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Faisal Abdi Osoble Osman,1 Ibrahim Mohamed Hirsi,2 Shuayb Moallim Ali Jama,1 Abdirisak Abdikarin Ahmed,3 Abdisalam Abdullahi Yusuf,2 Mohamed Osman Dahir1 1Radiology Department, Mogadishu Somali Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Training and Research Hospital, Mogadish, Somalia; 2Pediatric Department, Mogadishu Somali Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Training and Research Hospital, Mogadish, Somalia; 3Opthalmology Department, Mogadishu Somali Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Training and Research Hospital, Mogadish, SomaliaCorrespondence: Faisal Abdi Osoble Osman, Radiology Department, Mogadishu Somali Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia, Email Faisalosoble@gmail.comIntroduction: Septic pulmonary embolism is a serious and rare complication of orbital cellulitis. Orbital infection usually arises from adjacent soft tissue or hematogenous infections.Case: A 2-year-old girl presented with high-grade fever, cough, and bilateral eyelid swelling for 5 days preceded by edema and a perinasal facial skin furuncle. Examination revealed bilateral axial proptosis and orbital and thoracic CT bilateral orbital cellulitis, septic pulmonary embolism, and bilateral pneumothorax.Discussion: A rare but potentially fatal complication of periorbital cellulitis is septic embolism, which carries a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The infections that cause orbital cellulitis can be transmitted to the orbit through dehiscence of the bone wall or through venous drainage. This can lead to septicemia and subsequent serious complications, including septic pulmonary embolism, Cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, and cerebral ischemia. Advanced and timely imaging is crucial to diagnose both orbital cellulitis and its thoracal complications.Conclusion: Early diagnosis of orbital cellulitis, timely investigations of its extracranial complications, and multidisciplinary involvement in patient management are crucial to prevent or treat complications such as septic pulmonary embolism and may improve patient prognosis.Keywords: Septic pulmonary embolism, SPE, Orbital cellulitis, OC and Pneumothorax, PTX

Irna Sufiawati,1 Alamsyah Piliang,2 Adi Ahmad Yusuf,2 Tenny Setiani Dewi,1 Hasrayati Agustina,3 Yohana Azhar,4 Adi Idris5 1Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia; 2Oral Medicine Residency Program, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia; 3Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran/Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia; 4Division of Oncology Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran//Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia; 5Centre For Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD, AustraliaCorrespondence: Irna Sufiawati, Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jalan Sekeloa Selatan I, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia, Tel +62-22-2504985, Fax +62-22-2532805, Email irna.sufiawati@fkg.unpad.ac.idPurpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and analyze the relationship between the degree of differentiation and factors including age, sex, stage, and tumor location in West Java, Indonesia.Patients and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Central Referral and Teaching Hospital in West Java, Indonesia. The data were collected by reviewing medical records with International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes C00-C06 from 2016 to 2023. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC patients. Chi-square, rank Spearman tests, and contingency correlation coefficients were used to analyze the relationship between the degree of differentiation and various factors, such as age, sex, stage, and tumor location of OSCC.Results: Out of the 627 oral cancer patients, 70.49% were diagnosed with OSCC with a gender distribution of 45.7% males and 54.3% females, predominantly within the age range of 30– 49 (37.2%). Most OSCC cases were stage IV (37.7%), with the tongue identified as the most common site (68.8%). A consistent trend of higher well-differentiated and moderately differentiated OSCC by age and gender was observed. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between age, gender, tumor location, and the degree of OSCC differentiation (p> 0.05). However, a statistically significant correlation was identified between the degree of OSCC differentiation and stage (p< 0.001, r=0.460).Conclusion: There is a correlation between the degree of differentiation of OSCC and stage, suggesting significant prognostic implications that can aid in treatment planning and outcome prediction. However, further studies are needed due to the lack of comprehensive data on risk factors and survival rates of oral cancer patients, which is essential for enhancing prevention and treatment strategies for OSCC.Keywords: degree of differentiation, epidemiology, oral cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, prognostic

Abdisalam Abdullahi Yusuf,1 Ismail Gedi Ibrahim,2,3 Ibrahim Mohamed Hirsi,1 Ali Adali,1 Yonis Yusuf Hassan,1 Mehmet Zeki Yasar,1 Ismail Mohamoud Abdullahi,4 Mohamed Sheikh Hassan3,5 1Department of Pediatric, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 2Department of Radiology, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 3Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Mogadishu University, Mogadishu, Somalia; 4Department of Pathology, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 5Department of Neurology, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, SomaliaCorrespondence: Abdisalam Abdullahi Yusuf, Email taqi1434@gmail.comAbstract: Mucormycosis is a potentially fatal condition with a high mortality rate, particularly when there is extra nasal involvement, and it is rare for patients with fungal brain disease to survive. It mostly affects patients who are metabolically or immunologically compromised, which constitutes one of the three classical stages of the progression of Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM). Stage I: infection of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses; Stage II: orbital involvement; Stage III: cerebral involvement.Here, we report a case of rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis in a 14-year-old girl with no known risk factor who presented with periorbital edema, right eye proptosis, fever, and extreme facial pain, which progressively worsened to confusion and left leg weakness in 3 days after admission. The final diagnosis was rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. The infection was successfully treated using liposomal amphotericin and surgical debridement to remove infected orbital tissue. Mucormycosis is a potentially fatal disease that necessitates prompt diagnosis and treatment. Children are rarely infected with mucormycosis. The majority of studies show that people are typically between 40 and 50 years old. ROCM is typically diagnosed using clinical symptoms and histopathologic evaluation; however, imaging is critical in determining the presence of intracranial lesions. The standard treatment for ROCM is amphotericin B at a recommended dose of 1.0– 1.5 mg/kg/day for weeks or months, depending on the clinical response and severity of adverse drug reactions, particularly nephrotoxicity.Rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis in a healthy female child is uncommon; early diagnosis and prompt treatment with Amphotericin B should be necessary. Devastating consequences will result from a delayed diagnosis.Keywords: mucormycosis, orbital cellulitis, liposomal amphotericin B, cerebral involvement

