Seasonal variations and sensory profiles of oolong tea: Insights from metabolic analysis of Tieguanyin cultivar.

The impact of seasonal variations on the quality of oolong tea products remains a subject of ongoing exploration. This study delves into the intricate relationships between seasonality, metabolites, and sensory characteristics in finished oolong tea products. Metabolomic data from 266 Tieguanyin oolong tea products harvested in both spring and autumn, along with corresponding sensory evaluations, were acquired. Using OPLS-DA and PLS-DA models with UPLC-QToF/MS data, our findings showed that seasonal effects were notably more pronounced in light-scented Tieguanyin products (lightly-roasted) compared to strong-scented products (moderately-roasted). Furthermore, over half of the identified key seasonal discriminant metabolites happened to be crucial for determining the sensory grade. The study marks the first-time recognition of triterpene saponins as critical factors in determining both the harvest season and the sensory grade of oolong tea. These insights deepen our understanding of the interplays between seasonal variations, metabolites, and sensory attributes in oolong tea products.

Precipitation explains Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) occupancy patterns in Northern Costa Rica / Patrones de ocurrencia del Zorzal del Bosque (Hylocichla mustelina) explicados por la precipitación en el Norte de Costa Rica

Abstract Introduction: The Wood Thrush is a migratory bird that has experienced dramatic declines in its populations in recent decades. This species overwinters in forest fragments with intermediate levels of habitat modification in Central America. However, more studies detailing the use of remnant forests through time are needed to elucidate the threats this species faces in the wintering grounds. Objective: To understand the effects of environmental and forest structure variables on the occupancy of Wood Thrush in Northern Costa Rica. Methods: The study area was the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), located in Northern Costa Rica, in December 2016, and during the 2018-2019 migration season. We estimated Wood Thrush occupancy and detection probability in four locations of ACG (dry forest, cloud forest, and two locations in the wet forest) using single-season occupancy models. We also estimated Wood Thrush occupancy and probability of persistence in different months in three vegetation types (open area, secondary forest, and old-growth forest) in the wet forest of ACG using a multi-season occupancy model approach. Results: Wood Thrush occupancy was best described by precipitation in the four locations of the ACG; the probability of occupancy increased with precipitation. The average occupancy of Wood Thrushes varied with vegetation type: open area with shrubs and forest edge (0.69 ± 0.09), secondary forest (0.46 ± 0.1), and old-growth forest (0.61 ± 0.1). Wood Thrush probability of persistence responded partially to changes in precipitation, with an unexpected increase in persistence when the rainfall continued decreasing in the season. Conclusion: Wood Thrush occupancy was best predicted by changes in precipitation considering a larger spatial scale. Its probability of persistence partially varied with precipitation. An increase in persistence closer to Spring migration might be explained by the start of the breeding season of resident birds, potentially reducing territorial conflicts and conserving energy before migration. The long-term protection of wet forests in Northern Costa Rica is of paramount importance for the conservation of Wood Thrushes in their wintering grounds.

