Economic Losses Research Articles

RNA-Seq analysis reveals the gene expression changes of Bemisia tabaci in response to destruxin A treatment

ABSTRACT Bemisia tabaci is an important agricultural pest that has been causing significant economic losses to crops across the globe. Destruxins are secondary metabolites of entomopathogenic fungi which can be used as a potential biopesticide against B. tabaci. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of the immune response of B. tabaci post-destruxin application. In this study, we explored the molecular responses of B. tabaci exposed to destruxin A (DA) using RNA-Seq. A total of 1702, 616, and 555 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in B. tabaci after 4, 8, and 12 h of DA treatment. In addition, 39 putative detoxification-related DEGs including 29 cytochrome P450s (P450s), 5 glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), and 5 carboxylesterases (CarEs) were also identified. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that the expression profiles of 19 random DEGs were consistent with the RNA-Seq results. These findings serve as valuable information for a better understanding of the interaction and molecular mechanisms involved in the defense response of B. tabaci against DA.

Heterografting enhances chrysanthemums resistance to Alternaria alternata via jasmonate-mediated increases in trichomes and terpenoids.

Trichomes, specialized hair-like structures in the epidermal cells of the aboveground parts of plants, protect plants from pests and pathogens and produce valuable metabolites. Chrysanthemum morifolium, used in tea products, has ornamental and medicinal value. However, it is susceptible to Alternaria alternata fungal infection, posing a threat to its production and use, resulting in substantial economic losses. Increasing the density of glandular trichomes enhances disease resistance and improves the production of medicinal metabolites in chrysanthemums. Jasmonate (JA), promotes the formation of glandular trichomes in various plants. However, it remains unclear whether glandular trichome in chrysanthemums are regulated by JA. Grafting, a technique to improve plant resistance to biotic stresses, has been insufficiently explored in its impact on glandular trichomes, terpenoids, and disease resistance. In this study, we demonstrated that grafting with Artemisia vulgaris rootstocks improves the resistance of chrysanthemum scions to A. alternata. Heterografted chrysanthemums exhibited higher trichome density and terpenoid content compared to self-grafted counterparts. Transcriptome analysis highlighted the significant role of CmJAZ1-like in disease resistance in heterografted chrysanthemums. Overexpressing CmJAZ1-like lines exhibited sensitivity to A. alternate, characterized by reduced glandular trichome density and limited terpenoids. Conversely, silencing lines exhibited resistance to A. alternata showcasing increased glandular trichome density and abundant terpenoids. Higher JA content was confirmed in heterografted chrysanthemum scions compared to self-grafted ones. Furthermore, we established that JA promotes the development of glandular trichomes and the synthesis of terpenoids while inducing the degradation of CmJAZ1-like proteins in chrysanthemums. These findings suggest that higher JA increases trichome density and terpenoid content, enhancing resistance to A. alternata by regulating CmJAZ1-like in heterografted chrysanthemums.

Multi-omics strategy reveals potential role of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factor genes responsible for Simmental diarrheic calves caused by Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is reported to be an important pathogen associated with calf diarrhea. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) pose a considerable threat to both animal and human health. However, little is known about the characterization of ARGs and VFGs presented in the gut microbiota of diarrheic calves caused by E. coli. In this study, we used multi-omics strategy to analyze the ARG and VFG profiles of Simmental calves with diarrhea caused by E. coli K99. We found that gut bacterial composition and their microbiome metabolic functions varied greatly in diarrheic calves compared to healthy calves. In total, 175 ARGs were identified, and diarrheal calves showed a significantly higher diversity and abundance of ARGs than healthy calves. Simmental calves with diarrhea showed higher association of VFGs with pili function, curli assembly, and ferrienterobactin transport of E. coli. Co-occurrence patterns based on Pearson correlation analysis revealed that E. coli had a highly significant (P < 0.0001) correlation coefficient (>0.8) with 16 ARGs and 7 VFGs. Metabolomics analysis showed that differentially expressed metabolites in Simmental calves with diarrhea displayed a high correlation with the aforementioned ARGs and VFGs. Phylotype analysis of E. coli genomes showed that the predominant phylogroup B1 in diarrheic Simmental calves was associated with 10 ARGs and 3 VFGs. These findings provide an overview of the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiota in diarrheic calves caused by E. coli and pave the way for further studies on the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and virulence in the calves affected with diarrhea.IMPORTANCESimmental is a well-recognized beef cattle breed worldwide. They also suffer significant economic losses due to diarrhea. In this study, fecal metagenomic analysis was applied to characterize the antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) and virulence factor gene (VFG) profiles of diarrheic Simmental calves. We identified key ARGs and VFGs correlated with Escherichia coli isolated from Simmental calves. Additionally, metabolomics analysis showed that differentially expressed metabolites in Simmental calves with diarrhea displayed a high correlation with the aforementioned ARGs and VFGs. Our findings provide an insight into the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiota in diarrheic calves caused by Escherichia coli and pave the way for further studies on the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and virulence in the diarrheal calves from cattle hosts.

