Areas Of Asia Research Articles

Effect of climate change on the habitat suitability of the relict species Zelkova carpinifolia Spach using ensembled species distribution modelling.

Zelkova carpinifolia is a Tertiary relict tree distributed in Hyrcanian and Colchic forests. Most of its habitat has been destroyed in the last century. This study aimed to model potentially suitable habitat areas for Zelkova carpinifolia from the past to the future. The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Future (2061-2080) models include 19 bioclimatic variables from the CCSM4 global circulation model Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess collinearity between variables and ten variables were selected for distribution modelling. Habitat suitability was estimated using the Biodiversity Modelling (BIOMOD) ensemble modelling method by combining the results of ten algorithm models using the R package "biomod2". The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and true skills statistics (TSS) were calculated to evaluate the performance of the models. The contributions of the environmental variables were calculated separately for each algorithm model. According to the results obtained, the most effective bioclimatic variable in the distribution of the species is temperature seasonality (Bio4). The modelling results revealed that Zelkova carpinifolia survived in suitable refuge areas in western Asia during the LGM. These distribution areas have remained largely unchanged and even expanded. The future model results predict that the suitable habitats of the species will narrow in the Hyrcanian forests south of Caspian Sea and that more suitable conditions will be found around the Caucasus. Given the increasing destruction of these valuable plant species due to human activities and the expected negative impacts of climate change in the future, it is important to develop policies and strategies for the protection of Zelkova carpinifolia's habitat, the creation of nature reserves, and sustainability.

The state and future of extreme heat studies in Southeast Asian megacities: risk, impacts and adaptation strategies in a warming world

Abstract Southeast Asian cities are increasingly affected by heat-related phenomena and various climate-related disasters; however, research on urban heat in this region remains limited compared to other areas. This paper employs bibliometric and thematic analyses to investigate studies on extreme heat in mega-urban areas of Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on the risks and impacts faced by vulnerable populations, as well as their adaptation and mitigation strategies. The bibliometric analysis visualises the research landscape, identifying key clusters and highlighting prevalent themes and gaps. It reveals a predominant emphasis on characterising extreme heat and analysing urban temperature variations through satellite and meteorological data, which underscores a significant lack of research on the socio-economic factors affecting at-risk communities. The thematic analysis further examines how existing studies address these socio-economic vulnerabilities and evaluates the adaptation strategies employed, particularly concerning land use changes driven by population growth. Our findings indicate that, while there are studies addressing urban heat in Southeast Asia, their quantity is relatively small compared to the extensive body of research focused on other regions. Strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme heat on mental and social well-being emphasise the importance of green infrastructure and public spaces. There is also a pressing need to enhance urban planning and design to ensure that adaptation measures are inclusive of at-risk, lower-income communities. Understanding the complexities of the risks and impacts of extreme heat on urban populations is crucial for developing effective, context-specific adaptation strategies that prioritise the needs of vulnerable populations and promote equitable, sustainable urban development.

Sand and Dust Storm Risk Assessment in Arid Central Asia: Implications for the Environment, Society, and Agriculture

AbstractThis study aimed to assess sand and dust storm (SDS) risks in arid Central Asia during 2001–2021 from a multisectoral (environment, society, and agriculture) and comprehensive perspective on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The results show that the areas with moderate or greater SDS risk accounted for 18.75% of the total area of arid Central Asia. The high SDS risk areas are mainly concentrated in the oases around the desert and are most widely distributed in spring and summer. The SDS risk in the oasis area of southern Xinjiang increased significantly, while the SDS risk in the northeastern Aral Sea region and the Kazakh hilly region decreased significantly over the 21 years. Khwarazm of Uzbekistan, located in the Amu Darya River Delta, is the administrative district with the highest comprehensive risk of sandstorms, and the Balkan State of Turkmenistan and Kashi City and Zepu County in China are the administrative districts with the highest multisectoral risk of sandstorms. The results of this study provide a complete picture of SDS risks in the arid Central Asia region and will provide some guidance to policymakers and local authorities in SDS risk mitigation.

