Taxus baccata L. (European yew) is a relict conifer with a fragmented distribution in North Africa, where its Algerian populations are restricted to humid and sub-humid mountain ranges. Increasing anthropogenic pressure and climate change threaten its persistence, making predictive modeling essential for conservation planning. We applied species distribution modeling (SDM) using the sdm package in R to estimate the current and future distribution of T. baccata in Algeria using an ensemble approach that combined Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Boosted Regression Trees (BRTs). Occurrence data were compiled from GBIF and the literature, while current and future bioclimatic predictors were obtained from WorldClim. Future projections were generated under 2040 climate change scenarios. Model performance was consistently high (BRT: AUC = 0.99, TSS = 0.97; RF: AUC = 1, TSS = 0.99; SVM: AUC = 1, TSS = 0.99). Results revealed that T. baccata is confined to fragmented populations along Algeria’s northern mountains and coast, with the eastern Tell Atlas as its main stronghold and only marginal presence in the west. The most influential predictors were maximum temperature of the warmest month (23.5%), mean temperature of the wettest quarter (11.6%), and precipitation of the warmest quarter (9.6%). By 2040, a significant contraction of suitable habitats is projected, with refugia persisting mainly in the north-east and at higher elevations of the Hauts Plateaux. These findings highlight the high vulnerability of T. baccata to climate change in Algeria. Protecting refugial habitats and promoting restoration efforts in fragmented populations will be critical to its long-term survival. Integrating predictive modeling into conservation policy can provide a robust framework for safeguarding this relict species under future climatic uncertainty.

Colomerus vitis (Pagenstecher) (Acari: Eriophyidae), commonly known as the erineum leaf mite, is an eriophyid mite that induces characteristic galls and deformities on the leaves and young shoots of Vitis vinifera cultivars. The present study aims to describe the symptomatic manifestations of C. vitis infestation, document its key biological features, and assess its potential ecological impact on vineyard ecosystems in eastern Romania. Observations were conducted during the active vegetative growth period across multiple cultivars and growth stages. Symptoms were systematically recorded through visual inspections and high-resolution photography, revealing leaf galls, curling, and shoot distortions of varying intensity depending on cultivar and plant age. Microscopic examinations confirmed the presence of mites within galls and allowed detailed observation of their morphology, spatial distribution, and population density, offering additional insights into their development and colonization patterns. Differences in symptom severity among cultivars indicated variability in host susceptibility and damage extent. Although C. vitis is not considered an invasive species in Romania, its growing prevalence and the potential for expansion under changing climatic conditions highlight its ecological significance. Recent data on the biology and damage patterns of C. vitis suggest that its increased prevalence, driven by warmer winters, may alter vineyard ecosystem dynamics and potentially increase the risk of transmitting viral pathogens, such as Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV). These shifts emphasize the need for integrated pest monitoring and biodiversity-oriented management strategies. By documenting both macroscopic and microscopic features in a detailed and systematic manner, this study provides comprehensive descriptive information on the biology and symptomatic expression of C. vitis, contributing to a better understanding of arthropod–plant interactions and supporting future research on cultivar susceptibility, ecological resilience, and sustainable viticulture.

Avian colibacillosis, a pervasive bacterial infection in poultry, is caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). The pathogenicity of these strains is primarily associated with specific virulence factors such as serum resistance and α-hemolysin production. The uncontrolled and excessive use of antibiotics in poultry production has greatly contributed to the emergence of resistant and even multidrug-resistant (MDR) APEC strains.

In the present study, fifty APEC isolates were characterized for their virulence and antimicrobial resistance traits. Almost all isolates exhibited serum resistance and produced α-hemolysin, while 42% were Congo red positive, indicating the presence of virulence-associated phenotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed alarming resistance rates: 86% to tetracycline, 76% to nalidixic acid, and 60% to amoxicillin. Conversely, tobramycin and imipenem remained largely effective against most isolates.

However, colistin resistance was detected in 8% of the isolates using the Colispot test. This resistance was further confirmed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays in liquid medium, which showed MIC values exceeding 2 µg/mL, confirming true colistin resistance according to EUCAST criteria.

