Search Results (1,130)

Acute diarrheal disease (ADD) caused by parasites and Tuberculosis (TB) remain major public health concerns in vulnerable indigenous communities with limited access to sanitation, safe water, and healthcare, and where humans, animals and the environment interact closely. Using a One Health framework, this study investigated TB and Intestinal parasites in human, animal and environmental samples from 15 Wayuu indigenous communities in Manaure, La Guajira. A total of 190 samples, including human sputum and feces, animal milk and feces, soil and drinking water, were analyzed according to sample type, preservation suitability, and availability using parasitological concentration techniques, qPCR for helminth detection, metatranscriptomic sequencing, Xpert ^® MTB/RIF assay, and mycobacterial culture. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in 8.3% of human sputum samples, with no evidence of rifampicin resistance, whereas Mycobacterium bovis was not detected in animal milk. Human fecal samples analyzed by microscopy showed Blastocystis sp. and the Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar complex (38.8% each), followed by Giardia (19.4%), Hymenolepis nana and Trichuris trichiura (5.1% each) and Hymenolepis diminuta (1%). Commensal parasites were also identified, with Entamoeba coli (46.9%) being the most frequent species, indicating inadequate sanitary conditions and poor hygiene practices. Co-infections were common in humans (60.2%). In animal fecal samples, strongylids (66.7%), amoebas (16.7%) and Giardia (8.3%) were observed. Giardia sp. was detected in 2.38% of soil samples by microscopy, supporting environmental circulation, whereas no parasites were detected in water sediments. Multiplex qPCR detected Trichuris trichiura DNA in human feces and Trichuris spp. DNA in soil and sheep fecal samples. Metatranscriptomic analysis of 22 human fecal samples revealed a high diversity and frequency of parasitic protozoa (90.9%), with Blastocystis spp. being the most frequent (81.8%). Additionally, reads of free-living amoebae, including Acanthamoeba spp. (10%) and Naegleria spp. (5%) were detected in community drinking water sources. These findings suggest active transmission of TB and parasitic-associated ADD in Wayuu communities and highlight the need for integrated surveillance and culturally appropriate interventions focused on sanitation, hygiene, veterinary services and community health education to improve the living and health conditions of these vulnerable populations. Full article

Objectives: Inadequate access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) continues to drive infectious diseases, malnutrition, and educational disparities, particularly among vulnerable populations. This systematic review examined WASH intervention strategies implemented in Malaysia between 2014 and 2025, focusing on shifts in hygiene-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP), health outcomes, infrastructure improvements, and implementation challenges. Methods: A comprehensive search across five databases (Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) identified twelve eligible studies targeting schools, healthcare settings, and rural or Indigenous communities. Results: Education-based interventions predominated (n = 10), often employing participatory and theory-driven approaches grounded in the Health Belief Model or Information–Motivation–Behavioural Skills framework. Evidence revealed significant improvements in KAP, particularly when digital, gamified, or storytelling elements were integrated. Community-led and caregiver-inclusive models demonstrated greater behavioural adoption and retention. Thematic analysis identified several implementation challenges, which include (i) sole reliance on self-reported outcomes with limited use of objective indicators, (ii) short intervention durations (<2 months) that limit long-term impact, and (iii) lack of policy and curriculum integration. Conclusions: Findings underscore the need for culturally tailored, longitudinal, and system-embedded interventions that combine behavioural theory with infrastructure investment. Integrating WASH initiatives into Malaysia’s health and education frameworks could advance Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring scalable and equitable improvements in hygiene literacy, community resilience, and public health outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Indigenous children in La Guajira, Colombia, live in a context of structural vulnerability that may compromise growth and nutritional status. This study aimed to characterize anthropometric patterns and longitudinal nutritional changes in Wayúu children under five years of age. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 398 children from 27 Wayúu communities in Manaure, La Guajira, Colombia, with an exploratory longitudinal follow-up subgroup assessed over an 8-month period. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by trained pediatricians and classified using standard WHO growth references. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed for the full sample, and exploratory longitudinal changes were assessed in the follow-up subgroup. Results: At baseline, 92.46% of children presented at least one nutritional alteration, and 89.95% had malnutrition or nutritional impairment. Stunting was the most frequent condition (60.1%), whereas acute malnutrition was less common. In the exploratory longitudinal subgroup, 41.67% of children showed descriptive changes in at least one anthropometric indicator, with a significant increase in nutritional risk between visits. Older children showed significantly lower weight-for-age and height-for-age values than younger children, while no significant differences were observed by sex. Conclusions: Wayúu children under five years in Manaure show a pattern dominated by chronic growth impairment with worsening anthropometric indicators over time. These findings highlight the need for sustained, culturally adapted, and multisectoral strategies to prevent and manage childhood malnutrition in Indigenous populations. Full article

