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PubMed1977

Polymorphism of red cell glyoxalase 1. With special reference to South and Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Glyoxalase polymorphism has been studied in 7296 persons from populations in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Iran and Colombia. The GLO frequencies are very low in most of Oceania, including Australia, somewhat higher in Southeast Asia, and intermediate though variable in India. In Iran the GLO frequency is similar to that in Europe. The value for the single amerindian group in Colombia is nearly 30%.

Asia, Southeastern↗
PubMed1975

Geographical distribution of twelve transferrin alleles in black rats of Asia and Oceania.

About 450 black rats (Rattus rattus) were collected from 25 localities in Asia and Oceania. Their serum transferrins were analyzed by a newly developed thin layer acrylamide gel electrophoresis accompanied with acrinol pretreatment, exhibiting 12 transferrin bands. Generally, Asian type rats (2N=42) had fast-moving transferrins (R-series), Ceylon type (2N=40) moderately moving ones and Oceanian type (2N=38) slowly moving ones (C-series). Exceptionally, in northern India and Pakistan all Asian-type rats had C-series Tf. The possibility that divergence of R-series Tf and C-series Tf had proceeded the karyotypic differentiation from 42 to 38 is proposed. In combination with the previous molecular data, the time of the divergence is roughly estimated between the order of a million years and ten thousand years.

Alleles↗
PubMed1976

[World health-related indicators].

Many of the statistics given in this report are estimates based on tentative data and on that extent are not reliable in a strict sense. But the picture they present of gross differences in demographic and social characteristics, in vital statistics, and in resources of medical manpower and hospital beds between major areas of the world is real. More than half of the people of the world live in South Asia and East Asia; population density is highest in Western Europe; and highest rates of population growth are in Middle America and Tropical South America. In Europe less than one-third of the population are aged under 20 years, whereas more than half the population are aged under 20 im Middle and Tropical South America and the Carribbean, in Africa and in South Asia. Urbanization is high in Temperate South America, Northern America, Northern and Western Europe, and Oceania. The daily dietary energy supply per person is 50% higher in Northern America, Europe, USSR, and Ocenia than in Africa (excluding Southern Africa, South and East Asia. The Gross National Product in Northern America is 10 times higher than in Tropical South America and 30 to 40 times higher than in Western Middle and Eastern Africa and in Middle South and South East Asia. Crude birth rates are close to three times higher in Africa, Middle America and South Asia than in Europe, North America and USSR. Differences in crude death rates are less--rates in Western, Middle and Eastern Africa are double these of America Europe, USSR and Oceania. The Expectation of Life is over 70 years for Northern America, Europe, USSR and Oceania. It is under 50 years for Western, Middle and Eastern Africa. In all areas the expectation of life at birth has increased--by up to 10 years--in the past quarter century. Infant mortality is less than 20 per 1 000 in Northern and Western Europe and Northern America. It is over 100 in Africa and South Asia. Number of physicians range from 25 per 10 000 population in USSR to less than 1 per 10 000 in Western, Middle and Eastern Africa. There are over 100 hospital beds per 10 000 population in USSR and in Northern and Western Europe, less than 10 per 10 000 in Western Africa, Middle South Asia and South East Asia.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2025

Global diversity and evolution of Salmonella enterica serovar Panama: a genomic epidemiology study.