Resumen Introducción: El Zorzal del Bosque es un ave migratoria que ha experimentado caídas dramáticas en sus poblaciones en las últimas décadas. Esta especie pasa el invierno en fragmentos de bosque con niveles intermedios de modificación de hábitat en Centroamérica. Sin embargo, se necesitan más estudios que detallen el uso de los bosques remanentes a lo largo del tiempo para dilucidar las amenazas que enfrenta esta especie en las zonas de invernada. Objetivo: Comprender los efectos de variables ambientales y de estructura del bosque en la ocurrencia del Zorzal del Bosque en el Norte de Costa Rica. Métodos: El área de estudio fue el Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), ubicada en el Norte de Costa Rica, en diciembre de 2016, y en la temporada migratoria 2018-2019. Estimamos la ocurrencia y la probabilidad de detección del Zorzal del Bosque en cuatro ubicaciones de ACG (bosque seco, bosque nuboso y dos ubicaciones en el bosque húmedo) utilizando modelos de ocurrencia de una sola temporada. También estimamos la ocurrencia del Zorzal del Bosque y la probabilidad de persistencia en diferentes meses en tres tipos de vegetación (área abierta, bosque secundario y bosque primario) en el bosque húmedo de ACG utilizando un enfoque de modelo de ocurrencia multi-estacional. Resultados: La ocurrencia del Zorzal del Bosque estuvo mejor descrita por la precipitación en las cuatro localidades del ACG; la probabilidad de ocurrencia aumentó con las precipitaciones. La ocurrencia media de zorzales varió con el tipo de vegetación: área abierta con arbustos y borde de bosque (0.69 ± 0.09), bosque secundario (0.46 ± 0.1) y bosque primario (0.61 ± 0.1). La probabilidad de persistencia del zorzal respondió parcialmente a cambios en la precipitación, con un aumento inesperado en la persistencia cuando las precipitaciones continuaron disminuyendo en la temporada. Conclusión: La ocurrecia del Zorzal del Bosque varió con la precipitación considerando una escala espacial mayor. Su probabilidad de persistencia varió parcialmente con la precipitación. Un aumento en la persistencia más cerca de la migración de primavera podría explicarse por el inicio de la temporada de reproducción de las aves residentes, lo que podría reducir los conflictos territoriales y conservar energía antes de la migración. La protección a largo plazo de los bosques húmedos en el norte de Costa Rica es de suma importancia para la conservación de los Zorzales del Bosque en sus zonas de invernada.

Comparison of hunting site strategies of the common buzzard Buteo buteo in open landscapes and along expressways.

Background: The expansion of human activities in their many forms increases the frequency, diversity, and scale of human-wildlife interactions. One such negative form is the expansion of road infrastructure, causing road kill and traffic-related noise as well as habitat loss and fragmentation. Even so, habitats around road infrastructure are attractive foraging areas that attract certain bird species. We assessed the impact of road infrastructure on the foraging strategies of the common buzzard Buteo buteo. Methods: Birds were observed during two winter seasons in two land-use types, along an expressway and an open agricultural landscape. Individual birds were tracked for a 10-min sequence as a separate sample was analysed. The material, covering 1,220 min along the expressway, and 1,100 min in the agricultural landscape, was collected. Results: Time spent by buzzards on medium-height sites was higher along the expressway than in farmland. Buzzards changed their hunting sites following the mean wind speed. Also, they more often changed their sites along the expressway than in farmland. The land-use types, snow cover, and the mean wind speed mediated the number of attacks on prey. These results illustrate the high plasticity of the buzzards' behaviour, which can adapt their hunting strategies to both foraging locations (expressway and farmland) and weather conditions. Roadsides along expressways are attractive foraging areas for this diurnal raptor, so reducing the risk of vehicle collisions with this and other birds of prey may require targeted planning efforts.

Interventions for the prevention of weight gain during festive and holiday periods in children and adults: A systematic review.

Some periods during the year, such as festive and summer holiday periods, have been associated with weight gain. We aimed to assess the effect of interventions for the prevention of body weight gain during festive and holiday periods in children and adults. A systematic search was conducted in six databases and supplementary sources until January 4, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs, and non-RCTs. Our primary outcome measure was the change in body weight in adults or the change in BMI z-score or BMI percentile in children and adolescents. From 4216 records, 12 primary studies (from 22 reports) met the inclusion criteria-10 from the United States, one from the United Kingdom, and one from Chile. Two studies had a low risk of bias, two moderate, seven high, and one critical risk of bias. The meta-analysis in children included four of seven studies during the summer holidays (six interventions) and showed a mean difference in BMI z-score favoring the intervention group (-0.06 [95% CI -0.10, -0.01], p = 0.01, I2 = 0%, very low certainty evidence). The meta-analysis in adults included five studies during festive periods with a mean difference in weight favoring the intervention group (-0.99 kg [95% CI -2.15, 0.18], p = 0.10, I2 = 89%, very low certainty evidence). This review has highlighted potential interventions to prevent the increase in body weight during holiday periods. More work is needed to improve the quality of the evidence and to extend it to countries outside of the United States and United Kingdom and to the adolescent population.

