Subsequent Restoration Research Articles

Intracellular Lactate Dynamics in Drosophila Glutamatergic Neurons.

Rates of lactate production and consumption reflect the metabolic state of many cell types, including neurons. Here, we investigate the effects of nutrient deprivation on lactate dynamics in Drosophila glutamatergic neurons by leveraging the limiting effects of the diffusion barrier surrounding cells in culture. We found that neurons constitutively consume lactate when availability of trehalose, the glucose disaccharide preferred by insects, is limited by the diffusion barrier. Acute mechanical disruption of the barrier reduced this reliance on lactate. Through kinetic modeling and experimental validation, we demonstrate that neuronal lactate consumption rates correlate inversely with their mitochondrial density. Further, we found that lactate levels in neurons exhibited temporal correlations that allowed prediction of cytosolic lactate dynamics after the disruption of the diffusion barrier from pre-perturbation lactate fluctuations. Collectively, our findings reveal the influence of diffusion barriers on neuronal metabolic preferences, and demonstrate the existence of temporal correlations between lactate dynamics under conditions of nutrient deprivation and those evoked by the subsequent restoration of nutrient availability.

Cannabidiol as prophylactic treatment for intestinal ischaemia reperfusion injury in elderly rats

Abstract Introduction The deprivation of blood supply to an intestinal segment, followed by its subsequent restoration, triggers the condition known as intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion syndrome (i-IRI). Throughout this process, proinflammatory and oxidative mediators are produced, released, and distributed via the bloodstream, ultimately causing damage both locally and systemically. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a molecule with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that regulate oxidative stress and inflammatory states. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CBD in a model of i-IRI in aged rats. Methods Thirty-six 12-month-old male WAG/RijHsd rats were used, divided into three groups: healthy control group (control), untreated i-IRI group (i-IRI), and CBD-treated i-IRI group (CBD). CBD (10 mg/kg) was administered via the femoral route 30 minutes before reperfusion. Blood samples and intestinal biopsies were taken from six animals in each group, while the other six animals underwent the D-xylose absorption test to evaluate intestinal absorptive function. Results Treatment with CBD significantly reduced the degree of histological injury (DHI) compared to the untreated group (1.78 ± 1.23 vs. 4.5 ± 0.56; p<0.001). It also improved intestinal absorptive function (control group: 2.08 ± 0.16; untreated: 0.96 ± 0.06; CBD: 1.74 ± 0.06 µg/mL; p<0.001). Conclusion The administration of CBD prior to the restoration of the ischaemic insult was effective in reducing damage to the intestinal mucosa and improving absorptive capacity.

Dynamic analysis of intrahepatic T cells reveals a unique group of restorative Cxcr3+ tissue-resident CD4 T cells in acute liver injury.

Acetaminophen (APAP) stands as one of the most prevalent triggers of drug-induced acute liver injury (ALI). The intricate modulation of immune system activation and inflammatory cascades by hepatic immune cells is paramount in managing liver injury and subsequent restoration. In this study, we employed an integrative approach that fused our proprietary flow cytometry analyses across various time points post-APAP injury with publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets, encompassing time-series data from liver tissue of mice subjected to APAP intoxication. This allowed us to delve into the dynamics of T cell profiles during APAP-induced ALI. Our comprehensive analyses unveiled the intricate temporal shifts in intrahepatic T cell populations across different phases following APAP-induced ALI. Notably, we observed a persistent augmentation of intrahepatic CD4+ T cells post-APAP injury. Amongst these, a distinct population of restorative Cxcr3+ tissue-resident CD4+ T cells emerged. Inhibition of CXCR3 using a neutralizing antibody exacerbated APAP-induced liver function impairment and hepatocyte death. Furthermore, we identified that the Cxcr3+ tissue-resident CD4+ T cells were tightly regulated by intrahepatic ''Lgals9-Cd45'' and 'CXCL13-Cxcr3' signaling pathways. These discoveries underscore the novel protective function of CXCR3, a vital biological macromolecule, in mitigating APAP-induced ALI, and may shed lights on new therapeutic strategies targeting this condition.

