Search Results (43)

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial consumption (AMC) surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) constitute effective strategies to combat the increasing antimicrobial resistance rates worldwide. Post-Soviet countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) implemented various elements of AMC surveillance and AMS to different extents. The limited quantity and quality of data from post-Soviet countries make it difficult to assess health system performance; therefore, this region is a blind spot in global AMR monitoring. This systematic review assesses and characterises AMC surveillance and AMS implementation in post-Soviet countries. Methods: Evidence was compiled via a search in PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, CyberLeninka, and Scopus. The eligibility criteria included AMC surveillance- and AMS-related papers in human health within defined regions and timelines. Some literature from the official websites of international and national health organisations was included in the search. Results: As a result of the searches, screening, and critical appraisal, three peer-reviewed publications and 31 documents were selected for analysis. Eleven out of fifteen countries with updated national action plans for combating antimicrobial resistance have defined AMC surveillance and AMS as strategic objectives. All 15 examined countries submitted antimicrobial consumption data to international networks and reported the existence of approved laws and regulations on antibiotic sales. However, disparities exist in the complexity of monitoring systems and AMS implementation between high-income and low-income countries in the region. Conclusions: This review provides key insights into the existing AMC surveillance and AMS implementation in former Soviet countries. Although the approach of this review lacks quantitative comparability, it provides a comprehensive qualitative framework for national-level AMC surveillance and AMS system assessment. Full article

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a significant public health threat in Central Asia, where rising resistance to first-line anti-TB drugs challenges control efforts. As of 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 2.5% of new TB cases and 18% of previously treated cases are resistant to first-line TB drugs worldwide. Objectives: This integrative review synthesizes current evidence on MDR-TB in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with a focus on infection control, diagnostic advancements, and evolving treatment strategies. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Database, and ClinicalTrials.gov. A total of 29 articles from Central Asian countries met the inclusion criteria. Results: Four main themes were identified: “genetic variability and resistance patterns of MDR-TB strains”; “barriers to effective treatment”; “diagnostic tools”, and “infection control strategies”. Conclusions: This review underscores the importance of comprehensive, multifactorial approaches in addressing drug-resistant TB in the region. The implementation of early diagnosis and all-oral treatment regimens has improved adherence in recent studies. Full article

In an effort to enhance wheat’s resilience against rust diseases, our research explores the genetic underpinnings of resistance in a diverse collection of winter bread wheat accessions. Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina), yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici), and stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) are significant threats to global wheat production. By leveraging host genetic resistance, we can improve disease management strategies. Our study evaluated 55 wheat accessions, including germplasm from Kazakhstan, from Uzbekistan, from Russia, from Kyrgyzstan, France, and CIMMYT under field conditions in southern Kazakhstan from 2022 to 2024. The results showed a robust resistance profile: 49.1% of accessions exhibited high to moderate resistance to leaf rust, 12.7% to yellow rust, and 30.9% to stem rust. Notably, ten accessions demonstrated resistance to multiple rust species, while seven showed resistance to two rusts. Twenty accessions were selected for further seedling resistance and molecular analysis. Three accessions proved resistant to six isolates of P. triticina, two to four isolates of P. striiformis, and four to five isolates of P. graminis. Although no genotypes were found to be universally resistant to all rust species at the seedling stage, two accessions—Bezostaya 100 (Russia) and KIZ 90 (Kazakhstan)—displayed consistent resistance to leaf and stem rust in both seedling and field evaluations. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of key resistance genes, including Lr1, Lr3, Lr26, Lr34, Yr9, Yr18, Sr31, Sr57, and the 1AL.1RS translocation. This work provides valuable insights into the genetic landscape of wheat rust resistance and contributes to the development of new wheat cultivars that can withstand these diseases, enhancing global food security. Full article

The paper aims to analyze the effect of geopolitical uncertainties on growth in the countries of selected Turkic republics and neighboring states which are experiencing geopolitical uncertainty, especially regarding their position in the global economy. This study investigates how uncertainties quantified by geopolitical risk indices for the global economy (GE), the United States (US), and the Russian Federation (RS) influence the economic growth of the Turkic republics and neighboring states which implement open macroeconomic policies. This analysis employs panel data techniques that consider the interdependence between cross-sectional units. The selected countries included in the study are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan. The results show the existence of constricting effects on the economic growth performance of selected countries. Full article

