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Wild mushroom poisoning represents a significant public health challenge in China, with the highest mortality rate globally. Despite extensive prevention campaigns, consumption behaviors persist, particularly among university students who may be influenced by social media and peer pressure. This study applied Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to investigate psychological factors influencing wild mushroom consumption intentions among Chinese university students and identify key predictors for targeted intervention development. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 216 Chinese university students. The PMT model included threat appraisal (perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, costs) and coping appraisal (response efficacy, self-efficacy, response costs). Behavioral intention was assessed through scenario-based consumption likelihood measures. Structural equation modeling was used to test the theoretical model. The PMT model demonstrated good fit (χ²/df = 2.14, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.073, SRMR = 0.065) and explained 42.3% of the variance in wild mushroom consumption intentions (R² = 0.423, 95% CI [0.35, 0.49]). Perceived benefits emerged as the strongest positive predictor (β = 0.385, 95% CI [0.27, 0.50], p < 0.001), while self-efficacy was the strongest negative predictor (β = -0.298, 95% CI [-0.42, -0.18], p < 0.001). Traditional threat appraisal components (severity and susceptibility) showed minimal predictive effects. Response costs also significantly predicted consumption intentions (β = 0.156, 95% CI [0.04, 0.27], p < 0.01). PMT provides a valuable framework for understanding wild mushroom consumption behavior among Chinese university students. The dominance of perceived benefits and self-efficacy as predictors suggests that effective interventions should address positive outcome expectations while building confidence in avoidance behaviors. These findings indicate that effective interventions must move beyond traditional risk communication to address the complex interplay of perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and social factors driving consumption decisions, with implications for developing culturally-tailored, multi-component prevention strategies.

HighlightsA general strategy of fabricating thickness-controllable hydrogel films with diverse polymer networks for humidity sensing is proposed. The hydrogel film humidity sensor displays an unprecedented sensitivity up to 13,462.1%/%RH.The stretchable humidity sensor can work normally under large tensile strains with even enhanced sensitivity, which makes the humidity responding property of hydrogel mechanically programmable.A wireless respiratory interruption detection mask with Bluetooth transmission function is developed based on the sensor, enabling the real-time, wireless and accurate acquisition of user's breathing state, such as the interval and breathing frequency and apnea.Respiratory monitoring plays a pivotal role in health assessment and provides an important application prospect for flexible humidity sensors. However, traditional humidity sensors suffer from a trade-off between deformability, sensitivity, and transparency, and thus the development of high-performance, stretchable, and low-cost humidity sensors is urgently needed as wearable electronics. Here, ultrasensitive, highly deformable, and transparent humidity sensors are fabricated based on cost-effective polyacrylamide-based double network hydrogels. Concomitantly, a general method for preparing hydrogel films with controllable thickness is proposed to boost the sensitivity of hydrogel-based sensors due to the extensively increased specific surface area, which can be applied to different polymer networks and facilitate the development of flexible integrated electronics. In addition, sustainable tapioca rich in hydrophilic polar groups is introduced for the first time as a second cross-linked network, exhibiting excellent water adsorption capacity. Through the synergistic optimization of structure and composition, the obtained hydrogel film exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity of 13,462.1%/%RH, which is unprecedented. Moreover, the hydrogel film-based sensor exhibits excellent repeatability and the ability to work normally under stretching with even enhanced sensitivity. As a proof of concept, we integrate the stretchable sensor with a specially designed wireless circuit and mask to fabricate a wireless respiratory interruption detection system with Bluetooth transmission, enabling real-time monitoring of human health status. This work provides a general strategy to construct high-performance, stretchable, and miniaturized hydrogel-based sensors as next-generation wearable devices for real-time monitoring of various physiological signals.

Background Alfalfa is a high-quality forage cultivated widely in northern China. Recently, the failure of alfalfa plants to survive the winter has caused substantial economic losses. Water management has attracted considerable attention as a method for the potential improvement of winter survival. The aim of this study was to determine whether and how changes in the water regime affect the freezing tolerance of alfalfa. Results The alfalfa variety WL353LH was cultivated under water regimes of 80 and 25% of water-holding capacity, and all the plants were subjected to low temperatures at 4/0 °C (light/dark) and then − 2/− 6 °C (light/dark). The semi-lethal temperatures were lower for water-stressed than well-watered alfalfa. The pool sizes of total soluble sugars, total amino acids, and proline changed substantially under water-deficit and low-temperature conditions. Metabolomics analyses revealed 72 subclasses of differential metabolites, among which lipid and lipid-like molecules (e.g., fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and glycerophospholipids) and amino acids, peptides, and analogues (e.g., proline betaine) were upregulated under water-deficit conditions. Some carbohydrates (e.g., D-maltose and raffinose) and flavonoids were also upregulated at low temperatures. Finally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed 18 significantly enriched pathways involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, and glycerophospholipids. Conclusions Water deficit significantly enhanced the alfalfa’ freezing tolerance, and this was correlated with increased soluble sugar, amino acid, and lipid and lipid-like molecule contents. These substances are involved in osmotic regulation, cryoprotection, and the synthesis, fluidity, and stability of the cellular membrane. Our study provides a reference for improving alfalfa’ winter survival through water management.

