In the age of noticing the adverse effects of our activities on the climate, we pay more and more attention to designing sustainable solutions. Assumptions made during such sustainable designs often do not fulfil user needs. Therefore, we frequently encounter discrepancies, such as higher energy consumption and user modifications in the building systems compared to the design and use stages. To mitigate these problems in the lighting design context, the author describes the proposed lighting design method based on the Design Thinking methodology and concerns the commonly applied basic lighting design process. As an example design, an office room interior and lighting design are presented using the Design Thinking method described by the author. The utilised method allowed us to learn about problems that are only sometimes typical for offices and enter them into the design scope. The article contains a detailed analysis and comparison of normative requirements with users’ needs, collected from four room users and six guests. The discrepancies between the sustainable design and use stages presented in the article can be considered reduced, and users’ interference in the operation of devices will be eliminated due to meeting users’ needs and thus achieving sustainable goals. Full article

Facile access to some novel biologically relevant dihydrotriazolopyrimidine carboxylic acid-derived amide analogues using NMI/SO₂Cl₂, and aromatic and aliphatic primary and secondary amines, is reported herein. The role of N-methylimidazole (NMI) as the base and sulfuryl chloride (SO₂Cl₂) as the coupling reagent has been effectively realized in accessing these molecules in good to excellent yields. The feasibility of the developed protocol has also been extended to the gram-scale synthesis of N-benzylbenzamide in a 75% yield from benzoic acid and benzyl amine. The newly synthesized compounds were tested via in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-tubercular activity studies. The compounds 6aa and 6be were found to be the most active anti-inflammatory agents, whereas 6cb and 6ch were found to exhibit promising anti-tubercular potency when compared to other synthesized molecules. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed the importance of the presence of electron-donating functionalities in enhancing the anti-inflammatory potential of the newly synthesized molecules. However, the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents was found to be significant for improving their anti-tubercular potency. Full article

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition with an estimated prevalence of 12% in adults over the age of 30 years worldwide. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a substantial economic and social burden. There are an estimated 3 million deaths annually due to COPD. However, most of the patients with COPD respond to routine interventions like bronchodilator therapy, assessing supplemental oxygen needs, smoking cessation, vaccinations, and pulmonary rehabilitation. There is a significant number of patients who unfortunately progress to have persistent symptoms despite these interventions. Refractory COPD is not yet formally defined. Patients with severe persistent symptoms or exacerbations despite appropriate care can be considered to have refractory COPD. Managing refractory COPD needs a multidimensional approach. In this review article, we will discuss essential interventions like ensuring adequate inhaler techniques, exploring the need for non-invasive ventilatory support, use of chronic antibiotics and phosphodiesterase inhibitors to advanced therapies like bronchoscopic lung volume reduction surgery, and the upcoming role of anti-IL5 agents in managing patients with refractory COPD. We will also discuss non-pharmacologic interventions like psycho-social support and nutritional support. We will conclude by discussing the palliative care aspect of managing patients with refractory COPD. Through this review article, we aim to better the approach to managing patients with refractory COPD and discuss new upcoming therapies. Full article

In this study, the synergistic behavior of Ni and Al in two low-density steels (Fe-26Mn-10.2Al-0.98C-0.15V (wt. %) and Fe-29Mn-5Al-1C-12Ni (wt. %)) and their influence on microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. The chemical composition of κ-carbides and B2 precipitated particles as a function of annealing and aging temperature and the matrix within which they formed were elucidated. The microstructures and deformation mechanisms of both steels were studied based on their strengthening contribution. The Fe-26Mn-10.2Al-0.98C-0.15V steel mainly realized precipitation strengthening through κ-carbides and grain boundary strengthening due to full recrystallization. The strengthening caused by Fe-29Mn-5Al-1C-12Ni steel was mainly due to the presence of the B2 phase in the matrix, which was non-coherent with FCC. This led to the Orowan bypass mechanism, which made precipitation strengthening the main strengthening contribution. The synergistic effect led to the shear or bypass mechanism of both steels when plane dislocation slip occurred. In addition, it also had an influence on the work-hardening capability during plastic deformation. This study provides a promising way to further enhance the yield strength of low-density austenitic steels through the synergistic effect of Ni and Al. Full article

