Evaluation of susceptibility of some elite cowpea cultivars to attack by Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Fifteen elite cowpea cultivars were evaluated for their susceptibility to attack and damage by the most destructive storage pest, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), based on the number of eggs laid, total developmental time, percentage adult emergence, seed weight loss, and growth index. Significantly, more eggs were laid on the seeds of Bengpla, California and Clemson genotypes than on those of the other cultivars. The mean developmental time (days) of C. maculatus ranged from 21.4 days on California 20 to 25.7 days on Sul 518-2 (Marfo tuya), and was significantly different between the cowpea cultivars. Adult emergence was considerably high on Bengpla, California and Clemson genotypes, but low on IT94K-445-2, Melack, and Sul 518-2. Weight loss ranged from 7 to 35.6 per cent and was significantly different between cultivars. The IT94K-445-2, IT98K-279-3 and Valenga cultivars had the least damage whilst California 11, IT87KD-1951 and Bengpla had the highest loss in seed weight. Overall, the susceptibility indices which ranged from 4.8 to 9.4 indicated that IT94K-445-2, Melack, Sul 518-2 and IT98K-279-3 were the least susceptible, whereas Bengpla, California and Clemson were the most susceptible cultivars. Therefore, it is recommended that IT94K-445-2, Sul 518-2, Melack, and IT98K-279-3 that have some degree of resistance to C. maculatus in this study should either be promoted or incorporated into breeding programmes because this will help to considerably reduce storage losses that farmers incur. Quinze variétés de dolique élite étaient évaluées pour leurs prédispositions à l'attaque et au ravage par le ravageur de stockage le plus destructeur, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) fondées sur les variables suivantes; la quantité d'oeufs pondus, la totalité de temps de croissance, le pourcentage d'émergence en adultes, la perte de poids de graine et l'indice de croissance. Considérablement, plus des oeufs étaient pondus sur les graines de génotypes de Bengpla, de Californie et de Clemson que sur les autres variétés. Le temps (jours) moyen de croissance de C. maculatus variait de 21.4 jours sur Californie 20 à 25.7 jours sur Sul 518-2 (Marfo tuya) et était considérablement différent entre les variétés de dolique. Emergence en adultes était considérablement élevée sur les génotypes de Bengpla, de Californie et de Clemson et faible sur 1T94K-445-2, Melack et Sul 518- 2. La perte de poids variait entre 7% et 35.6% et était considérablement différente entre les variétés. 1T94K- 445-2, IT98K-279-3 et Valenga ont subi le moindre ravage alors que Californie 11, IT87KD-1951 et Bengpla avaient les pertes de poids de graine les plus élevées. D'ensemble, les indices de prédisposition qui variaient de 4.8 à 9.4 indiquent que 1T94K-445-2, Melack, Sul 518, 1T98K- 279-3 étaient les moindres prédisposées alors que Bengpla, Californie et Clemson étaient les variétés les plus prédisposées. Il est donc recommandé que 1T94K-445- 2, Sul 518-2, Melack et 1T98K-279-3 qui avaient une certaine mesure de résistance à C. maculatus dans l'étude actuelle, devraient être soit encouragés soit incorporés dans les programmes de reproduction puisque cela va aider à réduire considérablement les pertes de stockage que les agriculteurs subissent. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 40 (1) 2007: pp. 73-8

Comparative Study on Linear and Non-Linear Geostatistical Methods: A Case Study on Kalsaka Hill Gold Deposit, Burkina Faso

Selecting an appropriate method to evaluate an ore deposit is imperative in resource estimation since it becomes the basis for reliable planning and development of a mine. Even though linear geostatistical methods such as Ordinary Kriging (OK) give reasonable estimates, there may be instances where recoverable resource estimates are difficult to obtain, particularly when the deposit is characterised by a positively skewed grade distribution with some outliers. Multiple Indicator Kriging (MIK), which is a non-linear estimation technique, is not based on any assumption about the distribution underlying the data and offers realistic solutions to problems associated with skewness and outliers. This paper looks at the use of MIK technique as an alternative method of recoverable resource estimation to OK by comparing the resource estimates obtained from MIK and OK models. OK model showed more smoothing effect on its estimates than the MIK model as evidenced in swath plots. Underestimated grades and tonnages were observed when OK was used to estimate a gold deposit at Kalsaka, according to the grade and tonnage reconciliation. MIK model yields estimates which are higher and closer to the actual than the OK model estimates. Keywords: Gold, Multiple Indicator Kriging, Ordinary Kriging, Outlier, Variograph