Ahmed Issak Hussein,1 Sabri Kurtay,1 Abdikarim Ali Omar,1 Abdisalam Abdullahi Yusuf,2 Rahma Yusuf Haji Mohamud1 1Obstetrics and Gynecology department, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 2Pediatric Department, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, SomaliaCorrespondence: Ahmed Issak Hussein, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia, Tel +252615597479, Email daacat100@gmail.comBackground: There has been an increase in worldwide cesarean section rates, although they remain low in most Sub-Saharan African countries, including Somalia. The present is the first hospital-based study that analyzes the rate, indications, and associated maternal mortality of cesarean deliveries reported from Somalia.Methods: This retrospective study reviewed data of all deliveries from 2015 to 2021 using electronic medical records in the hospital information system. Retrieved data include baseline demographic characteristics, mode of delivery, indications and the type of cesarean section, and the documented maternal mortality during the study period.Results: During seven years, there were 12,540 total deliveries. Among these, 2703 were cesarean sections giving an overall cesarean section rate of 21.6%. The mean age of the patients was 26.7± 7.3 years [14– 44 years]. Multiparous mothers constituted 67.7% during the study period. According to cesarean deliveries, nulliparous mothers (55.7%) underwent the maximum number of cesarean sections. Emergency cesarean section was the predominant intervention compared to elective C-sections (59.2% vs 40.8%). Primary CS was the most common predominant, while repeat CS increased timely, 77.7% vs 22.3%, respectively. Overall, previous C-sections and fetal distress were the two most common indications for cesarean delivery (22.3% and 22.1%), respectively. C-sections were predominant in women of younger age, Primiparity, having term deliveries, and did not receive regular antenatal care. The maternal mortality rate was 1.7%, and 61% was due to direct obstetric hemorrhage, including postpartum hemorrhage, Placenta abruption, and uterine rupture.Conclusion: The study findings showed a slight increase in cesarean delivery rates during the study period. This rate is higher than the 10– 15% recommended by the WHO in developing countries. Policies and efforts to decrease unnecessary cesarean sections should be promoted and implemented at each health facility.Keywords: cesarean delivery, indications, maternal mortality, Sub-Saharan Africa

Ahmed Issak Hussein,1 Abdikarim Ali Omar,1 Hodan Abdi Hassan,1 Mohamed Mukhtar Kassim,2 Abdisalam Abdullahi Yusuf,2 Ahmed Adam Osman3 1Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 2Pediatric Department, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 3Radiology Department, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, SomaliaCorrespondence: Ahmed Issak Hussein, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia, Tel +252615597479, Email daacat100@gmail.comBackground and Importance: Spontaneous uterine rupture, especially in an unscarred uterus, is a rare pregnancy complication that can cause severe morbidity and mortality in both the mother and the fetus. The vast majority of uterine ruptures occur in the presence of a previous uterine scar, most commonly from a previous cesarean delivery. To our knowledge, here we reported the first case of spontaneous rupture of unscarred uterus in a term primigravida secondary to lethal skeletal dysplasia fetus (Type 1 Thanatophoric dysplasia) faced by a practicing clinician in an underdeveloped country (Somalia) with a successful outcome.Case Presentation: The patient was 24 yrs. Old Primagravida, at 40 weeks gestation by LMP, presented with abdominal pain and active vaginal bleeding; she did not receive antenatal care during pregnancy; after initial abdominal ultrasonography and vaginal examination, laparotomy was performed due to high suspicion of uterine rupture. After dead fresh fetal extraction, the uterine defect was repaired successfully, and the patient was discharged home in good condition after several days.Conclusion: Through this case, we would like to highlight the urgent need to focus on and recognize the importance of receiving antenatal care in the community so that the burden of thousands of lives lost each year can be reduced.Keywords: uterine rupture, Thanatophoric dysplasia, Primagravida, antenatal care, case report

Abdikarin Ahmed Mohamed,1 Hansa Haftu,1 Amanuel Hadgu,1 Dawit Seyoum,1 Goitom Gebrekidan,1 Mohamedawel Mohamedniguss Ebrahim,2 Abdisalam Abdullahi Yusuf,3 Mohammed Mustefa1 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Science, Mekelle University, Tigray, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Mekelle University, Tigray, Ethiopia; 3Department of Pediatrics, and Child Health, Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, SomaliaCorrespondence: Abdikarin Ahmed Mohamed, Email aywa432@gmail.comBackground: Hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is a significant cause of increased morbidity and mortality amongst hospitalized patients and represents a considerable health and economic burden worldwide. However, evidence about HAI in pediatric ICU is limited.Objective: To identify the prevalence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI), clinical profile, and its risk factors for nosocomial infection in patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Methodology: From a two-year retrospective chart review admitted from 2019 to 2020 to the PICU, 223 patients were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 23.0. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant for all tests.Results: Forty-five (20.2%) patients developed nosocomial infection (NI). The median age was 4 years with 25– 50th IQR of (0.6– 9). About invasive procedures done, the most common was nasogastric tube (57%), followed by mechanical ventilation (17.9%) and urinary catheter (13.9%). The main focus of the infection was chest (53.3%), followed by bloodstream infection (22%) and gastrointestinal infection (9%). The odds of HAI were 3.3 times higher among under-five compared to those aged between 5 and 18 years (AOR: 3.3, 95% CI = 1.4– 8.0, p = 0.008). The odds of HAI were also 4.1 times higher in those who stayed for more than two weeks compared to those who stayed in the pediatric ICU 2 to 14 days (AOR: 4.1, 95% CI = 2.0– 8.6, p < 0.001). The mean duration of mechanical ventilation in those patients with and without NI was 1.65 days and 13.96 days, respectively (AOR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.44– 9.81, p = 0.02). Patients who started antibiotics at admission and patients who were on nasogastric tube feeding were also statistically significant risk factors for developing NI (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.37– 9.64, p = 0.02; AOR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.64– 6.53, p = 0.03).Conclusion: The rate of infection in this study was higher compared to some developing countries. Younger age and prolonged length of hospital stay were found to be significant risk factors for HAI.Keywords: prevalence, PICU, NI, risk factor

Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) induces neoplastic adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and neurological HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (HAM) in approximately 3 %-5 % of infected individuals. The precise factors that facilitate disease manifestation are still unknown; interaction between the virus and the host's immune response is key. Cytokines regulates physiological activities and their dysregulation may initiate the pathogenesis of various malignant and infectious diseases. Genetic variations, particularly polymorphisms in gene regulatory regions, lead to varying cytokine production patterns. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a key cytokine in HTLV-1 infection, is a signature cytokine for T-helper 1 (Th1) cells that interferes with viral replication and enhances innate and adaptive immune responses during viral infections. The IFNG gene possesses several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), among which the + 874 A/T SNP has been widely studied for its functional role in HTLV-1 infection. The purpose of this review was to provide insight into the impact of IFNG SNPs on HTLV-1 Infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be managed by inhibiting amylolytic enzymes, α-amylase and α-glucosidase, reducing the impact of dietary carbohydrates on blood glucose elevation. Acarbose, a current α-glucose inhibitor (AGI), has excessive α-amylase inhibition, resulting in side effects associated with large amounts of undigested starch being fermented in the colon. This study evaluated the AGI efficacy of citrus peel-derived essential oils, where they were first tested in silico against the target amylolytic enzymes, and then their AGI activity was tested in vitro. The synergistic effects of the essential oils with acarbose against amylolytic enzymes were also determined. In silico and in vitro data of the efficacy of the essential oils as AGIs correlated positively; lower Ki values correlated with more negative binding affinity. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulations of the most potent compounds were evaluated and indicated relative flexibility and stability induced upon ligand interactions with the protein. The standard AGI drug, acarbose, had the lowest Ki (0.10 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and more negative binding affinity (-7.5 kcal/mol) than the essential oils for α-glucosidase; however, the essential oils only showed potent inhibition against α-glucosidase, with the most potent essential oils being valencene (Ki = 0.33 ± 0.04 mg/mL), carveol (Ki = 0.53 ± 0.02 mg/mL) and geraniol (Ki = 0.56 ± 0.02 mg/mL). The essential oils and acarbose displayed competitive inhibition of α-glucosidase. Furthermore, a combination of acarbose with carveol or geraniol at a ratio of 12.5 μg/mL: 2 mg/mL exhibited antagonistic (CI > 10) and synergistic (CI < 0.7) effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, respectively. Carveol or geraniol can be considered as potentially therapeutic in managing T2D, as it may display lowered AGI-associated side effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Samkelo Malgas reports financial support was provided by National Research Foundation. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are small pleomorphic bacteria that parasitize the surface of red blood cells of mammals. Hemoplasmas have been described in different species from the Camelidae Family, such as llamas and alpacas (South American camelids), but data on dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are limited to a few reports. Somalia has one of the world's largest dromedary camel populations, and studies on hemoplasmas and tick-borne pathogens are lacking. Accordingly, this study aimed to screen dromedaries from Somalia for hemoplasmas by PCR-based assays. A total of 155 dromedary camel blood samples from 2 different areas of Mogadishu (n = 104) and the Lower Shabelle Region (n = 51) of the country were collected. All blood DNA samples were screened for hemoplasmas using a SYBR Green Universal Real-Time PCR (qPCR), nested PCR (nPCR), and conventional PCR (cPCR) assays targeting the 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas. Five out of 155 animals (3.23%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-7.33%) were positive for hemoplasmas. A total of 346 (228 M, 117 F, and 1 nymph) ticks were collected from 79/155 (50.9%; 95% CI: 42.8-59.1%) dromedary camels with a mean of 4.4 ticks per animal. Ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus pulchellus (174/346; 50.3%), Hyalomma dromedarii (103/346; 29.8%), Hyalomma rufipes (35/346; 10.1%), Hyalomma marginatum (16/346; 4.6%), Rhipicephalus humeralis (14/346; 4.0%), Amblyomma lepidum (2/346; 0.6%), Amblyomma gemma (1/346; 0.3%), and Ornithodoros sp. (1/185; 0.5). This is the first study on the molecular screening for hemoplasmas in dromedary camels from Somalia and the first report of A. lepidum and R. humeralis in Somali dromedary camels., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Ehrlichioses, caused by Ehrlichia species, are tick-borne diseases (TBDs) that affect animals and humans worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the molecular occurrence of Ehrlichia spp. in 530 animals (155 Dromedary camels, 199 goats, 131 cattle, and 45 sheep) in the Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions of Somalia. Blood DNA samples were tested for PCR targeting dsb and sodB genes of Ehrlichia spp. and PCS20 and map1 genes of E. ruminantium . The obtained sequences were submitted for phylogenetic analyses. Ehrlichia spp. were detected in 26.4% (140/530) of animals by dsb -PCR, with the highest prevalence in dromedary camels (54.8%), followed by cattle (29.8%), goats (7.0%), and sheep (4.4%). Dromedary camels, cattle, and goats had significantly higher infection odds compared to sheep ( p < 0.05). Among dsb -PCR-positive samples, 76.9% (30/39) of cattle tested sodB -positive, while other species were negative. E. ruminantium was detected in 13.7% (18/131) of cattle by pCS20 -PCR, but none were positive for the map1 gene. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed E. minasensis in camels, sheep, and goats and E. ruminantium in cattle, marking the first molecular evidence of E. minasensis in dromedary camels, sheep, and goats globally, and E. ruminantium in cattle from Somalia. These findings emphasize the need for further research on its economic and public health impact.

Objectives: The paucity of data regarding the availability and extent of diagnostic medical services across sub-Saharan Africa hinders appropriate allocation of resources to improve health care in these regions. We assessed anatomic pathology (AP) and clinical pathology (CP) services in Nigeria, one of the most populous and fastest-growing countries in the world., Methods: Two individual surveys (AP focused and CP focused) were developed by subject matter experts and administered to individuals involved in pathology and laboratory medicine diagnostic services at hospitals and laboratories across Nigeria between June and August 2022 using the American Society for Clinical Pathology email listserv., Results: A total of 75 responses (29 AP and 46 CP) were received from 48 unique laboratories. Twenty-four sites provided AP services and 35 provided CP services. Eleven respondents performed both AP and CP services. Among AP services, basic surgical and cytopathology capabilities were available at most sites; however, the availability of automated technologies (eg, automated sample processing and staining) was more variable. Advanced diagnostic techniques, (eg, immunohistochemistry, human papillomavirus testing, molecular diagnostics) were rarely performed. The most frequently available CP services included hematology, microbiology, and chemistry. Microbiology services appeared to be among the most robust laboratory medicine services, particularly parasitology and bacteriology testing. Similar to AP services, more advanced diagnostic assays, such as flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and molecular testing, were largely unavailable., Conclusions: These findings augment earlier studies and identify gaps that should be prioritized from a policy perspective to improve medical services and the overall health care infrastructure in Nigeria., (© American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2024.)