Tourism-related economic loss and damage from the North Island weather events on New Zealand conservation land and waters

Extreme weather events are causing increasing levels of loss and damage, including to natural assets and associated nature-based tourism economies. This article provides estimates of the economic impacts on public conservation lands and waters in New Zealand's North Island from the flooding events of Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023. Losses and damage are estimated in four buckets: regional tourism GDP losses from cancelled visitor bookings at Department of Conservation accommodation facilities; lost business revenue of companies operating in protected areas; lost value of government-managed visitor assets; and regional tourism GDP losses from estimated reductions in visitor numbers at three iconic protected area sites. The research also attributes a proportion of these losses to climate change, assisting learning and future planning for New Zealand's conservation agency.

MicroRNA bmo-miR-31-5p inhibits apoptosis and promotes BmNPV proliferation by targeting the CYP9e2 gene of Bombyx mori.

Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV), as a typical baculovirus, is the primary pathogen that infects the silkworm B. mori, a lepidopteran species. Owing to the high biological safety of BmNPV in infecting insects, it is commonly utilized as a biological insecticide for pest control. Apoptosis is important in the interaction between the host and pathogenic microorganisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) influence immune responses and promote stability of the immune system via apoptosis. Therefore, the study of apoptosis-related miRNA in silkworms during virus infection can not only provide support for standardizing the prevention and control of diseases and insect pests, but also reduce the economic losses to sericulture caused by the misuse of biological pesticides. Through transcriptome sequencing, we identified a miRNA, miR-31-5p, and demonstrated that it can inhibit apoptosis in silkworm cells and promote the proliferation of BmNPV in BmE-SWU1 cells. We identified a target gene of miR-31-5p, B. mori cytochrome P450 9e2 (BmCYP9e2), and demonstrated that it can promote apoptosis in silkworm cells and inhibit the proliferation of BmNPV. Moreover, we constructed transgenic silkworm strains with miR-31-5p knockout and confirmed that they can inhibit the proliferation of BmNPV. These data indicate that miR-31-5p may exert functions of inhibiting apoptosis and promoting virus proliferation by regulating BmCYP9e2. The findings demonstrate how miRNAs influence host cell apoptosis and how they are involved in the host immune system response to viruses, providing important insights into the applications of biological insecticides for pest control. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dual RNA sequencing during Trichoderma harzianum-Phytophthora capsici interaction reveals multiple biological processes involved in the inhibition and highlights the cell wall as a potential target.

