South America Research Articles

ABSTRACT Truffles are enclosed, hypogeous fruiting bodies that have evolved hundreds of times across different fungal groups. Truffles are particularly diverse within Pezizales, a large and diverse order of Ascomycota where truffle forms have evolved multiple times. The majority of truffle species are ectomycorrhizal symbionts of trees and rely on animals for dispersal. Because of their hypogeous nature, truffles remain understudied and many new taxa remain to be discovered. Due to their obligate symbiosis with host plants and their dependence on animal dispersal, ectomycorrhizal truffle species often show distinct host associations, are restricted to certain forest types, and have notable biogeographic distribution patterns. Here, we present morphological and phylogenetic evidence in support of two new truffle species associated with Nothofagaceae trees in southern South America, Geomorium nahuelbutense (Geomoriaceae) and Paragalactinia nothofagacearum (Pezizaceae). The closest described relatives of these species form aboveground, apothecial ascomata, suggesting that these taxa are derived from independent evolutionary events leading to the truffle morphology. Paragalactinia nothofagacearum is widespread in northern Patagonia and has been documented as an ectomycorrhizal associate of Lophozonia alpina (= Nothofagus nervosa) seedlings. In contrast, Geomorium nahuelbutense has only been found in a well-preserved coastal forest in Chile toward the northern extent of the range of Nothofagaceae in South America. This is a conservation priority area that has been heavily impacted by fires, deforestation, and other human activities. This species is known only from two modern collections from Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta and one preserved specimen collected by Roland Thaxter near Concepción, Chile, in 1906.

Introduction/Background: Despite evidence supporting their efficacy in improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival, public utilization of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) remains low. Characteristics of AED signage varies considerably, despite international standards developed by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The extent of this variability, which may lead to confusion and reduced AED use, is unknown. Research Questions/Hypothesis: We hypothesize that there is variability in AED signage globally. Goals/Aims: We aimed to describe variability of AED signage across six continents, focusing on shape, color, and the presence of heart, cross, electric bolt, and arrow symbols. Methods/Approach: We reviewed a convenience sample of publicly available AED signage found online from countries in Europe, North American, Africa, Australia, Asia, and South America. We used internet search terms such as “AED,” “AED sign,” “AED signage,” “Defibrillator sign,” “Defibrillator signage,” followed by the country name. Characteristics including shape, color, and the presence of cross, heart, electric bolt, and arrow symbols were recorded in a data collection form. We reported frequencies and proportions of these characteristics for the entire sample and stratified by continent. Fisher's exact tests were used to compare proportions across continents. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results/Data: Between December 2024 and May 2025, 142 AED signage images were collected. After excluding 22 images depicting actual AEDs or carrying cases, 120 images were analyzed. Continents included Europe (46 images, 38.3%), North America (28, 23.3%), Africa (17, 14.2%), Australia (15, 12.5%), Asia (9, 7.5%), and South America (5, 4.2%). Most signs were rectangular (81.7%), had a green background (43.3%), white text (48.3%), and included symbols of a cross (43.3%), heart (98.3%), and electric bolt (91.7%). Of the signs displaying a cross (52), 86.5% were white. Of those with a heart (118), 52.5% were white. Of those with an electric bolt (110), 44.6% were green. Only 33.3% of signs included an arrow. The distribution of all signage characteristics varied significantly across the six continents (all p<0.05). Conclusions: We found variability in AED signage characteristics, with significant differences in shapes, colors, and images. Further studies may investigate whether signage characteristics are associated with improved AED recognition and use.

Abstract Has the global energy transition opened new opportunities for natural resource extraction to foster development? To address this question we propose the concept “developmental extraction” (DE), an intermediate option between neoliberal and anti-extraction. For proponents of DE, mining can be a development-enhancing activity that triggers virtuous economic linkages. Focusing on South America’s Lithium Triangle countries (Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile), we find that the results of DE are mixed, with modest advances in fostering developmental linkages at the local level coupled with uneven outcomes at translocal scales. To explain the contrasting outcomes of DE projects, we offer a multilevel framework that highlights political and territorial challenges of forging developmental linkages. The fortunes of DE depend on the distribution of bargaining power among states, mining companies, and communities and, in turn, on the results of local and translocal negotiations over the terms of extraction.

