Common Species Research Articles

Comparative evaluation of rapid diagnostic test and PCR-based diagnostic assay for identification of trypanosomes in cattle of Apac and Kiryandongo districts, Uganda: A cross sectional study

BackgroundDiagnostic tests and knowledge of their diagnostic accuracies are important for animal trypanosomosis surveillance and treatment.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2021 to compare the performance of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and PCR-based assay for the detection of trypanosome infections. Random sampling and probability proportional to size sampling were used to sample study households and animals from the sampled household respectively. Animals were screened for the presence of trypanosomes using both tests. A total of 100 cattle (52 from Apac and 48 from Kiryandongo districts) were included in the study. The percentage of positive tests, sensitivity, and specificity of the tests using mini PCR as a reference were computed. Cohen’s kappa statistics was computed to assess how well the rapid diagnostic test agrees with the mini PCR. McNemar’s statistic assessed if the proportion of positive tests identified by mini PCR significantly differed from that identified by the rapid diagnostic test.ResultsThe mini PCR test detected 31.2% Trypanosome spp positive samples in Kiryandongo while it detected only 5.7% positive samples in Apac district. The rapid diagnostic test (RDT) analysis detected 91.6% Trypanosome spp positive samples in Kiryandongo district and only 46.1% in Apac district. T. congolense was the most common Trypanosoma species identified in Apac (36.5%) and Kiryandongo (47.9%) by the RDT. The percentage of each of the Trypanosome species (T.vivax, T.congolense, and mixed infection of T.vivax and T. congolense) detected by RDT differed significantly (p < 0.001) between the two districts. The RDT had a high sensitivity of 94.4% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 72.7–99.9) but a very low specificity of 36.6% (95% CI: 26.2–48.0). The kappa test showed evidence of only a slight agreement (kappa = 0.1547, Accuracy = 0.48 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.379,0.5822) between the two tests. The observed agreement between the tests was 47% while the expected agreement was 37.84%.ConclusionThis study found high sensitivity but low specificity of RDT using mini PCR as a reference.

Characterization of Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes in Uropathogenic Enterobacterales of Community Origin in Casablanca, Morocco

Community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a significant public health issue, primarily due to the increasing antibiotic resistance among uropathogens. This study assesses the resistance status of uropathogenic community Enterobacterales to various antibiotics, particularly aminoglycosides, and determines the prevalence of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme (AME) genes, while investigating the coexistence of 16S rRNA methylating enzymes. We analyzed 628 clinical isolates of Enterobacterales obtained from 4282 cytobacteriological urine examinations at the Pasteur Institute Casablanca, Morocco, collected from October 2018 to December 2021. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were conducted using the VITEK 2® COMPACT system, following CA-SFM guidelines. DNA extraction utilized the heat shock method, and subsequent PCR was performed. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 85% of isolates, with Enterobacterales representing 91% of this group. E. coli (73%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%) were the most common species among Enterobacterales. Resistance was particularly high for ampicillin (76.7%) and amoxicillin-clavulanate (58%). Among aminoglycosides, gentamicin and tobramycin resistance rates were 33.5% and 35%, respectively, while amikacin resistance was observed in 21.3% of isolates. High frequencies of AME genes were detected, with AAC(3′)-IIa (27.7%) and AAC(6′)-Ib (25.9%) being the most prevalent. Notably, no 16S rRNA methylation genes (rmtA, rmtB, rmtC, rmtD) were found. All tested strains exhibited biofilm-forming capacity, with K. pneumoniae demonstrating intense biofilm production. The study highlights a concerning trend of antibiotic resistance among uropathogenic Enterobacterales in the community setting, correlating genotype with resistance phenotype and emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted treatment strategies.

Metabolomics survey of uropathogenic bacteria in human urine

IntroductionUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent infections in North America and are caused by a diverse range of bacterial species. Although uropathogenesis has been studied extensively in the context of macromolecular interactions, the degree to which metabolism may contribute to infection is unclear. Currently, most of what is known about the metabolic capacity of uropathogens has been derived from genomics, genetic knockout studies or transcriptomic analyses. However, there are currently very little empirical data on the metabolic activity of uropathogens when grown in urine.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted a systematic survey of the metabolic activities of eight of the most common uropathogenic bacterial species that collectively represent 99% of uncomplicated UTIs.ResultsLiquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analyses of human urine cultures revealed that uropathogens have four distinct metabolic clades. We generalized these clades as serine consumers (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis), glutamine consumers (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), amino acid abstainers (Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus agalactiae), and amino acid minimalists (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus). These metabolic classifications can be further subdivided on a species-to-species level.DiscussionThis survey provides a framework to understanding the metabolic activity of the diverse range of uropathogens and how these species use divergent metabolic strategies to occupy the same niche.