Phytophthora capsici is a destructive oomycete pathogen, causing huge economic losses for agricultural production. The genus Trichoderma represents one of the most extensively researched categories of biocontrol agents, encompassing a diverse array of effective strains. The commercial biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 exhibits pronounced biocontrol effects against many plant pathogens, but its activity against P. capsici is not known. T. harzianum T-22 significantly inhibited the growth of P. capsici mycelia and the culture filtrate of T-22 induced lysis of P. capsici zoospores. Electron microscopic analyses indicated that T-22 significantly modulated the ultrastructural composition of P. capsici, with a severe impact on the cell wall integrity. Dual RNA sequencing revealed multiple biological processes involved in the inhibition during the interaction between these two microorganisms. In particular, a marked upregulation of genes was identified in T. harzianum that are implicated in cell wall degradation or disruption. Concurrently, the presence of T. harzianum appeared to potentiate the susceptibility of P. capsici to cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors such as mandipropamid and dimethomorph. Further investigations showed that mandipropamid and dimethomorph could strongly inhibit the growth and development of P. capsici but had no impact on T. harzianum even at high concentrations, demonstrating the feasibility of combining T. harzianum and these cell wall synthesis inhibitors to combat P. capsici. These findings provided enhanced insights into the biocontrol mechanisms against P. capsici with T. harzianum and evidenced compatibility between specific biological and chemical control strategies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Trematode infection in ruminants and diversity of snail hosts across three agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia

The occurrence of trematodes among ruminants and their snail vectors is a major concern across various agro-ecological regions of Ethiopia. Trematodes pose significant threats to animals, causing considerable economic losses and impacting public health. In this study, we have investigated 784 ruminant fecal samples, and 520 abattoir samples, alongside the collection and identification of snail vectors from various agro-ecological regions. Fecal examinations revealed Fasciola, Paramphistomum and Schistosoma species infected 20.5% (95% CI: 17.6, 23.8), 11.7% (95% CI: 9.6, 14.2), and 6.3% (95% CI: 4.1, 9.1) of the animals, respectively. The overall prevalence of trematodes among ruminants was 28.8% (95% CI: 25.7, 32.1%), with 6.0% (95% CI: 4.3, 7.7) showing mixed infections. Fasciola was more prevalent in Asela (26%) compared to Batu (19%) and Hawassa (11.5%), while a higher proportion of animals in Batu were infected with Paramphistomum. Schistosoma eggs were detected only in Batu (12.5%), but not in other areas. Sheep and cattle exhibited higher infection rates with Fasciola, Paramphistoma, and Schistosoma compared to goats. Significant associations were observed between trematode infections and risk factors including agro-ecology, animal species, body condition score, and deworming practices. About 20.8% and 22.7% of the slaughtered animals harbored Fasciola and Paramphistomum flukes, respectively, with a higher prevalence in Asela and Hawassa abattoirs compared to Batu abattoir. Additionally, a total of 278 snails were collected from the study areas and identified as lymnae natalensis, lymnae trancatula, Biomphalaria pffiferi, Biomphlaria sudanica, and Bulinus globosus. In conclusion, the study highlights the widespread occurrence of trematode infections, emphasizing the need for feasible control measures to mitigate their economic and public health impacts.

Effects of Growing Areas, Pruning Wound Protection Products, and Phenological Stage on the Stilbene Composition of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Canes.

Applying plant protection products (PPP) on grapevine pruning wounds is a viticultural practice used to mitigate the spread of grapevine tuck disease, which is posing serious economic losses in the vine-wine industry. However, the impact of PPP on woody tissues remains unclear. Our study, conducted in two European vineyards, investigated the effects of Cuprocol, Tessior, Esquive, and Bentogran on stilbenes, in canes of Cabernet sauvignon and Syrah, at three phenological stages. Main stilbenes, quantified by HPLC-UV-DAD (1260 Agilent Infinity System) and identified by HPLC-ESI/MS (Thermo Scientific LCQ FLEET system), included E-resveratrol, E-ε-viniferin, E-piceatannol, and E-polydatin. Canes exhibited varying proportions of individual stilbenes, reflecting differences based on climatic conditions and phenological phases, rather than on the application of specific PPP. Vines grown in cool-climate conditions exhibited higher levels of E-resveratrol, whereas vines from the Mediterranean climate area exhibited higher levels of E-ε-viniferin. We also observed divergences in the accumulation trend of wood stilbenes throughout the season in canes collected in the two different growing areas.

