Eurasia Research Articles

Key Risk-Factors Contributing to Cardiovascular Disease: Lifestyle Modifications to Improve Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular disease is a preventable public health issue. The aim of this review is to identify modifiable risk-factors for cardiovascular disease and recommend lifestyle modification to prevent cardiovascular disease. PubMed, ScienceDirect, SAGE, Google Scholar, World Health Organisation websites, as well as public and community health textbooks, were hand searched and academic resources which are relevant for this review were selected for inclusion. Cardiovascular disease is leading cause of deaths in all continents of the world. While deaths from cardiovascular disease is increasing in Africa and Asia, it is decreasing in Australia and fluctuating in the USA. Premature deaths from cardiovascular disease are preeminent across middle income countries in Europe compared with high income countries. Cardiovascular disease is higher in rural areas of South America compared with urban areas. Trends in lifestyle patterns, including physical inactivity, smoking behaviour, and diets contribute to cardiovascular disease-prone conditions. Prevention includes health promotion activities that facilitate healthy living across life course and limit the initial onset of cardiovascular disease. Investment in prevention is the critical sustainable solution for the cardiovascular disease epidemic. Adopting WHO existing policies within individual countries in Africa, Asia, and middle-income countries in Europe, and ensuring robust implementation of such policies across life course and from different layers of sectors such as education and workplaces would have wider impacts in reducing risk and cardiovascular disease burden in the respective continents. Government of countries with worsening cardiovascular events should also increase health financing and focus on strengthening primary health care services for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Combined Impacts of Autumn Snow Cover on the Tibetan Plateau and Northeast Asia on the Winter Eurasian Temperature

ABSTRACTThis study explores the combined effects of autumn snow cover anomalies on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and Northeast Asia (NEA) on winter Eurasian temperature using observational data for the period 1972–2021 and a linear baroclinic model (LBM). Distinctive wintertime temperature patterns are found across the Eurasian continent corresponding to increased autumn snow cover in NEA when TP experiences normal, above‐normal, or below‐normal snow cover condition. In the scenario with an anomalous increase in autumn snow cover in NEA in combination with normal snow cover condition in TP, the overall winter temperature anomalies tend to be generally weak across the Eurasian continent. In years when autumn TP snow cover is above normal, the spatial distribution of winter temperature anomalies over the Eurasian continent associated with more NEA snow cover exhibits a ‘cold Arctic‐warm Eurasia’ (CAWE) pattern. The emergence of this CAWE pattern can be attributed to the low‐pressure system induced by the intensified NEA snow cover, which is further reinforced by the atmospheric wave train generated by negative North Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in winter. This low‐pressure system amplifies the polar vortex and causes cooling in polar regions. Simultaneously, southeasterly winds along the southwestern flank of the North Pacific high‐pressure system contribute to warming in the mid‐latitude regions of Eurasia. While in years when autumn snow cover in TP is less than normal, more snow cover over NEA is accompanied by a ‘warm Arctic‐cold Eurasia’ (WACE) temperature anomaly pattern prevalent during the winter season. The decrease in autumn Barents‐Kara Sea ice is accompanied by a circulation pattern akin to the negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation during winter, favouring the southward intrusion of cold air, thus contributing to this WACE temperature anomaly pattern. Further analysis reveals that the impact of snow cover on the WACE temperature pattern is, for the most part, independent of the Arctic sea ice.

Satellite Reveals a Coupling between Forest Displacement and Landscape Fragmentation across the Economic Corridor of the Eurasia Continent