Introduction: South Asian populations are at enhanced ASCVD risk per clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention guidelines, because they experience excess ASCVD at younger ages compared to other groups. However, the prevalence of ASCVD risk factors in young adult South Asians in the United States (US) has not previously been quantified. Research Question: What is the prevalence of suboptimal cardiovascular risk factors among young adult South Asians in the US? Methods: We enrolled US South Asian adults age ≥18 years who are children of participants in the MASALA (Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America) Study cohort from the Chicago metro area between 2022-2025. In this offspring cohort of second generation South Asian Americans, we assessed the prevalence of elevated blood glucose, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), and body mass index (BMI); and frequency of current/former smoking, ever vaping, suboptimal sleep duration, and non-zero coronary artery calcium (CAC). Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) cardiovascular health scores for these ASCVD risk factors were also calculated. Results: Among 116 second generation South Asian Americans (mean age 34.3 [SD 9.3] years; 49% female, 51% male), the mean fasting glucose was 91 (7) mg/dL, 10 (9%) had fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dL, and none had fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL. Mean non-HDL-C was 127 (31) mg/dL, and 51 (46%) had non-HDL-C ≥130 mg/dL. Mean SBP was 115 (12) mmHg, DBP was 73 (9) mmHg. There were 34 (31%) participants with SBP 120-139 mmHg and 3 (3%) with SBP ≥140 mmHg; and 18 (16%) of participants with DBP 80-89 mmHg and 7 (6%) with DBP ≥90 mmHg. Mean BMI was 25.3 kg/m 2 , 46 (41%) had BMI 23 to <27.5 and 30 (27%) had BMI ≥27.5. Current or former smoking was present in 12 (10%) and ever vaping 24 (21%). Suboptimal sleep duration (<7 or ≥9 hours) was present in 36 (31%). Five (5%) participants had CAC score >0. Additional risk factor levels, risk factors stratified by sex, and LE8 cardiovascular health scores, are shown in the Table. Conclusions: ASCVD risk factor prevalence is high among South Asian young adult participants in the MASALA-2G Second Generation Study, particularly elevated non-HDL-C and BMI and frequency of vaping. CAC prevalence is low. Early life course interventions to promote cardiovascular health and prevent incident ASCVD risk factors are needed for this population.

Introduction: South Asian Americans face a disproportionately high burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Adipokines, which are cytokines secreted by adipose tissue, may link adiposity to the risk for CVD. However, their role in South Asian CVD risk remains less clear. We investigated associations between the adipokines adiponectin, leptin, and resistin with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes in South Asian Americans in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of individuals enrolled in the MASALA longitudinal cohort study of South Asian adults without a history of CVD. Baseline fasting plasma specimens, clinical exams, and questionnaires were obtained between 2010 and 2013. The highest vs. lower tertiles of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and the adiponectin-leptin (A/L) ratio, a marker of adipose tissue inflammation, were evaluated in relation to the odds of prevalent hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes using multivariable logistic regression. Models were adjusted for age, gender, education, BMI, visceral fat, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and inflammatory markers (TNF-α, CRP). Interactions with gender were tested, and only gender-stratified odds ratios are reported when significant interactions were found. Results: In this sample of 891 adults (mean age 55.3 [SD 9.4] years, 46% female), higher adiponectin tertile was associated with lower odds of dyslipidemia overall (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.37-0.79) and lower odds of diabetes in women (OR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.19-0.72; p=0.03 for interaction by gender). Higher A/L ratio tertile was inversely associated with dyslipidemia overall (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43-0.95). Leptin and resistin were not significantly associated with hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Among South Asian American adults, higher adiponectin and A/L ratio levels were associated with a lower likelihood of dyslipidemia and diabetes. This occurred particularly among women for adiponectin, suggesting gender-specific pathways linking it to CVD risk. In contrast, leptin and resistin were not associated with cardiometabolic outcomes. These findings underscore a potential role for adiponectin in CVD risk stratification among South Asians.

