Central Asia Research Articles

Occurrence and distribution of biomarkers in loess-paleosol sequences of Tajikistan (Central Asia): Implication for archaeo-ecological studies

Occurrence and distribution of biomarkers in loess-paleosol sequences of Tajikistan (Central Asia): Implication for archaeo-ecological studies

Sources of hydrochemistry and chemical weathering rate at Urumqi Glacier No.1 catchment in central Asia

Sources of hydrochemistry and chemical weathering rate at Urumqi Glacier No.1 catchment in central Asia

Pakistan’s Role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from 2011-2024: A Comparative Analysis to Other Member States

This research explores Pakistan’s experiences as the SCO member from 2011 to 2024 as well as the purpose and dynamics of its membership, its calculating interests, an impact on the organization’s decision-making processes, and the compatibility of its SCO activity with its general foreign-policy goals. Qualitative research methodology was adopted by using secondary data. This work explores Pakistan’s politics of security economic cooperation and multilateralism. The research outcomes show Pakistan’s transformation from a mere watcher to a player utilizing the SCO framework for combating terrorism, stabilizing the region, and particularly for the CPEC in boosting economic cooperation and integration. Nonetheless, Pakistan was effective in counterterrorism and connectivity, and it still has a less-powerful role in compared with the Russia and China that set the SCO’s strategic narrative. Despite noting that Pakistan has fully associated itself with the goals of the SCO for instance through having a special place in the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), the study points out issues like limited decision making power, economic constraints and bottled up bilateral conflicts with India that sometimes complicate multilateral interactions within the SCO forum. However, Pakistan’s membership in SCO is evidence of changing its foreign policy course in a more multipolar direction, deepening its activity in South and Central Asia, and explaining the position of regional associations in the creation of governance and addressing new threats.

Does awareness and prioritization of environment and health matter for household fuel choice? Empirical evidence from Central Asia

Does awareness and prioritization of environment and health matter for household fuel choice? Empirical evidence from Central Asia

Steppe development and mammalian adaptation in the middle Miocene, North Junggar Basin, Central Asia

The Central Asian (CA) steppe ecosystem and its fauna experienced a marked transition during the Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO), though the exact process and dynamics remain elusive. We selected the Duolebulejin (DLB) section within the Junggar Basin to reconstruct vegetation and climate changes, using proxies such as particle size, mammalian fossils, and previously reported data including pollen, δ13CTOC, and magnetic susceptibility. The results reveal three distinct phases of transformation in regional vegetation and fauna from 18.8 to 13.2 Ma. During the pre-MCO (18.8–17.0 Ma), the landscape was dominated by desert scrubland, primarily inhabited by rodents. The MCO (17.0–14.5 Ma) saw a shift towards steppe vegetation, initially with herbaceous taxa followed by the establishment of C4 plants, alongside a diversity of large mammals adapted to open habitats. This suggests the emergence of savanna-like woodland steppes. In the post-MCO (14.5–13.2 Ma), the region transitioned to a dry steppe, with diminished animal populations, although a continued high proportion of species adapted to steppe environments. These findings underscore a co-evolutionary relationship between the development of steppe ecosystems and mammalian adaptations, driven by global MCO warming and subsequent cooling and with regional hydroclimatic changes acting as a modulating factor. The steppe-fauna biome emerged in the Junggar Basin during the MCO warming, a development whose mechanisms resemble those of tropical savannas in the late Miocene. These insights enhance our understanding of early steppe ecosystem evolution through past warming periods, shedding light on the pathways to modern steppe formation.

Phytopharmacological Update on Cannabis sativa (Ganja): A Mini Review

: Cannabis sativa L., a significant herbaceous species in Central Asia, has long been valued for its use in traditional medicine and as a source of textile fiber. This fast-growing plant has recently drawn increased attention because of its many applications. It is an abundant source of wood and cellulosic fibers and a true treasure of phytochemicals. This plant greatly interests the construction and pharmaceutical sectors because its metabolites have potent biological ef-fects on human health. Its inner and outer stem tissues may be used to make concrete-like mate-rials and bioplastics. This study aims to summarize the molecular and scientific knowledge of Cannabis sativa, including its pharmacognostic properties, pharmacological potential, phyto-chemical properties, and prospective future research fields.

Outcomes of durvalumab (D) with or without tremelimumab (T) in routine clinical practice according to HIMALAYA trial eligibility: Preliminary results of the international DT-real study.

