Wetlands are among the most productive and ecologically significant ecosystems on the earth, offering a broad spectrum of ecosystem services including water purification, flood regulation, habitat provision, and climate regulation. In light of current global climate challenges, their capacity for carbon storage has become increasingly important, positioning wetlands as key components in climate change mitigation strategies. This study attempts a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of different types of tropical wetlands to ecological diversity and carbon dynamics. The findings of this study aim to inform climate action, support conservation planning, and strengthen local livelihoods. In the longer term, the study underscores the importance of tropical wetlands in regional and global carbon cycling, with clear relevance for wetland conservation and climate policy. For this study, we selected three morphologically and hydrologically distinct wetlands, namely, Fulbari Anua (oxbow lake, OL), Bakri Haor (floodplain wetland, FPW), and Sone Beel (perennial wetland, PW) in the Barak basin of Assam, northeast India, within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Tree individuals were randomly sampled from both the aquatic zone (permanently inundated areas) and the riparian zone (seasonally flooded margins) of the selected wetlands. Comparison of the tree community composition across different wetland types revealed a total of 30 tree species representing 18 families. Wetland tree composition was more similar between permanent wetland (PW) and floodplain wetland (FPW) than between either of these and oxbow lake (OL). Maximum tree diversity was found in FPW (3.07) followed by PW (2.94) and OL (2.45), while the tree density was maximum in FPW (42 trees ha⁻¹) followed by OL (36 trees ha⁻¹) and PW (28 trees ha⁻¹). Above-ground biomass carbon was highest in FPW (168.99 Mg ha-1) followed by PW (147.48 Mg ha-1) and OL (106.57 Mg ha-1). Wetland trees in PW and FPW showed more similar carbon stock pattern than those in OL. Amongst the diverse tree species, Terminalia arjuna followed by Aegle marmelos had greater carbon stock in FPW; Tamarindus indica followed by Bombax ceiba had greater carbon stock in PW; while Bombax ceiba followed by Cocos nucifera had greater carbon stock in OL. The study showed that wetland tree carbon stock is driven more by basal area and species diversity than by tree density alone. Thus, in wetlands stand structure and composition appear to be more important determinants of carbon storage than stem number. The study highlights that tree-dominated wetlands in the tropical regions like the Barak River Basin are major carbon sinks that sequester atmospheric carbon, and thereby contribute to regional carbon sink capacity and the global carbon balance. The contribution of invasive trees to carbon stock was highest in PW followed by FPW and lowest in OL. Although the current carbon stock contribution from invasive trees is minimal, failure to control their spread could eventually lead to ecological imbalance, threatening the long-term resilience and functionality of wetlands. The study therefore suggests integrating nature-based solutions with adaptive management to enhance wetland biodiversity conservation, strengthen native carbon sequestration capacity, and ensure the long-term sustainability of tropical wetland ecosystems in the Barak Basin and beyond.
The development of new products based on bacterial cellulose powder derived from tropical fruit byproducts (pulp and peels) represents a technological alternative that offers environmental benefits to everyone. This solution can be applied in both industrial and domestic settings. In this research, bacterial cellulose was produced by fermentation of industrial waste from tropical fruits. Bacterial cellulose powders were produced via kombucha fermentation using agro-industrial byproducts from tropical fruits. The powders were selected and characterized according to physicochemical parameters, proximate composition, bacterial count, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and in vivo toxicity. The powders had pH values from 2.5 to 4.5. Acerola bacterial cellulose showed the highest yield (6.25 %) and the highest vitamin C mass fraction ((1998±51) mg/100 g). Pseudoplastic behavior was observed in all smoothies, and the formulation containing bacterial cellulose from passion fruit showed the highest viscosity among the evaluated samples. Zebrafish tests did not indicate any adverse effects related to the formulations. The use of bacterial cellulose powders from agro-industrial waste could be a healthy and sustainable alternative for the development of new products with a high vitamin C content (acerola bacterial cellulose powder) or more viscous products (passion fruit bacterial cellulose powder).
