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Abstract The recent sea ice changes in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), necessitate elucidating the sea ice variability over the past 2.6 million years (Ma), when the Earth’s glacial cycles transitioned from ∼41 to ∼100 kyr periodicity, following the Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT) period (0.7–1.2 Ma). Here, we analyze a coupled general circulation model (CGCM) simulation to understand how the NH sea ice responds to changes in the transient orbital, greenhouse gas (GHG), and ice-sheet forcings. We find that the Earth’s axial tilt (obliquity) and axial wobble (precession) strongly influence the variability in high-latitude (>70° N) perennial sea ice and mid-latitude (35° N–70° N) seasonal sea ice, respectively, by modifying the net surface shortwave radiation. Meanwhile, the GHG forcing affects the glacial–interglacial sea ice predominantly in the Labrador Sea, Irminger–Iceland basin sector, and Central North Pacific regions during the MPT and post-MPT (0.0–0.7 Ma) periods by modulating the downwelling longwave radiation. Additionally, we confirm that variability with longer periodicity (∼100 kyr) from GHG and ice-sheet forcings is most pronounced in NH sea ice during the MPT and post-MPT periods.

Abstract This study investigates the response of Indian summer monsoon (ISM) precipitation to CO2 removal, with a specific focus on regional and subseasonal variations. Following CO2 removal, monsoon circulation weakens throughout the summer owing to the reduced large-scale meridional temperature gradient around India. Weakened monsoon circulation decreases the local-scale thermodynamic stability within India, following monsoon-onset periods. While the frequency of synoptic-scale ISM low-pressure systems (LPSs) decreases overall, the lower thermodynamic stability causes the LPSs to form and resultantly shift west and south from their typical paths, last longer and move more quickly zonally during August and September. Changes in these rain-producing processes induce distinct regional (Western Ghats, south-central-east India, and Tamil Nadu) and subseasonal precipitation responses. Also, extreme precipitation exhibits similar patterns, but is more strongly affected by changes in LPS. Our results suggest that reliable future projections of regional hydroclimate change require a more accurate understanding of multi-scale precipitation processes.

Abstract El Niño-Southern Oscillation-induced tropical Pacific precipitation anomalies have global impacts and will intensify under greenhouse warming, but the potential for mitigating these changes is less understood. Here, we identify distinct hysteresis features in the precipitation-sea surface temperature sensitivity between strong El Niño and La Niña phases using a large ensemble carbon removal numerical simulation. The strong El Niño precipitation sensitivity exhibits a century-scale hysteretic enhancement and eastward shift, mainly due to modulated deep convection anomalies by the Intertropical Convergence Zone via cloud-longwave feedback. Instead, the strong La Niña counterpart is concentrated toward the equator, mostly in the central-western Pacific, with a shorter hysteresis period of a few decades. This primarily involves changes in shallow convection and surface thermal structures during La Niña, shaped by global warming-induced upper-ocean circulation changes. The distinct climate change regimes of strong El Niño and La Niña precipitation sensitivity hold important implications for assessing mitigation consequences.

Abstract Enhanced fire-prone weather under greenhouse gas warming can significantly affect local and global carbon budgets from increased fire occurrence, influencing carbon-climate feedbacks. However, the extent to which changes in fire-prone weather and associated carbon emissions can be mitigated by negative emissions remains uncertain. Here, we analyze fire weather responses in CO2 removal climate model experiments and estimate their potential carbon emissions based on an observational relationship between fire weather and fire-induced CO2 emissions. The results highlight that enhanced fire danger under global warming cannot be restored instantaneously by CO2 reduction, mainly due to atmospheric dryness maintained by climatic inertia. The exacerbated fire danger is projected to contribute to extra CO2 emissions in 68% of global regions due to the hysteresis of climate responses to CO2 levels. These findings highlight that even under global cooling from negative emissions, increased fire activity may reinforce the fire-carbon-climate feedback loop and result in further socio-economic damage.

Abstract Tropical convection plays a critical role in modulating the global climate by influencing climate variability. However, its future projection under climate mitigation scenarios remains uncertain. Here, we found that while the relationship between precipitation intensity and upward motion remains constant regardless of changing CO2 concentrations, the sea surface temperature threshold for tropical convection and the convective zone exhibit hysteretic and irreversible behavior. As the CO2 concentration decreases from its peak (ramp-down), higher tropical ocean temperature leads to higher sea surface temperature thresholds for convection than during the period of increasing CO2 concentration (ramp-up), while convective instability remains the same during both ramp-up and ramp-down. El Niño-like warming during the ramp-down leads to a weakening of the Walker circulation and an expansion of the convective zone in the central to eastern tropical Pacific by a warmer-get-wetter mechanism. Our results suggest that CO2 removal does not guarantee the recovery of tropical convection.