The Wadi sheep (WAD) is a unique Chinese indigenous breed previously reported to show adaptation to humid and saline–alkali lowlands, disease resistance, high fecundity, and favorable meat quality. However, the recent widespread introduction of commercial sheep breeds has led to a sharp decline in the purebred WAD population, posing serious threats to the preservation of its unique genetic resources. Therefore, there is an urgent need to assess the current population structure and genetic diversity of WAD to support its conservation and sustainable utilization. In this study, we systematically analyzed genomic variation, population structure, and selection signatures using whole-genome resequencing data from 30 WAD sheep and 80 publicly available genomes representing five other breeds obtained from the NCBI database. Population genomic analyses revealed that WAD retains substantial genetic diversity and exhibits a distinct population structure, shaped by its unique breeding history. Selection signature analyses using F_ST, π ratio, and XP-EHH identified 457 candidate genes under positive selection, which are associated with key biological processes including environmental adaptation, immune defense, muscle traits, growth, and reproduction. These findings identify genomic regions potentially related to reported WAD traits and provide a theoretical basis for its conservation, molecular breeding, and sustainable utilization in lowland environments. Full article

The Leizhou black goat is a prized indigenous breed in southern China, renowned for its superior meat quality. However, its productivity is constrained by a relatively small body size. Understanding the genetic basis of growth differences between purebred and crossbred populations is essential for designing effective conservation and breeding strategies. To this end, we conducted comparative whole-genome resequencing on 22 purebred (WL) and 50 crossbred (JN: Nubian × Leizhou) goats. Population structure was assessed via principal component analysis, and genomic regions exhibiting elevated genetic differentiation were identified using the population differentiation index (F_ST). Functional enrichment analyses were subsequently applied to genes within these regions. Our results revealed clear genetic differentiation between the two populations. Among the highly differentiated genomic regions, we identified several genes, such as MYOM2, TMTC4, DPP6, and MIDN, whose known functions in neural signaling and muscle development make them plausible candidates for contributing to the growth differences between populations. A particularly notable discovery was a non-coding intronic mutation in the RNGTT gene (rs646826802), which is fixed in the paternal Nubian line and prevalent across 25 other global goat breeds but is completely absent in the purebred Leizhou black goat. This study identifies key genetic components associated with trait variation in crossbred goats and reports a breed-specific genomic marker that can serve as a practical tool for verifying breed purity, thereby supporting the conservation of this valuable indigenous genetic resource. Full article

The Arunachali mithun (Bos frontalis) is a semi-domesticated bovine of profound cultural and economic significance to the indigenous Arunachali tribal communities of Northeastern India, yet it remains among the least genomically characterised large ruminants, leaving its conservation status without an empirical genetic foundation. We performed whole-genome re-sequencing (~10× coverage) of 11 individuals and analysed 4,943,593 high-quality biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after stringent quality control. Genome-wide mean observed heterozygosity (H_o = 0.2854), expected heterozygosity (H_e = 0.3347), and nucleotide diversity (π = 7.16 × 10⁻⁴) revealed moderate genetic diversity, substantially lower than that of related commercial bovine species. A consistent heterozygosity deficit (H_o − H_e = −0.0493) and the convergence of four independent inbreeding coefficients around 0.143–0.147 indicated moderate inbreeding of predominantly reflecting an ancient origin, corroborated by runs of homozygosity (ROH) analysis in which 93.2% of 24,937 detected segments fell in the short length class (100–250 kb). Linkage disequilibrium decayed from r² ≈ 0.57 at <100 kb to a plateau of r² ≈ 0.33 beyond 4–5 Mb, consistent with a small effective population size (N_e) declining from approximately 101,850 (~2228 generations ago) to approximately 160 (~5 generations ago), with ab Ne of approximately 3865 at ~100 generations ago and 423 at ~10 generations ago. These findings establish a whole-genome-based genetic diversity baseline for the Arunachali mithun and provide actionable genomic evidence for conservation and managed breeding interventions. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) infections are a pressing health concern in the White Mountain Apache (WMA) Tribal community, where invasive Staph infection rates far exceed those in the general U.S. population. This study explored community perspectives to guide culturally tailored education and prevention strategies. We conducted 42 in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with healthcare providers, traditional practitioners, and community members. Thematic analysis showed that participants had familiarity with the term “MRSA” (methicillin-resistant Staph), although many did not recognize it as a form of Staph, per se. Barriers to timely care-seeking included lack of transportation, stigma, and misconceptions about infection causes. With regard to biomedical approaches to prevention, participants preferred products like antiseptic nasal sprays and antimicrobial skin cleansers due to ease of use. Community members emphasized the need for simple, bilingual educational materials grounded in Apache culture and delivered by trusted figures. The findings underscore the importance of culturally grounded education and prevention approaches. Implementation and scaling of these strategies may enhance health literacy, reduce infection rates, and promote holistic wellness in Indigenous communities. Full article