552 Background: HIMALAYA showed that D+T and D are effective options for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, data on outcomes according to the adherence to HIMALAYA inclusion criteria in routine clinical practice are lacking. Methods: In the context of a prospectively maintained database including 1293 patients (pts) with uHCC treated with immunotherapy, we analysed pts treated with D+T or D across 8 centres in USA, Asia and Europe. Pts who met >1 key exclusion criterion of HIMALAYA (prior systemic therapy, Child-Pugh class B-C, Vp4 thrombosis) were defined HIMALAYA-OUT and compared with HIMALAYA-IN pts for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) by RECIST 1.1 and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) per CTCAE v.5.0. Results: Up to February 2024, 108 pts (mean age 66 years, male sex 81%) started D+T (n=69, 64%) or D (n=39, 36%). 62 pts (57%) were treated in 1° line and 46 (43%) in >2° line. Child-Pugh class was A in 67 pts (62%). Vp4 was present in 17 pts (16%). 31 pts (29%) were HIMALAYA-IN and 19/31 (61%) received D+T. After a median follow-up of 4.3 months (m, 95%CI 3.3-4.9), median OS (mOS) was 11.5 m and 12-m OS rate was 42%. mOS was not reached in HIMALAYA-IN pts (12-m OS rate 62%) and 8.9 m (95%CI 6.0-12.1) in HIMALAYA-OUT pts. Survival hazard ratio (HR) for HIMALAYA IN vs OUT was 0.28 (95%CI 0.09-0.93, p=0.037). Median PFS was 2.6 m (95% CI 2.2-5.2) overall, 4.6 m (95%CI 2.1-8.5) in HIMALAYA-IN and 2.6 m (95%CI 1.9-5.2) in HIMALAYA-OUT pts (HR 0.70, 95%CI 0.38-1.30, p=0.266). ORR and DCR (evaluable in 53 pts, 49%) were 15.1% (95%CI 6.5-29.7%) and 43.4% (95%CI 27.5-65.1) (Table). Any grade TRAEs occurred in 31.5% (95% 21.8-44.0%), grade 3-4 TRAEs in 8.3% (95%CI 3.8-15.8%), TRAEs requiring systemic corticosteroids in 8.3% (95%CI 3.8-15.8%) and discontinuation due to toxicity in 3.7% (95%CI 1.0-9.5%). Conclusions: Preliminary observational data from DT-Real study suggest a reproducible efficacy and safety of D+T and D in pts with uHCC fitting the inclusion criteria of HIMALAYA in routine clinical practice. HIMALAYA IN (n=31) HIMALAYA IN HIMALAYA OUT (n=77) HIMALAYA OUT D+T (n=19) D (n=12) D+T (n=50) D (n=27) mOS (m, 95%CI) NR NR NR 8.9 (6.0-12.2) 11.2 (6.6-13.2) 4.9 (2.6-12.2) 12-m OS (%) 61.8 63 88.9 37.2 37.4 44.4 mPFS (m, 95%CI) 4.6 (2.1-8.4) 8.5 (2.1-8.5) 2.4 (1.6-2.5) 2.6 (1.9-5.2) 2.4 (1.8-6.7) 2.6 (1.8-5.2) ORR (%,95%CI) (N=53) 23.1 (4.8-67.4) 25.0 (5.1-73.1) 0 12.5 (4.1-29.2) 13.8 (3.8-35.3) 9.1 (0.2-50.6) DCR (%, 95%CI) 46.2 (16.9-100) 50.0 (18.3-100) 0 42.5 (24.8-68.1) 41.4 (21.4-72.2) 45.4 (14.8-100) Any grade TRAEs (%,95%CI) 32.3 (15.5-59.3) 31.6 (11.6-68.7) 33.3 (9.1-85.4) 31.2 (20.0-46.4) 28.0 (15.3-47.0) 37.1 (17.8-68.1) Grade 3-4 TRAEs (%, 95%CI) 9.7 (2.0-28.3) 15.8 (3.3-46.1) 0 7.8 (2.9-17.0) 4.0 (0.5-14.4) 14.8 (4.0-38.0)