Jointly building the Economic Corridor of the Eurasia Continent (ECEC), which is one of the most important parts of the Silk Road Economic Belt, is a pivotal initiative for fostering regional development. Forests, which serve as a green foundation of economic resilience, underpin this effort. However, there is an imbalance in ecological status due to differences in natural resources and the social economy along the economic corridor. This imbalance has led to alterations in landscapes, yet the specific changes and their underlying relationships are still much less understood. Here, we quantitatively detected changes in the forest landscape and its ecological efforts over the ECEC via widespread, satellite-based and long-term land cover maps released by the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI). Specifically, the coupling between changes in forest coverage and landscape patterns, e.g., diversity, was further examined. The results revealed that forest coverage fluctuated and declined over the ECEC from 1992 to 2018, with an overall reduction of approximately 9784.8 km2 (i.e., 0.25%). Conversions between forests and other land cover types were widely observed. The main displacements occurred between forests and grasslands/croplands (approximately 48%/21%). Moreover, the landscape diversity in the study area increased, as measured by the effective diversity index (EDI), during the study period, despite obvious spatial heterogeneity. Notably, this pattern of landscape diversity was strongly associated with forest displacement and local urban development through coupling analysis, consequently indicating increasing fragmentation rather than biological diversity. This study highlights the coupled relationship between quantitative and qualitative changes in landscapes, facilitating our understanding of environmental protection and policy management.

The Structure of the Late Bronze Age Population of Western Siberia: Craniometric Evidence

To assess the sources of population differentiation in Late Bronze Age Western Siberia, measurements of 68 cranial samples of this and earlier periods were processed with multivariate statistical methods. Results support the idea of at least two post-Afanasyevo migrations to Siberia from the west—pre-Andronovo and Andronovo. The former was represented by Chaa-Khol, Yelunino, and Samus people. Those associated with Karakol culture partly resemble the above and partly both autochthonous populations—that of Baraba (“Northern Eurasian formation”) and that of Okunev culture (“Southern Eurasian formation”), which appear to be two extremes of a single continuum. Differences between the two Andronovo traditions, Fedorovka and Alakul, are likely due to the local substratum in the former rather than to various origins. The Karasuk group arose through admixture between Okunev and Andronovo. People associated with the classic Karasuk culture are closer to the former, while those of the Kamenny Log stage tend toward the latter. People of the Upper Irtysh and the Mongun-Taiga people from Baidag III resemble those of Karasuk. Two pooled groups, Irmen and Mongun-Taiga, and the Pakhomovskaya sample indicate a possible admixture between both autochthonous formations, Northern and Southern, as well as Andronovo and Karasuk. Among the so-called Andronoid groups, only Yelovka and Pakhomovskaya, as well as a sample from Yelovka I, suggest admixture between Andronovans and Western Siberian natives, while Cherkaskul and Korchazhka, like the Late Krotovo groups from Sopka and Cherno-Ozerye and the Begazy-Dandybai group of Baraba, deviate from the Northern Eurasian formation toward Okunev rather than Andronovo. Among the two Eurasian formations, the Southern one (i.e., Okunev) was more affected by admixture between the autochthones and the immigrants.

Did Panthera gombaszogensis reach the Sunda shelf?

ABSTRACT The history of Panthera throughout Asia is dependent on a very scant fossil record. Dominating Asia in the Holocene, Pleistocene Panthera fossils have often been attributed to Panthera tigris. However, newer finds suggest that there was more than just P. tigris in Pleistocene Asia. Rather, species previously thought to be only from western Eurasia have been uncovered in South and East Asia, including Panthera spelaea and Panthera gombaszogensis. Therefore, re-evaluation of the fossil Panthera from Pleistocene Sunda is indicated. A partial mandible from Kedung Brubus (MIS 20–15) shows characteristics distinct from both contemporary Pleistocene P. tigris and Holocene Sunda populations. Rather, this specimen shows strong affinities with the Eurasian P. gombaszogensis. The Kedung Brubus mandible therefore provides the first evidence for the presence of P. gombaszogensis in Middle Pleistocene Sunda, becoming extinct some time after the arrival of P. tigris.