Why are some invasive plant species so successful in nutrient‐impoverished habitats in south‐western Australia: A perspective based on their phosphorus‐acquisition strategies

Abstract Invasive plants are a major cause of the global biodiversity crisis; it is therefore crucial to understand mechanisms that contribute to their success. South‐western Australia is a global biodiversity hotspot with extremely low soil phosphorus (P) concentrations. In this region, a large proportion of native plant species release carboxylates that mobilise soil P. Many widespread invasive plant species in south‐western Australia are arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM). We hypothesised that some of these invasive AM plant species exhibit similar P‐acquisition strategies as native carboxylate‐releasing P‐mobilising species which allows them to thrive in P‐impoverished soils. To test this hypothesis, we collected 23 common invasive species in the field and assessed their leaf manganese concentration [Mn], relative to that of native reference species at different locations, as a proxy for carboxylate release. In addition, we cultivated seven of the invasive species in hydroponics at different P supply to measure their root carboxylate exudation. Furthermore, we measured leaf P concentration and photosynthetic P‐use efficiency (PPUE) of five invasive species in the glasshouse. In the field investigation, almost all invasive species exhibited significantly higher leaf [Mn] than the negative references, which do not release carboxylates, indicating carboxylate release of the invasive plants. Leaf [Mn] of a few invasives even exceeded that of positive references, which exhibit significant carboxylate release, indicating substantial carboxylate release of these invasives. All glasshouse‐grown invasive species with high field leaf [Mn] released root carboxylates under low P supply. Most of the tested invasive plant species also exhibited greater PPUE than native plants under low P supply. Invasive AM plant species exhibited root exudation of carboxylates as a P‐acquisition strategy, which very likely allows their successful invasion of severely P‐impoverished habitats. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Prevalence of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Canines with Pyoderma and Otitis Externa in Korea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Bacterial skin infections, particularly pyoderma and otitis externa, are widespread in dogs, primarily caused by Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species. This study evaluates the prevalence and types of bacterial pathogens in affected dogs in South Korea using a meta-analytical approach. Following the PRISMA guidelines, five electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published between 1990 and 2024. Three researchers independently performed data extraction and quality assessment. A subgroup analysis explored the variability in pathogen prevalence across studies based on bacterial genus, bacterial species, publication year, sampling year, sampling location, infection type, diagnostic method, and sample size. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test, with all analyses conducted using the R program. Of the 944 articles, 29 met the eligibility criteria. The pooled bacterial prevalence among infected dogs was 99.95% (95%CI: 99.85–100). Staphylococcus was the most prevalent genus (95.93%), followed by Pseudomonas (48.43%), Enterococcus (20.32%), and Escherichia (17.63%). The most common species were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (78.89%), Staphylococcus intermedius (71.43%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (46.13%). This study underscores the need for comprehensive treatment strategies targeting Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, emphasizing further research on antimicrobial resistance patterns and treatment efficacy to enhance canine health outcomes in South Korea.

BLOOD AND TISSUE ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN BEARDED DRAGONS (POGONA VITTICEPS).

Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) are a common reptile species kept under human care and suffer from a wide range of diseases for which plasma biochemistry is used as a first-line diagnostic test. There is limited information available regarding tissue enzyme activities and origin that could assist in interpreting the bearded dragon plasma biochemistry enzymology profile. The aim of this study was to characterize the tissue activities of seven enzymes routinely used in the reptile biochemistry panel: alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) in 12 adult inland bearded dragons in 13 tissues, plasma, and red blood cells. CK activity was highest in skeletal muscle followed by cardiac muscle; ALT and AST were distributed in several tissues and were relatively non-specific for all organs, additionally hepatic fat accumulation reduced AST hepatic activity on a weight per weight basis. ALP and GGT activities were mostly high in the kidneys; LDH activity was elevated in cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle followed by liver; and GLDH had primarily high enzyme activities in liver. Low red blood cell enzyme activities suggest that hemolysis is unlikely to artifactually increase AST or LDH plasma concentrations. These results provide a stepping stone to improve the interpretation of biochemistry results in bearded dragons, especially as it compares to other reptile species.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGIC PRESENTATIONS OF YERSINIOSIS IN VARIOUS NONDOMESTIC SPECIES: AN INVESTIGATION OF YERSINIA PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAKS FROM FOUR NORTH AMERICAN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS.