Landscape loss and restoration: the case of Lake Karla in Greece

This article investigates the case of Karla Lake in Central Greece, analysing the effects of landscape loss and the subsequent restoration after its recent overflow, following a long period of environmental rehabilitation. Through a spatial landscape-based approach, it examines historical and contemporary challenges associated with rural development, assesses the environmental and spatial consequences of the Karla restoration project, and highlights the need for robust landscape policies in an integrated recovery strategy, in line with the European Landscape Convention (ELC). The methodology relies on secondary data analysis. The study proposes a strategic recovery plan focused on integrated landscape management, participative governance, and sustainable practices to restore the landscape and bolster community resilience, offering actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.

Using electrical resistivity techniques (ERT and SP) for nondestructive detection of seepage channels at the Leitai heritage site, China

Seepage accelerates the weathering and destruction of cultural heritage sites, posing a major preservation challenge, while the concealed nature of seepage channels complicates their detection due to noninvasive requirements. In this study, we applied a comprehensive geophysical approach, integrating electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and self-potential (SP) techniques, to image seepage channels within the Leitai heritage site. These potential seepage channels have already caused a collapse pit measuring 3.1 m × 2.7 m on the site’s surface. We began with 2D ERT surveys, which were then combined for 3D inversion to reveal the resistivity structure of the site. Subsequently, SP data were extracted along typical survey lines using interpolation algorithms, and these were inverted to supplement and verify the resistivity structure. The results from both techniques were highly consistent, indicating the presence of internal channels within the site. This comprehensive geophysical approach provides critical insights and references for the subsequent restoration efforts of the Leitai heritage site, ensuring the protection and preservation of this culturally significant landmark. Moreover, the method proposed in this study can be easily applied to the preservation of similar cultural heritage sites elsewhere.

Computer-economical optimization method for solving inverse problems of determining electrophysical properties of objects in eddy current structroscopy

Introduction. The problems of determining the profiles of electrophysical material properties are among the inverse problems of electrodynamics. In these studies, the focus is on the creation of a computer-economical method for reconstructing the profiles of electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability of metal planar objects under testing. These parameters can include the information about the results and quality of the production process or the effects of exposure to an aggressive environment. Registration of changes in electrophysical properties by means of eddy current testing allows for prompt adoption of effective management decisions regarding controlled processes. The simultaneous determination of these parameters because of non-contact indirect measurements of the electromotive force (EMF) by surface eddy current probes over the surface object with the subsequent restoration of the parameter distributions along its thickness by numerical methods is an urgent task. Objective. To create a computer-economical method for determining the electrophysical properties of objects by means of surrogate optimization with the accumulation of additional apriori knowledge about them in neural network metamodels with nonlinearly reduced dimensionality to improve the accuracy of simultaneous profile determination. Methodology. The method for determining the electrophysical properties of objects is based on homogeneous designs of experiments, surrogate optimization with the accumulation of apriori knowledge about them in metamodels with nonlinearly reduced dimensionality. Originality. Integration of multiple capabilities in the surrogate model that combine the advantages of high-performance computing and optimization algorithms in the factor space reduced by the Kernel PCA (Principal Component Analysis) method. The accumulated additional apriori knowledge about objects is incorporated into the neural network metamodel. This makes it possible to implicitly identify complex patterns hidden in the data that are characteristic of the eddy current measuring process and take them into account during reconstruction. Results. The reduction of the search space is a considerable result. It was possible due to the nonlinear Kernel-PCA transformations with the analysis of the eigenvalues of the kernel matrix and the restriction on the number of PCA principal components. The results confirmed the validity of a significant reduction in space without major loss of information. Another indicator of the effectiveness of the method is a high precision of the created surrogate models. The accuracy of the reduced dimensional metamodels was achieved by using a homogeneous computer design of experiment and deep learning networks. The adequacy and informativeness of the constructed surrogate models have been proved by numerical indicators. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated on model examples. References 36, table 5, figures 6.