As a prerequisite and foundation for studying the evolution mechanism of river channels, an in-depth understanding of the cross-sectional morphology adjustment is required. As a starting point, it is crucial to systematically summarize and generalize the research findings on channel morphological adjustment obtained to date, particularly in the context of the significant changes in the water and sediment conditions of large rivers that have occurred worldwide. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the research findings on the three following aspects of the Lower Yellow River: the transverse distribution of overbank flow velocity, the transverse distribution of suspended sediment concentration, and the morphological adjustment of the river cross-section. There are various equations available to predict the lateral depth–average flow velocity distribution. These equations are classified into the two following categories: empirical and theoretical formulas. Theoretical formulas are obtained through consideration of the cross-sectional morphology, accounting for inertial force terms caused by secondary flow, and momentum transfer between the main channel and its floodplain. Similarly, empirical equations and theoretical formulas for sediment concentration transverse distribution are also summarized, given the different influencing factors and assumptions. We also discuss the morphological adjustment of river cross-sections based on the analysis of measured data, mathematical model calculation, and the physical model test. In particular, we propose the idea of revealing channel cross-section morphology evolution mechanisms from the theoretical level of water and sediment movement and distribution. This review aims to enhance understanding of overbank flow, sediment transport, and channel morphology in the Lower Yellow River and may also serve to some extent as a reference for the evolution and management of channels in other rivers. Full article

Auxin transport is regulated by the AUX1/LAX, PIN, and ABCB gene families, controlling the distribution of auxin and ultimately fruit curving in cucumbers. However, studies on the differential expression of these auxin transporters and their roles in fruit curving are limited. In this study, we identified 36 auxin transporters from cucumber, including CsLAX1–7, CsPIN1–10, and CsABCB1–19. Basic characteristic analysis revealed that all CsLAX proteins were conservative, and a C-terminal NPNTY motif was found in CsPIN1–4/7–10. CsABCB1/5/11/14/17 were categorized as half-size transporters. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a genetic relationship between auxin transporters in Arabidopsis and cucumber. Exogenous auxin treatment on fruits and qPCR analysis indicated that differential expression patterns of auxin transporters control cucumber fruit curving. Co-expression analysis indicated that CsPIN1 and CsLAX2 were substantially negatively correlated, and they displayed opposite expression patterns in curved fruits. A proposed model suggested that CsLAX2 transports extracellular auxin to the convex side of the fruit; however, CsPIN1 inhibits auxin efflux at the same location. This leads to uneven auxin distribution that results in cucumber fruit curving. Full article

Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), including osteoarthritis (OA), osteosarcoma (OS), multiple myeloma (MM), intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), osteoporosis (OP), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), present noteworthy obstacles associated with pain, disability, and impaired quality of life on a global scale. In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key regulator in the expression of genes in a multitude of biological processes. m6A is composed of 0.1–0.4% adenylate residues, especially at the beginning of 3′-UTR near the translation stop codon. The m6A regulator can be classified into three types, namely the “writer”, “reader”, and “eraser”. Studies have shown that the epigenetic modulation of m6A influences mRNA processing, nuclear export, translation, and splicing. Regulated cell death (RCD) is the autonomous and orderly death of cells under genetic control to maintain the stability of the internal environment. Moreover, distorted RCDs are widely used to influence the course of various diseases and receiving increasing attention from researchers. In the past few years, increasing evidence has indicated that m6A can regulate gene expression and thus influence different RCD processes, which has a central role in the etiology and evolution of MSDs. The RCDs currently confirmed to be associated with m6A are autophagy-dependent cell death, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, immunogenic cell death, NETotic cell death and oxeiptosis. The m6A–RCD axis can regulate the inflammatory response in chondrocytes and the invasive and migratory of MM cells to bone remodeling capacity, thereby influencing the development of MSDs. This review gives a complete overview of the regulatory functions on the m6A–RCD axis across muscle, bone, and cartilage. In addition, we also discuss recent advances in the control of RCD by m6A-targeted factors and explore the clinical application prospects of therapies targeting the m6A–RCD in MSD prevention and treatment. These may provide new ideas and directions for understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of MSDs and the clinical prevention and treatment of these diseases. Full article