Background: Coccidioidomycosis is primarily found in the southwestern United States and endemic regions of Central and South America, typically manifesting as a mild respiratory illness. Extrapulmonary manifestations are rare, occurring in approximately 1% of cases. Among these, coccidioidal pericarditis represents an exceptionally uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication. This condition can lead to serious outcomes including pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and heart failure. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review using PubMed to identify relevant articles published from January 1950 to July 2024. The search terms used were "Coccidioides AND Pericarditis" and "Coccidioidomycosis AND Pericarditis." We further evaluated citations in included articles and reviews to identify additional studies and expanded our search to international literature from endemic regions. Description of Case: A 53-year-old immunocompetent African American male presented with a 4-month history of dyspnea, fever, and night sweats. CT imaging showed miliary lung infiltration, a pulmonary mass, and spinal lytic lesions. Initial echocardiography revealed mild pericardial effusion that progressed to cardiac tamponade within 48 hours, necessitating a surgical pericardial window. Pericardial fluid and biopsy confirmed Coccidioides infection. He was treated with amphotericin B followed by fluconazole. MRI two months post-discharge revealed spinal osteomyelitis, which was confirmed on biopsy. Results: Our review identified 37 reported cases of coccidioidal pericarditis between 1950 and 2024. Most were from the United States, particularly California and Arizona. Common presenting symptoms included dyspnea (67.6%), chest pain (48.6%), and cough (37.8%). Complications included cardiac tamponade (27.0%), constrictive pericarditis (27.0%), and heart failure (21.6%). Among 36 cases with outcome data, the mortality rate was 25.0%, with most deaths occurring in earlier reports. Conclusion: Coccidioidal pericarditis is a rare but serious complication of disseminated coccidioidomycosis. It can rapidly progress to cardiac tamponade or constriction and carries significant morbidity and mortality. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in patients from or with travel to endemic areas presenting with unexplained pericardial disease. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management are essential to improving patient outcomes.

Background and aims – Acridocarpus belongs to one of the seven Malpighiaceae lineages that dispersed from the Neotropics to the Paleotropical region, being by far the most widely diversified and distributed genus of the family in Africa. In this study, we tested the monophyly and validity of the current infrageneric classification of Acridocarpus with a dated molecular phylogeny. We also reconstructed ancestral range distributions for biomes and continents to elucidate which route led to the colonisation of Africa by the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of this genus. Material and methods – We sampled six genes (ITS, PHYC, matK , ndhF , rbcL , and trnL-F ), 21 species of Acridocarpus , and three outgroup species to test the monophyly of the infrageneric classification of the genus. BI and ML analyses were performed for the combined molecular dataset. A total of 20 morphological characters were optimised on the tree. Calibration points derived from a published Malpighiaceae chronogram were used for a dating analysis. Ancestral areas of Acridocarpus and its relatives were estimated for continental (South America, Africa, India, Madagascar, and New Caledonia) and biome (dry forests, humid forests, and savannas) ranges. Key results – The pre-existing infrageneric classification of Acridocarpus was recovered as non-monophyletic due to being solely based on homoplastic morphological characters. The MRCA of Acridocarpus colonised rainforests of East Africa + Madagascar 43 Mya via the Gondwana route and greatly diversified in this region, with a single long-distance dispersal event from Madagascar to New Caledonia (Oceania). The genus colonised African dry forests at least four different times, starting in the Oligocene and diversified a single time in Malagasy savannas in the Miocene.

