Search Results (7,808)

Accurate classification of fish trophic strategies based solely on gut contents can be misleading, especially when plant material is ingested incidentally during predatory benthic foraging. The Pátzcuaro chub (Algansea lacustris) is a critically endangered cyprinid endemic to Central Mexico. It has historically been described as omnivorous with a tendency toward algivory, despite limited anatomical evidence. In this study, integrated anatomical, morphometric, and functional approaches were used to reassess the feeding strategy of A. lacustris and inform conservation-oriented aquaculture. Double-staining techniques revealed a specialised filtering and crushing branchial–pharyngeal system adapted to capture and process animal prey. Relative intestinal length (RIL) was measured from freshly dissected intestines. Intestinal transit time was experimentally evaluated using a formulated diet and live Artemia. Algansea lacustris exhibited a short intestine (RIL = 0.86 ± 0.10) and rapid intestinal transit (<30 min), both of which are characteristics of carnivorous teleosts. These results provide consistent anatomical and physiological evidence that A. lacustris is primarily adapted to a low-trophic carnivorous or insectivorous feeding strategy, with important implications for its ecological characterisation. Moreover, intestinal transit was faster after ingestion of live Artemia than after the formulated diet, likely due to differences in moisture content. The observed short transit times indicate the need for more frequent feeding and support the refinement of diet formulation and feeding strategies in conservation aquaculture programmes. Full article

The genus Psiadia (Asteraceae), widely distributed in Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius, La Réunion, Rodrigues), is traditionally used to treat bronchitis, asthma, colds, abdominal pain, and other inflammatory disorders. However, few studies have scientifically validated these traditional medicinal uses. To assess P. dentata as a valuable source of bioactive natural products, a combined ¹H NMR-based metabolomic, molecular networking, and phytochemical study was conducted. Multivariate analysis (PLS-DA) of crude extracts from Psiadia species collected on Reunion Island enabled rapid discrimination of active extracts from P. dentata and revealed two methoxylated flavonoids and one coumarin as metabolites correlated with its antiplasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, UHPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS molecular networking approach enabled detailed chemical profiling of this species, allowing the annotation of 25 compounds (1–25) in this species. Subsequent phytochemical investigation of P. dentata leaves led to the isolation and identification of 25 metabolites, including nine new diterpenes (26–34), one new coumarin (35), and 15 known compounds (1–8, 11, 18, 19 and 36–39) from the diterpenoid, flavonoid, and coumarin families. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS analyses. Biological evaluation of the isolated compounds showed that compounds 1, 7, 26 and 27 showed antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 strain, IC₅₀ = 7.25–13.46 μM). Compounds 7, 26, 27, 31 and 32 inhibited nitric oxide production (IC₅₀ = 0.87–27.71 μM), indicating potential anti-inflammatory effects. Only compound 1 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2 and HT29 cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 25.67 and 18.35 μM, respectively). Full article

Phascolosoma esculenta is an economic species endemic in China and a highly prized delicacy along the country’s southeastern coast. This study focused on five P. esculenta populations and investigated their genetic diversity, population structure, and historical population dynamics. These populations were sampled from five locations, namely Beihai (BH) and Fangchenggang (FCG), in Guangxi; Putian, in Fujian (FJ); Danzhou, in Hainan (HN); and Zhanjiang (ZJ), in Guangdong Beihai, Guangxi (BH), Fangchenggang, Guangxi (FCG), Putian, Fujian (FJ), Danzhou, Hainan (HN), and Zhanjiang, Guangdong (ZJ). Genomic data were obtained through restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) of 100 individuals. After quality filtering, a panel of 158,264 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers was established for subsequent analysis. The results revealed that the observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.1872–0.2065) was lower than the expected heterozygosity (He = 0.2304–0.2382), with inbreeding coefficients (Fis) ranging from 0.1114 to 0.1592, indicating heterozygote deficiency and moderate inbreeding. Genetic diversity was moderate across all populations, as reflected in the values I (0.5220–0.5530), π (0.2415–0.2478), and PIC (0.1914–0.1982). Low genetic differentiation was observed among populations (Fst: 0.0339–0.0509) accompanied by high gene flow (Nm = 4.6658–7.1192), suggesting ongoing genetic exchange between populations. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that most genetic variation occurred within populations. Genetic distance and genetic similarity ranged from 0.0345 to 0.0522 and 0.9491 to 0.9661, respectively, with no significant isolation by distance (Mantel test, R = 0.0793, p = 0.4307). Analysis of the species’ historical population dynamics suggests that P. esculenta may have experienced a substantial population contraction beginning approximately 300 years ago. Overall, the five populations exhibit moderate genetic diversity, though signs of inbreeding and recent population decline may indicate early stages of germplasm degradation. These findings provide important insights for the conservation and sustainable aquaculture of this species. Full article