The structure of the gene pool of the southern tribal groups of tuvans

Introduction. The Y-gene pool of the southern Tuvan tribal groups – Soyan and Choodu – was first studied and their comparative analysis with representatives of Kyrgys (south-east of Tuva) and Oorzhak (west of Tuva) tribal groups was carried out. Purpose of the study: to determine the genetic status of the Soyan and Choodu tribal groups within the genetic landscape of the population of Southern Siberia. Materials and methods. The sample (total N=150) included samples from representatives of Oorzhak (N=42), Soyan (N=29), Kyrgys (N=46) and Choodu (N=33) tribal groups. The genotyping panel included 60 SNP-markers of Y-chromosome, characteristic of the populations of Northern Eurasia. Results. In the gene pools of studied tribal groups, 27 branches of 7 large haplogroups (C2, J2, N1, O, R1a, R1b) of Y-chromosome were identified. The main part of Choodu, Oorzhak, Soyan gene pools is represented by “North Eurasian” haplogroups (N1, Q) and Kyrgys gene pool is dominated by “East Eurasian” haplogroups C2 and O. The “West-Eurasian” haplogroups, mainly represented by subhaplogroup R1a1a-Z93, account for less than a quarter of the gene pool of all four studied groups, without revealing a clear geographical trend. In the genetic space of the population of Southern Siberia the Soyan, Choodu and Kyrgys, together with other of Tuvan tribal groups, formed the Tuvan-Tofalar claster. Tuvan-Tofalar, Altai and Khakass clusters indicate three sources of gene pool of the indigenous population of Southern Siberia. Maps of genetic distances showed greater similarity of the Soyan and Choodu with the rest of Tuvan tribal groups than with other populations of Southern Siberia. But the map of genetic distances from Kyrgyz reveals a different pattern: areal of genetically similar populations is more extensive, covering southern and southeastern Tuva, Mongolia and western Buryatia. Conclusion. The prevalence of “North-Eurasian” haplogroups in the gene pools of the studied Tuvan tribal groups and data of historians, ethnographers, linguists and geneticists suggest that their gene pool was formed at the Samoyed-Ket layer (VI-III centuries BC), and the accumulation of Central Asian component in the gene pool of Kyrgys occurred at a later stage of Kyrgys gene pool formation, presumably from the XII-XVIII centuries. Analysis of the gene pool of Tuvans through their tribal groups structure makes a significant contribution to the reconstruction of the ethnogenesis of Tuvan tribal groups, along with the data of anthropologists, historians, ethnographers and linguists.

Variability of UCP1 and UCP3 uncoupling protein genes in relation to climate in indigenous populations of Siberia and the Far East

Introduction. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between variations in genes regulating human uncoupling proteins (UCP) and environmental factors. However, information on the intra- and interpopulation diversity of allele and genotype frequencies of UCP1 and UCP3 within the territory of Russia remains insufficient. This study aims to investigate the intra- and inter-ethnic variability of genetic determinants of activity of uncoupling proteins UCP1 and UCP3, and to evaluate genotype-environment associations in the populations residing in the northeastern region of Russia. Materials and methods. Genotyping was conducted on a total of 1,698 biological specimens collected from individuals representing 22 population groups of European Russia, Siberia, and the Russian Far East. Geographical and climatic data spanning from 1940 to 2023 were gathered for each sample collection locality. Results and discussion. The spatial distribution of genetic determinants affecting the activity of UCP1 and UCP3 uncoupling proteins demonstrates a correlation with the severity of natural conditions. Three regression models of allele frequencies were constructed using climatic characteristics as predictors. All models are statistically significant (p<0.05 in all cases) and explain 39%, 36%, and 64% of the variability in UCP1 (rs6536991, rs1800592) and UCP3 (rs1800849) allele frequencies, respectively. These correlations revealed by the models confirm the adaptability of UCP genes in the indigenous population groups of Northern Eurasia. Conclusion. The results of this study are consistent with the assumptions reported in scientific literature and significantly enhance existing knowledge. We observed correlations between allele and genotype frequencies of UCP1 (rs6536991, rs1800592) and UCP3 (rs1800849) genes and geographic latitude, elevation above sea level, as well as climatic indicators such as annual average rainfall, range of surface air temperatures, and the Bodman “weather severity” index. Further investigation involving a larger number of ethnic and territorial groups is necessary to better understand the factors influencing UCP gene variability formation.

