Geographical Spread Research Articles

E-dengue System Insights: Exploring the Factors Influencing Dengue-related Deaths in an Urbanized State in a Low-Middle Income Country (LMIC)

BackgroundDengue has emerged as a rapidly escalating health issue in low- and middle-income countries, with its burden and geographic spread increasing over the years. Malaysia, in particular, has witnessed a significant rise in dengue cases, accompanied by a spike in mortality rates. Several studies have identified various factors, primarily focusing on the 27 clinical aspects of severe dengue infection and the development of dengue-related fatalities. Expanding on this focus, this study aims to identify the demographic, clinical, and environmental factors contributing to dengue mortality, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the variables influencing dengue-related fatalities.MethodsThis study utilized a 1:2 case-control design, analyzing data from the E-dengue system database and medical records from January 2015 to December 2022, involving 219 participants (73 dengue fatalities as cases and 146 recovered patients as controls). Dengue deaths were confirmed by the Penang State Mortality Review Committee, and controls were randomly selected from laboratory-confirmed dengue cases. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of dengue mortality, with variables included in the multivariable model if p < 0.05.ResultsSeveral significant predictors of dengue-related mortality, including clinical and environmental factors were identified. Key predictors were a platelet count below 50,000/µL (OR 15.70; 95% CI: 5.65–43.53), presence of one comorbid condition (OR 2.90; 95% CI: 1.22–6.90), more than two comorbid conditions (OR 10.15; 95% CI: 3.53–29.23), bronchial asthma (OR 12.00; 95% CI: 1.08-132.13), and outbreak locality status (OR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.11–4.79). An interaction was also found between locality status and platelet levels.ConclusionThe study emphasizes the need for developing risk profiles for dengue patients by integrating factors such as platelet levels, comorbidities, and locality status to improve clinical care. Nuanced protocols are needed to address the specific challenges of single-case and outbreak areas. In single-case localities, patients with low platelet counts (below 100,000/µL) should be prioritized for rapid intervention to mitigate severe outcomes. In outbreak areas, healthcare systems should bolster resources and apply comprehensive triage approaches considering platelet levels and other risk factors. Implementing predictive models that account for geographical factors can enhance resource allocation and preparedness for dengue outbreaks. These recommendations aim to empower public health personnel, healthcare providers, and communities to collectively reduce dengue-related mortality rates.

Emerging Threats of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in US Dairy Cattle: Understanding Cross-Species Transmission Dynamics in Mammalian Hosts

The rapid geographic spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in poultry, wild birds, and other mammalian hosts, including humans, raises significant health concerns globally. The recent emergence of HPAI A(H5N1) in agricultural animals such as cattle and goats indicates the ability of the virus to breach unconventional host interfaces, further expanding the host range. Among the four influenza types—A, B, C, and D, cattle are most susceptible to influenza D infection and serve as a reservoir for this seven-segmented influenza virus. It is generally thought that bovines are not hosts for other types of influenza viruses, including type A. However, this long-standing viewpoint has been challenged by the recent outbreaks of HPAI A(H5N1) in dairy cows in the United States. To date, HPAI A(H5N1) has spread into fourteen states, affecting 299 dairy herds and causing clinical symptoms such as reduced appetite, fever, and a sudden drop in milk production. Infected cows can also transmit the disease through raw milk. This review article describes the current epidemiological landscape of HPAI A(H5N1) in US dairy cows and its interspecies transmission events in other mammalian hosts reported across the globe. The review also discusses the viral determinants of tropism, host range, adaptative mutations of HPAI A(H5N1) in various mammalian hosts with natural and experimental infections, and vaccination strategies. Finally, it summarizes some immediate questions that need to be addressed for a better understanding of the infection biology, transmission, and immune response of HPAI A(H5N1) in bovines.

