Search Results (2,392)

Excessive fluoride intake from drinking water remains a public health concern in geogenic high-fluoride regions, yet direct evidence linking environmental fluoride levels to internal exposure in remote high-altitude areas is limited. This study integrated environmental monitoring with human biomonitoring to assess fluoride exposure and health risks in the Taruo Lake region of the Tibetan Plateau. Surface water (n = 45 for Taruo Lake; n = 8 for its tributaries) and groundwater samples (n = 4) were collected and analyzed for fluoride concentrations, and blood ionic fluoride (BIF) levels were measured in 122 local residents (47 adults, 75 children). The results showed that fluoride concentrations in most surface water tributaries of Taruo Lake and groundwater sources were below China’s drinking water standard, whereas those in Taruo Lake exceeded this limit (routine monitoring mean 2.54 mg/L; multi-site mean 2.79 mg/L). BIF levels were significantly higher in adults (0.126 ± 0.041 mg/L) than in children (0.075 ± 0.032 mg/L) and showed a positive correlation with age (r = 0.533, p < 0.001). Notably, 23.4% of adults and 1.3% of children exceeded 0.15 mg/L, an empirical threshold typical for healthy populations in non-endemic areas. Based on the hazard quotient (HQ) model recommended by the US EPA, most drinking water sources posed acceptable non-carcinogenic risks (HQ < 1). In contrast, Taruo Lake water presented an elevated risk (HQ > 1) in 2024 primarily due to the regional geological background, and although not used for daily drinking, this finding offers an indicative reference for local water management and risk prevention. This preliminary monitoring and biomonitoring assessment provides baseline data for future studies and underscores the necessity of continuous surveillance and evaluation of total dietary fluoride intake to protect the health of this vulnerable high-altitude population. Full article

Dengue Virus (DENV) circulates as four antigenically distinct serotypes whose dominance fluctuates over time in many endemic regions, a phenomenon known as serotype shift that is frequently associated with large outbreaks and increased disease severity. This review, through a synthesis of epidemiological, virological, immunological, entomological, and environmental evidence, observes that serotype shift likely arises from the interaction of multiple determinants rather than solely from viral evolution, with population immunity playing a central role. The accumulation of serotype-specific herd immunity, together with short-lived cross-protection and Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE), reshapes population susceptibility and creates ecological space for heterologous serotypes with higher transmission potential. The synthesis of global dengue studies indicates that these immune dynamics interact with viral genetic diversity, vector competence, climate variability, and human factors such as demography, socioeconomic status, population density and mobility to drive cyclical and sometimes abrupt changes in serotype dominance. Notably, the review indicates that serotype changes often precede or coincide with more clinical severity and patterns of outbreaks, with direct implications for the process of forecasting outbreaks, vaccine performance, and preparedness to respond with appropriate health measures. On the whole, this review confirms the opinion that the change of dengue serotype occurrence becomes a consequence of interconnected biological and ecological processes involved in the transmission of dengue serotype shifts in hyperendemic areas. Full article

Zingiberaceae is an ecologically, economically, and culturally important plant family in tropical Asia, yet its diversity and ethnobotanical significance remain insufficiently documented in several parts of Thailand. This study investigated the diversity, traditional uses, preliminary regional conservation status, and selected taxonomic aspects of Zingiberaceae in Lop Buri Province, central Thailand. Field surveys, herbarium studies, morphological comparisons, informal ethnobotanical interviews, quantitative use analyses, and preliminary conservation assessments were conducted from 2024 to 2025. A total of 110 taxa, comprising 109 species and one putative natural hybrid, were recorded in 13 genera and three tribes. These included wild, cultivated, introduced, and locally utilized taxa documented from natural habitats, home gardens, agricultural areas, and other human-associated habitats. Among them, 43 taxa were recorded from natural habitats as wild or naturally occurring populations, whereas 95 taxa were newly documented for Lop Buri Province. Natural habitats, particularly limestone areas, mixed deciduous forests, and dry evergreen forests, supported important native and endemic taxa. Ethnobotanical data from 110 informants documented 5113 use reports for 106 taxa, covering food, spice, medicinal, ornamental, ritual and belief-based, cosmetic, and commercial uses. Curcuma and Alpinia turned out to be the most frequently utilized genera. A putative natural hybrid, Curcuma × lopburiensis, is also described. These findings highlight Lop Buri Province as a hot spot for Zingiberaceae diversity and an important area for traditional plant knowledge and conservation in central Thailand. Full article