Charcoal rot, caused by the pathogen Macrophomina, is becoming an increasing challenge in Australia’s northern cropping systems, with few effective management options available. The use of non-indigenous biocontrol agents raises ecological and regulatory concerns, which highlights the need to identify locally adapted microbial antagonists. In this study, indigenous Trichoderma isolates were collected from rhizosphere soils across Queensland and northern New South Wales and characterised using multilocus sequencing (ITS, tef-1α, rpb2) coupled with phylogenetic analysis. Twenty-six isolates were resolved into six species, dominated by T. azevedoi and T. afroharzianum. Dual-culture assays revealed substantial variation in antagonistic capacity, with several isolates achieving >70% inhibition of Macrophomina growth and maintaining consistent performance across pathogen genotypes. Functional screening indicated that enzyme-associated antibiosis was widespread, whereas volatile-mediated inhibition was restricted to a small subset of isolates. These findings demonstrate that biocontrol potential in indigenous Trichoderma populations is highly strain-dependent rather than species-driven. By integrating multilocus identification with functional screening, this study provides a practical framework for selecting locally adapted biocontrol candidates. This work establishes a foundation for developing region-specific biological control strategies and supports a shift toward targeted, strain-level selection for effective management of charcoal rot. Full article

Background: Strychnos madagascariensis Poir (Loganiaceae) is a drought-tolerant indigenous fruit tree of East and southern Africa, valued for its food, medicinal, and socio-economic contributions to rural communities. Despite its importance as a candidate food crop, intraspecific morphological and genetic diversity had not previously been characterized, and no simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers had been developed for this species, leaving breeders and conservation planners without the basic diversity baseline needed to prioritize material for domestication. Methods: This study assessed vegetative and reproductive trait variation, variance components, and broad-sense heritability, and SSR-based genetic diversity among 27 morphologically defined S. madagascariensis morphotypes at Bonamanzi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Three trees were measured per morphotype (81 trees total), over two growing seasons. Genetic diversity was characterized in one representative tree per morphotype using seventeen newly developed SSR loci, the first such markers reported for this species, and analyzed with population structure (STRUCTURE version 2.3.4), PCA, and Nei’s genetic distance. Results: Twenty-seven morphotypes were identified based on leaf colour, shape, hairiness and size, dominated by grey (41%), elongated (59%), less hairy (48%), and medium-sized (>50–90 mm) leaves. Fruit diameter and mass showed the highest inter-morphotype variation (r = 0.949) and also the highest broad-sense heritability (H² = 55.3% and 47.8%, respectively), indicating strong genetic control of these traits and their suitability as targets for selective breeding. Environmental variance exceeded genotypic variance for most traits. A total of 144 alleles were identified across 17 SSR loci (mean 4.24 alleles/locus; mean PIC = 0.31). Population structure gave a preliminary, tentative signal of two genetic clusters (K = 2) with substantial admixture, which we interpret cautiously, given the limited sampling depth. Conclusions: This is the first study to characterize intraspecific morphological variation in S. madagascariensis and the first to develop SSR markers for the species. The results provide a preliminary, single-site framework for conservation genetics and crop improvement that should be validated with larger, multi-site samples. Grey morphotypes GyEvH1, GyEvH2, GyEvH3, GyRlH1 and GyEH2 combined consistent fruiting performance with favourable fruit-trait values and are proposed as priority candidates for further evaluation in domestication and breeding programmes. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the maternal genetic diversity and mitochondrial population structure of once endangered indigenous chicken breeds in China under current conservation conditions. The genetic characteristics of six endangered indigenous chicken breeds, namely the Bian chicken, Jinyang Silky chicken, Pudong chicken, Xiaoshan chicken, Zhongshan Shalan chicken, and Pengxian Yellow chicken, were analyzed based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region sequences. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein. The D-loop region was amplified by PCR, and genetic characteristics were analyzed using bioinformatics approaches. A total of 368 individuals were amplified and sequenced, yielding complete D-loop sequences of 1231 and 1232 bp. Sequence alignment identified 42 polymorphic sites, with a hypervariable region primarily located between 167 and 446 bp. The overall haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity, and the average number of nucleotide differences were 0.876 ± 0.010, 0.00603 ± 0.00012, and 7.426, respectively, with significant inter-breed variation. Haplotype analysis identified 32 haplotypes belonging to haplogroups A, B, C, E, F, and G. The proportion of breed-specific and shared haplotypes varied among breeds, and several high-frequency haplotypes were widely distributed across populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the majority of genetic variation occurred within breeds (83.41%), whereas among-breed variation accounted for 16.59% (Fst = 0.166), suggesting moderate population differentiation. The median-joining haplotype network exhibited a radial pattern centered on several core haplotypes, with no evidence of breed-specific clustering of maternal lineages. Neutrality tests (Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs) yielded non-significant results, consistent with neutral evolution. However, mismatch distribution analyses suggested possible population expansion in the Zhongshan Shalan chicken and Pengxian Yellow chicken. In summary, the six endangered indigenous chicken breeds retain a moderate level of maternal genetic diversity under current conservation conditions. However, differences among breeds were observed in the maintenance of genetic diversity and population structure. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a growing public health concern in Indigenous populations, where early risk identification remains limited. This study aimed to analyze the association between estimated T2DM risk and cardiorespiratory endurance in a Zenú Indigenous community in northern Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged 18–70 years belonging to the Momil Urban Minor Indigenous Cabildo (Córdoba, Colombia). T2DM risk was assessed using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC), and cardiorespiratory endurance was evaluated through the Ruffier index. Associations were examined using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model, and discriminative performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A total of 95 participants were included, most of whom were classified as low risk according to FINDRISC, while cardiorespiratory endurance assessed by the Ruffier index was predominantly classified as moderate to good. Age was significantly associated with higher risk categories in the adjusted model, whereas cardiorespiratory endurance was not significantly associated with estimated T2DM risk. The model demonstrated excellent discriminative capacity (AUC = 0.912; 95% CI: 0.850–0.973). In this population, age and family history were key determinants of estimated T2DM risk. Findings regarding cardiorespiratory endurance should be interpreted cautiously given sample size limitations. Full article

Indigenous goat populations are valuable genetic resources for livestock production in arid and semi-arid environments, yet many remain insufficiently characterized at the phenotypic and genomic levels. This study investigated phenotypic variation and genome-wide associations in two local Ardi goat lines in Bahrain: Ardi Bahraini and Ardi Mu’atar, the latter being distinguished by a characteristic facial marking pattern. A total of 280 goats were phenotypically characterized for qualitative traits and body measurements, and 76 animals were genotyped using the Illumina Caprine 60K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BeadChip. After quality control, 49,716 autosomal SNPs were retained for genome-wide association analysis. Phenotypic analysis showed that the two lines differed significantly in body weight, body length, hip height, face width, tail length, ear width, and tail circumference, while discriminant analysis identified tail length, ear width, tail circumference, and facial patterns differentiating the lines. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed partial genomic clustering of the two lines, and genome-wide significant and suggestive SNPs based on Bonferroni and false discovery rate (FDR) thresholds on chromosomes 6, 13, 14, and 29. The strongest association was observed for rs268277393 on chromosome 13, located near DOK5 (Docking Protein 5) and TRNAC-GCA (transfer RNA cysteine, anticodon GCA), and was associated with the Ardi Mu’atar facial pattern. Additional candidate regions were located near genes with possible roles in pigmentation, development, or morphological variation. These findings provide preliminary genomic evidence supporting the phenotypic distinctiveness of Ardi Mu’atar goats and identify candidate markers that may contribute to future conservation and breeding programs. Further validation in larger populations and functional studies will be required to confirm the biological role of these candidate regions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Excess weight and dyslipidemia are health conditions growing worldwide in children, including indigenous populations. The concern is their related comorbidities, which could appear at an early age. Given limited information on Seri children, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of excess weight and dyslipidemia, and to identify factors associated with BMI-for-age Z-score and dyslipidemia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among Seri children aged 3–11 years. For prevalence analysis, the BMI-for-age Z-score was calculated as an indicator of excess weight. Dyslipidemia was assessed only in school-age children. Information was collected on potential associated variables, including maternal nutritional status, children’s sleep behaviors, physical activity, diet, and cardiovascular health, as well as household characteristics such as the modernity index and food insecurity. Results: A total of 154 Seri children were evaluated. Among preschoolers, 18.8% were classified at risk of overweight. In school-age children, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 32.8%. Maternal BMI and weight, the modernity index, and being a boy were positively associated with the BMI-for-age Z-score, whereas having food insecurity, cardiovascular health score, and sleep time were negatively associated. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 46.1% among school-age Seri children. Having dyslipidemia was positively associated with maternal BMI, percentage of energy intake from ultra-processed products, paternal occupation as a merchant, and child age, and negatively associated with the number of remunerative maternal economic activities. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence on the prevalence of excess weight and dyslipidemia and their associated factors among Seri children and may inform future research and health strategies in Seri and other vulnerable populations. Full article

