Global Distribution Patterns Research Articles

Global abundance patterns, diversity, and ecology of Patescibacteria in wastewater treatment plants

BackgroundMicroorganisms are responsible for nutrient removal and resource recovery in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and their diversity is often studied by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. However, this approach underestimates the abundance and diversity of Patescibacteria due to the low coverage of commonly used PCR primers for this highly divergent bacterial phylum. Therefore, our current understanding of the global diversity, distribution, and ecological role of Patescibacteria in WWTPs is very incomplete. This is particularly relevant as Patescibacteria are considered to be associated with microbial host cells and can therefore influence the abundance and temporal variability of other microbial groups that are important for WWTP functioning.ResultsHere, we evaluated the in silico coverage of widely used 16S rRNA gene-targeted primer pairs and redesigned a primer pair targeting the V4 region of bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes to expand its coverage for Patescibacteria. We then experimentally evaluated and compared the performance of the original and modified V4-targeted primers on 565 WWTP samples from the MiDAS global sample collection. Using the modified primer pair, the percentage of ASVs classified as Patescibacteria increased from 5.9 to 23.8%, and the number of detected patescibacterial genera increased from 560 to 1576, while the detected diversity of the remaining microbial community remained similar. Due to this significantly improved coverage of Patescibacteria, we identified 23 core genera of Patescibacteria in WWTPs and described the global distribution pattern of these unusual microbes in these systems. Finally, correlation network analysis revealed potential host organisms that might be associated with Patescibacteria in WWTPs. Interestingly, strong indications were found for an association between Patescibacteria of the Saccharimonadia and globally abundant polyphosphate-accumulating organisms of the genus Ca. Phosphoribacter.ConclusionsOur study (i) provides an improved 16S rRNA gene V4 region-targeted amplicon primer pair inclusive of Patescibacteria with little impact on the detection of other taxa, (ii) reveals the diversity and distribution patterns of Patescibacteria in WWTPs on a global scale, and (iii) provides new insights into the ecological role and potential hosts of Patescibacteria in WWTPs.9DpTXjuT--dysnV-FwKdBeVideo

Ecological niche modelling of Indigofera oblongifolia (Forssk.): a global machine learning assessment using climatic and non-climatic predictors

Climate change and other extinction facilitators have caused significant shifts in the distribution patterns of many species during the past few decades. Restoring and protecting lesser-known species may be more challenging without adequate biogeographical information. To address this knowledge gap, the current study set out to determine the global spatial distribution patterns of Indigofera oblongifolia (Forssk) a relatively lesser-known leguminous species. This was accomplished by utilizing three distinct bioclimatic temporal frames (current, 2050, and 2070) and four greenhouse gas scenarios (RCPs 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5), in addition to non-climatic predictors such as global livestock population, human modification of terrestrial ecosystems, and global fertilizers application (nitrogen and phosphorus). Furthermore, we evaluate the degree of indigenousness using the geographical area, habitat suitability categories, and number of polygons. This research reveals that climatic predictors outperform non-climatic predictors in terms of improving model quality. Precipitation Seasonality is one of the most important factors influencing this species' optimum habitat suitability up to 150 mm for the current, 2050 RCP 8.5 and 2070-RCPs 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5. Our ellipsoid niche modelling extends the range of precipitation during the wettest quarter and maximum temperature during the warmest month to 637 mm and 26.5–31.80 degrees Celsius, respectively. India has a higher indigenous score in the optimal class than the African region. This findings suggest that the species in question tends to occupy contiguous regions in Africa, while in India, it is dispersed into several smaller meta-populations.

Global freshwater fish invasion linked to the presence of closely related species

In the Anthropocene, non-native freshwater fish introductions and translocations have occurred extensively worldwide. However, their global distribution patterns and the factors influencing their establishment remain poorly understood. We analyze a comprehensive database of 14953 freshwater fish species across 3119 river basins and identify global hotspots for exotic and translocated non-native fishes. We show that both types of non-native fishes are more likely to occur when closely related to native fishes. This finding is consistent across measures of phylogenetic relatedness, biogeographical realms, and highly invaded countries, even after accounting for the influence of native diversity. This contradicts Darwin’s naturalization hypothesis, suggesting that the presence of close relatives more often signifies suitable habitats than intensified competition, predicting the establishment of non-native fish species. Our study provides a comprehensive assessment of global non-native freshwater fish patterns and their phylogenetic correlates, laying the groundwork for understanding and predicting future fish invasions in freshwater ecosystems.

