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From 1999 onwards, level, lowland forests (altitude < 150 m, slopes < 10°) in the Tanintharyi Region of southern Myanmar have been cleared on a large scale and replaced by oil palm plantations. This has resulted in a drastic decline in suitable habitat for several species, including Gurney's pitta Hydrornis gurneyi (Passeriformes, Pittidae). The habitat for this species has decreased by > 80%, leading to its categorization as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2019. As threats in the region have continued, we updated information on the status of the species’ habitat in January 2020, and examined forest loss in the three strongholds where the species still persists in the wild. Since the previous estimate in 2017, suitable habitat in these locations has decreased by 8% (from 656 to 603 km2), with > 10% of the remaining area now in fragments of < 1 km2, which are unsuitable for the mid- to long-term survival of the species. Forest degradation and edge effects from increased fragmentation have led to further loss of suitable habitat in these strongholds. Projections indicate that unless conservation action is taken, all suitable habitat will disappear by 2080. The main threat to the long-term survival of Gurney's pitta is the lack of legal protection of primary lowland forests, resulting in uncontrolled clearance for small- and large-scale agriculture and industrial development. We provide recommendations to reduce the rate of loss of the remaining suitable habitat for the species.

The remaining large patches of lowland forest in Tanintharyi, southern Myanmar, are the last global stronghold for the Endangered Gurney's pitta Hydrornis gurneyi . Except for a few individuals, the remaining population is now restricted to this forest, below 150 m altitude, mostly within the Nga Wun, Lenya, and Parchan Reserved Forests. However, as in much of South-east Asia, Tanintharyi has been subjected to extensive deforestation, particularly for oil palm cultivation. The aim of this research was to determine the extent of remaining habitat suitable for Gurney's pitta. During January–October 2016 we revisited 142 locations (of 147) where the species was detected during 2003–2012, and found it in only 41 of those locations (29%); in all other locations the forest had been cleared. We measured the decline of suitable habitat since 1999 by examining all available intact forest in areas with elevations < 150 m and slope < 10 °. In less than 2 decades suitable habitat has declined from 3,225 to 656 km 2 (80%). Protection of remaining lowland forest is now critical. Although the expansion of oil palm cultivation has slowed since its peak in the early 2000s, two national parks proposed by the Myanmar government in 2002, which would potentially offer legal protection for most of the remaining Gurney's pitta habitat, remain on hold because of political uncertainties. We recommend an alternative conservation approach for this species, based on an Indigenous Community Conserved Area model, and further research to improve knowledge of the species and to determine how it could be saved from extinction.

Background Allopatric speciation has played a particularly important role in archipelagic settings where populations evolve in isolation after colonizing different islands. The Indo-Australasian island realm is an unparalleled natural laboratory of biotic diversification. Here we explore how the level of earth-historic isolation has influenced genetic differentiation across the region by investigating phylogeographic patterns in the Pitta sordida species complex. Results We generated a de novo genome and compared population genomics of 29 individuals of Pitta sordida from the entire distributional range and we reconstructed phylogenetic relationship using mitogenomes, a multi-nuclear gene dataset and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We found deep divergence between an eastern and a western group of taxa across Indo-Australasia. Within both groups we have identified major lineages that are geographically separated into Philippines, Borneo, western Sundaland, and New Guinea, respectively. Although these lineages are genetically well-differentiated, suggesting a long-term isolation, there are signatures of extensive gene flow within each lineage throughout the Pleistocene, despite the wide geographic range occupied by some of them. We found little evidence of hybridization or introgression among the studied taxa, but forsteni from Sulawesi makes an exception. This individual, belonging to the eastern clade, is genetically admixed between the western and eastern clades. Geographically this makes sense as Sulawesi is not far from Borneo that houses a population of hooded pittas that belongs to the western clade. Conclusions We found that geological vicariance events cannot explain the current genetic differentiation in the Pitta sordida species complex. Instead, the glacial-interglacial cycles may have played a major role therein. During glacials the sea level could be up to 120 m lower than today and land bridges formed within both the Sunda Shelf and the Sahul Shelf permitting dispersal of floral and faunal elements. The geographic distribution of hooded pittas shows the importance of overwater, “stepping-stone” dispersals not only to deep-sea islands, but also from one shelf to the other. The most parsimonious hypothesis is an Asian ancestral home of the Pitta sordida species complex and a colonization from west to east, probably via Wallacea.