Abstract The Atlantic Niño, a primary climatic variability mode in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean, exhibits pronounced variability not only in boreal summer but also in winter. However, the role of the winter Atlantic Niño in trans-basin interactions remains underexplored compared to its summer counterpart. Through analysis of observational reanalysis data since the mid-twentieth century, here we found that the winter Atlantic Niño significantly influences the development of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), surpassing the impact of summer Atlantic Niño, with a longer lead time. This effect is reasonably captured in the CMIP6 Historical simulations from a multi-model ensemble perspective. Further analysis of the global warming scenario projects that the influence of winter Atlantic Niño on ENSO will persist into the future, in contrast to the reduced impact of summer Atlantic Niño. Therefore, these findings underscore the importance of further investigating the winter Atlantic Niño to gain a comprehensive understanding of trans-basin interactions and their future changes.

Abstract Pantropical climate interactions across ocean basins operate on a wide range of timescales and can improve the accuracy of climate predictions. Here, we show in observations that Central Pacific (CP) El Niño-like sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies have coevolved with tropical South Atlantic SST anomalies on a quasi-decadal (~10-year) timescale over the past seven decades. During the austral autumn–winter season, decadal warm SSTs in the tropical CP effectively induce tropical SST cooling in the South Atlantic, mainly by strengthening the South Atlantic subtropical anticyclone via an extratropical atmospheric wave teleconnection in the southern hemisphere. Partially coupled pacemaker simulations corroborate the observational findings, indicating that tropical CP decadal SSTs play a primary pacing role, while Atlantic feedback is of secondary importance throughout the study period. Our results suggest that the tropical CP could be an important source of decadal predictability for tropical South Atlantic SST and the surrounding climate.

Abstract Our understanding of drought evolution and land-atmosphere interactions under climate mitigation scenarios remains limited. Here, we analyzed future drought under net-zero and net-negative emission scenarios using the Community Earth System Model version 2, particularly focusing on three atmospheric CO2 states: linearly increases, decreases, and a return to the initial state. Interestingly, results revealed that net-zero emissions are more effective for drought mitigation than net-negative targets. Drying trends and drought characteristics — such as the duration, frequency, intensity, and area expansion are prominently increased under net-negative emissions due to higher potential evapotranspiration (PET). This is because the soil moisture and temperature couplings are stronger over drought regions and years, especially under net-negative forcing, with notable impacts in Central Africa and South Asia. Nevertheless, both target scenarios offer regional benefits, such as weakened dryness. This suggests that mitigating CO2 alone may not be sufficient to manage future droughts, highlighting the need for advanced water management strategies.

The mechanical performance of timber composite floors is influenced by the degree of composite action between the components. In this study, the shear strength performance of cross-laminated timber and glued laminated timber composite floors based on the joining method was evaluated by push-out test. Eight types of timber-timber composite joints were evaluated using three different methods: lag screw joints, glued-in rod joints using fully threaded bolts and glass fiber reinforced plastic, and hybrid joints. Strength characteristics were derived to make theoretical predictions on the load-carrying capacity of the joints. The results showed that the glued-in rod joints were superior to the lag screw joints, with slip coefficients and ductility measured as 10 times and 2.5 times higher, respectively. The reliability of the strength characteristics of the glued-in rod joints was remarkably different depending on the presence or absence of anti-adhesive tape applied to the timber-to-timber joint surface. The load capacity of the hybrid joint, which combines mechanical and glued-in rod joining methods, was 47% higher than that of the lag screw joint and 38% higher than that of the glued-in bolt joint. In the European Yield Model modified to estimate the load capacity of joints, the rope effect and the yield moment of the fasteners had a remarkable impact on the predicted load capacity.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) fails in the outermost tensile lamina under bending loads, or rolling shear failure occurs in the Minoir direction lamina. This study investigated the effect of lamina width (90 mm, 120 mm), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and placement of major direction lamina on the shear strength of Larix kaempferi Carr CLT. The shear test was conducted using the short span bending test. Results showed that the specimen with 90 mm width of lamina underwent rolling shear failure at the minor direction lamina. The specimen with 120 mm width of lamina had suppressed rolling shear failure and failed at the outermost tensile lamina, which resulted in 52% higher shear strength compared to the 90 mm width specimen. CLT with high MOE placed in the outermost tensile lamina had increased shear strength. The specimen with four laminas in the major direction had both the highest strength and the lowest reliability due to the high standard deviation. This suggested that the width of the larch lamina and the MOE affect the strength of CLT. The CLT strength obtained using the FEA and the theoretical analysis were compared with the measured strength values.