The study is devoted to determining the factors affecting the volume of agricultural production, the ability to meet the food needs of populations, as well as the environmental efficiency of production, defined as the ratio of the number of kilocalories produced by the agricultural sector to the amount of greenhouse gasses it emits. Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) were chosen as an example. They are characterized by similar natural conditions (mainly dry, continental climate, and the dominant role of permanent grassland in agricultural land use), as well as a common economic history (as former republics of the USSR). As shown in this study, land productivity and environmental efficiency of production depend on natural factors, while the actual ability to meet each nation’s food needs depends on human activity, including primary measures taken to improve environmental efficiency within natural limits. Full article

The Tianshan Mountains are located in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent, spanning east to west across China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. As the primary water source for Central Asia’s arid regions, the Tianshan mountain system is pivotal for regional water security and is highly sensitive to the nuances of climate change. Utilizing ERA5 precipitation datasets alongside 24 atmospheric circulation indices, this study delves into the variances in Tianshan’s precipitation patterns and their correlation with large-scale atmospheric circulation within the timeframe of 1981 to 2020. We observe a seasonally driven dichotomy, with the mountains exhibiting increasing moisture during the spring, summer, and autumn months, contrasted by drier conditions in winter. There is a pronounced spatial variability; the western and northern reaches exhibit more pronounced increases in precipitation compared to their eastern and southern counterparts. Influences on Tianshan’s precipitation patterns are multifaceted, with significant factors including the North Pacific Pattern (NP), Trans-Niño Index (TNI), Tropical Northern Atlantic Index (TNA*), Extreme Eastern Tropical Pacific SST (Niño 1+2*), North Tropical Atlantic SST Index (NTA), Central Tropical Pacific SST (Niño 4*), Tripole Index for the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation [TPI(IPO)], and the Western Hemisphere Warm Pool (WHWP*). Notably, NP and TNI emerge as the predominant factors driving the upsurge in precipitation. The study further reveals a lagged response of precipitation to atmospheric circulatory patterns, underpinning complex correlations and resonance cycles of varying magnitudes. Our findings offer valuable insights for forecasting precipitation trends in mountainous terrains amidst the ongoing shifts in global climate conditions. Full article

Central Asia, located at the heart of Eurasia, is renowned for its varied climate and vertical vegetative distribution, which support diverse biomes and position it as a global biodiversity hotspot. Despite this ecological richness, Central Asia’s fungal diversity, particularly wood-inhabiting macrofungi, remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the diversity, ecological roles, and potential distribution of poroid Hymenochaetoid fungi in the region. By conducting field surveys, collecting basidiomes, and reviewing the literature and herbarium records from five Central Asian countries, we compiled a comprehensive checklist of these fungi. In total, 43 Hymenochaetoid species belonging to 18 genera were identified, with Inonotus, Phellinus, and Phylloporia being the most species-rich. Notably, Inonotus hispidus and Phellinus igniarius were found to be the most widespread species. These macrofungi play essential ecological roles as saprotrophs and pathogens of various identified host plant families, aiding in lignin degradation and exhibiting diverse enzymatic activities. For the first time, we modelled the potential distribution patterns of Hymenochaetoid fungi in Central Asia, revealing that their distribution is strongly influenced by host plant availability and temperature-related factors. The three most critical variables were host plant density, annual temperature range (Bio7), and mean temperature of the warmest quarter (Bio10). The distribution of suitable habitats is uneven, with highly suitable areas (4.52%) concentrated in the mountainous border regions between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These results underscore the significance of specific environmental conditions for the growth and survival of Hymenochaetoid fungi in this region. Our findings highlight the urgent need for continued mycological and host plant research and expanded conservation initiatives to document and preserve macrofungal and botanical biodiversity in this under-explored area. In light of climate change, the collected mycological and botanical data provide a valuable reference for promoting forest health management globally. Full article

Environmental challenges have intensified as a result of global warming and climate change, creating significant threats to environmental quality. The member nations of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) are especially impacted by these issues, primarily because of their reliance on fossil fuels, leading to elevated carbon emissions. This study examines the influence of natural resources, renewable energy, technological innovation, and globalization on environmental degradation in five OTS member countries—Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan—covering the years 1996 to 2020. The ecological footprint and CO₂ emissions are employed as the main indicators of environmental harm. Through the application of the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR), the findings reveal that natural resources significantly contribute to CO₂ emissions in the lower quantiles but show a lesser impact on the ecological footprint. Conversely, renewable energy consistently improves environmental quality across all quantiles, whereas technological innovation and globalization are both associated with increased environmental degradation. Additionally, the causality test reveals a bidirectional causality between renewable energy consumption and both CO₂ emissions and the ecological footprint (EF), as well as between technological innovation and EF. Moreover, a unidirectional causal relationship is observed from globalization to EF. Based on the findings, policy recommendations for OTS member states include promoting the adoption of renewable energy, fostering green technological innovations, and addressing the negative environmental effects of globalization. Such measures are vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. Full article

