American Region Research Articles

Mediating Mundane Life

Abstract The recent and ongoing exodus of Venezuelans to the surrounding Latin American region has sparked international humanitarian intervention. Drawing on research conducted in Brazil in late 2019, this article focuses on the state-led humanitarian response to Venezuelan migration and its collaborative efforts with the military and leading organizations. Looking at two sites of institutional care, I argue that temporal structures created by military-humanitarian agencies work to govern the everyday mobilities of urban migrants living without shelter, who are often framed as criminals or threats within neoliberal securitization narratives. This article further reveals conflicting temporalities with regard to the practice of waiting, whereby the act is viewed as risky when visible in urban public spaces but favored in institutional settings where it can be closely monitored.

The impact of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption on the Peruvian atmosphere: from the sea surface to the ionosphere

The eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano on 15 January 2022 significantly impacted the lower and upper atmosphere globally. Using multi-instrument observations, we described disturbances from the sea surface to the ionosphere associated with atmospheric waves generated by the volcanic eruption. Perturbations were detected in atmospheric pressure, horizontal magnetic field, equatorial electrojet (EEJ), ionospheric plasma drifts, total electron content (TEC), mesospheric and lower thermospheric (MLT) neutral winds, and ionospheric virtual height measured at low magnetic latitudes in the western South American sector (mainly in Peru). The eastward Lamb wave propagation was observed at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory on the day of the eruption at 13:50 UT and on its way back from the antipodal point (westward) on the next day at 07:05 UT. Perturbations in the horizontal component of the magnetic field (indicative of EEJ variations) were detected between 12:00 and 22:00 UT. During the same period, GNSS-TEC measurements of traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) coincided approximately with the arrival time of Lamb and tsunami waves. On the other hand, a large westward variation of MLT winds occurred near 18:00 UT over Peru. However, MLT perturbations due to possible westward waves from the antipode have not been identified. In addition, daytime vertical plasma drifts showed an unusual downward behavior between 12:00 and 16:00 UT, followed by an upward enhancement between 16:00 and 19:00 UT. Untypical daytime eastward zonal plasma drifts were observed when westward drifts were expected. Variations in the EEJ are highly correlated with perturbations in the vertical plasma drift exhibiting a counter-equatorial electrojet (CEEJ) between 12:00 and 16:00 UT. These observations of plasma drifts and EEJ are, so far, the only ground-based radar measurements of these parameters in the western South American region after the eruption. We attributed the ion drift and EEJ perturbations to large-scale thermospheric wind variations produced by the eruption, which altered the dynamo electric field in the Hall and Pedersen regions. These types of multiple and simultaneous observations can contribute to advancing our understanding of the ionospheric processes associated with natural hazard events and the interaction with lower atmospheric layers.Graphical

Review: Application of hydrogeological models coupled with agent-based models to address sustainable groundwater management in Latin America

Agent-based models (ABMs) have long been applied in economics and social science research. The combination or coupling of these models with those of natural systems is a more recent application, and their use in conjunction with groundwater flow and transport models can be considered an innovative way to take advantage of their potential. In the Latin American region, sustainable management of groundwater resources can still be considered understudied. Among other characteristics, the existence of large transboundary aquifers in the region adds a further complication for addressing the sustainability of groundwater resource use. In this type of system, the impacts of joint regulations for utilization by different countries, the diversity of socioeconomic drivers and the conservation interests of each group of users might be consistently represented and explored through flow models coupled with ABMs. This review of the scientific literature aims to compile up-to-date information regarding the application of hydrogeological models coupled with agent-based models, focusing on their contributions to the sustainable management of groundwater resources and analyzing their potential for the Latin American region.