Moving Toward Evidence-Based Care: Measuring Preferences in Zoo-Housed Aquatic Turtles Using 24-h Remote Monitoring.

Providing evidence-based care to animals is a common goal in zoos and aquariums. However, there are many understudied species with a lack of information available, which may result in suboptimal care for individuals of these species. Using preference tests to ask individual animals what they want can be an effective means to enhance their care, and subsequently, their welfare. Using 24-h remote monitoring, we assessed substrate, enclosure feature, and lighting preferences of five aquatic turtles (two wood turtles, one Blanding's turtle, and two spotted turtles) that share an indoor enclosure at Lincoln Park Zoo. In addition, we compared enclosure feature and lighting preferences between winter and summer to determine whether the turtles had changing seasonal preferences despite being housed indoors. We found that the wood turtles and Blanding's turtle had substrate preferences, whereas the spotted turtles did not. In addition, we found that the turtles' enclosure feature preferences were consistent between winter and summer, but the amount of time spent on land, logs, and in water varied by individual. Finally, we found that the turtles utilized areas with ambient lighting more than areas with a heat lamp or UV lamp; this was consistent between winter and summer. The turtle preferences observed in this study can contribute to the development of care strategies that support their welfare and, in turn, may inspire similar preference studies at other institutions as we collectively advance toward providing animals of all taxonomic groups with evidence-based care.

The effects of Pinus sylvestris L. geographical origin on the community and co-occurrence of fungal and bacterial endophytes in a common garden experiment.

Below-ground microorganisms, particularly endophytes, are pivotal for plant establishment and functioning through nutrient acquisition and enhancing resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The impact of host plant origin within a species on the composition and interaction networks of root endophytic fungi and bacteria has been less explored compared with plant phylogeny and biological distance. This study investigates the effect of geographic origin on the fungal and bacterial microbiomes of Pinus sylvestris L. root endophytes. Roots from plants grown in a common garden, originating from six locations, were harvested in two distinct seasons. Fungal and bacterial microbiomes were analyzed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness of endophytic fungi and bacteria showed no significant variation due to tree origin or season. However, the Shannon diversity index for endophytic fungi was seasonally influenced. The composition of endophytic fungal and bacterial communities was affected by both tree origin and season, correlating with host root biochemical parameters, such as starch, total non-structural carbohydrates, carbon, nitrogen, and climatic factors, such as mean annual precipitation and temperature. Moreover, the abundance of specific endophytic fungi and bacteria varied across different P. sylvestris origins, depending on the season. The complexity of the co-occurrence networks of fungal and bacterial endophytes within P. sylvestris also differed by geographical origin and season. This study highlights the significant role of biochemical and climatic factors associated with tree origin in shaping interactions with endophytic communities, potentially affecting plant health and adaptability across diverse environments. IMPORTANCE: This study advances our understanding of how plant ecotype and seasonal changes influence root endophytic communities in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). By examining trees from various origins grown in a common garden, it highlights the role of tree origin and season in shaping fungal and bacterial community and co-occurrence networks. Importantly, this research demonstrates that tree origin impacts the composition and interaction networks of root endophytes and depends on the season. The study's findings suggest that root biochemical traits and climatic conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation) associated with tree origin are crucial in determining the assembly of endophytic communities. This understanding could lead to innovative strategies for enhancing plant health and adaptability across different environments, contributing to forestry and conservation efforts. The research underscores the complexity of plant-microbe interactions and the need for a comprehensive approach to studying them, highlighting the interplay between tree origin and microbial ecology in forest ecosystems.

Lower Extremity Injury Rates on Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass Surfaces in the National Football League During the 2021 and 2022 Seasons.

