Trends in the geographic inequality of advanced practice nursing workforce in cancer care in Japan from 1996 to 2022: a panel data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer was ranked as the second leading cause of global mortality in 2019, with an increasing incidence. An adequate workforce of healthcare professionals with special skills and knowledge in cancer care is vital for addressing the disparities in cancer prognosis. This study aimed to elucidate the trends in the advanced practice nursing workforce (APNW) in cancer care, which included certified nurse specialists (CNSs) and certified nurses (CNs) in each prefecture of Japan from the system's inception to the present. Further, it sought to analyze the regional disparities and compare these trends with other healthcare resources to identify contributing factors associated with the APNW in cancer care in each prefecture. METHODS: We performed a panel data analysis using publicly available data on the APNW in cancer care in each prefecture of Japan from 1996 to 2022. Gini coefficients were calculated to examine the trends in geographic equality. Univariate and multivariable fixed effect panel data regression models were used to examine regional factors associated with an APNW in cancer care. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2012, the APNW in cancer care increased from four to 6982 staff, while their Gini coefficients decreased from 0.79 to 0.43. However, from 2012 to 2022, the Gini coefficients decreased slightly from 0.43 to 0.41. The coefficient value was comparable to that for the disparity between hospital doctors (0.43) but more pronounced compared to those for other medical resources, such as hospitals (0.34), hospital nurses (0.37), and designated cancer care hospitals (0.29). The APNW in cancer care in each prefecture was significantly associated with a higher number of designed cancer care hospitals in the previous year (see first quartile, the coefficient for second quartile: 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21-0.40), and a fewer number of hospital doctors (- 1.89, 95%CI - 2.70 to - 1.09). CONCLUSIONS: The size of the APNW in cancer care has increased since the system was established in 1996 up till 2022. With the increase in numbers, geographic inequality narrowed until 2012 and has since then remained stagnant.

Spatio-temporal analysis of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis incidences in the Brazilian state of Amazonas: 2011 to 2022.

This study aimed to conduct a spatio-temporal analysis of tegumentary leishmaniasis occurrences in the Amazonas state, Brazil. An ecological study encompassing time series and spatial analysis was performed, exploring the geographic distribution and temporal trends of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) in Amazonas between 2011 and 2022. Secondary data extracted from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) were utilized for this analysis. The study evaluated the relationship between disease cases and environmental/climatic variables (deforestation, temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity). Over the study period, 19,730 cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis were recorded, averaging an incidence of 41.4/100,000 inhabitants across the 62 municipalities of Amazonas state. Disease intensity varied with seasons. Generally, Amazonas state displayed a declining trend in ATL cases. However, certain municipalities, notably Rio Preto da Eva and Presidente Figueiredo, exhibited high incidence rates, while Canutama, Envira, Eirunepé, and Pauini municipalities demand closer attention due to their demonstrated increasing temporal trend of ATL cases. The analysis indicated a correlation between the number of ATL cases reported and relative humidity as well as precipitation. These findings underscore the significance of tegumentary leishmaniasis as a public health issue in the region and emphasize the necessity for public initiatives aimed at preventing this endemic illness.

Apple Bitter Rot and Glomerella Leaf Spot: A Comprehensive Review of Causal Species and Their Biology, Fungicide Sensitivities, and Management Strategies.

Bitter rot and Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) are two distinct diseases of apple fruit and foliage caused by members of the ascomycete fungal genus Colletotrichum. While GLS is restricted to subtropical and in some areas to temperate climates, bitter rot is responsible for significant yield loss worldwide, particularly during the post-harvest period. Initially thought to be caused by just two species of Colletotrichum, C. acutatum and C. gloeosporioides, advances in molecular biology and sequencing techniques enabled the identification of 25 different species capable of causing bitter rot and/or GLS of apple belongs to the C. gloeosporioides species complex (CGSC), C. acutatum species complex (CASC) and C. boninense species complex (CBSC). Three species (C. gloeosporioides, C. fructicola, and C. chrysophilum) of CGSC cause both bitter rot and GLS, 18 species (6 of CGSC and 12 of CASC) only cause bitter rot, and four species (C. aenigma and C. asianum of CGSC, C. limetticola of CASC and C. karstii of CBSC) only cause GLS. These species were found to differ in their geographical distribution, environmental and host tissue preference, pathogenicity, and fungicide sensitivities. In this review, we summarize the distribution, life cycle, and pathogenicity mechanisms of all currently known Colletotrichum species responsible for bitter rot and GLS of apple. Furthermore, we describe known apple defense mechanisms and management strategies for the control of these economically significant pathogens and identify gaps in our present understanding for future research.