#1166 ACTION3 pivotal Phase 3 & open-label extension study assessing DMX-200 in adult & paediatric patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

Abstract Background and Aims Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a major cause of glomerular disease that affects both adults and children. FSGS can rapidly progress to end-stage kidney disease. Lack of safe and effective treatment represents a significant unmet need for patients with FSGS. Development of treatments has been hampered by complexities including the rare nature of the disease, varying drivers of pathogenesis, and the evolving diagnostic and clinical trial designs, necessitating innovative research approaches. DMX-200 (repagermanium) is a C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) pathway inhibitor. Activation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and CCR2 have been independently implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of FSGS. These receptors form a functional complex so inhibition of both receptors may provide an efficient approach to FSGS treatment. In vivo data shows co-administration of DMX-200 and the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) irbesartan demonstrated a synergistic reduction in proteinuria, macrophage infiltration, and podocyte loss compared with vehicle or either antagonist alone. A subsequent Phase 2a cross-over study (NCT03649152) in N = 8 patients with biopsy-proven primary FSGS showed that the combination of DMX-200 and irbesartan (compared to placebo) was well tolerated with most patients experiencing a reduction in proteinuria. Based on these data, the global Phase 3 study (ACTION3) was initiated to confirm the proteinuria lowering effects of DMX-200 and assess effects on eGFR decline. ACTION3 is a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, long-duration study of FSGS patients and on completion will provide a resource for the wider nephrology community and advocacy groups on the natural history of FSGS patients and the effects of a CCR2-inhibitor on the background of an ARB. Here we present the baseline data from the first 90 patients enrolled in ACTION3 at 12th January 2024. Method The ACTION3 (NCT05183646) study is a pivotal Phase 3, multicentre study of the efficacy and safety of DMX-200, 120 mg twice daily compared with placebo in adult patients with biopsy-proven FSGS receiving maximal tolerated ARB, with persistent proteinuria >1.5g/ day and eGFR >25 ml/min/1.73 m2. The study plans to enroll approximately 286 patients with primary FSGS, genetic FSGS and FSGS of undetermined cause with the primary objective of evaluating the efficacy of DMX-200 in percent change in 24-hour urine PCR and eGFR slope. The initial 104-week randomized period will be extended in a 2-year open label extension study. A futility analysis by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee following the first 72 patients completing 35 weeks of treatment confirm that continuation of the study is non-futile. Results The study is actively recruiting at 71 sites in 11 countries listed in Table 1. Demographic data of randomised patients is listed in Table 2. Patients are predominantly male (65%), with an average age of 46.6 yrs. and mean eGFR 56.3 ± 27.6 (ml/min/1.73 m2). The study is expanding recruitment into additional countries in the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin American regions. Further, the study protocol has sought and received regulatory approval to enroll adolescent patients aged 12-18 in Argentina, Mexico, UK and the US. Conclusion DMX-200 (repagermanium) has shown encouraging signs of safety and efficacy in combination with an ARB for the treatment of FSGS. The contributing countries and baseline characteristics of the patients enrolled in ACTION3 are similar to the populations studied in other recent FSGS trials. No clinically significant safety concerns have been observed in patients enrolled to date in the ACTION3 Phase 3 study.

Kenton Miller: pioneiro e líder na conservação de áreas selvagens na América Latina

Dr. Kenton Miller was a pioneer and leader in the conservation of wildlands in Latin America. Along with other prominent people, Dr. Miller contributed significantly during the 1960s and 1990s to the successful growth of protected area systems in the Latin American region.

Erotic Imagination in Latin America: Reflections on Sexual Fantasies and Coloniality.

Latin America comprises 20 countries and 14 dependent territories throughout the Western Hemisphere. It is a diverse and plural region in terms of its geography, cultures, languages, and historical experiences, with fifteenth-century colonialism as a common denominator. Two areas in which the lingering effects of coloniality seem clearly ever-present are the realms of gender and sexuality. The latter encompasses sexual fantasies, a subject of focus in this article. The examination of sexual fantasies remains a ripe area for future research, particularly throughout the Global South, where its linkages to coloniality should be explored in detail. To contribute to this larger and long-term goal, we implemented an online qualitative study designed to document the sexual fantasies of Spanish-speaking individuals living in the Latin American region. We developed a data-gathering form that included open-ended questions to document sexual fantasies. The form was available through the JotForm online platform that was linked to the study webpage entitled "A Calzón Quita'o." We conducted a thematic analysis to identify response patterns. Three main categories emerged from: (1) spatiotemporal references, (2) multiple partners, and (3) power, control, and rough sex. We relied on perspectives linked to ongoing discussions about coloniality to analyze the thematic content in the participants' responses regarding their sexual fantasies. The findings highlight the existing tensions between the reproduction of-and resistance to-the norms associated with gender roles and their embodiment within the framework of the gender binary inherited from coloniality.