This study aims to (a) provide updated prevalence estimates of family polyvictimization by synthesizing recent literature, (b) examine the effect sizes of how one type of family victimization impacts other types, and (c) investigate correlates of family polyvictimization. Literature databases were searched for publications from May 2018 onward. A total of 49 studies, producing 51 estimates, met the inclusion criteria and were included in this updated analysis, providing a substantial sample size of 543,196 for the general synthesis of effect sizes. Combined with a previous meta-analysis, 89 estimates were included to synthesize overall effect sizes and estimate associations among different types of family victimization and their correlates. Among the 51 new estimates, the event rate of family polyvictimization was 27.0%. When combined with the previous meta-analysis (18.3%), the overall event rate across 89 estimates decreases slightly to 23.1%. This updated meta-analysis includes more studies from continents such as Africa and South America, which consistently report higher rates of polyvictimization. Findings also show that the prevalence of family victimization co-occurrence is higher in clinical samples compared to the general population. The higher prevalence of family victimization co-occurrence in clinical samples highlights the increased likelihood of identifying a second victim in the same family once the first victim comes to the attention of health or social services. The overrepresentation of child polyvictimization and the co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and child abuse suggest that more members from extended families should be included in family violence studies.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are leading global causes of morbidity and mortality, often exacerbated by late diagnosis and limited access to early detection methods. Conventional diagnostic tools are frequently invasive or inaccessible in resource-limited settings. Retinal imaging presents a non-invasive alternative, capturing microvascular features that reflect systemic health. However, most validation studies have focused on Asian and Western populations, leaving a gap in South American representation. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that deep learning models trained to predict systemic biomarkers from retinal images in a Korean population could generalize to a Brazilian cohort. Specifically, we examined whether retinal models estimating albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for CKD, and coronary artery calcium for CVD, could effectively identify affected individuals using data from the Brazilian Multilabel Ophthalmological Dataset (BRSET). Methods: We applied three retinal image-based models to 16,266 fundus images from 8,524 patients in BRSET. These models infer systemic biomarker values by analyzing retinal vascular and structural features. Ground truth labels were based on disease comorbidity annotations. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, and specificity. Thresholds were optimized using the Youden index. Class imbalance (10 CKD cases and 89 CVD cases) in BRSET was preserved to reflect real-world disease prevalence. Results: For CKD detection, the ACR model achieved an AUROC of 0.84 (95%CI=0.66-0.97), sensitivity of 0.70, and specificity of 0.89. The eGFR model achieved an AUROC of 0.76 (95%CI=0.65-0.89), sensitivity of 0.70, and specificity of 0.76. For CVD, the coronary artery calcium model showed an AUROC of 0.71(95%CI=0.66-0.75), with high sensitivity (0.91) but lower specificity (0.47). Conclusion: Deep learning-derived retinal biomarkers demonstrated generalizability from an Asian to a South American cohort, supporting their potential as scalable, non-invasive tools for early systemic disease detection. The ACR model performed best for CKD prediction, while other models showed fair discriminatory ability. Future work should focus on addressing class imbalance, increasing positive case representation, and conducting prospective validation.

Introduction: Social determinants of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors in second generation, young adult South Asians have not been investigated. Individual-level educational attainment is a strong upstream social determinant of health; however, parental education may also influence health outcomes. Research Question: Is higher parental education associated with better ASCVD risk factor levels among second generation, young adult South Asians in the United States (US)? Methods: Among US South Asian adults age ≥18 years who participated in the MASALA-2G Second Generation Study as children of participants in the MASALA (Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America) Study, we evaluated the association of paternal and maternal educational attainment (higher: college graduate and higher; lower: some college or less) with ASCVD risk factors using multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, participant’s own educational attainment, and place of birth (in versus outside the US). Results: Among 116 second generation South Asian Americans (mean age 34.3 [SD 9.3] years; 49% female, 51% male), of whom 88% had a college degree or higher, 85% had a father with a college degree or higher, and 72% had a mother with a college degree or higher. Mean (SD) values of ASCVD risk factors in the overall sample were: fasting glucose 91 (7) mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c 5.3% (0.3), total cholesterol 180 (32) mg/dL, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol 127 (31) mg/dL, triglycerides 103 (53) mg/dL, body mass index 23.5 (4.3) kg/m 2 , waist circumference 89 (13) cm, systolic blood pressure (BP) 115 (12) mmHg, diastolic BP 73 (9) mmHg, and sleep duration 7.1 (1.1) hours. In unadjusted analysis, higher paternal education was associated with lower diastolic BP, higher sleep duration, smaller waist circumference, and smaller waist-hip ratio in the adult child. After adjustment (Table), higher paternal education remained significantly associated with lower diastolic BP (ß -7 mmHg, 95% CI -12, -2), compared with lower paternal education. There was no association between maternal educational attainment and young adult child’s ASCVD risk factors. Conclusions: Among South Asian young adults in the MASALA-2G Study, higher paternal educational attainment may be associated with better ASCVD risk factors, independent of one’s own educational attainment. Future research should investigate how parental education may influence ASCVD risk in this group.

