Subtropical Regions Research Articles

Study on Seroprevalence and Leptospiral Antibody Distribution Among Livestock Breeders and Farmers in Golestan Province.

The high prevalence of leptospirosis in humans is of great public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies and the distribution of serovars in livestock breeders and farmers in Golestan province. Seventy samples of serum collected from farmers and ranchers suspected of leptospirosis were examined using an ELISA method for surveying Immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-leptospiria. Also from samples, DNA was extracted and PCR was performed using by primers for 16s rRNA. Demographic properties of positive patients were analysed. Chi-square statistical test shows a statistically significant difference between the gender and prevalence leptospirosis (p-value = 0.004). Also, by examining the age, it was shown that 68.57% of patients are in the middleaged rang. According to the results obtained from the study and investigation of blood serum IgM-and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in people suspected of leptospirosis, 3 cases of the patients had IgM higher than 11 and were known to be positive for leptospirosis. Also, by examining the IgG level of patients, 5 cases had intermediate results, and 2 cases were found to be positive for IgG. The PCR results showed that 41.42% of patients tested positive for the 16s rRNA. Leptospirosis is a common disease among farmers, and in Golestan province, considering traditional farming methods, it is considered an important infectious disease. Therefore, health and safety measures should be expanded to control and prevent this disease. Also, by employing mechanised agricultural methods, the prevalence of leptospirosis in this region can be significantly reduced.

Triploid Formation and Heat Tolerance of Angelonia angustifolia with Various Ploidy Levels

Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia), a popular potted flower and bedding plant, often experiences severe wilting or leaf drying during hot summers in tropical and subtropical regions. Polyploidization may enhance the heat tolerance of angelonia plants. In this study, diploid (2x) angelonia ‘Serena Purple’ and ‘Serena White’ were crossed with tetraploid (4x) lines to produce interploidy plants. More seed production was observed from 4x × 2x crosses than from 2x × 4x crosses. Despite observing triploid block in interploidy hybridization, triploid plants were successfully obtained from the interploidy seeds. Growth, flowering, and photosynthesis of diploid, triploid, and tetraploid plants were assessed at day/night temperatures of 30/25 °C and 25/20 °C. All angelonia plants exhibited increased height and stem diameter as well as reduced leaf SPAD-502 value, leaf thickness, flower number, flower length, net photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance at 30/25 °C compared with those at 25/20 °C. At 30/25 °C, triploid and tetraploid plants had higher leaf SPAD-502 values, leaf thickness, and net photosynthetic rates than those of diploid plants. Diploid plants had the most branches at 25/20 °C, but their branch and flower numbers decreased the most at 30/25 °C compared with those of triploid and tetraploid plants. Notably, at 30/25 °C, triploid plants exhibited the earliest f lowering and produced the most branches and flowers compared with those of diploid and tetraploid plants.

Carbon isotope composition of biomass and water use efficiency in young plants of Jatropha curcas L. under irrigated or water deficit conditions

Jatropha curcas L. is a non-food crop quoted as a promising natural feedstock for biodiesel production in tropical and subtropical regions. Although an efficient mechanism of drought avoidance through stomatal control of transpiration has been demonstrated in this species, low carbon assimilation and growth rates preclude any advantage of such strategy under water limitation. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with the objective of investigating varietal differences in water use as the trade-off between carbon isotope composition (δ13C) in different tissues and water use efficiency, in young plants of J. curcas. The first experiment was a survey with seven provenances of J. curcas under non-limiting water availability. There were no significant differences among provenances for leaf gas exchange rates, growth and whole-plant transpiration (T). However, significant effects of provenance and tissue (stem bark or leaf) in δ13C were demonstrated. The provenances CNPAE183 and CNPAE222 were selected for the second experiment, as variations in water use traits and δ13C between the two provenances were observed. Soil water deficit, imposed for 18 days, led to significant physiological, biochemical, and morphological changes. An early and sharp response to water deficit in CNPAE183 as compared to CNPAE222 was observed, as indicated by a 44% higher rate of decrease of T in the former. In addition, water deficit led to increase of δ13C, which was more pronounced in CNPAE222 (13% in young leaves) when compared to CNPAE183 (11% in young leaves). In both provenances, δ13C was less negative in young as compared to mature tissues. Significant and direct correlations between stem bark and leaf δ13C and leaf-level intrinsic water use efficiency were observed. Contrasting results, particularly on T and δ13C, suggest the existence of genetic diversity for water relations and metabolic traits linked to drought tolerance in J. curcas. Using stem bark or leaf δ13C measurements as the basis for large-scale screening of water-use efficient genotypes should be considered.

