Eating disorders (ED) are psychiatric conditions with profound impacts on physical health, emotional well-being and quality of life. They are associated with reduced employment participation and increased healthcare costs, representing a significant public health concern. Major ED, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and other specified feeding and eating disorders, are closely linked to oral health complications, which serve as both diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in ED management. This narrative review explores twenty-two studies, organised around transdiagnostic behavioural and physiological risk factors, including caloric restriction, purging behaviours, binge episodes and oral hygiene neglect. Evidence indicates that malnutrition, vomiting-induced acid exposure, high intake of cariogenic foods and inconsistent hygiene practices contribute to the deterioration of dental and periodontal health. The review highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of oral assessments in ED management, underscoring the importance of early detection. A dedicated section addresses the role of dental professionals, proposing individualised care pathways and the use of clinical indices such as the Basic Erosive Wear Examination and Schiff air index, alongside emerging tools like tele dentistry. The findings advocate for a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating nutritional support, psychological therapy and targeted dental treatment, which is crucial for developing comprehensive care plans. Such collaboration enhances the effectiveness of interventions, addressing both the physiological and psychological dimensions of ED to improve patient outcomes.

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted in Kansas to test various postemergence herbicides for crop safety and weed control in pearl millet. Five pearl millet hybrids were used in greenhouse experiments and three hybrids (Hyb1, Hyb-2k, Hyb-3k) were used in field experiments at two sites. All herbicides were found to be safe (1% to 5% injury) for use on all pearl millet hybrids in both greenhouse and field experiments at 28 d after application (DAA), except imazamox and nicosulfuron, which were noted to cause 22% to 35% injury. At Site 1 at 42 DAA, 2,4-D, dicamba, bromoxynil + pyrasulfotole, 2,4-D + bromoxynil + fluroxypyr, and dicamba + 2,4-D effectively controlled Palmer amaranth by 88% to 91%, and density was reduced to 2 to 4 plants m−2 compared with 18 plants m−2 in nontreated control plots. The least control (60% to 65%) and greatest density (8 plants m−2) of Palmer amaranth was observed after applications of imazamox and nicosulfuron. In contrast, green foxtail was effectively controlled by 91% to 92%, and density was reduced to just 2 plants m−2 when imazamox and nicosulfuron were applied, whereas 13 plants m−2 were recorded in a nontreated control plot at 42 DAA. No weed emergence was observed at Site 2 regardless of treatment, including nontreated plots. High grain yields were recorded (Hyb1, 3,866 to 4,619 kg ha−1; Hyb-2k, 2,222 to 3,699 kg ha−1; and Hyb-3k, 822 to 1,315 kg ha−1) at both sites after applications of 2,4-D + bromoxynil + fluroxypyr. These results highlight that the postemergence herbicides tested in this study, except imazamox and nicosulfuron, can be safely used for weed control in fields of pearl millet.

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to break seed dormancy and to investigate the germination ecology of prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare L.) populations for designing weed management practices in eastern Australia. Foundational studies identified sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) immersion of seeds for 8 h as the most effective method for breaking seed dormancy and enhancing germination. Therefore, in the subsequent seed germination ecology experiments, seeds treated with NaOCl for 8 h followed by a 10-min water rinse were used, and two populations (Gatton and Nangwee) were selected for the studies. The Gatton population exhibited higher germination than the Nangwee population at alternating day/night temperatures ranging from 15/5 to 30/20 C. Germination in both populations did not vary at day/night temperatures ranging from 20/10 C to 30/20 C. Therefore, considering P. aviculare as a winter-season weed in Australia, an optimal temperature of 20/10 C was selected for further light/dark, salt and osmotic stress, residue cover, and burial depth studies. Averaged over populations, germination of P. aviculare peaked at 92% under alternating light/dark conditions but declined to 49% in complete darkness, confirming the species’ positive photoblastic nature. Under stress (salt and osmotic) conditions, the Gatton population maintained ∼50% germination at 250 mM NaCl and −0.8 MPa osmotic potential and showed higher tolerance to these stresses than the Nangwee population. Moderate residue cover (2 to 4 Mg ha⁻¹) enhanced seedling emergence (up to 58% in Nangwee and 36% in Gatton), likely due to improved surface moisture and partial light availability. However, seed burial beyond 4 cm nearly eliminated emergence due to light exclusion and mechanical resistance. These findings suggest that P. aviculare is well adapted to surface soil conditions and may thrive in reduced-tillage, residue-retained systems. Strategic deep tillage and surface-targeted herbicides are essential for effective management of this light-sensitive, residue-adapted weed.