Introduction: South Asian populations experience excess atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Social determinants of ASCVD risk factors in second generation, young adult South Asians have not previously been investigated. Cultural identity is one factor that may reflect health behaviors. Research Question: Is cultural self-identity associated with ASCVD risk factors in second generation, young adult South Asians? Methods: Among US South Asian adults age ≥18 years who are children of participants in the MASALA (Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America) Study from the Chicago area, we evaluated the association of cultural self-identity (on a scale of very or mostly South Asian, bicultural, or very or mostly Western) with ASCVD risk factors including fasting glucose and lipids, blood pressure, body composition, and sleep duration, using multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, educational attainment, and place of birth (in versus outside the United States). Results: Among 116 second generation South Asian Americans (mean age 34.3 [SD 9.3] years; 49% female, 51% male), 28% self-identified cultural identity as South Asian, 48% as bicultural, and 24% as Western. Mean (standard deviation) values of ASCVD risk factors in the overall sample were: fasting glucose 91 (7) mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c 5.3% (0.3), total cholesterol 180 (32) mg/dL, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol 127 (31) mg/dL, triglycerides 103 (53) mg/dL, body mass index 23.5 (4.3) kg/m 2 , waist circumference 89 (13) cm, systolic blood pressure 115 (12) mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 73 (9) mmHg, and sleep duration 7.1 (1.1) hours. Compared to participants with South Asian identity (Table), young South Asian adults identifying as bicultural had a 0.5-hour lower sleep duration (95% CI -1.0, -0.02) and those identifying as Western had a 0.7-hour lower sleep duration (95% CI -1.3, -0.2). Young South Asian adults identifying as Western had a 31 mg/dL lower triglyceride level (95% CI -60, -1). Conclusions: Among South Asian young adult participants in the MASALA-2G Second Generation Study, those who identified as Western had lower triglyceride levels and shorter sleep duration, and those who identified as bicultural had shorter sleep duration, compared to those who identified as South Asian. Future research should investigate how cultural identity influences health behaviors related to sleep and other ASCVD risk factors.

Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with worse echocardiographic parameters. Few studies have examined the influence of adiposity on cardiac function in South Asians (SA), a population with greater cardiovascular burden and visceral adiposity at a lower BMI than other race/ethnic groups. Research Question: Which adiposity markers are more closely associated with echo measures of abnormal cardiac function? Methods: We re-examined 675 participants in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in SA Living in America (MASALA) study between 2021-2024. Participants completed echo (at rest and with legs up on a wedge pillow), 6-minute walk test (6MWD), anthropometry, and clinical data collection. We examined correlations and Loess plots of BMI, waist circumference (WC), and visceral abdominal fat area (VAT) with echo parameters overall and by gender. We calculated residuals of the linear regression between BMI and VAT to examine the discordance between VAT and BMI (T1: lower VAT for BMI; T2: concordant VAT and BMI; T3: greater VAT for BMI) and determined associated characteristics after adjusting for age and gender. Results: Mean age was 66±9 years, 53% were male, mean BMI was 26.2±4.2 kg/m 2 . BMI was poorly correlated to most echo parameters and modestly correlated with average E/e’ ratio (r=0.11) and with LV EDV (r=0.09). WC had a stronger correlation with LVEF (r=-0.17) and LV EDV (r=0.27). VAT had more consistent correlations with resting and legs up echo measures (r=0.09 to 0.20). Those with VAT greater than BMI were older and more frequently male; had lower exercise; lower 6MWD; higher hypertension and diabetes prevalence; higher Hba1c and triglycerides; and lower HDL. The Table shows the age, gender, eGFR, and hypertension adjusted echo parameters across the three VAT and BMI groups. Those with higher VAT than BMI had evidence of increase LV filling pressures with higher E/e’ ratio at rest and with legs up. Those with greater VAT than BMI who also had BMI<30 kg/m 2 were more likely to be men with diabetes and hypertension. Conclusions: Visceral adiposity was better associated with echo parameters than BMI in older SA, especially among those with greater VAT than BMI. Nonobese SA men with hypertension and diabetes with significant visceral adiposity may benefit from targeted treatments such as GLP1 receptor agonists to reduce adiposity and improve cardiac function.