Introduction: Severe acute symptomatic hypocalcemia, requiring emergency medical intervention, is a significant but poorly understood condition with high morbidity. In our setting, patients present to emergency rooms with painful carpo-pedal spasms that last for several hours, sometimes mimicking seizure disorders. Metabolomics and genetic profiling are innovative approaches that pinpoint molecular and genetic determinants of hypocalcemia risk which can be adopted to guide treatment in our population., Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypocalcemia in urban Kano as a preliminary step towards identifying key risk factors., Methods: We obtained retrospective data from patients who presented to a tertiary hospital between January and December 2023. Serum calcium levels were measured on Abbott Architect c4000 autoanalyzer. We analyzed data using R statistical software (version 4.3.2). Chi-square tests were used to assess significant differences (p < 0.05)., Results: A total of 1,270 samples were analyzed, consisting of 59.3% (n = 753) males, their mean age was 36.2 ± 4 years. Mean serum calcium levels were 2.05 ± 0.34 mmol/L to 2.11 ± 1.00 mmol/L. Overall prevalence of hypocalcemia (serum calcium < 2.2 mmol/L) was 52.2%. Females exhibited a significantly higher prevalence (58.8%) compared to males (p = 0.03). The highest prevalence was observed in the 40-59-year age group (p < 0.01)., Conclusion: Hypocalcemia is highly prevalent in our population emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to better understand the genetic predictors, enable early intervention and prevent the long-term complications. These findings also provide a foundation for future multicenter studies and could inform public health policies targeting at risk groups. Keywords: Hypocalcaemia, Risk prediction,Metabolomics, Genetic markers., Competing Interests: The Authors declare that no competing interest exists, (Copyright © 2024 by West African Journal of Medicine.)

Tsetse flies are vectors of the parasite trypanosoma that cause the neglected tropical diseases human and animal African trypanosomosis. Semiochemicals play important roles in the biology and ecology of tsetse flies. Previous reviews have focused on olfactory-based attractants of tsetse flies. Here, we present an overview of the identification of repellents and their development into control tools for tsetse flies. Both natural and synthetic repellents have been successfully tested in laboratory and field assays against specific tsetse fly species. Thus, these repellents presented as innovative mobile tools offer opportunities for their use in integrated disease management strategies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The zoophytophagous mirid predator Nesidiocoris tenuis and the ectoparasitoid Stenomesius japonicus are important biological control agents for several agricultural pests including the invasive leafminer, Phthorimaea absoluta, a destructive pest of Solanaceous crops especially tomato in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about how feeding by N. tenuis can influence the tritrophic interactions in the tomato plant. Here, we tested the hypothesis that N. tenuis phytophagy would influence the tritrophic olfactory interactions between the host plant tomato and pest, predator, and parasitoid. In olfactometer assays, P. absoluta females and N. tenuis adults were both attracted to constitutive volatiles released by the tomato plant. Whereas females of P. absoluta avoided volatiles released by N. tenuis-infested plants, S. japonicus females and N. tenuis adults were attracted to the induced volatiles. In coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) recordings of intact and N. tenuis-infested plant volatiles, antennae of P. absoluta and S. japonicus females both detected eight components, whereas N. tenuis adults detected seven components which were identified by GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as terpenes and green leaf volatiles (GLVs). Dose-response olfactometer bioassays revealed that the responses of P. absoluta, N. tenuis, and S. japonicus varied with the composition and concentration of blends and individual compounds tested from N tenuis-induced volatiles. Females of P. absoluta showed no preference for an eight-component blend formulated from the individual repellents including hexanal, (Z)-3-hexenyl butanoate, and δ-elemene identified in the volatiles. On the other hand, S. japonicus females were attracted to an eight-component blend including the attractants (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenol, methyl salicylate, β-phellandrene, and (E)-caryophyllene. Likewise, N. tenuis adults were attracted to a seven-component blend including the attractants β-phellandrene, δ-elemene, and (E)-caryophyllene identified in the volatiles. Our findings suggest that there is potential for the use of terpenes and GLVs to manage the insects in the tritrophic interaction., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Fast and effective monitoring and surveillance techniques are crucial for the swift implementation of control methods to prevent the spread of Huanglongbing, a devastating citrus disease, and its invasive psyllid vector, Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, into South Africa, as well as to control the native vector, African citrus triozid, Trioza erytreae. Monitoring for citrus psyllid pests can be improved by using semiochemical odorants to augment already visually attractive yellow sticky traps. However, environmental variables such as temperature and humidity could influence odorant release rates. Five field cages were used to test the ability of a selection of odorants to improve yellow sticky trap efficacy in capturing citrus psyllids. Environmental effects on odorant loss from the dispensers were also investigated. The odorants that most improved yellow sticky trap captures in field cages were then tested under open field conditions alongside lower concentrations of those same lures. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to calculate odorant release rates as well as to determine if any contamination occurred under field conditions. None of the odorants under field cage or field conditions significantly improved psyllid capture on yellow sticky traps. Temperature influenced odorant loss, and release rate from polyethylene bulbs decreased over time. Based on these results, the use of unbaited yellow sticky traps seems to be the most effective method for monitoring of Huanglongbing vectors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: The objective of the current study was to compare the level of sensitivity of body mass index (BMI) or waist-height ratio (WHtR) in identifying physically determinable adiposity levels that are considered to be landmarks for commencing intervention to prevent more sinister cardio-metabolic risks among schizophrenia patients receiving olanzapine., Methods: The study was a descriptive crossectional one among patients with schizophrenia recieving olanzapine and healthy volunteers as controls. Key measurement of anthropological parameters were compared between the population., Results: Our findings revealed significantly higher rates of abnormal body mass index (BMI) (X 2 =17.06, p=0.000036; OR=4.58, CI=2.16-9.74) and abnormal waist-height ratio (WHtR) (X 2 =35.57, p=2.46E-9; OR=6.37, CI=3.39-12.00) among the schizophrenia patients compared to the healthy volunteers. Notably, BMI identified 43.3 % of the schizophrenia patients as having concerning weight changes, whereas WHtR identified 64.7 %, indicating that WHtR is a more sensitive measure. This discrepancy means that an additional 21.4 % of schizophrenia patients would benefit from weight management guidance based on WHtR rather than BMI., Conclusion: Our results underscore the critical importance of WHtR in assessing adiposity among schizophrenia patients treated with olanzapine, highlighting its value as a tool for monitoring and managing cardiometabolic risks in this population., (© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