Yersiniosis due to Yersinia psuedotuberculosis can be associated with high morbidity and mortality in various species and has been a cosmopolitan management challenge in zoological institutions. This gram-negative, environmental bacterium thrives in cold, wet conditions and poses a risk to zoo species. Outbreaks can be costly and impact conservation efforts through loss of threatened and endangered species. Antemortem or clinical diagnosis can be challenging due to intermittent fecal shedding and nonspecific clinical signs. This case series describes common clinical presentations, typical postmortem findings, and response to treatment and prophylaxis at four North American zoological institutions. In total, five outbreaks occurred at four institutions during the winter months from 2013 to 2021. Artiodactyls were by far the most common species involved, and clinical signs included separation from the herd, lethargy, diarrhea, and unexpected death. Other species affected in these outbreaks included cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), a great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), a rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), and a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). Necrotizing enteritis with sepsis and pneumonia were common postmortem findings. Mortality rates were originally 76.7%, and herd prophylaxis with a third-generation cephalosporin reduced these rates. These data describe the observational and diagnostic tools to aid in timely diagnosis of a Yersinia outbreak across taxa. Aggressive treatment or prophylaxis were shown to improve survival rates.

Strain-Dependent Damping of Paulownia Wood at Room Temperature and Constant Moisture Content

"Against the backdrop of global warming and the necessary reduction of CO2, the material wood is experiencing a renaissance as a result of increasing social acceptance. However, questions of harmless reforestation also come to the forefront. Ultimately, plantation cultivation of wood is unavoidable in order to meet the increasing demand for wood in the coming years. Agroforestry is the focus of economic and technical interest in this regard. Paulownia or Kiri tree belongs to the Paulowniaceae family and is the tree with the highest growth rate in the world. It has a large leaf area that can absorb correspondingly high amounts of CO2. Originally from China, it is now planted worldwide and is considered a climate tree. However, it must face the accusation of invasiveness. Therefore, less invasive varieties of Paulownia are of interest. However, these should also have appropriate mechanical properties. One of these material properties is damping, which significantly affects the acoustic behaviour. In this study, the strain-dependent damping was investigated by measuring the logarithmic decrement of free decaying bending oscillations. The measurements were carried out on a common Paulownia species (obtained from plantations in Georgia, Italy and Spain) and a new species of Paulownia obtained from a plantation in Germany. It is worth mentioning that the new wood variety was harvested for the first time in Germany. Since damping is strongly influenced by microstructure, which is in turn influenced by site-specific nutrient supply, this study examined how damping behaviour develops with strain and the extent of its variation. It was found that the damping curves exhibited a strain-independent and a strain-dependent area. The bending modulus was calculated from the oscillation frequency and showed that the values range from about 1024 N/mm2 to 5873 N/mm2 . This large variation appears to stem from the fiber orientation of the tested samples, which also affects the damping values. "

Molecular epidemiology and clinical characterization of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter spp. from an international cohort.

Despite the global public health threat posed by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter spp., clinical and molecular epidemiological studies on international isolates remain scarce. Historically, the taxonomy of Enterobacter has been challenging, limiting our understanding of the clinical characteristics and outcomes of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter spp. infections. Hospitalized patients enrolled in the CRACKLE-2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03646227) from 2016-2018 with cultures positive for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter spp. were included. Clinical and microbiologic data were collected from health records. Whole genome sequencing was performed, and the population structures of selected predominant clones were analyzed. We enrolled 136 hospitalized patients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter spp. from 30 hospitals in 7 countries. Among the 136 isolates, eleven Enterobacter species were identified, with most isolates belonging to E. xiangfangensis (n=81, 60%) and E. hoffmannii (n=17, 13%), and carrying blaKPC (n=106, 78%) and blaNDM (n=12, 9%). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were similar among patients with E. xiangfangensis, E. hoffmannii or the other Enterobacter spp. 30-day mortality was 20% and older age at enrollment (adjusted odds ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.87) was associated with increased mortality. Sequence type (ST)171 E. xiangfangensis, ST78 E. hoffmannii, and ST93 E. xiangfangensis were the predominant clones, and the acquisition of fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations and carbapenemase-encoding plasmids contributed to their formation and global dissemination. Our findings demonstrated that E. xiangfangensis and E. hoffmannii are common species among international carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter spp., potentially linked to the clonal spread of a few predominant clones that have acquired fluoroquinolone resistance and carbapenemase-encoding plasmids.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Candida species from the oral cavity of healthy individuals in Lublin province, Poland