Abstract Lithospermum (Boraginaceae) is a cosmopolitan genus of ca. 80 species native to both the Old and New Worlds. The genus has been the subject of multiple phylogenetic studies during the past 20 years, with different evolutionary relationships recovered depending on the taxon-locus combinations. Using whole plastomes and nuclear ribosomal cistrons, the phylogenetics, biogeographic patterns, and plastome selection of Lithospermum and its relatives were examined. Lithospermum is here resolved as non-monophyletic, with Ulugbekia tschimganica forming the sister group to L. hancockianum . Therefore, an expanded circumscription of Lithospermum is tentatively proposed, which aligns with other, prior studies. Based on multiple phylogenetic methods, evolutionary relationships inferred by the plastid genome are incongruent with those from the nuclear ribosomal cistron as well as prior analyses based on other nuclear DNA loci. This incongruence is likely due to incomplete lineage sorting within the nuclear genome and between nuclear and plastid markers during early diversification of the genus in the New World. Lithospermum is resolved to have originated in the Old World, with independent dispersal events to southern Africa and to North America, and a subsequent a long-distance dispersal event to the northern Andes mountain range in South America. Only six genes of the plastid genome are under positive selection, and based on prior studies, these are similar to those across Lithospermeae but differ from those among other tribes in the family.

Viral zoonoses or viral pathogens transmitted from animals to humans—constitute a rapidly intensifying global health and economic challenge. They are responsible for an estimated 2.5 billion illnesses and 2.7 million deaths annually, representing nearly 60% of all infectious diseases and 75% of newly emerging infections. Recent outbreaks, including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Ebola, Nipah, and avian influenza, underscore their capacity to overwhelm health systems, with COVID-19 alone projected to reduce global Gross Domestic Product by USD 22 trillion by 2025 and impose annual healthcare costs of USD 2–3 trillion. Beyond mortality and morbidity, zoonotic events disrupt trade, depress rural livelihoods, and inflict agricultural losses exceeding USD 100 billion per outbreak, with impacts disproportionately borne by low- and middle-income countries. Hotspot regions across tropical North and South America, Asia, and Central Africa remain especially vulnerable due to accelerating land use change, climate variability, and intensified wildlife–human interfaces. While the Global One Health Index highlights high regional heterogeneity, with sub-Saharan Africa scoring lowest, a critical gap persists between the conceptual strength of One Health and its operationalization in resource-limited settings. This review synthesizes evidence on drivers, clinical manifestations, and socioeconomic burdens of viral zoonoses, while highlighting novel perspectives on equity gaps, co-infection dynamics, and limitations of global preparedness initiatives. We argue that current strategies remain over-reliant on donor-driven agendas and insufficiently integrated across sectors. Addressing future zoonotic threats requires prioritizing surveillance in high-risk geographies, integrating epidemiological and economic data for preparedness planning, and supporting context sensitive One Health approaches that confront political, financial, and structural barriers to implementation.

Ecosystems and biodiversity around the globe face multiple threats, including climate change and invasive species. Non-native species are known for their resilience to disturbances and their ability to thrive more successfully than native species in urbanized or otherwise disturbed areas, and some of them can become invasive. It is a complex challenge to detect, manage, and control such species, which require coordinated efforts from society, government, and the academic community. In this study, the eMIAS (South American Invasive Mollusks Specialists) research group (27 experts from seven South American countries) aim to provide foundational knowledge for management of these species. We compiled and synthesized information on the mollusc species that are native to South America and that have been introduced to other regions of the world. A total of 29 species were detected, including 10 marine, 10 freshwater, and 9 terrestrial. For each species, the area of origin, date and place of introduction, and current distribution were determined. We could determine that (1) most of these introductions have occurred in connection with globalization processes, such as an increase in trade. (2) The potential source regions of those 29 species are also areas that received non-native species from elsewhere (e.g., Europe, Asia). (3) Regions where species introductions have taken place are subject to the impacts of climate change and/or urbanization.