This study investigated the effect of semen collection timing (06:00-08:00 h [morning] vs. 12:00-14:00 h [afternoon]) on semen quality in Thai native bulls under tropical heat stress conditions. Physiological responses, endocrine profiles, and sperm lipid peroxidation were also evaluated. Nine bulls were subjected to a multiple crossover design, with semen collection alternated between morning and afternoon periods across 12 sessions per animal. Environmental parameters, including temperature-humidity index (THI), were continuously monitored. Afternoon collections occurred under higher ambient temperature and THI (>81) than morning collections (77-80), accompanied by increased heart rate (93.88 vs. 79.75 beats/min; P < 0.001) and elevated average scrotal surface temperature (35.08 vs. 33.90 °C; P < 0.001). Serum cortisol concentrations did not differ between collection periods (2.36 vs. 2.18 ng/mL; P > 0.05), whereas testosterone levels were significantly higher in the afternoon (2.23 vs. 1.99 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Afternoon-collected semen exhibited higher total motility (82.80% vs. 76.02%; P < 0.05) and viability (83.68% vs. 77.24%; P < 0.05). However, acrosome integrity was significantly lower in afternoon collections than in morning collections (83.90% vs. 87.40%; P < 0.05), accompanied by higher malondialdehyde concentrations (1.15 vs. 0.84 µM/mL; P < 0.05). Midpiece abnormalities and bent tails with retained droplets were more prevalent in afternoon samples. These findings suggest a physiological trade-off between enhanced sperm motility and increased structural damage to sperm during afternoon semen collection under tropical heat stress. Morning collection may better preserve acrosome integrity and sperm morphology despite lower motility.
Bacillus velezensis SQR9 (SQR9) is known to not only promote plant growth and exert biocontrol but also to mitigate soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, its effects on the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool, carbon footprint and net eco-economic benefits (NEEB) under field conditions remain poorly understood. We implemented a four-season field trial in tropical vegetable fields using two cropping patterns: continuous eggplant monoculture and a bitter gourd-eggplant rotation. Within each pattern, four fertilization treatments were established: conventional mineral N fertilizer (CF), partial mineral N substitution with organic fertilizer (OF), OF combined with SQR9 application (OFB) and no fertilization (Control). The results showed that OF and OFB treatments significantly reduced N2O emissions, global warming potential and GHG emission intensity, while increasing vegetable yield and SOC accumulation compared with CF, with OFB showing the best overall performance under both cropping systems. These beneficial effects were primarily attributed to improved soil properties, reduced abundances of denitrification-related nirS and nirK genes, and increased nosZ gene abundance, indicating limited N2O production and enhanced its reduction to N2. Furthermore, SQR9 inoculation promoted SOC accumulation, probably by enhancing microbial diversity, promoting activities of carbon-cycling enzymes, and increasing the relative abundances of key taxa such as Arthrobacter and Marmoricola. Together, these changes contributed to a lower carbon footprint and higher NEEB under OF and OFB treatments relative to CF. In conclusion, this study provides the first field-scale evidence that organic fertilizer substitution combined with SQR9 inoculation can simultaneously reduce N2O emissions, enhance SOC accumulation, reduce carbon footprint, and improve NEEB sustainability in tropical intensive vegetable systems.
Community-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection is increasing, yet the ecology of toxin B (TcdB)-encoding lineages in natural environments remains poorly understood. We investigated whether minimally disturbed tropical soils function as active reservoirs for toxigenic Clostridioides rather than passive sinks for clinical spillover. From 108 soil samples across 11 protected sites, we recovered 48 isolates: seven C. difficile strains (Clades 1 and 4) and 41 from cryptic clades C-I, C-III, and C-V. Genomic analyses revealed extensive microdiversity with allelic mosaicism and site restriction, indicating structured populations shaped by local persistence and potential lateral gene exchange. Four C. difficile isolates carried chromosomal tcdB1, whereas four C-V isolates encoded tcdB7 on extrachromosomal elements. Two C-V isolates with identical tcdB7 subtypes showed neutralizable in vitro cytopathic effects but divergent in vivo virulence. Resistome profiling identified diverse gyrB substitutions and, in one C. difficile strain, ermB and tetA(P)/tetB(P). Phenotypic testing confirmed non-susceptibility to fluoroquinolones, clindamycin, or tetracycline. These findings demonstrate that protected tropical soils host genetically structured Clostridioides populations with functional toxin loci and clinically relevant resistance genes, redefining our understanding of environmental origins and diversification of TcdB-mediated disease.