ABSTRACT Background Candida spp., particularly C. albicans, are commonly isolated fungi in the oral cavity. However, their prevalence in healthy participants and their genotype–phenotype relation remains elusive. Aim This study aimed to update the information on Candida species colonizing the oral cavity of healthy population, identify the most common species, and characterize the intraspecific diversity to determine the genotype-phenotype relationship. Methods Oral swabs of healthy participants who declared an absence of oral infection were analyzed. Microbiological methods: chromogenic media, sugar assimilation tests, drug susceptibility, filamentation tests, temperature tolerance analysis, and assessment of biofilm formation ability. Genotyping methods: PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region with MspI restriction enzyme digestion and 25S rDNA region. Results Of the 500 individuals tested, 130 harbored C. albicans in 77%, C. dubliniensis in 12%, Pichia kudriavzevii (previously C. krusei) in 8%, and Nakaseomyces glabrata (previously C. glabrata) in 3%. The microbiological tests yielded conflicting results. Analysis of the 25S rDNA transposable intron region contributed to the identification of individual Candida spp. and intraspecific identification of C. albicans genotypes. Genotype A accounted for 70% (n = 100) of C. albicans isolates, whereas genotypes B, C, and D (C. dubliniensis) accounted for 17%, 9%, and 4% of the isolates, respectively. Conclusion The results indicate a complex genotype–phenotype relationship in Candida spp. and recommends combining microbiological and molecular methods for the efficient typing of Candida spp.

First report of Diaporthe caulivora causing Phomopsis stem canker on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Minnesota.

Cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a globally important oilseed crop that is grown primarily in the Northern Great Plains region of the United States. In September 2018, sunflower stems exhibiting brown stem lesions centered on the leaf axils and accompanied by pith degradation, consistent with symptoms of Phomopsis stem canker (PSC) disease, were sampled from a commercial field of approximately 520 hectares in Polk County, MN (47°50'24" N, 96.34'13" W). Incidence of PSC in this field was approximately 44%. Ten diseased stem samples were collected from plants spaced at least ten meters apart. Pieces of diseased stems 15 mm in length and 10 mm in width were excised, surface sterilized in 10% sodium hypochlorite and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing 50 µg/ml streptomycin. Plates were incubated at 22°C for 3-5 days and hyphal tips of emerging mycelia were transferred twice to new PDA plates. Genomic DNA was extracted from each isolate and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out using primers specific to either Diaporthe helianthi or D. gulyae, the most common species causing PSC on sunflower (Elverson et al., 2020). Eight isolates were identified as D. helianthi by PCR, while the remaining two isolates, designated H48 and H49, exhibited morphologies on PDA plates distinct from those of D. helianthi or D. gulyae. The ITS region, along with portions of the EF-1α and β-tubulin (TUB) genes were amplified and sequenced, and the sequences were deposited in Genbank (H48: ITS-OP429627.1, EF-1α-OP429589.1, TUB-OP429587.1; H49: ITS-OP429628.1, EF-1α-OP429590.1, TUB-OP429588.1). BLAST analyses using the H48 and H49 ITS sequences revealed 100% identity with D. caulivora isolates including the type specimen CBS 127268 (Genbank accessions AF000567.2 and type specimen MH864501.1). Additionally, 100% identity of EF-1α and TUB sequences from H48 and H49 with those of type specimen CBS 127268 (Genbank accessions KC343771.1 and KC344013.1) were also observed. A multi-locus phylogenetic tree was constructed aligning the ITS, EF-1α, and TUB sequences of H48 and H49 with those of twenty Diaporthe species. Isolates H48 and H49 formed a clade with three other D. caulivora isolates, including the type specimen. Pathogenicity of isolate H49 on sunflower was confirmed by inoculating susceptible sunflower inbred line HA 410 using a stem wound method (Mathew et al., 2018; Thompson et al., 2011; Underwood & Misar, 2024). Plants were inoculated by creating a wound approximately 5 mm deep and 8 mm long using a scalpel and affixing a PDA plug carrying mycelium of isolate H49, D. helianthi isolate H45 known to be pathogenic, or mock inoculum of PDA with no mycelium over the wound using laboratory film. Three independent experimental runs were conducted in which two 6-week-old plants grown in 1-gallon pots under greenhouse conditions at 22 ± 3°C were inoculated with each treatment, resulting in inoculation of six total HA 410 plants per treatment. Isolate H49 formed lesions with mean length of 61.27 mm on HA 410 at 14 days-post-inoculation compared to mean lesion length of 173.05 mm for D. helianthi isolate H45 and no disease symptoms were observed upon mock inoculation. D. caulivora was re-isolated from inoculated stems and confirmed by observing morphological features on PDA plates as well as sequencing the ITS region, fulfilling Koch's postulates. D. caulivora is typically associated with stem canker of soybean and has been previously reported to cause PSC on sunflower in Argentina (Zambelli et al., 2021). Additionally, this species was identified as an endophyte on asymptomatic sunflowers in the U.S., though pathogenicity was not confirmed in this study (Dangel, 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of D. caulivora causing Phomopsis stem canker on sunflower in the U.S. It will likely be prudent to monitor this species as a potential causal agent of PSC on sunflower and potentially to determine if sunflower lines resistant to other Diaporthe species are also resistant to D. caulivora should a need arise to deploy resistance to this species in commercial sunflower hybrids.