Dengue virus infection remains a significant public health challenge in endemic regions, with growing evidence of autochthonous transmission in Europe. Assessing serological exposure in high-risk populations such as military personnel deployed to endemic areas is essential to quantify exposure risk and support operational decision-making, particularly regarding pre-deployment counselling and risks associated with secondary infection. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1355 members of the Italian Armed Forces, measuring anti-dengue IgG antibodies by ELISA and collecting data on deployment history and exposure risk. Overall, IgG seropositivity was 8.12%, with significantly higher prevalence among individuals reporting travel or deployment to endemic regions (24.71%) compared with non-exposed personnel (4.27%). Seropositivity increased with age and correlated with a CDC-derived cumulative dengue risk score (Spearman’s ρ = 0.299, p < 0.0001). A multivariable logistic regression model including age and exposure risk achieved an AUC of 0.75, while machine-learning models provided complementary predictive assessment, with random forest reaching an AUC of 0.79. These findings indicate substantial anti-dengue IgG seropositivity compatible with previous dengue exposure among Italian military personnel, particularly those deployed to endemic settings. The study highlights the need for targeted surveillance and risk-based preventive strategies, and supports the use of exposure-based models to improve epidemiological assessment and inform vaccination strategies in mobile populations. Full article

Introduction: The invasive European catfish (Silurus glanis) is actively spreading across Iberian freshwaters, with no effective management measures in place to control its growing abundance or prevent its establishment in new localities. It poses a severe threat to endemic and already endangered species, and is simultaneously a preferred target by few anglers who continuously promote its spread. The LIFE-PREDATOR project aims to stop the spread of European catfish in lentic systems in Portugal and Italy, particularly in protected areas. Objectives: This talk will present the mid-term results of the LIFE-PREDATOR in Portugal, and discuss the difficulties and future challenges to reduce the size of local populations of European catfish. Methodology: The LIFE-PREDATOR team developed several tasks in Portugal: (1) established the reference situation of fish communities in six reservoirs in the Tagus Basin, using scientific fishing, fish telemetry and eDNA-based tools; (2) determined the optimal protocols for sampling catfish; (3) implemented an early detection programme based on warning teams, data-mining and eDNA tools; (4) developed population control actions in four reservoirs; and (5) organised dissemination events for the general public, anglers, and students from kindergarten to university levels. Results: Overall, there is a grim view about recipient communities in the studied lentic systems, which tend to be dominated by invasive fish species, including common carp (Cyprinus carpio), gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), European catfish, pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), European perch (Perca fluviatilis) and largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans). At least three new localities harbouring catfish were identified from online data-mining and warning teams. A total of 8 tons of catfish were removed by mid-June of 2025, mostly from the Natural Park of International Tagus. Outreach activities were conducted in nearly 60 schools, reaching more than 5000 students. Moreover, 67 general public events have reached more than 4500 people since the project started (September 2023). Conclusions: Despite its positive outcomes, the LIFE-PREDATOR team has encountered challenges in engaging key stakeholders such as anglers, involving local municipalities, and implementing catfish removal actions in remote areas. Difficulties and challenges in catfish management must therefore be debated in order to assure the after-LIFE implementation across Portuguese protected areas. Full article

Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) caused by Leishmania infantum is increasingly recognized in endemic areas, but factors influencing susceptibility in cats remain incompletely understood. Because blood group antigens may modulate host–pathogen interactions, this study evaluated whether feline AB blood system phenotypes are associated with L. infantum seropositivity and/or molecular positivity in cats from Italy. Exploratory analyses further assessed whether blood phenotype was associated with the magnitude of indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) antibody titres or with real-time PCR (qPCR) parasite load. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, cats were classified as L. infantum-positive when they had an IFAT titre ≥1:80 and/or a positive qPCR on blood or lymph node aspirates. Feline AB blood typing was performed by tube agglutination, with type B and AB samples confirmed by immunochromatographic testing and back typing. A total of 706 cats were included. Overall, 67/706 cats (9.5%) were classified as L. infantum-positive. Blood phenotype distribution was 83.1% type A, 10.1% type B, and 6.8% type AB. L. infantum positivity was detected in all three phenotypes, and no evidence of association was found between blood phenotype and L. infantum positivity, IFAT seropositivity, qPCR positivity, IFAT titre, or qPCR parasite load. After adjustment for region, blood phenotype remained not significantly associated with L. infantum positivity. These findings suggest that feline AB blood system phenotypes were not associated with L. infantum infection in this feline cohort. Future studies should investigate whether blood phenotype may influence other aspects of FeL, such as clinical expression or disease outcome. Full article

