Search Results (548)

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto. Population genetic studies and phylogeographic patterns are essential to understanding the transmission dynamics of this parasite under varying environmental conditions. In this study, the genetic diversity of E. granulosus s.s. was evaluated using 46 hydatid cyst samples obtained from sheep, goats, cattle, and humans across three regions of Chile: Coquimbo, La Araucanía, and Magallanes. Mitochondrial cox1 gene sequences were analyzed and compared with reference sequences reported from South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In Chile, the EG01 haplotype was the predominant haplotype. A total of four haplotypes were identified, with low haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.461 ± 0.00637) and low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00181 ± 0.00036). The haplotype network displayed a star-like configuration, with the EG01 genotype at the center, suggesting a potentially ancestral or widely distributed lineage. In Coquimbo (Tajima’s D = −0.93302, p = 0.061; Fu’s Fs = −0.003, p = 0.502) and Magallanes (Tajima’s D = −0.17406, p = 0.386; Fu’s Fs = −0.121, p = 0.414), both neutrality tests were non-significant, indicating no strong evidence for recent population expansion or selection. Star-like haplotype network patterns were also observed in populations from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, with the EG01 genotype occupying the central position. The population genetic structure of Echinococcus granulosus s.s. in Chile demonstrates considerable complexity, with EG01 as the predominant haplotype. Further comprehensive studies are required to assess the intraspecific genetic variability of E. granulosus s.s. throughout Chile and to determine whether this variability influences the key biological traits of the parasite. This structure may prove even more complex when longer fragments are analyzed, which could allow for the detection of finer-scale microdiversity among isolates from different hosts. We recommended that future cystic echinococcosis control programs take into account the genetic variability of E. granulosus s.s. strains circulating in each endemic region, to better understand their epidemiological, immunological, and possibly pathological differences. Full article

Background and Objectives: The management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) extends beyond glycemic control, requiring a more global strategy that includes optimization of body composition, even more so in the context of sarcopenia and visceral adiposity, as they contribute to poor outcomes. Past reviews have typically been focused on weight reduction or glycemic effectiveness, with limited inclusion of new therapies’ effects on muscle and fat distribution. In addition, the emergence of incretin-based therapies and dual agonists such as tirzepatide requires an updated synthesis of their impacts on body composition. This review attempts to bridge the gap by taking a systematic approach to how current blood-glucose lowering therapies affect lean body mass, fat mass, and the risk of sarcopenia in T2D patients. Materials and Methods: Between January 2015 and March 2025, we conducted a narrative review by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for English-language articles. The keywords were combinations of the following: “type 2 diabetes,” “lean body mass,” “fat mass,” “body composition,” “sarcopenia,” “GLP-1 receptor agonists,” “SGLT2 inhibitors,” “tirzepatide,” and “antidiabetic pharmacotherapy.” Reference lists were searched manually as well. The highest precedence was assigned to studies that aimed at adult type 2 diabetic subjects and reported body composition results. Inclusion criteria for studies were: (1) type 2 diabetic mellitus adult patients and (2) reporting measures of body composition (e.g., lean body mass, fat mass, or muscle function). We prioritized randomized controlled trials and large observational studies and excluded mixed diabetic populations, non-pharmacological interventions only, and poor reporting of body composition. Results: Metformin was widely found to be weight-neutral with minimal effects on muscle mass. Insulin therapy, being an anabolic hormone, often leads to fat mass accumulation and increases the risk of sarcopenic obesity. Incretin-based therapies induced substantial weight loss, mostly from fat mass. Notable results were observed in studies with tirzepatide, demonstrating superior reduction not only in fat mass, but also in visceral fat. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) promote fat loss but are associated with a small yet significant decrease in lean muscle mass. Conclusions: Blood-glucose lowering therapies demonstrated clinically relevant effects on body composition. Treatment should be personalized, balancing glycemic control, cardiovascular, and renal benefits, together with optimal impact on muscle mass along with glycemic, cardiovascular, and renal benefits. Full article