Root physiological and morphology processes co-regulate the growth of Chinese-fir saplings in response to warming and precipitation reduction in the sub-tropical regions

Subtropical China is projected to experience elevated temperature greater than the mean global temperature increase and is accompanied by reduced precipitation. The plasticity of roots to changing environment strongly influences ecosystem feedbacks to climate change. However, knowledge gaps on the individual and combined effects of warming and precipitation reduction on root systems hinder our ability to accurately predict the growth and adaptability of forests under future climate change. To examine the effects of warming (W) and precipitation reduction (P) on roots physiology and morphology of Chinese-fir saplings, we used a randomized complete block design with factorial soil warming (ambient, ambient + 5℃) and precipitation reduction (ambient, ambient-50%) treatments. A full excavation method was adopted to obtain roots, then we measured the root physiology (osmoregulatory substances, oxidant substances, protective enzymes, endogenous hormones), morphology (specific root length, SRL; surface root area, SRA; root tissue density, RTD). The content of carbon and nitrogen, isotopes (δ13C and δ15N); soil temperature, soil moisture and sapling growth were also measured. We found that compared with the control, W decreased the abscisic acid (IAA) content; P increased the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and proline (Pro), and decreased the contents of IAA and cytokinin (CTK); warming plus precipitation reduction (WP) increased the Pro content, and decreased the contents of IAA and CTK. In addition, the effects of W and P on root morphology varied with soil depth and root diameter class. W, P, and WP all increased fine root SRL and SRA in deep soil. Warming and precipitation reduction could affect physiological traits (e.g. non-enzymatic substances and antioxidant enzymes) and subsequently morphological traits via influencing soil environment and root tissue chemistry. Collectively, the results indicated that Chinese-fir saplings responded to warming and precipitation reduction by comprehensive regulation of the non-enzymatic substances (e.g., osmotic substances and endogenous hormones) of fine roots and changing root morphological characteristics in deep soil.

Clinical profiles and outcomes of dengue fever in hospitalized patients: Insights from Purbanchal University Teaching Hospital

Background: Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that poses a significant health threat, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aims to assess the risk factors and clinical outcomes of dengue fever in hospitalized patients. Methods: This prospective observational study included 110 patients admitted to Purbanchal University Teaching Hospital between May 2023 and July 2024. Patients were classified into three groups based on clinical and laboratory findings: Group I (Dengue without Warning Signs), Group II (Dengue with Warning Signs), and Group III (Severe Dengue). Clinical history and physical examination data were recorded, and various laboratory tests were conducted. Results: Of the 110 patients, 80.9% were classified as Group II, 15.4% as Group I, and 3.7% as Group III. The majority of patients were male, with a male-to-female ratio of 5:1. The mean age of patients in Groups I, II, and III was 29±6.45, 33.3±9.6, and 25±1.8 years, respectively. All patients experienced sudden onset fever, with varying patterns of fever. Common symptoms included headache (100%), myalgia (96%), and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Organomegaly was observed predominantly in Group III patients. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of recognizing clinical profiles and laboratory findings in diagnosing dengue early to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with severe forms of the disease.

Assessing microplastic abundances in freshwater fishes in a subtropical African reservoir

Microplastics are emerging pollutants of global concern, and their presence in the aquatic environment poses a serious risk for aquatic biota. While many studies have been conducted on the presence of microplastics in marine habitats, little research has been done in freshwater African reservoirs on microplastic pollution and their impacts on fish within the subtropical regions. To bridge this gap, the current study investigated microplastic abundances and distribution in freshwater fish within Nandoni reservoir, South Africa, across two seasons (i.e., hot–wet, cool–dry). Fish were randomly sampled using seine and gill nets from seven sites within the reservoir. In the laboratory, fish were then sorted according to taxa before dissecting them to remove the gills and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The organs were digested using hot hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide, and the microplastics were classified according to their colours and shapes. Among the 94 fishes (i.e., 8 species) examined, microplastics were detected in 86.6% of the eight species caught. Microplastics were dominant in the gills and GIT during the cool–dry and hot–wet seasons, respectively. High microplastic abundances were found in the gills of Micropterus salmoides and the GIT of Coptodon rendalli, where fibres and the transparent colour were the most dominant. The results further showed high microplastic abundances in benthopelagic feeders highlighting that habitat influences fish consumption of microplastics whether directly or indirectly. Significant differences were observed in the feeding zone and season for all microplastic types. Microplastic sources in the reservoirs could be due to anthropogenic activities such as illegal dumping, fishing, and agriculture. Thus, there is a need for further investigation into the relation of fish weight, fish sex and body in relation to microplastic pollution. The highlighted ecological factors should be taken into consideration for future research and management actions aimed at mitigating and protecting the negative impacts of microplastic pollution on environmental and human health.