Climate change and habitat loss pose severe threats to the survival of alpine butterflies worldwide. Parnassius imperator is a rare, endemic, and endangered butterfly in China, yet the spatiotemporal dynamics of its suitable habitats under climate change remain largely unknown. In this study, we applied ensemble species distribution models to simulate the shifts of its current and future suitable habitats, incorporating bioclimatic variables, elevation, normalized difference vegetation index, and human footprint. Results showed that the current suitable habitats cover 185.87 × 10⁴ km² and are concentrated in western China, mainly regulated by elevation, temperature seasonality (BIO4), precipitation of the wettest month (BIO13), precipitation of the warmest quarter (BIO18), and precipitation of the driest month (BIO14). Under future climate change scenarios, suitable habitats will shrink drastically, even to only 82.16 × 10⁴ km² under SSP585 in the 2070s, with nearly a complete loss of highly suitable habitats. In addition, centroid shift analyses reveal that the distribution centroid will shift eastward. Our findings indicate that suitable habitats will contract significantly, and P. imperator will face a sharply increasing risk of extinction in the future. Considering the overlap between suitable habitats and existing nature reserves, we recommend implementing integrated conservation strategies, including expanding protected areas, establishing long-term monitoring programs, restoring habitats, and strengthening law enforcement and public education. This study provides a scientific basis for the climate-adaptive conservation of P. imperator and other vulnerable alpine insects. Full article

Introduction: Biological invasions are a major driver of biodiversity loss, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. The Iberian Peninsula, a hotspot of endemic diversity, is increasingly threatened by invasive predatory fish, which may exert higher predatory rates under warmer environmental conditions, disrupting/endangering native fish communities. One such species is the European catfish (Silurus glanis), a large and voracious apex predator. Despite growing research, most telemetry studies have focused on lentic systems, limiting our understanding of its behaviour in lotic environments. Moreover, high-resolution biologging approaches remain largely unexplored. Objective: This study aims to characterize the habitat use and activity patterns of European catfish in a non-native lotic section of the lower Tagus River, and to identify key environmental drivers shaping its predatory behaviour. Methodology: Adult individuals were tagged with radio telemetry transmitters equipped with temperature, pressure (depth), and 3D-accelerometer archival sensors. A preliminary controlled experiment established activity thresholds to classify behaviours. Ten adult fish were then actively tracked over one year, combining spatial data with high-resolution biologging. Habitat use and activity patterns were analyzed across seasonal and circadian scales. Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) were used to assess the effects of environmental variables on activity levels and depth use, while Hurdle models were applied to identify the environmental drivers influencing the occurrence and frequency of burst activity events (predatory behaviour proxies). Results: Fish displayed strong site fidelity, frequently using structured habitats near riverbanks. European catfish also showed clear seasonal and circadian patterns in habitat use and activity, occupying deeper habitats in winter and shallower areas in warmer seasons. Activity occurred year-round, increasing in spring and summer and peaking at dusk, being influenced by temperature, river flow, season, and time of day. Burst activity occurred more often in spring and at dusk. Conclusions: This study unveils insights on European catfish behaviour in invaded lotic systems, highlighting consistent patterns linked to environmental conditions. These findings can support more targeted and effective management strategies for controlling this invasive species. Full article