Widespread species may exhibit considerable genetic variation among populations due to their extensive distribution ranges, and may even give rise to new species in remote areas. Integrative species delimitation via multiple types can provide a robust framework for accurate species identification and rapid discovery of cryptic diversity. The subgenus Tliponius (Hemiptera: Coreidae: Homoeocerus) has several species and three broadly distributed species across China. In this study, we selected as many geographical sample sites of widely distributed species as possible and conducted species identification based on integrated taxonomy of morphological, mitochondrial and SNP data for 28 individuals within Tliponius. Our results revealed a cryptic lineage previously subsumed under the polytypic H. unipunctatus in Yunnan Province and described as Homoeocerus (Tliponius) dianensis Liang, Li & Bu sp. nov. The presence of seven distinct species within Tliponius was supported by species delimitation and divided into two clades: (H. dilatatus + (H. marginellus + (H. unipunctatus + H. dianensis sp. nov.))) and (H. yunnanensis + (H. laevilineus + H. marginiventris). Based on our findings, extensive sampling of widespread species is highly important for the accuracy of species delimitation and the discovery of cryptic species. Full article

The Amazon faces significant challenges related to mercury contamination, including naturally elevated concentrations and gold mining activities. Due to mercury’s toxicity and the importance of fish as a protein source for local populations, assessing mercury levels in regional fish is crucial. However, there are gaps in knowledge regarding mercury concentrations in many areas of the Amazon basin. This study aims to synthesize the existing literature on mercury concentrations in fish and the exposure of urban and traditional social groups through fish consumption. A systematic review (1990–2022) was conducted for six fish genera (Cichla spp., Hoplias spp. and Plagioscion spp., Leporinus spp., Semaprochilodus spp., and Schizodon spp.) in the Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) and Scopus (Elsevier) databases. The database consisted of a total of 46 studies and 455 reports. The distribution of studies in the region was not homogeneous. The most studied regions were the Madeira River sub-basin, while the Paru–Jari basin had no studies. Risk deterministic and probabilistic assessments based on Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA, 2007) guidelines showed high risk exposure, especially for traditional communities. Carnivorous fish from lakes and hydroelectric reservoirs, as well as fish from black-water ecosystems, exhibited higher mercury concentrations. In the Amazon region, even if mercury levels in fish muscle do not exceed regulatory limits, the high fish consumption can still elevate health risks for local populations. Monitoring mercury levels across a broader range of fish species, including both carnivorous and non-carnivorous species, especially in communities heavily reliant on fish for their diet, will enable a more accurate risk assessment and provide an opportunity to recommend fish species with lower mercury exposure risk for human consumption. The present study emphasizes the need to protect regions that already exhibit higher levels of mercury—such as lakes, hydroelectric reservoirs, and black-water ecosystems—to ensure food safety and safeguard public health. Full article

Sea lice have been a persistent pest of the salmon farming industry for more than 50 years. In this study, we aimed to identify if different strains of Atlantic salmon with discrete long-term lice exposure histories had variable resistance to copepodid attachment and/or different attachment-specific transcriptome patterns. We additionally sought to characterize lice distributions on fins, head, and skin and identify if attachment location influenced transcriptomic profiles of lice. Lice counts were correlated with body size and highest on St. John River (SJR; open ocean-run) relative to Grand Lakes Stream (GLS; 200-year restricted ocean-run) or Sebago Lake (CAS; ~11,000 years landlocked) Atlantic salmon. However, lice density was similar between strains. Skin and fins had expectedly different transcriptomic profiles; however, notable differences were not observed between salmon strains. Variance in lice transcriptomes was minimally affected by attachment location even though lice strongly preferred fins relative to head or body. Attached lice did have different transcriptomic profiles on GLS relative to CAS or SJR. This study cumulatively identified a minimal host evolutionary component for sea lice attachment resistance, although lice behavior post-attachment appeared somewhat affected by strain. Non-uniform settlement distributions and tank-specific variability in lice attachment were observed across populations. Full article

While many continuous distributions are known, the list of discrete ones (usually derived from counting) often reported is relatively short. This list becomes even shorter when dealing with dichotomous observables: binomial, hypergeometric, negative binomial, and uniform. Binomial distribution is important for medical studies, since a finite sample from a population included in a medical study with yes/no outcome resembles a series of independent Bernoulli trials. The problem of calculating the confidence interval (CI, with conventional risk of 5% or otherwise) is revealed to be a problem of combinatorics. Several algorithms dispute the exact calculation, each according to a formal definition of its exactness. For two algorithms, four previously proposed case studies are provided, for sample sizes of 30, 50, 100, 150, and 300. In these cases, at 1% significance level, ordered sequences defining the confidence bounds were generated for two formal definitions. Images of the error’s alternation are provided and discussed. Both algorithms propose symmetric solutions in terms of both CIs and actual coverage probabilities. The CIs are not symmetric relative to the observed variable, but are mirrored symmetric relative to the middle of the observed variable domain. When comparing the solutions proposed by the algorithms, with the increase in the sample size, the ratio of identical confidence levels is increased and the difference between actual and imposed coverage is shrunk. Full article