Genomic Diversity and Geographic Distribution of Newcastle Disease Virus Genotypes in Africa: Implications for Diagnosis, Vaccination, and Regional Collaboration.

The emergence of new virulent genotypes and the continued genetic drift of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) implies that distinct genotypes of NDV are simultaneously evolving in different geographic locations across the globe, including throughout Africa, where NDV is an important veterinary pathogen. Expanding the genomic diversity of NDV increases the possibility of diagnostic and vaccine failures. In this review, we systematically analyzed the genetic diversity of NDV genotypes in Africa using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Information published between 1999 and 2022 were used to obtain the genetic background of different genotypes of NDV and their geographic distributions in Africa. The following genotypes were reported in Africa: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI, XIII, XIV, XVII, XVIII, XX, and XXI. A new putative genotype has been detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, of 54 African countries, only 26 countries regularly report information on NDV outbreaks, suggesting that this number may be vastly underestimated. With eight different genotypes, Nigeria is the country with the greatest genotypic diversity of NDV among African countries. Genotype VII is the most prevalent group of NDV in Africa, which was reported in 15 countries. A phylogeographic analysis of NDV sequences revealed transboundary transmission of the virus in Eastern Africa, Western and Central Africa, and in Southern Africa. A regional and continental collaboration is recommended for improved NDV risk management in Africa.

Chronic Pancreatitis in a Large Developing Country: Temporal Trends of Over 64,000 Hospitalizations from 2009 to 2019.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disorder associated with marked morbidity and mortality and frequently requires hospitalization. This study aimed to investigate the time trends and geographical distribution of hospital admissions, the lethality rate of CP across Brazil, and the potential relationship with social indicators and associated risk factors. METHODS: Data were retrospectively obtained from the Brazilian Public Health System Registry between January 2009 and December 2019. The prevalence and lethality rates of CP per 100,000 inhabitants in each municipality were estimated from hospitalizations to in-hospital deaths and classified by age, sex, and demographic features. RESULTS: During the study period, 64,609 admissions were retrieved, and most of the patients were males (63.54%). Hospitalization decreased by nearly half (-54.68%) in both sexes. CP rates in males were higher in all age groups. The greatest reduction in admissions (- 64%) was also noted in patients ≥ 70y. CP In-hospital lethality remained stable (5-6%) and similar for males and females. Patients ≥ 70y showed the highest lethality. The greatest increase in CP lethality rates (+ 10%) was observed in municipalities integrated into metropolises, which was mainly driven by small-sized municipalities (+ 124%). CONCLUSIONS: CP hospitalizations decrease in both urban and rural areas, particularly in the North, Northeast, and Central-West regions, and in those above 70 years of age, but are not correlated with lethality rates in the South. This suggests ongoing changes in the environmental and socioeconomic factors in Brazil.

Update of the geographic range of Humboldt's squirrel monkeys (Saimiri cassiquiarensis cassiquiarensis Lesson, 1840) using a model-based approach.

