Analysis of the dietary taboos affecting dietary diversity of women of reproductive age in the South and Grand’Anse departments of Haiti

Contexte. La sous-nutrition est un problème de santé publique, surtout pour les femmes et les enfants dans les pays en voie de développement. Des tabous alimentaire pour cette population existent dans plusieurs régions du monde. Ce mémoire décrit la recherche sur les tabous alimentaires et les facteurs qui peuvent influencer la diversité alimentaire des femmes en âge de procréer. Cette recherche fait partie d’un projet d’intervention qui vise à réduire la mortalité maternelle et infantile dans le Sud et la Grand’Anse d’Haïti, un pays où environ la moitié des femmes en âge de procréer sont anémiques et un tier des enfants d’âge préscolaire ont une carence en vitamine A (WHO 2009, ICF 2018). Objectifs. L’objectif de ce projet est d’identifier et comprendre les tabous alimentaires qui existent chez les femmes enceintes et allaitantes dans la région. Un deuxième objectif est d’identifier les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire des femmes en âge de procréer et de déterminer si les femmes enceintes ou allaitantes ont une alimentation moins diversifiée que les femmes qui ne le sont pas. Méthode. Le devis mixte combine la recherche qualitative et quantitative. Les données qualitatives ont été recueillies avec des groupes de discussion. Pour la collecte de données quantitatives, des entretiens ont été menées auprès de mères d’enfants de moins de cinq ans, suivi par un relevé alimentaire de 24 heures. La diversité alimentaire des participantes a été évaluée avec la DAM-F de la FAO. Les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire ont été identifiés avec des analyses de régression logistique. Résultats. Les participantes des groupes de discussion ont identifié plus de 100 tabous alimentaires. La diversité alimentaire a été influencée par la région, ainsi que les caractéristiques du ménage et de la mère. Les femmes allaitantes atteignent moins souvent une diversité alimentaire minimale et consomment moins souvent les aliments des « autres légumes » et « autres fruits », mais ces résultats sont significatifs seulement dans le modèle non ajusté. Conclusion. Les tabous alimentaires pour les femmes enceintes ou allaitantes existent dans le Grand’Anse et le Sud d’Haïti. Il y a une grande variété de croyances entre les communautés et même dans la même commune. Ces restrictions alimentaires peuvent diminuer la consommation de micronutriments comme la vitamine A et le fer dans une population déjà à risque de malnutrition. Des messages clés à inclure dans les activités éducatives du projet vont être formulés à partir des résultats de la recherche.Context. Undernutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, is a global public health issue, particularly for women and children in developing countries. Dietary taboos in this population have been found to exist in many regions of the world, including in Haiti. This thesis describes research looking at dietary taboos and other factors impacting dietary diversity of Women of Reproductive Age (WRA). It is part of an intervention project aiming to decrease maternal and child mortality in the South and Grand’Anse of Haiti, a country where approximately half of WRA are anemic and one third of preschool-age children are deficient in vitamin A (WHO 2009, ICF 2018). Objectives. The objective of this research is to identify and understand food taboos for pregnant and breastfeeding women in the area, to determine what factors influence dietary diversity of WRA and if pregnant or breastfeeding women consume a diet that is less diverse than that of a woman who is not. Methodology. The research design included both qualitative and quantitative components. Qualitative data regarding food taboos was collected through focus groups. Quantitative data was collected through surveys and 24-hour recalls done with WRA who have a child under the age of five. Dietary diversity of survey participants was assessed using the FAO’s MDD-W and it’s determinants were analyzed through adjusted logistic regression calculations. Results. The focus groups revealed over 100 dietary taboos. Determinants of dietary diversity were related to the region, as well as characteristics of the household and mother. Breastfeeding women were less likely to attain the MDD-W and to consume “other fruits” and “other vegetables” though these findings were only significant in the non-adjusted model. Conclusion. Dietary taboos exist in the Grand’Anse and South areas of Haiti for pregnant and breastfeeding women. These taboos vary largely between communes and even within the same community. The restriction of these foods could negatively impact the dietary intake of many micronutrients, including vitamin A and iron. Key messages to include at educative activities through the intervention project will be formed based on results of this work

Plant Transglutaminases: New Insights in Biochemistry, Genetics, and Physiology

Transglutaminases (TGases) are calcium-dependent enzymes that catalyse an acyl-transfer reaction between primary amino groups and protein-bound Gln residues. They are widely distributed in nature, being found in vertebrates, invertebrates, microorganisms, and plants. TGases and their functionality have been less studied in plants than humans and animals. TGases are distributed in all plant organs, such as leaves, tubers, roots, flowers, buds, pollen, and various cell compartments, including chloroplasts, the cytoplasm, and the cell wall. Recent molecular, physiological, and biochemical evidence pointing to the role of TGases in plant biology and the mechanisms in which they are involved allows us to consider their role in processes such as photosynthesis, plant fertilisation, responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, and leaf senescence. In the present paper, an in-depth description of the biochemical characteristics and a bioinformatics comparison of plant TGases is provided. We also present the phylogenetic relationship, gene structure, and sequence alignment of TGase proteins in various plant species, not described elsewhere. Currently, our knowledge of these proteins in plants is still insufficient. Further research with the aim of identifying and describing the regulatory components of these enzymes and the processes regulated by them is needed