Studies on the Detection of Viruses Infecting Capsicum Species in the Northern Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria

The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence, detection, and geographical spread of viruses that infect pepper (Capsicum spp.) in six towns spanning two local government areas (Yala and Ogoja) in the northern zone of Cross River State. A total of 348 leaf samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic pepper plants were randomly collected from farmer's fields during a survey in 2023–2024. The samples were then preliminary tested using an antigen coated plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ACP-ELISA) with seven antibodies specific for ToLCV, Cowpea aphid borne mosaic virus (CABMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Potato virus X (PVX), Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), and Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV). The findings showed that the viruses that infect pepper in Yala had a high cumulative mean incidence, accounting for 56.9% (198 infected samples). Yache in Yala had the highest virus incidence at 90%, while Bansara in Ogoja had the lowest at 40%. At different rates, ToLCV, CMV, PVY, and PVMV were found in the samples; PVX, TMV, and CABMV were not found. The CMV virus was the most commonly discovered of them. Additionally, mixed infections between the viruses—between ToLCV and PVY in Yache and between CMV and PVMV in Bansara—were found. This is the first report on account of viruses found in pepper in the northern part of Cross River State. The findings show that the viruses that cause the infections are common and might potentially be a threat to the production of pepper in that region.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect emerging multidrug-resistant Salmonella Infantis harbouring pESI plasmid in seafood.

Salmonella Infantis is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen worldwide due to the acquisition of a megaplasmid pESI (Plasmid of Emerging Salmonella Infantis). Reported initially from poultry, the distribution of pESI-harbouring S. Infantis in other food types, including seafood, is unknown. This study aimed to develop and optimize a PCR assay for detecting pESI plasmid in Salmonella and non-Salmonella Enterobacterales. A duplex PCR targeting the hilA gene and a pESI-associated gene of S. Infantis was designed, and the PCR conditions were optimized. The specificity and sensitivity of the assay were established using 119 Salmonella serovars and 51 non-Salmonella bacterial strains. All Salmonella isolates yielded hilA PCR product, while only pESI S. Infantis was positive for both hilA and pESI genes. No amplification product was obtained with the DNA of 51 non-Salmonella bacterial strains. The detection limit of the duplex PCR was 104 CFU/ml of pure culture of pESI S. Infantis. The sensitivity of detection in artificially spiked shrimp meat was 1 CFU/g after 6 h of enrichment in lactose broth, followed by 12 h of selective enrichment in the Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium. The duplex assay will help screen seafood for Salmonella in general and pESI S. Infantis in particular. Given its high sensitivity, the PCR will be a valuable tool for seafood quality assurance. This approach decreases the typical 3-6 days' identification time of Salmonella to less than 24 hours. S. Infantis carrying the highly transmissible megaplasmid (pESI) is a significant food safety concern. Given its rapid geographical spread and high antimicrobial resistant traits, it is necessary to have a molecular tool that detects pESI-harbouring Salmonella. This study successfully developed a duplex PCR assay that simultaneously detects Salmonella enterica and pESI S. Infantis. This molecular tool will help understand the distribution, sources, and spread of MDR plasmid in the food environment.

Ubiquitous names and ubiquitous species: examples from Synedra acus (Ulnaria acus), S. ulna (Ulnaria ulna) and S. goulardii (Ulnaria goulardii)

The term ‘Ubiquitous name’ is created and discussed. A ‘ubiquitous name’ is a taxon name that is used for any specimens that are superficially classified with a ‘commonly adopted name’ such as Synedra acus (Ulnaria acus) and Synedra ulna (Ulnaria ulna). Two examples are provided. The first, from 1923, is Joaquin Frenguelli and his use of the name Synedra acus for the diatoms of Argentina. The second, 100 years later, from 2023, Kochoska et al.’s use of the name Synedra goulardii. With reference to historical biogeography, ‘ubiquitous names’ can only be successfully eliminated with revisionary monographic treatments of the geographical spread of taxa within some specific area. Historical biogeography requires schemes of taxon relationships so that one might be able to understand how, specifically, species relate in these different areas.

Expanded geographic distribution for two Legionella pneumophila sequence types of clinical concern.

Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 sequence types (ST) 213 and 222, a single-locus variant of ST213, were first detected in the early 1990s in the Midwest United States (U.S.) and the late 1990s in the Northeast U.S. and Canada. Since 1992, these STs have increasingly been implicated in community-acquired sporadic and outbreak-associated Legionnaires' disease (LD) cases. We were interested in understanding the change in LD frequency due to these STs and identifying genetic features that differentiate these STs from one another. For the geographic area examined here (Mountain West to Northeast) and over the study period (1992-2020), ST213/222-associated LD cases identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention increased by 0.15 cases per year, with ST213/222-associated LD cases concentrated in four states: Michigan (26%), New York (18%), Minnesota (16%), and Ohio (10%). Additionally, between 2002 and 2021, ST222 caused at least five LD outbreaks in the U.S.; no known outbreaks due to ST213 occurred in the U.S. during this time. We compared the genomes of 230 ST213/222 isolates and found that the mean of the average nucleotide identity (ANI) within each ST was high (99.92% for ST222 and 99.92% for ST213), with a minimum between ST ANI of 99.50% and a maximum of 99.87%, indicating low genetic diversity within and between these STs. While genomic features were identified (e.g., plasmids and CRISPR-Cas systems), no association explained the increasing geographic distribution and prevalence of ST213 and ST222. Yet, we provide evidence of the expanded geographical distribution of ST213 and ST222 in the U.S.IMPORTANCESince the 1990s, cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD) attributed to a pair of closely related Legionella pneumophila variants, ST213 and ST222, have increased in the U.S. Furthermore, between 2002 and 2021, ST222 caused at least five outbreaks of LD in the U.S., while ST213 has not been linked to any U.S. outbreak. We wanted to understand how the rate of LD cases attributed to these variants has changed over time and compare the genetic features of the two variants. Between 1992 and 2020, we determined an increase of 0.15 LD cases ascribed to ST213/222 per year in the geographic region studied. Our research shows that these STs are spreading within the U.S., yet most of the cases occurred in four states: Michigan, New York, Minnesota, and Ohio. Additionally, we found little genetic diversity within and between these STs nor could specific genetic features explain their geographic spread.

Risks of high temperature exposure on infectious diseases in Portuguese hospitals

Abstract Background The convergence of climate change and infectious diseases presents a growing public health challenge. As global temperatures continue to climb, the geographical spread of climate-sensitive diseases is shifting, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive early warning systems grounded in a One Health framework. Methods This retrospective observational study analyzed daily maximum temperature from May to September, between 2000 and 2018, in mainland Portugal, at a county level, obtained from a European-level gridded observations dataset. Hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of infectious and parasitic diseases were sourced from the Hospital Morbidity Database. A distributed lag non-linear model was developed to estimate the immediate and lagged relative risks (RR) of temperature exposure on admissions, focused on a lag of 10 days. Results Our research reveals a 16% (95% CI: 9% - 23%) rise in the RR of hospital admissions due to infectious and parasitic diseases after exposure to extremely high temperatures (39 °C). This elevated risk persists for up to 2 days following exposure, with the second day exhibiting the largest increase at 53% (31% - 80%). Furthermore, our findings indicate a subsequent resurgence in RR, reaching 6% (2% - 11%) 9 days after exposure. Conclusions Our results highlight a short-term effect of extreme temperature exposure on infectious and parasitic disease admissions. This data provides valuable insights to guide policymakers in identifying critical periods of vulnerability and implementing this knowledge into heat early warning systems, contributing to developing effective public health strategies against climate change. Acknowledgments The authors thank Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for research grant UIDP/04923/2020 and NOVA National School of Public Health for access to the Hospital Morbidity Database made available for research purposes by Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde, IP (ACSS). Key messages • Exposure to extremely high temperatures increases the risk of admission due to infectious and parasitic diseases by 16%, with a peak occurring two days after exposure. • This data is essential for policymakers to identify and integrate vulnerable periods into early heat warning systems, enhancing effective public health strategies against climate change.

Global health at local level: characterization of tropical diseases in northern Portugal, 2020-2024