Addressing climate vulnerability remains a priority for economies globally. This study used the panel-corrected standard error (PCSE) methodology to investigate the impact of adaptation financing on climate vulnerability. This analysis examined 52 African countries from 2012 to 2021 while considering their climate adaptation readiness. The impact was also assessed based on the Human Development Index (HDI) categories to reflect different levels of development. The findings showed that adaptation finance considerably influenced climate vulnerability reduction in Africa, particularly in nations with a moderate HDI. However, most countries still need higher levels of adaptation financing, resulting in a small impact on vulnerability reduction. Furthermore, the impact of readiness measures differed by HDI category. Economic and social climate readiness strongly impacted climate vulnerability in high-HDI nations, but governance preparedness was more critical in low-HDI countries. Based on the empirical facts, two policy proposals emerge. First, it is critical to reconsider the distribution of adaptation financing to reduce disparities and effectively alleviate climate vulnerability. Moreover, African economies should consider implementing innovative localized financing mechanisms to mobilize extra adaptation finance. Second, African governments should customize climate readiness interventions based on their HDI levels to improve the achievement of a positive impact on climate vulnerability. Full article

Factors that reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer include biologically active substances. In our previous research, we demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects of oat beta-glucans in gastrointestinal disease models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week consumption of a diet supplemented with low-molar-mass oat beta-glucan in two doses on the antioxidant potential, inflammatory parameters, and colonic metabolomic profile in azoxymethane(AOM)-induced early-stage colorectal cancer in the large intestine wall of rats. The results showed a statistically significant effect of AOM leading to the development of neoplastic changes in the colon. Consumption of beta-glucans induced changes in colonic antioxidant potential parameters, including an increase in total antioxidant status, a decrease in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and a reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration. In addition, beta-glucans decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12) and C-reactive protein (CRP) while increasing the concentration of IL-10. Metabolomic studies confirmed the efficacy of oat beta-glucans in the AOM-induced early-stage colon cancer model by increasing the levels of metabolites involved in metabolic pathways, such as amino acids, purine, biotin, and folate. In conclusion, these results suggest a wide range of mechanisms involved in altering colonic metabolism during the early stage of carcinogenesis and a strong influence of low-molar-mass oat beta-glucan, administered as dietary supplement, in modulating these mechanisms. Full article

Endotracheal intubation in rabbits is always challenging due to the unique anatomical conformation. To improve endotracheal intubation success, this study determined the relationship between head placement angles guided by endoscope-assisted visualization techniques and the endotracheal intubation success rate. Thirty-two rabbit cadavers were used in the study. Six veterinary practitioners who had no experience with rabbit endotracheal intubation were randomly assigned to intubate rabbit cadavers using the guidance of either a rigid endoscope (RE) or flexible endoscope (FE), with the head placement angles with an ascending neck at 90, 100, 110, 120 and 130 degrees. The endotracheal intubation completed in 90 s was determined to be a success. The success rates using RE and FE were 97.2% and 95.9%, respectively. The means and standard error of means (SEM) of endotracheal intubation times guided by RE and FE were 53.7 ± 4.68 and 55.2 ± 4.24 s, respectively. Results from survival time analysis show that the five veterinarians successfully intubated the rabbit within 90 s, regardless of the different types of endoscopes. Angle was the only significant factor that affected the endotracheal intubation success. The head placement angle at 110 and 120 degrees had the highest success rate of endotracheal intubation compared to 90 degrees (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, for inexperienced veterinarians, the success of endotracheal intubation in rabbits, guided by endoscope-assisted visualized techniques regardless of rigid endoscope or flexible endoscope guidance, is improved when the head extension is 110 and 120 degrees. Full article