Early warning and management of invasive crop pests under global warming: estimating the global geographical distribution patterns and ecological niche overlap of three Diabrotica beetles.

Invasive alien pests (IAPs) pose a major threat to global agriculture and food production. When multiple IAPs coexist in the same habitat and use the same resources, the economic loss to local agricultural production increases. Many species of the Diabrotica genus, such as Diabrotica barberi, Diabrotica undecimpunctata, and Diabrotica virgifera, originating from the USA and Mexico, seriously damaged maize production in North America and Europe. However, the potential geographic distributions (PGDs) and degree of ecological niche overlap among the three Diabrotica beetles remain unclear; thus, the potential coexistence zone is unknown. Based on environmental and species occurrence data, we used an ensemble model (EM) to predict the PGDs and overlapping PGD of the three Diabrotica beetles. The n-dimensional hypervolumes concept was used to explore the degree of niche overlap among the three species. The EM showed better reliability than the individual models. According to the EM results, the PGDs and overlapping PGD of the three Diabrotica beetles were mainly distributed in North America, Europe, and Asia. Under the current scenario, D. virgifera has the largest PGD ranges (1615 × 104 km2). In the future, the PGD of this species will expand further and reach a maximum under the SSP5-8.5 scenario in the 2050s (2499 × 104 km2). Diabrotica virgifera showed the highest potential for invasion under the current and future global warming scenarios. Among the three studied species, the degree of ecological niche overlap was the highest for D. undecimpunctata and D. virgifera, with the highest similarity in the PGD patterns and maximum coexistence range. Under global warming, the PGDs of the three Diabrotica beetles are expected to expand to high latitudes. Identifying the PGDs of the three Diabrotica beetles provides an important reference for quarantine authorities in countries at risk of invasion worldwide to develop specific preventive measures against pests.

Taxonomic novelties and global biogeography of Montagnula (Ascomycota, Didymosphaeriaceae).

Whilst conducting surveys of lignicolous microfungi in Yunnan Province, we collected a large number of taxa that resemble Montagnula (Didymosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales). Our phylogenetic study on Montagnula involved analysing sequence data from ribosomal RNA genes (nc18S, nc28S, ITS) and protein-coding genes (rpb2, tef1-α). We present a biphasic approach (morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence) that supports the recognition of four new species in Montagnula viz., M.lijiangensis, M.menglaensis, M.shangrilana and M.thevetiae. The global diversity of Montagnula is also inferred from metabarcoding data and published records based on field observations. Metabarcoding data from GlobalFungi and field observations provided insights into the global diversity and distribution patterns of Montagnula. Studies conducted in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America revealed a concentration of Montagnula species, suggesting regional variations in ecological preferences and distribution. Montagnula species were found on various substrates, with sediments yielding a high number of sequences. Poaceae emerged as a significant contributor, indicating a potential association between Montagnula species and grasses. Culture-based investigations from previously published data revealed Montagnula species associations with 105 plant genera (in 45 plant families), across 55 countries, highlighting their wide ecological range and adaptability. This study enhances our understanding of the taxonomy, distribution, and ecological preferences of Montagnula species. It emphasizes their role in the decomposition of organic matter in grasslands and savannah systems and suggests further investigation into their functional roles in ecosystem processes. The global distribution patterns and ecological interactions of Montagnula species underscore the need for continued research and conservation efforts.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex: insights into evolutionary relationships, global distribution and pathogenicity.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex (Smc) comprises opportunistic Gram-negative bacilli responsible for various nosocomial infections. Limited data exists concerning its evolutionary lineage, global prevalence and pathogenicity. We conducted an extensive genomic analysis on 734 Smc genomes, of which 90 were newly sequenced and isolated from different patients. The species composition and evolutionary relationships of Smc were examined using core protein sequence analysis. Pathogenicity evaluation was used by assays for swimming motility, biofilm formation and identification of virulence factors. The broth microdilution method was used to evaluate the drug resistance spectrum of clinical isolates. Phylogenetic analyses delineated 24 species-level clades, dominated by S. maltophilia (42.8%), S. sepilia (13.6%) and S. geniculata (9.9%). Geographically, strains were primarily distributed in Europe (34.2%), Asia (33.7%) and North America (24.0%), with intricate global distribution patterns. Meanwhile, 154 virulence-associated genes and 46 antimicrobial resistance genes within Smc were identified. These genes encoded span various functions, including motility, adherence, toxin, RND antibiotic efflux pumps, beta-lactamases and aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. Moreover, significant variations were indicated in swimming motility and biofilm-forming capability across the different species, with S. sepilia exhibiting superior levels of both traits. Additionally, no statistically significant discrepancy was detected among Smc species to other antibiotics, despite the fact that all S. geniculata isolates were resistant to Ceftazidime and much higher than other species. Our findings indicate the need to pay increased attention to other mainstream species of Smc besides S. maltophilia in order to better manage Smc-related infections and tailor effective treatment strategies.

