With this assay, one can measure individual telomere lengths as well as identify their physically linked subtelomeric DNA. This assay can also positively detect telomere loss, characterize novel subtelomeric variants, haplotypes, and previously uncharacterized recombined subtelomeres. We will also discuss its applications in aging cells and cancer cells, highlighting the utility of the single molecule telomere length assay.This study determined the heavy metals (HMs) accumulation in different vegetables in different seasons and attributed a serious health hazard to human adults due to the consumption of such vegetables in Jhansi. The total amounts of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and cadmium (Cd) were analysed in 28 composite samples of soil and vegetables (Fenugreek, spinach, eggplant, and chilli) collected from seven agricultural fields. The transfer factor (TF) of HMs from soil to analysed vegetables was calculated, and significant non-carcinogenic health risks due to exposure to analysed heavy metals via consumption of these vegetables were computed. The statistical analysis involving Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation matrix suggested that anthropogenic activities were a major source of HMs in the study areas. The target hazard quotient of Cd, Mn, and Pb for fenugreek (2.156, 2.143, and 2.228, respectively) and spinach (3.697, 3.509, 5.539, respectively) exceeded the unity, indicating the high possibilities of non-carcinogenic health risks if regularly consumed by human beings. This study strongly suggests the continuous monitoring of soil, irrigation water, and vegetables to prohibit excessive accumulation in the food chain.This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cercarial infections in freshwater snails collected from the Chai Nat province of Central Thailand. Moreover, we aimed to develop a duplex PCR technique, using the ITS2 and candidate MT-ND1 gene, to determine the dissemination of H. taichui and H. pumilio, respectively. Six types of cercariae were discovered with an overall prevalence of 4.71% (59/1,252). The parapleurolophocercous cercariae were demonstrated to be the dominant type, infecting only Melanoides tuberculata snails. The duplex PCR was optimized for specific amplification of ITS2 for H. taichui (115 bp) and MT-ND1 for H. pumilio (335 bp). Both specific primers confirmed the specificity of the duplex PCR reaction, with no cross-reactivity with other heterophyids or related species. In addition, this duplex PCR could be used to detect co-infection at a concentration of 3.0 ng/µL. For the molecular identification, 9 of 22 parapleurolophocercous cercaria specimens in Chai Nat province generated the specific DNA fragment of H. pumilio. These results proved that the MT-ND1 gene is a species-specific method for heterophyid detection and provides a rapid method for identification based on larval and adult stages of H. taichui and H. pumilio in their intermediate and/or definitive hosts in the infected area.To identify spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae among ticks collected by dragging at eight sites in three provinces of the midwestern region of the Republic of Korea (ROK), genus- and species-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays and sequencing were performed. DNA was extracted from a total of 2,312 ticks that were assayed individually (n=140) or in pools (n=444), resulting in a total of 584 individual and pooled tick samples. The 584 tick samples were screened with the genus-specific qPCR assay (Rick17b) and produced 265 (45.38%) positive reactions [individual (n=64) and pooled (n=101) samples]. Of these genus-specific positive samples, 57 (21.51%) were identified as Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii and 48 (18.11%) were identified as R. monacensis by species-specific qPCR assays. Subsequently, nested PCR (nPCR) was performed with 120 samples, which tested positive samples for genus-specific, but not species-specific, qPCR assays. The sequences of ompA and ompB genes showed how many close relatedness to Ca. R. longicornii and Ca. R. jingxinensis isolate Xian Hl-79, uncultured Rickettsia sp. Y27-1, Ca. R. tasmanensis strain T152, R. endosymbiont of H. longicornis tick 47, and R. koreansis strain CNH17-7. In conclusion, we successfully detected specific rickettsial agents using qPCR and a sequence-based analysis approach that demonstrated the prevalence of various tick-borne Rickettsia spp. in midwestern ROK.West Nile Virus (WNV) is now endemic in many European countries, causing hundreds of human cases every year, with a high spatial and temporal heterogeneity. check details Previous studies have suggested that spring temperature might play a key role at shaping WNV transmission. Specifically, warmer temperatures in April-May might amplify WNV circulation, thus increasing the risk for human transmission later in the year. To test this hypothesis, we collated publicly available data on the number of human infections recorded in Europe between 2011 and 2019. We then applied generalized linear models to quantify the relationship between human cases and spring temperature, considering both average conditions (over years 2003-2010) and deviations from the average for subsequent years (2011-2019). We found a significant positive association both spatial (average conditions) and temporal (deviations). The former indicates that WNV circulation is higher in usually warmer regions while the latter implies a predictive value of spring conditions over the coming season. We also found a positive association with WNV detection during the previous year, which can be interpreted as an indication of the reliability of the surveillance system but also of WNV overwintering capacity. Weather anomalies at the beginning of the mosquito breeding season might act as an early warning signal for public health authorities, enabling them to strengthen in advance ongoing surveillance and prevention strategies.Studies capturing the high efficiency of green-synthesized metal nanoparticles (NPs) in targeting mosquito vectors of the world’s main infectious diseases suggest the NPs’ possible utilization as bio-insecticides. However, it is necessary to confirm that these potential bio-insecticides are not harmful to non-target organisms that are often sympatric and natural enemies of the vectors of these diseases. In this systematic review, we comprehensively analyse the content of 56 publications focused on the potentially deleterious effects of NPs on these non-target organisms. Current research on biosynthesised NPs, characterization, and impact on mosquito vectors and non-target larvivorous organisms is reviewed and critically discussed. Finally, we pinpoint some major challenges that merit future investigation. Plants (87.5%) were mainly used for synthesizing NPs in the studies. NPs were found to be spherical or mainly spherical in shape with a large distribution size. In most of the included studies, NPs showed interesting mosquitocidal activity (LC50 less then 50 ppm).