Canine distemper virus (CDV) affects both domestic and wild carnivores and is associated with a high mortality rate. The virus can cross species barriers, infecting a wide range of mammals, which raises concerns for both wildlife conservation and domestic animal health. During our study, we processed a total of n = 552 oral and rectal swab samples from n = 260 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and n = 16 golden jackals (Canis aureus). The samples were collected by the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH) as part of a Rabies monitoring programme from Hungary in 2024. We performed a Real-Time RT-PCR, followed by a CDV-specific amplicon-based sequencing method using Oxford Nanopore Technologies to obtain the complete genome. All golden jackal samples tested negative, while both oral and rectal samples of one red fox tested positive for viral RNA. From this positive sample, we were able to sequence a partial CDV genome. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin gene, our CDV sequence was assigned to the Europe lineage, one of the endemic lineages in the continent, infecting both threatened and common animals. This finding highlights the ongoing presence of CDV in wildlife populations and illustrates the value of integrated monitoring systems. Full article

Background: Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne zoonotic infection caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and transmitted by Ixodes species. In temperate regions, HGA is considered seasonal, with most cases occurring during late spring and summer. We describe two cases of HGA diagnosed in January during a winter period with episodic temperatures exceeding thresholds for tick activity, highlighting atypical seasonal presentation and diagnostic challenges. Methods: This report details the clinical course, diagnostic reasoning, and management of two patients evaluated at a tertiary care hospital in Suffolk County, New York. Data were derived from direct clinical care and the electronic health record. The institutional review board determined this work did not constitute human subject research. Written informed consent was obtained from both patients. Results: Both patients presented with acute febrile illness and characteristic laboratory abnormalities. Due to winter season, tick-borne infection was not initially suspected, resulting in delayed consideration. PCR testing confirmed A. phagocytophilum infection in Case 1, meeting CDC criteria for confirmed HGA. Case 2 met CDC criteria for probable HGA based on serologic testing showing elevated IgG (1:320) in the appropriate clinical context. Treatment with doxycycline led to rapid clinical improvement and complete recovery. Conclusions: These cases demonstrate that HGA can be diagnosed during winter months in endemic regions. Although the precise timing of infection cannot be determined, these observations occurred during a period when episodic temperatures exceeded thresholds for tick activity. The cases highlight limitations of season-based diagnostic assumptions and suggest maintaining clinical suspicion for anaplasmosis year-round in endemic areas. Full article

This article deals with the global existence and uniqueness of solutions to a fractional-order SIQR epidemic model, alongside its intricate chaotic and complex dynamics as functions of the fractional order. The well-posedness of the model solutions, including global existence, uniqueness, and positivity, is established by constructing appropriate Lyapunov functions. The local and global stability analyses are conducted for both the disease-free and endemic equilibria of the model. An asymptotic solution of the system in the form of series is derived by the Laplace–Adomian decomposition method (L–ADM), and its convergence is rigorously proved. Subsequently, numerical analysis determines and interprets the optimal truncation order of this asymptotic solution. Numerical simulations are performed based on the asymptotic solution, and the dynamics and chaos of the dynamic system with respect to the fractional order are analyzed and illustrated in terms of the maximum Lyapunov exponent and structural complexity. Finally, a local sensitivity analysis is conducted for each state variable with respect to the model parameters. Full article

Background: Up to one-third of brucellosis patients develop focal organ involvement, contributing to increased morbidity and therapeutic failure, yet no clinically validated instrument exists to stratify risk at presentation. Methods: In this three-center retrospective cohort from Türkiye (2015–2025), 355 adults with confirmed brucellosis were enrolled. Thirty-two candidate variables spanning demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, routine laboratory values, and composite inflammation indices underwent LASSO-penalized regression with 10-fold cross-validation for predictor selection, after which a nomogram was constructed and internally validated via 1000-iteration bootstrap resampling. Results: Ninety-two patients (25.9%) developed focal complications. Five predictors were retained by LASSO—prognostic nutritional index (PNI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), chronic disease stage, and hypertension—and combined with age and sex (retained a priori) into a seven-predictor nomogram. PNI was the strongest contributor (OR = 0.901, 95% CI: 0.857–0.948). Apparent C-statistic reached 0.782 (optimism-corrected 0.762), with a calibration slope of 0.894 and Brier score of 0.154. Decision curve analysis indicated net clinical benefit over the 5–55% threshold probability range. Conclusions: This PNI-anchored LASSO nomogram offers a practical bedside risk stratification instrument for brucellosis-related focal involvement. Prospective external validation across geographically diverse endemic regions is warranted before clinical adoption. Full article