Decoding the mystery of Bangladesh's jute decline: A climate crisis or plastic predicament

Bangladesh is one of the areas in Asia most vulnerable to climate change, with a mostly agricultural economy. Although jute was formerly an important cash crop, its production has steadily declined. However, the use of plastic products instead of jute-made goods is increasing rapidly. This study investigates whether plastic and climate change seriously threaten jute crops in Bangladesh. The dataset includes observations from 1988 to 2021, and various methods are used, including the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test, Johansen cointegrating regression estimators, and fully modified Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). The findings show that floods and rainfall significantly harm jute production in Bangladesh. However, plastic usage which is measured by the use of plastic has no statistically significant effects on jute production. Therefore, to safeguard jute production in Bangladesh, the government should prioritize climate-resilient agricultural practices, such as improved flood management and the introduction of flood-resistant jute varieties. Additionally, promoting jute-made products over plastic alternatives can help revive the jute industry and reduce plastic pollution.

Identification of the HbZAR1 Gene and Its Potential Role as a Minor Gene in Response to Powdery Mildew and Anthracnose of Hevea brasiliensis

Powdery mildew and anthracnose are the main diseases of rubber trees. In recent years, there have been large outbreaks in the rubber-planting areas of Asia, seriously affecting the yield and quality of rubber latex. ZAR1 is a conserved and distinctive coiled-coil nucleotide-binding leucine-rich (CNL) repeat in the plant kingdom, playing a crucial role in disease-resistance processes. To elucidate the function of the HbZAR1 gene in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis), three candidate HbZAR1 genes were identified using bioinformatics methods and comprehensively analyzed. The results indicate that the HbZAR1 protein is conserved in different plant species. Examination of cis-regulatory element sequences of HbZAR1genes reveals that the HbZAR1 gene promoter exhibits a remarkable enrichment of stress, light, and hormone elements. An expression analysis shows that the expression levels of the three HbZAR1 genes are highest in the bark and lowest in latex. Three HbZAR1 genes can respond to both rubber tree Erysiphe quercicola and Colletotrichum siamense infection; especially, HbZAR1.1 and HbZAR1.2 show significant upregulation in expression levels during the early stages of infection. These findings suggest that the three HbZAR1 genes may be involved in rubber tree susceptibility to E. quercicola and C. siamense through different immune mechanisms. Subcellular localization results indicate that the HbZAR1 genes are expressed in the nucleus and plasma membrane. This study also shows that the three HbZAR1 genes and activated mutant HbZAR1.1D481V do not induce stable ROS production and cell death, suggesting possible gene degradation, functional redundancy, or acting as minor genes in disease resistance. This research provides valuable insights for further studying the function of HbZAR1 genes in rubber trees and the mechanisms of immune molecules.

Divergent dynamics of coastal wetlands in the world’s major river deltas during 1990–2019

Coastal wetlands provide vital dynamic ecosystem services. They have become increasingly important after being linked to several sustainable developmental goals, resulting in a focus on their protection, management, and restoration. Therefore, there is an increasing need to detect and compare coastal wetland spatiotemporal dynamics in deltas at a global scale. In this study, we mapped and characterized coastal wetland spatiotemporal patterns for 1990–2019 in the world’s major river deltas using pixel frequency algorithms and Landsat-4/5 (TM), −7 (ETM + ), −8 (OLI), and Sentinel-2 (MSI) time-series imagery obtained from Google Earth Engine (GEE). Our map had a high overall accuracy (91.84 %) for 2019. Tidal flats were primarily distributed in North America (∼6.87 %) and Asia (∼5.91 %), whereas salt marshes were more commonly found in North America (∼45.39 %) and South America (∼10.61 %). Mangroves are more common in South America (∼11.86 %) and Asia (∼5.83 %), primarily because of the Amazon River Delta and tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, which host several large river deltas. South America had the largest coastal delta wetland area (798,569 km2), followed by Asia (640,251 km2), North America (581,977 km2), Africa (181,977 km2), Europe (140,759 km2), and Oceania (15,915 km2). There was a minor difference in the distribution of wetland vegetation and tidal flats in Asian coastal deltas, and the wetland vegetation area in Asia was greater than that in tidal flats on other continents. We found that the coastal wetland areas increased during 1990–2001, decreased during 2001–2012, and steadily increased during 2012–2019. Our study provides a baseline for monitoring the area, status, and health of the coastal wetlands in these river deltas.