Global, Regional, and National Burdens of Otitis Media From 1990 to 2019: A Population Based Study.

Otitis media is one of the most important causes of hearing loss at an early age. Effective vaccination with the routine 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) was introduced in 2000. It has been gradually replaced by the pneumococcal nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine or the higher-valent 13-valent PCV (PCV-13) since 2010. Data on the change in otitis media burden in recent years are sparse at the global, regional, and national levels. The Global Burden of Disease 2019 study was used to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates, and the average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) in otitis media in geographic populations worldwide from 1990 to 2019. These global trends were further analyzed by subgroup (age, sex, and sociodemographic index [SDI]). Globally, the all-age rate of prevalence (AAPC = -0.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.7 to -0.8), DALYs (AAPC = -1.0, 95% CI = -1.1 to -1.0), and mortality (AAPC = -6.8, 95% CI = -7.3 to -6.4) from otitis media decreased constantly between 1990 and 2019. The all-age rate of incidence decreased sharply between 2000 and 2009 with an AAPC of -1.2 (95% CI = -1.4 to -0.9) and continued the downward trend between 2010 and 2019 (AAPC = -0.2, 95% CI = -0.3 to -0.1). In 2019, children aged 1 to 4 years old had the highest incidence at 29,127.3 per 100,000 population, while young adults under 30 years old accounted for 91.3% of the incident cases. Individuals living in middle-SDI countries had the largest increase in the incidence of otitis media, with an AAPC of 0.3 (95% CI = 0.3 to 0.3) between 1990 and 2019. The incidence and DALYs from otitis media decreased with increasing SDI. Regionally, the largest increase in incidence was observed in high-income Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Western Sub-Saharan Africa between 1990 and 2019. Nationally, the largest increase in the incidence of otitis media was observed in the Republic of Korea, with an AAPC of 0.8 (95% CI = 0.6 to 1.1) in the same time period. There have been successful previous endeavors to reduce DALYs and mortality attributed to otitis media on a global scale. The worldwide incidence of otitis media experienced a sharp decline following the introduction of PCV-7 in 2000, and this downward trend persisted in subsequent years with the adoption of PCV-13/pneumococcal nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine. Continual epidemiological surveillance of otitis media's global trends, pathogen distribution, and resistance patterns remains imperative.

Global distribution patterns and geographic range of Cymothoa Fabricius, 1793 (Isopoda: Cymothoidae) associated with host fish.

Over recent years, fish parasites of the genus Cymothoa Fabricius, 1793, have received increased attention due to both their ecological and their economic importance to aquaculture and fishery. As the studies about Cymothoa have increased this improve our understanding on the host specificity and distribution of these parasites. The aim of this paper was to review the current global geographic distribution, distribution patterns and parasite-host interactions patterns of Cymothoa spp. associated with fish from marine and brackish water bodies around the world. A total of 144 samples were analyzed, from which 23 species of Cymothoa were found parasitizing 84 teleost fish species of 35 families and 20 orders. Most of these parasites were found in the mouth of the host fish, including in wild fish. The highest occurrence of parasites was found in host species belonging to the families Carangidae and Lutjanidae. Host specificity was an important factor in the geographic distribution of Cymothoa species as also environmental temperature. Cymothoa indica, Cymothoa exigua and Cymothoa excisa were the species with lowest specificity for host family and widest geographic distribution.