In recent decades, the existence of a relationship between snow cover on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) rainfall has been emphasized. According to recently published studies this snow-monsoon relationship experienced a shift after 1990. Although the changing snow-monsoon relationship has been studied, the causes of the interdecadal changes remain unclear. This study assesses the associations of TP spring snow cover with EASM rainfall before and after 1990 and explores what possible mechanisms could be responsible for the interdecadal changes. Correlation and composite analyses were used to assess the strength of the relationship between TP spring snow cover and EASM rainfall and to analyze the atmospheric and land surface patterns associated with high snow cover. The outcomes suggest that the relationship between TP spring snow cover and EASM rainfall changes from partially negative to positive over all regions of the TP from 1968–1990 (P1) to 1991–2019 (P2), implying that more snow cover is associated with less (more) EASM rainfall during P1 (P2). In P1, years with high snow cover are associated with an anomalous cyclone southwest of the TP (positioned over Iran and Pakistan) in spring, which persists into the following summer, partly due to the underlying snow cover. The anomalous cyclone is accompanied by downstream anomalies over East Asia, which form a strong east-west oriented wave pattern and induce a northerly inflow of dry air over East Asia, reducing rainfall over the northern EASM domain. In P2, high snow cover years are associated with an anomalous cyclone over the western TP, which weakens and loses its significance in May-June and summer, partly due to a decline in snow forcing. Southeastward propagation of wave energy in May-June initiates the formation of an anomalous anticyclone over southeastern China and the western North Pacific. Concurrently, a meridional circulation develops over East Asia that enhances the southwesterly moisture inflow, resulting in increased EASM rainfall. The changing snow-monsoon relationship can be linked to different wave train patterns resulting from changes in the background zonal wind and meridional temperature gradients. This research contributes to a better understanding of the changing snow-monsoon relationship.

The present study demonstrated the in vitro embryotoxicity assessment of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) prepared from the leaves extract of Angelica keiskei (Miq.) Koidz. and addressed their mode of antibacterial mechanisms. Both AuNPs and CuNPs were rapidly synthesized and the formations were observed within 1 h and 24 h, respectively. Further the morphological images of the nanoparticles were confirmed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) analysis of the biosynthesized AuNPs and CuNPs were matched with joint committee on powder diffraction standards (JCPDS) file no of 04-0784 and 89-5899, respectively. A strong prominent Au and Cu signals were observed through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis confirmed the responsible phytochemicals for the synthesis of AuNPs and CuNPs. In order to assess the toxic effects of AuNPs and CuNPs, bactericidal activity was performed against few of the test pathogens in which the effective inhibition was observed against Gram-negative bacteria than the Gram-positive bacteria. The mode of action and interaction of nanoparticles were performed on the bacterial pathogens and the results concluded that the interaction of nanoparticles initially initiated on the surface of the cell wall adherence followed by ruptured the cells and caused the cell death. In addition to the antibacterial activity, in vitro embryotoxicity studies were performed against zebrafish embryos and the results confirmed that 200 µg/ml concentration of AuNPs showed the embryotoxicity, whereas 2 µg/ml of CuNPs resulted the embryotoxicity. Furthermore, the morphological anomalies of zebrafish embryos revealed the toxic nature of the synthesized nanoparticles.