Transition Between Two Worlds: Morphological Continuity in Iron Age Cattle, Pig, and Sheep Populations (800–50 bc) of the Rhône Valley (France)

ABSTRACTThe Rhône valley is an important contact point between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. In Iron Ages (800–50 bc), it was an area of circulation between different material and cultural worlds, where different practices and cultures met. In this particular context, archeozoological studies can offer a different view of these questions of exchange and potential influence, by approaching the issues of food and animal husbandry. This study seeks to approach this question through the prism of animal morphology, the result of a selection of morphotypes by breeders, notably cattle, pig, and sheep, the most common species in the region at the time. Thanks to the log size index method, a certain stability can be demonstrated in pig and cattle morphology over time and space, as well as a slow homogenization of their sizes, which is really visible at La Tène D (125–50 bc). Sheep show a specific pattern with a notable high increase during La Tène C (250–125 bc). Comparison with data from other parts of the Mediterranean world would suggest that the development of local morphotypes owes little or nothing to the influence of Mediterranean breeding practices.

Corydalis pumila a Dél-Tiszántúlon és további adatok a Kis-Sárrét és a Körös menti sík erdei flórájához

This article presents some interesting floristic data from the survey of forests of the ‘Kis-Sarrét’ and the ‘Körös Plain’ microregions (East Hungary) between 2016 and 2024. This article focuses on species associated with mesophilic forests. The majority of the data presented are from the forests of the ‘Kis-Sarrét’ and the ‘Körös Plain’, including some surprising species new to the southern part of the ‘Tiszántúl’ region, including Corydalis pumila in Bélmegyer and Salvia glutinosa in Körösnagy­harsány. Several species typical of mesophilic forests were also found in these two areas, which are extremely rare in the southern part of ‘Tiszántúl’ region, of which only one or two current occurrences are known (e.g. Allium oleraceum, Carex remota, Hesperis sylvestris and Orchis purpurea). In addition to the most interesting data, I report the occurrence of all species associated with mesophilic forests that are not included in the maps of the online database of Hungarian vascu­lar plants, except for a few common species. The level of detail of the 42 species enumerated varies according to their importance. The more interesting species are described in more detail, while for the more common species, only brief occurrence data are given, with some comments where necessary.

Response strategies of five common warm temperate plant species to insect defoliation

AbstractUnder the background of global climate change, climate warming has led to an increase in insect herbivory, which significantly affects the growth, survival, and regeneration of forest plants in the warm temperate zone of China. Plants can adopt defense responses to adapt to insect defoliation. Therefore, field experiments were conducted on five common warm temperate species, Quercus acutissima, Quercus serrata, Quercus aliena, Quercus dentata, and Robinia pseudoacacia. We measured the leaf traits of healthy trees and insect defoliated trees, to explore the response strategies of common species in warm temperate zones to insect defoliation. Our results showed that native species stored more carbon in extreme environments for survival rather than growth, while the alien species R. pseudoacacia tended to adopt active resource acquisition strategies and were more inclined towards growth. The content of tannins and flavonoids in the alien species R. pseudoacacia did not significantly increase after leaf damage, while the content of secondary metabolites such as tannins, flavonoids, and total phenols in the native species Q. acutissima, Q. serrata, Q. aliena, Q. dentata increased significantly after leaf damage. This indicated that compared to alien species, native species invested more resources in defense, which might reduce resource allocation for growth. Thus, the native Quercus species have stronger resistance than the alien species R. pseudoacacia after insect defoliation.

