Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus, the leading cause of viral-induced encephalitis. Several host molecules have been identified as the JEV attachment factor; however, the molecules involved in JEV entry remain poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that TIM-1 is important for efficient infection by JEV. Firstly, three TIM-1 variants (V1, V2, and V3) were cloned from A549 cells, and we revealed that only ectopically TIM-1 V2 expression in 293T cells significantly promotes JEV attachment, entry and infection. Point mutation of phosphatidylserine (Ptdser) binding pocket in the TIM-1 IgV domain dampened JEV entry, indicating that TIM-1-mediated JEV infection is Ptdser-dependent. Furthermore, we found the cytoplasmic domain of TIM-1 is also required for enhancing JEV entry. Additionally, knock down of TIM-1 expression in A549 cells impaired JEV entry and infection, but not attachment, suggesting that additional factors exist in A549 cells that allow the virus to bind. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that TIM-1 promotes JEV infection as an entry cofactor, and the polymorphism of TIM-1 is associated with JEV susceptibility to host cells.

Synergizing agricultural heritage conservation with tourism utilization is pivotal for sustainable regional development. Using a difference-in-differences (DID) method and entropy weight method (EWM), this study comparatively analyzed the economic resilience of two UNESCO agricultural heritage sites in China: the Wujiang Silk Culture System and the Longji Terraces in Longsheng, from 2019 to 2023. The results revealed that heritage certification significantly promotes tourism growth, increasing revenue in Wujiang by 12.5% and visitor numbers in Longsheng by 18.3%. However, the resilience mechanisms varied distinctly between the sites: Wujiang displayed a market-driven resilience pattern characterized by effective cultural tourism integration, whereas Longsheng remained vulnerable due to resource dependency and infrastructural constraints. Further, Wujiang’s robust policy framework involving heritage conservation, tourism development, and ecological compensation fostered sustained resilience, albeit facing long-term challenges such as potential cultural commodification. This research contributes theoretically by quantifying the resilience disparities via spatial econometric analyses, identifying market-institution drivers, and proposing a “Four-Dimensional Optimization Matrix”, integrating value activation, infrastructure enhancement, industrial symbiosis, and adaptive governance. Practically, it provides tailored policy insights for improving resilience, avoiding over-commercialization, and promoting sustainable tourism practices applicable globally, particularly in developing economies managing heritage sites.

The internet and digital devices are becoming increasingly involved in the lives of older adults with chronic diseases in China. Our research aims to explore the association between the use of the Internet and smart devices and the mental health of older adults with chronic diseases, and to investigate possible mediating mechanisms. Data were obtained from 7150 older adults with chronic diseases in mainland China. The obtained data were analyzed using path analysis, and structural equation models were adopted to explore the impact of the use of the Internet and smart devices on their mental health, and to examine whether social isolation plays a mediating role. There is an association between usage of internet and smart devices and mental health in older adults with chronic diseases. Internet access and healthcare are positively correlated with mental health, and are also associated with lower levels of social alienation and social exclusion. Social isolation plays an important mediating role in the use of the internet and smart devices as well as in mental health of older adults with chronic diseases. The research on the relationship between the internet and digital devices and mental health, as well as the mediating effect of social isolation, expands the application of Disengagement Theory in the digital age. Although the use of the internet and digital devices can help reduce social isolation and improve mental health, not all smart devices contribute to reducing social isolation.The use of certain intelligent devices, such as sleep monitoring devices, may be associated with risk factors for social participation and mental health. It is important to distinguish the roles of the different types of functional devices. Therefore, more attention should be given to the positive role of digital technology in healthcare for older adults.

The Journal retracts the article “Synergizing Conservation and Tourism Utilization in Agricultural Heritage Sites: A Comparative Analysis of Economic Resilience in Wujiang and Longsheng, China”