Silurian–Devonian boundary in Northern Xinjiang, NW China

During the Silurian–Devonian Boundary (SDB) interval, in contrast to the predominantly carbonate facies observed in Europe and North America, China was composed of several plates/terranes dominated by clastic and pyroclastic rocks. Continuous sections across the SDB have been only sporadically reported from the orogenic belts and southwestern margin of South China. In many regions or sections in China, the identification of the SDB is based solely on fossil assemblages or non-index fossils, which results in only a rough approximation of the position of the boundary. This study focuses on the Junggar area in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, characterized by pyroclastic rocks and scarcity of fossils compared to regions with carbonate dominated successions. This paper summarizes previous research findings and discusses the SDB in northern Xinjiang, China, integrating new data on Devonian conodont Caudicriodus hesperius, the presence of benthic organisms represented by encrinurid trilobites and crinoids, and the occurrence of late Silurian graptolites, along with the first organic carbon isotope curve around the SDB for the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, and provided crucial evidence for the recognition of the SDB in the orogenic belt area of China, consindering the SDB in Northern Xinjiang is located within the Utubulag Formation in the western Junggar and the presence of the SDB in the Kaokesaiergai Formation of the eastern Junggar has also been confirmed. The age of the corresponding strata: Utubulag, Manger, Kaokesaiergai formations are revised, and a more detailed description of the classic sections of the SDB in northern Xinjiang is provided. The new fossil and geochemical data serve as basis for recognition of the Silurian–Devonian boundary in northern Xinjiang, and also contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of paleoenvironmental events at the Silurian–Devonian transition in the northern hemisphere and the orogenic belt areas.

Female Religiosity in Central Asia: Sufi Leaders in the Persianate World By Aziza Shanazarova

<i>Female Religiosity in Central Asia: Sufi Leaders in the Persianate World</i> By Aziza Shanazarova

The Effect of Quality of Work Life and Organizational Justice on Employee Performance at PT Bank Central Asia TBK KCP Teluk Betung

This study aims to identify, investigate, and assess the impact of quality of work life and organizational justice on employee performance at PT BCA, Tbk Betung Bay Headquarters. The sample for this study consisted of 19 employees from PT BCA, Tbk Betung Bay Headquarters. The justification for using the entire population as the sample is that it represents the full population; if the population is fewer than 100, all individuals are included as study samples. Consequently, the researcher selected all 19 employees as the study sample. This study employed quantitative data analysis, involving the evaluation and interpretation of data through statistical computations to draw conclusions. To facilitate the analysis, the researcher used the SPSS program. The findings of the study indicate that both the quality of work life and organizational justice significantly impact employee performance at PT BCA, Tbk Betung Bay Headquarters.

Unpacking the complexity of English language teacher-tutor identities in Kazakhstan: a qualitative inquiry

ABSTRACT Research on English private tutoring (EPT) is still in its infancy despite its global impact on education systems and society. Informed by the poststructuralist view of identity, this qualitative study investigates the relatively underexplored area of the complex identities of English language teacher-supplied EPT in Central Asia. The data were collected from two rounds of semi-structured individual interviews with 22 English language teachers from five mainstream schools in Astana, Kazakhstan. The findings suggest that most participants identified economic benefit as the main reason for providing EPT, embodying multiple identities such as ‘commercialised education providers,’ ‘Robin Hood’ teachers (offering free tutoring to selected students), and individuals entangled in ‘unethical practices’ (confronting moral dilemmas related to tutoring their students). The participants reported ethical and professional conflicts stemming from the lack of effective monitoring of the tutoring market in Kazakhstan. These conflicts include accommodating requests from tutored students’ parents and encouraging their students to attend EPT with them or to enrol in a tutorial centre where they worked. This study stresses the need for policymakers to improve the quality of teaching in mainstream education and implement effective regulatory measures for the tutoring industry while also examining the nature and effectiveness of fee-free tutoring.

Estimating the contribution of Arctic sea-ice loss to central Asia temperature anomalies: The case of winter 2020/2021

Abstract Arctic sea-ice cover has declined drastically in recent decades, notably in the Barents-Kara Seas. Previous research has linked low autumn Barents-Kara sea-ice cover to subsequent cold Eurasian winters. This lagged relationship was observed in 2020/2021. Using a causal network framework grounded in known physical mechanisms, we assess how strongly one factor directly influences another (i.e., the causal relationship) and apply this analysis to the anomalies from 2020/2021. We show that although year-to-year Barents-Kara sea-ice variations have only a minor impact on Central Asia temperatures, that causal effect becomes important for attribution and prediction when we consider the large long-term trend in Barents-Kara sea-ice cover. In particular, we find that Central Asia’s 2021 negative winter surface air temperature anomaly (relative to 1980-2020) can be fully explained by the Barents-Kara sea-ice anomaly. We further estimate that Barents-Kara sea-ice loss has more than halved the winter warming over Central Asia over the past 40 years. Hence rather than debating a cooling trend in Central Asia during winter, we propose shifting the focus to the influence of Arctic Amplification on anticipated warming trends. This study illustrates the efficacy of causal network analysis, which has implications for seasonal prediction and attribution of midlatitude winter anomalies.