Background: Surveillance of the host-anopheline mosquitoes' interaction is important for assessing malaria transmission risk and guiding vector control. We assume that changes in malaria vector species' feeding habits, as well as the surrounding environment, have a substantial impact on varied malaria transmission. In this study, we determined the vertebrate host feeding patterns of anopheline mosquitoes to characterize entomologic risk factors for malaria in Jabi Tehnan, Northwestern Ethiopia., Methods: Blood-fed anophelines surveyed during malaria surveillance in Jabi Tehnan district of northwestern Ethiopia were utilized in this study. They were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps deployed in selected households per village, placed indoors and outdoors, spanning three agroecological settings (dry mountain, plateau, and semiarid highlands) between June 2020 and May 2021. The engorged mosquitoes were analyzed for host blood meal sources and Plasmodium infection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or sequencing. Infection rates and bovine and human blood indices were calculated and compared for abundant species; between indoors and outdoors and between agroecology using a chi-squared test for equality of proportion in R package at a significant level of p ≤ 0.05., Results: A total of 246 mosquitoes were successfully typed (indoor, 121; outdoor, 125), with greater relative abundance indoors in mountain and plateau highlands, and outdoors in semiarid areas. Despite ecological differences in blood-fed capture rates, cattle served as the most utilized blood meal source by 11 anopheline species with an overall bovine blood index (BBI) of 74.4%. This trend was dictated by Anopheles gambiae s.l. (198/246; BBI = 73.7%), which exhibited the most plastic feeding habits that included humans (human blood index = 15.7%) and other livestock and rodents. A total of five anopheline species (An. gambiae s.l., An. funestus s.l., An. coustani s.l., An. pretoriensis, and An. pharoensis) fed on humans, of which the first three were found infected with Plasmodium parasites. Most of the infected specimens were An. arabiensis (5.6%, 11/198) and had recently fed mainly on cattle (72.7%, 8/11); one each of infected An. funestus s.l. and An. coustani s.l. had fed on humans and cattle, respectively., Conclusions: The results demonstrate communal feeding on cattle by anophelines including primary and secondary malaria vectors. This study also indicates the importance of cattle-targeted interventions for sustainable control of malaria vectors in the study areas., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction and Importance: Meckel's diverticulum is The most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, Meckel's diverticulum, affects around 2 % of the general population. Meckel's diverticulum symptoms in the newborn stage are quite uncommon., Case Presentation: A male newborn, aged 6 days, was brought to our hospital due to recurrent episodes of vomiting during nursing and fever. There was bilious vomiting along with distention of the abdomen. Following a physical assessment and radiological analysis, the patient had an exploratory laparotomy with a bowel perforation impression. The abdominal cavity contained bowel content and a diagnosis of perforated MD was made. Following a thorough abdominal wash with warm normal saline, wedge resection and anastomosis were performed. Released three days following eight days of hospitalization and attaining full feeding. Six-month follow-up showed good recovery and ideal growth and development., Clinical Discussion: Meckel's diverticulum (MD), the most prevalent congenital gastrointestinal tract malformation, results from partial obliteration of the proximal portion of the omphalomesenteric duct during the seventh week of pregnancy. We report in this study an MD case with a range of complex spectra, such as severe distention and vomiting in the neonatal period. Meckel's diverticulum perforation is a deadly complication that typically results from gangrene, diverticulitis, or peptic ulceration brought on by an ectopic stomach mucosa., Conclusion: The two most common clinical manifestations of symptomatic MD in newborns are partial bowel obstruction and pneumoperitoneum. Surgery is the only accurate method for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes with a successful outcome., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest This manuscript has not been submitted to, nor is it under review at, another journal or other publishing venue. The authors have no affiliation with any organization with a direct or indirect financial interest in the subject matter discussed in the manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

An important consequence of the discontinuous distribution of insect populations within their geographic range is phenotypic divergence. Detection of this divergence can be challenging when it occurs through subtle shifts in morphological traits with complex geometries, such as insect wing venation. Here, we used landmark-based wing geometric morphometrics to investigate the population-level phenotypic variation of the two subspecies of Glossina morsitans , G. m. centralis Machado and G. m. morsitans Westwood that occur in Zambia. Twelve homologous landmarks digitised on the right wings of 720 specimens collected from four and five sites (80 per site with 1:1 sex ratio) within the G. m. centralis and G. m. morsitans range respectively, were subjected to generalised Procrustes analysis to obtain wing centroid size (CS) and wing shape variables. Linear permutation models and redundancy analysis were then used to compare CS and wing shape between male and female G. morsitans , the two subspecies G. m. centralis and G. m. morsitans , the sexes of each subspecies and between sample locations within each subspecies range, respectively. Significant differences in CS and wing shape were observed between G. morsitans sexes, subspecies and sample locations within each subspecies range. A neighbour-joining cladogram derived from the analysis of Procrustes distances showed that tsetse within each subspecies range were highly divergent. We conclude that G. morsitans populations in Zambia exhibit significant population-level variation in fly size and wing shape which suggests high levels of population structuring. The main drivers of this structuring could be random genetic drift in G. m. centralis demes and local adaptation to environmental conditions in G. m. morsitans populations. We therefore recommend molecular studies to estimate the levels of gene flow between these populations and identify possible barriers to genetic flow., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2024 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Social isolation and loneliness (SIL) are public health challenges that disproportionally affect individuals who experience structural and socio-economic exclusion. The social and health outcomes of SIL for people with experiences of being unhoused have largely remained unexplored. Yet, there is limited synthesis of literature focused on SIL to appropriately inform policy and targeted social interventions for people with homelessness experience. The aim of this scoping review is to synthesize evidence on SIL among people with lived experience of homelessness and explore how it negatively impacts their wellbeing. We carried out a comprehensive literature search from Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science's Social Sciences Citation Index and Science Citation Index for peer-reviewed studies published between January 1st, 2000 to January 3rd, 2023. Studies went through title, abstract and full-text screening conducted independently by at least two reviewers. Included studies were then analyzed and synthesized to identify the conceptualizations of SIL, measurement tools and approaches, prevalence characterization, and relationship with social and health outcomes. The literature search yielded 5,294 papers after removing duplicate records. Following screening, we retained 27 qualitative studies, 23 quantitative studies and two mixed method studies. SIL was not the primary objective of most of the included articles. The prevalence of SIL among people with homelessness experience varied from 25 to 90% across studies. A range of measurement tools were used to measure SIL making it difficult to compare results across studies. Though the studies reported associations between SIL, health, wellbeing, and substance use, we found substantial gaps in the literature. Most of the quantitative studies were cross-sectional, and only one study used health administrative data to ascertain health outcomes. More studies are needed to better understand SIL among this population and to build evidence for actionable strategies and policies to address its social and health impacts., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Bartonellosis, caused by bacteria of the genus Bartonella, is a zoonotic disease with several mammalian reservoir hosts. In Somalia, a country heavily reliant on livestock, zoonotic diseases pose significant public health and economic challenges. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been performed aiming to verify the occurrence of Bartonella spp. in Somalia. This study investigated the occurrence and molecular characterization of Bartonella in dromedary (Camelus dromedarius, Linnaeus, 1758), cattle, sheep, and goats from Somalia., Materials and Methods: 530 blood samples were collected from various animals (155 dromedary, 199 goat, 131 cattle, and 45 sheep) in Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions. DNA was extracted for molecular analysis, and a qPCR assay targeting the NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) gene was used for Bartonella screening. Positive samples were also subjected to PCR assays targeting seven molecular markers including: nuoG, citrate synthase gene (gltA), RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB), riboflavin synthase gene (ribC), 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (groEL), cell division protein gene (ftsZ), and pap31 and qPCR targeting the 16-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) followed by Sanger sequencing, BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis., Results: Out of 530 tested animals, 5.1% were positive for Bartonella spp. by the nuoG qPCR assay. Goats showed the highest Bartonella occurrence (17/199, 8.5%), followed by sheep (6/44, 6.8%), cattle (4/131, 3.1%), and dromedary (1/155, 1.9%). Goats, sheep, and cattle had higher odds of infection compared to dromedary. Among nuoG qPCR-positive samples, 11.1%, 14.8%, 11.1%, and 25.9% were positive in PCR assays based on nuoG, gltA, and pap31 genes, and in the qPCR based on the ITS region, respectively. On the other hand, nuoG qPCR-positive samples were negative in the PCR assays targeting the ribC, rpoB, ftsZ, and groEL genes. While Bartonella bovis sequences were detected in cattle (nuoG and ITS) and goats (gltA), Bartonella henselae ITS sequences were detected in dromedary, goat, and sheep. Phylogenetic analysis placed gltA Bartonella sequence from a goat in the same clade of B. bovis., Conclusion: The present study showed, for the first time, molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in dromedary and ruminants from Somalia and B. henselae in sheep and goats globally. These findings contribute valuable insights into Bartonella spp. occurrence in Somali livestock, highlighting the need for comprehensive surveillance and control measures under the One Health approach., (© 2024 The Author(s). Zoonoses and Public Health published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Intensification of staple crops through conventional agricultural practices with chemical synthetic inputs has yielded positive outcomes in food security but with negative environmental impacts. Ecological intensification using cropping systems such as maize edible-legume intercropping (MLI) systems has the potential to enhance soil health, agrobiodiversity and significantly influence crop productivity. However, mechanisms underlying enhancement of biological soil health have not been well studied. This study investigated the shifts in rhizospheric soil and maize-root microbiomes and associated soil physico-chemical parameters in MLI systems of smallholder farms in comparison to maize-monoculture cropping systems (MMC). Maize-root and rhizospheric soil samples were collected from twenty-five farms each conditioned by MLI and MMC systems in eastern Kenya. Soil characteristics were assessed using Black oxidation and Walkley methods. High-throughput amplicon sequencing was employed to analyze fungal and bacterial communities, predicting their functional roles and diversity. The different MLI systems significantly impacted soil and maize-root microbial communities, resulting in distinct microbe sets. Specific fungal and bacterial genera and species were mainly influenced and enriched in the MLI systems (e.g., Bionectria solani, Sarocladium zeae, Fusarium algeriense, and Acremonium persicinum for fungi, and Bradyrhizobium elkanii, Enterobacter roggenkampii, Pantoea dispersa and Mitsuaria chitosanitabida for bacteria), which contribute to nutrient solubilization, decomposition, carbon utilization, plant protection, bio-insecticides/fertilizer production, and nitrogen fixation. Conversely, the MMC systems enriched phytopathogenic microbial species like Sphingomonas leidyi and Alternaria argroxiphii. Each MLI system exhibited a unique composition of fungal and bacterial communities that shape belowground biodiversity, notably affecting soil attributes, plant well-being, disease control, and agroecological services. Indeed, soil physico-chemical properties, including pH, nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, and potassium were enriched in MLI compared to MMC cropping systems. Thus, diversification of agroecosystems with MLI systems enhances soil properties and shifts rhizosphere and maize-root microbiome in favor of ecologically important microbial communities., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Among the factors affecting the effectiveness of malaria control is poor knowledge of the entomologic drivers of the disease. We investigated anopheline populations as part of a baseline study to implement house screening of windows and doors as a supplementary malaria control tool towards elimination in Jabi Tehnan district, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. The samples were surveyed monthly using CDC light traps between June 2020 and May 2021. Mosquito trap density (< 3 mosquitoes/trap) was low, however, with a high overall Plasmodium sporozoite rate (9%; indoor = 4.3%, outdoor = 13.1%) comprising P. falciparum (88.9%) and P. vivax (11.1%). Anopheles gambiae s.l., mostly An. arabiensis, comprised > 80% of total anopheline captures and contributed ~ 42% of Plasmodium-infected mosquitoes. On the other hand, morphologically scored Anopheles funestus s.l., constituting about 6% of anopheline collections, accounted for 50% of sporozoite-infected mosquitoes. Most of the infected An. funestus s.l. specimens (86.7%) were grouped with