Conjugation experiments demonstrated the plasmid-borne nature of amoxicillin resistance in all tested isolates. Nalidixic acid resistance was found to be transferable in two strains, while chromosomally encoded in another two.

Statistical analysis using the chi-square test revealed a significant correlation between antibiotic resistance and virulence traits among APEC strains.

Overall, these findings highlight the alarming rise in virulent and multidrug-resistant APEC strains within the poultry sector. Such strains represent a potential zoonotic threat and emphasize the urgent need for rational and regulated antibiotic use in poultry farming to mitigate risks to both animal and public health.

Treating uterine infections in cattle is a challenge for farmers and veterinarians. Postpartum is the primary time for uterine infections, such as endometritis and metritis. They decrease fertility, have an impact on reproductive health, and lead to significant economic losses. The genital microbiota represents an opportunistic field of study in the area of cattle fertility. However, intravaginal antibiotic treatment affects the genital microbiome, leading to dysbiosis. Consequently, the modulation of this vaginal microbiome can be an effective alternative to antibiotics.

This study aims to to explore the potential use of bacteria as natural probiotics for the prevention of uterine infections and the improvement of reproductive health in dairy cows.

Seven Montbeliarade dairy cows were involved in this study: one with endometritis, one with metritis, and five healthy heifers. Various culture mediums were used to seed vaginal swab samples. The antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria against the infectious agents was investigated using two methods. Eight antibiotics were tested against the infectious agents using the MH diffusion method, and the results were recorded in an antibiogram.

Using phenotypic identification, Salmonella (E1), E. coli (E2), and Lactobacillus (E3, E4) from the vagina of healthy cows and a mixture of commercial probiotic L.plantarum and P.acidilactici (E5) were obtained. E4 and E5 exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against E. coli, but none against Salmonella. E5 (4 mm) was tested by the overlay method against E. coli. Isolate E4 also exhibited moderate activity (2 mm). E. coli was found to be very sensitive to several antibiotics, particularly to aztreonam (32 mm) and gentamicin (28 mm), while Salmonella showed partial resistance.

These results underline the importance of characterizing probiotic strains prior to their application. Lactic acid bacteria have the potential to be probiotics, and more in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to confirm the stability, safety, and efficacy of the strains in clinical settings.

Introduction: Hospital wastewater is a major environmental reservoir for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes. In rapidly urbanizing regions like Dhaka, inadequate wastewater treatment enables the uncontrolled release of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens into natural water bodies. Enterobacteriaceae, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella spp., serve as key indicators of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthcare effluents. Discharge of such effluents facilitates the environmental spread of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize Enterobacteriaceae from hospital wastewater, focusing on their phenotypic resistance patterns and molecular mechanisms underlying β-lactam antibiotic resistance.
Methodology: Wastewater samples were collected from major hospitals in Dhaka. Forty Enterobacteriaceae isolates were recovered using selective media and identified via biochemical tests (IMViC, urease, H₂S, motility, lactose fermentation) and the API 20E system (>88% accuracy). Antibiotic susceptibility against 15 clinically relevant drugs, including β-lactams, carbapenems, and aminoglycosides, was assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Representative ESBL-producing isolates underwent PCR to detect bla-TEM, bla-SHV, and bla-CTX-M genes, allowing correlation of genotypic and phenotypic resistance.
Results:Predominant isolates included E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Salmonella Typhi, Shigella spp., Proteus spp., and Enterobacter spp. High resistance was observed against Amoxicillin (44.44%), Ceftazidime (41.67%), and Ceftriaxone (38.89%), with lower resistance for Meropenem (19.44%) and Gentamicin (16.67%). ESBL production was detected in 53.5% of isolates, 44.34% were MDR, and 11.20% XDR. PCR revealed bla-TEM in 75% of ESBL-positive isolates, while bla-SHV and bla-CTX-M were each found in 25%, indicating active horizontal gene transfer.
Conclusion: Dhaka hospital wastewater serves as a significant reservoir of MDR and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The predominance of bla-TEM emphasizes its role in environmental dissemination of β-lactam resistance. These findings highlight the urgent need for systematic AMR surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, and advanced wastewater treatment to mitigate environmental and public health risks.