Genetic transformation is a critical tool for gene manipulation and functional analyses in plants, enabling the exploration of key phenotypes and agronomic traits at the genetic level. While dicotyledonous plants offer various tissues for in vitro culture and transformation, monocotyledonous plants, such as rice, have limited options. This study presents an efficient method for genetically transforming rice (Oryza sativa L.) using seed-derived embryogenic calli as explants. Two target genes were utilized to assess regeneration efficiency: green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and the apple FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT)-like gene (MdFT1). Antisense MdFT1 was cloned into a vector controlled by the rice α-amylase 3D (Ramy3D) promoter, while eGFP was fused to Cas9 under the Ubi promoter. These vectors were introduced separately into rice embryogenic calli from two Korean cultivars using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic seedlings were successfully regenerated via hygromycin selection using an in vitro cultivation system. PCR confirmed stable transgene integration in the transgenic calli and their progeny. Fluorescence microscopy revealed eGFP expression, and antisense MdFT1-expressing lines exhibited notable phenotypic changes, including variations in plant height and grain quality. High transformation efficiency and regeneration frequency were achieved for both tested cultivars. This study demonstrated the effective use of seed-derived embryogenic calli for rice transformation, offering a promising approach for developing transgenic plants in monocot species.

Abstract Arctic hydrological cycle has important global implications through modifying deep ocean circulation via fresh water fluxes. However, attribution of the observed changes in Arctic moisture budget remains challenging due to the lack of reliable observations. Here, as a first step, past changes in hydrological cycle over the Arctic were evaluated using CMIP6 historical simulations. To examine possible influences of individual external forcings, CMIP6 multi-model simulations performed under natural-plus-anthropogenic (ALL), greenhouse gas (GHG), natural (NAT), and aerosol (AER) forcings were compared. Results indicate that Arctic precipitation and evaporation increase in ALL and GHG but decrease in AER. In ALL and GHG, Arctic precipitation increases in summer mainly due to enhanced poleward moisture transport whereas Arctic moistening during winter is affected more by increased surface evaporation over sea-ice retreat areas. In AER, Arctic precipitation tends to decrease due to reduced evaporation over sea-ice advance areas during cold months. Poleward meridional moisture flux (MMF) across 70°N is the strongest in summer due to the highest moisture. GHG has stronger MMF than other forcing simulations due to larger increase in moisture in line with stronger warming. The MMF response is found to be largely determined by variations in transient eddies with distinct seasonal and regional contributions.

Abstract Over the past decade, an unexpected cooling trend has been observed in East Asia and North America during winter. Climate model simulations suggest that this pattern of stalled warming, besides accelerated warming, will repeat throughout the course of global warming, influenced by the natural decade-long variations in the climate system. However, understanding the exact factors affecting the pace of warming remains a challenge. Here we show that a pause in warming over continental areas—namely, local warming hiatus—can be accompanied by excessive heat accumulation north of the ocean fronts. This oceanic condition, often manifesting in the form of marine heatwaves, constrains the subseasonal growth of atmospheric planetary waves, significantly increasing the likelihood of cold extremes in downstream continents. Our results underscore the importance of closely monitoring changing ocean fronts in response to human-induced warming, which can potentially reshape the inherent decade-long fluctuations within regional climates over the long term.

Abstract The observed cooling in the subpolar North Atlantic, known as the warming hole, is receiving much attention because of its relationship with the climate sensitivity in the Earth System Models (ESMs). However, the impact of its future projection on the global climate remains unclear due to large uncertainties. Here, we show that the future warming hole changes will affect the interhemispheric asymmetry of temperature and precipitation by modulating the Northern Hemisphere (NH) warming. Models with a weaker warming hole in the future project stronger NH warming by injecting more non‐radiative fluxes to the atmosphere. This leads to an asymmetric warming contrast between the two hemispheres, resulting in a meridional shift of the Inter‐Tropical Convergence Zone and more precipitation increases in the NH. Our study implies that the future warming hole controls the interhemispheric heat exchanges and associated changes in the global temperature and precipitation, suggesting that its improved simulation is essential.

Abstract Over the past half-century, there has been an increasing trend in the magnitude and duration of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) attributable to the significant warming trend in the Western Pacific (WP). The MJO, bridging weather and climate, influences global and regional climate through atmospheric teleconnections, and climate models can predict it for up to 4–5 weeks. In this study, we use deep learning (DL) methods to investigate the predictability of the MJO-related western Pacific precipitation on a multi-month time scale (5–9 weeks). We examine numerous potential predictors across the tropics, selected based on major MJO theories and mechanisms, to identify key factors for long-term MJO prediction. Our results show that DL-based useful potential predictability of the WP precipitation can be extended up to 6–7 weeks, with a correlation coefficient skill ranging from 0.60 to 0.65. Observational and heat map analysis suggest that cooling anomalies in the central Pacific play a crucial role in enhancing westerly anomalies over the Indian Ocean and warming in the WP, thereby strengthening the Walker circulation in the equatorial Pacific. In addition, the predictability of WP precipitation is higher in La Nina years than in El Nino or normal years, suggesting that mean cooling in the central Pacific may contribute to increased predictability of the MJO-related WP precipitation on the multi-month time scale. Additional model experiments using observed sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the central Pacific confirmed that these anomalies contribute to enhanced MJO-related convective anomalies over the WP. The study highlights that DL is a valuable tool not only for improving MJO-related WP prediction but also for efficiently exploring potential mechanisms linked to long-term predictability.