Saimiri cassiquiarensis cassiquiarensis (Cebidae) is a primate subspecies with a wide distribution in the Amazonian region of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. However, the boundaries of its geographic range remain poorly defined. This study presents new occurrence localities for this subspecies and updates its distribution using a compiled data set of 140 occurrence records based on literature, specimens vouchered in scientific collections, and new field data to produce model-based range maps. After cleaning our data set, we updated the subspecies' extent of occurrence, which was used in model calibration. We then modeled the subspecies' range using a maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt). The final model was adjusted using a fixed threshold, and we revised this polygon based on known geographic barriers and parapatric congeneric ranges. Our findings indicate that this subspecies is strongly associated with lowland areas, with consistently high daily temperatures. We propose modifications to all range boundaries and estimate that 3% of the area of occupancy (AOO, as defined by IUCN) has already been lost due to deforestation, resulting in a current range of 224,469 km2. We also found that 54% of their AOO is currently covered by protected areas (PAs). Based on these results, we consider that this subspecies is currently properly classified as Least Concern, because it occupies an extensive range, which is relatively well covered by PAs, and is currently experiencing low rates of deforestation.

Saimiri cassiquiarensis cassiquiarensis (Cebidae) é uma subespécie de primata com ampla distribuição na região amazônica do Brasil, Colômbia e Venezuela. No entanto, os limites de sua distribuição geográfica permanecem mal definidos. Este estudo apresenta novas localidades de ocorrência para essa subespécie e atualiza sua distribuição usando 140 registros de ocorrência compilados com base na literatura, espécimes depositados em coleções científicas e novos registros de campo para produzir mapas de distribuição baseados em modelos. Após a limpeza do nosso banco de dados, atualizamos a extensão de ocorrência da subespécie, que foi usada na calibração do modelo. Em seguida, modelamos a área de distribuição da subespécie usando um algoritmo de entropia máxima (MaxEnt). O modelo final foi ajustado usando um limiar fixo e revisamos esse polígono com base em barreiras geográficas conhecidas e na distribuição de congêneres parapátricas. Nosso modelo sugere que a espécie é fortemente associada a áreas planas, com temperaturas diárias consistentemente altas. Propomos modificações em todos os limites da área de distribuição e estimamos que 3% da área de ocupação (AOO, conforme definida pela IUCN) da subespécie já foi perdida devido ao desmatamento, resultando em uma área de distribuição atual de 224,469 km2. Também estimamos que 54% de sua AOO encontra­se atualmente coberta por áreas protegidas. Com base nesses resultados, consideramos que a subespécie está apropriadamente classificada como Pouco Preocupante, pois ocupa uma área extensa, que é relativamente bem coberta por áreas protegidas e atualmente apresenta baixas taxas de desmatamento.

Recurrent gene flow events occurred during the diversification of clownfishes of the skunk complex.

Clownfish (subfamily Amphiprioninae) are an iconic group of coral reef fish that evolved a mutualistic interaction with sea anemones, which triggered the adaptive radiation of the clade. Within clownfishes, the "skunk complex" is particularly interesting. Besides ecological speciation, interspecific gene flow and hybrid speciation are thought to have shaped the evolution of the group. We investigated the mechanisms characterizing the diversification of this complex. By taking advantage of their disjunct geographical distribution, we obtained whole-genome data of sympatric and allopatric populations of the three main species of the complex (Amphiprion akallopisos, A. perideraion and A. sandaracinos). We examined population structure, genomic divergence and introgression signals and performed demographic modelling to identify the most realistic diversification scenario. We excluded scenarios of strict isolation or hybrid origin of A. sandaracinos. We discovered moderate gene flow from A. perideraion to the ancestor of A. akallopisos + A. sandaracinos and weak gene flow between the species in the Indo-Australian Archipelago throughout the diversification of the group. We identified introgressed regions in A. sandaracinos and detected in A. perideraion two large regions of high divergence from the two other species. While we found that gene flow has occurred throughout the species' diversification, we also observed that recent admixture was less pervasive than initially thought, suggesting a role of host repartition or behavioural barriers in maintaining the genetic identity of the species in sympatry.

Responses of Three Pedicularis Species to Geological and Climatic Changes in the Qinling Mountains and Adjacent Areas in East Asia.