Expanding Cas12a Activity Control with an RNA G-Quadruplex at the 5' end of CRISPR RNA.

Precise control of Cas12a activity is essential for the improvement of the detection limit of clinical diagnostics and the minimization of errors. This study addresses the challenge of controlling Cas12a activity, especially in the context of nucleic acid detection where the inherent incompatibility between isothermal amplification and CRISPR reactions complicates accurate diagnostics. An RNA G-quadruplex (RG4) structure at the 5' end of crRNA is introduced to modulate Cas12a activity accurately without the need for chemical modifications. The results indicate that the presence of RG4 does not significantly impact Cas12a's cleavage activity but can be controlled by RG4 stabilizers, enabling the suppression and subsequent restoration of Cas12a activity with potential for precise activity control. Moreover, the use of RG4 is expanded by incorporating it into split crRNA, introducing RG4 directly at the 5' end of the direct repeat (DR) region, enabling tailored activity regulation for different targets by matching with various Spacer regions. Additionally, a light-controlled one-pot method for activating Cas12a is developed, thereby enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity of clinical samples. This study showcases the pioneering use of RG4 in manipulating Cas12a activity, streamlining diagnostics, and paving the way for advances in clinical nucleic acid testing.

TDP1 splice-site mutation causes HAP1 cell hypersensitivity to topoisomerase I inhibition.

HAP1 is a near-haploid human cell line commonly used for mutagenesis and genome editing studies due to its hemizygous nature. We noticed an unusual hypersensitivity of HAP1 to camptothecin, an antineoplastic drug that stabilizes topoisomerase I cleavage complexes (TOP1ccs). We have attributed this hypersensitivity to a deficiency of TDP1, a key phosphodiesterase involved in resolving abortive TOP1ccs. Through whole-exome sequencing and subsequent restoration of TDP1 protein via CRISPR-Cas9 endogenous genome editing, we demonstrate that TDP1 deficiency and camptothecin hypersensitivity in HAP1 cells are a result of a splice-site mutation (TDP1 c.660-1G>A) that causes exon skipping and TDP1 loss of function. The lack of TDP1 in HAP1 cells should be considered when studying topoisomerase-associated DNA lesions and when generalizing mechanisms of DNA damage repair using HAP1 cells. Finally, we also report the generation of HAP1 STAR clones with restored TDP1 expression and function, which may be useful in further studies to probe cellular phenotypes relating to TOP1cc repair.

Combined Effects of Drying–Rewetting and Ammonium Addition on Methanotrophs in Agricultural Soil: A Microcosm Study

Oxidation of methane by soil microorganisms is an important mechanism controlling the content of this potent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Agricultural soils operate under stressful conditions, and ammonium (N-fertilization) and drying (global warming) may have a significant impact on methane oxidation. In order to investigate how soil methanotrophs respond to drying–rewetting (DW), ammonium addition (100 mg/g) (A), and their combined action (MS), agricultural soil microcosms were incubated over the three months and methane oxidation was measured before and after perturbations, while community composition was monitoring using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A significant decline in the methane-oxidation activity after perturbations was found, with subsequent restoration, and the combined treatment was more effective than the sum of individual treatments, indicating a synergistic effect. After rewetting, the structure of the bacterial community returned to pre-dry-down levels, but the application of ammonia and combined action lead to irreversible changes in the structure of soil methanotrophic communities. Methanotroph Methylomicrobium were significantly reduced under disturbances, while there was a significant increase in the representation of Methylobacter accompanied by the facultative methylotroph Methylovorus. We concluded that methanotrophic communities in agricultural soil demonstrated flexibility, and even when the abundance of dominant populations drops, ecosystem functions can recover.