The deficiency of available phosphate significantly limits plant growth and development. This study sought to investigate how alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ), a high-yielding and high-quality forage widely cultivated worldwide, responds to phosphate deficiency stress by integrating transcriptional and post-transcriptional data. In this study, 6,041 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in alfalfa roots under phosphate deficiency conditions. Furthermore, psRNATarget, RNAhybrid, and TargetFinder were used to predict the target genes of 137 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in the root. In total, 3,912 DEGs were predicted as target genes. Pearson correlation analysis revealed 423 pairs of miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationships. MiRNA negatively regulates mRNA involved in regulatory pathways of phosphate deficiency responses in alfalfa. miR156e targeted squamosa promoter-binding-like protein 13A ( SPL13 ), miR160c targeted auxin response factor 18 ( ARF18 ), and miR2587a controlled glycolysis and citrate cycle via Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase ( ATP ) ( PCKA ). Novel-miR27 regulated SPX domain-containing protein that controls phosphate transport in alfalfa root, novel-miR3-targeted sulfoquinovosyl transferase SQD2 controlled sulfolipid synthesis and glutathione S-transferase ( GST ; mediated by miR169j/k and novel-miR159) regulated glutathione metabolism. miR399l regulated auxin-responsive protein SAUR72 involved in IAA signal transduction, while abscisic acid receptor PYL4 (regulated by novel-miR205 and novel-miR83) participated in ABA signal transduction. Combined miRNA-mRNA enrichment analysis showed that most miRNAs regulate the phosphate starvation response of alfalfa by modulating target genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, sulfolipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and hormone signal transduction. Therefore, this study provides new insights into the post-transcriptional regulation mechanism of phosphate deficiency responses and new perspectives on phosphate assimilation pathways in alfalfa and other legumes.

To understand how light intensity influences plant morphology and photosynthesis in the forage crop alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Zhongmu 1), we investigated changes in leaf angle orientation, chlorophyll fluorescence, parameters of photosynthesis and expression of genes related to enzymes involved in photosynthesis, the Calvin cycle and carbon metabolism in alfalfa seedlings exposed to five light intensities (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 μmol m−2 s−1) under hydroponic conditions. Seedlings grown under low light intensities had significantly increased plant height, leaf hyponasty, specific leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, leaf nitrogen content and maximal PSII quantum yield, but the increased light-capturing capacity generated a carbon resource cost (e.g., decreased carbohydrates and biomass accumulation). Increased light intensity significantly improved leaf orientation toward the sun and upregulated the genes for Calvin cycle enzymes, thereby increasing photosynthetic capacity. Furthermore, high light (400 and 500 μmol m−2 s−1) significantly enhanced carbohydrate accumulation, accompanied by gene upregulation and increased activity of sucrose and starch-synthesis-related enzymes and those involved in carbon metabolism. Together, these results advance our understanding of morphological and physiological regulation in shade avoidance in alfalfa, which would guide the identification of suitable spatial planting patterns in the agricultural system.

Background We applied and extended the Protection Motivation Theory to investigate the predictive factors of not eating wild mushrooms to find ways to prevent food poisoning accidents. Methods A total of 322 residents from poisoning risk areas in China completed a self-administered questionnaire based on Protection Motivation Theory, assessing perceived susceptibility, rewards, self-efficacy, and risk information seeking. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares method. Results Perceived susceptibility (β = 0.221, P < 0.001), self-efficacy (β = 0.194, P  < 0.001), and risk information seeking (β = 0.245, P  < 0.001) were positively correlated with the intention of not eating wild mushrooms. In contrast, intrinsic rewards (β=-0.168, P  = 0.039) were negatively correlated with the intention of not eating wild mushrooms. Conclusion Perceptual susceptibility, intrinsic rewards, self-efficacy, and risk information seeking to predict the behavioral intention of not eating wild mushrooms. The results of this study support the theory of protection motivation and its extended applicability, providing evidence that public health crises can promote changes in resident behavior related to food safety.

