is a problematic invasive alien plant (IAP) in South Africa that is a high priority target for biological control. Biological control has been implemented in the states of Florida and Hawaii (USA), where is also an IAP. Phylogeographic work determined that there have been multiple introductions of two lineages (haplotype A and B) into the USA. Haplotype A was introduced to western Florida and Hawaii, while haplotype B was introduced to eastern Florida. Haplotypes A and B have subsequently hybridized in Florida, resulting in novel plant genotypes. Biological control agents in the USA are known to vary in efficacies on the two different haplotypes and hybrids. This study used molecular techniques to uncover the source populations of in South Africa using chloroplast DNA and microsatellites. Populations from the introduced ranges in Florida (east, west and hybrids) and Hawaii were included ( = 95). All South Africa populations ( = 51) were found to be haplotype A. Microsatellite analysis determined shared alleles with western Florida and Hawaiian populations. The likely source of South African was determined to be western Florida through the horticultural trade. These results will help guide a biological control programme to source agents that perform well on these populations in the USA. Furthermore, the presence of only one haplotype in South Africa highlights the need to ensure no further introductions of other haplotypes of the plant are made, in order to avoid similar hybridization events like those recorded in Florida.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plab078 | DOI Listing |
Menopause
January 2025
Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Objective: Although dysregulated inflammation has been postulated as a biological mechanism associated with post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PASC) and shown to be a correlate and an outcome of PASC, it is unclear whether inflammatory markers can prospectively predict PASC risk. We examined the association of leukocyte count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations, measured ~25 years prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with PASC, PASC severity, and PASC-associated cognitive outcomes at follow-up among postmenopausal women.
Methods: Using biomarker data from blood specimens collected during pre-pandemic enrollment (1993-1998) and data on 1,237 Women's Health Initiative participants who completed a COVID-19 survey between June 2021 and February 2022, we constructed multivariable regression models that controlled for pertinent characteristics.
Drug Saf
January 2025
Forum for Collaborative Research, University of California, Berkeley, Washington, DC, USA.
HIV-prevention efforts focusing on women of child-bearing potential are needed to end the HIV epidemic in the African region. The use of antiretroviral drugs as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a critical HIV prevention tool. However, safety data on new antiretrovirals during pregnancy are often limited because pregnant people are excluded from drug development studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlanta
January 2025
Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Sorghum kernel composition is a crucial characteristic that determines its functional qualities. The total protein content of sorghum grain increases under drought stress, but starch, protein digestibility, and micronutrient contents decrease. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Environ Health Rep
January 2025
Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 104 Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.
Purpose Of Review: A major contributor to household air pollution (HAP) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is unclean cooking fuel. Improved cookstove technology (ICT) interventions have been promoted as a solution, but their impacts on health are unclear. Our aim is to conduct a systematic review to explore the impacts of ICT interventions on health outcomes in SSA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt Urogynecol J
January 2025
Division of Health Services Research & Implementation Science, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, San Diego, CA, USA.
Introduction And Hypothesis: This manuscript is part of the International Urogynecological Consultation (IUC) on Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), Chapter 3, Committee 1 focusing on pessary management of POP.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted by an international, multi-disciplinary group of clinicians working in the field of pelvic health following a search of the literature using the MeSH terms "pelvic organ prolapse" OR "urogenital prolapse" OR "vaginal prolapse" OR "uterovaginal prolapse" AND "pessary" OR "support device" OR "intravaginal device." Relevant studies, as determined after review using the Covidence manuscript review platform, were included.
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