Сеть сельских поселений на территории современной Тюменской области в 1930-1950-е гг.: численность, величина, типическая структура

The purpose of the study is a specific historical characteristic of the development of a network of rural settlements in the territory of the modern Tyumen region in the 1930s and 1950s, which became the period of first building the foundation of socialism in the USSR on the basis of industrialization and collectivization, then the forced mobilization of the economy in the conditions of the Great Patriotic War and the subsequent restoration of the destroyed economy and the transition to peaceful development based on the Stalinist model of the economy. The article traces the dynamics of the number of rural settlements, their population, determines changes in the typical structure of the network of rural settlements, examines the impact of urbanization processes in the region on its condition. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time, based on data from local government bodies of national economic accounting for 1936, as well as materials from the All-Union population censuses of 1939 and 1959, data on the number of rural settlements of various types and their size are presented. As a result of the study, it was found that during the 1930s and 1950s in the territory of the modern Tyumen region there was a decrease in the number of rural settlement networks, a complication of its typical structure, an expansion of the production function of villages while reducing their average population (from 267 people in 1939 to 233 people in 1959).

Thyroid response to blocking sympathetic activity in chronic cold exposed hunters in East Greenland: a case-control study.

Thyroid hormones and sympathetic stimulation are needed for activating Brown adipose tissue (BAT) during cold exposure. Studies of human cold exposure have demonstrated both increased production and raised clearance of triiodothyronine (T3). Greenlandic hunters provide a unique model for evaluating metabolic effects of cold exposure. We aimed to explore the dynamics of thyroid hormones when blocking sympathetic activity in Greenlandic hunters during winter to inspire knowledge on mechanisms of BAT activation. We conducted a 7-day field study of Greenlandic hunters (n=7) in East Greenland in February. The sympathetic system was blocked using a non-selective beta blocker for seven consecutive days. A group of non-hunter Greenlanders (n = 8) from the same settlement were included for parallel sampling. All participants were healthy men. Blood samples were drawn daily for measurement of TSH, thyroid hormone levels, and thyroglobulin. Hunters had higher serum thyroglobulin, TSH, and high fT3/fT4 ratio compared to controls. Blocking the sympathetic activity was followed by changes in serum thyroglobulin and fT3 with an initial decrease and subsequent restoration of levels, while TSH and fT4 showed a gradual increase over the course of the study. The fT3/fT4 ratio showed a continuous and marked decrease. We hypothesise that when blocking the sympathetic system, TSH increases to uphold the production of T3 needed for maintaining BAT activity. Additionally, alterations of fT3/fT4-ratio support a hypothesis of adrenergic stimulation promoting T3 over T4 secretion from the thyroid via the adrenergic nerve terminals in the thyroid.

Using a visual attentional task and eye-tracking to investigate the effects of pre-takeover resource engagement on attention restoration in conditionally automated driving

Objective Attention forms the foundation for the formation of situation awareness. Low situation awareness can lead to driving performance decline, which can be dangerous in driving. The goal of this study is to investigate how different types of pre-takeover tasks, involving cognitive, visual and physical resources engagement, as well as individual attentional function, affect driver’s attention restoration in conditionally automated driving. Methods A two-phase study was conducted. In phase one, a visual attentional task was employed to measure the attentional function of driver. In phase two, a driving simulator experiment was conducted, where participants experienced a typical sequence of automated driving, takeover and manual driving. Three pre-takeover tasks were designed to divert drivers’ attentional resources, including a visual-cognitive task, a visual-physical task, and a monitoring task (control group). Eye-tracking metrics, including pupil and gaze behavior, along with driving behavior, were assessed as dependent variables. Results The visual-cognitive task showed the highest percentage of pupil dilation and significantly increased participant’s response time, but it also had a positive effect on subsequent attention restoration. Moreover, the attentional task scores were positively correlated with horizontal gaze scanning and negatively correlated with takeover response time. Conclusions Pre-takeover tasks with cognitive resource engagement proves to be superior for attention restoration in conditionally automated driving. The drivers with better attentional function are able to reduce recovering time. These findings make it possible to predict drivers’ attentional state by identifying type of pre-takeover tasks in conditionally automated vehicles. Based on this, the attentive user interfaces could be adaptively adjusted to provide valuable cues, ensuring a safe transition.