Abstract Background The escalating global prevalence and geographic spread of tropical diseases pose significant global health risks worldwide, with local implications. In Portugal, these diseases require mandatory notification. Concerns were raised following the detection of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in mainland Portugal in 2017, alongside a Dengue outbreak in Madeira in 2012. Despite Portugal being declared malaria-free, the detection of Anopheles mosquitoes also raises concerns. This study aims at characterizing notified cases of tropical diseases in two cities in Northern Portugal since 2020. Methods A retrospective study of Malaria, Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya cases in the Maia &amp; Valongo’s Public Health Unit included data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System covering January 2020 to April 2024. Descriptive analysis was conducted using SPSS IBM for iOS® v29. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation for continuous variables and proportions for categorical ones. Results Five malaria cases were reported, predominantly affecting males (80%), with an average age of 34±16.96 years. Four were Portuguese and one Angolan. All cases were imported, mostly from Angola (80%). Etiological analysis revealed two cases of Plasmodium malariae and three of Plasmodium falciparum. All were hospitalized, no deaths. Four dengue cases were documented, 50% in males, averaged 33±24.73 years. Three were Portuguese and one Mozambican. One was hospitalized with no deaths. All cases were imported from Brazil, Cuba, Indonesia, and islands of Saint Martin/Saint-Barthélemy. No Zika or Chikungunya confirmed cases were identified during this period. Conclusions The increasing incidence of Dengue and Malaria underscores the critical connection between infectious diseases, vector ecology, and global health security. This study highlights the risk of imported Dengue and Malaria cases, emphasizing the imperative for surveillance and preventive actions to protect public health. Key messages • Dengue and Malaria cases in Portugal underline the importance of international collaboration and robust strategies. • Stepped-up surveillance is key to protecting vulnerable groups from imported infections.

Serbia multidisciplinary approach for surveillance and risk identification – The “One Health” information for action

Abstract Issue/problem To date, Serbia has not detected locally acquired Dengue cases. Since a competent Dengue virus vector Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) has been detected since 2017, imported cases have the potential to trigger local transmission. Description of the problem To ensure preparedness and timely response in the event of an epidemic signal in Serbia, we described the imported Dengue cases and analysed the geographical distribution and density of the vector. Probable and confirmed imported cases meeting the 2018 EU case definition were reported via the National Notifiable System between January 2019 and December 2023. We monitored the density and geographical spread of mosquitos, including Ae. albopictus, which were collected during May-October 2022 and 2023. Mosquito genera were determined according to morphological criteria and DNA barcoding. Results During the investigation period, physicians reported three probable and four confirmed imported Dengue cases; the mean age was 28.4 (standard deviation (SD)=11.5) years and 57% were male. Cases had travelled in Southeast Asia (n = 6) and the Caribbean (n = 1). The mean time interval from symptom onset to seeking medical care was 3.6 (SD = 2.1) days and from symptom onset to laboratory confirmation 7.4 (SD = 6.3) days. We collected 1994 Ae. albopictus mosquitoes in 308 sampling sites across 12 Serbian regions. We observed the highest number of mosquitoes in September (38%, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and in the Belgrade region (81%, p &amp;lt; 0.001). In 2022, we detected Ae. albopictus mosquitos in seven regions and in 2023 in nine. Lessons Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were widely distributed in Serbia, with the highest presence during September and in the capital region. The importation of Dengue cases from affected countries underscores the need for enhanced integrated and “real-time” surveillance linked with vector control activities.

Do mercenaries perform better than states? Evaluating the Wagner group’s impact on Central African Republic

ABSTRACT Do mercenaries perform better than democratic state armies? This study examines the efficacy of mercenary groups compared to state military interventions, using the Wagner Group’s operations in the Central African Republic as a case study. By comparing the French Operation Sangaris (2013–2016) with Wagner’s involvement (2021–2023), the research evaluates their relative effectiveness across counterinsurgency measures, military success, and popular responses. Utilizing data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, the analysis reveals that the Wagner Group outperformed the French intervention in most metrics, including territorial gains, geographical spread of operations, and reduction of civil unrest. These findings challenge prevailing assumptions about mercenaries’ ineffectiveness. The study suggests that the Wagner Group’s perceived effectiveness, despite its controversial reputation and association to human rights violations, explains its appeal to African governments seeking security solutions. This research contributes to ongoing debates about the role of private military companies in conflict zones and has implications for understanding the changing dynamics of security provision in Africa and beyond.

Inter-laboratory comparison of real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) for the detection of chronic wasting disease prions in white-tailed deer retropharyngeal lymph nodes.