仙八色鸫 (Pitta nympha) 分布于我国辽宁、河北、天津、山东、河南、甘肃、云南、贵州等地。2019年7月10日, 作者在吉林省吉林市左家自然保护区记录到仙八色鸫成鸟1只, 经查阅文献确认为吉林省鸟类分布新纪录。

With a shift in focus from genes to cells, systems approach is not only revolutionizing cell biology, but is also providing impetus for clinical medicine to shift from a reductionistic to a holistic approach for efficient disease management. This inevitably brings into focus one of the longest unbroken healthcare systems in the world, namely ayurveda, the medical system indigenous to Indian subcontinent. A distinctive feature of ayurveda is its systems approach to health and disease. Through the theoretical framework of vata, pitta and kapha, ayurveda offers a new paradigm for understanding the human system as a networked functional entity wherein system properties are integral components. An open-minded dialogue between the cell-centric systems biology and organism-centric ayurveda can open new exciting vistas for research beneficial to both sciences, which could leave a major imprint on clinical practice.

Nadi Pariksha is a significant, rather symbolic term for Ayurveda. Ancient Ayurvedic literature has prominently stated its importance in the judgment of Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) which are the base of ailment diagnosis and prediction. The knowledge about Nadi Pariksha is uncovered in various ancient Ayurvedic literature like Ravansamhita, Bhavprakash, Nadivigyan by Kanad, Sharangdhar, and Yogratnakar. The various Nadi parameters are indicative of the diagnosis of diseases. These techniques were used as popular diagnostic tools in Indian culture from ancient days. Still, nowadays, these are not being used explicitly due to the lack of expertise, so it is necessary to establish their results once gained so that they can be used along with technical aspects in today's era. Ayurveda believes that all the elements of the Universe are present in any human body in minute, proportionate quantity, and the Nadi represents these elements, that is, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (VPK). To facilitate the Nadi Pariksha using appropriate sensors may help the Ayurveda practitioners diagnose Prakriti and predict some diseases, making the Nadi Pariksha more reliable and faster. This review paper lists, 2 books and 67 research papers, mostly from countries like India, China, Japan, Korea, etc., from various reputed databases. The review primarily concentrates on six research themes: sensors and devices used for Nadi signal acquisition, signal pre-processing methods, feature extraction methods, feature selection approaches, classification practices, diseases diagnosed, and results attained. The paper also reviews the challenges in implementing the automated Nadi Pariksha with technological aid, which is a necessity of this period and is a very vibrant research arena. Yet significant work remains to be done, like bridging the gaps between technical and commercial development, and the procedure standardization is also required. •Nadi pariksha is a very important health examination technique, which needs automation in future.•A review regarding the sensors required and data acquisition methods has been written.•A keen focus on diseases that may be diagnosed using the Nadi pattern is kept throughout the document.•Few challenges ahead in the work are discussed.

Background Ayurveda Prakriti determines individuals’ physical, physiological, and psychological features. Prana—the vital life energy—flows throughout the body and is intimately linked to the tridosha. Objectives This pilot study aims to explore the relationship between tridosha and the intensity and distribution of Pranic Energy Sensations (PES), along with physiological parameters and mental well-being. Method This single-arm pilot study was conducted at a Government Ayurveda Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka, India, using convenience sampling. Data collection encompassed demographic details, the Dosha self-assessment questionnaire, Positive State of Mind Scale (PSOMS), and physiological parameters including Body Mass Index (BMI), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and temperature. Following Sensitizing the Hands Practice (SHP) and Energising Prana Technique (EPT), the intensity and distribution of PES in the palms were recorded and analyzed. Results Ninety-one apparently healthy Ayurveda students with a mean age of 24.86 ± 2.32 years participated. Exploratory correlations suggested that PES intensity had a positive correlation with Body Vata (ρ = .224, P ≤ .05) and Pitta (r = .209, P ≤ .05). Mind Vata showed a negative correlation with Positive State of Mind (ρ = −.373, P ≤ .01). Body Vata also showed correlations with forehead temperature (pre: ρ = .282; post: ρ = .348, P ≤ .01), and Body Kapha with PEFR (ρ = .206, P ≤ .05). A small to moderate reduction in temperature was observed post-EPT. Conclusion This pilot study identified an association between higher PES intensity and Body Vata and Pitta dominance among Ayurveda students, suggesting a potential link between PES, Prakriti, physical parameters and psychological state. These findings align with Ayurvedic concepts connecting Vata and Prana, offering preliminary support for their relevance in biofield therapies. Further studies with control groups and objective validation are recommended.