Body asymmetry is often analysed in the context of low back pain (LBP). To date, research has mainly focused on the general relationships between asymmetry and pain, with less attention paid to issues related to pressure distribution and its potential impact on the occurrence of LBP. The aim of this study was to compare biomechanical parameters in people with anatomical leg length discrepancy with and without LBP to identify overloads that may lead to pain. Early detection of common abnormalities in these parameters in both groups may influence the early prevention of 0LBP in the course of LLD. Materials and methods: This study included 60 patients with diagnosed LLD, of whom 30 had LBP (group 1, NP) and 30 were pain-free (group 2, NwP). Body weight distribution during standing and walking was analysed using pedobarography. The analysis was carried out in two stages, the first being the analysis of the biomechanical parameters for the whole study population, for group 1 with LBP and group 2 without LBP, while the second stage focused on the main issue, i.e., the comparison of the group with LBP with the group without LBP. The study included standing and walking tests. Left–right pressure distribution and ground contact time were analysed. In addition, the angle of foot abduction was analysed to indirectly assess compensatory mechanisms resulting from the asymmetry. Results: The standing test showed significantly greater pressure on the longer limb (p = 0.022) in the whole study population (N = 60). When divided into groups, it was found that in those with LBP (NP = 30), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.359), whereas in those without pain (NwP = 30), the pressure on the longer limb was significantly greater (p = 0.002). No differences were found between the groups in the comparative analysis. The angle of foot abduction was greater than normal across the study population (N = 60), with greater values in the shorter limb (12.83° vs. 11.04°), which was close to significance (p = 0.065). The group with LBP (NP = 30) showed a similar trend, also close to statistical significance (p = 0.054), with significantly higher values of abduction angle in both legs compared to the group without LBP (NwP = 30). In the walking test, the left–right load distributions were significantly dispersed. The mean pressure on the longer limb was significantly higher in group 1 (NP = 30) (p = 0.031), whereas this difference was not statistically significant in group 2 (NwP = 30). For mean peak pressure, there were no significant differences in any of the groups tested. In addition, the mean ground contact time during gait was longer for the longer limb in the whole study population (N = 60) (938.8 ms vs. 915 ms), but again, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.305). Comparative analysis showed no differences between the groups. Conclusions: This study showed that in people with anatomical LLD, both with and without LBP, most parameters reflected marked asymmetries in peak and mean pressures and abduction angles. A prolongation of ground contact time has also been shown, and even though some parameters were not statistically significant, it is important to note the high dispersion of left–right loading, which provides information on body load asymmetries in patients with anatomical LLD. Given that there were no differences between the groups for most of the parameters, it is important for both clinical practice and further research that the abnormalities observed in both groups (NP = 30, NwP = 30) may have been a significant predictor of the development of LBP, as the abnormalities preceded the onset of pain. This should be taken into account in diagnostic and preventive measures. Full article

Several online principal component analysis (PCA) methodologies exist for data arriving sequentially that focus only on compression risk minimization. Recent work in this realm revolves around minimizing the cost-compression risk, which takes into account compression loss and sampling costs using a two-stage PCA procedure. Even though the procedure enjoys first-order efficiency, the authors could not mathematically verify the existence of the second-order efficiency property. In this article, we minimize cost-compression risk using a modified two-stage PCA procedure, which takes into account the data compression loss as well as the sampling cost when the smallest eigenvalue of the population variance–covariance matrix or its positive lower bound is known when the data is assumed to follow a multivariate normal distribution. The modified two-stage PCA procedure is shown to possess the second-order efficiency property, among others, including the second-order risk efficiency property under some conditions. The proposed method is novel but also fast and efficient, as illustrated by extensive data analyses through simulations and real data analysis. Full article