Modeling of historical and future changes in temperature and precipitation in the Panj River Basin in Central Asia under the CMIP5 RCP and CMIP6 SSP scenarios

This study examines the complexities of climate modeling, specifically in the Panj River Basin (PRB) in Central Asia, to evaluate the transition from CMIP5 to CMIP6 models. The research aimed to identify differences in historical simulations and future predictions of rainfall and temperature, examining the accuracy of eight General Circulation Models (GCMs) used in both CMIP5 (RCP4.5 and 8.5) and CMIP6 (SSP2–4.5 and 5–8.5). The evaluation metrics demonstrated that the GCMs have a high level of accuracy in reproducing maximum temperature (Tmax) with a correlation coefficient of 0.96. The models also performed well in replicating minimum temperature (Tmin) with a correlation coefficient of 0.94. This suggests that the models have improved modeling capabilities in both CMIPs. The performance of Max Plank Institute (MPI) across all variables in CMIP6 models was exceptional. Within the CMIP5 domain, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFDL) demonstrated outstanding skill in reproducing maximum temperature (Tmax) and precipitation (KGE 0.58 and 0.34, respectively), while (Institute for Numerical Mathematics) INMCM excelled in replicating minimum temperature (Tmin) (KGE 0.28). The uncertainty analysis revealed a significant improvement in the CMIP6 precipitation bias bands, resulting in a more precise depiction of diverse climate zones compared to CMIP5. Both CMIPs consistently tended to underestimate Tmax in the Csa zone and overestimate it in the Bwk zone throughout all months. Nevertheless, the CMIP6 models demonstrated a significant decrease in uncertainty, especially in ensemble simulations, suggesting improvements in forecasting PRB climate dynamics. The projections revealed a complex story, as the CMIP6 models predict a relatively small increase in temperature and a simultaneous drop in precipitation. This indicates a trend towards more uniform temperature patterns across different areas. Nevertheless, the precipitation forecasts exhibited increased variability, highlighting the intricate interaction of climate dynamics in the PRB area under the impact of global warming scenarios. Hydrological components in global climate models can be further improved and developed with the theoretical reference provided by this study.

Utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks for Accurate Detection of Leaf Diseases in Fava Beans

Background: Worldwide, people appreciate the variety of faba beans, also referred to as broad beans. They have many health advantages and are rich in protein and other vital nutrients. One can enhance the immune system, help manage your weight and improve your general well-being by including fava beans in your diet. This crop has been grown in several countries, including northern Europe, the Mediterranean region, central Asia, East Asia and Latin America, in addition to China, Ethiopia and Egypt. It is also grown in India as a minor crop. Many diseases, such as fusarium wilt, ascochyta blight, chocolate spot, bean rust, alternaria leaf blight, powdery mildew and root rot, can affect the production of faba beans and create a global threat. Methods: In this paper, A Sequential Convolutional Neural Network is trained for the detection of diseases present in the leaves of faba bean. Jupiter notebook with Anaconda environment is used for extraction and classification of healthy and diseased plant leaves. The dataset is collected with the help of agriculture experts. Before training and testing, the dataset is preprocessed to enhance the performance of the model. Result: The outcomes achieved after training and testing of datasets show remarkable performance matrices. The overall accuracy of the model is 98.92%. The confusion matrix, precision, recall and F1-score show the effectiveness of the proposed model. This work can be utilized as a reference for the enhancement of faba bean production.