Introduction: Fish species represent 25% of all vertebrates across the globe and are one of the most threatened animal groups. At least 40% of the fish fauna occurs in rivers for part of their life cycle. European rivers are home to more than 600 fish species, while also being some of the most impaired and altered ecosystems. Objective: The objective was to assess the vulnerability of freshwater fish communities in European river basins. Methodology: Using RivTool and the CCM2 database, we developed the River Restoration Units (R2Us), a set of spatial units that takes into account river network functioning and allows a higher spatial discretisation than river basins. We developed RivFish, a database about the presence of native freshwater-dependent fish in 1556 Europeans river basins. For this, we collected data from 77 references and validated synonyms and scientific names for 667 species. We used the latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment to define species distributions in European rivers. After intersecting with the R2U layer, we curated and validated species names and spatial occurrence using RivFish. To map the vulnerability of freshwater fish communities, we used the Habitats Directive (HD) and the IUCN datasets. These consider a distinct number of species and assess conservation status differently: the HD evaluated 165 species, while the IUCN evaluated 516 species. The HD data allowed calculating the composite indicator of Conservation Status, whereas the IUCN data enabled calculating the vulnerability index. Results: Both ana-lyses show higher richness in central Europe, particularly in the Danube basin. Spatially, both highlight southern Europe as the area where fish communities have the highest vulnerability. However, the HD analysis also indicates the Danube and the western Atlantic basins as having high vulnerability. The IUCN analysis shows the Anatolian and Mediterranean biogeographical regions as those with the highest vulnerability values. Conclusions: Southern Europe’s higher vulnerability is likely associated with restricted distribution ranges and high levels of endemicity in Mediterranean fish communities. Overall, these findings improve current knowledge and show that input data may be key to effort allocation towards the management and conservation of European freshwater fish communities. Full article

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease of significant public health concern, particularly in endemic regions. However, data on the distribution and circulation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in animal populations remain limited, despite their importance for assessing virus circulation and infection patterns. A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was conducted in North Macedonia (N. Macedonia) to determine the seroprevalence rates of CCHFV in small ruminants and to identify areas at increased risk of virus circulation. A total of 1992 sera samples from sheep and goats were tested for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) antibody using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data on species, age, animal origin, and risk factors (questionnaire) were collected and analyzed. Overall, true seroprevalence, calculated by adjusting the apparent seroprevalence according to the diagnostic performance of the ELISA assay in order to estimate the actual prevalence in the studied population, was 25.02% (493/1992; 95% CI 23.11–26.94). Sheep showed higher seroprevalence rates, 27.34% (397/1452; 95% CI 25.11–29.69), compared to goats, 17.78% (96/540; 95% CI 14.78–21.23). Seroprevalence rates varied markedly across regions, ranging from 2.41% to 49.80%, with the highest values observed in the Eastern and Vardar regions. Seroprevalence rates increased with age, reaching the highest values in animals aged ≥ 5 years, 27.27% (81/297; 95% CI 22.52–32.60). Small ruminants, particularly sheep, may serve as useful indicators for defining the high-risk areas for CCHFV transmission, providing valuable support for a One Health approach. Full article

Curcuma lampangensis Saensouk, Maknoi & Rakarcha is a member of the family Zingiberaceae within the genus Curcuma L. This species is endemic to Thailand and is classified as critically endangered due to its restricted distribution and the ongoing degradation of its natural habitats. The species predominantly occurs in areas that are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic activities, particularly agricultural expansion, which contributes to habitat fragmentation and poses a significant risk to its persistence in the wild. In addition, propagation by rhizomes or seeds shows relatively low propagation efficiency. Therefore, plant tissue culture techniques are considered important for improving propagation efficiency. In this study, shoot and root induction of C. lampangensis were investigated by culturing on solid and liquid MS medium for 8 weeks, supplemented with different plant growth regulators including BA, kinetin, IAA, IBA, NAA, 2,4-D, TDZ, mT and Ads. The results showed that solid MS medium supplemented with 2 and 3 mg/L mT induced the highest mean number of shoots of 7.26 to 7.63 shoots per explant, a mean roots number of 18.57 to 19.88 roots per explant, and 30 to 60% callus formation. Meanwhile, liquid MS medium without plant growth regulators induced the highest mean number of roots of 34.73 roots per explant, with a mean root length of 3.49 cm. Acclimatized rooted plantlets transferred to sandy soil showed 85% survival rate. Full article