The inequity in the distribution of green spaces in megacities has a detrimental effect on the physical and mental well-being of their inhabitants, highlighting the necessity for careful and strategic urban planning, along with appropriate regulatory interventions. Nevertheless, scholarly articles addressing the equity of access to urban green spaces primarily concentrate on urban parks, with limited studies examining the influence of alternative types of green spaces. This research initially recognized and categorized informal green spaces (IGS) located within the Third Ring Road of Chengdu, utilizing the UGS-1m dataset and area of interest (AOI) data, in accordance with a well-defined classification framework. Then, the G2SFCA method and Gini coefficient were employed to assess the impact of IGS on the green space accessibility, especially scenario analysis of open and shared use of green space. The findings indicate that (1) IGS in the narrow sense constitute 21.2% of the overall green spaces within the study area, resulting in a reduction of the Gini coefficient by 0.103; (2) IGS in the broad sense, including public affiliated green spaces, shows an even more positive effect on improving the equity of green space supply, with a reduction of the Gini coefficient by 0.28; (3) there exists great spatial disparity in accessibility improvement effect by different types of IGS, so public policies must be customized to reflect local circumstances, taking into account the practicality and associated costs of management and maintenance of various IGS as well as accessibility enhancement; (4) certain older residential areas may not be amenable to effective enhancement through the use of IGS alone, and these should then adopt a multidimensional greening strategy such as green-roof. The findings of this research offer valuable insights for the planning and management of green spaces in densely populated urban environments, thereby aiding in the development of more refined models for the development of “Garden Cities”. Full article

Caryopteris incana (Thunb. ex Houtt.) Miq., an endangered species native to western Kyushu, Japan, forms locally isolated populations. In our previous studies, we conducted a distribution survey of 109 populations across four regions and performed phylogenetic analyses using chloroplast DNA to clarify their genetic structure and diversity. The primary objective of this study was to clearly compare and evaluate phenotypic differences that are considered to be genetically fixed among adaptive traits evolved in response to the native environments of each region. We evaluated morphological characteristics—such as floral parts, leaves, and plant form—under uniform cultivation conditions using seeds collected from native populations. As a result, region-specific phenotypes were identified, and diverse variations were observed both among and within regions. Furthermore, the presence of phenotypes with high coefficients of variation even within the same region suggests the existence of diverse gene pools suitable for various applications. This study not only contributes to understanding the regional adaptive strategies of C. incana, but also provides fundamental data for developing conservation plans for this endangered species. Additionally, the phenotypic information obtained is expected to be useful for breeding horticultural varieties and for setting future conservation priorities. Full article

Background: The simultaneous surgical treatment of acute appendicitis and inguinal hernia in children is still controversial. However, there are no established guidelines for the simultaneous surgical treatment of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis and inguinal hernia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a simultaneous laparoscopic approach for acute appendicitis and inguinal hernia in a pediatric population. Methods: The case records of 2254 pediatric patients who underwent appendectomy at our institution between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2025 were reviewed. Finally, 44 patients who met the inclusion criteria and had an inguinal hernia at the time of laparoscopic appendectomy were selected for further analysis. The patients who underwent single-stage surgery (simultaneous laparoscopic appendectomy and hernia repair) were assigned to group I (n = 25), while the patients who underwent delayed laparoscopic hernia repair were assigned to group II (n = 19). The groups were compared for final outcome, complications, rate of readmissions within 30 days of index surgery, duration of surgery, and length of hospital stay. Results: The mean age of all the included patients was 11.5 ± 4.0 years, with males slightly outnumbering females (n = 25, 56.8%). The study population consisted of two comparable groups in terms of age, anthropometric measures, gender distribution, and baseline clinical characteristics. A major difference between the two methods was the operation time, which was significantly longer in the single-stage group (53.5 ± 11.2 min vs. 41.5 ± 10.9 min; p = 0.001). Despite the difference in operative time, the length of hospital stay (3.5 ± 2.0 days vs. 3.5 ± 2.2 days; p = 0.899) was almost identical between the two groups, suggesting that the additional intraoperative time was not reflected in a prolonged recovery time. In addition, postoperative complications were rare and evenly distributed between both surgical strategies (n = 2 (8%) vs. n = 2 (10.5%); p = 0.772). All the complications were minor and were treated conservatively. Importantly, there was no recurrence of hernia in either group during the follow-up period. Conclusions: From a clinical perspective, these results suggest that the single-stage approach is feasible and safe, even in complicated appendicitis, particularly in cases where the postponement of hernia repair is not desirable. The longer operative time associated with the single-stage approach must be weighed against the potential benefits of avoiding a second surgical procedure and unnecessary anesthesia, reducing overall healthcare utilization, and minimizing patient burden. Full article

