Baobab Index

The emergence of antimalarial drug resistance threatens malaria control and elimination efforts in Africa. Ethiopia, once a success story in case reduction, is now experiencing a resurgence. Here we examine key drug resistance genes (Pfmdr1, Pfcrt, Pfk13, Pfdhfr and Pfdhps) and mitochondrial genomes from 605 Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected across 15 districts in Ethiopia with varying transmission intensity and Plasmodium vivax co-endemicity. Although chloroquine was withdrawn for P. falciparum long ago, it remains the first-line treatment for P. vivax; this overlapping use may shape selection pressure in co-endemic settings that influences resistance markers to artemether-lumefantrine, the current first-line therapy for P. falciparum. A dominant PfMDR1 NFSND haplotype, associated with reduced lumefantrine susceptibility, was identified alongside near fixation of the chloroquine-resistant PfCRT CVIET haplotype in specific areas. Concerningly, PfK13 variants associated with partial artemisinin resistance, R622I (10%), A675V (1.7%) and P441L (1.1%), were expanding. Multilevel models demonstrated robust, independent associations of R622I with PfCRT CVIET and PfDHFR AICNI, while ecological predictors were weaker and less consistent. These findings highlight genetic co-occurrence of Pfcrt and Pfk13 mutations in P. vivax-P. falciparum co-endemic settings and can inform antimalarial policy in Ethiopia.

Environmental biotechnology increasingly relies on bioinformatics to address global challenges in pollution control or degradation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. By integrating genomics, computational tools, and artificial intelligence, bioinformatics enables the analysis of complex biological datasets, such as metagenomes and environmental DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), to uncover microbial diversity, pollutant degradation pathways, and ecological resilience. High-throughput sequencing technologies and multiomics integration provide novel insights into microbial communities and their functional roles in bioremediation and ecosystem monitoring. Predictive modeling further enhances our ability to simulate microbial behavior in contaminated environments and assess the long-term impacts of biotechnological interventions. Despite increased progress, challenges remain in managing large-scale data, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and developing user-friendly bioinformatics platforms. Future directions emphasize the application of machine learning, sustainable resource management, and collaborative frameworks to bridge bioinformatics and environmental sciences. Unlike traditional descriptive reviews, this work provides a critical evaluation of the functional gaps between genomic potential and in situ microbial activity. It offers a novel synthesis of how multiomics integration and predictive modeling can move beyond species cataloging toward a more robust, evidence-based framework for environmental sustainability.

In dairy farming, reproductive efficiency is vital to both profitability and sustainability. However, years of selective breeding for increased milk yield have adversely affected reproductive potential. This study aimed to pinpoint genomic regions and identify potential candidate genes associated with reproductive traits in Chinese Holstein cattle. In this study, a single-step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS) was conducted using 33,202 phenotypic records from 16,379 animals, 55,244 pedigree records, and genomic data from 1,698 cows. These data were integrated into the ssGWAS analysis, resulting in a total pedigree structure of 21,635 animals. A total of 12 significant markers were identified for calving interval (IC), days open (DO), number of services per conception (NS), and conception rate (CR). Among these significant SNPs, 3 SNPs were for IC, 2 SNPs were for DO, 3 SNPs were for NS, and 4 SNPs were for CR. Several promising candidate genes located near these SNPs have been identified, including SFXN4, B3GAT2, GRK5, PRDX3, and MTHFD1L, highlighting their potential involvement in fertility-related biological processes. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis identified significant enrichment of pathways associated with cell adhesion and embryonic development, suggesting a potential mechanistic role for DSG family members (DSG1, DSG2, DSG3, and DSG4) in fertility regulation. Collectively, our findings enhance understanding of the complex genetic basis of reproductive traits in dairy cattle and may offer a valuable set of genomic targets for precision breeding of Chinese Holsteins. Integrating these markers into genomic selection programs may contribute to genetic improvements in reproductive efficiency and support the long-term sustainability of dairy production. In dairy cattle, decades of genetic selection have significantly improved milk production; however, reproductive traits have been adversely affected by antagonistic genetic correlations. Emphasizing reproductive traits in national genetic evaluations should be a more prominent component of a balanced breeding strategy. This study identified key genetic regions and candidate genes influencing reproductive traits in Chinese Holsteins using ssGWAS. These results offer valuable insights into the biological mechanisms underlying reproductive efficiency. By integrating these genetic markers into breeding programs, breeders can enhance the productivity and profitability of their herds.

Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) is a pervasive opportunistic fish pathogen responsible for hemorrhagic septicemia and gastrointestinal disease and, together with other motile aeromonads (e.g., A. veronii, A. caviae, and A. dhakensis), for motile aeromonad septicemia (MAS), which cause significant economic losses in the global freshwater aquaculture industry. The widespread use of antibiotics to control A. hydrophila has led to increased antimicrobial resistance and environmental concerns, necessitating the urgent need for sustainable alternative treatments. We systematically retrieved, screened, and selected relevant studies from three databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Articles published between January 1, 2016, and June 1, 2026, were included. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility and data quality and extracted information from the identified articles. We performed a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and RStudio for visualization. We identified 339 experimental research publications from 2016 to 2026 and selected 39 articles that met the selection criteria for full-text evaluation. For VOSviewer keyword co-occurrence networking, we used the 277 Scopus publications (research articles, reviews, and book chapters) retrieved with the same search string. For the country trend analysis, we used the 464 deduplicated records (research articles, reviews, and book chapters) screened after duplicate removal. The most current keywords used were A. hydrophila, probiotic agents, microbiology, and probiotics. The country trend analysis revealed a remarkable increase in publications over the past 10 years, with key contributions from China, India, Iran, Brazil, and Egypt. The year 2025 recorded the highest publication output over the past 10 years. A diverse repertoire of virulence factors, including act, aerA, fla, ahyI, ahyR, and type III secretion systems, mediates A. hydrophila pathogenicity. Probiotics exert consistent multimodal protection via competitive pathogen exclusion, production of antimicrobial compounds, intestinal barrier enhancement, and host immunomodulation. Probiotics improve growth performance, digestive enzyme production, nutritional composition, immune response, hematology and histopathology, gut microbiome, and survival. This review highlights that probiotics are a viable, evidence-based component of integrated health management programs for A. hydrophila control, complementing rather than universally replacing antibiotics. This review highlights that probiotics are viable, evidence-based, and sustainable alternatives to antibiotics for A. hydrophila control.

Multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis has emerged as an important healthcare-associated pathogen; however, genomic epidemiological data from sub-Saharan Africa remain limited, particularly in military hospital settings. This study aimed to characterize the phenotypic and genomic resistance profiles of P. mirabilis isolates recovered from a military referral hospital in Ethiopia between May 2024 and May 2025. A total of 99 non-duplicate clinical isolates were analyzed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, with phenotypic detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase production. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on a selected subset of 25 representative ESBL- and/or carbapenemase-associated P. mirabilis isolates to identify resistance genes, determine multilocus sequence types (MLST), analyze plasmid replicons, and reconstruct core-genome phylogeny. Using phenotypic detection, 96.0% of isolates were found to be resistant to at least one third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin, and 99.0% were classified as multidrug-resistant. ESBL production was confirmed in 60.6% (60/99) of isolates, while 6.1% (6/99) demonstrated carbapenemase activity. Genomic analysis revealed diverse ESBL determinants dominated by blaPER-13 (40.0%) and blaVEB-6 (28.0%), with additional detection of blaCTX-M-65. MLST analysis identified nine sequence types, with ST135 predominating (32.0%). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated moderate genetic heterogeneity, with evidence of multiple lineages circulating within the hospital setting; however, transmission dynamics could not be definitively determined. Plasmid analysis showed a structured replicon distribution dominated by IncQ1 (36.0%) and several Col-type plasmids. These findings demonstrate extensive multidrug resistance associated with diverse ESBL determinants and multiple plasmid replicon types among P. mirabilis isolates in a military healthcare setting. The results highlight the need for strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, improved infection prevention strategies, and integration of genomic surveillance in comparable healthcare environments.

Functional neurological symptoms, specifically functional dissociative seizures (FDS), frequently coexist with epilepsy and pose severe diagnostic challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings where video-electroencephalography (video-EEG) access is scarce. Overreliance on interictal or noncausal epileptiform EEG abnormalities without rigorous electroclinical correlation risks misdiagnosis and hazardous escalation of antiseizure medications (ASMs). We report a 17-year-old male from rural Ethiopia with a 4-year history of genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and mild intellectual impairment who presented with persistent, variable left lower limb jerking following a road traffic accident involving the same limb. Video-EEG captured the jerking episodes and demonstrated generalized spike-wave and polyspike-wave discharges (3-4 Hz) that coincided temporally with clinical jerks but lacked electrographic evolution, focal cortical origin, or muscle phase-locking on surface recording. The events occurred exclusively during wakefulness with preserved awareness, no autonomic instability, and no postictal state. Sequential ASM trials (levetiracetam, valproate, clonazepam, and phenobarbital) failed to modulate the jerks. The electroclinical presentation was interpreted as electroclinical dissociation, confirming coexisting generalized epilepsy and FDS. The patient had also undergone posterior fossa decompression for Chiari I malformation 9 days prior, which was excluded as a cause for the motor events based on clinical and radiological stability. Diagnostic evaluation of FDS should rely on a positive "rule-in" framework as recommended by international guidelines. Even when epileptiform discharges appear on EEG during clinical events, a lack of physiological congruence between electrographic patterns and semiology confirms electroclinical dissociation.