Lost and found: Investigating a bilingual child’s L1 lexical attrition and recovery

Aims and Objectives: We examined the extent of L1 vocabulary attrition in a Korean child following her relocation to the United States at the age of 6 years 10 months, and the subsequent restoration of her L1 vocabulary upon her return to Korea 10 months later. Methodology: A picture-naming task was administered on a regular basis over a period of several months, beginning shortly after the child’s arrival in the United States. Data and Analysis: The data were analyzed to determine the child’s accuracy in producing common nouns in the L1. Findings/Conclusion: The study shows significant L1 vocabulary attrition after just 1 month, with an inability to access half of the test items after just 4 months and a drop in accuracy to 25% after 9 months. Upon return to Korea, the child’s L1 vocabulary improved rapidly, surpassing English usage within 3 weeks and reaching 82% accuracy within 6 weeks. These findings underscore the vulnerability of children to language attrition in a monolingual environment while also highlighting the remarkable resilience of their L1 skills. Originality: The study traced the child’s L1 decline and recovery in accordance with a strict timetable. By beginning measurements within a week of the child’s exposure to English following her subsequent reintroduction to Korean, the study was able to document the earliest manifestations of lexical attrition, its rapid progression, and its subsequent reversal—a pattern of decline and recovery that is rarely studied in this manner. Significance/Implications: This study contributes to the field by systematically documenting the impact on L1 vocabulary of a sudden change in linguistic environment, providing rare insights into the dynamics of lexical attrition in early bilingualism.

Immediate dental implants: when and how?

There are a number of protocols that the clinician has to consider when providing implant treatment. Immediate implant placement has its place in implant dentistry and should be considered following a strict case selection. This article discusses the factors that should be taken into account when planning and providing immediate implant placements, with an emphasis on achieving a good outcome. The evidence base is discussed with a description of the surgical stages involved and subsequent restoration. Cases to illustrate this technique and its limitations are presented. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Principles for single tooth implant replacement in the anterior maxilla, where aesthetic expectations are high are relevant to clinicians.

Investigating effect chains from cognitive and noise-induced short-term stress build-up to restoration in an urban or nature setting using 360° VR

Population growth and increasing urbanization leads to growing exposure to traffic noise and a decline in accessible green spaces that could promote restoration from noise-induced stress. The objective of this virtual reality laboratory study was to investigate the effect chains of noise and cognitive demand on the build-up of short-term stress, and subsequent restoration in either a natural green or urban built quiet space. Participants were first exposed to road traffic noise of different sound pressure levels (LAeq of 35, 55, or 75 dB), being randomly assigned to passive listening (low cognitive demand) or concurrently performing cognitively demanding tasks (high demand). The stress phase revealed higher levels of perceived stress as well as tonic skin conductance for the high demand over the low demand group, independent of noise exposure. Increasing noise exposure was associated with elevated noise annoyance ratings and lower self-assessed wellbeing. In the subsequent restoration phase, all measures of perceived restoration indicated a clear advantage for green over non-green spaces. Further, participants from the high-demand group who were immersed in the green restorative space displayed significantly lower skin conductance levels than those in the urban built spaces. The findings suggest that exposure to natural green spaces is beneficial for psychological as well as physiological restoration from short-term stress induced by noise and cognitive demand. Our study underlines the important beneficial role of urban green spaces, particularly in densely populated, noisy urban environments.