Leptobotia rotundilobus is a newly described species in the subfamily Leptobotinae (Teleostei: Cypriniformes), which is endemic to China. Research on this recently discovered species is preliminary, characterized by limited baseline data and the absence of a fully sequenced mitochondrial genome. To elucidate the structural features of the mitochondrial genome of L. rotundilobus, we performed whole-genome sequencing using next-generation sequencing technology and analyzed its genomic composition, gene content, and structural variation through genome assembly and bioinformatics. The complete circular sequence, spanning 16,593 bp, comprises 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a typical control region (D-loop), all arranged in the canonical order. The overall base composition of the genome was determined to be 30.8% adenine (A), 24.4% thymine (T), 28.6% cytosine (C), and 16.2% guanine (G). This A+T bias (55.2%) is consistent with the mitochondrial genomes of other Leptobotia, which may affect secondary structure. The ratio of non-synonymous (Ka) to synonymous substitutions (Ks) of 13 PCGs of 16 Leptobotinae species is far less than 1 (0.012–0.063), indicating strong negative or purifying selection on the mitogenome in these species. Moreover, to investigate the phylogenetic relationships within the subfamily Leptobotinae, particularly within the genus Leptobotia, we constructed multiple phylogenetic trees of the mitogenome and concatenated 13 PCGs of 39 sequences with Sinibotia superciliaris as an outgroup. The phylogentic trees using the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods consistently indicate that: (1) after correcting the species identification error, L. rotundilobus is closely related to L. micra; and (2) the species of Leptobotia and Parabotia each form a monophyletic group. This study provides new insights into the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of Leptobotinae, with a particular focus on the genus Leptobotia, thereby contributing to the clarification of the systematics, origin, and evolution of Botiidae. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) has been a persistent threat to Eurasian pig populations since its emergence in 2007. The disease has become endemic in numerous countries, including Poland, Germany, Romania, Hungary, Italy, the Philippines, and several others. Epidemiological data reveals that over 99% of outbreaks are attributed to a highly virulent hemadsorbing virus belonging to genotype II. Traditional genotyping methods, primarily relying on the B646L gene, have faced significant limitations in providing a comprehensive understanding of virus dissemination patterns. Previous attempts to identify a universal marker for tracking virus spread through analysis of the CVR locus of the B602L gene and the I73R/I329L locus failed to produce a coherent picture of the virus’s geographical distribution across Eurasia. To address these challenges, a comprehensive study was conducted involving the analysis of 250 ASFV isolates/strains from 25 countries across Europe and Asia between 2007 and 2024. This research led to the development of a novel sub-genotyping algorithm for ASFV genotype II. The study identified four topotypes: «CAU1», «EU1», «EU2», and «ASIA1». Within these topotypes, 31 genetic lineages were detected, each characterized by specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Based on the comparison of two methods of sub-genotyping Eurasian ASFVs—the classification by Gallardo C. et al. (2023) based on genetic variations of 6 loci, and the proposed classification into topotypes and genetic lineages using whole-genomes—it was established that the multigenic approach has insufficient resolution. At the same time, significant differences were observed at the level of whole-genomes. The creation of a new spatiotemporal classification has significant applications in international surveillance of ASF outbreaks, local disease monitoring, and investigation of new infection cases. Full article

In malaria-endemic regions, women remain vulnerable to Plasmodium falciparum infection at the time of delivery. However, the immunological mechanisms underlying infection-associated inflammation in primigravid women remain poorly characterized. This exploratory study investigated cytokine-based immune profiles reflecting malaria infection status at delivery. We assessed 33 primigravid women from Nanoro, Burkina Faso (mean age 19 years; range 18–20.5) at childbirth. Antibody responses to P. falciparum antigens (PfCSP, PfAMA-1, and EBA-175) and plasma levels of cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) were quantified using enzyme immunoassays. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering, identified three distinct immune profiles: (1) a low-inflammatory cluster with reduced IL-6 and TNF-α, (2) a TNF-α–dominant cluster, and (3) a highly pro-inflammatory cluster with elevated IL-6 and TNF-α. Cluster stability was supported by bootstrap analysis (AU ≥ 92%). All women in the most inflammatory cluster were P. falciparum–positive at delivery (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.04; exploratory association). These cytokine-driven profiles reflect biologically distinct inflammatory states associated with concurrent infection at delivery rather than predictive immune predispositions. The findings underscore the potential of cytokine profiling as a hypothesis-generating tool to guide future longitudinal studies on immune regulation and the postpartum period. Full article