Amphibians are highly vulnerable to environmental pollutants, especially during the larval stage, when temperature fluctuations in ephemeral ponds can interact with metals and alter their toxicity, a scenario that may be intensified by ongoing climate change. This study investigated the toxicity of five metals on tadpoles of Rhinella diptycha and Leptodactylus fuscus, across two different temperatures (28 and 34 °C). Lethal concentrations for 50% of the population (LC50) were determined to CdCl2, CuSO4, PbNO4, ZnCl2 and NiSO4, under 28 and 34 °C, for 96 h. Species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves were then constructed for each metal using LC50 data for both tropical species, together with those from the literature on other tadpole and standard fish species. Toxicity ranking followed Cu > Cd > Zn > Pb > Ni in L. fuscus and Cu > Zn > Cd > Ni in R. diptycha. Pb LC50 was not calculated in R. diptycha due to insufficient number of tadpoles. In almost all cases, increased temperature enhanced metal toxicity in a dose-dependent effect. SSD revealed R. diptycha and L. fuscus as among the most sensitive species to metals. Body edema was observed in tadpoles exposed to Pb after acute exposure. Our findings show that metal toxicity can be amplified at higher temperatures, reinforcing the importance of accounting for temperature effects when establishing safe environmental concentrations of potential contaminants, particularly for species inhabiting warmer areas.
This dataset contains anonymised leptospirosis surveillance records collected in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia between 2018 and 2023. Case data were derived from routine public health surveillance conducted by community health centre teams. The primary dataset includes patient demographic characteristics, case classification status, documented clinical events expressed as day offsets relative to registration date, exposure history to standing and contaminated water, animal contact variables, personal protective equipment usage, bathing practices, wound conditions, and household environmental characteristics. Spatial context is provided at the kelurahan level, the smallest formal government administrative unit in Indonesia with defined spatial boundaries, enabling geospatial analysis while preserving individual privacy. Secondary contextual datasets include administrative boundaries, land use classification, healthcare facility locations, flood related indicators, population statistics, and monthly weather variables such as temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall. Personally identifiable information and direct healthcare facility identifiers were removed prior to dataset construction. This dataset supports research in disease surveillance, spatial epidemiology, environmental health, zoonotic transmission, and climate sensitive disease modelling in tropical urban settings.
Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are key agents of poleward heat and moisture transport, yet the extent to which tropical moisture directly feeds AR precipitation at higher latitudes remains debated. Here we present a forty-year global climatology of moisture sources for AR-related precipitation, combining deep learning-based AR detection with Lagrangian moisture tracking. We reveal that AR precipitation worldwide organizes into two coherent and contrasting moisture transport regimes. Along western continental boundaries, AR precipitation is predominantly sustained by extratropical moisture convergence, with tropical contributions typically limited to 30-40%, whereas eastern boundaries exhibit shorter transport pathways with substantially larger tropical contributions, averaging 60-70%. These persistent west-east asymmetries reflect systematic shifts in moisture origin as ARs evolve from early subtropical acquisition to mature extratropical transport. We further show a strong negative correlation between tropical contribution and latitude, demonstrating that direct tropical moisture delivery is not a requirement for AR precipitation at high latitudes. Instead, tropical moisture primarily preconditions AR formation, while the water mass that ultimately precipitates is progressively replaced along the poleward pathway. Taken together, our findings reconcile divergent assessments of tropical moisture influence on AR precipitation and thus deepen our understanding of how Earth's hydrological engine redistributes atmospheric water across the planet.