Nanometre-scale optical property fluctuations in Cu2ZnSnS4 revealed by low temperature cathodoluminescence

Band tailing is a major contributing factor to the large open circuit voltage (Voc) deficit that is currently limiting Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) photovoltaic devices. It occurs in highly doped, highly compensated semiconductors and gives rise to a non-uniform electronic band structure. Here we report spatially resolved fluctuations in CZTS optical properties using low temperature cathodoluminescence (CL) in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Principal component analysis reveals three CL peaks whose relative intensity vary across domains ~ 100 nm in size. It is not known whether the non-uniform optical properties are due to changes in composition or due to structural order-disorder at constant composition. Measurement of composition with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis in an SEM and ordering with Micro-Raman mapping revealed CZTS to be uniform within the spatial resolution (estimated at ~ 0.4 µm and 1.1 µm respectively) and sensitivity of the two techniques. The CL results are consistent with the presence of band tailing in CZTS

BABA-Primed Histone Modifications in Potato for Intergenerational Resistance to Phytophthora infestans

In this paper we analyzed β-aminobutyric acid (BABA)-primed epigenetic adjustment of potato cv. “Sarpo Mira” to Phytophthora infestans. The first stress-free generation of the potato genotype obtained from BABA-primed parent plants via tubers and seeds showed pronounced resistance to the pathogen, which was tuned with the transcriptional memory of SA-responsive genes. During the early priming phase before the triggering stress, we found robust bistable deposition of histone marks (H3K4me2 and H3K27me3) on the NPR1 (Non-expressor of PR genes) and the SNI1 gene (Suppressor of NPR1, Inducible), in which transcription antagonized silencing. Switchable chromatin states of these adverse systemic acquired resistance (SAR) regulators probably reprogrammed responsiveness of the PR1 and PR2 genes and contributed to stress imprinting. The elevated levels of heritable H3K4me2 tag in the absence of transcription on SA-dependent genes in BABA-primed (F0) and its vegetative and generative progeny (F1) before pathogen challenge provided evidence for the epigenetic mark for intergenerational memory in potato. Moreover, our study revealed that histone acetylation was not critical for maintaining BABA-primed defense information until the plants were triggered with the virulent pathogen when rapid and boosted PRs gene expression probably required histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity both in F0 and F1 progeny

Use and perspectives of nitric oxide donors in agriculture

[Mini-review] Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged in the last 30 years as a key molecule involved in many physiological processes in plants, animals and bacteria. Current research has shown that NO can be delivered via donor molecules. In such cases, the NO release rate is dependent on the chemical structure of the donor itself and on the chemical environment. Despite NO's powerful signaling effect in plants and animals, the application of NO donors in agriculture is currently not implemented and research remains mainly at the experimental level. Technological development in the field of NO donors is rapidly expanding in scope to include controlling seed germination, plant development, ripening and increasing shelf-life of produce. Potential applications in animal production have also been identified. This concise review focuses on the use of donors that have shown potential biotechnological applications in agriculture. Insights are provided into (i) the role of donors in plant production, (ii) the potential use of donors in animal production and (iii) future approaches to explore the use and applications of donors for the benefit of agricultur

The role of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications in plants exposed to non-essential metals

Contamination of the soil with non-essential metals and metalloids is a serious problem in many regions of the world. These non-essential metals and metalloids are toxic to all organisms impacting crop yields and human health. Crop plants exposed to high concentrations of these metals leads to perturbed mineral homeostasis, decreased photosynthesis efficiency, inhibited cell division, oxidative stress, genotoxic effects and subsequently hampered growth. Plants can activate epigenetic and epitranscriptomic mechanisms to maintain cellular and organism homeostasis. Epigenetic modifications include changes in the patterns of cytosine and adenine DNA base modifications, changes in cellular non-coding RNAs, and remodeling histone variants and covalent histone tail modifications. Some of these epigenetic changes have been shown to be long-lasting and may therefore contribute to stress memory and modulated stress tolerance in the progeny. In the emerging field of epitranscriptomics, defined as chemical, covalent modifications of ribonucleotides in cellular transcripts, epitranscriptomic modifications are postulated as more rapid modulators of gene expression. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the plant’s epigenetic changes in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, a comprehensive review of the plant’s epigenetic responses to metals is lacking. While the role of epitranscriptomics during plant developmental processes and stress responses are emerging, epitranscriptomic modifications in response to metals has not been reviewed. This article describes the impact of non-essential metals and metalloids (Cd, Pb, Hg, Al and As) on global and site-specific DNA methylation, histone tail modifications and epitranscriptomic modifications in plants

BABA-Induced DNA Methylome Adjustment to Intergenerational Defense Priming in Potato to Phytophthora infestans