Species of the genus Stachys (Lamiaceae) are recognized for their ethnobotanical importance and chemical diversity. In this study, the essential oil (EOS) and solvent extracts of the endemic species Stachys sparsipilosa were investigated using integrated GC–MS and LC–ESI–QTOF/MS approaches. GC–MS analysis showed that identified constituents accounted for 94.62% of the total oil, with caryophyllene oxide, kauran-16-ol, and cubebol as major components. Targeted LC–MS analysis quantified prominent phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic acid, rutin, and hesperidin, while untargeted metabolomics tentatively annotated 168 metabolites belonging to phenolics, terpenoids, and other classes. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using complementary in vitro assays, and enzyme inhibitory activities against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase were assessed in comparison with standard inhibitors. The extracts demonstrated measurable but generally moderate activities relative to the corresponding positive controls. The essential oil exhibited moderate, non-selective cytotoxic effects at relatively high concentrations, whereas solvent extracts showed limited activity within the tested range. Molecular docking analyses were performed as supportive tools to explore possible enzyme–ligand interactions. Overall, S. sparsipilosa displays a chemically diverse metabolite profile associated with composition-dependent bioactivities, providing a basis for further mechanistic and in vivo studies. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in high-burden regions, where reinfection and seasonal variation play important roles in disease transmission. In this paper, we study a tuberculosis transmission model with reinfection based on the SIRI framework, with particular emphasis on the intrinsic relationship between the averaged system and the periodic system. The averaged system is shown to characterize the long-term epidemiological behavior, whereas the periodic system captures short-term seasonal fluctuations. From a theoretical perspective, we prove that the periodic system and its corresponding averaged system share the same basic reproduction number. We analyze the threshold dynamics of the seasonal model and investigate the dynamical properties of the averaged system, including the existence and stability of equilibria and the occurrence of backward bifurcation. In particular, we show that disease persistence may occur even when the basic reproduction number ($R_0$) is less than one, and we examine the stability of equilibrium points at the critical threshold ($R_0=1$). These results reveal how transmission and reinfection jointly determine the disease burden and equilibrium structure. To validate the theoretical findings, numerical simulations are performed using tuberculosis incidence data from Yunnan Province, China, covering the period from 2005 to 2020. The numerical simulations suggest that the seasonal model provides a better fit to the data, while the averaged model may overestimate the transmission potential of the disease. Under the condition that the two models share the same basic reproduction number, a constrained numerical simulation is performed. The results show that, under certain parameter settings, the endemic equilibrium of the averaged system can approximate the mean prevalence of the periodic solution. However, such an approximation cannot be guaranteed in general. Full article

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, remains one of the most relevant zoonotic diseases worldwide due to its dual impact on livestock production and human health. Although zoonotic tuberculosis has been virtually eradicated from cattle in a few settings, particularly in Australia, the disease persists in much of Latin America, Africa, and Asia, where it continues to limit cattle productivity and pose a threat to public health through the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products and occupational exposure. This review integrates historical, epidemiological, clinical, and molecular perspectives of bTB, with particular emphasis on Mexico, highlighting the role of wildlife reservoirs, socioeconomic factors, and diagnostic limitations in maintaining endemicity. Recent advances in molecular epidemiology, such as PCR, MIRU-VNTR, and whole-genome sequencing, provide promising avenues for surveillance and control. Finally, we discuss the importance of adopting a One Health framework that bridges veterinary, medical, and environmental approaches to achieve sustainable control of this silent zoonosis. Full article

Urban green spaces (UGSs) provide essential ecological services but also accumulate heavy metals (HMs) in their soils, posing a paradoxical health risk through dermal exposure. Traditional risk assessments, based solely on total HM concentrations, often overestimate threats by ignoring bioavailability (the fraction actually absorbed by organisms) and dynamic skin microenvironment factors. This review synthesizes recent advances to propose a precision assessment framework that integrates bioavailability. The framework advocates for the incorporation of bioaccessibility (the fraction of pollutants dissolved in body fluids)-driven exposure metrics (e.g., physiologically based extraction tests), mechanistic dermal permeation models (e.g., Franz diffusion cells, 3D skin constructs), and population-specific susceptibility factors (e.g., children, individuals with compromised skin). We elucidate how soil properties (pH, organic matter) and metal speciation (e.g., Cr(III)/Cr(VI)) modulate cutaneous uptake, and detail toxicological mechanisms including oxidative stress, ferroptosis/cuproptosis, immunotoxicity, and pigmentation disorders. Case studies reveal heterogeneous HM hotspots in high-traffic and densely populated areas, while in vitro–in vivo extrapolation highlights the potential for misestimation in traditional models. Consequently, we discuss the limitations and future directions of this framework, aiming to shift UGS risk management from over-conservative assessment to bioavailability-based precision governance, thereby supporting the health security of sustainable urban habitats. Full article