Evaluating Apparent Temperature in the Contiguous United States From Four Reanalysis Products Using Artificial Neural Networks

AbstractReanalysis data sets are the products of data assimilation systems and while they exhibit consistency with the observed climate, they tend to be biased, especially at a local scale. In this study, we present an innovative approach for the assessment of the accuracy of four reanalysis data sets—European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts, Reanalysis 5 (ERA5), Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications Version 2, North American Regional Reanalysis, and the Twentieth Century Reanalysis—in capturing daily and extreme observed apparent temperatures in over 300 stations in the contiguous United States (USA). We modeled the relationship between the reanalysis and observed data during a training period and subsequently used these models to predict daily observations during the test period. This process enabled potential adjustment of the biases in the reanalysis data sets (i.e., the predictors). For predictive modeling, the performance of a Feed‐Forward Neural Network (FFNN) and a linear regression (LR) were assessed. Our results show the data assimilations were closer to observations in the eastern parts compared to the western parts of the USA. Considering the number of stations with the lowest error and highest hit rate (for extreme events), FFNN outperformed LR except for extreme warm events where LR performed better. Among the reanalysis data sets, ERA5 consistently exhibited the highest performance in predicting both daily and extreme values of apparent temperature, with a larger margin of relative accuracy for cold extremes. Thus, ERA5 is more adept at accurately representing apparent temperatures in the USA.

Aid and developing regional integration

This paper examines megatrends and interdependence of the loan aid-capital investment links across developing regions. Theoretically, it contributes to the existing studies by providing a novel theoretical framework with a dual-objective donor-giving grant (driven by a benevolent objective) and loan aid (profitability motive), as well as a public–private partnership-like investment structure and multi-region feedback mechanism. Empirically, this paper adds to the literature by allowing for cross-heterogeneity and interdependencies across regions of loan aid-capital investment link. We estimate a panel structural VAR model of grant aid, loan aid, private consumption, and aggregate capital stock using data from nine developing regional country blocs covering the 1961-2017 period. Amidst a generally weak aid-investment link, we find loan aid to Granger causes capital accumulation, and among African regions, it is the most (least) productive – in terms of within- and spillover effects – in the IGAD (ECOWAS) region. In addition, our results suggest deeper regional integration between the Sub-Saharan African regions than the collective Latin American & Caribbean regions and the two Southern Asian regions (Southeast Asia and South Asia) examined.

Gulf Stream Effects on Sea Level Oscillations: Enhancing Performance of a Coastal and Estuarine Model Nested into Global Model through Modified Boundary Conditions

This study investigates the effects of the gulf stream (GS) on sea-level oscillations across various time scales and assesses the performance of a coastal and estuarine model nested within a global model in simulating these variations. It aims to improve boundary conditions to simulate sea-level oscillations more accurately by considering the influence of GS flow. An inverse correlation is observed between observed sea-level oscillation and GS flow, which becomes more pronounced over longer time scales. Using Delft3D, a high-resolution coastal and estuarine model is developed to simulate circulation dynamics in the central Indian River Lagoon (IRL), FL, and adjacent coastal areas on the Florida east coast. The model is nested into the HYCOM (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model), and meteorological forcings are derived from the NARR (North American Regional Reanalysis) model. The model demonstrates satisfactory performance across key parameters, including tide, salinity, water temperature, and currents. However, there remains a noticeable difference between the modeled and observed data. To address this, the model is executed with modified flow boundary conditions at eastern boundary nodes, integrating HYCOM tide, and observing low-frequency sea-level variations. The implementation of the new boundary conditions results in an improved simulation of sea-level oscillations. This study presents the conceptual framework and detailed methodologies employed in the creation of a high-resolution model tailored for estuarine and coastal areas nested into global models capable of satisfactorily simulating sea-level oscillations even when the global model does not represent GS effects.