The vinaceous-breasted amazon (Amazona vinacea), one of the most threatened Neotropical parrots, has been the focus of a long-term reintroduction project at Araucárias National Park, Brazil. Between January 2011 and June 2023, twelve release events were conducted, followed by periodic monitoring using a combination of methods: field records by the technical team, citizen-scientist reports and camera traps. Monitoring by the technical team relied on visual inspection and vocalization records to locate and identify individuals. Radio telemetry was used when resources were available and for as long as transmitter batteries remained active. Monitoring frequency increased between 2017 and 2023, driven by an increase in financial resources, expanded field effort by the technical team and stronger involvement of local communities. A total of 8,671 monitoring records and reports were analyzed. The contribution of citizen scientists increased from less than 5% of records before 2016 to over 25% after 2019, highlighting the growing role of participatory monitoring in data collection across broader spatial and temporal scales. The introduction of numbered medal tags in 2019 enhanced the ability to recognize individual parrots, raising identification success from 34–73% to over 90%. These findings demonstrate the refinement of field methodologies and the benefits of integrating professional and community-based monitoring. Post-release monitoring is fundamental for assessing survival, adaptation and reproduction, providing feedback for project adjustments. Despite notable advances, reliably finding and identifying translocated individuals from a long distance in the Atlantic Forest remains one of the project's greatest challenges. The adoption of emerging technologies, such as drone-assisted telemetry, small and parrot resistant GPS devices, and AI-based image and sound recognition, remains largely limited by costs and technical availability but represents a crucial future direction for improving long-term monitoring of A. vinacea in the wild.

The South American silver croaker, Plagioscion squamosissimus, represents a species of substantial relevance to artisanal fisheries operating within the sub-middle and lower stretches of the São Francisco River in northeastern Brazil. To elucidate the population structure of this species across its longitudinal gradient, 150 specimens (50 per locality), with standard lengths ranging from 35 to 45 cm, were collected between September 2023 and March 2024 from three fishing associations (Olho D’Água do Casado, Petrolândia, and Rodelas) using gillnets. Body morphometry was examined through two geometric morphometric frameworks based on discrete landmarks: Procrustes coordinates (PCs) and truss network distances (TDs). Otolith morphology was further characterized using two contour-based analytical methods: wavelet transform coefficients (WTCs) and elliptic Fourier descriptors (EFDs). Statistical assessments involved both univariate and multivariate techniques to evaluate morphological variation across sites and sexes. The analyses revealed pronounced secondary sexual dimorphism in otolith morphology, which was absent in overall body shape. Such dimorphism is potentially attributable to sex-specific auditory adaptations related to ecological roles or reproductive behaviors, although this hypothesis warrants further experimental verification. Despite the detected sexual dimorphism, the classification accuracy of individuals to their sampling origin remained remarkably high, ranging from 91% to 94% based on body morphometry (TD and PCs, respectively), and achieving complete (100%) discrimination through otolith contour analyses (EFDs and WTCs). The phenotypic differentiation observed among populations appears to reflect spatially heterogeneous environmental conditions, likely influenced by habitat fragmentation resulting from the construction of two hydroelectric dams that disrupted longitudinal connectivity within the São Francisco River. Overall, the findings indicate that P. squamosissimus populations inhabiting the sub-middle and lower river reaches constitute distinct population units, a conclusion that bears significant implications for the design and implementation of effective management and conservation strategies for the species.

