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Sound ecosystems are a precondition for the sustainable survival and development of human society. However, ecological deterioration caused by socioeconomic activities can result in increasing pressure on ecosystems. Exploration of the spatial interaction between ecosystem and economic development under the background of high-quality and green development is, therefore, necessary. In this study, we analyzed the spatial interaction between the ecosystem services value (ESV) and economic development with the economic and ecological coupling index method based on high-resolution remote-sensing land-use data and socioeconomic statistical data in Hunan Province from 2000 to 2018. The results revealed that the ESV provided by the ecosystems in Hunan Province decreased by US$1256.166 million from 2000 to 2018. The areas with high ESV per unit area were distributed in the mountainous areas, while the areas with low ESV per unit area were distributed in the major cities and their surroundings. The bivariate spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the ESV had significant spatial dependence on the economic development. In addition, the coupling analysis documented that the relationship between the ESV and economic density was mostly in the low conflict and potential crisis states. These results provide important guidance for the coordinated development of the regional economy and ecosystem conservation.

Under the framework of ecological civilisation, the formulation of territorial spatial planning (TSP) and improvement of spatial governance systems are of great practical significance. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, land-use planning (LUP) has experienced profound changes, and tremendous research efforts have been made in that field. However, systematic studies on LUP history are scarce. To bridge the existing gap, this study traced back to the emergence of LUP, described its practice stages, and analysed the evolution of its classification system and methods. Further, the three rounds of general LUP practice and the current TSP over the past 40 years of the reform and opening-up have been discussed. The evolution of LUP was found to be closely related to economic development and could be broadly divided into four stages. The development of land-use classification in China has been slow and can be divided into five stages according to the evolution of the land classification system and important historical events. The development of LUP methods can be divided into two stages, before and after 1978. Since the economic reform, China has successively conducted three rounds of general LUP under different institutional and policy backgrounds. Future development should aim to innovate the theories and methods of TSP with Chinese characteristics and promote the study of village planning and the construction of TSP systems to achieve rural revitalisation and ecological civilisation.

The spatial relationships between traffic accessibility and supply and demand (S&D) of ecosystem services (ESs) are essential for the formulation of ecological compensation policies and ESs regulation. In this study, an ESs matrix and coupling analysis method were used to assess ESs S&D based on land-use data for 2000, 2010, and 2020, and spatial regression models were used to analyze the correlated impacts of traffic accessibility. The results showed that the ESs supply and balance index in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration (MRYRUA) continuously decreased, while the demand index increased from 2000 to 2020. The Gini coefficients of these indices continued to increase but did not exceed the warning value (0.4). The coupling degree of ESs S&D continued to increase, and its spatial distribution patterns were similar to that of the ESs demand index, with significantly higher values in the plains than in the montane areas, contrasting with those of the ESs supply index. The results of global bivariate Moran’s I analysis showed a significant spatial dependence between traffic accessibility and the degree of coupling between ESs S the spatial regression results showed that an increase in traffic accessibility promoted the coupling degree. The present results provide a new perspective on the relationship between traffic accessibility and the coupling degree of ESs S&D, representing a case study for similar future research in other regions, and a reference for policy creation based on the matching between ESs S&D in the MRYRUA.

Urbanization, as an important engine of modernization, plays an important role in promoting regional economy and improving living standards. Nevertheless, unchecked urban expansion over recent decades has strained natural resources and the environment, leading to crises, especially in densely populated urban areas that act as ecological barriers within river basins. The investigation of the interactive coercive relationship between the urbanization level (UL) and eco-environmental quality (EEQ) can facilitate the identification of sustainable pathways towards regional sustainability. Therefore, this study employed a set of multidisciplinary approaches, integrating simple linear regression, bivariate spatial autocorrelation, and coupling coordination degree (CCD) models, alongside multi-source remote sensing data to analyze the interactive coercive relationship between UL and EEQ in the Yangtze and Yellow River basins (YYRBs) in China. Key findings included a 6.97% improvement in EEQ in the Yellow River basin (YLRB) from 2001 to 2020, with higher values in the southeastern and southwestern regions and lower values in the central region, while the Yangtze River basin (YTRB) saw only a 1.28% increase, characterized by a lower EEQ in the west and higher levels in the middle and east, although the Yangtze River Delta showed a decline and significant variation among tributaries. UL rose steadily in both basins, especially in the middle reaches of the YLRB. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed a positive correlation between UL and EEQ in the YLRB, whereas a negative correlation was found in the YTRB. The CCD between UL and EEQ in the YYRBs improved, particularly in the middle and lower reaches, indicating the need for integrated urban development strategies that consider regional ecological capacities. These findings provided a scientific basis for ecological protection and sustainable urban development at a large river basin scale.