The Qinling Mountains in East Asia serve as the geographical boundary between the north and south of China and are also indicative of climatic differences, resulting in rich ecological and species diversity. However, few studies have focused on the responses of plants to geological and climatic changes in the Qinling Mountains and adjacent regions. Therefore, we investigated the evolutionary origins and phylogenetic relationships of three Pedicularis species in there to provide molecular evidence for the origin and evolution of plant species. Ecological niche modeling was used to predict the geographic distributions of three Pedicularis species during the last interglacial period, the last glacial maximum period, and current and future periods, respectively. Furthermore, the distribution patterns of climate fluctuations and the niche dynamics framework were used to assess the equivalence or difference of niches among three Pedicularis species. The results revealed that the divergence of three Pedicularis species took place in the Miocene and Holocene periods, which was significantly associated with the large-scale uplifts of the Qinling Mountains and adjacent regions. In addition, the geographic distributions of three Pedicularis species have undergone a northward migration from the past to the future. The most important environmental variables affecting the geographic distributions of species were the mean diurnal range and annual mean temperature range. The niche divergence analysis suggested that the three Pedicularis species have similar ecological niches. Among them, P. giraldiana showed the highest niche breadth, covering nearly all of the climatic niche spaces of P. dissecta and P. bicolor. In summary, this study provides novel insights into the divergence and origins of three Pedicularis species and their responses to climate and geological changes in the Qinling Mountains and adjacent regions. The findings have also provided new perspectives for the conservation and management of Pedicularis species.

Rethinking ecological niches and geographic distributions in face of pervasive human influence in the Anthropocene.

Species are distributed in predictable ways in geographic spaces. The three principal factors that determine geographic distributions of species are biotic interactions (B), abiotic conditions (A), and dispersal ability or mobility (M). A species is expected to be present in areas that are accessible to it and that contain suitable sets of abiotic and biotic conditions for it to persist. A species' probability of presence can be quantified as a combination of responses to B, A, and M via ecological niche modeling (ENM; also frequently referred to as species distribution modeling or SDM). This analytical approach has been used broadly in ecology and biogeography, as well as in conservation planning and decision-making, but commonly in the context of 'natural' settings. However, it is increasingly recognized that human impacts, including changes in climate, land cover, and ecosystem function, greatly influence species' geographic ranges. In this light, historical distinctions between natural and anthropogenic factors have become blurred, and a coupled human-natural landscape is recognized as the new norm. Therefore, B, A, and M (BAM) factors need to be reconsidered to understand and quantify species' distributions in a world with a pervasive signature of human impacts. Here, we present a framework, termed human-influenced BAM (Hi-BAM, for distributional ecology that (i) conceptualizes human impacts in the form of six drivers, and (ii) synthesizes previous studies to show how each driver modifies the natural BAM and species' distributions. Given the importance and prevalence of human impacts on species distributions globally, we also discuss implications of this framework for ENM/SDM methods, and explore strategies by which to incorporate increasing human impacts in the methodology. Human impacts are redefining biogeographic patterns; as such, future studies should incorporate signals of human impacts integrally in modeling and forecasting species' distributions.

Literature review and meta-analysis of environmental toxins associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and leading cause of death worldwide, whose pathogenesis has been linked to toxic environmental exposures. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (i) to compile, and group by exposure setting (non-specified general; residential; occupational), environmental factors reported to modulate the risk of developing PD and (ii) to map and geospatially analyze global regions of both research activity and paucity. Among the broader environmental settings, occupational exposures had the highest average odds ratio value at 3.82, followed by general (non-specified or mixed) exposures at 3.07, and residential exposures at 2.36. Occupational exposure to industrial toxins was the highest ranked subset of exposures with an odds ratio of 10.74. Among the studies meeting the inclusion criteria, 75 % were conducted in Europe or the Western United States. The number of individuals partaking per study ranged from a high of 55,585 (Taiwan) to a low of 233 (Faroe Islands), with a mean of n = 14,462. The top three environmental factors associated with high odds ratios for increased risk of developing PD were (i) exposure to dyes (25.33), (ii) methylene chloride (16.5) and specifically in adult men (iii) consumption of fatty whale meat (10.57), which is known to harbor a broad spectrum of so called persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT) pollutants. Geospatially, the highest odds ratio values were identified in European countries, whereas notable data gaps were revealed for South America, Australia, Africa, and the majority of Asia with the exception of Taiwan. Whereas occupational exposures to industrial chemicals, such as harmful dyes and methylene chloride, ranked highest in risk values, available data suggest notable opportunities for reducing PD cases globally by limiting harmful environmental exposures to a spectrum of toxic chemicals, particularly via the food intake route. Thus, current efforts in improving environmental quality globally by limiting toxic emission may deliver the added benefit of helping to reign in PD. Agents of concern in this respect include pesticides (e.g., paraquat, demeton, monocrotophos), particulate matter associated with air pollution, and a spectrum of organic and inorganic neurotoxins including heavy metals.