Background Cancer is an important cause of human death. We aimed to analyze the cancer burden in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years at global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021. Methods We analyzed global burden of disease (GBD) data from 1990 to 2021 to assess the cancer-related incidence, prevalence, death, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and the corresponding age-standardized rates (ASRs) in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years by region, country, sociodemographic index(SDI), etiology and gender stratification. In addition, we evaluated health inequities caused by cancer burden from 1990 to 2021 and used bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model to assess trend of the total cancer burden in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years. Results In 2021, there were 235, 249.05(95%UI, 21, 7211.16 to 251, 1070.1) new cancer cases in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years and 94856.02 (95%UI: 85970.2 to 102769.63) deaths worldwide. In addition, there were 13499, 913.04 (95%UI, 1252506.95 to 1442998.32) prevalent cases and 6, 918, 657.72 (95%UI: 6, 254, 353.93 to 7, 480202.6) DALYs. Over the past 30 years, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of total cancer in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years have increased globally, with the most significant increases in regions with high SDI, such as North America and parts of Europe and Asia. The age-standardized death rate(ASDR) and age-standardized DALY rate of total cancer have decreased significantly globally in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years. The ASDR and age-standardized DALY rate of total cancer in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years were highest in countries with lower SDI, particularly in South America and Africa. Among all regions, Tokelau, Niue, and Afghanistan had the highest ASDR in 2021. Among all cancers, leukemia, brain cancers and malignant neoplasm of bone & articular cartilage were the most common causes of cancer death in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years in 2021. Conclusions Globally, the total cancer burden of adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years have increased significantly over the past 30 years. Differences in adolescent and young adult cancer burden were evident across regions with different SDI levels. Developing effective strategies to reduce the total cancer burden of adolescents and young adults was critical to promoting global equity and population health.

The monotypic genus Carneiola Endrödi, 1974 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Pentodontini), which was erroneously recorded from New Zealand, is revised. The type specimens of Carneiola zealandica Endrödi, 1974 are examined and compared with those of Bothynus herbivorus (Arrow, 1937), including additional material. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: 1) C. zealandica is synonymized with B. herbivorus (senior synonym); 2) B. herbivorus is transferred to Carneiola, resulting in the new combination: C. herbivora (Arrow, 1937). Lectotypes are designated for Ligyrus herbivorus Arrow, 1937 and Bothynus perforatus Arrow, 1937. An up-to-date distributional map of Carneiola herbivora is provided. We confirm that this species only occurs in South America, and not New Zealand, as previously reported.