Background: It has been argued that the use of artificial turf football fields in the National Football League (NFL) increases player injury risk compared with natural grass surfaces. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to quantify the rate of lower extremity injuries occurring in NFL players on artificial turf compared with natural grass surfaces and characterize the time missed due to injury and proportion of injuries requiring surgery. It was hypothesized that lower extremity injuries requiring surgical intervention would occur at a higher rate on artificial turf than on natural grass. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Lower extremity injury data for the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons were obtained using publicly available records. Data collected included injury type, player position, player age, playing surface, weeks missed due to injury, and whether the patient underwent season-ending or minor surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the risk of season-ending surgery according to playing surface. Results: When combining injuries for the 2021 and 2022 seasons (N = 718 injuries), the incidence rate of lower extremity injury was 1.22 injuries/game for natural grass and 1.42 injuries/game for artificial turf. The odds of a season-ending surgery were found to be significantly higher on artificial turf compared with natural grass (odds ratio = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.28-1.99; P < .05), while additional variables, including weather, age, position, week of injury occurrence, and history of prior injury, did not influence the odds of season-ending surgery. Conclusion: The 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons of our analysis demonstrated a higher incidence rate of injuries on artificial turf surfaces compared with natural grass surfaces. In addition, the odds of injury requiring season-ending surgery were found to be significantly higher on artificial turf compared with natural grass.

Seasonal mouse cadaver microbial study: rupture time and postmortem interval estimation model construction.

The estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) has long been a focal point in the field of forensic science. Following the death of an organism, microorganisms exhibit a clock-like proliferation pattern during the course of cadaver decomposition, forming the foundation for utilizing microbiology in PMI estimation. The establishment of PMI estimation models based on datasets from different seasons is of great practical significance. In this experiment, we conducted microbiota sequencing and analysis on gravesoil and mouse intestinal contents collected during both the winter and summer seasons and constructed a PMI estimation model using the Random Forest algorithm. The results showed that the MAE of the gut microbiota model in summer was 0.47 ± 0.26 d, R2 = 0.991, and the MAE of the gravesoil model in winter was 1.04 ± 0.22 d, R2 = 0.998. We propose that, in practical applications, it is advantageous to selectively build PMI estimation models based on seasonal variations. Additionally, through a combination of morphological observations, gravesoil microbiota sequencing results, and soil physicochemical data, we identified the time of cadaveric rupture for mouse cadavers, occurring at around days 24-27 in winter and days 6-9 in summer. This study not only confirms previous research findings but also introduces novel insights, contributing to the foundational knowledge necessary to advance the utilization of microbiota for PMI estimation.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of bacterial meningitis in China from 2017 to 2021: a multicenter retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate the changing epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the Shandong region. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective analysis of bacterial distribution and resistance patterns in CSF samples, utilizing data from the SPARSS network and analyzed with WHONET 5.6 software. RESULTS: A total of 3968 pathogenic bacterial strains were isolated, consisting of 70.6% Gram-positive bacteria, 27.2% Gram-negative bacteria, and 0.2% fungi. The six most commonly detected bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococcus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and staphylococcus aureus. Analysis revealed gender and seasonal variations in the distribution of CSF pathogens, with a higher incidence observed in males and during autumn compared to other seasons. The susceptibility profiles of these bacterial species varied significantly, with many exhibiting multidrug resistances. A. baumannii showed a high resistance rate to cephalosporins and carbapenems but was sensitive to tigecycline and polymyxins. For treating multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infections, polymyxin-based combinations with tigecycline or sulbactam are recommended for adults, while tigecycline combined with meropenem is suggested for children. Enterobacteriaceae species were generally sensitive to carbapenems, such as meropenem and other carbapenems that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier can be recommended. Linezolid and vancomycin are the first choice for treating common gram-positive bacterial infections. CONCLUSIONS: The high resistance rates observed among common CSF isolates and their varied distributions across different demographics highlight the necessity for customized treatment strategies.

The Influence of Environmental Conditions and Coinfection by Blood-Feeding Parasites on Red Blood Cell Physiology of an Ectothermic Host.