The ongoing expansion of fifth-generation (5G) and future sixth-generation (6G) mobile communications is expected to result in widespread human exposure to millimeter-wave (mmWave) radiation globally. Given the short penetration depth of mmWaves and their high absorption by the skin, it is imperative to investigate the potential effects of 5G radiation not only in terms of temperature increase but also at the cellular level. To understand the biological mechanisms of mmWave effects, accurate methods for assessing mmWave absorption in the skin are crucial. In this study, we use fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to explore these effects. Employing a mmWave exposure system operating at 26 gigahertz (GHz), porcine skin is irradiated for varying durations (5, 10, 20, and 30 min). We investigate changes in tissue temperature and the autofluorescence of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Our findings suggest that operating our mmWave exposure systems at the configured power level of 26 GHz is unlikely to cause damage to FADs, even after a 30 min exposure duration. Full article

Energy is one of the primary challenges in the long-term operation of robotic fish. The research on combining wave energy-harvesting technology with robotic fish for energy supplementation is not extensive, and there is insufficient comprehensive analysis on energy harvesting from waves and energy costs during swimming. Therefore, the energy self-sufficiency of multi-joint robotic fish is investigated by employing the coupling method of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and multi-body dynamics in this study. A reversible energy conversion mechanism is applied to the robotic fish, serving as a driving system during swimming and as a power take-off (PTO) system during energy harvesting. The energy costs of the multi-joint robotic fish under various undulation parameters (including amplitude, frequency, and body wavelength) are analyzed, along with an examination of the influence of the PTO system on energy harvesting. The results show that, compared to the undulation amplitude and body wavelength, the undulation frequency has the greatest impact on swimming efficiency and energy costs, with low-frequency swimming being advantageous for efficient energy utilization. Additionally, the damping coefficient of the PTO system directly affects energy-harvesting efficiency, with higher energy-harvesting power achievable with an optimal PTO system parameter. Through a comprehensive analysis of energy costs and energy harvesting, it is concluded that the achievement of energy self-sufficiency for multi-joint robotic fish in marine environments is highly feasible. Full article

Claudins are a family of 27 proteins that have an important role in the formation of tight junctions. They also have an important function in ion exchange, cell mobility, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, the latter being very important in cancer invasion and metastasis. Therapeutic targeting of claudins has been investigated to improve cancer outcomes. Recent evidence shows improved outcomes when combining monoclonal antibodies against claudin 18.2 with chemotherapy for patients with gastroesophageal junction cancer. Currently, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells targeting claudin 18 are under investigation. In this review, we will discuss the major functions of claudins, their distribution in the normal as well as cancerous tissues, and their effect in cancer metastasis, with a special focus on the therapeutic targeting of claudins to improve cancer outcomes. Full article

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive ingredient extracted from the hemp plant, has shown therapeutic effects in a variety of diseases, including anxiety, nervous system disorders, inflammation, and tumors. CBD can exert its antitumor effect by regulating the cell cycle, inducing tumor cell apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibiting tumor cell invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. This article reviews the proposed antitumor mechanisms of CBD, aiming to provide references for the clinical treatment of tumor diseases and the rational use of CBD. Full article

This study comprehensively investigates how rain and drizzle affect the object-detection performance of non-contact safety sensors, which are essential for the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles and ground vehicles in adverse weather conditions. In contrast to conventional sensor-performance evaluation based on the amount of precipitation, this paper proposes spatial transmittance and particle density as more appropriate metrics for rain environments. Through detailed experiments conducted under a variety of precipitation conditions, it is shown that sensor performance is significantly affected by the density of small raindrops rather than the total amount of precipitation. This finding challenges traditional sensor-evaluation metrics in rainfall environments and suggests a paradigm shift toward the use of spatial transmittance as a universal metric for evaluating sensor performance in rain, drizzle, and potentially other adverse weather scenarios. Full article