Influence of climate on desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål, 1775) Plague and migration prediction in tropics

The outbreak of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria Forskål, 1775, which originated from the Horn of Africa in 2019–2020 created an episodic plague under bio-geographical settings in the arid and semi-arid areas of South and Southwest Asia. In India, it happened after twenty-seven years due to the persistence of a few favourable conditions caused by its plague, resulting in hundreds of crores in crop damage. Keeping this in mind, the study aims to assess the suitability and likelihood of the desert locust epidemic occurring in India, utilizing two widely recognized statistical models: Weight-of-Evidence (WoE) and Frequency Ratio (FR). This work evaluated nine critical climatic factors for the study considering western and central parts of India. The ‘Projected Locust Suitability’ (PLS) was calculated by analyzing the correlation of the considered variables and the occurrence of locust swarms and bands. The significance (importance) of each variable on PLS was determined using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms. The PLS maps clearly show that 42.7–52.8% of the areas fall under high and very high locust suitability zones. The result suggests that the Ajmer-Gwalior-Allahabad tract is highly prone to future locust occurrences, while the Aligarh-Bareilly-Lakhimpur tract is moderately susceptible. The effectiveness of both modelled PLS maps was determined with the help of the ROC curve. The AUC results indicate that both the WoE (0.92) and the RF (0.90) models worked remarkably well in precisely predicting PLS. The RF-based IncNodePurity analysis indicates that low to moderate temperatures in the presence of cloud cover significantly impact locust occurrence and migration. The present findings are projected to direct the development of sustainable locust management strategies utilizing proper land use policies in the tropical climate.

Comparison of Some Parts of Cotoneaster coriaceus Franch. Plant in Terms of Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Capacity

Cotoneaster spp. is a plant belonging to the Rosaceae family, which includes different genera and taxa. It is a woody plant that grows from shrubs to trees depending on its height (between 0.2-20 m) and grows in the temperate areas of Europe, North Africa and Asia. Many Cotoneaster species have become highly popular ornamental plants due to their striking leaves, dense flowers, and bright red-black fruits. These species have been used traditionally for the treatment of numerous diseases due to their rich bioactive components present in both their above-ground and below-ground parts. This study investigates the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of the above-ground parts of Cotoneaster coriaceus Franch., including its fruits, stems, and leaves. For this purpose, total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity, organic acid and sugar profile, and mineral distributions were determined. According to the results, the highest amounts of macro-minerals identified were potassium (K) and calcium (Ca), while iron (Fe) and boron (B) were the predominant micro-minerals. The dominant organic acid in the fruit was malic acid, while succinic acid was prevalent in the stems and leaves. Sucrose and fructose, the sugars detected in the fruit, were found in equal levels in the stems and leaves. Fructose was identified as the dominant sugar in the leaves. It was determined that the fruit, stem, and leave parts of the Cotoneaster coriaceus Franch. plant species were rich in TPC, with the stems exhibiting higher antioxidant capacity.

Effects of drying conditions on physical properties, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Andrographis paniculata leaves

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees (AP) is a medicinal plant widely used in the tropical area of Asia. The effects of drying temperature and time on the andrographolide (AG) content, total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity were investigated. A 3×4 factorial completely randomized design was performed. Sun drying and hot-air drying at different temperatures (50℃, 60℃ and 70℃) and different drying times (5 hrs, 6 hrs and 7 hrs) were investigated. The results demonstrated that a higher drying temperature and a longer time decreased the AG content, the TPC, the DPPH radical scavenging activity and the FRAP activity. Dried AP leaves at 50℃ for 5 hrs had the highest AG content. However, sun drying for 5 hrs resulted in the greatest TPC, DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP activity. Therefore, the recommended options for the optimum drying of AP to maintain active ingredients were 50℃ for 5 hrs, while sun drying was recommended to maintain antioxidant activity. These results provided the basis for further development of dried Andrographis paniculata leaf products containing high contents of bioactive and antioxidant activity as functional or nutraceutical foods in the future.