Phosphite (Phi), the reduced form of phosphate (Pi), is characterized by its stability, high solubility, efficient transport, resistance to fixation in soil, and widespread occurrence in natural environments. Although Phi exhibits greater suitability than Pi as a soil fertilizer, it cannot be metabolized by plants. In agricultural applications, Phi serves as a bio-stimulant, fungicide, herbicide, and has other purposes. As a bio-stimulant, Phi has been shown to promote plant growth, enhance stress resistance, and improve fruit quality. Additionally, when used as a fungicide or pesticide, it effectively inhibits the growth of phytopathogens in various crop species. The discovery of the phosphite dehydrogenase ( ptxD ) gene in microorganisms has significantly expanded the potential applications of Phi, including its use as a herbicide, phosphatic fertilizer, and a selectable chemical for generating marker-free transgenic plants. Therefore, the dual fertilization and weed control system of ptxD /Phi facilitates the utilization of Phi as the sole phosphorus source while concurrently suppressing the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds in the future. Notably, ptxD also acts as an ideal selectable marker because its resistant is specific to Phi, thereby eliminating the risk of false positive clones. The application of Phi provides a promising strategy for addressing phosphorus resource shortages and improving the efficiency of phosphatic fertilizers in agriculture. Furthermore, Phi is considered an environmentally friendly fertilizer, as it contributes to the mitigation of eutrophication. In prospect, Phi is anticipated to play a significant role as a chemical fertilizer that promotes the sustainable development of agriculture. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the functional mechanisms of Phi and its current applications in agriculture, with the aim of offering deeper insights into its potential benefits and practical utility.

Water consumed by photosynthesis and growth rather than transpiration accounts for only 1–3% of the water absorbed by roots. Leaf intracellular water transport rate (LIWTR) based on physiological impedance (Z) provides information on the transport traits of the leaf internal retained water, which helps determine the intracellular water status. Solanum lycopersicum plants were subjected to five different levels of relative soil water content (SWC R ) (e.g., 100, 90, 80, 70, and 60%) for 3 months. The leaf water potential (Ψ L ), Z, photosynthesis, growth, and water-use efficiency (WUE) were determined. A coupling model between gripping force and physiological impedance was established according to the Nernst equation, and the inherent LIWTR (LIWTR i ) was determined. The results showed that LIWTR i together with Ψ L altered the intracellular water status as water supply changed. When SWC R was 100, 90, and 80%, stomatal closure reduced the transpiration and decreased the water transport within leaves. Net photosynthetic rate ( P N ) was inhibited by the decreased stomatal conductance (g s ) or Ψ L , but constant transport of the intracellular water was conducive to plant growth or dry matter accumulation. Remarkably, increased LIWTR i helped to improve the delivery and WUE of the retained leaf internal water, which maintained P N and improved the WUE at 70% but could not keep the plant growth and yields at 70 and 60% due to the further decrease of water supply and Ψ L . The increased transport rate of leaf intracellular water helped plants efficiently use intracellular water and maintain growth or photosynthesis, therefore, adapting to the decreasing water supply. The results demonstrate that the importance of transport of the leaf intracellular water in plant responses to water deficit by using electrophysiological parameters. However, the LIWTR in this research is not directly linked to the regulation of photosynthesis and growth, and the establishment of the direct relationship between leaf internal retained water and photosynthesis and growth needs further research.

This study investigates how university entrepreneurship education (EE) and government policies (GP) influence entrepreneurial performance (EP) among young entrepreneurs, with business model innovation (BMI) serving as a key mediating variable. Grounded in human capital theory and institutional theory, the research theorizes BMI as an intermediary linking institutional support and human capital development to entrepreneurial outcomes. Using a quantitative design, we surveyed 541 university student-entrepreneurs via stratified random sampling in emerging economies, employing structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesized model. The analysis confirms a strong model fit (χ 2 =979.252, df = 884, χ 2 /df = 1.108; RMSEA = 0.014; CFI = 0.994; GFI = 0.926; AGFI = 0.918; SRMR = 0.038). Research shows that EE and GP are the core elements driving BMI. The former imparts knowledge and skills, while the latter provides resources and policy support, jointly enabling college student entrepreneurs to break through traditional models. BMI can not only activate the value creation mechanism but is also a key variable determining entrepreneurial performance in emerging markets. Further analysis reveals that BMI serves as a bridge connecting government policies and entrepreneurship education, and the combined effect of the three significantly influences the ultimate success of college student entrepreneurship.

Background Preoperative smoking cessation may reduce postoperative complications in patients with lung cancer. However, the optimal duration of short-term preoperative smoking cessation remains unclear. Methods Three databases, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, were searched for studies published up to April 5, 2024. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias. The included studies compared the incidence of postoperative complications between patients with different preoperative smoking cessation times and those with persistent preoperative smoking. A meta-analysis of postoperative complications and events such as pneumonia was performed in patients with lung cancer. Results Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and included a total of 50,741 patients who had undergone pulmonary resection. The meta-analysis showed that preoperative smoking cessation of > 2 weeks and < 1 month did not reduce the incidence of postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76–1.44; P  = 0.78) and pneumonia (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.60–1.61; P  = 0.95). Moreover, preoperative smoking cessation for > 1 month was effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative complications (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.63–0.83; P  < 0.01) as well as pneumonia (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.49–1.33; P  = 0.40). Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that preoperative smoking cessation for > 1 month is effective in reducing complications and pneumonia after pulmonary resection in patients with lung cancer, especially as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted surgery become more common.