Effect of endodontically treated teeth on prosthetically guided orthodontics with clear aligners: a case series

BackgroundProsthetically guided orthodontics (PGO) can correct the malocclusion for better prosthetic rehabilitation in esthetic rehabilitation. Unlike conventional orthodontic treatment, only minor tooth movement is designed in PGO according to the requirement of subsequent restoration. For better appearance during the treatment, PGO is often performed with clear aligners, which have no metal brackets. It has been proven that the PGO with clear aligners can achieve generally satisfactory outcomes. However, its risk has not been fully known due to the paucity of relevant studies.Case presentationThree patients who needed esthetic rehabilitation with mild malocclusion were included in this study. After evaluation, a prosthetic solution alone was considered insufficient to provide optimal outcomes. Thus, they were treated using PGO with clear aligners (Invisalign Go, Align Technology, Santa Clara, California, USA) and accomplished prosthetic rehabilitation subsequently. Dental history and X-ray examination revealed that endodontically treated teeth (ETT) existed in all the cases. Intraoral photographs were collected to compare the pre-treatment and post-treatment dentition. After PGO, posterior ETT did not maintain their position as scheduled and lost occlusal contacts, while all the anterior teeth, including anterior ETT, were moved to the designed position. Corresponding prosthetic rehabilitation was used to solve it after consulting with the patients.ConclusionsOcclusal contact loss of posterior ETT is a potential risk in PGO with clear aligners, affecting the orthodontic result.

Advancing Microbial Electrochemical H2O2 Synthesis by Tailoring the Surface Chemistry of Stereolithography-Derived 3D Pyrolytic Carbon Electrodes.

Microbial electrosynthesis of H2O2 offers an economical and eco-friendly alternative to the costly and environmentally detrimental anthraquinone process. Three-dimensional (3D) electrodes fabricated through additive manufacturing demonstrate significant advantages over carbon electrodes with two-dimensional (2D) surfaces in microbial electrosynthesis of H2O2. Nevertheless, the presence of oxygen-containing free acidic groups on the prototype electrode surface imparts hydrophilic properties to the electrode, which affects the efficiency of the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction for H2O2 generation. In this study, we elucidated that the efficiency of microbial H2O2 synthesis is markedly enhanced by utilizing oxygen-free 3D electrodes produced via additive manufacturing techniques followed by surface modifications to eradicate oxygen-containing functional groups. These oxygen-free 3D electrodes exhibit superior hydrophobicity compared to traditional carbon electrodes with 2D surfaces and their 3D printed analogues. The oxygen-free 3D electrode is capable of generating up to 130.2 mg L-1 of H2O2 within a 6-h time frame, which is 2.4 to 13.6 times more effective than conventional electrodes (such as graphite plates) and pristine 3D printed electrodes. Additionally, the reusability of the oxygen-free 3D electrode underscores its practical viability for large-scale applications. Furthermore, this investigation explored the role of the oxygen-free 3D electrode in the bioelectro-Fenton process, affirming its efficacy as a tertiary treatment technology for the elimination of micropollutants. This dual functionality accentuates the versatility of the oxygen-free 3D electrode in facilitating both the synthesis of valuable chemicals and advancing environmental remediation. This research introduces an innovative electrode design that fosters efficient and sustainable H2O2 synthesis while concurrently enabling subsequent environmental restoration.

The role of phase saturation in depressurization and CO2 storage in natural gas hydrate reservoirs: Insights from a pilot-scale study

The natural gas recovery and CO2 storage in natural gas hydrate (NGH) reservoirs is a promising integrated strategy for implementing clean energy production and CCUS. However, the fundamental characteristics (phase saturation) of NGH reservoirs on the feasibility and efficiency of the above-integrated processes remain unclear. In this study, we synthesized methane hydrate-bearing sediments (MHBS) with varying hydrate saturation (SH = 18–66 %) and aqueous saturation (SA = 7–92 %) at marine NGH conditions (T = 283.8 K, P = 11.0 MPa). The effect of phase saturation on depressurization-induced hydrate dissociation, and subsequent CO2 storage and hydrate restoration by CO2/N2 injection was investigated. The water-saturated MHBS with high SA can promote faster MH dissociation during the depressurization stage and prevent secondary hydrate formation, but a slower MH dissociation during the later stage due to slow heat transfer. A relatively high SH (> 63 %) results in sustained low temperatures due to insufficient heat supply slowing down MH dissociation. The CH4/CO2/N2 mixed hydrates (Mix-H) formation and CO2 storage in depleted MHBS after CO2/N2 injection initially increase and then decrease with post-mining SA (peak at SA = 54.5 %). The rate of Mix-H formation decreases as the post-mining SA increases. Higher pre-mining SH and CO2/N2 injection rate facilitates rapid gas phase mixing within the sediments, thereby improving the kinetics and homogeneity of Mix-H formation and hydrate-based CO2 storage efficiency. MHBS with relatively low SH and SA exhibit enhanced safety for the integrated process, offering reduced depressurization-induced sediment subsidence and increased hydrate restoration ratios (∼85 %) by Mix-H formation.