Trace element and stable isotope analyses of deep sea fish from the Sulu sea, Philippines

Thirty-five deep sea fishes belonging to 22 species and one unidentified specimen obtained from the Sulu Sea, located in the southwestern area of the Philippines were analyzed in the late 2002, for 23 trace elements using ICP-MS, HGAAS and CV-AAS. Predominant accumulation of strontium (Sr) was observed in all the samples. This stems from the fact that the whole body of fish was homogenized since Sr is known to accumulate in bones and hard tissues. Mercury concentrations in all the 36 samples were below the detection limit. Cadmium concentrations were generally below 1ìg/g dry weight (dw) except in Pterygotrigla spp. (4.29 ìg/g dw) and Sternoptyx pseudodiaphana (2.89 ìg/g dw). Concentrations of Pb were predominantly low with about 90% of the specimens having less than 1 ìg/g dw. In general, concentrations of Sr, Zn, Cu, Se and Cd appeared to increase with increasing depth of occurrence of the species.Manganese, Tl, Pb, Bi, In, Cs and As showed significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with d15N, suggesting that these elements were biomagnified. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting Tl biomagnification in fish. Rubidium and Cs showed significant positive correlation with d13C, implying that Rb and Cs would originate from offshore waters as oceanic plankton has high d13C. Comparing results from this study to the dietary standards and guidelines for Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn in fish and shellfish of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the United Kingdom,these levels were not high to warrant concern if they were to be consumed by humans. However, 16.7% of the fish samples had high Cr levels when compared with the Hong Kong’s safe limit of 4 ìg/g dw for Cr in sea food. This constitutes a health risk to humans, as Cr is potentially toxic

Genetic analysis of heterogeneous subsets of circulating tumour cells from high grade serous ovarian carcinoma patients

Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are heterogenous and contain genetic information from the tumour of origin. They bear specific intra- and extra-cellular protein markers aiding in their detection. However, since these markers may be shared with other rare cells in the blood, only genetic testing can confirm their malignancy. Herein, we analyse different CTC subsets using single cell whole genome DNA sequencing to validate their malignant origin. We randomly selected putative CTCs identified by immunostaining that were isolated from 4 patients with high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and one with benign cystadenoma. We specifically targeted CTCs positive for epithelial (CK/EpCAMpos), mesenchymal (vimentinpos), and pseudoendothelial (CK/EpCAMpos plus CD31pos) markers. We isolated these cells and performed whole genome amplification (WGA) and low-pass whole-genome sequencing (LP-WGS) for analysis of copy number alterations (CNA). Of the CK/EpCAMpos cells analysed from the HGSOC patients, 2 of 3 cells showed diverse chromosomal CNAs. However, the 4 pseudoendothelial cells (CK/EpCAMpos plus CD31pos) observed in the HGSOC cases did not carry any CNA. Lastly, two of the clusters of vimentin positive cells sequenced from those found in the benign cystadenoma case had CNA. Despite the low number of cells analysed, our results underscore the importance of genetic analysis of putative CTCs to confirm their neoplastic origin. In particular, it highlights the presence of a population of CK/EpCAMpos cells that are not tumour cells in patients with HGSOC, which otherwise would be counted as CTCs

Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genotypes prevalent in West Africa