We provide evidence that alterations in DNA methylation patterns contribute to the regulation of stress-responsive gene expression for an intergenerational resistance of β-aminobutyric acid (BABA)-primed potato to Phytophthora infestans. Plants exposed to BABA rapidly modified their methylation capacity toward genome-wide DNA hypermethylation. De novo induced DNA methylation (5-mC) correlated with the up-regulation of Chromomethylase 3 (CMT3), Domains rearranged methyltransferase 2 (DRM2), and Repressor of silencing 1 (ROS1) genes in potato. BABA transiently activated DNA hypermethylation in the promoter region of the R3a resistance gene triggering its downregulation in the absence of the oomycete pathogen. However, in the successive stages of priming, an excessive DNA methylation state changed into demethylation with the active involvement of potato DNA glycosylases. Interestingly, the 5-mC–mediated changes were transmitted into the next generation in the form of intergenerational stress memory. Descendants of the primed potato, which derived from tubers or seeds carrying the less methylated R3a promoter, showed a higher transcription of R3a that associated with an augmented intergenerational resistance to virulent P. infestans when compared to the inoculated progeny of unprimed plants. Furthermore, our study revealed that enhanced transcription of some SA-dependent genes (NPR1, StWRKY1, and PR1) was not directly linked with DNA methylation changes in the promoter region of these genes, but was a consequence of methylation-dependent alterations in the transcriptional network

NADPH oxidase is involved in regulation of gene expression and ROS overproduction in soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings exposed to cadmium

Cadmium-induced oxidative burst is partially mediated by NADPH oxidase. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the role of NADPH oxidase in soybeans’ response to short-term cadmium stress. The application of an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), affected expression of two Cd-inducible genes, encoding DOF1 and MYBZ2 transcription factors. This effect was observed after 3 h of treatment. Interestingly, Cd-dependent increases in NADPH oxidase activity occurred only after a period of time ranging from 6 and 24 h of stress. Stimulation of the enzyme correlated in time with a significant accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further analysis revealed that pharmacological inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity during 24 h of Cd stress does not affect Cd uptake, seedling growth, or the level of lipid peroxidation. The role of NADPH oxidase in the response of soybean seedlings to short-term Cd exposure is discussed

Genetic portrait of polyamine transporters in barley: insights in the regulation of leaf senescence

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most expensive nutrients to supply, therefore, improving the efficiency of N use is essential to reduce the cost of commercial fertilization in plant production. Since cells cannot store reduced N as NH3 or NH4+, polyamines (PAs), the low molecular weight aliphatic nitrogenous bases, are important N storage compounds in plants. Manipulating polyamines may provide a method to increase nitrogen remobilization efficiency. Homeostasis of PAs is maintained by intricate multiple feedback mechanisms at the level of biosynthesis, catabolism, efflux, and uptake. The molecular characterization of the PA uptake transporter (PUT) in most crop plants remains largely unknown, and knowledge of polyamine exporters in plants is lacking. Bi-directional amino acid transporters (BATs) have been recently suggested as possible PAs exporters for Arabidopsis and rice, however, detailed characterization of these genes in crops is missing. This report describes the first systematic study to comprehensively analyze PA transporters in barley (Hordeum vulgare, Hv), specifically the PUT and BAT gene families. Here, seven PUTs (HvPUT1-7) and six BATs (HvBAT1-6) genes were identified as PA transporters in the barley genome and the detailed characterization of these HvPUT and HvBAT genes and proteins is provided. Homology modeling of all studied PA transporters provided 3D structures prediction of the proteins of interest with high accuracy. Moreover, molecular docking studies provided insights into the PA-binding pockets of HvPUTs and HvBATs facilitating improved understanding of the mechanisms and interactions involved in HvPUT/HvBAT-mediated transport of PAs. We also examined the physiochemical characteristics of PA transporters and discuss the function of PA transporters in barley development, and how they help barley respond to stress, with a particular emphasis on leaf senescence. Insights gained here could lead to improved barley production via modulation of polyamine homeostasis

Insights into the expression of DNA (de)methylation genes responsive to nitric oxide signaling in potato resistance to late blight disease

Our previous study concerning the pathogen-induced biphasic pattern of nitric oxide (NO) burst revealed that the decline phase and a low level of NO, due to S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) activity, might be decisive in the upregulation of stress-sensitive genes via histone H3/H4 methylation in potato leaves inoculated with avr P. infestans. The present study refers to the NO-related impact on genes regulating DNA (de)methylation, being in dialog with histone methylation. The excessive amounts of NO after the pathogen or GSNO treatment forced the transient upregulation of histone SUVH4 methylation and DNA hypermethylation. Then the diminished NO bioavailability reduced the SUVH4-mediated suppressive H3K9me2 mark on the R3a gene promoter and enhanced its transcription. However, we found that the R3a gene is likely to be controlled by the RdDM methylation pathway. The data revealed the time-dependent downregulation of the DCL3, AGO4, and miR482e genes, exerting upregulation of the targeted R3a gene correlated with ROS1 overexpression. Based on these results, we postulate that the biphasic waves of NO burst in response to the pathogen appear crucial in establishing potato resistance to late blight through the RdDM pathway controlling R gene expression