Uso de ferramenta geoespacial para predição da distribuição de Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) e alguns gastrópodes límnicos nativos encontrados no Brasil

Abstract: One of the most common environmental impacts that has caused irreversible effects on ecosystems is the introduction of exotic species. In addition to the ecological disasters that can be caused, such as the decline and extinction of native species, this phenomenon can generate significant economic losses and the possibility of the spread of parasites that are transmitted by these exotic species. These processes can be accentuated by climate change, which over time alters the global distribution pattern of the affected species, generating cases of niche overlap with species that share similar niches. In this sense, the knowledge about the areas with possible occurrence these species can direct the monitoring and control measures. In this study, we developed current and future prediction models to identify areas of suitability in the Neotropics for Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) and nine species of mollusks native to the American continent using the ecological niche modeling tool. In addition, we evaluated the ecological niche overlap between the invasive species and the native species of freshwater mollusks to verify whether the effects of climate change would alter the distribution of these organisms. The following methodological procedures were adopted to prepare the forecasting models: records of occurrence of the mollusks in different databases and search of environmental data for climate conditions in current and future scenarios in WorldClim 2.0 (SSP2-4.5 and SSP2-8.5). Besides, modeling procedures using seven packages of R software, evaluation of the models using the true skill statistic (TSS) metric, construction of maps and quantification and overlapping of ecological niche of the species included in the analysis. The results indicated that several areas of the Neotropics are suitable for the occurrence of M. tuberculata in the current scenarios. Moreover, the suitable areas for its occurrence will probably be expanded in both future scenarios. For native species, there were significant differences in relation to the areas of suitability, with a reduction for some species. Niche similarity tests indicated significant overlap only between M. tuberculata and the planorbid Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848). We discuss that the expansion of M. tuberculata can have negative consequences, including the reduction of native gastropod species and the spread of trematodes of medical and veterinary importance that this mollusk can transmit.

Global patterns of herbivorous eriophyoid mite species diversity: A reply to Ozman‐Sullivan and Sullivan (2024)

AbstractAimThe global patterns of phytophagous eriophyoid mite species diversity have been poorly studied for several decades. In a previous paper, we compiled a dataset covering 97% (4278/4400) of named eriophyoid mite species and 22,973 occurrence sites from 102 countries (Li et al., 2023). Using this dataset, we aimed to predict the global distribution patterns and species diversity of eriophyoid mites. Our findings revealed that the species richness of eriophyoid mites is particularly high in temperate regions, which is in contrast to the patterns of plants (Li et al., 2023). However, our results were criticized by Ozman‐Sullivan and Sullivan (2024), who argue that our analysis is based on a biased dataset of eriophyoid mites, because it is likely that there are many undescribed eriophyoid species in the tropics.LocationGlobal.TaxonEriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea).Main ConclusionsHowever, using plant species to predict eriophyoid mite diversity, as Ozman‐Sullivan and Sullivan propose, may result in an overestimation of species richness. We leave ‘whether the species richness of eriophyid mites is high in tropical regions’ as an open question and a potential area for future research.

Plant-plant parasitism: Trends in the last 50 years and a call for papers for a special issue in Flora

The study of plant–plant parasitism has experienced remarkable growth in the scientific literature, particularly over the past two decades. Hemi- and holoparasites, in particular, have been recognized as pivotal components within plant communities, capable of upscale effects to the ecosystem. Research on plant parasites has predominantly focused on ecological and physiological aspects of parasites and hosts, with a global distribution pattern. However, some fields remain relatively unexplored, and specific regions of Asia and the Global South (with exception of Australia and Brazil) have yet to receive comprehensive attention. Here, we introduce the theme on plant hemi- and holoparasites and explore publication trends on plant–plant parasitism over the past half-century, with a particular emphasis on papers published within the last two decades. We explore our findings to extend an invitation to researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to contribute their expertise to a forthcoming Virtual Special Issue of Flora – Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants on “Plant Parasitism: Ecology, Evolution and Functional Aspects”, with contributions expected from a wide range of topics related to ecology, physiology, morphology, systematics, and reproductive biology. We believe that this special issue will help in advancing our knowledge in plant-plant parasitism, fostering collaboration and facilitating the growth of this exciting area of research.