Numerical evaluation of impact resistance of reinforced concrete walls

Reinforced concrete(RC) structures are occasionally subjected to accidental impact during service, which can cause economic losses and casualties. Most previous research on the impact resistance of RC structures has focused on beams, columns, and slabs except walls. Thus, it is necessary to study the impact response and resistance performance of essential RC walls with high resistance requirements, such as critical shear walls, important structures, and vital protective structures of high-rise buildings in earthquake and mountainous areas under low-speed impact. This research verified the finite element model (FEM) through pendulum impact experiments on RC walls (with an impact mass of 2 tons) firstly, then proposed the damage assessment parameters of the RC wall, and analysed the impact response mechanism and resistance performance of RC walls with several reinforcement ratios under different impact loads. The research results indicate that the impact effect on the wall must consider the different value (D-value) between local and global deformation. The impact load significantly influences the peak impact force and the displacement of the RC wall. The mass affects the RC wall’s global residual deflection. At the same time, the velocity significantly influences local displacement, and correspondingly, the RC wall is more prone to local damage with high velocity. Thickness, the concrete fc, and the reinforcement ratio affect the impact resistance of the RC wall. The thicker wall can cause a shorter impact duration, and milder concrete damage, but the smaller rebar stress. The larger fc will bring greater rebar stress and milder concrete damage. A high reinforcement ratio will increase the impact force platform value and the RC wall’s concrete damaged ratio but will reduce the plastic strain of the rebars.

Application of Bayesian networks based on Sequential Monte Carlo simulation and physical model in fault diagnosis of horizontal three-phase separator system

In offshore production platforms, horizontal three-phase separator is common process equipment. Its main function is to complete the dehydration and degassing of crude oil. Separator system is more complex, and its failure may cause significant economic losses and disastrous consequences. Therefore, it is critical to accurately and quickly identify where and why faults occur in the separator system. In this study, separator fault diagnosis model based on Bayesian networks is developed. Moreover, Sequential Monte Carlo simulation and physical model are introduced to overcome field problems such as missing separator failure data and the inability of experts to provide accurate empirical knowledge. Using this model, 13 faults in a separator in an offshore crude oil processing system are successfully diagnosed. Meanwhile, the proposed model is compared with deep neural network, convolutional neural network, and deep residual network, with accuracy rates of 100%, 91.34%, 87.99%, and 94.62%, respectively. Then, the diagnostic accuracy of each model for different faults is also compared in this paper under various signal-to-noise ratios. The results show that the method proposed in this paper has better noise immunity compared to the other three models. Therefore, the accuracy and robustness of the proposed model is further demonstrated. Finally, to analyze the fault-tolerance of the proposed model, 2–3 error evidence is randomly entered. The results show that the proposed model has better fault tolerance compared to data-driven Bayesian networks.

Stakeholder perspectives on landslide triggers and impacts in five countries

AbstractExpert perspectives drive landslide mitigation and post-disaster policy planning. This study examines landslide risk perceptions among the stakeholders (government officials, academics, policy experts, local community representatives, and representatives of NGOs/civil society) across Brazil, Colombia, Nepal, Iran, and Pakistan, identifying both shared concerns and local heterogeneity. Key informants revealed a discrepancy in their degree of concern about landslides, with government officials exhibiting greater apprehension compared to local community representatives. Local community representatives incorrectly perceived landslides to be the result of natural phenomena. In contrast, governmental and academic stakeholders felt that human-induced triggers, specifically those related to land use and land cover change, were significant contributors to landslide occurrences, necessitating stringent law enforcement. The comprehensive impacts of landslides included economic losses, infrastructure disruption, agricultural losses, and food security concerns, underscoring the multifaceted nature of this hazard. Our results suggest the need for proactive citizen engagement in landslide monitoring, recognizing the importance of local contexts. We end by proposing a dual-pronged policy approach that emphasizes the socio-economic context of each region.