In vitro antifungal activity of extracts and alkaloid compounds from Piper arboreum against dermatophytes

Piper is widely distributed in subtropical regions and species of this genus are known for their potent pharmacological activities. Piper arboreum Aubl. is a traditional medicinal plant popularly known as "pau-de-angola", "jaborandi", and chili pepper, demonstrating antifungal, trypanocidal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. The leaves of P. arboreum were extracted using Soxhlet and dichloromethane to obtain the extract, which was then fractionated using solvents of different polarities. Samples were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry equipped with an electrospray ionization source. Antifungal microdilution assays were performed, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to assess the invasion of the pretreated nail. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the extract and a dichloromethane fraction were, respectively, 62.5 μg/ml and 16.0 μg/ml against Trichophyton rubrum, and 125 μg/ml and 62.5 μg/ml, and 500 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml against T. mentagrophytes, and Microsporum gypseum, respectively. No growth was observed on nail fragments exposed to the extract (at concentrations > 64 µg/ml and then inoculated with spore suspension. Transmission electron microscopy revealed strong inhibition of hyphal growth and an irregular growth pattern following treatment with the extract and the dichloromethane fraction. Results demonstrated the antifungal properties of the P. arboreum extract and its dichloromethane fraction against dermatophytes, with the identification of three different alkaloid compounds. The cytotoxicity was specific towards the fungal cells, and morphological and ultrastructural analyses indicated damage to the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane as the potential mechanism of action. The leaf material used to generate the extract can be taken from the plant without any detrimental effect thus enabling strategies to be implemented for the exploitation of this species.

Optimizing surface water quality parameters in monitoring networks in a developing sub-tropical region with high anthropogenic pressure (São Paulo State Brazil).

Efficient water quality monitoring is a central aspect of water resources management, especially in developing countries, where water quality is under high anthropogenic pressure and resources for monitoring are usually limited. Here, we evaluated an alternative to optimize water quality parameters (WQPs) in the water quality monitoring network (WQMN) of the most populous state in Brazil (São Paulo State). We focused on the monitoring goal of identifying water quality temporal trends, selecting WQPs with high statistical explanatory power and those that were particularly sensitive to natural and anthropogenic perturbations. We considered 12 initial WQPs (dissolved copper, total zinc, total lead, total chromium, total mercury, total nickel, total cadmium, total iron, total manganese, total aluminum, total copper, and surfactant) with data from 2004 to 2018 for 56 monitoring sites distributed across four major watersheds with contrasting land uses in the state. We performed principal component analysis, followed by objective criteria to refine WQPs recommendation for the WQMN. Our results indicated the opportunity of reducing at least one parameter from the initial set of WQPs in all watersheds. Total iron, total manganese, and total aluminum were the most relevant initial WQPs, since their maintenance in monitoring were indicated in all the analyzed cases. Natural watershed conditions (e.g., geomorphology and water geochemistry) potentially governed their concentrations in surface water. On the other hand, total mercury, total chromium, and dissolved copper had the maintenance indicated in only one watershed, especially due to concentrations consistently below the respective limits of quantification (LoQs). Future investigations can complement our recommendations for these parameters, since changes in LoQs could throw another light on water quality spatial and temporal variations and the need for reference areas for assessing baseline conditions can also be relevant. Moreover, we argue that depending on the monitoring goals of the WQMN, additional sampling of biota and sediments could be useful as many of the studied WQPs' bioconcentrate. Our results illustrated an alternative approach towards adaptive monitoring in São Paulo state in accordance with the intended monitoring goal (i.e., water quality temporal trends), converging with the more flexible monitoring adopted in well-structured networks worldwide. While we did not cover other monitoring goals in our study (as the control of illegal discharge of effluents or industrial spills, for example), we expect our methodology can contribute to establishing technical guidelines for reviewing the existing WQMNs in Brazil and other developing countries with similar challenges.

