60 research outputs found
Strengthening Sorghum and Pearl Millet Research in Mali
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid
Tropics (ICRISAT) began a cooperative research program in
1976 with the principal Malian government agency responsible
for agricultural research, the Institut dâeconomie rurale (IER).
The program aimed to establish a strong national infrastructure
for long-term research on sorghum and pearl millet and their
cropping systems, including both long- and short-term training.
The program was established with a 1-year grant from the Ford
Foundation, after which funding was assumed by the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID).
This report summarizes the activities and achievements of
the ICRISAT-Mali program over its 12-year life. Agriculture
and agricultural research in Mali are discussed, including the
role of agriculture in the Malian economy, resources, constraints
to agricultural development, agricultural research institutions,
and the context in which the ICRISAT-Mali program
was established. The program to strengthen the national agricultural
research system is described, including the development
of the Cinzana research station and the food technology
laboratory at Sotuba, five different types of training, and technical
assistance. Breeding and crop improvement work for sorghum
and pearl millet are summarized, as is the agronomy and
cropping systems research. Accomplishments are summarized
and discussed, and recommendations offered to continue the
momentum of this highly praised cooperative program. Seven
annexes list trainees, consultants, references, and acronym
Acute febrile illness is associated with Rickettsia spp infection in dogs
BACKGROUND: Rickettsia conorii is transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and causes Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) in humans. Although dogs are considered the natural host of the vector, the clinical and epidemiological significance of R. conorii infection in dogs remains unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether Rickettsia infection causes febrile illness in dogs living in areas endemic for human MSF. METHODS: Dogs from southern Italy with acute fever (nâ=â99) were compared with caseâcontrol dogs with normal body temperatures (nâ=â72). Serology and real-time PCR were performed for Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/A. platys and Leishmania infantum. Conventional PCR was performed for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Acute and convalescent antibodies to R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were determined. RESULTS: The seroprevalence rates at first visit for R. conorii, E. canis, A. phagocytophilum and L. infantum were 44.8%, 48.5%, 37.8% and 17.6%, respectively. The seroconversion rates for R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were 20.7%, 14.3% and 8.8%, respectively. The molecular positive rates at first visit for Rickettsia spp., E. canis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, L. infantum, Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. were 1.8%, 4.1%, 0%, 2.3%, 11.1%, 2.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Positive PCR for E. canis (7%), Rickettsia spp. (3%), Babesia spp. (4.0%) and Hepatozoon spp. (1.0%) were found only in febrile dogs. The DNA sequences obtained from Rickettsia and Babesia PCRs positive samples were 100% identical to the R. conorii and Babesia vogeli sequences in GenBankÂź, respectively. Febrile illness was statistically associated with acute and convalescent positive R. conorii antibodies, seroconversion to R. conorii, E. canis positive PCR, and positivity to any tick pathogen PCRs. Fourteen febrile dogs (31.8%) were diagnosed with Rickettsia spp. infection based on seroconversion and/or PCR while only six afebrile dogs (12.5%) seroconverted (Pâ=â0.0248). The most common clinical findings of dogs with Rickettsia infection diagnosed by seroconversion and/or PCR were fever, myalgia, lameness, elevation of C-reactive protein, thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates acute febrile illness associated with Rickettsia infection in dogs living in endemic areas of human MSF based on seroconversion alone or in combination with PCR
Identification of restriction endonuclease with potential ability to cleave the HSV-2 genome: Inherent potential for biosynthetic versus live recombinant microbicides
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Herpes Simplex virus types 1 and 2 are enveloped viruses with a linear dsDNA genome of ~120â200 kb. Genital infection with HSV-2 has been denoted as a major risk factor for acquisition and transmission of HIV-1. Developing biomedical strategies for HSV-2 prevention is thus a central strategy in reducing global HIV-1 prevalence. This paper details the protocol for the isolation of restriction endunucleases (REases) with potent activity against the HSV-2 genome and models two biomedical interventions for preventing HSV-2.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>Using the whole genome of HSV-2, 289 REases and the bioinformatics software Webcutter2; we searched for potential recognition sites by way of genome wide palindromics. REase application in HSV-2 biomedical therapy was modeled concomitantly. Of the 289 enzymes analyzed; 77(26.6%) had potential to cleave the HSV-2 genome in > 100 but < 400 sites; 69(23.9%) in > 400 but < 700 sites; and the 9(3.1%) enzymes: BmyI, Bsp1286I, Bst2UI, BstNI, BstOI, EcoRII, HgaI, MvaI, and SduI cleaved in more than 700 sites. But for the 4: PacI, PmeI, SmiI, SwaI that had no sign of activity on HSV-2 genomic DNA, all 130(45%) other enzymes cleaved < 100 times. In silico palindromics has a PPV of 99.5% for in situ REase activity (2) Two models detailing how the REase EcoRII may be applied in developing interventions against HSV-2 are presented: a nanoparticle for microbicide development and a "recombinant lactobacillus" expressing cell wall anchored receptor (truncated nectin-1) for HSV-2 plus EcoRII.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Viral genome slicing by way of these bacterially- derived R-M enzymatic peptides may have therapeutic potential in HSV-2 infection; a cofactor for HIV-1 acquisition and transmission.</p
Proteinâpolyamine conjugates by transglutaminase 2 as potential markers for antineoplastic screening of natural compounds
A novel Bacteroidetes symbiont is localized in Scaphoideus titanus, the insect vector of Flavescence Dor\ue8e in Vitis vinifera
A novel Bacteroidetes symbiontis localized in Scaphoideus titanus, the insect vector of Flavescence DorĂše in Vitis vinifera.
Îł-Tocopherol inhibits human prostate cancer cell proliferation by up-regulation of transglutaminase 2 and down-regulation of cyclins
Transglutaminase participates in the blockade of neurotransmitter release by tetanus toxin: evidence for a novel biological function
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