Recombinant linear multiple epitopes of σB protein protect Muscovy ducks against novel duck reovirus infection

Infection by the novel duck reovirus (NDRV) in ducklings causes high mortality, which leads to substantial economic losses in the duck industry in China. To date, no commercial vaccine is available for this disease. In this study, linear B cell epitopes of the σB protein of the NDRV were predicted and recombinant multiple linear B cell epitopes (MLBEs) were constructed through linkers. The recombinant MLBEs were then expressed and purified. One-day-old Muscovy ducklings were immunized with different doses of MLBEs and challenged with 5 × 104 ELD50 of the virulent CHY strain of NDRV 14 days after immunization. The ducklings vaccinated with 20 and 40 μg of MLBE performed no clinical signs or gross or histopathological lesions, indicating 100% protection against infection. The viral load in the liver and spleens of these birds was significantly lower than that in the control group. Additionally, these ducklings exhibited positive seroconversion at 7 days after vaccination on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These results indicate that MLBE of σB could be used as a candidate for developing vaccines against NDRV infection.

MicroRNAs: exploring their role in farm animal disease and mycotoxin challenges

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) serve as key regulators in gene expression and play a crucial role in immune responses, holding a significant promise for diagnosing and managing diseases in farm animals. This review article summarizes current research on the role of miRNAs in various farm animal diseases and mycotoxicosis, highlighting their potential as biomarkers and using them for mitigation strategies. Through an extensive literature review, we focused on the impact of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of several farm animal diseases, including viral and bacterial infections and mycotoxicosis. They regulate gene expression by inducing mRNA deadenylation, decay, or translational inhibition, significantly impacting cellular processes and protein synthesis. The research revealed specific miRNAs associated with the diseases; for instance, gga-miR-M4 is crucial in Marek’s disease, and gga-miR-375 tumor-suppressing function in Avian Leukosis. In swine disease such as Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) and swine influenza, miRNAs like miR-155 and miR-21-3p emerged as key regulatory factors. Additionally, our review highlighted the interaction between miRNAs and mycotoxins, suggesting miRNAs can be used as a biomarker for mycotoxin exposure. For example, alterations in miRNA expression, such as the dysregulation observed in response to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in chickens, may indicate potential mechanisms for toxin-induced changes in lipid metabolism leading to liver damage. Our findings highlight miRNAs potential for early disease detection and intervention in farm animal disease management, potentially reducing significant economic losses in agriculture. With only a fraction of miRNAs functionally characterized in farm animals, this review underlines more focused research on specific miRNAs altered in distinct diseases, using advanced technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 screening, single-cell sequencing, and integrated multi-omics approaches. Identifying specific miRNA targets offers a novel pathway for early disease detection and the development of mitigation strategies against mycotoxin exposure in farm animals.

First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum spaethianum on Zephyranthes candida in China.