Anogeissus Latifolia: A Comprehensive Review from Ethanobotanical Insights to Future Pharmacological Frontiers.

Anogeissus latifolia, commonly known as Axlewood, Indian Gum Tree, or Gum Ghatti, belongs to the Combretaceae family and is native to India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. It thrives in most tropical and subtropical regions of India. Different parts of the plant contain various proteins, carbohydrates, sugars (arabinose, galactose, mannose, xylose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid), minerals (magnesium and calcium salts of ghattic acid), and a wide range of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, sterols, saponins, tannins, coumarins, quinine, and ellagic acid. Studies have indicated the potential of Anogeissus latifolia in managing various health conditions, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-parasitic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, wound healing, and hypolipidemic effects. However, like many medicinal plants, Anogeissus latifolia demonstrates a dose-dependent toxicity profile, particularly when administered intraperitoneally. Research efforts have been directed towards elucidating its safety profile, and findings suggest that it can be considered safe when administered within prescribed dosages. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review encompassing the ethnobotanical significance, morphological characteristics, phytochemistry, pharmacological actions, and toxicological aspects of Anogeissus latifolia. Additionally, it explores future research perspectives in the field of Anogeissus latifolia pharmacology and therapeutics.

Agroecological Aptitude of the Northeast of Formosa (Argentinean Subtropical Region) for Banana Production Assessed by Multiple Factor Analysis

Banana (Musa spp.) is an important crop in the economies of many developing countries. In the north of Argentina, a subtropical region, banana plants grow in a suboptimal environment that limits yield because only one harvest per year is achieved. The objective of this work was to characterize the agroecological aptitude of Formosa, Argentina, for banana production through the behavior of three varieties of international use: Williams, Jaffa and Grand Naine, evaluated over five consecutive years. The three-way data analysis technique called Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) was used for evaluating the varieties’ performances across cycles of production. The results allowed for inferring the existence of a genotype x environment interaction (GEI), corroborated by two-way factorial ANOVA. In order to determine how this suboptimal environment affected the development of each genotype of this perennial crop, Dual Multiple Factor Analysis (DMFA) was applied to jointly analyze the correlation structure between the traits that contributed to the performance of each variety in each year. The correlation structures between variables were different in each population and varied between years. All traits showed great variation between the years and genotypes, with the fruit peel thickness being the most discrepant throughout the years. However, Formosa appeared as a promising subtropical agroecological environment to produce banana because the varieties’ performances were acceptable for large-scale production systems. In addition to evaluating the adequate aptitude for cultivating banana in Formosa considering the significant effect of the GEIs, this research made a methodological contribution by proposing the use of three-way data analysis in Agronomy Science via MFA and DMFA.

Future Scenarios of Forest Carbon Sink in a Typical Subtropical County

In the context of achieving global carbon neutrality, forests play a pivotal role in sequestering atmospheric CO2, particularly in China, where forest management is central to national climate strategies. This study evaluates the forest carbon sink capacity in Zixi County, a subtropical region, under varying climate scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). Using the Forest-DNDC (Denitrification–Decomposition) model, combined with high-precision climate data and a random forest model, we simulate forest carbon density and forest carbon sink under different management strategies. The results indicate that under the baseline scenario, forest carbon density in Zixi County increases by 31% over 42 years under the SSP2-4.5 climate scenario and by 28.6% under SSP5-8.5. In the enhancing economic scenario, carbon density increases by 8.5% under SSP2-4.5 and by 7.2% under SSP5-8.5. For the natural development scenario, a significant increase of 130% is observed under SSP2-4.5, while SSP5-8.5 shows an increase of 120%. Spatially, forest carbon sinks in Zixi County total 843,152 T C in 2020, 542,852 T C in 2030, and 877,802 T C in 2060 under the baseline SSP2-4.5 scenario; under SSP5-8.5, these values are 841,321 T C in 2020, 531,301 T C in 2030, and 1,016,402 T C in 2060. In the enhancing economic scenario, the total carbon sink is 34,650 T C in both 2020 and 2030, increasing to 427,351 T C in 2060 under SSP2-4.5, while under SSP5-8.5, it is 46,200 T C in 2020, 34,650 T C in 2030, and 415,801 T C in 2060. The natural development scenario shows the total carbon sink under SSP2-4.5 as 11,157,332 T C in 2020, 3,441,910 T C in 2030, and 1,409,104 T C in 2060, and under SSP5-8.5, it is 10,903,231 T C in 2020, 3,337,960 T C in 2030, and 1,131,903 T C in 2060. Spatial analysis reveals that elevation and forest type significantly affect carbon density, with high-altitude areas and forests dominated by Chinese fir and broadleaf species showing higher carbon accumulation. The findings highlight the importance of targeted forest management, prioritizing species with higher carbon sequestration potential and considering spatial heterogeneity. These strategies, applied locally, can contribute to broader national and global carbon neutrality efforts.