AbstractVector-borne blood parasites cause myriad sublethal effects and can even be deadly to endotherms, but far less is known about their impacts on ectothermic hosts. Moreover, the pathologies documented in endotherms are generally linked to infection by blood parasites rather than by their vectors. Here, we measured hematocrit, hemoglobin, and relative proportions of immature red blood cells to evaluate the physiological effects of two blood-feeding parasites and coinfection on ectothermic hosts, differentiating among pathological responses, extrinsic factors, and natural variations. We investigated a population of wild eastern hellbender salamanders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), which harbor leeches (Placobdella appalachiensis) that transmit blood parasites (Trypanosoma spp.) to their hosts, often resulting in coinfection. We observed seasonal changes in host hematology corresponding to water temperature and demonstrated their ability to modulate hematological parameters in response to acute stress. We reveal seasonal relationships between parasite dynamics and host physiology, in which peak parasitemia occurred when hosts had seasonally high hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations. We found that coinfected individuals expressed symptoms of anemia, including a regenerative response to depletion of their red blood cells. We also documented a more pronounced pathological response to leech vectors than to the trypanosomes they transmit. Our research underscores the complex interactions between host physiology, multiple parasites, and environmental factors and highlights the pathologies associated with the vector in coinfections. Given the contributions of climate change and disease in the rapid global decline of ectotherms such as amphibians, our study provides timely foundational insights into multiple factors that influence their red blood cell physiology.

Infection length and host environment influence on Plasmodium falciparum dry season reservoir.

Persistence of malaria parasites in asymptomatic hosts is crucial in areas of seasonally-interrupted transmission, where P. falciparum bridges wet seasons months apart. During the dry season, infected erythrocytes exhibit extended circulation with reduced cytoadherence, increasing the risk of splenic clearance of infected cells and hindering parasitaemia increase. However, what determines parasite persistence for long periods of time remains unknown. Here, we investigated whether seasonality affects plasma composition so that P. falciparum can detect and adjust to changing serological cues; or if alternatively, parasite infection length dictates clinical presentation and persistency. Data from Malian children exposed to alternating ~6-month wet and dry seasons show that plasma composition is unrelated to time of year in non-infected children, and that carrying P. falciparum only minimally affects plasma constitution in asymptomatic hosts. Parasites persisting in the blood of asymptomatic children from the dry into the ensuing wet season rarely if ever appeared to cause malaria in their hosts as seasons changed. In vitro culture in the presence of plasma collected in the dry or the wet seasons did not affect parasite development, replication or host-cell remodelling. The absence of a parasite-encoded sensing mechanism was further supported by the observation of similar features in P. falciparum persisting asymptomatically in the dry season and parasites in age- and sex-matched asymptomatic children in the wet season. Conversely, we show that P. falciparum clones transmitted early in the wet season had lower chance of surviving until the end of the following dry season, contrasting with a higher likelihood of survival of clones transmitted towards the end of the wet season, allowing for the re-initiation of transmission. We propose that the decreased virulence observed in persisting parasites during the dry season is not due to the parasites sensing ability, nor is it linked to a decreased capacity for parasite replication but rather a consequence decreased cytoadhesion associated with infection length.

Decision Making of the In-season Athlete with Anterior Shoulder Instability.

In-season management of anterior shoulder instability in athletes is a complex problem. Athletes often wish to play through their current season, though recurrent instability rates are high, particularly in contact sports. Athletes are generally considered safe to return to play when they are relatively pain-free, and their strength and range of motion match the uninjured extremity. If an athlete is unable to progress toward recovering strength and range of motion, surgical management is an option, though this is often a season-ending decision.