The rapid geographic spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) increases the need for the development and validation of new detection tests. Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) has emerged as a sensitive tool for CWD prion detection, but federal approval in the United States has been challenged by practical constraints on validation and uncertainty surrounding RT-QuIC robustness between laboratories. To evaluate the effect of inter-laboratory variation on CWD prion detection using RT-QuIC, we conducted a multi-institution comparison on a shared anonymized sample set. We hypothesized that RT-QuIC can accurately and reliably detect the prions that cause CWD in postmortem samples from medial retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) tissue despite variation in laboratory protocols. Laboratories from 6 U.S. states (Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) were enlisted to compare the use of RT-QuIC in determining CWD prion status (positive or negative) among 50 anonymized RPLNs of known prion status. Our sample set included animals of 3 codon 96 WTD genotypes known to affect CWD progression and detection (G96G, G96S, S96S). All 6 laboratories successfully identified the true disease status consistently for all 3 tested codon 96 genotypes. Our results indicate that RT-QuIC is a suitable test for the detection of CWD prions in RPLN tissues in several genotypes of WTD.

UK mosquitoes are competent to transmit Usutu virus at native temperatures

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging zoonotic virus transmitted primarily by Culex mosquitoes. Since its introduction into Europe from Africa during the late 20th century, it has caused mortality within populations of passerine birds and captive owls, and can on occasion lead to disease in humans. USUV was first detected in the UK in 2020 and has become endemic, having been detected in either birds and/or mosquitoes every subsequent year. Importantly, the vector competence of indigenous mosquitoes for the circulating UK (London) USUV strain at representative regional temperatures is still to be elucidated. This study assessed the vector competence of five field-collected mosquito species/biotypes, Culex pipiens biotype molestus, Culex pipiens biotype pipiens, Culex torrentium, Culiseta annulata and Aedes detritus for the London USUV strain, with infection rates (IR) and transmission rates (TR) evaluated between 7 and 28 days post-infection. Infection and transmission were observed in all species/biotypes aside from Ae. detritus and Cx. torrentium. For Cx. pipiens biotype molestus, transmission potential suggests these populations should be monitored further for their role in transmission to humans. Furthermore, both Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens and Cs. annulata were shown to be competent vectors at 19 °C indicating the potential for geographical spread of the virus to other UK regions.

Orthohantavirus diversity in Central-East Argentina: Insights from complete genomic sequencing on phylogenetics, Geographic patterns and transmission scenarios.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), characterized by its high fatality rate, poses a significant public health concern in Argentina due to the increasing evidence of person-to-person transmission of Andes virus. Several orthohantaviruses were described in the country, but their phylogenetic relationships were inferred from partial genomic sequences. The objectives of this work were to assess the viral diversity of the most prevalent orthohantaviruses associated with HPS cases in the Central-East (CE) region of Argentina, elucidate the geographic patterns of distribution of each variant and reconstruct comprehensive phylogenetic relationships utilizing complete genomic sequencing. To accomplish this, a detailed analysis was conducted of the geographic distribution of reported cases within the most impacted province of the region. A representative sample of cases was then selected to generate a geographic map illustrating the distribution of viral variants. Complete viral genomes were obtained from HPS cases reported in the region, including some from epidemiologically linked cases. The phylogenetic analysis based on complete genomes defined two separate clades in Argentina: Andes virus in the Southwestern region and Andes-like viruses in other parts of the country. In the CE region, Buenos Aires virus and Lechiguanas virus clearly segregate in two subclades. Complete genomes were useful to distinguish person-to-person transmission from environmental co-exposure to rodent population. This study enhances the understanding of the genetic diversity, geographical spread, and transmission dynamics of orthohantaviruses in Central Argentina and prompt to consider the inclusion of Buenos Aires virus and Lechiguanas virus in the species Orthohantavirus andesense, as named viruses.

Development of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for In-Field Detection of American Plum Line Pattern Virus.

American plum line pattern virus (APLPV) is the most infrequently reported Ilarvirus infecting stone fruit trees and is of sufficient severity to be classified as an EPPO quarantine A1 pathogen. In late spring, yellow line pattern symptoms were observed on leaves in a few flowering cherries (Prunus serrulata Lindl.) grown in a public garden in Northwest Italy. RNA extracts from twenty flowering cherries were submitted to Ilarvirus multiplex and APLPV-specific RT-PCR assays already reported or developed in this study. One flowering cherry (T22) with mixed prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) and prune dwarf virus (PDV) infection also showed infection with APLPV. Blastn analysis of PCR products of the full coat protein (CP) and movement protein (MP) genes obtained from flowering cherry T22 showed 98.23% and 98.34% nucleotide identity with reference APLPV isolate NC_003453.1 from the USA. Then, a LAMP-specific assay was designed to facilitate the fast and low-cost identification of this virus either in the laboratory or directly in the field. The developed assay allowed not only the confirmation of APLPV (PSer22IT isolate) infection in the T22 flowering cherry but also the identification of APLPV in an asymptomatic flowering cherry tree (TL1). The LAMP assay successfully worked with crude flowering cherry extracts, obtained after manually shaking a single plant extract in the ELISA extraction buffer for 3-5 min. The developed rapid, specific and economic LAMP assay was able to detect APLPV using crude plant extracts rather that RNA preparation in less than 20 min, making it suitable for in-field detection. Moreover, the LAMP assay proved to be more sensitive in APLPV detection in flowering cherry compared to the specific one-step RT-PCR assay. The new LAMP assay will permit the estimation of APLPV geographic spread in the territory, paying particular attention to surrounding gardens and propagated flowering cherries in ornamental nurseries.