Baylisascariasis is a debilitating and potentially lethal zoonotic disease caused by a nematode parasite that has a worldwide distribution. Baylisascaris spp. are carried by a variety of mammalian definitive hosts, and their larvae can infect a large diversity of paratenic hosts including birds and mammals, and even humans. Herein, the potential exposure risk of this zoonotic parasite is demonstrated through the study of a suburban American community with a population of Baylisascaris procyonis—infected raccoons (Procyon lotor) as a case study for any location with Baylisascaris spp., definitive hosts, and proximity to humans. Soil from 100 properties within neighborhoods of southern Corpus Christi, TX, USA, was surveyed to determine if viable B. procyonis eggs were present. In total, 27% of the residential properties were contaminated. Positive soil samples, on average, contained 31,287 B. procyonis eggs/gram of soil; of these samples, 92% of the B. procyonis eggs had motile larvae. Sites with contaminated soils appeared random within residential properties; frequency of contaminated sites was similar between known raccoon defecation sites and random sites. Suggestions for the reduction in risks of exposure to this potentially debilitating parasite are offered to residents of Baylisascaris-contaminated properties. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a key driver of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with central adiposity directly involved in adverse cardiac remodeling. Body mass index (BMI) is limited in capturing fat distribution and associated cardiovascular risk. Novel anthropometric indices, including A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Body Roundness Index (BRI), may offer greater clinical value, but their relationship with electrocardiographic markers of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) remains underexplored. This study aims to assess the correlation between novel adiposity indices (ABSI and BRI) and electrocardiographic evidence of LVH, as measured by the Sokolow-Lyon Index (SLI), in individuals with arterial hypertension. Methods: 274 hypertensive patients were recruited, and BMI, ABSI, and BRI were calculated. LVH was assessed via SLI on 12-lead ECG. Participants were stratified by the SLI (≤35 mm vs. >35 mm) for statistical analyses. Results: Patients with a lower SLI showed significantly higher values of ABSI and BRI compared to those in higher SLI group, without differences in BMI. In the entire population, SLI was significantly and inversely correlated with both ABSI (r = −0.296, p < 0.001) and BRI (r = −0.238, p < 0.01), but not with BMI. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed ABSI (p = 0.013) and BRI (p = 0.038) as independent predictors of SLI, even after adjusting for age, blood pressure, renal function, and metabolic parameters. Conclusions: ABSI and BRI are inversely and independently associated with ECG-derived SLI in hypertensive individuals, suggesting that central adiposity may attenuate ECG voltages and obscure LVH detection. Incorporating novel adiposity indices into ECG interpretation may enhance diagnostic accuracy and risk stratification in obese and hypertensive populations. Longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings and refine clinical algorithms. Full article

Access to safe and reliable water is a fundamental requirement for sustainable urban development. However, water distribution systems (WDSs), particularly in small and aging municipalities, face persistent challenges, including infrastructure degradation, population growth, and limited operational data. This study presents a comprehensive hydraulic modeling framework for the city of Farsala, Central Greece, an area characterized by significant data scarcity and outdated water network records. A novel methodology was developed that combines AutoCAD-based network digitization, GIS data integration, field surveys, and real-time SCADA telemetry to create a high-fidelity and operational hydraulic model using WaterGEMS software. The model was calibrated and validated using observed pressure and flow data, achieving high performance metrics, including a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0.841 and R² of 0.90. Extended period simulations (EPS) were conducted to evaluate system behavior over a 24 h cycle, revealing critical insights into pressure distribution, peak demand conditions, and leakage hotspots. The results demonstrate that even under constrained data conditions, it is possible to construct a robust and decision-supportive model, offering valuable guidance for future system upgrades, leakage control strategies, and smart infrastructure planning in similar urban environments. Full article

Low permeability oil reservoirs hold an important position in the global oil resource reserves. They boast abundant reserves and serve as one of the crucial sources for crude oil reserve replacement in China and even the world. The mechanisms for improving the oil recovery rate in high-oil-bearing reservoirs include improving fluid properties, enhancing displacement efficiency, etc. However, their development is quite challenging, requiring continuous exploration and innovation in development technologies. This study addresses the unclear distribution patterns of microbial communities and the incomplete understanding of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) mechanisms in low permeability reservoirs. Utilizing high-throughput genomics and functional gene analysis techniques, combined with laboratory and field data, the study investigates the distribution and growth patterns of microbial communities in a low permeability reservoir, exemplified by the S169 block. Additionally, the potential of MEOR to enhance oil recovery and its underlying mechanisms are explored. The results indicate that microbial communities in low permeability reservoirs exhibit strong heterogeneity, with their distribution closely correlated to geological factors such as reservoir permeability and porosity. The diversity of microbial communities is positively correlated with oil recovery efficiency, and highly active microbial populations promote the production of metabolites that enhance oil recovery. The metabolic products of microorganisms help reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water, improve the fluidity of oil, and enhance the recovery rate. In addition, the structural changes in microbial communities are closely related to factors such as the permeability and porosity of reservoirs. This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) technology. Full article