Tetflupyrolimet is a novel herbicide that inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase in susceptible weeds, including those in warm-season turfgrass and rice. Given that warm-season species are managed alongside cool-season species that may be sensitive to tetflupyrolimet, research on its lateral movement within turfgrass is warranted. Field experiments were conducted in spring 2023 and 2024 at North Carolina State University to evaluate the potential downslope movement of tetflupyrolimet (400 g ai ha−1) compared with that of pronamide (1,160 g ai ha−¹), an herbicide that is known to move downslope. The studies took place on a 9.5% sloped plot of hybrid bermudagrass that had been established on Cecil sandy loam soil, under two moisture regimes at application: field capacity (≈34% volumetric water content) and saturation (≈46% volumetric water content). Before experimentation, the aboveground hybrid bermudagrass canopy was mechanically removed, and perennial ryegrass was planted as an indicator species. Herbicides were applied to treated areas (2.2 m2) upslope of data collection areas (8.6 m2), with subsequent irrigation and rainfall (2.5 cm total) 24 h after application. Downslope movement was assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk after treatment via perennial ryegrass mortality assessments made via grid (15 cm2) count. Downslope distances associated with a 50% probability of perennial ryegrass mortality (mortality50) were 1.2 to 3.6 times greater for pronamide compared to tetflupyrolimet. The maximum distance tetflupyrolimet moved was 1.1 m (regardless of soil moisture condition) each year. Comparatively, maximum downslope movement distances for pronamide were 1.5 to 1.65 m under saturated conditions and 1.5 to 1.8 m at field capacity. Overall, these findings suggest a 1.1-m buffer from sensitive species is likely sufficient to prevent undesirable injury following tetflupyrolimet applications to hybrid bermudagrass under conditions similar to this study.

This article explores the evolution of US policy on Antarctica, focusing on its legal, environmental and geopolitical aspects. It aims to identify changing US priorities in this regard. The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) governs the region, emphasizing peace, scientific cooperation and environmental protection. The USA has issued four major memoranda on Antarctica in 1982, 1994, 2020 and 2024. This article highlights growing geopolitical competition, particularly with China and Russia. China frames Antarctica as essential to its global rise, using dual-purpose technologies that blur the line between science and strategic military interests. Similarly, Russia’s activities in the region raise concerns about potential violations of the ATS’s peaceful purpose mandate. The USA maintains its leadership in Antarctic diplomacy, advocating for environmental preservation and scientific cooperation. This article concludes by emphasizing the need for international collaboration to address climate change, resource exploitation and rising strategic tensions, ensuring Antarctica remains a region dedicated to peace and science.

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) are popular sugar substitutes, valued for their potential to reduce caloric intake and associated health risks. However, their long-term effects on the human gut microbiome remain debatable. This study investigates the impact of tagatose, allulose, Rebaudioside-A (Reb-A), and saccharin on quorum-sensing (QS)-regulated phenotypes and gene expression in QS biosensor model bacteria. It sheds light on their potential influence on the gut microbiome. Our study revealed diverse effects among the NNSs. Tagatose and allulose demonstrated QS phenotypic inhibition in Chromobacterium violaceum (≈50%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20–50%) in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, tagatose and allulose decreased the P. aeruginosa lasI gene expression. Reb-A and saccharin presented a significant, however less prominent, phenotypic inhibition on C. violaceum (25–30%) and P. aeruginosa swarming motility (≈20%). Both NNSs decreased the expression of the lasI gene of P. aeruginosa. Molecular docking of QS regulatory proteins showed that saccharin and Reb-A have significantly higher binding affinity compared to allulose and tagatose, relative to native inducers. These results suggest the complex interactions mediated by NNSs in QS regulatory pathways. These findings provide valuable insights into the varied, species and dose-dependent effects of NNS on microbial communication, suggesting potential implications for the gut microbiome.

Invasive Escherichia coli disease (IED) is associated with high hospitalization and mortality rates, particularly among adults aged ≥60 years. O-antigens are virulence factors required for E. coli survival. To inform EXPEC9V development, a novel glycoconjugate vaccine targeting E. coli O-antigens that is no longer in active clinical development, this retrospective observational study describes O-serotype prevalence among E. coli isolates from IED patients. Eligible patients were identified from medical record databases (9 January 2018–8 November 2019) across 17 tertiary care hospitals in Europe, North America, and Asia. To estimate vaccine serotype coverage of EXPEC9V, E. coli isolates were O-serotyped using whole-genome sequencing and agglutination. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was also performed. Nine hundred and two patients were enrolled, of whom 690 (76.5%) were aged ≥60 years. Common serotypes were O25, O2, O6, O1, O15, O75, O16, O4, and O18, with O25 being the most reported (17.3%). In patients aged ≥60 years, 422/637 E. coli isolates were EXPEC9V O-serotypes. EXPEC9V O-serotype prevalence did not substantially differ when stratified according to sex, presence of a positive blood culture, sepsis, fatality, or multidrug resistance. Consistent with previous studies, serotype O25 was most prevalent and associated with ~20% of cases. An EXPEC9V vaccine serotype coverage of 66.2% was observed for IED patients aged ≥60 years.