CARD9 mutations in patients with fungal infections: An update from the last 5 years.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal recessive deficiency in the caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is a congenital immunological condition that leads to susceptibility to mucocutaneous and invasive fungal infections. There is growing incidence of fungal infections in patients with CARD9 deficiency, a phenomenon that is increasingly recognised. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the frequency, geographic distribution and nature of mutations in patients with CARD9 deficiency, based on published papers in the literature until March 2023. METHODS: We swiftly conducted a study to pinpoint every documented instance of fungal infections arising from CARD9 deficiency. We selected case reports from the databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar spanning the period from October 2009 to March 2023. RESULTS: We analysed 90 cases of fungal infections and identified 32 mutations in the CARD9 gene. Notably, the homozygous (HMZ) p.Q295X (c.883C > T) mutation was associated with an increased risk of candidiasis. In contrast, the HMZ p.Q289X (c.865C > T) mutation is linked to a higher risk of dermatophytosis. We observed differences in the geographical distribution of these mutations. The primary mutations found in African patients differ from those in Asian patients. Specifically, Asian patients exhibit a broader spectrum of CARD9 mutations than African patients. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of mutations observed in the 90 cases revealed 32 distinct variations, emphasising the unique genetic alterations in the CARD9 gene associated with specific geographical areas and the corresponding prevalence of fungal infections.

Research on complex network modeling of building materials supply and demand and characteristics of communities.

Currently, China's building materials market is large and the supply and demand transactions are very frequent, which requires us to have a comprehensive understanding of the supply and demand transactions of building materials. Based on complex network theory, this paper constructs a complex network model of supply and demand of building materials. And the Louvain algorithm is also improved to identify and characterize the network community relations based on the characteristics of this network. This paper also applies prefabricated components as an example for empirical research and obtains the following findings: (1) From 2017 to 2022, large- and medium-sized communities in the network gradually increase while small communities gradually decrease; the internal connectivity of large communities is higher than that of small communities; and the regional network also has the structural characteristics of the network. (2) The characteristics of geographic agglomeration gradually emerge in the individual communities in the supply-demand network of prefabricated components with the passage of time. Most of these communities are bounded by provinces, and large-scale communities are distributed in the eastern and southern coastal areas. Thus, this paper visualizes the supply and demand of construction materials to provide a theoretical basis and methodological support for the supply and demand of construction materials and the development of the construction industry.

Recent landscape and trends for industry-sponsored pediatric clinical trials in China from 2013 to 2022.