Phyllanthus emblica L. is an important medicinal and edible fruit tree in tropical and subtropical regions, yet its population genetic structure and the genetic basis of key agronomic traits remain poorly understood. Here, we analyzed 112 accessions representing diverse germplasm collected from China and India. Using ddRAD-seq, we generated 73,405 high-quality SNPs to characterize population structure, genetic diversity, and the genetic architecture of leaf morphology. Population structure and phylogenetic reconstruction separated the accessions into two major genetic groups, which were further resolved into four subpopulations according to source. Genetic diversity varied markedly among groups, with one major source group retaining substantially higher diversity than the others, suggesting that the currently utilized germplasm of P. emblica has experienced uneven genetic utilization and limited systematic improvement. Genome-wide scans based on π ratios and FST identified multiple differentiated genomic regions, containing genes involved in protein turnover, stress response, hormone transport, and cell growth. We further conducted the first genome-wide association study of leaf traits in P. emblica and identified 85 loci significantly associated with leaf morphological variation. Several loci showed strong non-additive effects and clear allele-frequency differences among genetic groups. Candidate genes within these loci were functionally enriched in processes related to leaf development, leaf morphogenesis, auxin transport and hormone signaling, and cell wall biogenesis. Together, these results provide comprehensive insights into the population differentiation and leaf trait variation in P. emblica, and establish a valuable foundation for molecular marker-assisted breeding in this species.
The genus Tabebuia is widely used in traditional medicine of tropical and subtropical countries. We recently reported the antitumor activity toward several human cell lines of the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Tabebuia hypoleuca, a species endemic to Cuba, together with the high content of triterpenic acids. This work describes the development and the validation of a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection method for the simultaneous quantitation of the contents of oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA). The method was carried out on a C18 column, using methanol and water as mobile phase (ratio 95:5 v/v), at the flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, recorded at λ = 210 nm. The retention times were 16.371 ± 0.045 and 16.943 ± 0.052 min for OA and UA, respectively, with a resolution between peaks of 1.29. The average contents of OA and UA within three sets of the ethyl acetate extract, considered as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) were 102.93 and 244.28 mg/g, respectively. The linearity of the response was found to be 10-700 μg/mL for OA and its equation was y = 0.2946x - 2.0432 (r2 = 0.9924). The linearity range for UA was 5-1000 μg/mL and its equation was y = 0.3284x - 17.508 (r2 = 0.9865). The limit of detection and limit of quantification of these constituents were 6.50 and 19.81 μg/mL for OA, 0.75 and 1.98 μg/mL for UA. OA and UA may be used as markers for the quality assessment of formulations containing this API. The developed method is accurate, specific, precise, reproducible and may be applied as a simple and rapid quality-control procedure for medicinal plant extracts with similar triterpene patterns.
Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen causing severe hemorrhagic fever in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to design and evaluated a multi-epitope subunit vaccine against yellow fever virus using immunoinformatics and computational approaches. The yellow fever virus envelope glycoprotein was selected as the target antigen. Antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic B-cell, MHC-I, and MHC-II epitopes were predicted and assembled into a vaccine construct using linkers and β-defensin-3 as an adjuvant. Structural modeling and validation were performed using AlphaFold3 and quality assessment tools. Molecular docking with TLR2 and TLR8 was conducted using ClusPro, followed by molecular dynamics simulations to assess structural stability. Disulfide engineering was applied to enhance rigidity, immune simulation was performed to predict host immune responses, and in silico cloning was carried out using the pBR322 vector. Six conserved epitopes with strong antigenic potential were identified. The vaccine construct showed favorable docking interactions with TLR2 and TLR8, yielding ClusPro weighted interaction scores of -1105.52 and -1152.9, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed structural stability, supported by stable RMSD and compact radius of gyration profiles. Immune simulation indicated robust humoral and cellular immune responses. The designed multi-epitope vaccine showed promising immunogenic and structural properties, supporting its potential as a potential vaccine candidate against yellow fever virus. However, experimental validation through in vitro and in vivo studies is required.
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the expansion of H uman papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening programmes. While HPV is a necessary cause of cervical cancer, prevention strategies that focus exclusively on HPV risk overlooking female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a neglected tropical disease affecting millions of women and girls in schistosomiasis-endemic regions. FGS causes chronic genital inflammation and mucosal damage that may increase susceptibility to HPV infection, complicate cervical cancer screening, and contribute to diagnostic misclassification, yet female genital schistosomiasis is rarely considered in cervical cancer prevention policies or clinical algorithms. In this Comment, we argue that integrating FGS diagnosis and prevention into HPV-based cervical cancer strategies is essential for achieving equitable progress towards the World Health Organization cervical cancer elimination targets in Africa. Addressing FGS represents a pragmatic, gender-responsive, and context-specific opportunity to strengthen cervical cancer prevention across endemic settings.