Electrochemical molecularly imprinted polymer sensor for simple and fast analysis of tetrodotoxin in seafood

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a marine biotoxin whose biosynthesis is associated with the pufferfish. Its distribution is primarily focused in Asian and tropical marine areas. Currently, this group of toxins is classified as emerging in Europe, and its presence could be related to climate change. This incidence has prompted the European Union, with the European Food Safety Authority, to establish control and monitoring mechanisms for TTX in marine products in Europe. In this context, the development of analytical tools capable of ensuring the safety of food products, especially seafood and fish, is a crucial task. This study describes the development of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based electrochemical sensor for the analysis of TTX. The MIP was synthesized through the electropolymerization of a functional monomer, ortho-phenylenediamine in the presence of a dummy template, voglibose. The MIP sensor was constructed on a screen-printed gold electrode and characterized by cyclic voltammetry. Differential pulse voltammetry, using a redox probe ([Fe(CN)6]3-/4-), was used in the analysis protocol. The developed sensor exhibited a linear response between 5.0 μg mL−1 and 25.0 μg mL−1, with a limit of detection of 1.14 μg mL−1. Its high imprinting efficiency conferred outstanding selectivity towards TTX. The sensor's applicability was confirmed through recovery assays on spiked mussel samples, achieving recoveries of 81.0 %, 110.2 %, and 102.5 % for external standard addition at 30.0, 44.0, and 60.0 μg kg−1, respectively, with relative standard deviations below 15 %. These results are comparable to those obtained using Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry, a validated method carried out by the European Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins. Thus, the MIP sensor represents a portable, simple, and fast tool with essential analytical functionalities for the sampling phase and pre-selection of laboratory samples for analysis.

Evaluation and projection of changes in temperature and precipitation over Northwest China based on CMIP6 models

AbstractNorthwest China is much more sensitive to climate warming, and the climate has varied rapidly from warm and drought to warm and humid conditions. In addition, due to the complex terrain of Northwest China, the methods and parameterization schemes of different CMIP6 models, these models are mostly applied to arid areas in Northwest China or Central Asia, lacking climate data for plateau areas and eastern Lanzhou, specifically in filtering CMIP6 models and evaluating applicable models. In this paper, 34 CMIP6 climate models are used to evaluate and forecast future trends in Northwest China under the SSP126, SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios in the short, medium and long term. CMIP6 models of temperature and precipitation are identified by applying the interannual variability skill score (IVS) between CN05.1 datasets and historical CMIP6 models, which are suitable for Northwest China. Then, we assess the characteristics, warming and wetting deviations, and uncertainties in the prediction of climatic change according to CMIP6 models over Northwest China. The results show that CMIP6 models in precipitation and temperature applicable to Northwest China are AWI‐CM‐1‐1‐MR, BCC‐CSM2‐MR, FGOALS‐g3, INM‐CM4‐8, INM‐CM5‐0 and MRI‐ESM2‐0. The multi‐model ensemble mean (MMEM) has better capability than individual CMIP6 models in precipitation and temperature prediction. Spatiotemporal climatic change over Northwest China shows overall warming and wetting trends. The IVS provides the ability to estimate CMIP6 model simulation performance both temporally and spatially. The temperature simulation is quite good in the Tarim Basin and Hexi Corridor region, and the precipitation simulation is quite good in the plateau region, Altai Mountains, Tianshan Mountains and Hexi Corridor region. Cold and wet deviations occur in Northwest China due to the topography and few stations, which are common reasons. The main sources of uncertainties in temperature prediction during this century are model uncertainty (before the 2090s) and scenario variability (after the 2090s), and model uncertainty in precipitation for CMIP6 becomes the main source of uncertainty.

An evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of diagnostic tests for foot and mouth disease: are novel diagnostic tests for FMD more feasible than conventional tests in Southeast Asia?

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) remains endemic in many areas of continental Southeast Asia (SEA). It is responsible for substantial economic losses in the smallholder sector and threatens livelihoods. In recent years, novel diagnostic tests have been developed which reportedly detect FMD virus more effectively and efficiently. This critically appraised topic (CAT) aimed to evaluate the feasibility of these diagnostic tests for FMD in SEA compared to conventional tests. Relevant studies that evaluate diagnostic tests are identified and critically assessed, and recommendations are made on suitable potential diagnostic tests for use in the smallholder sector in SEA. A systematic search of electronic databases (CABI: CAB Abstracts, Web of Science Core Collections) was carried out to identify relevant studies that compared novel and conventional diagnostic tests. The search strategy initially identified 12 papers, of which six fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and were selected for this review. Most of the selected studies had limitations in design and comparability, making it difficult to validly compare the effectiveness and efficiency of the relevant diagnostic tests. These limitations include variation in sample characteristics, methodology, measurable outcomes and the different aspects of the diagnostic tests that each study focused on. Most studies concluded that novel diagnostic tests were more effective and efficient than conventional tests: had greater analytical sensitivity and specificity, were more robust, had a wider range of processable sample types and serotypes, could detect various diseases, had faster testing speeds and provided greater value for money. However, strong recommendations on which specific diagnostic test to rely on could not be made, since there was conflicting evidence and multiple confounding factors. Overall, the evidence found did not entirely apply to the target scenario, being SEA smallholder farms. Recommendations for the target scenario were also made based on the study findings.