Mayaro virus, a potential threat for Europe: vector competence of autochthonous vector species

BackgroundMayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging alphavirus, primarily transmitted by the mosquito Haemagogus janthinomys in Central and South America. However, recent studies have shown that Aedesaegypti, Aedesalbopictus and various Anopheles mosquitoes can also transmit the virus under laboratory conditions. MAYV causes sporadic outbreaks across the South American region, particularly in areas near forests. Recently, cases have been reported in European and North American travelers returning from endemic areas, raising concerns about potential introductions into new regions. This study aims to assess the vector competence of three potential vectors for MAYV present in Europe.MethodsAedesalbopictus from Italy, Anophelesatroparvus from Spain and Culexpipiens biotype molestus from Belgium were exposed to MAYV and maintained under controlled environmental conditions. Saliva was collected through a salivation assay at 7 and 14 days post-infection (dpi), followed by vector dissection. Viral titers were determined using focus forming assays, and infection rates, dissemination rates, and transmission efficiency were calculated.ResultsResults indicate that Ae.albopictus and An.atroparvus from Italy and Spain, respectively, are competent vectors for MAYV, with transmission possible starting from 7 dpi under laboratory conditions. In contrast, Cx.pipiens bioform molestus was unable to support MAYV infection, indicating its inability to contribute to the transmission cycle.ConclusionsIn the event of accidental MAYV introduction in European territories, autochthonous outbreaks could potentially be sustained by two European species: Ae.albopictus and An.atroparvus. Entomological surveillance should also consider certain Anopheles species when monitoring MAYV transmission.Graphical abstract

Antimicrobial resistance, virulence potential and genomic epidemiology of global genomes of the rare Salmonella enterica serovar Orion.

Our aim is to characterize through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and heavy metal tolerance (HMT) genes content, plasmid presence, virulence potential and genomic diversity of the rare non-typhoid Salmonella enterica serovar Orion (S. Orion) from 19 countries of the African, American, Eastern Mediterranean, European, Southeastern Asia and Western Pacific regions. Totally 324 S. Orion genomes were screened for AMR, HMT and virulence genes, plasmids and Salmonella Pathogenicity Islands (SPIs). Genomic diversity was investigated using Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) and core-genome MLST (cgMLST). Efflux pump encoding genes mdsA and mdsB were present in all genomes analysed, while quinolone chromosomal point mutations and aminoglycoside, beta-lactam, colistin, lincosamide, macrolide, phenicol, sulphonamide, trimethoprim, tetracycline and disinfectant resistance genes were found in 0.3%-5.9%. A total of 17 genomes (5.2%) from Canada, the United Kingdom, the USA and Tanzania showed a potential multi-drug resistance profile. Gold tolerance genes golS and golT were detected in all genomes analysed, while arsenic, copper, mercury, silver and tellurium tolerance genes were found in 0.3%-35.5%. Col(MGD2) was the most frequently detected plasmid, in 15.4% of the genomes. Virulence genes related to adherence, macrophage induction, magnesium uptake, regulation, serum resistance, stress adaptation, type III secretion systems and six SPIs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 14 and C63PI) were detected. ST639 was assigned to 89.2% of the S. Orion genomes, while cgMLST showed core-genome STs and clusters of strains specific by countries. The high virulence factor frequencies, the genomic similarity among some non-clinical and clinical strains circulating worldwide and the presence of a strain carrying a resistance gene against a last resource antimicrobial like colistin, highlight the potential risk of S. Orion strains for public health and food safety and reinforce the importance to not underestimate the potential hazard of rare non-typhoid Salmonella serovars.

Reshaping the Multilateral Aid Regime from the Global South? Alternative Perspectives on Humanitarianism, Development and Peacebuilding from Latin America and the Caribbean

ABSTRACT In the context of rising contestations to the Liberal International Order (LIO), it is crucial to highlight the contribution of the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region to international institutions and global governance, particularly considering its peripheral position in the world order. The Triple Nexus Approach (TPA), adopted in 2016, promotes a coordinated effort in providing humanitarian assistance and aid for development by integrating them with peace endeavours. The LAC region has provided political and conceptual contributions to each TPA component, providing alternative perspectives on multilateral governance in humanitarian action, development and peacebuilding, emphasising the pursuit of collective and context-specific outcomes for crisis prevention. Focusing on the period from the early 21st century to 2019, a time when the Triple Nexus theoretical structuring publications emerged, it is highlighted how contestations to the LIO and the changing world order have impacted global governance norms, creating opportunities for emerging and peripheral countries to shape post-liberal rules. This allows Global South countries to set self-determined development objectives and make a meaningful contribution to global rule-making.