The Yaya Reserve: From the Evolution of its Plant Cover to Proposals for Sustainable Management

The Yaya reserve, one of the biodiverse forests in Ivory Coast, faces significant threats from agricultural colonization, illegal logging, and demographic pressure, which could jeopardize its sustainability. This paper focuses on contributing to the reserve’s sustainable management. To achieve this, three categories of data were collected: remote sensing data, floristic inventory data, and survey data from the neighboring populations. Remote sensing data were obtained by downloading images from the USGS earth explorer website. Floristic data were obtained through surface and itinerant survey. Survey data were collected using a structured interview. The images were processed to calculate the areas of various land use classes. The floristic data were analyzed for species richness and composition, while the survey data were analyzed to understand local perceptions of landscape dynamics, current management practices, and proposals for participatory management. The results revealed two major periods in the forest’s dynamics: increased deforestation from 1986 to 2005 and subsequent restoration from 2005 to 2022. These phases of degradation and restoration are likely related to recent social and political crises and management challenges. The floristic inventory identified 167 woody species across 134 genera and 47 families. 24 species (14% of the total) are endemic to West Africa, and 21 species (12.42%) are listed on the IUCN red list, indicating a relatively good conservation of the forest. The survey data highlighted the vulnerability of the forest and underscored the importance of centralized decision-making in management. The study suggests that participatory management could be a viable alternative for protecting the reserve. The hypotheses clearly states that the active involvement of local populations in the sustainable exploitation of forest resources can improve living standards, while helping to preserve the forest from exploitative practices.

Effects of the comprehensive elimination of Spartina alterniflora along China's coast on blue carbon and scenario prediction after ecological restoration

Salt marshes cover the largest area among the three types of traditional blue carbon ecosystems in China's coastal zone, with the introduced smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) being dominant in these marshes. The effects of eradicating S. alterniflora nationwide and the subsequent ecological restoration on blue carbon are unclear. This paper evaluates the variation in blue carbon during the national S. alterniflora eradication campaign, which involves mechanical tillage from 2022 to 2025, and proposes three scenarios for blue carbon changes after native vegetation is reestablished by 2050. The results show that, in 2025, plant carbon stock and soil carbon stock will decrease by 1.38 Tg C and 1.21 Tg C, respectively, in the areas where S. alterniflora has been removed and managed. Although blue carbon is reduced in coastal wetlands in 2025, carbon stock is expected to increase in restored native vegetated wetlands by 2050. S. alterniflora is resilient and competitive, posing a high risk in secondary invasion. Scenario Ⅰ suggests that S. alterniflora marshes could almost recover to their original state from 2022, with 7.70 Tg C stored in plant and soil carbon stocks. Scenario Ⅱ involves native vegetated wetlands coexisting with invasive S. alterniflora marshlands, with a total carbon stock estimated at 7.15 Tg C, reflecting a decrease of 0.39 Tg C in soil carbon stock and by 0.16 Tg C in plant carbon stock. In Scenario Ⅲ, mudflats dominant and native vegetated habitats are reestablished only in suitable sites, with the total carbon stock estimated at 5.63 Tg C, a 26.9% decrease compared to 2022 levels. While eradicating invasive S. alterniflora and restoring native vegetation in China's coast enhance the ecosystem services, it reduces blue carbon stocks. Therefore, developing additional strategies to increase carbon storage in coastal wetlands is necessary.