Climate change influences global distribution of alien tube worms

Alien tube worms have been introduced outside their original distribution areas via international shipping and have become invasive in these areas. Climate change has been acknowledged to redistribute both native and alien species; however, the effect of climate change on the global distribution of alien tube worms is unknown. This study predicts the global distribution patterns of alien tube worms (Hydroides elegans, Sabella spallanzanii, and Ficopomatus enigmaticus) and projects how climate change influences these patterns using species distribution modelling. Sea surface temperature, salinity, primary productivity, phosphate, nitrate, and current velocity are selected as the predictors. The models predict species occurrences well, with AUC values greater than 0.95. Under the present climate scenario, the occurrence probability of alien tube worms is high (>0.9) within the temperate Atlantic Ocean, Persian Gulf, Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea, Southern China, and Southern Australia. The probability of occurrence is expected to increase across oceans by 2100, suggesting that alien tube worms will be more common in the future. Increases in occurrence probability are also projected at higher latitudes (e.g., Barents Sea) by 2100, indicating poleward shifts of these species. This study highlights the urgency of incorporating climate change into the management of alien invasive species.

Global birdwatching data reveal uneven consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

Birdwatching is a global phenomenon involving many thousands of people. Citizen science generates data providing insights into global patterns of bird distribution across space and time, yet how the pandemic may have cast a longer shadow remains unassessed. Here, we explore whether pandemic restrictions influenced observations, and the species observed globally from 2020 to May 2021, considering also GDPc and tourism income. We analyzed 10,338 bird species (93 % of all bird species) and found that whilst high-income regions recovered to pre-pandemic assessment rates quickly, middle and low-income regions remained at low levels. Furthermore, protected areas saw huge losses in recorded richness. Whilst observer count increased overall, the number of bird species recorded dramatically decreased, especially in 2020. These trends are most marked in developing countries and regions, especially where tourism is important. Our results underline the importance of these biodiversity data, and the potential for their shortfalls in the face of a global pandemic.

Threshold effect of technological innovation on carbon emission intensity based on multi-source heterogeneous data

It is of much importance to clarify the impact of technological innovation on carbon emission intensity for the low-carbon transformation of China's economy. This study, based on the panel data of 30 Chinese provinces and municipalities from 2010 to 2020, measures and analyzes the carbon emission intensity and the level of technological innovation, establishing a spatial econometric model to study the spatial spillover effect and a panel threshold model to analyze the nonlinear influence of technological innovation level on carbon emission intensity. The findings are as follows: First, the overall carbon emission intensity in China shows a decreasing trend from 2010 to 2020, with the average dropping from 3.09 in 2010 to 1.98 in 2020; Second, the spatial autocorrelation results reveal that the level of technological innovation and carbon emission intensity in China are obviously aggregated in the global spatial distribution pattern. Third, the regression results of the spatial econometric model show that the direct effect of technological innovation on carbon emission intensity is significantly negative at the level of 1%, that is, the improvement of the technological innovation in a certain area has a significant inhibitory effect on carbon emission intensity. Fourth, based on the level of economic development, there is a significant three-threshold effect of the level of technological innovation on carbon emission intensity in China, and the influence of the level of technological innovation on carbon emission intensity varies in the direction of existence and coefficient values within different threshold intervals. As economic development reaches the third interval, the technological innovation level has the most significant inhibition on carbon emission intensity. These findings enriches the research of the nonlinear relationship between technological innovation and carbon emission intensity, clarifies the spatial spillover effect and threshold effect between among them, and provides inspiration for better promote the low-carbon transformation of economy.

A Multi‐Source GRACE Fusion Solution via Uncertainty Quantification of GRACE‐Derived Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) Change

AbstractIn analyzing terrestrial water storage (TWS) data observed by Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow‐On satellites, quantifying uncertainties proves challenging due to the scarcity of sufficient independent observations of mass changes at scales commensurate with these missions. Moreover, owing to the diverse geophysical background models and processing techniques utilized by data processing centers, reaching consistent mass change estimations within specific regions of published solutions often proves arduous. We, therefore, quantified the uncertainty of the GRACE‐derived TWS changes by using the generalized three‐cornered hat method without relying on any prior knowledge and fused it to generate a higher‐quality solution. The findings reveal that of the six solutions, the Center for Space Research spherical harmonics (SH) solution exhibits the lowest uncertainty and highest signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) at both global and basin scales, and the Goddard Space Flight Center Mascon solution outperforms other Mascon counterparts. The fusion solution has an average 36.56% reduction in uncertainty and a 1.92‐fold improvement in SNR at the basin scale, and the improvement in SNR is particularly significant in regions with drastic mass changes. The global distribution patterns of the uncertainties associated with Mascon and SH solutions exhibit distinct differences. Mascon solutions result in significant signal leakage around regions characterized by the most substantial global mass variability. Additionally, transient mass changes triggered by super earthquake events in the ocean also produce similar “scars” in the global spatial distribution of uncertainties. The analysis of 142 basins worldwide shows that basins with more significant TWS annual oscillations have larger uncertainties but also better SNR.

