Professor Ji Ma from China Agricultural University and his colleagues have provided insights into this issue through a review paper that systematically examines the “duality” of agricultural plastics. The article has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025625).

Recently, a team led by Professor Davey L. Jones from Bangor University conducted a study that systematically revealed the effects of oxo-degradable plastics of different sizes and concentrations on soil and corn growth, providing important evidence to address these concerns. The study has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025623).

Objective

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition with a high clinical incidence, represents a significant healthcare burden in China. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of protein C (PROC) p.Lys193del mutation and promoter polymorphisms in patients with DVT in Shanghai, China.

Methods

A total of 180 patients diagnosed with DVT and 103 healthy controls underwent polymerase chain reaction amplification targeting two specific regions of the PROC gene for genetic analysis of the p.Lys193del mutation and promoter polymorphisms.

Results

The p.Lys193del mutation was significantly more prevalent in the DVT group, with 13 carriers identified (7.2​%, 13/180), compared to only one carrier in the control group (0.97%, 1/103; P<0.05). Genetic analysis of PROC promoter polymorphisms revealed distinct allele distribution patterns between the groups, with significantly different frequencies for the −1654 ​C,−1641 ​G and −1476 ​T alleles in DVT group versus control group (P<0.05). Corresponding genotype analysis showed significant intergroup differences in the three homozygous variants: −1654C/C, −1641G/G and −1476T/T, all of which exhibited significantly higher frequencies in the DVT group compared to control group (11.1% vs. 1.9%, P<0.01).

Conclusions

The PROC p.Lys193del mutation, an established genetic risk factor for DVT, accounts for about 7.2% of DVT cases. Furthermore, three promoter polymorphisms (−1654C/C, −1641G/G, −1476T/T) were present as homozygous genotypes in 6.1% (11/180) of DVT group, demonstrating statistically significant association with thrombotic risk compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). These findings position both the p.Lys193del mutation and the promoter haplotype variants as independent genetic risk factors for venous thromboembolism in the studied population.

In a landmark move to bridge global medical innovation, LabMed Discovery has opened its first international office at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. This strategic partnership, formalized with a signing ceremony attended by Chinese and Italian delegates, promises to accelerate collaborative research and journal visibility worldwide. The office underscores China’s commitment to fostering cross-border scientific dialogue and journal excellence.

Radiopharmaceuticals have become indispensable tools in precision medicine, revolutionizing diagnostic imaging and targeted therapeutic strategies. This manuscript provides an overview of advancements globally and in China, focusing on the classification and clinical applications of radiopharmaceuticals, particularly in oncology and neurology. Recent progress includes PET/SPECT diagnostic agents and therapeutic radionuclides that provide precise treatment while limiting damage to healthy tissues. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, novel ligands, advanced radionuclides, and combination therapies, present promising avenues to further enhance the efficacy and accessibility of the field. Despite these achievements, challenges remain in production, regulatory, and costs, underscoring the need for ongoing innovation and international collaboration to fully realize the potential of radiopharmaceuticals in personalized healthcare and optimize patient outcomes.

Tea, made from the Camellia sinensis plant, is one of the most widely consumed beverages in China and globally. Beyond its cultural significance, tea is rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, caffeine, and especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant linked to numerous health benefits.

Ultramicroporous carbon materials with Ångstrom-precise pore engineering offer a transformative solution for separating fluorinated gases like C₃F₆ (fluorinated propylene) and C₃F₈ (fluorinated propane). A team of scientists has synthesized the CO₂-activated porous carbon adsorbents derived from a precursory resin and systematically investigated their molecular sieving behavior for C₃F₆/C₃F₈ mixtures. Through controlled thermal pyrolysis and stepwise CO₂ activation, they tailored ultramicropore size distributions to selectively exclude or admit target molecules. Their work is published in the journal Industrial Chemistry & Materials on 24 Jun 2025.

Long COVID continues to affect millions, with symptoms that mirror those of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This research highlight reveals that both conditions share common roots in cellular oxidative stress and immune dysfunction, potentially leading to long-term brain damage. It proposes that ME/CFS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and could serve as a useful model for understanding brain aging, energy failure, and the lasting neurological effects of viral pandemics.

To address these questions, a research team from Mansoura University, the Agricultural Research Center, and the University of Reading conducted a study in the agricultural provinces of Dakahlia, Giza, and Minya. The study involved 300 farmers using four types of plastic agriculture systems: open-field films, low tunnels, high tunnels, and net houses. Through stratified random sampling and face-to-face interviews, the team analyzed plastic usage characteristics, disposal methods, recycling barriers, and key motivations. The article was recently published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025621).