Recent evidence demonstrated that functional bacteria were involved in the regulation of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the mechanism of probiotics in improving PD was unclear. Here the antioxidant effect and the mechanism of probiotics Pediococcus pentosaceus (PP) on PD were studied by regulating the gut–brain axis. In this study, male C57BL/6J mice were injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intraperitoneally to establish a PD model and were then treated with PP for 4 weeks. Subsequently, a series of neurobehavioral tests to evaluate the motor function of the mice was performed. Additionally, degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, accumulation of α-synuclein, the production of an oxidative stress response, and the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway-related proteins were evaluated. Moreover, the gut microbial composition and the level of metabolite γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were assessed. The results showed that PP treatment could improve MPTP-induced motor deficits, the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, and the accumulation of α-synuclein. Moreover, PP treatment significantly increased the levels of SOD1, Gpx1, and Nrf2, while it decreased the levels of Keap1 in the brain of MPTP-induced mice. Notably, PP treatment improved the gut microbial dysbiosis and increased the level of GABA in MPTP-induced mice. These findings indicated that PP might represent a promising candidate, due to the metabolite of GABA, that could be used for the treatment of PD.

The continuous decrease of low-slope cropland resources caused by construction land crowding poses huge threat to regional sustainable development and food security. Slope spectrum analysis of topographic and geomorphic features is considered as a digital terrain analysis method which reflects the macro-topographic features by using micro-topographic factors. However, pieces of studies have extended the concept of slope spectrum in the field of geoscience to construction land to explore its expansion law, while research on the slope trend of cropland from that perspective remains rare. To address the gap, in virtue of spatial analysis and geographically weighted regression (GWR) model, the cropland use change in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) from 2000 to 2020 was analyzed and the driving factors were explored from the perspective of slope spectrum. Results showed that the slope spectrum curves of cropland area-frequency in the YRB showed a first upward then a downward trend. The change curve of the slope spectrum of cropland in each province (municipality) exhibited various distribution patterns. Quantitative analysis of morphological parameters of cropland slope spectrum revealed that the further down the YRB, the stronger the flattening characteristics, the more obvious the concentration. The province experienced the greatest downhill cropland climbing (CLC) was Shannxi, while province experienced the highest uphill CLC was Zhejiang. The most common cropland use change type in the YRB was horizontal expansion type. The factors affecting average cropland climbing index (ACCI) were quite stable in different periods, while population density (POP) changed from negative to positive during the study period. This research is of practical significance for the rational utilization of cropland at the watershed scale.

Background Help-seeking is an adaptive coping process encompassing orientation, intention and actual behaviors. Help-seeking intention which promotes help-seeking behavior is a protective factor for mental health. However, the psychological paths for help-seeking intention in first-year medical students, a population vulnerable to mental health challenges, remain elusive. Thus, we aim to explore the associations between coping resources (i.e., perceived social support (PSS) and self-compassion) and formal/informal help-seeking intention, and to further test the mediating role of coping strategies (i.e., active coping and behavioral disengagement) in these relationships. Methods The sample included 792 Chinese first-year medical students. Validated scale was used to assess PSS. The Self-compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF) and the Brief COPE were employed to evaluate self-compassion and coping strategies. Multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were conducted. Results Multiple regression analyses indicated that PSS, self-compassion, active coping, and behavioral disengagement were significantly associated with formal/informal help-seeking intention. SEM further demonstrated that active coping significantly mediated the relationships between PSS and formal/informal help-seeking intention, as well as the relationships between self-compassion and formal/informal help-seeking intention. Moreover, behavioral disengagement was found to significantly mediate the association between self-compassion and formal help-seeking intention. Conclusions The present study identified five significant mediation paths, indicating the intricate relationships between coping resources, coping strategies, and help-seeking intention. These findings offer actionable insights for interventions, suggesting that enhancing PSS and fostering self-compassion can promote active coping, reduce behavioral disengagement, and ultimately increase both formal and informal help-seeking intention among first-year medical students in China.