금강 중류 선사~고대 지역사회의 문화경관 변화

The changes in the cultural landscape were examined through the analysis of the distribution patterns of archaeological sites from the Bronze Age to the Three Kingdoms Period in Sejong-city.
 During the Garak-dong type stage of the Bronze Age, large-scale settlements and surrounding settlements formed a local community and formed an interconnected landscape structure. This could be confirmed through a visual relationship in which settlements share visible landscape and interact. On the other hand, the landscape of the unit settlement served as a meaningful place where residential areas, tombs, and living economic activity spaces were structured to form solidarity and identity between individuals and groups. In the Songguk-ri type stage, the size of the settlements was reduced compared to the previous period, and the space occupied was limited. During this period, small and medium-sized settlements were concentrated in the Dangam-ri area to form a community, and small settlements showed a global distribution pattern. The landscape inside the settlements was inferred through a cultural landscape composed of multiple settlements. Here, the pottery farmland acts as a major landscape for sharing collective labor and experience, and it seems that it has the meaning of strengthening the solidarity of members and maintaining society.
 During the Proto-Three Kingdom Period, settlements were located on flatland, and various functional spaces were formed to interact with the large-scale settlement of Daepyeong-ri. This was based on a distribution network in which functional spaces were systematically linked within a radius of 10km around the top settlement.
 The landscape of the Baekje period is represented by the site of Naseong-ri. During this period, it can be seen that the landscape structure was reorganized around a new base called Naseong-ri in accordance with the strategy of expanding the influence of the central power of Baekje and securing the receiving system. This was a form in which the lower economic hubs were structured in a resin type with Naseong-ri at the peak. On the outskirts of the Naseong-ri ruins, the tomb of the ruling class was set up in a special place separated from the living space, and the view of the tomb was controlled to form a powerful landscape that maximized the existence of political power.

Clinicopathological profile of Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin Lymphoma at the Anatomical Pathology Laboratory of Saiful Anwar General Hospital Malang from January 2018 until May 2023

Lymphomas are a lymphocyte-driven malignancy that comprise up to 10% of cancers diagnosed in individuals < 20 years of age globally. Malignant lymphomas are divided into Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) and Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). In 2019 at United States, more than 82.000 new patients diagnosed with lymphoma. Since the epidemiology of Lymphoma is different across regions and may have change over time, its global distribution pattern, risk factors, and temporal trends need to be assessed for developing preventive measures. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of NHL and HL based on histopathological type, age, and gender. This research is a descriptive analytic study. Data were obtained from patients who underwent histopathological and immunohistochemistry examinations at the Anatomical Pathology laboratory of Saiful Anwar General Hospital Malang from January 2018 until May 2023. There are 408 cases of Lymphoma consisting of 56 HL and 352 NHL. In HL, the percentage higher in men, and occurred mostly during 21 – 30 years old age group. The most common histopathological type of HL is Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma, with mostly Nodular Sclerosis subtype. In NHL, the percentage higher in men, and occurred mostly during 51 – 60 years old age group. The most common histopathological type of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma is B cell type.

Magnitude and distribution of cancer in a private teaching hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Background Cancer affects every country in the world irrespective of their developmental status. Since most studies have been performed primarily in public referral hospitals, this study aimed to describe the prevalence and histopathological patterns of cancer in a private setting. Cancer is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases, and regional variations in cancer incidence are responsible for the majority of deaths. The main objective of this study was to determine the magnitude and distribution of cancer among patients at GAMBY Teaching General Hospital. Methods This retrospective study included a total of 4320 histopathological examination results recorded from January 1, 2016, to December 30, 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to present the results. The SPSS version 26 computer software package was used for data analysis. Results A total of 4320 examinations revealed that 895 (20.7%) patients had confirmed malignancies. A total of 655 (73.2%) of the cases were females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.73. The mean age of all the confirmed cases was 49.3±14.9 years. The age range was between 2 and 85 years. The mean ages of the females and males were 47.67±13.36 and 53.19±17.93 years, respectively. The most common cancers were cervical cancer (31.9%), breast cancer (12.7%), and skin cancer (11.6%). The top five cancers in the female patients were cervical, breast, nonmelanomatous skin, thyroid, and lymph node malignancies. Among male patients’ nonmelanomatous skin cancer, lymph node malignancies, colorectal cancer, bone and soft tissue cancer, and breast cancer constituted the top five cancers. Cancer involving the lung, eye and pancreas is the least common cancer. Conclusions The results indicate that the pattern of cancer varies significantly from the global pattern of cancer distribution, as do studies in Africa and other regions of the country. The expansion of oncologic services, health education, screening and vaccination services, advancements in diagnostic modalities, and the involvement of the private sector in the management and care of cancer patients are very important health system focuses and forces policy makers to allocate resources accordingly. This study provided good insight into this pattern, but a wider multicenter survey and evaluation of sociodemographic and environmental factors are needed to assess the reasons for the variations.