Multigene phylogenetics of Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) revealed low molecular diversity in contrast to high morphological variability in the NE Atlantic Ocean.

Sargassum species play a key role in habitat formation in tropical and subtropical regions; however, species identification has been hampered by the phenological plasticity exhibited in response to environmental conditions and life history. Molecular phylogenetics has challenged taxa circumscriptions and proven critical in delimiting species in this genus. Yet, the Atlantic species of Sargassum remain poorly understood, and recent studies have shown low molecular diversity between the species in the NW Atlantic. Here, we expand the taxon sampling to the NE Atlantic to assess the diversity of Sargassum in the Atlantic basin, based on a comprehensive morphological and multigene approach. We selected genes commonly used in delineating species in this genus (ITS2, rbcLS, cox3, mtsp) and explored additional markers (cox2, nad6, psbC, clpC, atpB) to infer the phylogenetic relationships between the morphospecies observed in the NE Atlantic. Phylogenetic analyses using single-gene and multigene alignments including 185 new sequences confirmed the low molecular diversity and supported the distinction of a single clade in Sargassum section Sargassum of N Atlantic benthic species. In contrast, morphological analysis resulted in the identification of 10 species and three new morphospecies that we described here but opt not to equate to species until further molecular evidence is available. Our results were congruent with previous findings from the NW Atlantic and highlight the morphological and ecological diversity of Sargassum in the Atlantic. These results suggest a recent colonization and incipient speciation of Sargassum in the Atlantic basin and showcase the need of further high-throughput analyses.

Contrasting Supply Dynamics of Dissolved Iron and Nitrate Shape the Biogeography of Nutrient‐Limiting Conditions in the North Pacific

AbstractThe North Pacific is known with iron limitation for phytoplankton growth in the subarctic region and nitrogen limitation in the subtropical gyre. Although the growth rate of phytoplankton is determined by the concentration of limiting nutrient, the supply ratio of iron to nitrogen is suggested to be essential to this biogeographic pattern. However, the underlying dynamics determining the ratio remain largely unknown. We investigated mechanisms of dissolved iron (dFe) and nitrate (NO3−) transport to the euphotic zone of the North Pacific using an eddy‐resolvable biogeochemical model. We show that lateral advection and atmospheric deposition are dominant drivers for dFe transport, resulting in high Fe:N supply ratio in both subarctic and subtropical regions. Conversely, significant vertical supplies of NO3− through upwelling and diffusion processes markedly reduce the supply ratio in the subarctic region. These dynamics combined lead to high Fe:N supply ratio in the gyre and low ratio in the subarctic, ultimately driving high nitrogen fixation condition in the gyre and the iron‐limited phytoplankton growth condition in the subarctic region.

Antiprotozoal Natural Products from Endophytic Fungi Associated with Cacao and Coffee

Background: Collectively, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease cause approximately 8 million cases and more than 40,000 deaths annually, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. The current drugs used to treat these diseases have limitations and many undesirable side effects; hence, new drugs with better clinical profiles are needed. Fungal endophytes associated with plants are known to produce a wide array of bioactive secondary metabolites, including antiprotozoal compounds. In this study, we analyzed endophytic fungal isolates associated with Theobroma cacao and Coffea arabica crop plants, which yielded extracts with antitrypanosomatid activity. Methods: Crude extracts were subjected to bioassay-guided isolation by HPLC, followed by spectrometric and spectroscopic analyses via mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Results: Compounds 1–9 were isolated and displayed novel antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activities ranging from 0.92 to 32 μM. Tandem liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis of the organic extracts from different strains via the feature-based Global Natural Products Social (GNPS) molecular networking platform allowed us to dereplicate a series of metabolites (10–23) in the extracts. Molecular docking simulations of the active compounds, using the 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase protein from L. donovani (Ld3MST) and the cruzipain enzyme from T. cruzi as putative molecular targets, allowed us to suggest possible mechanisms for the action of these compounds. Conclusions: The isolation of these antiprotozoal compounds confirms that crop plants like coffee and cacao harbor populations of endophytes with biomedical potential that confer added value to these crops.