Adatok és kiegészítések Magyarország edényes flórájához

The paper presents 1593 current chorological data of 584 taxa (species, subspe­cies, varietas, hybrids) from Hungary, collected during the last few years. All of these connec­ted also to a total of 184 CEU quadrats. Among the species characteristic to the natural habi­tats, we high­lighted the records of several species protected in Hungary (Adoxa moschatelina, Althaea canna­bina, Cardamine parviflora, Centaurium pulchellum, Gagea pusilla, Orobanche reticulata, Potentilla patula, Rosa zagrabiensis, Spergula pentandra, Trifolium diffusum, Vale­rianella dentata, V. rimosa, Veronica officinalis, Viola collina and V. pumila). In the Northern part of Hungary, we observed the establishment of Cerastium dubium and Ranunculus peda­tus at several places along road­sides, which species have been known from the surrounding saline areas for a long time, but their appearance at roadsides is relatively new phenomenon. In addition, Aegilops cylindrica, Crypsis schoenoides, and Fumaria vaillantii subsp. vaillantii were found in one location – each species on roadsides. Along the railway tracks, we found disturbance-tolerant pioneers of rocky grasslands, open sandy and loess grasslands, e.g. many population of the native Androsace elon­gata, Anthemis ruthenica, Centaurea arenaria, Draba nemorosa, Erodium ciconium, Medicago monspeliaca, Microrrhinum minus, Saxifraga tridactylites and Vulpia myuros were found, as well as numerous ruderalia and the archae­ophyt such as Aegilops cylindrica. In addition to the more common species from the urban flora, we present some new data on the occurrence of the rarer Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus, Chenopodium glaucum, Ch. murale, Ch. opulifolium, Ch. vulvaria and Euphorbia peplus. We have also listed some of the rarer field weeds and species that can establish in younger and older old-fields. Bromus secalinus has been found in several places in the north­eastern part of Hungary. We also observed Calepina irregularis, Centaurea solstitialis, Centau­rium pulchellum, Erysimum cheiranthoides, Filago lutescens, Fumaria officinalis subsp. of­ficinalis, Geranium dissectum, Misopates orontium, Myagrum perfoliatum, Reseda phyteuma, Sper­gularia salina and Veronica anagalloides populations. Erodium hoefftianum is a member of the natural flora, but is now found only in old-fields. We found some pasture weeds in re­gions where they are not common (e.g. Bupleurum tenuissimum, Cerastium dubium and Tri­folium striatum). The study also presents some species that are data deficient for taxonomic reasons, but not very rare ones (or we don’t know that). This group includes Arabis sagittata, Bolboschoenus glaucus, Bromus commutatus, B. racemosus, B. ramosus, Fumaria vaillantii subsp. schrammii, Ononis spi­nosiformis subsp. semihircina, Potentilla collina and Viola suavis “white morfotype”. We have drawn attention to the effect of ecological-botanical works on flora-influencing. We found An­themis ruthenica (species of sandy grasslands) in a moun­tain meadow, which is probably the result of seeds accidentally introduced by researchers. Finally, the paper provides data on the current distribution of hybrid taxa. A new individual of Betula ×rhombifolia was established in the Mátra Mts. We found some Euphorbia individuals that appeared to be a transitional form between E. esila and E. virgata (E. ×intercedens; Eu. esula subsp. saratoi). We also present some Verbascum and Viola hybrids. Hybrids were determined on a macromorphological basis.