A combined wavelet analysis–quantile mapping (WA-QM) method for bias correction: capturing the intra-annual temporal patterns in climate model precipitation simulations and projections

Abstract Despite recent improvements, global climate models (GCMs) still have biases that prevent their direct application. Quantile mapping (QM) has been widely used in bias correction due to its effectiveness in aligning the cumulative density function of climate model data with observations. However, QM has a significant limitation: it fails to consider the temporal correspondence between the model data and observations, which restricts its ability to represent intra-annual temporal patterns. To address this issue, this study integrated wavelet analysis (WA) into QM to develop a combined method termed WA-QM, which aimed to preserve QM's efficacy in overall bias correction and preservation of climate change signals, while capturing the intra-annual temporal patterns. The effectiveness of WA-QM was investigated using monthly precipitation data from five CMIP6 models in the Pan Third Pole region, which includes central Asia (CA), southeast Asia (SEA), and the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Quantile delta mapping (QDM) and scaled distribution mapping (SDM) served as the benchmark methods for assessment. The results indicated that integrating WA into QDM or SDM did not compromise the ability of QDM or SDM to correct overall biases and preserve the model’s climate change signal. Furthermore, WA could be an effective tool to overcome QM’s limitation in capturing intra-annual temporal patterns. The WA approach employed discrete wavelet transformation to decompose GCM data into various frequency bands and then adjusted their standard deviations and signs to ensure that their relative relationships were consistent with those in observations. Compared to the standalone QM approach, WA-QM showed greater accuracy in monthly statistical metrics. In the CA region, WA-SDM reduced the monthly root mean square error of the mean by 25.2%, the standard deviation by 17.6%, and the 90th percentile by 26.7% compared to SDM. The effectiveness of WA-QM was demonstrated across different data periods, spatial areas, and GCMs.

The Effects of Mobile Banking Service Quality on The Satisfaction of The Customers of Bank Central Asia (Bca)

The rapid advancement of technology creates the need for agencies to increase innovation in accordance with the needs of the times. One of the innovations made by banks is by launching mobile banking applications. With mobile banking, it is expected to increase customer satisfaction. This study aims to analyze the effect of mobile banking service quality on the satisfaction of the customer of Bank Central Asia (BCA). Mobile banking service quality is measured through four variables, namely speed (X1), security (X2), accuracy (X3) and trust (X4). The theory used in this research is the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) theory. The results showed that two variables of mobile banking service quality, namely accuracy and trust, had a positive effect on BCA bank customer satisfaction. This indicates that customers highly value the accuracy of information and transactions, and have high trust in BCA bank mobile banking services, which will increase customer satisfaction. Abstrak Kemajuan teknologi yang begitu cepat menciptakan kebutuhan instansi untuk meningkatkan inovasi sesuai dengan kebutuhan zaman. Salah satu inovasi yang dilakukan perbankan yaitu dengan meluncurkan aplikasi mobile banking. Dengan adanya mobile banking diharapkan akan meningkatkan kepuasan nasabah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh kualitas layanan mobile banking terhadap kepuasan nasabah bank BCA. Kualitas layanan mobile banking diukur melalui empat variable, yaitu speed (X1), security (X2), accuracy (X3) dan trust (X4). Teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Teori Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bawah dua variable kualitas layanan mobile banking yaitu accuracy dan trust berpengaruh positif terhadap kepuasan nasabah bank BCA. Hal ini mengindikasikan bahwa nasabah sangat menghargai ketepatan informasi dan transaksi, serta memiliki kepercayaan yang tinggi terhadap layanan mobile banking bank BCA, maka akan meningkatkan kepuasan nasabah.

Analysis of the Influence of Profitability Ratio on the Capital Structure of Bank Central Asia Tbk (2009-2020)

This study discusses financial performance as an indicator of a bank's success. Important factors in assessing profitability include skills, resources, and the company's capital structure. Bank Central Asia (BCA), a leading bank in Indonesia, was chosen as the focus of the study. This research examines the influence of profitability ratios, such as ROA and ROE on the capital structure through DER from 2009 to 2020. The study employs the theory of capital structure, which is used to understand the use of debt and equity in maximizing a company's value. To understand the correlation between variables, the vector error correction model method was selected to comprehend the long-term and short-term relationships among time series variables. Abstrak Penelitian ini membahas kinerja keuangan sebagai indikator keberhasilan bank. Faktor penting dalam menilai profitabilitas adalah keterampilan, sumber daya, dan struktur modal perusahaan. Bank Central Asia (BCA), bank terkemuka di Indonesia, dipilih sebagai fokus penelitian. Penelitian ini melihat pengaruh rasio profitabilitas melalui ROA dan ROE dengan struktur modal melalui DER sejak tahun 2009 hingga 2020. Penelitian ini menggunakan teori modal sendiri di mana teori ini digunakan untuk memahami penggunaan utang dan ekuitas dalam memaksimalkan nilai perusahaan. Dalam mengetahui korelasi antar variabel dipilihnya metide model koreksi error vektor yang ditujukan untuk memahami hubungan jangka panjang dan pendek antar variabel waktu.