Global burden of soil-transmitted helminth infections, 1990–2021

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections can cause a significant disease burden. It is estimated that 1.5 billion people worldwide are infected with STHs, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to assess the distribution of the global burden and trend of STH infections from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe retrieved data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 on the age-standardized rates (ASRs) of prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of STH infections for all age groups in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. The ASRs of prevalence and DALYs by age, gender, and socio-demographic index (SDI) were calculated to quantify the spatial distribution and temporal trend. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between ASR and SDI.ResultsIn 2021, there were an estimated 642.72 million cases and 1.38 million DALYs caused by STH infections worldwide. The age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of STH infections was 8429.89 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 7697.23, 9362.18 ] per 100,000 population globally. The ASPR of STH infections varied across 21 geographic regions in 2021, being mainly prevalent in most African and Latin American locations. The prevalence was higher in the groups of 5–19 years, especially the group of 5–9 years with the ASPR of 16,263 (95% UI: 14,877.06, 18,003.49) and ASR of DALYs of 40.69 (95% UI: 25.98, 60.91) per 100,000. The ASPR of STH infections showed an obvious decreasing trend worldwide (estimated annual percent change = − 4.03, 95% confidence interval: − 4.13, − 3.93) with variations in different species infections during the study years. At the regional level, the ASR of STH infections prevalence (r = − 0.8807, P < 0.0001) and DALYs (r = − 0.9069, P < 0.0001) were negatively correlated with SDI .ConclusionsSTH infections remain a public health problem in 2021, particularly in regions such as the middle parts of Africa and Americas, and in the 5–19 age populations. The reduction in the rate of prevalence and the loss of DALYs are negatively correlated with the increase in SDI. Enhancing political commitment, providing accurate preventive chemotherapy, and advancing techniques for surveillance and mapping systems are essential to achieve the target of ending STH infections as a public health problem by 2030.Graphical

Divergent dynamics of coastal wetlands in the world’s major river deltas during 1990–2019

Coastal wetlands provide vital dynamic ecosystem services. They have become increasingly important after being linked to several sustainable developmental goals, resulting in a focus on their protection, management, and restoration. Therefore, there is an increasing need to detect and compare coastal wetland spatiotemporal dynamics in deltas at a global scale. In this study, we mapped and characterized coastal wetland spatiotemporal patterns for 1990–2019 in the world’s major river deltas using pixel frequency algorithms and Landsat-4/5 (TM), −7 (ETM + ), −8 (OLI), and Sentinel-2 (MSI) time-series imagery obtained from Google Earth Engine (GEE). Our map had a high overall accuracy (91.84 %) for 2019. Tidal flats were primarily distributed in North America (∼6.87 %) and Asia (∼5.91 %), whereas salt marshes were more commonly found in North America (∼45.39 %) and South America (∼10.61 %). Mangroves are more common in South America (∼11.86 %) and Asia (∼5.83 %), primarily because of the Amazon River Delta and tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, which host several large river deltas. South America had the largest coastal delta wetland area (798,569 km2), followed by Asia (640,251 km2), North America (581,977 km2), Africa (181,977 km2), Europe (140,759 km2), and Oceania (15,915 km2). There was a minor difference in the distribution of wetland vegetation and tidal flats in Asian coastal deltas, and the wetland vegetation area in Asia was greater than that in tidal flats on other continents. We found that the coastal wetland areas increased during 1990–2001, decreased during 2001–2012, and steadily increased during 2012–2019. Our study provides a baseline for monitoring the area, status, and health of the coastal wetlands in these river deltas.