Zephyranthes candida, an bulbous perennial plant, are planted in almost every park. In October 2023, anthracnose symptoms were observed on Z. candida leaves in Jiangxi Agricultural University (28.75° N, 115.83°E), Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China, and the incidence of disease were up to 35% (140 of 400 plants). The lesions extended fromtheleafapextothebase, appearing as a dark brown color, and later changed to yellow and became dry. To isolate the pathogen, 20 symptomatic leaves were collected and cut into small pieces (4×4 mm, one pieces per leave), surface-sterilized with 70% ethanol for 10 s and 1% NaClO for 30 s, rinsed thrice with sterile water, placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates and incubated at 25℃ for 5 days. Fifteen isolates (15 out of 20) with similar morphological characteristics were obtained. The colonies on PDA presented effuse mycelium, initially white and later pale gray. Conidia were hyaline, curved or slightly curved, aseptate, with a truncate base and acute apex, measuring 17 to 23 × 3 to 6 μm (n = 50), and were matched to Colletotrichum species (Damm et al. 2009). To further confirm species, two representative isolates (JFRL 03-2873 and JFRL 03-2874) were selected for molecular identification. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), chitin synthase (CHS), histone 3 (HIS3), actin (ACT) and β-tubulin 2 (TUB2) regions were amplified and sequenced by using primers sets ITS5/ITS4, Gpd1/Gpd2, CHS-79F/CHS354R, CYLH3F/CYLH3R, ACT-512F/ACT-783R and T1/Bt2b (Tan et al. 2022), respectively. These sequences were deposited into GenBank with accession number PP425890-PP425891 (ITS), PP437551-PP437552 (GAPDH), PP437549-PP437550 (CHS), PP480643-PP480644 (HIS3), PP437547-PP437548 (ACT) and PP437553-PP437554 (TUB2). A BLASTN search revealed high similarity of 99%-100% to ITS (GU227807, 518 nt/519 nt), GAPDH (GU228199, 525 nt/526 nt), CHS (GU228297, 251 nt/251 nt), HIS3 (GU228003, 372 nt/373 nt), ACT (GU227905, 236 nt/237 nt) and TUB2 (GU228101, 490 nt/490 nt) sequences of Colletotrichum spaethianum CBS 167.49. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed by combining ITS, GAPDH, CHS , HIS3, ACT and TUB2 sequences in IQtree web server (Ngugen et al. 2015). The result indicated that the two representative isolates were clustered together with Colletotrichum spaethianum in a clade with 100% bootstrap support. Based on morphologicalobservationandsequenceanalysis, the isolates were identified as C. spaethianum. To confirm pathogenicity, six surface-sterilized leaves of Z. candida were wounded and inoculated with 1 × 106 conidia/ml conidial suspension of JFRL 03-2873, and control leaves were inoculated with sterile water. They were incubated at 25 ℃ with 12 h photoperiod and 80% humidity, theexperimentwasrepeatedtwice. After five days, all leaves inoculated with JFRL 03-2873 displayed anthracnose symptom, whereas the control leaves remained unaffected. We re-isolated C. spaethianum from the symptomatic leaves and identified it based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Previous studies reported that C. spaethianum caused anthracnose on various common herbaceous plants in China (Vieira et al. 2014, Guo et al. 2013), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of C. spaethianum causing anthracnose on Z. candida in China. Anthracnose disease caused great economic loss to the cultivation of landscape plant Z. candida. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to the anthracnose disease of herbaceous plants caused by C. spaethianum and develop appropriate control strategies.

Towards an understanding of landslide risk assessment and its economic losses: a scientometric analysis

AbstractThis scientometric analysis significantly advances the understanding of landslide risk assessment and economic losses, focusing on scientometric insights. This study aims at analyzing the global trends and structures of landslide risk and economic loss research from 2002 to 2023 using scientometric techniques such as co-authorship, co-word, co-citation, cluster analysis, and trend topics, among others. Thus, analysis of 92 studies gathered from Scopus and Web of Science databases reveals a continuous growth in environmental, social, and quantitative research topics. Predominant contributions hail mainly from China and Italy. The research identifies critical themes, including risk analysis, vulnerability, fragility, and economic losses. The current identified research combines advanced statistical methods, including logistic regression, with climate change scenarios and susceptibility assessments to reveal intricate connections between climatic shifts, hydrogeological hazards, and their economic and environmental impacts. This study provides researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the status quo and research trends of ontology research landslide risk and its economic losses. It also promotes further studies in this domain.

Appropriate nitrogen supply and intercropping reduce epidemics, the compound disease of faba bean, and yield and economic losses

Appropriate nitrogen supply and intercropping reduce epidemics, the compound disease of faba bean, and yield and economic losses

Antimicrobial resistance and mastitis classification of pathogens in small ruminant mastitis

Mastitis is an important disease of small ruminants (SR) that results in substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic losses from treatment or loss of product. There is currently little in­formation on SR mastitis pathogens or antimicrobial sensitivity in U.S. populations. This study 1) identifies breed, age, produc­tion use and stage of lactation of SR diagnosed with mastitis at a veterinary teaching hospital (VTH); 2) characterizes bacterial species and antimicrobial sensitivity in SR mastitis; and 3) clas­sifies SR mastitis into peracute, acute, subclinical and chronic, and correlates with bacterial isolates.