Co-infection or superinfection of the host by two or more virus species is a common event, potentially leading to viral interference, viral synergy, or neutral interaction. The simultaneous presence of two or more viruses, even distantly related, within the same cell depends upon viral tropism, i.e., the entry of viruses via receptors present on the same cell type. Subsequently, productive infection depends on the ability of these viruses to replicate efficiently in the same cellular environment. HIV-1 initially targets CCR5-expressing tissue memory CD4⁺ T cells, and in the absence of early cART initiation, a co-receptor switch may occur, leading to the infection of naïve and memory CXCR4-expressing CD4⁺ T cells. HIV-1 infection of macrophages at the G₁ stage of their cell cycle also occurs in vivo, broadening the possible occurrence of co-infections between HIV-1 and other viruses at the cellular level. Moreover, HIV-1-infected DCs can transfer the virus to CD4⁺ T cells via trans-infection. This review focuses on the description of reported co-infections within the same cell between HIV-1 and other human pathogenic, non-pathogenic, or low-pathogenic viruses, including HIV-2, HTLV, HSV, HHV-6/-7, GBV-C, Dengue, and Ebola viruses, also discussing the possible reciprocal interactions in terms of virus replication and virus pseudotyping. Full article

Background and Objectives: The pancreas, ensconced within the abdominal cavity, requires a plethora of sophisticated imaging modalities for its comprehensive evaluation, with ultrasonography serving as a primary investigative technique. A myriad of pancreatic pathologies, encompassing pancreatic neoplasia and a spectrum of inflammatory diseases, are detectable through these imaging strategies. Nevertheless, the intricate anatomical confluence and the pancreas’s deep-seated topography render the visualization and accurate diagnosis of its pathologies a formidable endeavor. The objective of our paper is to review the best diagnostic imagistic tools for the pancreas. Materials and Methods: we have gathered several articles using Prisma guidelines to determine the best imagistic methods. The imperative of pancreatic scanning transcends its diagnostic utility, proving to be a pivotal element in a multitude of clinical specialties, notably surgical oncology. Within this domain, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the pancreas holds the distinction of being the paramount imaging modality, endorsed for its unrivaled capacity to delineate the staging and progression of pancreatic carcinoma. In synergy with MDCT, there has been a notable advent of avant-garde imaging techniques in recent years. These advanced methodologies, including ultrasonography, endoscopic ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conjoined with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), have broadened the horizon of tumor characterization, offering unparalleled depth and precision in oncological assessment. Other emerging diagnostic techniques, such as elastography, also hold a lot of potential and promise for the future of pancreatic imaging. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a quick, minimally invasive procedure to evaluate lumps using a thin needle to extract tissue for analysis. It is less invasive than surgical biopsies and usually performed as an outpatient with quick recovery. Its accuracy depends on sample quality, and the risks include minimal bleeding or discomfort. Results, guiding further treatment, are typically available within a week. Elastography is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that maps the elastic properties and stiffness of soft tissue. This method, often used in conjunction with ultrasound or MRI, helps differentiate between hard and soft areas in tissue, providing valuable diagnostic information. It is particularly useful for assessing liver fibrosis, thyroid nodules, breast lumps, and musculoskeletal conditions. The technique is painless and involves applying gentle pressure to the area being examined. The resulting images show tissue stiffness, indicating potential abnormalities. Elastography is advantageous for its ability to detect diseases in early stages and monitor treatment effectiveness. The procedure is quick, safe, and requires no special preparation, with results typically available immediately. Results: The assembled and gathered data shows the efficacy of various techniques in discerning the nature and extent of neoplastic lesions within the pancreas. Conclusions: The most common imaging modalities currently used in diagnosing pancreatic neoplasms are multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), alongside new technologies, such as elastography. Full article