BACKGROUND: Non-typhoidal Salmonella is a globally important bacterial pathogen, typically associated with foodborne gastrointestinal infection. Some non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars can also colonise typically sterile sites in people to cause invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease. Salmonella enterica serovar Panama is responsible for a substantial number of cases of human bloodstream infection, but despite its global dissemination, numerous outbreaks, and a reported association with invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease, S enterica serovar Panama (S Panama) is understudied. We aimed to describe the genomic epidemiology and evolutionary history of S Panama to provide a vital baseline of understanding for this globally important serovar. METHODS: In this genomic epidemiology study, we analysed S Panama genomes derived from historical collections, national surveillance datasets, and publicly available epidemiological and whole-genome sequencing data which span the years 1931-2019. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylodynamic approaches were used to investigate population structure and evolutionary history and to infer geotemporal dissemination. A combination of different bioinformatic approaches with short-read and long-read data were used to characterise geographical and clade-specific trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and genetic markers for invasiveness. FINDINGS: We analysed 836 S Panama genomes, of which 559 (67%) were sequenced as part of this study. The collection represents all inhabited continents and includes isolates collected between 1931 and 2019. We identified the presence of four geographically linked S Panama clades (C1 [ie, the Latin America and the Caribbean clade; n=338], C2 [ie, the European clade; n=124], C3 [ie, the Martinique clade; n=131], and C4 [ie, the Asia and Oceania clade; n=104]) and regional trends in AMR profiles. Most isolates (715 [86%] of 836) were pan-susceptible to antibiotics and belonged to clades circulating in Latin America and the Caribbean (64%, n=458). Most antibiotic-resistant isolates in our collection (113 [93%] of 121) fell within clades C4 (ie, the Asia and Oceania clade) and C2 (ie, the European clade), the latter of which had the highest invasiveness index values based on the conservation of 196 extraintestinal predictor genes. INTERPRETATION: This first large-scale phylogenetic analysis of S Panama has revealed important information about the population structure, AMR, global ecology, and genetic markers of invasiveness of the identified genomic subtypes. Our findings provide an important baseline for understanding S Panama infection. The presence of multidrug-resistant clades with elevated invasiveness index values should be monitored through ongoing surveillance, as such clades could pose an increased public health risk. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation Global Challenges Research Fund and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, John Lennon Memorial Scholarship, Institut Pasteur, Santé publique France, Fondation Le Roch-Les Mousquetaires, Investissement d'Avenir Programme, and Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Caenorhabditis diversity on Pohnpei, Micronesia, provides evidence that the Elegans Supergroup has its roots in the Americas and diversified in the Pacific en route to Asia.

The microscopic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans stands unrivaled as a model for developmental biology, neurobiology, and genetics, but fundamental aspects of its ecology, biogeography, and natural history remain unknown. Leveraging recent findings that place its center of diversity in the cool, high-elevation forests of Hawaii, we performed an intensive survey of the Caenorhabditis fauna of Pohnpei, a high island in Micronesia that is home to the largest patch of high-elevation forest between Hawaii and East Asia. We found nine species of Caenorhabditis, five of them new, but not C. elegans. Most species were limited to the hot lowlands but three spanned the elevational range and one was found only in the cloudforest. Using the distribution of Caenorhabditis nematodes among habitat patches - individual rotting fruits or flowers - we parameterized simple models that capture key aspects of the population biology of these animals. We generated transcriptomes for the new species and inferred a phylogeny for 70 species of Caenorhabditis, based on 2955 genes. This phylogeny allowed us to perform the first quantitative biogeographic analysis for the group. Our analysis suggests that the deep ancestors of the Elegans Supergroup of species lived in the Americas, and that the Supergroup's subsequent diversification occurred in Remote Oceania. The ancestors of the Supergroup gave rise to a diverse Oceanian fauna and ultimately to multiple lineages that moved into Asia, Africa, Australasia, and back into the Americas. Though biogeographic inferences are limited by the lack of information from key regions of the southwest Pacific, the data are consistent with a model of trans-Pacific migration, with the islands of Oceania serving as sources rather than sinks for biodiversity.

Caenorhabditis↗
PubMed1978

New hepatitis B surface antigen subtypes inside the ad category.

In addition to the 10 HBs Ag subtypes already described, 2 new subtypes were defined by using the q determinant. Exceptions to the rule generally accepted were found in that the q determinant was only lacking in HBs Ag/adw4. These exceptions occurred in adw and adr categories. These 2 new subtypes are adw q positive and adr q negative. Out of 98 HBs Ag/adw4 from silent carries and patients from different parts of the world, mainly from France (79), 6 were found q positive. 3 out of these 6 cases came from Montpellier (South of France) and another 3 from Germany. The 92 other cases were found q negative. Further studies will be necessary to better know the location of this new subtype adw4 q positive, but it seems to be present only in certain parts of Europe. Out of 86 HBs Ag/adr from silent carriers from Asia (58), Oceania (17), France (10, most of them contaminated in Asia) and Réunion (1), 10 were found q negative. All these 10 cases were detected in Oceania, 2 out of 2 in carriers from New Caledonia and 8 out of 13 from French Polynesia. The new subtype adr q negative seems localized in Melanesia and Polynesia and absent from Asia. These 2 new markers of hepatitis B virus will allow better epidemiological and geographical studies.