Characterization of carbonaceous components and PAHs on ultrafine particles in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

This study investigated seasonal fluctuations in particulate matter (PM) concentrations, including carbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) components, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, focusing on ultrafine particles (UFPs or ≤ 100 nm). UFP levels were notably higher during the dry season, averaging 23.73 ± 3.7 µg/m3 compared to 19.64 ± 3.4 µg/m3 in the wet season, attributed to increased emissions from vehicles and agricultural burning. In contrast, lower concentrations during the wet season were due to scavenging effect of rain. When compared to other Southeast Asian cities, UFP levels in Phnom Penh were significantly higher during the dry season, surpassing those in cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Seasonal variations in carbonaceous components showed higher elemental carbon (EC) and total carbon (TC) during the dry season, with EC/TC ratios suggesting substantial influence from vehicular emissions and biomass burning. PAH analysis revealed seasonal disparities, with higher concentrations of benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) during the wet season, whereas fluoranthene (Flu) and pyrene (Pyr) were consistently present, indicating diverse PAH sources. The Flu/(Flu + Pyr) ratios, indicative of biomass burning, were higher in the dry season. Correlations between PAHs and carbon components confirmed combustion as a significant source of PAHs, aligning with global trends. This emphasizes the need to address distinct PM sources during various season in Phnom Penh.

The Prevalence of Low Vitamin D in Elite Para-Athletes: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D insufficiency (25OHD, 50-75 nmolˑl- 1) is a common issue within healthy adults and elite athletes and is associated with decreased musculoskeletal health and performance. However, few studies have identified the prevalence and risk factors associated with vitamin D insufficiency within elite Para-Athletes. METHODS: An electronic search was completed on the 5th January 2023 and updated on the 21st June 2024, searching Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and EASY (originally OpenGrey). To meet the eligibility criteria, retrieved studies were required to include at least one baseline measure of a vitamin D biomarker from elite Para-Athletes performing at national or international levels and therefore all quantitative study designs could be included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist (8-item) for analytical cross-sectional studies. Data from the eligible studies was extracted and charted, with a supporting narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 3083 articles, of which ten studies met the inclusion criteria. In total there were n = 355 Para-Athletes, 69.6% of which comprised of males in the included studies. Across the ten included studies, n = 546 samples were taken from n = 355 Para-Athletes across different seasons and based upon the 25(OH)D insufficiency and deficiency thresholds set by each individual study 43.2% of the samples were considered insufficient and 28.1% deficient. During the winter months vitamin D insufficiency was at its most prevalent at 74.1%, compared to 57.1% in summer of the 25(OH)D samples measured in Para-Athletes. Wheelchair athletes who competed in indoor sports were also more susceptible to low vitamin D. CONCLUSION: This review has highlighted that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is highly prevalent in elite level Para-Athletes, all year, across both summer and winter months. Therefore, this review highlights the need for education, treatment, and preventative measures in elite Para-Athletes throughout the year. REGISTRATION: The following systematic review was prospectively registered through PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO registration ID number: CRD42022362149).

Potential impact of climatic factors on malaria in Rwanda between 2012 and 2021: a time-series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains an important public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Rwanda, where malaria ranks among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, disease transmission is influenced by climatic factors. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating the link between climate change and malaria dynamics, which hinders the development of effective national malaria response strategies. Addressing this critical gap, this study analyses how climatic factors influence malaria transmission across Rwanda, thereby informing tailored interventions and enhancing disease management frameworks. METHODS: The study analysed the potential impact of temperature and cumulative rainfall on malaria incidence in Rwanda from 2012 to 2021 using meteorological data from the Rwanda Meteorological Agency and malaria case records from the Rwanda Health Management and Information System. The analysis was performed in two stages. First, district-specific generalized linear models with a quasi-Poisson distribution were applied, which were enhanced by distributed lag non-linear models to explore non-linear and lagged effects. Second, random effects multivariate meta-analysis was employed to pool the estimates and to refine them through best linear unbiased predictions. RESULTS: A 1-month lag with specific temperature and rainfall thresholds influenced malaria incidence across Rwanda. Average temperature of 18.5 °C was associated with higher malaria risk, while temperature above 23.9 °C reduced the risk. Rainfall demonstrated a dual effect on malaria risk: conditions of low (below 73 mm per month) and high (above 223 mm per month) precipitation correlated with lower risk, while moderate rainfall (87 to 223 mm per month) correlated with higher risk. Seasonal patterns showed increased malaria risk during the major rainy season, while the short dry season presented lower risk. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the influence of temperature and rainfall on malaria transmission in Rwanda and calls for tailored interventions that are specific to location and season. The findings are crucial for informing policy that enhance preparedness and contribute to malaria elimination efforts. Future research should explore additional ecological and socioeconomic factors and their differential contribution to malaria transmission.