Central Asia (CA) is a young integrated region formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, with most of its infrastructure based on fossil fuels. The traditional energy and water infrastructure is facing huge inefficiency and technical losses. This study investigates the transition of the green, blue, and energy economies in Central Asia using a small-dimensional panel dataset on five countries, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, over the period 1995–2018. The authors analyze the impact of ecological footprint, water withdrawal, and energy consumption on gross domestic product. In applying the Panel Vector Error Correction Model, evidence was found supporting the long-running association between variables. Furthermore, the adjustment coefficients suggest that only GDP growth will adjust toward equilibrium. Overall, the findings suggest a more effective role of green transition compared to blue and energy transitions. Full article

Central Asia (CA) is located in the interior of the Eurasian continent and consists of five countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It contains the largest concentration of temperate deserts and mountains of CA biodiversity hotspots. However, regionwide floristic diversity is sorely lacking, and nationwide floristic diversity is seriously outdated in this region. Using the data collected by the Mapping Asia Plants (MAP) project, we describe and analyze the diverse floristic characteristics of plant diversity in CA at both the regional and national levels, including the dominant families and genera, endemic taxa, and floristic similarity. The results allow the compilation of a new checklist of vascular plants in CA, including 9643 taxa (1198 genera within 139 families) and 3409 endemic taxa (414 genera in 66 families). We confirm that there are 5695, 4036, 4542, 3005, and 4222 species of vascular plants within the CA countries, of which 532, 326, 505, 175, and 301 species are endemic taxa in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, respectively. The region’s biodiversity is notable for its high degree of endemism—up to 35.35%—which contributes to the floristic uniqueness and the irreplaceability of CA. Tajikistan, encompassing the most dominant area of the CA mountains, has the highest species density (3.19/100 km²) and endemism (11.12%) among the five countries. Neighboring countries such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan share more species in common, while Turkmenistan has less species overlap with the other four countries. Trends in endemic and total taxa are consistent. This comprehensive inventory is novel, revealing CA’s plant diversity in two dimensions and providing a solid foundation for subsequent research that will be beneficial to the transboundary conservation and sustainable use of plant resources in CA. Full article

Remittances are a crucial part of economic expansion, especially in Central Asia. Nevertheless, it is not possible to ignore its environmental damage. This paper is a pioneer in investigating the association among CO₂ emissions, remittances, energy consumption and economic development in Central Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) spanning the period of 1995–2022. As a methodology, the FMOLS estimator is applied to check linear impact and long-run association as well. Panel threshold regression model and 2SLS method are applied to examine potential non-linear relations among the studied variables. Hausman–Taylor and Amacurdy estimators are employed to control the endogeneity issue among the variables of interest. The results suggest the existence of a long-run relationship among the studied variables. Precisely, applying the FMOLS method, remittances negatively impact CO₂ emissions in the long run. The relationship between CO₂ emissions and remittances is distorted when the endogeneity issue is considered with the Panel threshold regression model, 2SLS method, and Hausman–Taylor and Amacurdy estimators. This distortion validates the linear impact of remittances on CO₂ emissions in CA. The Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality test shows that all independent variables have a causal effect on the dependent variable, validating the effect of the studied variables. Consequently, decision-makers should facilitate remittances towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions to prevent the detrimental effects of remittance inflows on carbon emissions in Central Asia. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the length-weight relationship, condition factors, and age of Schizothorax eurystomus in the Shakhimardan River basin in Central Asia, along with a comparative perspective to other Schizothorax species in the region. The study found that S. eurystomus exhibits positive allometric growth, which is consistent with similar patterns observed in this species from the Syr Darya River basin. The two analyzed condition factors showed mean values within the normal range, indicating good feeding and environmental conditions. However, significant disparities between minimum and maximum values of these factors indicated varied growth conditions which may be influenced by anthropogenic factors. Age estimation using opercular bones showed variations in the total length among fish of the same age, and a clear age distribution pattern across different sites. Younger fish predominantly inhabited the shallower, warmer, and lower sections of the river, which is impacted by agricultural water diversion, while older specimens were found in areas with higher discharge and deeper pools. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the life history traits of S. eurystomus, underlining the need for sustainable fishery management and conservation strategies in the Shakhimardan River basin. The findings also emphasize the importance of considering habitat quality and anthropogenic pressures regarding understanding both fish population dynamics and growth patterns. Full article