Cattle ranching is a sustainability challenge worldwide, and in the Amazon, the planet's largest tropical forest, it remains the main driver of deforestation. Yet, cattle numbers have typically been estimated from coarse census data or indirect proxies, limiting our ability to monitor land-use change at finer scales. Here, we introduce a novel approach that applies deep learning-based density estimation to very high-resolution satellite imagery to detect individual animals across the Brazilian Amazon. Our cattle data set covers over 12,000 km² in four states and is integrated with pasture maps to analyze property-level stocking rates. We find patterns of extensive land use, deriving conservative stocking rate estimates of 0.73 head per hectare in 2018-2019, with lower cattle stocking rates on properties with higher recent deforestation and properties further away from slaughterhouses. While the use of VHR imagery presents challenges of coverage and detection, our framework establishes a foundation for advancing livestock monitoring and supports strategies to address deforestation and promote sustainable resource management.
The Trypanosomatidae family, which includes Trypanosoma and Leishmania species, is responsible for several neglected tropical diseases. The limitations of current therapies highlight the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we report the design and synthesis of 43 new hybrid molecules that combine isatin and thiazole scaffolds, which were evaluated for their in vitro anti-Trypanosomatidae activity and subjected to in silico analyses. In the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi assays, 12 compounds displayed EC50 values ranging from 1.30 to 3.14 µM, comparable to that of benznidazole (EC50 = 3.17 µM). In the leishmanicidal assays, against the promastigote form of Leishmania amazonensis, 36 compounds exhibited EC50 values lower than miltefosine (EC50 = 26.74 µM), with compounds 8 and 10 emerging as the most potent (EC50 = 1.40 µM). However, none surpassed miltefosine against the amastigote form of Leishmania infantum or L. amazonensis. The compounds exhibited cytotoxicity toward RAW 264.7 macrophages and L929 fibroblasts. In silico predictions indicated that all synthesized compounds presented favorable bioavailability scores, drug-likeness profiles, and physicochemical stability. Moreover, molecular and electronic structure analyses revealed a moderate, positive, and statistically significant correlation (ρ = 0.50, p < 0.05) with trypanothione reductase, suggesting this enzyme as a potential biological target in T. cruzi.
To determine the physiological demands and their associations with body core temperature (Tc) of tropical recreational runners during mass participation distance running in a warm-humid environment (Dry bulb Temperature: 27.2±0.4°C, relative humidity: 87±2%). 162 individuals participated in a 21km (n=84) or 10km (n=78) race. Participants demographics were recorded in a pre-race questionnaire, and in-race measurements of environmental conditions, heart rate (HR, n=115), Tc (n=102), four-site skin temperature (Tsk, n=34) and fluid balance (n=36) were assessed. Real-time monitoring of HR, Tc and geolocation was conducted via a multi-user dashboard. Race split and finishing times were extracted from official results. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed between various parameters and peak Tc. Participants achieved peak HR (21km: 183±9(154-209)bpm, 10km: 180±10(156-204)bpm), Tc (21km: 39.4±0.6(38.3-40.8)°C, 10km: 39.3±0.6(38.2-41.1)°C) and Tsk (21km: 34.0±0.6(32.8-35.4) °C, 10km: 33.7±0.8(31.9-35.3) °C). Mean Tc was higher (p<0.05) in 21km (38.7±0.5(37.9-39.8)°C) than in 10km (38.5±0.4(37.2-39.9)°C). Tsk exhibited an 'inverted-U' profile in the 21km but plateaued in the 10km race. Body mass loss was -2.5±1.1(-5.5 to -0.7)% and -1.3±0.7(-2.4 to +0.5)% for the 21km and 10km participants, respectively. Starting Tc (18%), mean HR (13%), Body Surface Area (11%), and average speed (9%), but not age, estimated maximal aerobic capacity nor finishing time, to peak Tc. Recreational runners experienced high cardiovascular and thermal demands. We observed an 'inverted-U' Tsk profile in the 21km race in contrast to a plateau commonly described in laboratory-based findings. Starting Tc, mean HR, Body Surface Area, and average speed were independently associated with inter-individual differences in peak Tc. Real-time monitoring and contributors of peak Tc may inform future development of targeted strategies to optimise safety of recreational populations competing in the heat.