Epitopes↗
PubMed1977

[Global review of tuberculosis morbidity and mortality in the world (1961-1971)].

The main objective of gathering available world-wide information on tuberculosis is to present an overall picture of how tuberculosis infection, morbidity and mortality, can be reflected today and to suggest the necessity to improve international epidemiological statistical intelligence. The highest levels of tuberculosis infection in the world (i.e. 60-80% in children 14 years old) may be found in eastern Asia, Oceania and in several areas in Africa. Considerable differences still do exist between the highest and lowest prevalence level within each continent. The ratio between the highest and lowest prevalence level of infection is varying from 1 to 2 in the Americas, to 1 to 10 in Europe. While, in general, in developed countries the annual infection rate reached 0.5% (1969-1972), in developing countries, annual infection rates of 2% or more were reported. The decrease of the annual infection rate in developed countries is, in general, 10% each year, whereas in the developing part of the world the fall in the rates has been slower or the level even remained constant for the last ten years. The information concerning tuberculosis morbidity is sometimes incomplete or inconsistent because of the lack of standard criteria for diagnosing and reporting tuberculosis. Although the bacteriological confirmation of tuberculosis cases has an important bearing on the recording system, official reports are particularly deficient in this respect. Estimating the total number of newly registered tuberculosis cases, one may say that more than 3.8 million, and approximately 4 million cases could have occurred 1967 and 1971 respectively. The prevalence of tuberculosis cases can be estimated to be around 6-8 in 1967 and 8 million cases in 1971. The highest incidence rates reported in 1971 were in Asia, Oceania and in some African countries (i.e. 250-523 per 100000 population). In Europe and America, tuberculosis incidence did not exceed a level of 200 per 100000 population. The average tuberculosis incidence rate for 1971 in the world may be estimated to be 111.5 per 100000 population (111.4 in 1967).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2026

Global Patterns of Net Ecosystem Exchange in peatlands: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Drivers Across Land Use and Environmental Gradients.

Peatlands play an essential role in the global carbon cycle, storing approximately one-third of the world's soil carbon despite covering less than 3% of the land surface. Peatland degradation from anthropogenic activities and climate change can convert peatlands from net carbon sinks to sources by altering carbon cycling. Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE), the balance between CO2 uptake and emission, is a critical indicator for assessing peatland condition and restoration efforts. We conducted a systematic quantitative literature review to investigate global patterns of NEE in peatlands and identify key environmental and anthropogenic drivers of CO2 flux variability. Annual NEE values from 120 globally distributed sites reported in peer-reviewed literature were analyzed in relation to climatic zone, land use, vegetation type, peatland condition, and water table depth. Our synthesis revealed significant geographic gaps, with peatland NEE studies substantially underrepresented in the Tropics, Africa, and Oceania. Agricultural peatlands emitted significantly more CO2 than sites under natural land uses or peat extraction, while degraded peatlands were significantly greater net CO2 sources than intact and restored systems. Restored peatlands remained net CO2 sources on average, emphasizing the importance of long-term monitoring and adaptive management following restoration interventions. Water table depth significantly affected NEE variability, with CO2 emissions increasing approximately 7.2 gCO2-C m-2yr-1 for every centimeter of water table drawdown. A substantial variability in measurement methods, data processing software, and protocols highlighted the critical need for methodological standardization. Our findings provide evidence-based targets for peatland conservation and restoration monitoring as nature-based climate solutions.

Ecosystem↗
PubMed2025

Operationalizing the Wilson-Jungner principles for the genomics era: Consensus recommendations from the International Consortium on Newborn Sequencing.