Abstract The responses of the Earth’s climate system to positive and negative CO2 emissions are not identical in magnitude, resulting in hysteresis. In particular, the degree of global precipitation hysteresis varies markedly among Earth system models. Based on analysis of Earth’s energy budget, here we show that climate sensitivity controls the degree of global precipitation hysteresis. Using an idealized CO2 removal scenario, we find that the surface available energy for precipitation continues to increase during the initial negative CO2 emission period following a positive CO2 emission period, leading to a hysteresis of global precipitation. This feature is more pronounced in Earth System Models with a high climate sensitivity. Our results indicate that climate sensitivity is a key factor controlling the hysteresis behavior of global precipitation in a changing CO2 pathway. Therefore, narrowing the uncertainty of climate sensitivity helps improve the projections of the global hydrological cycle.

The creep behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced larch laminar timber was studied with respect to temperature and humidity fluctuations. There was a control group of larch laminated with two small-diameter timbers with FRP (carbon FRP (CFRP), glass FRP (GFRP)) produced; the laminated lumber had the same cross-sectional area as the two laminated lumber specimens with reinforced tensile parts. A creep test with fluctuating temperature and humidity was conducted by applying a load of 25% of the bending strength of the control specimen. A total of 8 specimens, 2 for each type, were measured for creep deformation at 9:00 am and 6:00 pm daily for approximately 14,000 h. Temperature and humidity fluctuations were measured every hour. The equilibrium moisture content and humidity of the creep test space exhibited a proportional relationship, and the moisture content of each specimen did not show a noticeable correlation with humidity and equilibrium moisture content. The average relative creep was measured as approximately 0.67 for the control, 0.4 for Glulam, and 0.43 for both the CFRP- and GFRP-reinforced specimens. Thus, the creep deformation of all the reinforced pieces was confirmed to be lower than that of the control specimen.

Abstract El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly skewness encapsulates the nonlinear processes of strong ENSO events and affects future climate projections. Yet, its response to CO2 forcing remains not well understood. Here, we find ENSO skewness hysteresis in a large ensemble CO2 removal simulation. The positive SST skewness in the central-to-eastern tropical Pacific gradually weakens (most pronounced near the dateline) in response to increasing CO2, but weakens even further once CO2 is ramped down. Further analyses reveal that hysteresis of the Intertropical Convergence Zone migration leads to more active and farther eastward-located strong eastern Pacific El Niño events, thus decreasing central Pacific ENSO skewness by reducing the amplitude of the central Pacific positive SST anomalies and increasing the scaling effect of the eastern Pacific skewness denominator, i.e., ENSO intensity, respectively. The reduction of eastern Pacific El Niño maximum intensity, which is constrained by the SST zonal gradient of the projected background El Niño-like warming pattern, also contributes to a reduction of eastern Pacific SST skewness around the CO2 peak phase. This study highlights the divergent responses of different strong El Niño regimes in response to climate change.

Abstract The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM, or monsoon) are two giants of tropical climate. Here we assess the future evolution of the ENSO-monsoon teleconnection in climate simulations with idealized forcing of CO2 increment at a rate of 1% year-1 starting from a present-day condition (367 p.p.m.) until quadrupling. We find a monotonous weakening of the ENSO-monsoon teleconnection with the increase in CO2. Increased co-occurrences of El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipoles (pIODs) in a warmer climate weaken the teleconnection. Co-occurrences of El Niño and pIOD are attributable to mean sea surface temperature (SST) warming that resembles a pIOD-type warming pattern in the Indian Ocean and an El Niño-type warming in the Pacific. Since ENSO is a critical precursor of the strength of the Indian monsoon, a weakening of this relation may mean a less predictable Indian monsoon in a warmer climate.