Genetic diversity of the banana Fusarium wilt pathogen in Cuba and across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Fusarium wilt of bananas (FWB) is a severe plant disease that leads to substantial losses in banana production worldwide. It remains a major concern for Cuban banana cultivation. The disease is caused by members of the soil-borne Fusarium oxysporum species complex. However, the genetic diversity among Fusarium species infecting bananas in Cuba has remained largely unexplored. In our comprehensive survey, we examined symptomatic banana plants across all production zones in the country, collecting 170 Fusarium isolates. Leveraging genotyping-by-sequencing and whole-genome comparisons, we investigated the genetic diversity within these isolates and compared it with a global Fusarium panel. Notably, typical FWB symptoms were observed in Bluggoe cooking bananas and Pisang Awak subgroups across 14 provinces. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that F. purpurascens, F. phialophorum, and F. tardichlamydosporum are responsible for FWB in Cuba, with F. tardichlamydosporum dominating the population. Furthermore, we identified between five and seven distinct genetic clusters, with F. tardichlamydosporum isolates forming at least two subgroups. This finding underscores the high genetic diversity of Fusarium spp. contributing to FWB in the Americas. Our study sheds light on the population genetic structure and diversity of the FWB pathogen in Cuba and the broader Latin American and Caribbean regions.

Multi-Instrument Observation of the Ionospheric Irregularities and Disturbances during the 23–24 March 2023 Geomagnetic Storm

This work investigates the ionospheric response to the March 2023 geomagnetic storm over American and Asian sectors from total electron content (TEC), rate of TEC index, ionospheric heights, Swarm plasma density, radio occultation profiles of Formosat-7/Cosmic-2 (F7/C2), Fabry-Perot interferometer driven neutral winds, and E region electric field. During the storm’s main phase, post-sunset equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) extend to higher latitudes in the western American longitudes, showing significant longitudinal differences in the American sector. Over the Indian longitudes, suppression of post-sunset irregularities is observed, attributed to the westward prompt penetration electric field (PPEF). At the early recovery phase, the presence of post-midnight/near-sunrise EPBs till post-sunrise hours in the American sector is associated with the disturbance of dynamo-electric fields (DDEF). Additionally, a strong consistency between F7/C2 derived amplitude scintillation (S4) ≥ 0.5 and EPB occurrences is observed. Furthermore, a strong eastward electric field induced an increase in daytime TEC beyond the equatorial ionization anomaly crest in the American region, which occurred during the storm’s main phase. Both the Asian and American sectors exhibit negative ionospheric storms and inhibition of ionospheric irregularities at the recovery phase, which is dominated by the disturbance dynamo effect due to equatorward neutral winds. A slight increase in TEC in the Asian sector during the recovery phase could be explained by the combined effect of DDEF and thermospheric composition change. Overall, storm-time ionospheric variations are controlled by the combined effects of PPEF and DDEF. This study may further contribute to understanding the ionospheric responses under the influence of storm-phase and LT-dependent electric fields.

Worldwide prevalence of molar-incisor hypomineralization: A literature review

Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a qualitative enamel defect with a multifactorial etiology, affecting at least one permanent first molar and often associated with permanent incisors and other teeth. MIH is prevalent worldwide, particularly among children under 10 years of age. However, its prevalence rates vary significantly even within the same country. This study aimed to determine the global prevalence of MIH from 1987 to 2023, focusing on children aged 3 to 18 years, using the 2003 EAPD classification. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar, covering studies from 1987 to July 2023 that included sample sizes of more than 1,000 children. A total of 80 studies met the inclusion criteria, with most participants aged between 6 and 12 years. Of these studies, 69 (86.2%) utilized the 2003 EAPD classification. Globally, 17,980 children out of 179,800 examined presented MIH, resulting in a prevalence of 9.4%. Regional prevalence varied: in Asia, 8,812 out of 81,954 children (10.7%) had MIH; in Africa, 344 out of 6,904 children (4.9%); in America, 2,193 out of 12,324 children (17.7%); and in Europe, 6,631 out of 90,042 children (7.3%). The American region reported the highest prevalence of MIH at 17.7%, while Europe and Asia showed similar rates close to the global prevalence (7.3% and 10.7%, respectively). Africa reported the lowest prevalence at 4.9%, but the number of studies conducted there was limited. Overall, MIH has a moderate global incidence with significant regional variations.