Importance: Pediatric medication is a challenging issue globally. Promoting trials of medications for children and implementing measures to encourage innovation for addressing unmet medical and health needs are important. Objective: To explore the recent landscape of pediatric clinical trials of new investigational drugs conducted by pharmaceutical enterprises in China from 2013 to 2022 to provide insight into pediatric drug development in the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory policy formulation. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional observational investigation of pediatric clinical trials registered from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022, on the Registration and Information Disclosure Platform for Drug Clinical Trials, the official registration platform established in 2013 for trials of new investigational drugs initiated by biopharmaceutical enterprises. Trials that included pediatric participants (under 18 years old) were retrieved, and their relevant characteristics were extracted and analyzed. Results: In total, 895 pediatric clinical trials were collected, accounting for 5.1% of the total registered clinical trials initiated prior to January 1, 2023. The overall average annual growth rate for the number of pediatric clinical trials was 12% (P < 0.001). Phase III trials accounted for the highest proportion (49.1%, 439). Of the 895 trials included, 736 (82.2%) were domestic trials, and 159 (17.8%) were international multicenter trials. In terms of tested drugs, investigations of biological products accounted for the largest proportion of trials (67.4%, 603). Among pediatric clinical trials, studies of vaccines accounted for the largest proportion of trials (41.0%, 367), followed by trials for rare diseases (17.2%, 154). Furthermore, geographical distribution analysis revealed that the largest and smallest numbers of trials were conducted in North China (35.7%, 320) and Northeast China (0.8%, 7), respectively. Interpretation: The growth trends for industry-sponsored clinical trials involving children illustrate the progress and increasing capability of pediatric drug development achieved in China since 2013. Current challenges and potential areas of focus for policymakers and stakeholders include investigating orphan drugs for rare diseases according to the unique epidemiological characteristics of Chinese children, expanding the scope of pediatric clinical trials, and improving the uneven geographical distribution of leading research centers.

The recovery potential and utilization pathway of chemical energy from wastewater pollutants during wastewater treatment in China.

Research on the potential for chemical energy recovery and the optimization of recovery pathways in different regions of China is still lacking. This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the potential and optimize the utilization pathways for chemical energy recovery in various regions of China for achieving sustainable wastewater treatment. The results showed that the eastern and northeastern regions of China exhibited higher chemical energy levels under the existing operating conditions. Key factors affecting chemical energy recovery included chemical oxygen demand removal (ΔCOD), treatment scale, and specific energy consumption (µ) of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Furthermore, the average improvement in the chemical energy recovery rate with an optimized utilization pathway was approximately 40% in the WWTPs. The use of the net-zero energy consumption (NZE) model proved effective in improving the chemical energy recovery potential, with an average reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reaching next to 95% in the investigated WWTPs.

Mapping ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).

PURPOSE: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) has attracted considerable ethical, legal, and social scrutiny, but academic debate often fails to reflect clinical realities. METHODS: Addressing this disconnect, a review of 506 articles from 1999 to 2019 across humanities and social sciences was conducted to synthesize the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of PGT. This review mined PubMed, WoS, and Scopus databases, using both MeSH terms and keywords to map out the research terrain. RESULTS: The findings reveal a tenfold increase in global research output on PGT's ELSI from 1999 to 2019, signifying rising interest and concern. Despite heightened theoretical discourse on selecting "optimal" offspring, such practices were scarcely reported in clinical environments. Conversely, critical issues like PGT funding and familial impacts remain underexplored. Notably, 86% of the ELSI literature originates from just 12 countries, pointing to a research concentration. CONCLUSION: This review underscores an urgent need for ELSI research to align more closely with clinical practice, promoting collaborations among ethicists, clinicians, policymakers, and economists. Such efforts are essential for grounding debates in practical relevance, ultimately steering PGT towards ethical integrity, societal acceptance, and equitable access, aiming to harmonize PGT research with real-world clinical concerns, enhancing the relevance and impact of future ethical discussions.

Geographic distribution of bacterial communities of inland waters in China.

Microorganisms are integral to freshwater ecological functions and, reciprocally, their activity and diversity are shaped by the ecosystem state. Yet, the diversity of bacterial community and its driving factors at a large scale remain elusive. To bridge this knowledge gap, we delved into an analysis of 16S RNA gene sequences extracted from 929 water samples across China. Our analyses revealed that inland water bacterial communities showed a weak latitudinal diversity gradient. We found 530 bacterial genera with high relative abundance of hgcI clade. Among them, 29 core bacterial genera were identified, that is strongly linked to mean annual temperature and nutrient loadings. We also detected a non-linear response of bacterial network complexity to the increasing of human pressure. Mantel analysis suggested that MAT, HPI and P loading were the major factors driving bacterial communities in inland waters. The map of taxa abundance showed that the abundant CL500-29 marine group in eastern and southern China indicated high eutrophication risk. Our findings enhance our understanding of the diversity and large-scale biogeographic pattern of bacterial communities of inland waters and have important implications for microbial ecology.