Abstract Indian Ocean Dipole phenomenon (IOD) refers to a dominant zonal contrast pattern of sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) over tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) on interannual time scales. Its positive phase, characterized by anomalously warm western TIO and anomalously cold southeastern TIO, is usually stronger than its negative phase, namely a positively skewed IOD. Here, we investigate causes for the IOD asymmetry using a prototype IOD model, of which physical processes include both linear and nonlinear feedback processes, El Nino’s asymmetric impact, and a state-dependent noise. Parameters for the model were empirically obtained using various reanalysis SST data sets. The results reveal that the leading cause of IOD asymmetry without accounting seasonality is a local nonlinear process, and secondly the state-dependent noise, the direct effect by the positively skewed ENSO and its nonlinear teleconnection; the latter two have almost equal contribution. However, the contributions by each process are season dependent. For boreal summer, both local nonlinear feedback process and the state-dependent noise are major drivers of IOD asymmetry with negligible contribution from ENSO. The ENSO impacts become important in boreal fall, along with the other two processes.

Abstract It is known that winter Atlantic-Niño events can induce the El Niño–Southern oscillation (ENSO) in the following winter with a lag of 1-year during one period. On the other hand, summer Atlantic-Niño events can lead to the ENSO in the subsequent winter with a half-year lag during another period. In this study, we investigate the distinct interdecadal modulation of the effect of the Atlantic-Niños on ENSO by analyzing observational reanalysis datasets. During the mid-twentieth century, the winter Atlantic-Niño exhibited increased intensity and extended westward due to warmer conditions in the tropical western Atlantic. As a result, convection occurred from the Amazon to the Atlantic, triggering an atmospheric teleconnection that led to trade wind discharging and equatorial Kelvin waves, ultimately contributing to the development of ENSO. In contrast, during late twentieth century, summer Atlantic-Niño events were closely linked to the South America low-level jet in boreal spring. This connection led to the formation of widespread and intense convection over the Amazon to the Atlantic region. Then, the Walker circulation was effectively modulated, subsequently triggering ENSO events. Further analysis revealed that the interdecadal modulation of the Atlantic–South America–Pacific mean state plays a crucial role in shaping the impact of Atlantic-Niños on ENSO by modifying not only the characteristics of the Atlantic-Niños but also ocean–atmospheric feedback process. Therefore, improving our understanding of the interdecadal modulation of the climatological mean state over the Pacific to Atlantic regions enables better anticipation of the interaction between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Abstract Background Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is rare. There are no standard treatments due to its rarity and few clinical trials. Methods The objective of this multicenter study was to investigate treatment outcomes of Korean patients with advanced/metastatic EMPD. Data were collected retrospectively from 14 institutions participating in Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) Rare Cancer Committee. Results A total of 37 patients were identified. Of these 37 patients, 6 received locoregional therapy as a first‐line treatment. In 31 patients who received systemic chemotherapy as a first‐line treatment, platinum‐based chemotherapy (n = 22) achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 45.5% and a median progression‐free survival (PFS) of 7.89 months. Taxane‐based chemotherapy (n = 8) achieved an objective response rate of 62.5% and median PFS of 9.73 months. In second‐line chemotherapy, platinum‐based chemotherapy (n = 4) had a disease control rate (DCR) of 75.0% and median PFS of 3.45 months. Taxane‐based chemotherapy (n = 8) had a DCR of 75.0% and a median PFS of 8.67 months. Six patients received anti‐human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody during first‐ and second‐line chemotherapy. Overall, systemic chemotherapy combined with anti‐HER2 antibody had an ORR of 100% and a median PFS of 13.31 months. The ORR and PFS with systemic chemotherapy combined with trastuzumab was better than platinum‐ and taxane‐based chemotherapy only. Conclusions Due to its rarity, advanced or metastatic EMPD still has no established standard treatment. Results of our study indicate that the combination of trastuzumab with taxane has longer survival than trastuzumab monotherapy or conventional platinum‐ or taxane‐based chemotherapy.