In tropical regions, cattle production often relies on grass monocrops (GMC), which limit productivity and land-use efficiency. Sustainable intensification of pastures is needed to meet rising demand for animal-source foods. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) with nitrogen-fixing legume trees, such as Leucaena diversifolia, offer a potential solution but may increase nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions due to higher nitrogen (N) inputs. We conducted a one-year study comparing Urochloa GMC versus SPS with L. diversifolia on a fertile Pachic Haplustoll in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Two grass cultivars were evaluated: Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman and U. brizantha cv. Toledo. In SPS, tree rows created two zones: grass-only (SPS/GO) and under-tree (SPS/UT). We measured forage biomass, grass N uptake, N₂ fixation by L. diversifolia, and soil N₂O emissions under two conditions: no additional N input (+water) and after urine deposition (+urine). SPS produced 30% more forage dry matter than GMC. Leucaena diversifolia obtained 54% of its N from atmospheric fixation. The grass in SPS absorbed 8 kg N ha⁻¹ more per grazing cycle than GMC. Under no additional N inputs, soil N₂O emissions were higher in SPS/UT, likely due to greater N recycling. With urine addition, emissions were variable, with higher values in SPS/GO, but no statistical difference was found between SPS/UT and GMC, possibly due to inappropriate urine-N overdosing in GMC. Although SPS showed higher N₂O emissions under specific conditions, their greater forage yield and quality, plus potential co-benefits like lower enteric methane emissions and higher carbon capture, indicate a favorable production-environment trade-off.
Large trees are keystone structures in tropical forests, providing critical food and lodging resources for threatened wildlife. The Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus), the world's rarest primate, depends mainly on large canopy trees for feeding and lodging. However, poorly understood about the differences in species composition, functional traits, and terrain distribution of trees reported as food and lodging trees in current habitat. We characterized 2215 large trees (DBH ≥30 cm) across five transect blocks in Hainan gibbon's current habitat, analyzing species identity, structural attributes, landform distribution (valley, hillside, ridge), and functional traits (leaf economics, wood density, fruit type). The results showed that large food trees have higher specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen content, and fruits are mainly syconium and drupe. Conversely, large lodging trees have larger wood density, maximum height, and DBH. Species richness, stand density, and basal area of large food and lodging trees are highest in hillside areas, and generally decrease with increasing altitude. Combining functional ecology with terrain features can provide more targeted references for the restoration of degraded habitats. Specifically, low-altitude hillside areas may have higher potential restoration value; restoration efforts should prioritize food species with resource-acquiring leaf traits, as well as lodging species with high wood density and large tree structure. This trait-based, topography-explicit approach can identify potential resource constraints in current habitats and provides verifiable ecological evidence for habitat management of the Hainan gibbon and other arboreal primates.
Community-based medical education and research services (COBMERS) place medical students in primary health care facilities to strengthen their skills in community health service delivery, teamwork, leadership and professional ethics within limited-resource settings. Beyond training, COBMERS enables universities to generate evidence on local disease epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and control practices, resulting in a tangible, contextualized impact on the communities. There is however limited data on disease profile in Teso subregion, with limited epidemiological research in the area. This prospective study aims to profile the disease burden in the Teso subregion through COBMERS, thereby informing community-level interventions and health policy. The study will employ convergent parallel mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative components will include cross-sectional surveys to determine prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and infectious diseases, complemented by prospective cohort studies to assess temporal trends. Qualitative data will be gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews to explore community perceptions, health system capacity, and effectiveness of preventive measures. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach will guide all phases, ensuring that research is co-designed with community members, health practitioners, and local authorities. Medical students, under the supervision of faculty and site mentors, will serve as primary data collectors, integrating research with their COBMERS training. The study is expected to provide evidence on the prevalence, trends, and risk factors of major diseases in the Teso subregion, alongside community perspectives on health priorities and barriers to care. Findings will stir up debates to inform tailored interventions, strengthen primary health care, and guide policy formulation. Additionally, embedding research within COBMERS is expected to build local research capacity among site mentors and students, fostering sustainability and continued community-university collaboration. This protocol therefore provides an integrated framework that combines epidemiological surveillance, community engagement, and capacity building. By leveraging COBMERS and CBPR, the study seeks to provide actionable evidence to reduce the burden of NCDs, infectious diseases, and NTDs while promoting health system resilience in Eastern Uganda.