Objectives Evidence has shown that both smoking and periodontitis were linked to cognitive impairment. This study examines whether periodontitis mediates the effects of smoking status on cognitive function in older adults. Methods Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014, the study included 1728 older participants who have data on smoking, serum cotinine, periodontal examination, and cognitive function. Mediation analysis was performed to test whether extent of periodontitis mediated associations between smoking status and cognitive function, adjusted for sociodemographic and basic health factors. Results Compared to never-smokers, daily smokers exhibited significantly worse global cognitive function, with periodontitis mediating this effect (effect= -0.16; 95% CI= -0.29, -0.05). Similarly, periodontitis mediated the association between serum cotinine levels and cognitive function in the total sample (effect= -0.02; 95% CI= -0.03, -0.00). Conclusions Periodontitis significantly mediates the impact of smoking on cognitive function. The findings highlight the potential roles of maintaining oral health and smoking cessation in mitigating cognitive decline.

Background The global older population has been rapidly increasing in recent decades, presenting substantial economic and social challenges. Aims This study aims to examine the global disease burden and the associated risk factors among the population aged 70 and older across different regions. Methods Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) database were used to analyze global deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and average annual percentage changes to assess disease burden and associated risk factors. Results In 2021, the global population aged 70 and older reached 494.4 (95%UI 482.1–508.2) million. Death and DALY rates have declined by 9.2% (95%CI 5.3–12.7) and 11.0% (95%CI 7.7–14.0) from 1990 to 2021, respectively. However, the global death rate increased to 7,062 per 100,000 population, with DALY rates rising to 125,042 per 100,000. A strong correlation exists between socio-demographic index (SDI) and DALY rates. Regions with lower SDI levels, particularly low and low-middle SDI regions, showed higher DALY rates, reaching 189,563 and 165,080 per 100,000, respectively. The leading causes of death among the older included ischemic heart disease, stroke, COVID-19, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The primary risk factors contributing to DALYs were high systolic blood pressure, air pollution, and tobacco use. Conclusions The global disease burden among adults aged 70 and older has shown declines in death and DALY rates, yet remains a significant challenge exacerbated by population growth, especially in less developed regions. Implementing preventive strategies that target primary risk factors early and enhancing treatment of underlying conditions are crucial. Key points This study assesses the global disease burden and risk factors for adults aged 70 and older across 204 countries and territories. Ischemic heart disease, stroke, and COVID-19 are the leading causes of death and disability in this age group. Regional disparities in disease burden are linked to socio-demographic index (SDI), with lower SDI regions showing higher disease rates.

Exploring the low-carbon transition in China can offer profound guidance for governments to develop relevant environmental policies and regulations within the context of the 2060 carbon neutrality target. Previous studies have extensively explored the promotion of low-carbon development in China, yet no studies have completely explained the mechanisms of the low-carbon transition in China from the perspective of per capita carbon emissions (PCEs). Based on the statistics and carbon emissions data of 367 prefecture level cities in China from 2000 to 2020, this study employed markov chain, kernel density analysis, hotspots analysis, and spatial regression models to reveal the spatiotemporal distribution patterns, future trends, and driving factors of PCEs in China. The results showed that China’s PCEs in 2000, 2010, and 2020 were 0.72 ton/persons, 1.72 ton/persons, and 1.91 ton/persons, respectively, exhibiting a continuous upward trend, with evident regional heterogeneity. PCEs in northern China and the eastern coastal region were higher than those of southern China and the central and southwestern regions. The PCEs in China showed obvious spatial clustering, with hot spots mainly concentrated in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, while cold spots were mainly in some provinces in southern China. The transition of PCEs in China exhibited a strong stability and a ‘club convergence’ phenomenon. A regression analysis revealed that the urbanization level and latitude had negative effects on PCEs, while the regional economic development level, average elevation, average slope, and longitude showed positive effects on PCEs. These findings have important implications for the promotion of the low-carbon transition and the effective achievement of the “dual carbon” goal.