How Ecological Filters Influence the Dynamics of Re-Built Plant Communities and Functional Composition in Open-Pit Mine over 14 Years

The traditional ecological reclamation measurements and assessments for the grassland areas damaged by open-pit mining often fall short in revealing the dynamics of plant communities affected by environmental filters during reconstruction, making reclamation efforts crucial. The trait-based community framework has been widely applied due to its great potential to predict the restoration process and provide insight into its mechanisms, but how the traits and environmental factors interact to form communities over time is still uncertain. Therefore, to make this process clear, we used the trait-based community framework, defining target species, non-target species, and common grass species, examining how the mix seed sowing and environment (two surface-covering materials applied to mine dump) affect re-vegetation composition, diversity, and functional traits in 14 years. Four treatments were tested: bio-fence surface-covering materials + sowing (BFS), plant-barrier surface-covering materials + sowing (PBS), sowing without any surface-covering materials (SOW), and a control without seeding and covering (CK). Natural grassland sites were regarded as reference (REF). Our findings indicated that the mix seed sowing and the interaction of surface-covering and time were primarily driving the dynamics of the plant community, affecting composition, the value of diversity, coverage, numbers, richness, and functional traits, such as the community-weighted mean (CWM) and functional diversity (FD), which increased and approached the sites REF. There were significant differences between the treatments and CK for the most traits. Although several results in the treatments approached the REF, significant differences still remained in the last observation year. With the sowing and surface-covering treatment, the re-built communities became more resource-acquisitive in terms of the CWM traits; even the value of the specific leaf area (SLA) exceed the REF after 14 years reclamation. We found those communities were dominated by target species that had a higher traits value than the non-target species, while the CK treatment became more resource-conservative over time due to non-target species dominating. The CWM in treatments tended toward reference levels for specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and root dry matter content (RDMC), but not for seed mass (SM), thereby indicating that the above- and below-ground productivity of restored sites gradually overcame abiotic (surface-covering) and biotic (sowing) filters and approached target values. The functional diversity (FD) generally increased, with higher multivariate functional dispersion in the treatments containing more target species, suggesting that re-built communities achieve more resistance to invasion and disturbance over time. Hence, the trajectory of species and communities changing highlights the effectiveness of a trait-based approach in identifying better reclamation treatments and candidate species and provides a positive outlook for future re-vegetation community succession.

A vadlúd monitoring eredményei a 2021/2022-es idényben Magyarországon

The author presents the results of the HUNGARIAN GEESE MONITORING (Table 1.) for 2021/2022 in the form of a data base. After reviewing the basic data recorded at each site of observation (Table 3-21.) he analyse the obtained data separately for each species, i.e. Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) (Table 22., Map 1., Figure 1-2.), Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) (Table 23., Map 2., Figure 3-4.), Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) (Table 24, Map 3., Figure 5-6.), Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) (Table 25, Map 4, Figure 7.), Greylag Goose (Anser anser) (Table 26., Map 5., Figure 8-10.), Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris rossicus) (Table 27., Map 6., Figure 11-13.), Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) (Table 28, Map 7, Figure 14.), Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) (Table 29., Map 8., Figure 15.), White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) (Table 30., Map 9., Figure 16-18.), Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) (Table 31., Map 10., Figure 19-20.), as well as for the total of observed geese (Table 32., Figure 21-23.). In respect of dominance – when data recorded monthly in each of the observed sites (Table 3-21., Figure 24.) or those referring to the total of geese present in Hungary (Table 33., Figure 25.) are analysed, it is found that in conformity with the numbers of individuals, also in the season 2021/2022 White-fronted Goose was the most common goose species in Hungary (max. 274 907 birds, max. 93%), followed by Greylag Goose (max. 55 864 birds, max. 100%), Red-breasted Goose (max. 249 birds, max. 0-1%) and Tundra Bean Goose (max. 205 birds, max. 0-1%) ranking third and fourth. Dominance of Lesser White-fronted Goose – a globally threatened species – ranged from 0% to &lt;1% (max. 26 birds). If the data obtained for the season 2021/2022 are fitted into the database of long-term monitoring, the following conclusions can be drawn from the actual changes in population numbers of the geese species in the Pannon region. In the season 2021/2022, we observed max. 1 Brent Geese, max. 9 Barnacle Goose, max. 2 Bar-headed Goose, max. 1 Pink-footed Goose and max. 5 Taiga Bean Goose. For the globally threatened Red-breasted Goose may be considered higher (two times – 249 birds) to the maximum counted in the season 2020/2021 (147 birds), but much lower to the record number counted in the season 2014/2015 (1258 birds). Greylag Goose continued to be present with high numbers in Hungary. However, in the new season its peaks (55 864 birds) were found to be higher (+42%) those counted in the previous 2020/2021 season (39 261 birds). Peak number of Tundra Bean Goose (205 birds) was lower (29%) as the maximum counted in the season 2020/2021 (711 birds). The dramatic decline in the dynamics of the Tundra Bean Goose population continued in the Pannon Region. Peak number of White-fronted Goose (274 907 birds) was 4% higher as the maximum counted in 2020/2021 (265 010 birds). For the globally threatened Lesser White-fronted Goose may be considered higher (26 birds) to the maximum counted in the season 2020/2021 (10 birds). The maximum numbers of total geese in the season 2021/2022 registered simultaneously (321 729 birds) was 5% higher to the maximum number of the season 2020/2021 (306 526 birds).

