A floristic survey of the marine algal biodiversity of Antsiranana Bay, northern Madagascar, was conducted during November 2018. This represents the first inventory encompassing the three major macroalgal classes (Phaeophyceae, Florideophyceae and Ulvophyceae) for the little-known Malagasy marine flora. Combining morphological and DNA-based approaches, we report from our collection a total of 110 species from northern Madagascar, including 30 species of Phaeophyceae, 50 Florideophyceae and 30 Ulvophyceae. Barcoding of the chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene was used for the three algal classes, in addition to tufA for the Ulvophyceae. This study significantly increases our knowledge of the Malagasy marine biodiversity while augmenting the rbcL and tufA algal reference libraries for DNA barcoding. These efforts resulted in a total of 72 new species records for Madagascar. Combining our own data with the literature, we also provide an updated catalogue of 442 taxa of marine benthic macroalgae from Madagascar, comprising 85 Phaeophyceae, 1 Compsopogonophyceae, 240 Florideophyceae and 116 Ulvophyceae. This diversity holds 29 (ca. 6.5%) endemic species to Madagascar. Our results are discussed in the context of increasing threats to biodiversity on Madagascar's coastal reefs from both anthropic and anthropogenic activities including sewage effluent runoffs and unsustainable agricultural practices such as massive deforestation, leading to ecosystem shifts to algal dominance on reefs, which are recommended to be addressed through integrated land-sea management in a Reef-to-Ridge conservation approach.

Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhea among children worldwide. Thus, the World Health Organization recommended including rotavirus vaccines in national immunization programs. One concern about rotavirus vaccine, however, is a possible association with intussusception. Thus, it is crucial to know the baseline incidence of intussusception in the first year of life. A study conducted in Hanoi, Vietnam showed that the incidence of intussusception was the highest in the world. This retrospective cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the incidence of intussusception among children <5 years of age in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Hospital charts between 2009 and 2011 were reviewed in Khanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital where virtually all cases of intussusception occurring in the city were assumed to have been encountered. The incidence of intussusception among children <1 year of age was 296 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 225–382), and that among children <5 years of age was 196 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 169–226), confirming the high incidence of intussusception in Vietnam. Nevertheless, there was no intussusception in the first three months of life. We therefore recommend that the first dose of any rotavirus vaccine be administered to infants between 6 and 12 weeks of age.

(1) Background: Metal pollution in the Nhue-Day River basin has impacted approximately 12 million people. However, none of the previous studies considered the entire basin’s environmental and health risks. Thus, this research aims to fill knowledge gaps and reduce risks. (2) Methods: Sediment and fish samples from the basin were analyzed to determine the levels of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd pollution and their potential ecological (EF, modified Pollution Index—mPI, and expanded, modified potential ecological risk index—emRI) and human health risks (THQ, HI, and TR indices). (3) Results: Metal levels in sediment exceeded Canadian aquatic life protection guidelines, indicating moderate to severe contamination (EFs: 1.3–58.5 and mPIs: 4–39). Compared to the new proposed ecological risk threshold, all river sites and Site 1 for ponds had elevated metal levels; and these posed a very high ecological risk in spring (emRI > 4.5), with Cd being the most hazardous. Lead levels in all fish tissues surpassed Vietnamese and EU food regulations. In agreement with THQ, EWI (Zn, Cu) and EMI (Cd) were both less than 2.5% of the PTWI and PTMI, respectively. However, HI values of 0.67–1.26 suggested a moderate health risk. Carcinogenic risk (TR > 10−6; estimated for Pb) was detected in several localities for Common carp and Tilapia during the warm season. (4) Conclusions: Metals had a negative impact on the basin’s ecosystem, with Cd being the most dangerous. Because of lead, consumption of Common carp and Tilapia from the basin may pose both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health concerns.

Here, we report for the first time the presence of Dictyota cyanoloma in southern California. Dictyota cyanoloma is conspicuous in harbors and bays by its distinctive bright blue‐iridescent margins. This species was originally described from Europe, but subsequent studies have revealed that it represented an introduction from Australia. The current distribution of D. cyanoloma comprises southern Australia and the North East Atlantic, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Macaronesian islands. The presence of D. cyanoloma in southern California is supported by molecular cox1 and psbA gene sequences. A reconstruction of the invasive history based on nine polymorphic microsatellite markers reveals a close affinity of the Californian specimens with European populations. Dictyota cyanoloma in the United States appears to be (so far) restricted to the Californian coast from San Diego Bay in the south to Santa Catalina Island and Long Beach Harbor in the north. A correlative species distribution model suggests gradually declining habitat suitability north of the Southern Californian Bight and high suitability in Baja California, including the Gulf of California. Finally, its widespread abundance in bays and harbors suggests shipping is a likely transport mechanism.