History of the geographic distribution of the western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus, in the United States.

Ixodes pacificus (the western blacklegged tick) occurs in the far western United States (US), where it commonly bites humans. This tick was not considered a species of medical concern until it was implicated in the 1980s as a vector of Lyme disease spirochetes. Later, it was discovered to also be the primary vector to humans in the far western US of agents causing anaplasmosis and hard tick relapsing fever. The core distribution of I. pacificus in the US includes California, western Oregon, and western Washington, with outlier populations reported in Utah and Arizona. In this review, we provide a history of the documented occurrence of I. pacificus in the US from the 1890s to present, and discuss associations of its geographic range with landscape, hosts, and climate. In contrast to Ixodes scapularis (the blacklegged tick) in the eastern US, there is no evidence for a dramatic change in the geographic distribution of I. pacificus over the last half-century. Field surveys in the 1930s and 1940s documented I. pacificus along the Pacific Coast from southern California to northern Washington, in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and in western Utah. County level collection records often included both immatures and adults of I. pacificus, recovered by drag sampling or from humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. The estimated geographic distribution presented for I. pacificus in 1945 by Bishopp and Trembley is similar to that presented in 2022 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no clear evidence of range expansion for I. pacificus, separate from tick records in new areas that could have resulted from newly initiated or intensified surveillance efforts. Moreover, there is no evidence from long-term studies that the density of questing I. pacificus ticks has increased over time in specific areas. It therefore is not surprising that the incidence of Lyme disease has remained stable in the Pacific Coast states from the early 1990s, when it became a notifiable condition, to present. We note that deforestation and deer depredation were less severe in the far western US during the 1800s and early 1900s compared to the eastern US. This likely contributed to I. pacificus maintaining stable, widespread populations across its geographic range in the far western US in the early 1900s, while I. scapularis during the same time period appears to have been restricted to a small number of geographically isolated refugia sites within its present range in the eastern US. The impact that a warming climate may have had on the geographic distribution and local abundance of I. pacificus in recent decades remains unclear.

Advances in life-history knowledge for 35 seahorse species from community science.

Marine community science presents an important route to gather valuable scientific information while also influencing local management and policy, thus contributing to marine conservation efforts. Because seahorses are cryptic but charismatic species, they are good candidates for engaging diverse people to help overcome the many gaps in biological knowledge. We have synthesized information contributed to the community science project iSeahorse from October 2013 to April 2022 for 35 of 46 known seahorse species. We then compared the obtained results with information in existing IUCN Red List assessments, executed from 2014 to 2017, to explore the potential of iSeahorse in expanding seahorse knowledge. Our results show updated geographic ranges for 7 seahorse species, new habitats described for 24 species, observations outside the previously recorded depth range for 14 species, and new information on sex ratio for 15 species and on pregnancy seasonality for 11 species. As one example of the power of iSeahorse, contributed observations on Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) indicated that its geographic range is thousands of square kilometers larger, its habitat more diverse, and its depth range shallower than previously known. It is clear that iSeahorse is expanding knowledge on seahorses to a level that will help improve IUCN Red List assessments. The power of community science for marine conservation in general needs to be fully explored.

First record of Caligusdussumieri Rangnekar, 1957 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Caligidae) from Malaysia, with notes on caligids found from Malaysia and on host-specificity of caligids on lutjanid fishes.

Background: In total, 14 species of Caligus have been reported from Malaysia. Amongst them, four species are reported from lutjanid fishes. New information: Caligusdussumieri Rangnekar, 1957 is reported from Malabar snapper, Lutjanusmalabaricus, purchased from a local wet market in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. This is the first record of this species in Malaysia and it is only the second species assigned to the bonito-group of the genus Caligus to be reported from Malaysia. A key to species of the bonito-group is presented herein. The list of caligids infecting lutjanid fishes and the geographical distributions plus the known hosts of members of the bonito-group of Caligus are discussed.