WHO-priority multidrug-resistant (MDR) From October 2019 to September 2020, a multicenter study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) and Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College (Y12HMC) in the central region, Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH) in the south, and Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (DCSH) in the north, analyzing 1,416 blood cultures from suspected sepsis patients. A total of 53 High-risk, diverse

In China, Hu sheep lambskin quality is largely determined by wool curvature, with wavy-wool lambs producing higher-quality pelts than straight-wool lambs. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying wool curvature formation remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted whole-genome resequencing and transcriptomic analyses to identify candidate genes associated with wool curvature in Hu sheep. Phenotypic records from 3047 Hu lambs identified significant differences between wavy- and straight-wool groups. Twenty representative animals (10 per group) were selected for whole-genome resequencing. Selective sweep analyses based on the fixation index (FST), absolute log

Avian Influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are highly contagious immunosuppressive pathogens that cause high mortality rates and economic losses in the global poultry industry. Although vaccination to enhance the host antibody response remains the main control strategy, the genetic basis of this variation is poorly understood. In this study, we used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to investigate the genetic architecture of the longitudinal antibody responses to AIV (subtypes H5, H7, and H9) and NDV in chickens. To identify the genomic regions and candidate genes associated with the longitudinal antibody response to AIV and NDV after immunization, we conducted a GWAS using 1,359,927 SNP markers in an advanced intercross line (AIL) of the F19 resource population. We found moderate heritability for both the traits. Based on these associations, we identified the genomic regions and candidate genes for both traits. Association analysis revealed two significant SNPs located on chromosome 3, rs316474025 near NFKBIE and SLC35B2 [rs316474025], and rs312870707 near ATG5 gene, that are associated with viral antibody titers against AIV subtypes H5 and H7, respectively. Additionally, one variant on chromosome 27, rs318005864 near DDK12 and RPL19 genes, was strongly linked to the antibody response associated with NDV at mid-phase (40 days post-immunization). Furthermore, another variant, rs737164663, near FRMD5 and GLCE genes, was strongly linked to the antibody titer associated with both AIV subtype H9 and NDV in the late phase (60 days post-immunization). Genes located in these regions may be responsible for the immune response in chickens. Before implementation in breeding programs, the efficacy and long-term persistence of selecting these antibody response traits should be validated in larger independent cohorts. We confirmed the presence of genetic variability and identified SNPs significantly associated with antibody titer traits in F19 chickens. These findings highlight genomic regions contributing to variation in antibody responses and provide valuable information for improving antibody-related traits through selective breeding programs.

Developing a web-based platform is beneficial for data accessibility, centralization, security, management, and scalability. Eragrostis tef is an indigenous cereal crop in Ethiopia that currently lacks specialized or unified web-based platforms compared with major crops. This gap hinders genomic research, crop improvement programs, and the efficient utilization of tef genetic resources. Consequently, challenges include data fragmentation and the absence of a centralized database for accessing and managing tef-related data. In this study, a centralized platform called the Tef Database (TefDB) was developed. The platform integrates 77 795 tef-specific biological records, including 1 372 literature entries, 6 144 genome-related records, 66 455 gene models, 3 447 protein sequences, and 377 chemical/pathway entries. Advanced features were included along with the platform's interactive, visualization, responsive, searchable and filterable, downloadable, and analysis tools. The platform was built using modern web technologies: React.js for the frontend, Django and Python for backend processing, and PostgreSQL for data management. The Design Science Research (DSR) methodology guided development, incorporating iterative input from potential users. The platform's usability, performance, and functionality were validated through testing. TefDB offers bioinformatics analysis through natively embedded tools (BLAST and JBrowse 2) and externally linked tools (Primer3Plus and Clustal Omega) that open in new browser tabs. This integration reduces workflow fragmentation, allowing users to move seamlessly from data retrieval to analysis without exporting datasets to external platforms. Future work should focus on platform upgrades, data updates and integration, integration of local tef variety data (including SNPs and VCFs), advanced analytical modules, and collaborative user features.