The Population History of Domestic Sheep Revealed by Paleogenomes.

Sheep was one of the first domesticated animals in Neolithic West Eurasia. The zooarchaeological record suggests that domestication first took place in Southwest Asia, although much remains unresolved about the precise location(s) and timing(s) of earliest domestication, or the post-domestication history of sheep. Here, we present 24 new partial sheep paleogenomes, including a 13,000-year-old Epipaleolithic Central Anatolian wild sheep, as well as 14 domestic sheep from Neolithic Anatolia, two from Neolithic Iran, two from Neolithic Iberia, three from Neolithic France, and one each from Late Neolithic/Bronze Age Baltic and South Russia, in addition to five present-day Central Anatolian Mouflons and two present-day Cyprian Mouflons. We find that Neolithic European, as well as domestic sheep breeds, are genetically closer to the Anatolian Epipaleolithic sheep and the present-day Anatolian and Cyprian Mouflon than to the Iranian Mouflon. This supports a Central Anatolian source for domestication, presenting strong evidence for a domestication event in SW Asia outside the Fertile Crescent, although we cannot rule out multiple domestication events also within the Neolithic Fertile Crescent. We further find evidence for multiple admixture and replacement events, including one that parallels the Pontic Steppe-related ancestry expansion in Europe, as well as a post-Bronze Age event that appears to have further spread Asia-related alleles across global sheep breeds. Our findings mark the dynamism of past domestic sheep populations in their potential for dispersal and admixture, sometimes being paralleled by their shepherds and in other cases not.

Relationships Between the Wintertime Atmospheric Blocking and Cold Surges Over Eurasia Revealed by Clustering

AbstractA unified clustering framework based on pattern correlation is used to identify eight blocking regimes over Eurasia and surrounding oceans during the winter months (December–March) of 1948–2021. The regimes are labeled based on their centers of action, which are located over the West Atlantic, Greenland, the East Atlantic, Scandinavia, the Ural Mountains and Siberia, the Okhotsk Sea, the Bering Strait, and the North Pacific. It should be noted that the classification is almost insensitive to the time period but mainly depends on the percentage of different blocking events. The spatial distributions of cold surges differ substantially among these eight regimes. Due mainly to the cold advection downstream of the centers of blocking activities, cold surges can be observed over parts of the Eurasian continent. Possible relationships between the eight blocking regimes and large‐scale modes of climate variability, including the Arctic Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation, and the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, are explored. Not only contemporary connections but also the predictive value of large‐scale modes is discussed.

A subgeneric classification of Fagus (Fagaceae) and revised taxonomy of western Eurasian beeches

A subgeneric classification of Fagus (Fagaceae) and revised taxonomy of western Eurasian beeches

EquCab_Finn: A new reference genome assembly for the domestic horse, Finnhorse.

Finnhorse is Finland's native and national horse breed and it has genetic affinities to northern European and Asian horses. It has historical importance for agriculture, forest work and transport and as a war horse. Finnhorse has four breeding sections in the studbook and is under conservation and characterisation efforts. We sequenced and annotated the genome of a Finnhorse mare from the working horse section using PacBio and Omni-C data. This genome can complement the existing Thoroughbred reference genome (EquCab 3.0) and facilitate genetic studies of horses from northern Eurasia. We assembled 2.4 Gb of the genome with an N50 scaffold length of 83.8 Mb and the genome annotation resulted in a total of 19 748 protein coding genes of which 1200 were Finnhorse specific. The assembly has high quality and synteny with the current horse reference genome. We manually curated five genes of interest and deposited the final assembly in the European Nucleotide Archive under the accession no. PRJEB71364.

Traces of Bronze Age globalization in East Asia: Insights from a revised phylogeography of the Y-chromosome haplogroup Q1a1a-M120.