The dispersal capacity of small wild cats is essential for maintaining functional populations in fragmented landscapes. However, when local extinctions occur, particularly in insular systems surrounded by densely populated continental regions, the loss of mesopredators can trigger complex ecological cascades that restructure communities and favor generalist or invasive species. Santa Catarina Island, in southern Brazil, represents one such case in which the disappearance of small wild cats has coincided with the dominance of opportunistic native species and the expansion of domestic and exotic fauna, including the invasive black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata). To evaluate the ecological feasibility of reintroducing small wild cats, this study integrated habitat suitability analysis, potential prey population size and biomass estimation, and camera trap monitoring within the Meiembipe Municipal Wildlife Refuge (REVIS Meiembipe), a municipal protected area on the Island. Secondary data from Projeto Fauna Floripa (2019–2021), based on island-wide camera-trap surveys, and complementary field records collected between 2024 and 2025, were combined to assess environmental suitability and identify potential release sites. Camera-trap data indicated low domestic-animal presence (<20% of sampling sites) and high potential prey biomass (>167,000 kg), based on capture–mark–recapture studies and literature-based density estimates. Expert consultations (n = 11) suggested the feasibility of reintroducing Leopardus guttulus and L. wiedii. Recommendations included pre-release rehabilitation; phased soft releases of individuals meeting genetic, behavioral, and health criteria; continuous monitoring of species composition—particularly the current dominant species—and consideration of historical records confirming the former presence of both felids on the island; and telemetry-based post-release monitoring. These findings suggest the ecological viability of Santa Catarina Island for reintroduction and highlight the region’s role in safeguarding small felid populations in the Atlantic Forest, emphasizing the island’s unique capacity as a genetic refuge for L. guttulus, which is threatened on the mainland by hybridization with L. geoffroyi.

Introduction: Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease transmitted through freshwater snails, affects over 251.4 million people globally, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 95% of the disease burden. Despite the widespread use of praziquantel for mass drug administration, eradication remains elusive. Plants of the Asteraceae family have shown promising activity against helminths, including Schistosoma mansoni. This underscores the importance of further investigating this family's biological potential.

Methods: This study evaluates the phytochemical composition and characterizes the bioactive secondary metabolites, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cercaricidal properties, as well as the biosafety of the methanolic and hexane extracts of Chromolaena odorata.

Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of Chromolaena odorata extracts identified secondary metabolites such as tannins, flavonoids, and saponins in the methanolic extract, and steroids and alkaloids in the hexane extract. LC-MS and HPLC-UV-ESI-TOF-MS analyses of the methanolic extract confirmed the presence of polyphenols (flavonoids) and aromatic dicarboxylic acid compounds. Antioxidant analysis revealed a strong free-radical scavenging potential in C. odorata crude extracts. Methanolic and hexane extracts of Chromolaena odorata demonstrated potent cercaricidal activity against Schistosoma mansoni cercariae, with LC₅₀ values as low as 0.2012 and 0.2410 µg/ml, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effects were assessed by inhibiting heat-induced albumin denaturation; plant extracts inhibited denaturation, particularly the methanolic extract, which showed 73.56% inhibition at the highest concentration tested. Cytotoxicity assays on LLC-MK2 cells showed low toxicity.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that crude extracts of Chromolaena odorata possess significant antischistosomal (cercaricidal), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting their potential integration into primary healthcare strategies for schistosomiasis control.

Microbial biofilm buildup poses a significant challenge in hospital intensive care units (ICUs), by clogging healthcare devices, consequently resulting in treatment failure. The current work aimed to isolate biofilm-forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sequence and analyze the biofilm-forming gene (algL), and evaluate the biofilm-inhibitory potential of tomato carbon dots and manuka honey. For biofilm formation and inhibition analysis, the microtiter plate, Congo red, and tube methods were used. A total of 150 samples (swabs) from catheter mounts, ventilator masks, and urine catheters were obtained and processed in the ICUs of three hospitals in the district of Peshawar, Pakistan. P. aeruginosa was identified in 45 samples. The antibiogram of P. aeruginosa isolates demonstrated resistance to tobramycin (53.4%), ciprofloxacin (68.8%), aztreonam (42.2%), co-trimoxazole (60.6%), cefepime (40%), and ceftazidime (40%). Biofilm formation was detected in 95.5% of the samples. The biofilm was inhibited by up to 86.40% with 100 mg/mL of tomato carbon dots, whereas 68.95% inhibition was observed at 100 mg/mL of manuka honey. A total of 73.1% of P. aeruginosa isolates were positive for the presence of the algL gene. Mutational analysis revealed that the algL gene was conserved across all isolates. However, each isolated testis harbored one of the previously identified missense mutations in the algL gene. It is important to investigate the crucial factors involved in biofilm formation to develop strategies for preventing clogging of medical devices used for therapeutic purposes. Current findings may help pave the way for the development of new anti-biofilm methodologies and, in turn, effective antimicrobial therapies. Mutational analysis could yield significant insights into biofilms and inform effective inhibition strategies.