Chalcones—Features, Identification Techniques, Attributes, and Application in Agriculture

This review article is a comprehensive and current overview on chalcones, covering their sources, identification methods, and properties with a particular focus on their applications in the agricultural sector. The widespread use of synthetic pesticides has not only led to increased resistance among weeds and pests, resulting in economic losses, but it has also raised significant health concerns due to the overuse of these chemicals. In line with the European Green Deal 2030 and its Farm to Fork strategy, there is a targeted 50% reduction in the use of chemical pesticides by 2030, emphasizing a shift towards natural alternatives that are more environmentally sustainable and help in the restoration of natural resources. Chalcones and their derivatives, with their herbicidal, fungicidal, bactericidal, and antiviral properties, appear to be ideal candidates. These naturally occurring compounds have been recognized for their beneficial health effects for many years and have applications across multiple areas. This review not only complements the previous literature on the agricultural use of chalcones but also provides updates and introduces methods of detection such as chromatography and MALDI technique.

Molecular diagnosis and characterization of Anaplasma marginale and Ehrlichia ruminantium infecting beef cattle of Maputo Province, Mozambique

BackgroundMembers of the Anaplasmataceae family, such as the Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species, cause economic losses and public health risks. However, the exact economic impact has not been comprehensively assessed in Mozambique due to limited data available on its basic epidemiology. Therefore, we investigated the molecular occurrence and identity of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. infecting beef cattle in Maputo province, Mozambique.MethodsA total of 200 whole blood samples were collected from apparently healthy beef cattle. Whole blood DNA was extracted and tested for presence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia ruminantium DNA through amplification of the 16S rRNA and map1 genes. Positive samples to Anaplasma spp. were subject to PCR assay targeting the A. marginale-msp5 gene. Amplicons obtained were purified, sequenced and subject to phylogenetic analyses.ResultsAnaplasma spp., A. marginale and E. ruminantium were detected in 153 (76.5%), 142 (71%) and 19 (9.5%) of all the samples analyzed, respectively. On this same sample group, 19 (9.5%) were co-infected with A. marginale and E. ruminantium. The 16S rRNA sequences of Anaplasma spp. obtained were phylogenetically related to A. marginale, A. centrale and A. platys. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. marginale-msp5 nucleotide sequences were grouped with sequences from Asia, Africa and Latin America, whereas E. ruminantium-map1 DNA nucleotide sequences were positioned in multiple clusters.ConclusionCattle in Maputo Province are reservoirs for multiple Anaplasma species. A high positivity rate of infection by A. marginale was observed, as well as high genetic diversity of E. ruminantium. Furthermore, five new genotypes of E. ruminantium-map1 were identified.

Comparison of Cost Analysis in Patients with Tetrahydrobiopterin-Responsive and Non-Responsive Phenylketonuria in Turkey

Phenylketonuria is an inherited metabolic disorder that leads to neurobehavioral dysfunction. The main treatment is a low-phenylalanine diet and/or the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin. Regular outpatient follow-up care and measurement of the phenylalanine levels in the blood are required. We aimed to analyze the economic burden of phenylketonuria on families and the state. The patients with phenylketonuria were divided into three groups according to their treatment: a low-phenylalanine diet group (n = 50), a tetrahydrobiopterin group (n = 44), and a group taking tetrahydrobiopterin together with the diet (n = 25). A comparative cost analysis was carried out. The annual economic burden to the state was calculated to average EUR 18,801 ± 15,345 and was lowest in the diet group, then in the tetrahydrobiopterin group, and highest in the tetrahydrobiopterin + diet group (p &lt; 0.001). Out-of-pocket costs amounted to EUR 1531 ± 1173 per year, and indirect losses averaged EUR 2125 ± 1930 per year for all families. The economic loss was significantly lower in the families taking tetrahydrobiopterin than in the other groups (p = 0.001). The combined use of medical nutrition and BH4 treatments has been shown to increase the economic burden on the state. Reimbursing low-protein products and increasing the number of patients eligible for financial allowances may reduce the economic burden on families.