In this study, we aim to explore the genetic imprint of Bronze Age globalization in East Asia from a phylogeographic perspective by examining the Y-chromosome haplogroup Q1a1a-M120, and to identify key demographic processes involved in the formation of early China and the ancient Huaxia people. Over the past few decades, we have collected the sequences of 347 Y chromosomes from the haplogroup Q1a1a-M120. These sequences were utilized to analyze and reconstruct a highly revised phylogenetic tree with age estimates. And we analyzed the geographical distribution and spatial autocorrelation of nine major sub-branches of Q1a1a-M120. Finally, we observed the expansion of Q1a1a-M120 from the beginning of the Bronze Age in East Asia, along with the continuous dissemination of its sub-lineages among East Asian populations. We suggest that certain sub-lineages played a significant role in the formation of states and early civilizations in China, as well as in the development of the ancient Huaxia people, who are the direct ancestors of the Han population. Overall, we propose that haplogroup Q-M120 played a role in the introduction of Bronze Age culture to the central region of East Asia. Therefore, it is haplogroup Q-M120, rather than the Western Eurasian paternal lineage, that expanded and contributed to the gene pool of the East Asian population. In summary, the globalization of the Bronze Age led to large-scale population replacement and admixture across various regions of Eurasia; our findings highlight the unique demographic processes that occurred in East Asia during this period.

Tinea capitis, caused by Microsporum canis (felineum) : literature review and clinical cases

According to statistics, tinea capitis remains the main mycological problem in childhood. The spectrum of causative agents of tinea capitis varies depending on the continent. In epidemiological terms, the pathogenic fungus Microsporum canis (felineum)absolutely predominates on the Eurasian continent. A significant problem in the diagnosis and, in particular, in the treatment of microsporia are cases of the disease in very young children: we estimate this most problematic age from 1 to 18 months. Microsporia in children under the age of 1 year is the most relevant in pediatric clinical mycology due to the limited arsenal of topical and systemic medications approved at this age. The clinical case presented in this article demonstrates an example of successful treatment of scalp microsporia in a 7-month-old child who had contraindications to systemic therapy. It should be noted that the duration of treatment in this case was almost 4 months, while the most effective therapy regimens, including systemic drugs, lead to the elimination of pathogenic fungus from the foci on the scalp within 30–45 days.

Tracing horseback riding and transport in the human skeleton.

Among the most widely used methods for understanding human-horse relationships in the archaeological record is the identification of human skeletal pathologies associated with mounted horseback riding. In particular, archaeologists encountering specific bony changes to the hip, femur, and lower back often assert a causal link between these features and prolonged periods of mounted horseback riding. The identification of these features have recently been used to assert the early practice of mounted horseback riding among the Yamnaya culture of western Eurasia during the third and fourth millennium BCE. Here, we summarize the methodological hurdles and analytical risks of using this approach in the absence of valid comparative datasets and outline best practices for using human osteological data in the study of ancient animal transport.

Extensive transcriptome data providing great efficacy in genetic research and adaptive gene discovery: a case study of Elymus sibiricus L. (Poaceae, Triticeae).

Genetic markers play a central role in understanding genetic diversity, speciation, evolutionary processes, and how species respond to environmental stresses. However, conventional molecular markers are less effective when studying polyploid species with large genomes. In this study, we compared gene expression levels in 101 accessions of Elymus sibiricus, a widely distributed allotetraploid forage species across the Eurasian continent. A total of 20,273 high quality transcriptomic SNPs were identified. In addition, 72,344 evolutionary information loci of these accessions of E. sibiricus were identified using genome skimming data in conjunction with the assembled composite genome. The population structure results suggest that transcriptome SNPs were more effective than SNPs derived from genome skimming data in revealing the population structure of E. sibiricus from different locations, and also outperformed gene expression levels. Compared with transcriptome SNPs, the investigation of population-specifically-expressed genes (PSEGs) using expression levels revealed a larger number of locally adapted genes mainly involved in the ion response process in the Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, and Xizang geographical groups. Furthermore, we performed the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and successfully identified potential regulators of PSEGs. Therefore, for species lacking genomic information, the use of transcriptome SNPs is an efficient approach to perform population structure analysis. In addition, analyzing genes under selection through nucleotide diversity and genetic differentiation index analysis based on transcriptome SNPs, and exploring PSEG through expression levels is an effective method for analyzing locally adaptive genes.