Cerebral tuberculoma is an infrequent but life-threatening manifestation of tuberculosis whose diagnosis and treatment are uniquely complicated by pregnancy-related physiological changes. Evidence to guide clinicians remains fragmented and largely anecdotal. We systematically searched MEDLINE, LILACS and grey literature to May 2025 for reports of cerebral tuberculoma in pregnant or postpartum women. Twenty-seven studies (24 case reports, 2 descriptive studies, 1 case series) from 20 countries met inclusion criteria, yielding individual-level data on 33 patients. Demographics, clinical features, diagnostics, management and maternal-fetal outcomes were extracted and synthesized. Median maternal age was 26 years (IQR 23-29). Diagnosis occurred ante-partum in 45% and post-partum in 55%, at a median gestational age of 31 weeks. Headache (59%), fever (56%) and seizures (48%) predominated; cranial-nerve palsies (54%) and focal paresis (50%) were common neurologic signs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed solitary or multiple contrast-enhancing lesions, chiefly supratentorial but infratentorial in 35%. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed proteinorrachia (n = 10/15) and mononuclear pleocytosis (n = 8/12, 66.67%); positivity of CSF or biopsy interferon-γ release assays (100%, n = 3/3) outperformed CSF culture (33.3%, n = 3/9) and CSF polymerase chain reaction (PCR; 12.5%, n = 1/8). Standard four-drug therapy plus corticosteroids was administered in 97%, typically > 12 months; 60% underwent neurosurgical biopsy or resection. Maternal mortality was 4.6%, and persistent neurological sequelae occurred in 33.3% of cases (n = 7/21). Among 26 live pregnancies, preterm delivery occurred in 72%; neonatal complications affected 50%, including congenital tuberculosis (17%) and neonatal death (17%). Although cerebral tuberculoma during pregnancy is rare, delayed recognition contributes to substantial maternal morbidity and adverse neonatal outcomes. Our synthesis underscores the diagnostic value of advanced imaging and CSF interferon-γ assays, supports prolonged first-line therapy with adjunctive steroids, and highlights critical gaps in evidence-based guidelines. Multicentre prospective registries are urgently needed to refine diagnostic algorithms and optimise maternal-fetal care.
Mammalian antibodies are widely used as detection reagents. However, manipulating mammalian antibodies using molecular techniques is challenging, and the costs associated with these reagents are relatively high, because they are synthesized from two different genes. Accumulating evidence supports the existence of an antibody-like protein in crustaceans, known as the Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam). Unlike mammalian antibodies, Dscam proteins are produced from a single gene, which makes their isolation, synthesis, and optimization through molecular techniques much easier. In this study, Kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) were injected with antigens derived from human pathogens including Lassa virus glycoprotein, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 p24, and cholera toxin, as well as with Escherichia coli cells. We successfully constructed plasmids expressing Dscam fused with nano luciferase, enabling the detection of these antigens. The first to fourth immunoglobulin domains were sufficient for antigen binding. A total of 18 Dscam clones were constructed from two shrimp immunized with cholera toxin, and the most abundant sequences exhibited antigen-binding activity. Furthermore, peptidoglycan was identified as the antigen recognized by the Dscam isolated from E. coli-immunized shrimp. Since it is much easier to capture and culture live shrimp than mammals, the production costs for detection reagents are significantly reduced when using the antibody-like Dscam protein from shrimp. This novel biomaterial can be easily isolated via PCR, synthesized, and optimized through gene engineering technology, offering a cost-effective alternative for use as a detection reagent.