α-Synuclein (α-syn) can form oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils, which are associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies. Both the lipid peroxidation product 4-oxo-2-nonenal (ONE) and agitation can induce aggregation of α-syn and phosphorylated α-syn. Thus, clarification of the characteristics of different α-syn species could help to select suitable aggregates for diagnosis and elucidate the pathogenesis of diseases. Here, we characterized ONE-induced wild-type (WT) α-syn aggregates (OW), ONE-induced phosphorylated α-syn (p-α-syn) aggregates (OP), agitation-induced α-syn preformed fibrils (PFF), and agitation-induced p-α-syn preformed fibrils (pPFF). Thioflavin T (ThT) dying demonstrated that OW and OP had fewer fibrils than the PFF and pPFF. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the lengths of PFF and pPFF were similar, but the diameters differed. OW and OP had more compact structures than PFF and pPFF. Aggregation of p-α-syn was significantly faster than WT α-syn. Furthermore, OW and OP were more sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable and proteinase K-resistant, suggesting greater stability and compactness, while aggregates of PFF and pPFF were more sensitive to proteinase K treatment. Both ONE- and agitation-induced aggregates were cytotoxic when added exogenously to SH-SY5Y cells with increasing incubation times, but the agitation-induced aggregates caused cell toxicity in a shorter time and more p-α-syn inclusions. Similarly, p-proteins were more cytotoxic than non-p-proteins. Finally, all four aggregates were used as standard antigens to establish sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the recognition efficiency of OW and OP was more sensitive than that of PFF and pPFF. The OW- and OP-specific ELISA for detection of p-α-syn and α-syn in plasma samples of Thy1-α-syn transgenic mice showed that the content of aggregates could reflect the extent of disease. ONE and agitation induced the formation of α-syn aggregates with distinct biophysical properties and biomedical applications. Full article

Existing retinex-based low-light image enhancement strategies focus heavily on crafting complex networks for Retinex decomposition but often result in imprecise estimations. To overcome the limitations of previous methods, we introduce a straightforward yet effective strategy for Retinex decomposition, dividing images into colormaps and graymaps as new estimations for reflectance and illumination maps. The enhancement of these maps is separately conducted using a diffusion model for improved restoration. Furthermore, we address the dual challenge of perturbation removal and brightness adjustment in illumination maps by incorporating brightness guidance. This guidance aids in precisely adjusting the brightness while eliminating disturbances, ensuring a more effective enhancement process. Extensive quantitative and qualitative experimental analyses demonstrate that our proposed method improves the performance by approximately $4.4\%$ on the LOL dataset compared to other state-of-the-art diffusion-based methods, while also validating the model’s generalizability across multiple real-world datasets. Full article

Lung cancer, despite recent advancements in survival rates, represents a significant global health burden. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most prevalent type, is driven largely by activating mutations in Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and less in v-RAF murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) and mitogen-activated protein-kinase kinase (MEK), all key components of the RTK-RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Learning from melanoma, the identification of BRAFV600E substitution in NSCLC provided the rationale for the investigation of RAF and MEK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy. The regulatory approval of two RAF-MEK inhibitor combinations, dabrafenib–trametinib, in 2017, and encorafenib–binimetinib, in 2023, signifies a breakthrough for the management of BRAFV600E-mutant NSCLC patients. However, the almost universal emergence of acquired resistance limits their clinical benefit. New RAF and MEK inhibitors, with distinct biochemical characteristics, are in preclinical and clinical development. In this review, we aim to provide valuable insights into the current state of RAF and MEK inhibition in the management of NSCLC, fostering a deeper understanding of the potential impact on patient outcomes. Full article

This study investigates the effects of forest aging on ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal community and foraging behavior and their interactions with plant–soil attributes. We explored EcM fungal communities and hyphal exploration types via rDNA sequencing and investigated their associations with plant–soil traits by comparing younger (~120 years) and older (~250 years) temperate forest stands in Northeast China. The results revealed increases in the EcM fungal richness and abundance with forest aging, paralleled by plant–soil feedback shifting from explorative to conservative nutrient use strategies. In the younger stands, Tomentella species were prevalent and showed positive correlations with nutrient availability in both the soil and leaves, alongside rapid increases in woody productivity. However, the older stands were marked by the dominance of the genera Inocybe, Hymenogaster, and Otidea which were significantly and positively correlated with soil nutrient contents and plant structural attributes such as the community-weighted mean height and standing biomass. Notably, the ratios of longer-to-shorter distance EcM fungal exploration types tended to decrease along with forest aging. Our findings underscore the integral role of EcM fungi in the aging processes of temperate forests, highlighting the EcM symbiont-mediated mechanisms adapting to nutrient scarcity and promoting sustainability in plant–soil consortia. Full article