Analysis of the composition of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) in spontaneous vegetation and crops associated with peanut in Argentina

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are a crop from tropical and subtropical regions. Argentina is a significant producer and exporter, with the province of Córdoba concentrating ca. 84% of the peanut-cultivated area in the country. Thrips pose a threat to the crop by causing direct damage through feeding and indirect damage as vectors of orthotospovirus. Despite the importance of these insects and the crop, little is known about the diversity of thrips in the vegetation surrounding peanut crops in Córdoba province. The aim of this study was to expand knowledge on thrips diversity in the plant environment around peanut crops in fields located in Río primero, Río Segundo and General Roca counties (Córdoba, Argentina). Sampling was conducted during the 2021-2022 growing season. The adult trips were collected from spontaneous plants and crops neighboring the peanut, and they were prepared and identified using special keys. In 14 plant species, specimens of Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom), Frankliniella gemina Bagnall, Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), Thrips tabaci (Lindeman), Frankliniella frumenti Moulton, Arorathrips mexicanus (Crawford), and individuals from the genera Heterothrips and Hoplandrothrips were collected. Frankliniella schultzei was the most frequent and abundant species. Spontaneous plants and soybean crops contained thrips species able to transmit orthotospovirus. This study reports for the first time the presence of F. schultzei in Gomphrena pulchella, as well as the first documentation of thrips diversity and their association with spontaneous vegetation in peanut fields in the province of Córdoba.

Biological Control of Aedes aegypti Larvae using Sea Shell Powder

Background: The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a primary vector for several arboviral diseases, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever, posing significant public health challenges, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Traditional chemical insecticides have been the mainstay for controlling Aedes aegypti populations, but their extensive use has led to the development of insecticide resistance, environmental pollution and adverse effects on non-target organisms. This study explores the potential of sea shell powder as a natural larvicide against Aedes aegypti larvae. Methods: Sea shell powder, derived from the calcified exoskeletons of marine mollusks, was tested for its larvicidal activity against fourth instar larvae of Ae. aegypti at concentrations ranging from 100 to 600 ppm. Result: The results demonstrated a concentration and time-dependent increase in larval mortality, with LC50 values of 407.01 ppm at 24 hours and 327.55 ppm at 48 hours. The findings suggest that sea shell powder could serve as an effective, environmentally sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides, offering advantages such as biodegradability, low cost and reduced risk of resistance development. This study supports the potential inclusion of sea shell powder in integrated mosquito management programs, particularly in areas with prevalent insecticide resistance.

Moringa olifera leave extracts yielded from irradiated and unirradiated seeds cause toxicity and induce dysregulation of enzymatic activities in fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith, 1797) [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is the most distractive polyphagous noctuid pest in tropical and subtropical regions. The current study was designed to examine the insecticidal activity of the water extract of Moringa olifiera leaves cultivated from unirradiated and 40 Gy irradiated seeds. Also, the effect of the extract on some digestive enzymes activities was assayed. The results indicated that the extract produced from 40 Gy irradiated seeds was more effective than those of unirradiated one. As well as, leaves extract produced from cultivated irradiated and unirradiated seeds decrease lipase protease and amylase activities of 3rd instar larvae of S. frugiperda and the highest decrease was in larvae fed on leaves produced from irradiated cultivated seeds. Therefore, the water extract of M. olifiera leaves cultivated from 40 Gy irradiated seeds might be seen as an environmentally beneficial pest management method.

Identification and Characterization of Bipolaris secalis and B. setariae Associated with Brown Stripe Disease on Saccharum officinarum in Yunnan, China.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is the most important sugar crop that belongs to the Poaceae family and is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Brown stripe disease is a common and serious foliar fungal disease of sugarcane and has become a serious threat to sugarcane production in China. Yunnan Province is the second-largest sugar base in China. From 2022 to 2023, brown stripe-like symptoms from different sugarcane variety were observed in Yunnan. Thirty-nine Bipolaris-like isolates were obtained from symptomatic leaves of different sugarcane varieties and characterized by means of morphological identification combined with multilocus phylogeny comprising internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and the translation elongation factor-1α (TEF-1α) gene sequence date. The analysis provided strong support for the delineation and identification of two Bipolaris species associated with sugarcane brown stripe, including Bipolaris secalis and B. setariae. Pathogenicity text in potted sugarcane plants confirmed that these two Bipolaris species can cause brown stripe of sugarcane, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. This study confirmed that B. secalis and B. setariae were the pathogens of brown stripe in Yunnan Province. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first to report B. secalis as causal agents of brown stripe of sugarcane. Collectively, this finding provides a basis for sugarcane brown stripe disease accurate diagnosis and would be helpful to the development of effective management strategies.