A Survey on Enterprise Resource Planning and Building Information Modeling Integration: A Construction 4.0 Perspective

Managing the fragmented nature of information generated on construction sites and firms is the need of the hour. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) are the most prevalent information systems (ISs) used in the construction industry, with varied capabilities but also with significant overlap. It is essential to analyze the current state of Common Data Environments (CDEs) that support both BIM and ERP as separate systems, as well as those that facilitate their integration. This analysis will ultimately help establish a practical framework for implementing this integration, enabling smoother information flow and enhanced utilization in construction projects. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis and provides a global perspective on research developments in the field of construction ERP and its integrations with BIM. It consolidates publication data from various databases (e.g., Scopus and Web of Science) as per geographical spread, authors, and number of publications as per the keyword search. It observes key research themes in each phase of the analysis. This paper concludes that although the existing literature has established the benefits of BIM and ERP integration, research is still in its nascent stage and identifies research gaps that can be taken up for further research.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Maritime Cyber Security Incidents: Trends, Impacts, and Countermeasures

The maritime industry is currently experiencing a process of digital transformation, which involves a significant level of automation and enhanced communication with external networks. As a result, various facilities in the maritime sector such as commercial and navy vessels, shipping companies, ports, and shipbuilders, are becoming more susceptible to cyber threats. In addition to the potential economic and reputational harm to shipping companies, a cyber-attack on maritime systems could result in significant incidents such as the release of hazardous substances, collisions, grounding, and fires. This poses significant risks to both ship crew, ship, cargo, and environment. This study examines cyber security events in the maritime sector. The main objective is to cultivate a thorough comprehension of cyber-attacks that specifically target systems in maritime facilities, by analyzing insights derived from incidents in the Maritime Cyber-Attack Database. The work involves the construction and examination of a number of cyber security incidents. An inquiry is carried out to determine the time patterns, geographical spread, sector-specific consequences, and attributes of these cyber-attacks, including the identity of the perpetrator, intention (whether deliberate or unintentional), and the affected systems inside the maritime domain. The paper examines particular instances to identify the main stages of a cyber-attack on maritime facilities' systems, the fundamental strategies employed by attackers, and proposes standard cyber security solutions to reduce these risks. The study's contribution entails the methodical delineation of the cyber security terrain that is unique to the maritime industry.

A global database of soil seed bank richness, density, and abundance.

A soil seed bank is the collective name for viable seeds that are stored naturally in the soil. At the species or population level, the ability to form a seed bank represents a strategy for (re)colonization following a disturbance or other change in the local environmental conditions. At the community level, seed banks are thought to buffer local diversity during periods of environmental change and are often studied in relation to the potential for passive habitat restoration. The role that seed banks play in plant population and community dynamics, as well as their importance in the agricultural sector, means that they have been widely studied in ecological research. This database is the result of a comprehensive literature search, including all seed bank studies from the Web of Science from which data could be extracted, as well as an additional search of the Russian language literature. The database contains information on the species richness, seed density, and/or seed abundance in 3096 records from at least 1929 locations across the world's seven continents, extracted from 1442 studies published between 1940 and 2020. Records are grouped into five broad habitat categories (aquatic, arable, forest, grassland-including shrubland-and wetland), including information relating to habitat degradation from, or restoration to other habitats (total 14 combinations). Sampling protocols were also extracted for each record, and the database was extensively checked for errors. The location of each record was then used to extract summary climate data and biome classification from external published databases. The database has several potential uses. The large geographical spread relative to many other global biodiversity datasets is relevant for investigating patterns of diversity in biogeographical or macroecological contexts. Habitat type and status (intact, degraded, and restored) can be used to provide insights for biodiversity conservation, while the potential effects of sampling method and effort can be used to inform optimized data collection for future seed bank studies. This database is released under the CC-BY license.