Fermented vegetables in Yunnan Province, China, harbor abundant microbial diversity. However, the development of indigenous starter cultures remains under-utilized. Genomic information regarding Leuconostoc (L.) mesenteroides isolates from this region is particularly scarce. To assess the genomic characteristics of eight L. mesenteroides isolates from traditional Yunnan fermented vegetables, we performed whole-genome sequencing and conducted a comparative analysis with 21 publicly available vegetable-derived genomes. Comparative genomic analysis revealed marked variation in genome size and plasmid content, and pangenome analysis indicated an open configuration. Core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) of the eight indigenous isolates showed high allelic diversity, indicating a genetically heterogeneous and non-clonal population. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that the evolutionary relationships among the 29 strains were not strictly correlated with their vegetable sources, suggesting an influence from other factors, such as geographic origin and region-specific processing methods. Similar to the profiles of the 21 publicly available genomes, inactive prophages, intrinsic vancomycin resistance genes, and genomic island fragments were detected in eight isolates, whereas no known virulence genes were identified. Bacteriocin gene clusters varied among strains, while stress tolerance and probiotic-related genes were conserved. Overall, these results provide genomic indications relevant to the safety, adaptability, and fermentation potential of indigenous L. mesenteroides from Yunnan. However, because these functional traits are inferred solely from genomic predictions, subsequent experimental validation is essential to confirm their phenotypic properties and technological efficacy. Full article

Cancer represents one of the major public health issues in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with increasing incidence and mortality rates as a result of late diagnosis, limited healthcare infrastructure, and financial difficulties. Traditional medicine plays an important role in healthcare across different populations in SSA, as more than 80% of the population depend on indigenous plant-based remedies for treating or managing different ailments, including cancer. This study aimed to document medicinal plants traditionally used to treat cancer in SSA. A systematic search of all documents available in the last two decades (2006–2026) was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. After screening studies using the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 55 studies met the eligibility requirements and were selected for analysis based on their relevance to the topic, geographic scope, and reported applications in cancer management. The scientific names of the identified plant species and their taxonomic authorities were verified using the Plants of the World Online database. A total of 556 species, belonging to 110 families, were recorded as medicinal plants used to treat various forms of cancer in SSA. The top five families with the most frequently used plants were Fabaceae (51 species), Asteraceae (34 species), Euphorbiaceae (25 species), Apocynaceae (22 species) and Lamiaceae (22 species). Frequently cited plants include Kigelia africana, Annona muricata, Adansonia digitata, Carica papaya, and Tamarindus indica. A total of 11 plant parts were documented, with leaves (41.20%), roots (18.75%), and bark (17.25%) being the dominant plant parts utilised. The primary methods of preparation were decoction (38.23%), powdering and grinding (14.51%), and infusion and tea preparation (49.73%), while the main modes of administration were oral (66.88%) and topical (26.46%). The results show that traditional medicinal plants hold significant potential as sources of novel anticancer drugs in SSA. However, a significant gap exists between ethnobotanical knowledge, laboratory research, and clinical application. Rigorous pharmacological and toxicity evaluations and well-designed clinical trials on the identified medicinal plants are needed to integrate effective and safe plant-based therapies into evidence-based oncology. Full article