Characteristics of salt dust aerosols and their transport implications in the Aral Sea

Central Asia is an ecologically fragile arid zone and a typical mixed salt‒sand region. The socioeconomic and ecological problems attributed to the shrinking of the Aral Sea in Central Asia are notable concerns within the international community. In this study, the characteristics of salt dust aerosols from the Aral Sea were analysed to explore their interannual variation characteristics and analyse the spatial and temporal distributions of salt dust sources and transport and dispersion pathways. The results revealed that high concentrations of salt dust aerosols were concentrated around the Aral Sea and Lake Sarekamesh. The range and intensity of salt dust aerosols were less than those of dust aerosols. Salt dust events occurred frequently in spring and less frequently in autumn and winter. The occurrence frequency and impact range of salt dust aerosols from 2008 to 2012 were significantly lower than those during the previous period. From 2013 to 2018, the salt dust sources originated largely on the western side of the North Aral Sea. The spatial autocorrelation of salt dust aerosols was high and characterized by significant agglomeration, with significant changes in cold spot and hotspot regions. Salt dust in the Aral Sea region affects mainly the Kazakhstan region in spring, and it more notably affects Russia in winter. The results of this study increase the understanding of the spatial and temporal variability in salt dust aerosols within the arid zone of Central Asia and lay a foundation for the study of the impacts of salt dust aerosols on the climate system and ecological environment in arid zones.

Hyalomma aegyptium: Observed global distribution, imported specimens, preferred hosts and vector competence.

The tortoise tick Hyalomma aegyptium (Linnaeus, 1758) is a three-host tick, predominantly infesting land tortoises of the genus Testudo. A database was compiled, resulting in 557 H. aegyptium georeferenced locations in the Palearctic. This dataset covers the entire range of H. aegyptium for the first time. Thus, the natural distribution area of H. aegyptium extends from Morocco in northwestern Africa to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia between 10° W-73° E and 28-46° N, which is shown in an overview map and four detailed maps covering North Africa, the Balkans, the Near East, and the Middle East. In addition, documented findings on land tortoises that have been exported worldwide as popular pets give an impression of the occurrence of H. aegyptium outside its natural distribution. The host species is known from 424 mapped H. aegyptium locations, which can be ranked as follows: 92.9% Testudo spp., 4.0% mammals (mainly hedgehogs and hares), 1.7% humans, 0.9% lizards and 0.5% birds. If only tortoise hosts are considered, these are 92.6% Testudo graeca, 3.8% Testudo hermanni, 2.8% Testudo horsfieldii and 0.8% Testudo marginata. It is striking that no infestation with H. aegyptium has been detected on Testudo kleinmanni in their natural habitat, but it was detected on imported specimens in Malta and the USA. Although numerous tick-borne pathogens have been detected in H. aegyptium, vector competence, i.e. the experimentally proved transmission of pathogens from the vector to the host, could only be demonstrated for three pathogens. These are the two blood parasites Hemolivia mauritanica and Hepatozoon kisrae as well as Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Insights into Mentha asiatica Boriss.: A Promising Antimicrobial Plant

Mentha asiatica Boriss., a species native to Central Asia, has garnered significant attention for its diverse phytochemical profile and antimicrobial potential. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the antimicrobial activities of M. asiatica, focusing on its essential oils and other bioactive constituents. The study contextualizes the importance of natural antimicrobials in the era of rising antibiotic resistance and highlights the plant’s traditional use in ethnomedicine. The main methodologies explored include gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for phytochemical characterization and various in vitro assays to assess antimicrobial efficacy against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The essential oils of M. asiatica demonstrate a broad spectrum of activity, attributed to compounds such as menthol, menthone, and carvone. Other phytochemicals, including sesquiterpenes and terpenoids, also contribute to its bioactivity. The review underscores the potential of M. asiatica as a source of novel antimicrobial agents and calls for further research into its mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and safety profiles. The findings position M. asiatica as a promising candidate for developing plant-based antimicrobial formulations, addressing critical needs in healthcare and food preservation.