Linking intercontinental biogeographic events to decipher how European vineyards escaped Pierce's disease.

Global change is believed to be a major driver of the emergence of invasive pathogens. Yet, there are few documented examples that illustrate the processes that hinder or trigger their geographic spread. Here, we present phylogenetic, epidemiological and historical evidence to explain how European vineyards escaped Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), the vector-borne bacterium responsible for Pierce's disease (PD). Using Bayesian temporal reconstruction, we show that the export of American grapevines to France as rootstocks to combat phylloxera (~1872-1895) preceded the spread of the Xf grapevine lineage in the USA. We found that the time of the most recent common ancestor in California dates to around 1875, which agrees with the emergence of the first PD outbreak and the expansion into the southeastern US around 1895. We also show that between 1870 and 1990, climatic conditions in continental Europe were mostly below the threshold for the development of PD epidemics. However, our model indicates an inadvertent expansion of risk in southern Europe since the 1990s, which is accelerating with global warming. Our temporal approach identifies the biogeographical conditions that have so far prevented PD in southern European wine-producing areas and predicts that disease risk will increase substantially with increasing temperatures.

Contribution of the Mobilome to the Configuration of the Resistome of Corynebacterium striatum

Corynebacterium striatum, present in the microbiota of human skin and nasal mucosa, has recently emerged as a causative agent of hospital-acquired infections, notable for its resistance to multiple antimicrobials. Its mobilome comprises several mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, transposons, insertion sequences and integrons, which contribute to the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance genes. This study analyzes the contribution of the C. striatum mobilome in the transfer and dissemination of resistance genes. In addition, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), essential in the dissemination of resistance genes between bacterial populations, whose role in C. striatum has not yet been studied, are examined. This study examined 365 C. striatum genomes obtained from the NCBI Pathogen Detection database. Phylogenetic and pangenome analyses were performed, the resistance profile of the bacterium was recognized, and mobile elements, including putative ICE, were detected. Bioinformatic analyses identified 20 antimicrobial resistance genes in this species, with the Ermx gene being the most predominant. Resistance genes were mainly associated with plasmid sequence regions and class 1 integrons. Although an ICE was detected, no resistance genes linked to this element were found. This study provided valuable information on the geographic spread and prevalence of outbreaks observed through phylogenetic and pangenome analyses, along with identifying antimicrobial resistance genes and mobile genetic elements that carry many of the resistance genes and may be the subject of future research and therapeutic approaches.

Interdisciplinary Insights and Global Perspectives on ADHD in Children: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis (2014–2024)

This study used bibliometric analysis to investigate the research on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric populations between January 2014 and January 2024. The Scopus database is utilized to gather a diverse array of scholarly research on this complex ailment. Our objective was to compile a comprehensive dataset on understanding and managing ADHD by selecting specific terms such as “ADHD in Children”, “ADHD Treatment and Management”, and “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder”. We utilized the advanced analytical capabilities of Biblioshiny (bibliometrix R-package) and VOSviewer (VOSviewer version 1.6.19), within our methodological framework, to do network analysis. By conducting this analysis, we were able to examine patterns in publications, author affiliations, the geographic spread of research, and identify influential texts and developing research topics. The findings underscore the collaborative endeavors of medicine, psychology, and neuroscience in tackling the physiological and psychological aspects of ADHD, with a focus on interdisciplinary contributions. The extensive global impact of ADHD research is highlighted by the significant contributions made by countries including the United States, China, the UK, the Netherlands, and Canada. Our data indicates a notable shift towards holistic strategies that encompass socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral aspects, alongside emerging practices like the utilization of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in research. This bibliometric study offers a comprehensive view of ADHD research by identifying significant patterns and clusters of themes. It illuminates the shifts in scientific conversation over time and identifies areas that show potential for additional research. The study advocates for ongoing collaboration across various disciplines and nations, emphasizing the significance of innovative strategies to enhance the well-being of those affected by ADHD.