Avian assemblages in the waste landfills: observations from urban sites in West Bengal, India

Abstract Urban dumpsites, often regarded as environmental eyesores, may play an unexpected ecological role by providing habitats for avian species. In this context, the present study was conducted to justify whether dumpsites can sustain bird populations and enhance urban biodiversity. We recorded the bird abundance and species richness through surveys at four well-known urban dumpsites in Kolkata and surrounding areas between February and June 2024. We encountered a variety of common and rare bird species that use the dumpsite for feeding, breeding, and roosting using established methods. The dumping area close to the agricultural fields had a higher bird species richness compared to the urbanized area. However, the urban dumping areas exhibited comparatively higher bird abundance. House Crow (Corvus splendens) and Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) were the two most common species at the dumpsites. This work emphasizes the importance of studying the bird groups concerning landfill sites and management, as a significant influx of birds could lead to various environmental challenges in metropolitan areas.

Blood Inflammatory Markers and Cytokines in COVID-19 Patients With Bacterial Coinfections.

Bacterial coinfection in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection is an important risk factor for death. This study investigated whether there were differences in levels of serum inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients with bacterial coinfections compared with those without bacterial infection. A total of 235 inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to Qingdao Central Hospital from December 7, 2022, to August 7, 2024, were included. Patients were divided into a bacteria-positive group (115 cases) and a bacteria-negative group (120 cases) according to whether they had bacterial coinfections. PCT, CRP, and 12 kinds of cytokines were compared between groups, and the distribution of bacterial species in the positive group was statistically analyzed. The serum levels of CRP (Z = 8.94, p < 0.001), PCT (Z = 5.59, p < 0.001), IL-1β (t = 4.863, p < 0.001), IL-2 (t = 5.810, p < 0.001), IL-5 (t = 3.837, p < 0.001), IL-6 (t = 4.910, p < 0.001), IL-8 (t = 3.325, p < 0.001), ILIL-12p70 (t = 4.722, p < 0.001), IL-17 (t = 3.315, p = 0.001) and TNF-α (t = 4.251, p < 0.001) between the two groups were significantly different. IL-4, IL-10, IFN-α, and IFN-γ were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Among the 115 bacteria-positive patients, 56 patients were positive for one species and 59 patients were multiple infections. Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae were common species. Serum PCT and CRP levels in COVID-19 patients with bacterial coinfection are higher than those without bacterial infection. Cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, IL-17, and TNF-α may be involved in the progression of COVID-19 combined with bacterial infection. They can be used as potential markers to evaluate the disease condition and prognosis.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Mortality in Clostridial Bacteremia in Japan: A Retrospective Multicenter Observational Study.

Clostridium species are ubiquitous in nature and commonly cause infections, including bacteremia. C. perfringens is often the causative species, while the epidemiology of other clostridial species remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the epidemiology and risk factors for mortality among patients with clostridial bacteremia in Japan. This multicenter, retrospective cohort study analyzed patients with Clostridium spp. in blood cultures from four tertiary hospitals in Japan. Data on demographics, underlying conditions, clinical and laboratory values, and in-hospital mortality were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Of 349 patients with Clostridium spp. in blood cultures, 278 (79.7%) had clinically significant clostridial bacteremia: C. perfringens was the most common species (52.9%), followed by C. ramosum (9.7%) and C. clostridioforme (4.3%). The median patient age was 77 years, and 61.9% were male. The in-hospital mortality rate was 25.9%, with 34.7% of deaths occurring within 3 days of the date of the positive blood culture. Independent risk factors for mortality were hepato-pancreato-biliary malignancy, chronic heart failure, acute renal failure, Pitt bacteremia score, and pneumonia. Mortality from clostridial bacteremia is high, particularly among patients with pneumonia, comorbidities, or severe acute conditions. To improve mortality, early-stage treatment strategies are needed.