State Support for Commercialization of Intellectual Activity Results in Socially Significant Industries

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the leaders in terms of the intensity of commercialization of the intellectual activity results (IAR). Its development as a socially significant industry is a priority in the state policy of countries with developing economies, in particular, the countries of the Latin American region (LA). A number of economic conditions for the development of commercialization of the IAR in these countries are similar to the Russian economy. Common barriers to development include dependence on imported substances, inefficient interaction between science and business, lack of public and private investment in R&D, and insufficient development of the intellectual property (IP) institution. At the same time, it is possible to identify common growth drivers: the growth potential of the consumer market, unique natural resources, relatively high scientific potential, and the concentration of R&D in research institutes and universities. The similarity of the conditions helps to suggest that it is possible to adapt the best practices of IAR commercialization formed in the LA, to the Russian economy. The research method used in this article include analyzing published legislative and statistical materials on financial institutions of the LA countries in order to identify problems and experience in overcoming them in the field of commercialization of intellectual property. The analysis of state support for imitation, closed and open models of commercialization of IAR used by pharmaceutical companies in developing economies made it possible to identify successful support mechanisms, as well as positive and negative results of the application of each model. On this basis, as the results of the research recommendations for state support for the commercialization in socially significant industries of the Russian economy are suggested.

An Examination of the Proliferation of Cryptocurrencies in the Latin American Region: A Focus on Brazil

An Examination of the Proliferation of Cryptocurrencies in the Latin American Region: A Focus on Brazil

A Comparative Study on the Trade Structure between China and Major Spanish American Countries

As one of the largest emerging economies in the world, the Latin American region is also a region with high global strategic value. The trade between 19 Spanish American countries and China has a significant impact on economic and trade cooperation between China and Latin America. This article is based on the perspective of trade commodity structure, analyzing trade data between China and Spanish American countries in recent years, comparing and studying the import and export commodity structure between China and three major Spanish American countries: Mexico, Chile, and Peru, and analyzing the changes. Finally, in response to the issues identified in the study, some suggestions are proposed for trade exchanges between China and Spanish American countries, with the hope of providing reference for optimizing the trade commodity structure between China and Spanish American countries and for enterprises to further develop the Latin American market.

Sequence-based epitope mapping of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5 clade 2.3.4.4b in Latin America.

High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) poses a significant threat to public and animal health. Clade 2.3.4.4b recently emerged from the Eastern hemisphere and disseminated globally, reaching the Latin American (LATAM) region in late 2022 for the first time. HPAI in LATAM has resulted in massive mortalities and culling of poultry and wild birds, causing infection in mammals and humans. Despite its meaningful impact in the region, only occasional evidence about the genetic and epitope characteristics of the introduced HPAI is reported. Hence, this study seeks to phylogenetically characterize the molecular features and the source of HPAI in LATAM by evaluating potential antigenic variations. For such a purpose, we analyzed 302 whole genome sequences. All Latin American viruses are descendants of the 2.3.4.4b clade of the European H5N1 subtype. According to genomic constellations deriving from European and American reassortments, the identification of three major subtypes and eight sub-genotypes was achievable. Based on the variation of antigenic motifs at the HA protein in LATAM, we detected three potential antigenic variants, indicating the HA-C group as the dominant variant. This study decidedly contributes to unraveling the origin of the 2.3.4.4b clade in LATAM, its geographic dissemination, and evolutionary dynamics within Latin American countries. These findings offer useful information for public health interventions and surveillance initiatives planned to prevent and manage the transmission of avian influenza viruses.

China’s Strategic Lending Policy: Implications for Latin America

China is quickly becoming the largest official lender in the world. For Latin America, China is overtaking multilateral lenders such as the World Bank as the biggest holder of debt in the region. When this is added to the trade relationship with Latin America that has grown rapidly in the twenty first century, initially driven by China’s demand for commodities, the linkage between the two now goes even deeper. It further means that a potential stop to Chinese funding due to a domestic financial crisis would have an even more widespread impact on Latin America. This paper analyses China’s overseas lending strategy and how it has deepened the relationship with Latin America. It then turns to the potential of a Chinese financial crisis and the significant implications for the Latin American region. The article concludes with policy recommendations.