Impact of Cloud Vertical Overlap on Cloud Radiative Effect in the Korean Integrated Model (KIM) Seasonal Simulations during Boreal Summer and Winter

AbstractExponential-random vertical overlap of clouds is applied for radiative processes in a research version of the Korean Integrated Model (KIM) to replace the maximum-random vertical overlap of clouds. The cloud radiative effect (CRE) increases overall when the exponential-random overlap is used. This is because vertically continuous clouds, which are assumed to overlap maximally under the maximum-random overlap assumption, can be relaxed to random overlap depending on the vertical distance between cloud layers and the specified decorrelation length of clouds. CRE is more enhanced by considering the latitudinal dependency of cloud decorrelation length based on previous observational studies. This alleviates biases in CRE, which is underestimated overall, except in the low latitudes where the CRE is overestimated in the present simulations. The interaction between radiative and convective processes plays a role in decreasing CRE over the tropical western Pacific region, where strong convections develop, although the direct impact of applying the exponential-random overlap is to decrease the vertical overlap between ice clouds. The simulation of temperature in the lower troposphere is improved owing to the changes in cloud overlap. The warm bias over the Eurasian continent, in particular, is alleviated as more shortwave fluxes are reflected due to increased CRE.

Object Marking in Western Eurasia

Object Marking in Western Eurasia

Spatio-temporal variation mechanisms of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in precipitation in eurasian continent under climate change

Spatio-temporal variation mechanisms of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in precipitation in eurasian continent under climate change

Discovery of the fossil true bug species Urochela (Urochela) cf. melaina Zhang, 1989 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Urostylididae) from Japan, suggesting a wide distribution of the U. (U.) quadrinotata (Reuter, 1881) species group in East Asia in the past

The Early Miocene lacustrine deposit (24.1 ± 2.4 Ma) of Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, has preserved the fossil fauna of the time when the Palaearctic realm of Japan was a part of the Eurasian Continent. In this study, we report a fossil specimen of the family Urostylididae Dallas, 1851 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Pentatomoidea) from this deposit as Urochela (Urochela) cf. melaina Zhang, 1989 (Urostylidini), which belongs to the U. (U.) quadrinotata species group. This discovery suggests that the U. (U.) quadrinotata species group, which is monophyletic in the molecular phylogenetic analyses of the previous study, originated before the Early Miocene and that this species group was widely distributed in East Asia in the past.

Institutional Bases for The Formation of the Subject of Aviation Infrastructure Management in the System of Ensuring the Sustainability of the Northern Sea Route

The development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) infrastructure is one of the priority areas of managerial thought in the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Commercial use of high-latitude caravan routes in the waters of the NSR should significantly change the situation with the organization of logistical maritime flows around the Eurasian continent. Ensuring uninterrupted traffic along with fulfilment of the conditions of urgency of delivery and cargo safety form the category of stability of the NSR functioning. Its northern part runs exclusively in domestic seas, and ensuring regular vessel traffic is Russia’s priority task in the competition for transporting cargo from east to west (and back) by sea. The movement of ships along the NSR falls directly under the authority of the management of Rosatom State Corporation, while the management of the infrastructure that ensures the continuous movement of transport along the NSR is carried out collegially. At the same time, such an important aspect as the management of the infrastructure complex supporting the movement of container ships with transit cargo has been assigned to three components of a single management entity: the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic, and Rosatom Corporation, without clearly defining the boundaries of responsibility for interdepartmental management decisions. To date, this approach has already caused a series of organizational and technical difficulties. The aim of the study is to identify the rational organization of the infrastructure of the management subject, allowing to ensure the sustainability of the movement of passenger and cargo ships throughout the water area of the NSR; it is based on such scientific methods as induction, systematization, grouping Key results of the work may be in demand both in the course of scientific research in the field of infrastructure development in the regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, and in the framework of improving the existing management system of aviation infrastructure of these territories.