PURPOSE: For decades, the selection of disorders included in newborn screening (NBS) programs has been guided by principles published by Wilson and Jungner in 1968. As research explores the expansion of conditions included in NBS through genomic sequencing, there is a critical need for updated recommendations to address the opportunities and complexities of genomic data. METHODS: The International Consortium on Newborn Sequencing includes leaders from over 16 research projects investigating genomic NBS across the United Kingdom, Europe, United States, and Oceania. Consortium members were invited to participate in a modified Delphi study, aggregating opinion on the selection of conditions for genomic NBS through 3 rounds of online questionnaires, with feedback provided to participants between rounds. RESULTS: In round 1, 94 participants completed the questionnaire, and 10 of 43 statements reached consensus. In round 2, 81 participants completed the questionnaire, and 14 of 27 statements reached consensus. In round 3, 68 participants completed the questionnaire, and all 10 statements reached 72% or more consensus. CONCLUSION: The 10 consensus recommendations developed in this study can guide future research and public health programs performing genomic NBS. This process also identified key areas of participant discordance, highlighting important topics for future research.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

The global potential of freshwater microbes for plastic degradation.

Plastic pollution is becoming increasingly severe on a global scale, and the potential for biodegradation as a treatment method that is environmentally friendly merits greater attention. A significant number of genes that associated the degradation of plastic (PDAGs) have been identified, however, the distribution of these genes among microorganisms in global inland waters remains to be elucidated. A global-scale meta-analysis was conducted, incorporating approximately 1000 metagenome datasets of inland waters across seven continents. A total of 13,109 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were obtained by means of metagenomics binning, and 22,621 PDAGs were identified from these. Among these recognized PDAGs, phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase (PAD) was the most dominant (n = 16,664), followed by catalase (n = 5931). The predominant hosts for PAD and catalase were identified as Gamma-proteobacteria and Bacteroidia, respectively. The largest number of both PAD and catalase was found in MAGs from North America, while the average gene number in single MAG was highest in MAGs from Oceania. In accordance with the prediction of traits, PDAG-carrying MAGs from Europe demonstrated the fastest growth rate and the lowest optimal growth rate. Furthermore, 25 styrene monooxygenase (StyA) enzymes were identified, which were found to cluster into two distinct groups hosted by Alpha-proteobacteria and Gamma-proteobacteria, respectively. Moreover, 11 MAGs were observed to possess the complete pathway of polystyrene degradation. These results explored the potential of inland water microorganisms as a biological resource for plastic degradation and provided valuable microbial reference information that can be used to develop biological treatment technologies for mitigating plastics.

Plastics↗
PubMed2026

Global, regional, and national prevalence of second-hand smoke and attributable disease burden in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.

BACKGROUND: Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure remains a major source of morbidity and mortality among non-smokers. This study presents the first dedicated Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) publication to systematically quantify SHS prevalence and evaluate its effect as a global risk factor across a broader range of outcomes. METHODS: Using the GBD 2023 comparative risk assessment framework, we estimated SHS exposure prevalence and attributable disease burden across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023, stratified by age and sex. Exposure estimates were derived by synthesising population-based surveys and household composition data through spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression. Relative risks for nine health outcomes, now including asthma, were estimated using the Burden of Proof methodology, and applied to calculate attributable deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). FINDINGS: In 2023, an estimated 2·71 billion (95% UI 2·44-3·02) people worldwide were exposed to SHS, including 767 million (687-858) children aged 0-14 years. Age-standardised prevalence was highest in southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (48·4% [44·0-53·4]), with female individuals in some countries experiencing nearly 1·8 times the exposure prevalence of male individuals. Despite a 22·2% (10·6-32·4) decline in global age-standardised prevalence since 1990, this progress has not been sufficient to reduce the absolute number of exposed individuals, which has remained stable globally and has risen sharply in sub-Saharan Africa (98·5% [62·0-144·4] increase) and North Africa and the Middle East (72·1% [47·8-101·8] increase). In 2023, SHS exposure accounted for 1·66 million (1·33-2·07) deaths and 44·8 million (35·8-54·3) DALYs globally. Ischaemic heart disease was the leading contributor to SHS-attributable DALYs (12·0 million [9·31-15·2]) overall, while lower respiratory infections predominated among children (5·16 million [3·48-7·12]). INTERPRETATION: We estimated that SHS remains a substantial driver of global health loss, particularly through cardiovascular and paediatric respiratory diseases. Persistent geographical disparities and growing absolute numbers of exposed individuals in several regions underscore the urgent need for accelerated implementation and enforcement of comprehensive tobacco control measures, particularly to protect women and children in both public and domestic environments. FUNDING: Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Gates Foundation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2026

Denisovans from southwestern China and their subsistence strategies.