previously unknown or undescribed Anopheles species previously implicated as a cryptic malaria vector in the western Kenyan highlands, confirming its wider geographic distribution in eastern Africa. Other species with Plasmodium infection included An. longipalpis C, An. theileri, An. demillioni, and An. nili. Cumulatively, 77.8% of the infected mosquitoes occurred outdoors. These results suggest efficient malaria parasite transmission despite the low vector densities, which has implications for effective endpoint indicators to monitor malaria control progress. Additionally, the largely outdoor infection and discovery of previously unknown and cryptic vectors suggest an increased risk of residual malaria transmission and, thus, a constraint on effective malaria prevention and control., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Adult workers of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) acquire sterols from their pollen diet. These food sterols are transported by the hemolymph to peripheral tissues such as the mandibular and the hypopharyngeal glands in the worker bees' heads that secrete food jelly which is fed to developing larvae. As sterols are obligatory components of biological membranes and essential precursors for molting hormone synthesis in insects, they are indispensable to normal larval development. Thus, the study of sterol delivery to larvae is important for a full understanding of honey bee larval nutrition and development. Whereas hypopharyngeal glands only require sterols for their membrane integrity, mandibular glands add sterols, primarily 24-methylenecholesterol, to its secretion. For this, sterols must be transported through the glandular epithelial cells. We have analyzed for the first time in A. mellifera the expression of genes which are involved in intracellular movement of sterols. Mandibular and hypopharyngeal glands were dissected from newly emerged bees, 6-day-old nurse bees that feed larvae and 26-day-old forager bees. The expression of seven genes involved in intracellular sterol metabolism was measured with quantitative real-time PCR. Relative transcript abundance of sterol metabolism genes was significantly influenced by the age of workers and specific genes but not by gland type. Newly emerged bees had significantly more transcripts for six out of seven genes than older bees indicating that the bulk of the proteins needed for sterol metabolism are produced directly after emergence., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Aim: Studies concerning epidemiology and drug susceptibility patterns of pediatric urinary tract infection in developing countries are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance pattern and uropathogens distribution in children. Method: Four-year retrospective study included 840 participants in all pediatric age groups whose urine had been cultured. Results: The prevalence of culture-proven pediatric UTIs was 17.6% (148/840). Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen isolated from the cultures, accounting for (48%, 71/148), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.2%, 24/148). About 27% of the pathogens had a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pattern. A resistance rate against nitrofurantoin at 24.6%, fosfomycin at 15.2% and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SMX-TMP) at 79.7% was noted. Conclusion: E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most common pathogens isolated., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Background: Stunting is associated with adverse outcomes in adulthood. This article specifically aims to analyse the relationship between childhood stunting and education as well as cognitive outcomes for adults in Indonesia., Methods: Pooled data from wave one (1) and two (2) of the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS) in 1993 and 1997 identified a sub-sample of 4,379 children aged 0-5 by their height-for-age (HAZ) to be compared for their differences in educational outcomes and cognitive abilities in 2014. HAZ was used to proxy relative height to determine stunting status based on 2006 WHO child's growth standards. Education and cognitive abilities outcomes include years of schooling, age of school entry, grade repetition, and scores for cognitive and math tests. The study employs estimation models of pooled regressions and instrumental variable (IV) to address problems of endogeneity and bias from omitted variables., Results: Stunting and relatively small stature had significant associations with cognitive development, and they worked as intermediaries to cognitive developmental barriers as manifested in reduced educational outcomes. A lack of one SD in HAZ was associated with 0.6 years shortened length of the school, 3% higher chances of dropouts from secondary school, and 0.10-0.23 SD lowered cognitive and numerical scores. Similarly, stunting is associated with decrease cognitive test scores by 0.56-0.8 SD compared to non-stunting, two years less schooling, and 0.4 years of delayed entry to school. As for cognitive abilities, stunting is associated with lower cognitive and numerical abilities by 0.38-0.82 z-scores., Conclusion: Growth retardation during childhood in Indonesia was associated with lower cognitive abilities, particularly during school age, and this correlation faded as individuals grew up. Subsequently, growth retardation is significantly linked to lower educational outcomes. Impaired growth has implications for reduced lifetime earnings potential mediated by diminished cognitive capacity and lower educational attainment. The finding suggests that development in Indonesia during recent decades has not provided an adequate environment to enable children to achieve their potential educational outcomes., Competing Interests: Authors have declared that no competing interest exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Lestari et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Menstruation-induced vaso-occlusive crisis (MIVOC) is a significant cause of morbidity in women with sickle cell disease (SCD). Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) is an inflammatory biomarker that is elevated in vaso-occlusive events such as acute chest syndrome (ACS), but its role in MIVOC is not previously studied. This study compared the serum level of sPLA2 among women with MIVOC and those without MIVOC. This is a comparative cross-sectional study. 354 women with SCD were screened for MIVOC using a structured questionnaire. sPLA2 levels were assayed using a standard ELISA while full blood counts were performed on an automated hematology analyzer. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software v26.0. Results were summarized as frequencies, percentages, and mean ± standard deviation. Variables were compared using the Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation. A p -value of <.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of MIVOC was 26.8%. Participants with MIVOC ( n  = 95) had significantly lower mean hemoglobin concentration (8.00 ± 2.03g/dL vs. 9.95 ± 4.15g/dL, p  < .000), significantly higher mean platelets count (518.71 ± 84.58 × 10 9 /L vs 322.21 ± 63.80 × 10 9 /L, p  < .000) and higher sPLA2 level (6.58 ± 1.94 IU vs 6.03 ± 0.42 IU, p  = .008) compared to those without MIVOC ( n  = 95). Among participants with MIVOC, sPLA2 levels positively correlated with total white blood cell, absolute neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts. This study demonstrates that MIVOC is common among women with SCD and that the pathophysiology of MIVOC may have an inflammatory basis similar to that of ACS. The potential role of anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet agents in preventing and treating MIVOC may be explored.