The five independent countries of Central Asia, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, contain one of the richest areas in the world for the specific and intraspecific diversity of temperate fruit and nut tree species. Research was carried out via the collaboration of national research and education institutes with local community-based agencies and farmer communities. Raw data (2014 observations) for almond, apple, apricot, cherry plum, currant, grapevine, pear, pomegranate, and walnut were collected at the household (HH) level across the five countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. A set of models was used, including household variety richness as the dependent variable, to understand the influence of socio-ecological variables on the amount and distribution of crop varietal diversity in the farmers’ production systems. Four variables were included as explanatory variables of variety richness (fixed factors): ecoregion, ethno-linguistic group, management, and abiotic stress. The results show clear evidence that abiotic stress determines a higher richness of intra-specific diversity in the form of local varieties grown by farmers living in climatically unfavorable areas. The results for the studied ecoregions follow the same trend, with ecoregions with harsher conditions displaying a higher positive correlation with diversity. Mild environments such as the Central Asian riparian woodlands show an unexpectedly lower diversity than other harsher ecoregions. Ethno-linguistic groups also have an effect on the level of varietal diversity used, related to both historic nomadic practices and a culture of harvesting wild fruit and nuts in mountainous areas. The home garden management system hosts a higher diversity compared to larger production systems such as orchards. In Central Asia, encouraging the cultivation of local varieties of fruit and nut trees provides a key productive and resilient livelihood strategy for farmers living under the harsh environmental conditions of the region while providing a unique opportunity to conserve a genetic heritage of global importance. Full article

In today’s intrinsically connected world, the Water–Food–Energy–Climate Nexus (WFEC Nexus) concept provides a starting point for informed and transparent decision-making based on the trade-offs and synergies between different sectors, including aquatic ecosystems, food security, energy production, and climate neutrality. The WFEC Nexus approach is particularly applicable in regions requiring transboundary water management, such as Central Asia. Unfortunately, this region with unevenly distributed water resources—consisting of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—is characterized by data scarcity, which limits informed decision-making. However, open-source geodata is becoming increasingly available. This paper aims to fill Central Asia’s WFEC Nexus data gap by providing an overview of key data. We collected geodata through an integrated survey of stakeholders and researchers, stakeholder consultation, and literature screening. Sixty unique datasets were identified, belonging to one of six thematic categories: (1) climate, (2) hydrology, (3) geography and topography, (4) geomorphology, (5) ecology, and (6) anthropogenic uses. For each dataset, a succinct description, including a link to the online source, is provided. We also provide possible applications of using the presented datasets, demonstrating how they can assist in conducting various studies linked to the WFEC Nexus in Central Asia and worldwide. Full article

Juniperus seravschanica Kom. is a species that grows widely in the mountain ranges from Central Asia to Oman. It is an important tree for the formation of shrub–forest massifs in mountainous areas and for draining and fixing soils from middle to high altitudes. A comprehensive study of the species’ genetic diversity and population structure is a basic approach to understanding the current status of J. seravschanica resources for the development of future conservation strategies. Samples from 15 populations of J. seravschanica were collected from the mountain ranges of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The genetic diversity and population structure of 15 Central Asian populations of J. seravschanica were assessed using 11 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Genetic diversity parameters, including the number of alleles (na), the effective number of alleles (ne), Shannon’s information index (I), the percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL), Nei’s genetic diversity index (Nei), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), etc., were evaluated. The analysis of 15 J. seravschanica populations based on 11 polymorphic SSRs detected 35 alleles. The average PIC value was 0.432, and the highest value (0.662) was found in the JT_40 marker. Nei’s genetic diversity index for the J. seravschanica populations was 0.450, ranging from 0.407 (population 14) to 0.566 (population 4). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 90.3% of total genetic variation is distributed within the population. Using the alleles of all the populations, the gene flow (Nm) was found to be 4.654. Population structure analysis revealed poor clustering in the studied populations and confirmed our AMOVA results. The output of this work can be efficiently used for the maintenance of the species across the Central Asian region. Full article