Genomic diversity and biogeographic distributions of a novel lineage of bacteriophages that infect marine OM43 bacteria.

The marine methylotrophic OM43 clade is considered an important bacterial group in coastal microbial communities. OM43 bacteria, which are closely related to phytoplankton blooms, have small cell sizes and streamlined genomes. Bacteriophages profoundly shape the evolutionary trajectories, population dynamics, and physiology of microbes. The prevalence and diversity of several phages that infect OM43 bacteria have been reported. In this study, we isolated and sequenced two novel OM43 phages, MEP401 and MEP402. These phages share 90% of their open reading frames (ORFs) and are distinct from other known phage isolates. Furthermore, a total of 99 metagenomic viral genomes (MVGs) closely related to MEP401 and MEP402 were identified. Phylogenomic analyses suggest that MEP401, MEP402, and these identified MVGs belong to a novel subfamily in the family Zobellviridae and that they can be separated into two groups. Group I MVGs show conserved whole-genome synteny with MEP401, while group II MVGs possess the MEP401-type DNA replication module and a distinct type of morphogenesis and packaging module, suggesting that genomic recombination occurred between phages. Most members in these two groups were predicted to infect OM43 bacteria. Metagenomic read-mapping analysis revealed that the phages in these two groups are globally ubiquitous and display distinct biogeographic distributions, with some phages being predominant in cold regions, some exclusively detected in estuarine stations, and others displaying wider distributions. This study expands our knowledge of the diversity and ecology of a novel phage lineage that infects OM43 bacteria by describing their genomic diversity and global distribution patterns. IMPORTANCE OM43 phages that infect marine OM43 bacteria are important for host mortality, community structure, and physiological functions. In this study, two OM43 phages were isolated and characterized. Metagenomic viral genome (MVG) retrieval using these two OM43 phages as baits led to the identification of two phage groups of a new subfamily in the family Zobellviridae. We found that group I MVGs share similar genomic content and arrangement with MEP401 and MEP402, whereas group II MVGs only possess the MEP401-type DNA replication module. Metagenomic mapping analysis suggests that members in these two groups are globally ubiquitous with distinct distribution patterns. This study provides important insights into the genomic diversity and biogeography of the OM43 phages in the global ocean.

Longitudinal developmental trajectories of functional connectivity reveal regional distribution of distinct age effects in infancy.

Prior work has shown that different functional brain networks exhibit different maturation rates, but little is known about whether and how different brain areas may differ in the exact shape of longitudinal functional connectivity growth trajectories during infancy. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during natural sleep to characterize developmental trajectories of different regions using a longitudinal cohort of infants at 3weeks (neonate), 1year, and 2years of age (n = 90; all with usable data at three time points). A novel whole brain heatmap analysis was performed with four mixed-effect models to determine the best fit of age-related changes for each functional connection: (i) growth effects: positive-linear-age, (ii) emergent effects: positive-log-age, (iii) pruning effects: negative-quadratic-age, and (iv) transient effects: positive-quadratic-age. Our results revealed that emergent (logarithmic) effects dominated developmental trajectory patterns, but significant pruning and transient effects were also observed, particularly in connections centered on inferior frontal and anterior cingulate areas that support social learning and conflict monitoring. Overall, unique global distribution patterns were observed for each growth model indicating that developmental trajectories for different connections are heterogeneous. All models showed significant effects concentrated in association areas, highlighting the dominance of higher-order social/cognitive development during the first 2 years of life.