Asian Bay Areas' Experiences in Promoting Youth's Participation in Social Innovation Asian Bay Areas' Experiences in Promoting Youth's Participation in Social Innovation

This study analyzes the experiences and approaches of Asian bay areas, particularly China's Greater Bay Area and Japan's Tokyo Bay Area, in promoting youth participation in social innovation. Through a literature review and four case studies, the paper explores how social innovation helps young people address modernity challenges, including unemployment and social isolation. The cases include knowledge enhancement programs, breaking social isolation, providing work promotion opportunities, and empowering and inspiring youth to engage in social innovation. These methods not only contribute to solving social issues but also enhance young people's self-efficacy and improve their employability. The findings suggest that social innovation programs targeting youth must be tailored to meet their diverse needs, ranging from personal development and community belonging to professional advancement, all of which play a vital role.

Investigating hunting in a protected area in Southeast Asia using passive acoustic monitoring with mobile smartphones and deep learning

Hunting is one of the most serious threats to wildlife populations. Guns can be used to hunt both terrestrial and arboreal species. While many methods and techniques have been developed to monitor wildlife populations, few techniques have been developed that can meet the demand needed to monitor threats to wildlife populations and support intervention activities; this is particularly true in Southeast Asia. Here, we used smartphones to record gunshots at 64 sites that were systematically spaced in Chu Mom Ray National Park, Vietnam from July to November 2019. Our specific goals were to: 1) quantify temporal and spatial patterns in gunshots in the national park; 2) investigate the correlation between gunshots and seven environmental variables including forest quality, elevation, and distance to the nearest village or ranger post; and 3) compare the performance of three convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures for automatically detecting gunshots. We manually annotated spectrograms of gunshots using Raven Pro 1.6. Using the manual detection approach, we identified 115 gunshots at 30 sites. The number of gunshots recorded at each recording site over two days varied from 0 to 11. On average, there were about 0.93 gunshots recorded per day per recording site. Hunting activity showed a strong temporal trend. The number of gunshots detected increased gradually from early morning, reaching the peak at noon, with the most gunshots recorded from 10:00 to 14:00 local time, equivalent to 0.18 gunshots per hour per site. No gunshots were detected from 22:00 to 04:00 in the morning. There were no strong relationships between the number of gunshots and all environmental variables, with all the correlation coefficients smaller than 0.3. Comparing three CNN architectures — AlexNet, VGG16, and ResNet18— implemented in the ‘torch for R’ ecosystem, we found that both AlexNet and VGG16 architectures led to acceptable performance for automated detection (F1 score > 0.80), but the ResNet18 architecture did not perform well for this task. We found low generalizability, as the models had relatively low performance on an open dataset from Belize (F1 score ∼ 0.52). To implement effective patrols, protected-area managers should make a hunting-risk map. The effort required for this task can be substantially reduced by using a combination of PAM and automated gunshot detection, however these approaches still require creation of a site-specific training and test dataset, along with manual verification of the detections.

Mallomonas gemina comb. et stat. nov. (Synurales, Chrysophyceae)—a new combination based on molecular studies

Strains of Mallomonas favosa f. favosa and Mallomonas favosa f. gemina from Vietnam have been studied. Their phylogenetic position was revealed using the SSU rDNA + rbcL cpDNA dataset. The ultrastructure of the scales and bristles was studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. A new combination was proposed: Mallomonas gemina comb. et stat. nov. The morphological features of the species are discussed in this paper. Based on a revision of the published data, the distribution of Mallomonas gemina was clarified. Mallomonas gemina is recorded mainly in tropical and subtropical areas in Asia.