In 2023, Mexico was the fourth largest producer of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), with 1,078,210 tons harvested. In September 2022, symptoms consisting of small water-soaked lesions surrounded by a yellow halo, later becoming dry, brown, and necrotic, were observed on seedlings of C. sativus cv. Azulan (slicer type cucumber) in a greenhouse in Culiacan, Sinaloa State, Mexico (Geographical coordinates 24°38'05.6"N 107°30'29.9" W). The disease incidence was 30 %, corresponding to three hectares with approximately 23,000 plants per ha, and the disease severity was 60 %. Bacterial streaming from the cut margin of leaf spots in distilled water was observed under a microscope at 100X magnification. Subsequently, a slice of cotyledon leaf was disinfected with 70 % ethanol for one minute and placed in sterile distilled water, and the suspension was plated onto King's B medium and incubated for three days at 27 °C. From five symptomatic seedlings, non-fluorescent bacterial colonies were obtained. After purification, colonies were cream white, circular in shape, with entire margins. The isolated bacteria were Gram-negative in the Gram staining process and caused a hypersensitive reaction on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants 24 h post-infiltration. Five isolates were tested in real-time PCR using SYBR green with the P. citrulli-specific primer pair AC158F (5’-CTTGGTGCTCCATGCTCGA-3’) and AC158R (5’-GGCTTGGTTGCGAATTCACT-3’) reported by Cho et al. (2015). To confirm the PCR results (partial) 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on a representative isolate using the FD2 (5’-AGAGTTTGATCATGGCTCAG-3’) and RP1 (5’-ACGGTTACCTTGTTACGACTT-3’) primers (Weisburg et al., 1991). Comparison of sequence data of strain CIAD_66 (GenBank Accession Number OR233591.1) with P. citrulli strains ICMP 7500 and BC525 (Accession Numbers NR_041758 and NR_118397, respectively) showed a 100 % homology. A discriminative PCR according to Lee et al. (2024) was performed from five P. citrulli isolates based on gltA gene analysis, and it was determined that our strains belong to clonal complex group I. Koch postulates were fulfilled by inoculating both cucumber seeds and plants using a bacterial suspension containing 3 x 108 cfu mL-1. For seeds, immersion in the bacterial suspension was carried out for two minutes and then two seeds were placed per pot containing sterile substrate, 6 pots in total. Five 14-day-old cucumber plants were inoculated by spraying and placed in a humid chamber at 27 °C. Control treatments were inoculated using sterile water. A water-soaked lesion was visible mainly on the cotyledons. Inoculated plants showed symptoms 7-10 days post-inoculation. Control plants (originating from seeds and seedlings did not show symptoms). Cream white bacterial colonies were re-isolated on King's B medium only from inoculated seedlings and plants, and their identity was checked by real-time PCR, confirming the pathogenicity test. Paracidovorax citrulli (formerly known as Acidovorax citrulli) (Du et al., 2023) is a seed-borne pathogen reported to affect mainly Cucurbitaceae with watermelon and melon as primary hosts; however, pumpkin, squash, and cucumber may also be infected. This bacterium is distributed worldwide, especially in Asia, North America, and South America, where two genetically different groups have been reported: Group I (moderately aggressive across most cucurbit hosts), and Group II (more aggressive on watermelon) (EPPO, 2025). In México, Hernández-Anguiano et al. (2023) reported infestations of P. citrulli in watermelon production fields. For cucumbers, there were reports from Australia and South Korea (Martin et al., 1999; Song et al., 2015). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. citrulli clonal complex group I causing bacterial leaf blight in cucumber seedlings in Mexico. Currently, strategies for managing this disease are limited, and resistant commercial cultivars are not known; therefore, the presence of this pathogen poses a latent risk to cucurbit production in Mexico, and the development and establishment of control measures are essential to minimize the production losses and pathogen distribution.

The hyper-diverse Atlantic Rainforest on the eastern coast of South America comprises deciduous, semideciduous, and evergreen forest formations. How these formations, both as communities and through their individual species, are responding to climate change remains elusive. Using habitat suitability modeling, we examine the effects of climate change on the distribution of the Atlantic Rainforest assessed both at the species level and the formation level. Additionally, we investigated whether mismatches between species- and formation-level trends are linked to the climatic affinities of species at the formations where they occur. We predicted a decrease in habitat suitability for all deciduous, semideciduous, and evergreen formations, based on individual species models, up to 2100. However, when considering species together as formations, we predicted expansions of deciduous and semideciduous formations and contractions of evergreen formations for the same period. The divergence between the synchronous and individual suitability models for deciduous and semideciduous formations suggests that climate-tolerant species will likely expand their range, replacing those with narrower climate tolerances. This shift may alter the structure and composition of these communities as currently known. Our findings provide valuable insights that can inform strategies for conserving the Atlantic Rainforest, including the development of new regulatory measures, the establishment of protected areas, and the formulation of effective forest management policies.

The need for new medications to treat diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health concern due to the cost and impact on patients and their families, health systems, and society. Recent approaches in drug development have focused on multitarget therapy for DM, considering its multifactorial and complex pathophysiology. The present work contributes to the review of the plant species Schinus molle L. (pirul), a tropical tree native to South America but now widespread worldwide, which has demonstrated anticancer, analgesic, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties. According to traditional uses, pirul has been employed as a food condiment, in the preparation of beverages and chewing gums, and in the treatment of DM. The antidiabetic effects of pirul appear to act through several mechanisms involved in DM. The methanolic extract of S. molle fruits collected in Tunisia exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes (77.49% and 86.45%, respectively). A dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect was also observed at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h, in the carrageenan-induced rats’ paw edema model. Furthermore, in both the H2O2 and the superoxide radical assays, the pirul extract demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.22 mg/mL). Isomasticadienonic acid and Masazino-flavanone, the major components of active fractions and extracts of S. molle represent promising antidiabetic agents. Although pirul appears to be safe in in vivo acute and subchronic administrations, toxicological studies and clinical trials in individuals with DM are still pending.