Findings from previous comparative genomics studies of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) suggest genomic variation among the genotypes may have phenotypic implications. We investigated the diversity in the phenotypic profiles of the main prevalent MTBC genotypes in West Africa. Thirty-six whole genome sequenced drug susceptible MTBC isolates belonging to lineages 4, 5 and 6 were included in this study. The isolates were phenotypically characterized for urease activity, tween hydrolysis, Thiophen-2-Carboxylic Acid Hydrazide (TCH) susceptibility, nitric oxide production, and growth rate in both liquid (7H9) and solid media (7H11 and Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J)). Lineage 4 isolates showed the highest growth rate in both liquid (p = 0.0003) and on solid (L-J) media supplemented with glycerol (p<0.001) or pyruvate (p = 0.005). L6 isolates optimally utilized pyruvate compared to glycerol (p<0.001), whereas L5 isolates grew similarly on both media (p = 0.05). Lineage 4 isolates showed the lowest average time to positivity (TTP) (p = 0.01; Average TTP: L4 = 15days, L5 = 16.7days, L6 = 29.7days) and the highest logCFU/mL (p = 0.04; average logCFU/mL L4 = 5.9, L5 = 5.0, L6 = 4.4) on 7H11 supplemented with glycerol, but there was no significant difference in growth on 7H11 supplemented with pyruvate (p = 0.23). The highest release of nitrite was recorded for L5 isolates, followed by L4 and L6 isolates. However, the reverse was observed in the urease activity for the lineages. All isolates tested were resistant to TCH except for one L6 isolate. Comparative genomic analyses revealed several mutations that might explain the diverse phenotypic profiles of these isolates. Our findings showed significant phenotypic diversity among the MTBC lineages used for this study

Sleep Health Issues for Children with FASD: Clinical Considerations

This article describes the combined clinical experience of a multidisciplinary group of professionals on the sleep disturbances of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) focusing on sleep hygiene interventions. Such practical and comprehensive information is not available in the literature. Severe, persistent sleep difficulties are frequently associated with this condition but few health professionals are familiar with both FASD and sleep disorders. The sleep promotion techniques used for typical children are less suitable for children with FASD who need individually designed interventions. The types, causes, and adverse effects of sleep disorders, the modification of environment, scheduling and preparation for sleep, and sleep health for their caregivers are discussed. It is our hope that parents and also researchers, who are interested in the sleep disorders of children with FASD, will benefit from this presentation and that this discussion will stimulate much needed evidence-based research

Humanised transgenic mice are resistant to chronic wasting disease prions from Norwegian reindeer and moose

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion disease affecting cervids. In 2016 the first cases of CWD were reported in Europe in Norwegian wild reindeer and moose. The origin and zoonotic potential of these new prion isolates remain unknown. In this study to investigate zoonotic potential we inoculated brain tissue from CWD-infected Norwegian reindeer and moose into transgenic mice overexpressing human prion protein. After prolonged post-inoculation survival periods no evidence for prion transmission was seen suggesting that the zoonotic potential of these isolates is low

Analysis of drug resistance among difficult-to-treat tuberculosis patients in Ghana identifies several pre-XDR TB cases

BACKGROUND: Resistance to tuberculosis (TB) drugs has become a major threat to global control efforts. Early case detection and drug susceptibility profiling of the infecting bacteria are essential for appropriate case management. The objective of this study was to determine the drug susceptibility profiles of difficult-to-treat (DTT) TB patients in Ghana. METHODS: Sputum samples obtained from DTT-TB cases from health facilities across Ghana were processed for rapid diagnosis and detection of drug resistance using the Genotype MTBDRplus and Genotype MTBDRsl.v2 from Hain Life science. RESULTS: A total of 298 (90%) out of 331 sputum samples processed gave interpretable bands out of which 175 (58.7%) were resistant to at least one drug (ANY(r)); 16.8% (50/298) were isoniazid-mono-resistant (INH(r)), 16.8% (50/298) were rifampicin-mono-resistant (RIF(r)), and 25.2% (75/298) were MDR. 24 (13.7%) of the ANY(r) were additionally resistant to at least one second line drug: 7.4% (2 RIF(r), 1 INH(r), and 10 MDR samples) resistant to only FQs and 2.3% (2 RIF(r), 1 INH(r), and 1 MDR samples) resistant to AMG drugs kanamycin (KAN), amikacin (AMK), capreomycin (CAP), and viomycin (VIO). Additionally, there were 4.0% (5 RIF(r) and 2 MDR samples) resistant to both FQs and AMGs. 81 (65.6%) out of 125 INH-resistant samples including INH(r) and MDR had katG-mutations (MT) whereas 15 (12%) had inhApro-MT. The remaining 28 (22.4%) had both katG and inhA MT. All the 19 FQ-resistant samples were gyrA mutants whereas the 10 AMGs were rrs (3), eis (3) as well as rrs, and eis co-mutants (4). Except for the seven pre-XDR samples, no sample had eis MT. CONCLUSION: The detection of several pre-XDR TB cases in Ghana calls for intensified drug resistance surveillance and monitoring of TB patients to, respectively, ensure early diagnosis and treatment compliance