Cross‐administrative solutions for sustainable development: The case of the Watertown Hub

AbstractWater‐abundant regions face challenges due to urbanization and development, which pose threats to local water networks and the environment. Fragmented water network management and administrative boundaries hinder cross‐administrative collaboration and ecological conservation. This study presents a framework centered around the “Watertown Hub” concept, which focuses on integrated ecological and green development, fostering multifunctional, shared spaces for coordinated management in the Watertown region of the Yangtze River Delta, China. By leveraging landscape infrastructure and ecological sensitivity assessment, shared spaces are established beyond administrative boundaries, promoting cross‐administrative coordination, management, and resource integration. The approach effectively balances the protection of basin ecology and economic development, mitigates water system fragmentation, and addresses environmental concerns. It enhances regional communication, connectivity, and sustainability. Although the focus is on China's Jiangnan region, this research provides insights applicable to other water‐rich areas in South Asia and beyond, fostering cross‐administrative ecological coordination and sustainable development amidst urbanization pressures.

Introduction

Social transformations in Sinic intellectual history reveal a complex interaction among evolving cultural, philosophical, and artistic ideas and socio-political shifts. The Sinic region, encompassing areas in East and Southeast Asia influenced by Chinese script and culture—particularly Confucianism and various forms of Chinese Buddhism—includes China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, parts of Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other neighbouring countries. The term “Sinic”, originating from the Latin word for China, highlights the shared cultural and linguistic heritage across these regions. This history illustrates how shifts in intellectual thought have continually influenced and been shaped by changes in societal structures and governance. The present publication explores the intricate relationship between the individual and the state—a theme that resonates deeply through the annals of Asian thought. This relationship, characterized by an evolving dialogue between personal autonomy and state authority, serves as the backdrop to the discussions presented in this issue. Each paper contributes to a broader understanding of how individuals have negotiated their space within the structures imposed by state ideologies, influencing and reshaping them in turn.

Primary and Orthotopic Murine Models of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Reveal Molecular Mechanisms Underlying its Malignant Progression.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a squamous cell carcinoma originating in the nasopharynx, is a leading malignancy in south China and other south and east Asia areas. It is frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, while there are also some NPC patients without EBV infection. Here, it is shown that the EBV+ (EBV positive) and EBV- (EBV negative) NPCs contain both shared and distinct genetic abnormalities, among the latter are increased mutations in TP53. To investigate the functional roles of NPC-associated genetic alterations, primary, orthotopic, and genetically defined NPC models were developed in mice, a key tool missed in the field. These models, initiated with gene-edited organoids of normal nasopharyngeal epithelium, faithfully recapitulated the pathological features of human disease. With these models, it is found that Trp53 and Cdkn2a deficiency are crucial for NPC initiation and progression. And latent membrane protein1 (LMP1), an EBV-coding oncoprotein, significantly promoted the distal metastasis. Further, loss of TGFBR2, which is frequently disrupted both in EBV- and EBV+ NPCs, dramatically accelerated the progression and lung metastasis of NPC probably by altering tumor microenvironment. Taken together, this work establishes a platform to dissect the genetic mechanisms underlying NPC pathogenesis and might be of value for future translational studies.

Complete Chloroplast Genome, Distribution, and Pharmacological Activities Pogostemon: A Mini Review

Pogostemon Desf. is the largest genus in the Pogostemoneae (Lamiaceae). The plastid genomes of Pogostemon species ranged from 151,824 to 152,707 bp in length and comprise 114 genes including 80 protein coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Pogostemon is found mostly in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia. P. cablin as one of the commercial species of the genus Pogostemon has various abundant pharmacological activities, such as anti-hypertension, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, etc. This review studied the complete chloroplast genome of Pogostemon, distribution of Pogostemon, and pharmacological activity of P. cablin. Online literature searches were carried out to compile the article. The following search terms were used to find online publications: Pogostemon, distribution of Pogostemon, complete chloroplast genome of Pogostemon, and pharmacological activity of P. cablin plants in PubMed (Medline) and Web of Science. Additionally, several assessments of prior and present data from the Pogostemon and P. cablin research publication were included into one review.

New parasitoids of Corythucha arcuata (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) in Bulgaria

During the period 2019-2020, parasitoids of invasive oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata) were studied in Bulgaria. Biological material (larvae of C. arcuata) was collected from European oak (Quercus robur) or Austrian oak (Quercus cerris) in five localities of the country. Five eulophid specimens (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were reared from the host larvae: Tamarixia pubescens, Elasmus sp., Minotetrastichus sp., Pnigalio sp. and Sympiesis sp. The impact of the parasitoids on the host number was very low (0.1-0.3%). The present records in Bulgaria are the first documented case of adaptation of native parasitoids to the host in the newly occupied areas in Europe and Asia.