Before the introduction of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) to sub-Saharan Africa, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker) was economically the most important pest in mango farming. Its native natural enemy, the solitary parasitoid Psyttalia cosyrae (Wilkinson), played a crucial role in C. cosyra bio-control, later complemented by the exotic parasitoids Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) and Fopius arisanus (Sonan) among Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems. To understand the in situ mango- C. cosyra -parasitoid tritrophic interaction, we assessed the responses of the fruit fly and the three parasitoids to headspace volatiles from various mango conditions. These conditions included non-infested mature unripe mangoes, C. cosyra -infested mangoes, 7th- and 9th-day post-infestation mangoes, non-infested ripe mangoes of three varieties (Kent, Apple, and Haden), and clean air (blank). We also compared the fruit fly's performance in the mango varieties and identified the chemical profiles of mango headspace volatiles. Ceratitis cosyra was attracted to both infested and non-infested mangoes (66-84 % of responsive C. cosyra ) and showed superior performance in Kent mango (72.1 % of the 287 puparia recovered) compared to Apple and Haden varieties. Fopius arisanus displayed a stronger attraction to the volatiles of C. cosyra -infested mangoes (68-70 %), while P. cosyrae and D. longicaudata were significantly attracted to the 9th-day post-infestation mangoes (68-78 %) compared to non-infested mango volatiles. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy showed substantial quantitative and qualitative differences in volatile profiles among mango treatments. Esters predominated in non-infested ripe, 7th- and 9th-day post-infestation mangoes, while monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were most dominant in the other treatments. The in situ experiments underscored varying preferences of the species for mango headspace volatiles and their subsequent treatments. These results provide valuable insights for further exploration, specifically in identifying the key volatiles responsible for species responses, to facilitate the development of applicable selective semiochemicals for managing species of African fruit fly., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

In the past three decades, there has been a rise in young academy movements in the Global North and South. Such movements, in at least Germany and the Netherlands, have been shown to be quite effective in connecting scientific work with society. Likewise, these movements share a common goal of developing interdisciplinary collaboration among young scientists, which contributes to the growth of a nation's-but also global-scientific endeavors. This paper focuses on the young academy movement in the fourth-largest country hosting the biggest Muslim population in the world, which is also the third-most populous democracy: Indonesia. We observe that there has been rising awareness among the young generation of scientists in Indonesia of the need to advocate for the use of sciences in responding to upcoming and current multidimensional crises. Science advocacy can be seen in their peer-based identification of Indonesia's future challenges, encompassing the fundamental areas for scientific inquiry, discovery, and intervention. We focus on the Indonesian Young Academy of Sciences (ALMI) and its network of young scientists. We describe ALMI's science communication practice, specifically SAINS45 and Science for Indonesia's Biodiversity, and how they have been useful for policymakers, media, and school engagements. The article closes with a reflection on future directions for the young academy movement in Indonesia and beyond., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Background: The soil biota consists of a complex assembly of microbial communities and other organisms that vary significantly across farming systems, impacting soil health and plant productivity. Despite its importance, there has been limited exploration of how different cropping systems influence soil and plant root microbiomes. In this study, we investigated soil physicochemical properties, along with soil and maize-root microbiomes, in an agroecological cereal-legume companion cropping system known as push-pull technology (PPT). This system has been used in agriculture for over two decades for insect-pest management, soil health improvement, and weed control in sub-Saharan Africa. We compared the results with those obtained from maize-monoculture (Mono) cropping system., Results: The PPT cropping system changed the composition and diversity of soil and maize-root microbial communities, and led to notable improvements in soil physicochemical characteristics compared to that of the Mono cropping system. Distinct bacterial and fungal genera played a crucial role in influencing the variation in microbial diversity within these cropping systems. The relative abundance of fungal genera Trichoderma, Mortierella, and Bionectria and bacterial genera Streptomyces, RB41, and Nitrospira were more enriched in PPT. These microbial communities are associated with essential ecosystem services such as plant protection, decomposition, carbon utilization, bioinsecticides production, nitrogen fixation, nematode suppression, phytohormone production, and bioremediation. Conversely, pathogenic associated bacterial genus including Bryobacter were more enriched in Mono-root. Additionally, the Mono system exhibited a high relative abundance of fungal genera such as Gibberella, Neocosmospora, and Aspergillus, which are linked to plant diseases and food contamination. Significant differences were observed in the relative abundance of the inferred metabiome functional protein pathways including syringate degradation, L-methionine biosynthesis I, and inosine 5'-phosphate degradation., Conclusion: Push-pull cropping system positively influences soil and maize-root microbiomes and enhances soil physicochemical properties. This highlights its potential for agricultural and environmental sustainability. These findings contribute to our understanding of the diverse ecosystem services offered by this cropping system where it is practiced regarding the system's resilience and functional redundancy. Future research should focus on whether PPT affects the soil and maize-root microbial communities through the release of plant metabolites from the intercrop root exudates or through the alteration of the soil's nutritional status, which affects microbial enzymatic activities., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The future of the food system on the planet is increasingly facing uncertainties that are attributable to population growth and a surge in demand for nutritious food. Traditional agricultural practices are poised to place strain on production, as well as natural resources and ecosystem services provided, particularly under a changing climate. Given their remarkable attributes, including a low environmental footprint, high food conversion ratio, rapid growth and nutritional values, edible insects can play a vital role in the global food system. Nonetheless, substantial knowledge gaps persist regarding their diversity, global distribution, and shared characteristics across regions, potentially impeding effective scaling and access to edible insects. Therefore, we compiled and analysed the fragmented database on edible insects and identified potential drivers that elucidate insect consumption, globally, focusing on promoting a sustainable food system. We collated data from various sources, including the literature for a list of edible insect species, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and iNaturalist for the geographical presence of edible insects, the Copernicus Land Service library for Global Land Cover, and FAOSTAT for population, income, and nutritional security parameters. Subsequently, we performed a series of analytics at the country, regional and continental levels. Our study identifies 2205 insect species, consumed across 128 countries globally. Among continents, Asia has the highest number of edible insects (932 species), followed by North America (mainly Mexico) and Africa. The countries with the highest consumption of insects are Mexico (450 species), Thailand (272 species), India (262 species), DRC (255 species), China (235 species), Brazil (140 species), Japan (123 species), and Cameroon (100 species). Our study also revealed some common and specific practices related to edible insect access and utilisation among countries and regions. Although insect consumption is often rooted in cultural practices, it exhibits correlations with land cover, the geographical presence of potentially edible insects, the size of a country's population, and income levels. The practice of eating insects is linked to the culture of people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, while increased consciousness and the need for food sustainability are driving most of the European countries to evaluate eating insects. Therefore, edible insects are becoming an increasingly significant part of the future of planetary food systems. Therefore, more proactive efforts are required to promote them for their effective contribution to achieving sustainable food production., (© 2024. The Author(s).)