It is being realized that identification of subgroups within normal controls corresponding to contrasting disease susceptibility is likely to lead to more effective predictive marker discovery. We have previously used the Ayurvedic concept of Prakriti, which relates to phenotypic differences in normal individuals, including response to external environment as well as susceptibility to diseases, to explore molecular differences between three contrasting Prakriti types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. EGLN1 was one among 251 differentially expressed genes between the Prakriti types. In the present study, we report a link between high-altitude adaptation and common variations rs479200 (C/T) and rs480902 (T/C) in the EGLN1 gene. Furthermore, the TT genotype of rs479200, which was more frequent in Kapha types and correlated with higher expression of EGLN1, was associated with patients suffering from high-altitude pulmonary edema, whereas it was present at a significantly lower frequency in Pitta and nearly absent in natives of high altitude. Analysis of Human Genome Diversity Panel-Centre d’Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (HGDP-CEPH) and Indian Genome Variation Consortium panels showed that disparate genetic lineages at high altitudes share the same ancestral allele (T) of rs480902 that is overrepresented in Pitta and positively correlated with altitude globally (P < 0.001), including in India. Thus, EGLN1 polymorphisms are associated with high-altitude adaptation, and a genotype rare in highlanders but overrepresented in a subgroup of normal lowlanders discernable by Ayurveda may confer increased risk for high-altitude pulmonary edema.

Background The Elegant Pitta ( Pitta elegans ) complex displays a remarkable diversity of morphological and bioacoustic traits across five taxa currently recognized as subspecies. They differ in plumage characteristics (such as red versus black belly patches; supercilium color and extent; and white versus black throats), in lifestyle (resident versus migratory) and in vocalizations. We investigated the morphological, bioacoustic and ecological differences across all taxa after recent studies demostrated the importance of these traits in recognizing biological species limits across pittas. Methods Morphometric analysis was carried out by measuring tarsus, wing, tail and bill lengths of 15 specimens at the Natural History Museum, UK, and plumages were inspected across 106 unique individuals from four different repositories. Bioacoustic analysis was based on 134 range-wide sound recordings. Two types of calls, territorial calls and alarm calls, were analyzed using different sets of parameters. Principal component analysis and the Isler Criterion were applied to the measurements. Playback trials were conducted to explore the levels of response of each taxon to the call types of the other taxa. Results The territorial call of concinna exhibits a distinct two-element motif, while elegans , maria and virginalis utter a three-element motif in which the first two elements are given in quick succession. On the other hand, vigorsii , produces both two-element and three-element motifs with longer breaks in between elements. As further corroborated by the playback trials, the three taxa elegans , virginalis and maria form a tight vocal cluster, whereas each concinna and vigorsii are distinct. The alarm call turned out to be less diagnostic even though most taxa did roughly separate into different vocal clusters. Morphometric analysis failed to produce strong differences, but plumage distinctions among multiple taxa are pronounced. Conclusions We suggest splitting the Elegant Pitta into three biological species based on bioacoustic and—less so—plumage evidence: (1) Temminck’s Elegant Pitta P. elegans (including subspecies elegans , virginalis and maria ), (2) Wallace’s Elegant Pitta P. concinna (monotypic), and (3) Banda Elegant Pitta P. vigorsii (monotypic).

Cognitive problems like learning difficulties, memory problems, intellectual disability, and ADHD are highly associated with school absenteeism and high dropout rates. The novel approach to improving memory and learning in these children is using nootropic herbs known as Medhya Rasayana (intellect enhancer) in Ayurveda. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri L. Pannel), one of the Medhya Rasayana, has proven to be useful through extensive research. Still, the other Medhya Rasayana requires thorough research based on the Ayurvedic principle of Prakriti (constitution) to utilize their optimum therapeutic effect. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Mandookaparni in enhancing the memory of healthy boys with dominant Prakriti. The present study was a double-blind, randomized study to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri L. Pannel) and Mandookaparni (Centella asiatica L. Urban) in enhancing the memory of 8-10-year-old healthy boys with dominant Prakriti. After obtaining informed consent from parents and assent from the participants, the eligible study participants were randomized to either the Mandookaparni or the Brahmi group. The participants were assessed at baseline and end of the treatment (91st day) for efficacy measures, which included total memory score and various domains of memory assessed by the Post Graduate Institute- Children's Memory Scale (PGI-CMS) and Intelligence Quotient. On analysis of 180 participants, the Brahmi group showed highly significant results in the total memory score, 9 out of 10 subsets of PGI-CMS, and IQ with p < 0.001. The Mandookaparni group showed highly significant results in 8 subsets of PGI-CMS, the total memory score, and IQ with p < 0.001. Brahmi increased the mean total memory score by 9.28 %, while a 13.45 % rise was observed with Mandookaparni. Significant differences were observed chiefly in Pitta Prakriti on Prakriti-wise analysis in the improvement of various memory domains between Brahmi and Mandookaparni. Mandookaparni has clinically equivalent efficacy to Brahmi in enhancing memory. Mandookaparni is better in improving the memory of Pitta Prakriti people while Brahmi is more effective in Kapha and Vata Prakriti. Both drugs are safe and effective in the pediatric population.