Fruit skin color and physical quality are important for customer acceptability and market value. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of pneumatic defoliation on the fruit quality, coloration, and anthocyanin content of ‘Fuji’ apples. Apple trees were subjected to no defoliation (control) and defoliation at low (0.6 bar) and high (0.9 bar) air pressure 20 days before harvest at 1 km/h of tractor speed. High-defoliation treatment increased the leaf damage rate but did not significantly affect the defoliation rate compared to low-defoliation treatment. Additionally, photosynthetically active radiation and solar irradiance inside the tree canopies were highest in the high-defoliation group, followed by the low-defoliation and control groups. With the exception of higher firmness in the high-defoliation treatment, pneumatic defoliation treatments had little effect on fruit size and weight, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, the starch pattern index, and the sunburn incidence of fruit. Compared with that of the control group, both defoliation treatments significantly increased the a* and C values and decreased the ho values of the fruit color. Moreover, both defoliation treatments significantly increased anthocyanin content and upregulated the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (MdPAL, MdCHS, MdCHI, MdF3H, MdANS, MdANS, MdUFGT) and the transcription factor (MdMYB10). A Pearson′s correlation analysis also showed that anthocyanin production was strongly correlated with each of the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, especially in the pneumatic defoliation treatments. Conclusively, the results show that pneumatic defoliation at low pressure bars could be an effective strategy for improving the red coloration of ‘Fuji’ apples.

In the present study, Allium cepa L. leaves extract mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated reduced graphene oxide (Ag/Au/rGO NC’s) were synthesized and demonstrated their biological and electrochemical sensing applications. Interestingly, the synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs was achieved rapidly within 1 h and 4 h, respectively. Whereas the production of both reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Ag/Au/rGO NC’s was achieved at 96 h. The achieved results from the UV–Vis spectrum of 432 nm for AgNPs and 550 nm of AuNPs and the shifting of the characteristic GO absorption band of 230 nm into 270 nm as well as an absence of 305 nm confirmed the rGO synthesis. In addition, HR-XRD analyses confirmed the JCPDS file No. 04–0783 and 01–1174 pertaining to Ag and Au NPs. Further, the Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR and EDS analyses confirmed the evidence of nanomaterials biosynthesis. A polydisperse, spherical shaped average size AgNPs of 1 to 30 nm, spherical and triangular shaped AuNPs with an average size of 1 to 120 nm, and silk like appearance of a thin layered graphene sheet in rGO were observed through TEM. Also, the recorded results evident the uniform decoration of Ag and Au NPs into the rGO sheet. The electrochemical properties of as-synthesized materials were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. Interestingly, the Ag/Au/rGO NC’s modified electrode exhibited higher electrical conductivity and good electrocatalytic properties towards the electrooxidation of nitrite in a neutral medium than other nanomaterials. Eventually, Ag/Au/rGO NC’s confirmed the enhanced antibacterial against Gram-negative bacteria and dose dependent antifungal inhibitory activities against foodborne fungal pathogens of Fusarium graminearum, Alternaria alternata, and phytopathogenic fungus of Curvularia lunata and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum at the maximum tested conc. of 2 mg/mL, compared to other nanomaterials. From the result of zebrafish embryotoxicity (ZET), the highest toxicity was observed for AgNPs at 0.19 μg/mL. But in the case of Ag/Au/rGO NC’s the reduced toxicity was observed. Hence, the achieved results concluded the Ag/Au/rGO NC’s could be suitable for development of both as biomaterials for biomedical and effective sensors for environmental applications.

In this study, we employed aqueous ginger extract as an eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and chitosan/silver nanocomposites (Cs/AgNCs). Using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, we thoroughly characterized the physicochemical properties of these nanomaterials, confirming their desirable attributes. The AgNPs displayed a spherical morphology with an average diameter of 19 nm, while the Cs/AgNCs exhibited a size of approximately 28 nm. To assess their antibacterial efficacy, we investigated the activity of both AgNPs and Cs/AgNCs against Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Remarkably, these nanomaterials demonstrated significant antibacterial properties. To further enhance their antibacterial capabilities, we conjugated the nanocomposite with tobramycin using Sulfo NHS and EDC, resulting in a four-fold increase in antibacterial activity compared to tobramycin alone. Moreover, we explored the ability of AgNPs, CsNPs, Cs/AgNCs, and Cs/AgNCs/tobramycin (Cs/AgNCs/tbn) to degrade DNA and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Encouraging results were obtained, highlighting their potential applications in antimicrobial strategies. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive toxicity assessment of AgNPs, CsNPs, Cs/AgNCs, and Cs/AgNCs/tob using zebrafish embryos. The findings revealed low to moderate levels of toxicity for these nanomaterials, with Cs/AgNCs/tbn demonstrating no observable toxic effects. Our study demonstrates the immense potential of utilizing aqueous ginger extract as a green synthesis method to produce AgNPs and Cs/AgNCs with robust antibacterial properties and minimal toxicity. These findings pave the way for the development of innovative nanomaterials for various biomedical applications.