Distribution of Bovine Mastitis Pathogens in Quarter Milk Samples from Bavaria, Southern Germany, between 2014 and 2023-A Retrospective Study.

The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of mastitis pathogens in quarter milk samples (QMSs) submitted to the laboratory of the Bavarian Animal Health Service (TGD) between 2014 and 2023 in general, in relation to the clinical status of the quarters, and to analyze seasonal differences in the detection risk. Each QMS sent to the TGD during this period was analyzed and tested using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Depending on the result, QMSs were classified as CMT-negative, subclinical, or clinical if the milk character showed abnormalities. Mastitis pathogens were detected in 19% of the QMSs. Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) were the most common species isolated from the culture positive samples (30%), followed by Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (19%), Streptococcus (Sc.) uberis (19%), and Sc. dysgalactiae (9%). In culture-positive QMSs from CMT-negative and subclinically affected quarters, the most frequently isolated pathogens were NAS (44% and 27%, respectively), followed by S. aureus (25% and 17%, respectively) and Sc. uberis (8% and 22%, respectively). In QMSs from clinically affected quarters, the most frequently isolated pathogens were Sc. uberis (32%), S. aureus (13%), Sc. dysgalactiae (11%), and Escherichia (E.) coli (11%). The distribution of NAS and Sc. uberis increased throughout the study period, while that of S. aureus decreased. From June to October, QMSs from subclinically affected quarters increased and environmental pathogens, such as Sc. uberis, were detected more frequently. In conclusion, this study highlights the dynamic nature of the distribution of mastitis pathogens, influenced by mastitis status and seasonal factors. Environmental pathogens still play an important role, especially in clinical mastitis and seasonal dependency, with the number of positive samples continuing to increase. It is therefore essential to continue mastitis control measures and to regularly monitor the spread of mastitis pathogens in order to track trends and adapt targeted prevention measures.

Increased rupture of cypress pollen type due to atmospheric water in central and southeastern Spain.

This study aims to investigate the meteorological variables determining Cupressaceae pollen grain disruption in the environment. A parallel sampling of pollen grains and disrupted Cupressaceae pollen grains was performed in six cities using two Spanish aerobiological networks. The pollen concentrations, disrupted pollen concentrations, percentage of disrupted pollen and number of days when the percentage of disrupted pollen was above or equal to 50 % were quantified during two pollen seasons. The concentrations were determined following the standardised method EN 16868. Results show that the concentrations of pollen grains and disrupted pollen grains were not determined by geographical features and rarely by bioclimatic variables or indexes but by the ornamental use of the specimens in the vicinity of the pollen sampler, highlighting the possibility of using management practices to reduce exposure to allergens in the cities. African dust outbreaks coincided with higher concentrations of pollen grains and disrupted pollen grains, but the reduced percentage of disrupted pollen grains pointed to a non-causal relationship with long-distance transport. The effect of wind and maximum gusts remained negligible. The triggering factor for pollen disruption was the amount of water in the atmosphere, mainly reported as relative humidity. Rainfall increased the effect of disruption due to pollen grain swelling caused by its wash-out effect. The higher the relative humidity, the higher the disrupted pollen concentrations. This aligns with the mechanism of Cupressaceae reproduction since the family needs a water medium in the form of pollination droplets for the pollination tube to develop and the pollen grain to perform its biological function. Therefore, people that develop allergic symptoms to Cupresaceae pollen should avoid exposure during days with high relative humidity in the main pollen season.

A Phenomenon: What Are the Minuscule Grey Moths Abundant in the Dry Season in the Tropical Dry Forests of the Pacific Coast of Honduras?