Arboviral diseases are emerging as important public health threats in Saudi Arabia, driven by rapid urbanization, climate variability, the expansion of Aedes aegypti populations, international travel, and large-scale religious mass gatherings. Dengue virus remains the most established arboviral infection in the Kingdom, particularly in the southwestern regions such as Jazan and the western urban centers of Makkah and Jeddah, where ecological and climatic conditions are conducive to sustained vector survival and transmission. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, vector ecology, climatic determinants, diagnostics, and prevention strategies of arboviral diseases in Saudi Arabia. Particular attention is paid to the impacts of rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, urban heat island effects, population mobility, and cross-border movement on vector expansion and disease emergence. The review also identifies gaps in surveillance, diagnostics, insecticide resistance monitoring, and integrated vector management programs. Emerging preparedness strategies include climate-informed early warning systems, Geographic Information System-based risk mapping, multiplex molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, and community-based vector control. The review emphasizes the importance of implementing a One Health approach that combines data on humans, the environment, entomology, and climate. Currently, sustained endemic transmission of chikungunya and Zika viruses has not been conclusively demonstrated in Saudi Arabia, but increased environmental suitability and connectivity with other areas highlight the need for proactive surveillance and preparedness. Full article

The Iranian Ground Jay (Podoces pleskei) is the endemic bird species inhabiting the deserts and steppes of Iran, a region experiencing severe ecological disturbances like habitat loss and fragmentation of preferred habitat. Despite its remarkable adaptation to arid environments, Iranian Ground Jay exhibits strong habitat specialization, making it both ecologically resilient and vulnerable—an intriguing case for evaluating how the species responds to climate-driven habitat shifts. The present study aims to assess the current and future distribution of Iranian Ground Jay under climatic change using MaxEnt incorporating presence records and bioclimatic variables. We modeled the species’ potential distribution under two climate models (HadGEM3-GC31-LL and MIROC6) for 2070. Then, using the predicted habitats, we estimated the coverage of protected areas in Iran. Among climatic variables, we predicted that the annual precipitation (bio12), precipitation of driest quarter (bio17), and temperature seasonality (bio4) significantly influenced the distribution of Iranian Ground Jays. The highly suitable distributions of the species are concentrated in Eastern, Southeastern, and Central Iran. Our results indicated that a vast range of potential distribution is located outside protected areas, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts. Our investigation shed lighted the consequences of global warming, where the highly suitable habitat is expected to shift under predicted climatic changes, resulting in a reduction in suitable habitat extent projected for the future. Based on these insights, it becomes imperative to reassess current conservation policy and devise an action plan specifically tailored for the Iranian Ground Jay, particularly emphasizing the protection of its core habitats within anthropogenically altered landscapes and non-protected regions. Full article

Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile is a seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and a significant contributor to human well-being through a variety of ecosystem functions, such as carbon cycling. Despite its ecological significance, most methods for estimating leaf biomass in this species are either destructive or expensive. In this study, 2500 individual leaves from 351 shoots of Posidonia oceanica were collected, across 16 sites in the Ligurian Sea, over two time periods (2016–2018 and 2024–2025), and analyzed for total leaf area and dry weight. An allometric equation following a power-law structure was derived using linear mixed-effects models and it was later validated via 10-fold cross-validation. Although some variations in the intercept term were observed, the allometric scaling structure remained consistent across space and time, providing the first robust species-specific allometric tool to estimate P. oceanica biomass, forming the basis of a proposed non-destructive protocol for meadow-scale biomass estimation. Full article

Information on factors influencing fitness, flowering, and fruit production in Cyclamen species remains limited. This study evaluated these traits throughout the growing season in three populations of Cyclamen purpurascens subsp. immaculatum under contrasting environments: a young beech forest (half-shade), an old beech forest (shade), and an open meadow. Because this protected endemic taxon of the Western Carpathians (Veľká Fatra and Starohorské vrchy Mountains, Slovakia) cannot be sampled destructively, we used in situ observations and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements. We found seasonal variation in photosystem II (PSII) efficiency and high environmentally driven inter-individual variability. Plants in the meadow exhibited significantly lower values of F_v/F_m, F_m/F₀, and Area parameters, likely reflecting combined microclimatic stress. These plants also produced significantly fewer flowers, suggesting reduced resource availability for reproduction. In contrast, no significant differences in fluorescence parameters were detected between the two forest habitats, which showed similar seasonal dynamics. However, plants in the young forest produced the most flowers and slightly more fruits than those in the old forest or open meadow. Overall, our results suggest that meadow habitats may be less suitable for this taxon, while old-forest environments are tolerated but may reduce reproductive output. Semi-shaded forest habitats may be important for long-term persistence of this taxon. Full article