Growing fossil and genomic evidence has substantially advanced our understanding of Denisovans' evolutionary history1-9, yet their technological behaviours and subsistence strategies remain poorly documented. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of hominin fossils and associated archaeological remains from Bianfu Cave, Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The hominin fossils are dated to about 167-134 thousand years ago (ka), whereas the cultural sequence spanned from about 190 ka to 70 ka, representing one of the longest cultural records most parsimoniously attributed to Denisovans-identified through enamel-dentine junction morphology and palaeoproteomic analyses10. The new fossils include four teeth that expand the known dental variation of this group, two cranial fragments and a radius. Faunal and pollen records indicate a conifer-dominated forest or forest-steppe environment across Marine Isotope Stages 6 to 4. The inhabitants of Bianfu Cave practised specialized hunting of medium- to large-bodied prey and used a technological strategy characterized by expedient core reduction and tool production, alongside pervasive use of unmodified bones. This pattern suggests an adaptive system prioritizing the exploitation of object affordance over intensive tool manufacture. Bianfu Cave provides unprecedented insights into Denisovan biology, behaviour and ecology in eastern Asia and points to a substantial genetic and cultural legacy in later populations in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1978

Checklist, host index, and annotated bibliography of Plasmodium from reptiles.

World literature on Plasmodium of squamate reptiles (1909-1975) includes 156 published accounts on 54 valid species and subspecies. AFRICA: 30 reports on 9 species; AUSTRALIA, ASIA & OCEANIA: 12 reports on 6 species and 2 subspecies; AMERICAS: 116 reports on 37 species. More than half of these reports and new species descriptions appeared during the last 10 years. Most concern plasmodia in lizards of the Neotropics, Georgia (Plasmodium floridense, a Neotropical-Caribbean parasite) and California (Plasmodium mexicanum). African host species are all lizards: 4 agamids, 3 skinks, 2 chamaeleonids, one chordyline, and one gerrhosaurine. Australasian host species are also all lizards: 6 agamids, 9 skinks, 2 lacertids, one (or two?) gekkonids, and one varanid. Known American host species include 12 snakes and 87 lizards: 34 anoline species, 12 sceloporines (plus 11 others experimentally infected), 4 basiliscines, 5 tropidurines, 2 iguanines, 2 skinks (one questionable), 2 anguids (a total of 4 animals), 4 sphaerodactylines, 2 gekkonines and 11 teiid species.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Psychosexual and cultural determinants of fertility choice behavior.

Although traditional societies in Oceania direct their fertility choice behavior (if any) toward spirits rather than sexual intercourse, closer observation shows that these fertility choice behaviors, while groping and magical, sometimes have empirical value. The author notes that the alternative to effective fertility control in these societies has sometimes been population regulation of the Malthusian variety (e.g., murder and starvation). Efforts aimed at spacing the family in a less savage and more effective manner deserve encouragement, the author believes.

Australia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dietary cyanide and tropical malnutrition diabetes.

Two categories of diabetes are recognized in the temperate zone--ketosis-prone diabetes requiring insulin and diabetes not requiring insulin. Another unique type of diabetes occurs in the tropics. It has two forms, both different from either form of temperate zone diabetes. Type J and pancreatic diabetes are both characterized by youth onset, antecedent malnutrition, substantial insulin requirement, and resistance to ketosis. In the tropical countries where they are found, both forms are associated with specific dietary practices, including a nutritionally marginal protein intake. The close association with low protein intake distinguishes this form of diabetes from that occurring in North America, Europe, and Oceania. The geographic distribution of malnutrition diabetes, in addition to being limited to the tropics, coincides regularly with the consumption of tapioca (cassava) or other foods that contain cyanide-yielding substances. Ingested cyanide is normally detoxified, principally, by conversion to thiocyanate. This detoxification requires sulfur, derived principally from amino acid sources. Studies in the rat indicate a remarkable ability to detoxify ingested cyanide, a reduction in urinary thiocyanate excretion when protein intake is lowered (especially during growth), production of marked hyperglycemia by either oral or parenteral cyanide, and the development of cyanosis and epidermal changes when there is prolonged exposure to cyanide. Both the association of malnutrition diabetes with food cyanogens and our laboratory observations support a role for cyanide in its pathogenesis.

Adolescent↗