Our investigation centered on the tropical dry forests along the Pacific coast of Honduras, aiming to elucidate the presence and abundance of minuscule grey moths during the dry season. Through specimen dissections and the taxonomic identification of the collected material, we have described three new species: Acalyptris podenasi sp. nov., A. palpiformis sp. nov., and A. tortoris sp. nov. Additionally, we documented two species previously known from neighboring countries, A. lascuevella Puplesis & Robinson and A. basicornis Remeikis & Stonis. The females of A. lascuevella were previously unknown and are documented here for the first time. Morphological examinations were complemented by DNA barcoding, particularly highlighting variation in A. lascuevella. The paper's primary significance lies not only in the description of new species but also in uncovering their taxonomic, morphological, and molecular importance. We found that these species are unique and indicative of the previously unstudied dry forests as a distinct ecosystem. Our findings revealed several novel atypical morphological traits within the studied Nepticulidae, including unusually large signum cells in the female genitalia, a dorso-ventrally divided uncus, and asymmetrical valvae in the male genitalia. These discoveries underscore the morphological diversity of Acalyptris Meyrick and their significance in evolutionary biology. Consequently, the paper addresses a previously unknown phenomenon of the occurrence and astonishing abundance of minuscule plant-mining micromoths in dry deciduous forests during the peak of the dry season. We hope that this paper will encourage Lepidoptera taxonomists to explore micromoths in other tropical dry forests, which, while limited in distribution, hold global importance. The paper is extensively illustrated with photographs of Acalyptris adults and their genitalia, along with maps, habitats, and molecular phylogenetic trees.

Long-term application of FYM and fertilizer N improve soil fertility and enzyme activity in 51st wheat cycle under pearl millet-wheat.

Our study from an ongoing research experiment initiated in Rabi 1967 at the Research Farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana, India, reports that during the 51st wheat cycle in pearl millet-wheat sequence, adding FYM in both seasons significantly impacted various soil parameters at different wheat growth stages compared to the rabi season. The application of 15 t of FYM ha-1 resulted in a considerable increase in dissolved organic carbon content (9.1-11.2%), available P (9.7-12.1%), and available S (12.6-17.1%), DHA levels by 7.3-22.0%, urease activity (10.1 and 17.0%), ß-Glucosidase activity (6.2-8.4%), and APA activity (5.2-10.6%), compared to 10 t FYM ha-1. Application of N120 exhibited a considerable improvement in DHA (11.0-23.2%), ß-Glucosidase (9.4-19.2%), urease (13.3-28.3%), and APA (3.3-6.2%) activity compared to control (N0). At stage 3, the box plot revealed that 50% of the available N, P, and S values varied from 223.1 to 287.9 kg ha-1, 53.0 to 98.2 kg ha-1, and 50.0 to 97.6 kg ha-1, respectively. Principal component analysis, with PC1 explaining 94.7% and PC2 explaining 3.15% of the overall variability, and SOC had a polynomial relationship with soil characteristics (R2 = 0.89 to 0.99). Applying FYM15 × N120 treatment during both seasons proved beneficial in sustaining the health of sandy loam soil in North-West India.

Winter birth: A factor of poor functional outcome in a Swiss early psychosis cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Winter birth has consistently been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia. This study aimed to determine whether individuals born during this season are also at higher risk for early psychosis and whether this is associated with distinct functional and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on 222 patients during their early phase of psychosis in Switzerland, nested in the Treatment and Early Intervention in Psychosis (TIPP) cohort. We compared the birth trimesters of these patients with those of the general Swiss population. Additionally, we evaluated the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores among patients born in winter (January to March) versus those born during the rest of the year during a three-year follow-up period. RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of patients experiencing early psychosis were born in winter compared to the general Swiss population. Patients born in winter had significantly lower GAF scores at 6 months, 24 months, and 36 months of follow-up, compared to patients born during the rest of the year. They also manifested fewer positive symptoms, as indicated by the PANSS positive subscale. CONCLUSION: Birth in winter appears to be associated with a lower functional outcome and potentially distinct symptomatology in the early phase of psychosis.