and 13 times more than the plant-based one. However, because the meat burger comes from cattle raised on grasslands, the greenhouse gas emissions are likely lower than those from other, less sustainable forms of beef production. The plant-based burger was, therefore, more sustainable in terms of water use and carbon emissions relative to the nutrition productivity index than the meat and hybrid options.
Respiratory diseases are increasing global health burden with persistently high morbidity and mortality. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are virtually released by all cell types and carry a variety of molecules like miRNAs, have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication. They play a key role in maintaining lung homeostasis and are involved in the pathogenesis of various respiratory conditions. Furthermore, mesenchymal stromal cell-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) have shown significant therapeutic potential due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and reparative properties.
Methods
This narrative review critically assesses the current body of literature on the roles of EVs in respiratory diseases. We examine evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies that investigate EVs as biomarkers and therapeutics for conditions including asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), lung cancer, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Results
EVs reflect the physiological or pathological state of their parental cells, making them promising multimodal biomarkers for the early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. Additionally, MSC-EVs function as effective, cell-free therapeutic agents. In a variety of disease models, they demonstrate efficacy by modulating immune responses, enhancing alveolar fluid clearance, and restoring epithelial and endothelial barrier integrity, leading to improved survival and outcomes.
Conclusions
EVs hold a dual and transformative potential in respiratory medicine. They may serve as valuable diagnostic and prognostic tools, and their application as cell-free therapeutics represents a novel and promising strategy for treating a wide spectrum of debilitating respiratory diseases.