Management for improved water use efficiency in the dry areas of Africa and West Asia: proceedings of a Workshop, Ankara, Turkey, 22-26 Apr 2002

This is a report of the 2002 workshop of the Optimizing Soil Water Use (OSWU) Consortium, held in Ankara, Turkey. It describes OSWU research in West Asia (Jordan, Syria, Turkey), North Africa (Morocco), Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe), and West Africa (Burkina Faso, Niger). The consortium aims at developing and disseminating effective and practical solutions for resource-poor farmers, being aware of the uncertainties of applying classical principles of soil-crop- water relations in arid and semi-arid environments. Reports from Morocco, Turkey, Jordan and South Africa confirm the effectiveness of some existing technologies, including the use of mulches to reduce soil evaporation or runoff, sometimes combined with use of soil fertility inputs to improve water use efficiency. Other papers describe a new quality indicator to assess land degradation, the use of new decision support tools, and modeling techniques to improve research efficiency and increase the effectiveness of farmer participatory research. ICARDA and ICRISAT report on new developments within the international research centers that are now ready for testing by NARS partners in their environments. Proposals for new work were presented and approved, with the emphasis on better transfer of methods to improve soil water use, and evaluating the impact of past research projects. In recognition of the current turbulent times, and the unlikelihood of increased resources for agricultural research in dry areas, OSWU partners developed a strategic plan to achieve greater impact; this plan is outlined

Rapid changes in biomass burning aerosols by atmospheric oxidation

Peer reviewe

Synergy between EngE, XynA and ManA from Clostridium cellulovorans on corn stalk, grass and pineapple pulp substrates

The synergistic interaction between various hemi/cellulolytic enzymes has become more important in order to achieve effective and optimal degradation of complex lignocellulose substrates for biofuel production. This study investigated the synergistic effect of three enzymes endoglucanase (EngE), mannanase (ManA) and xylanase (XynA) on the degradation of corn stalk, grass, and pineapple fruit pulp and determined the optimal degree of synergy between combinations of these enzymes. It was established that EngE was essential for degradation of all of the substrates, while the hemicellulases were able to contribute in a synergistic fashion to increase the activity on these substrates. Maximum specific activity and degree of synergy on the corn stalk and grass was found with EngE:XynA in a ratio of 75:25%, with a specific activity of 41.1 U/mg protein and a degree of synergy of 6.3 for corn stalk, and 44.1 U/mg protein and 3.4 for grass, respectively. The pineapple fruit pulp was optimally digested using a ManA:EngE combination in a 50:50% ratio; the specific activity and degree of synergy achieved were 52.4 U/mg protein and 2.7, respectively. This study highlights the importance of hemicellulases for the synergistic degradation of complex lignocellulose. The inclusion of a mannanase in an enzyme consortium for biomass degradation should be examined further as this study suggests that it may play an important, although mostly overlooked, role in the synergistic saccharification of lignocellulose

Suggestions for Shaping Tinnitus Service Provision in Western Europe: Lessons from the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Background: Tinnitus severity has been exacerbated due to the COVID‐19 pandemic and those with tinnitus require additional support. Such support should be informed by patient preferences and needs. The objective of this study was to gather information from individuals with tinnitus living in Europe to inform stakeholders of the (i) support they needed in relation to changes associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic, and (ii) suggestions regarding tinnitus care for the future. Methods: A cross‐sectional mixed methods study design was used using closed and open‐ended questions via an online survey. Data was gathered from 710 adults experiencing tinnitus in Western Europe, with the majority living in The Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results: Those with tinnitus indicated the following support needs during the pandemic (a) support for tinnitus, (b) support for hearing‐related difficulties, (c) social support, and (d) pandemic‐related support. Five directions for future tinnitus care were provided, namely (a) need for understanding professional support and access to multidisciplinary experts, (b) greater range of therapies and resources, (c) access to more information about tinnitus, (d) prioritizing tinnitus research, and (e) more support for hearing protection and hearing loss prevention. Conclusions: The findings point to the need for accessible (remote), patient‐centred, suitable and evidence‐based tinnitus care. Insights from the current study can be used by various stakeholders including clinical practitioners and tinnitus support services to ensure those with tinnitus have access to the help and support required in order to reduce service provision insufficiencies

Evidence for oxygenic photosynthesis half a billion years before the Great Oxidation Event

The early Earth was characterized by the absence of oxygen in the ocean–atmosphere system, in contrast to the well-oxygenated conditions that prevail today. Atmospheric concentrations first rose to appreciable levels during the Great Oxidation Event, roughly 2.5–2.3 Gyr ago. The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis is generally accepted to have been the ultimate cause of this rise, but it has proved difficult to constrain the timing of this evolutionary innovation. The oxidation of manganese in the water column requires substantial free oxygen concentrations, and thus any indication that Mn oxides were present in ancient environments would imply that oxygenic photosynthesis was ongoing. Mn oxides are not commonly preserved in ancient rocks, but there is a large fractionation of molybdenum isotopes associated with the sorption of Mo onto the Mn oxides that would be retained. Here we report Mo isotopes from rocks of the Sinqeni Formation, Pongola Supergroup, South Africa. These rocks formed no less than 2.95 Gyr ago in a nearshore setting. The Mo isotopic signature is consistent with interaction with Mn oxides. We therefore infer that oxygen produced through oxygenic photosynthesis began to accumulate in shallow marine settings at least half a billion years before the accumulation of significant levels of atmospheric oxygen

Protein kinase C-delta (PKC delta), a marker of inflammation and tuberculosis disease progression in humans, is important for optimal macrophage killing effector functions and survival in mice (vol 11, pg 496, 2018)

We previously demonstrated that protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ) is critical for immunity against Listeria monocytogenes, Leishmania major, and Candida albicans infection in mice. However, the functional relevance of PKCδ during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is unknown. PKCδ was significantly upregulated in whole blood of patients with active tuberculosis (TB) disease. Lung proteomics further revealed that PKCδ was highly abundant in the necrotic and cavitory regions of TB granulomas in multidrug-resistant human participants. In murine Mtb infection studies, PKCδ−/− mice were highly susceptible to tuberculosis with increased mortality, weight loss, exacerbated lung pathology, uncontrolled proinflammatory cytokine responses, and increased mycobacterial burdens. Moreover, these mice displayed a significant reduction in alveolar macrophages, dendritic cells, and decreased accumulation of lipid bodies (lungs and macrophages) and serum fatty acids. Furthermore, a peptide inhibitor of PKCδ in wild-type mice mirrored lung inflammation identical to infected PKCδ−/− mice. Mechanistically, increased bacterial growth in macrophages from PKCδ−/− mice was associated with a decline in killing effector functions independent of phagosome maturation and autophagy. Taken together, these data suggest that PKCδ is a marker of inflammation during active TB disease in humans and required for optimal macrophage killing effector functions and host protection during Mtb infection in mice

Readability following cultural and linguistic adaptations of an Internet-based Intervention for Tinnitus for use in the United States

Purpose: An Internet-based tinnitus intervention for use in the United States could improve the provision of tinnitus-related services. Although such interventions have undergone clinical trials in Europe, the UK, and Australia, their suitability for adults with tinnitus in the US has not been established. The aim of this study was to improve the cultural and linguistic suitability, and lower the readability level, of an existing program for tinnitus to ensure its suitability for US English-and Spanish-speaking populations. Method: Guidelines for cultural adaptation were followed and involved four phases: (i) cultural adaptations, as interventions targeted at specific cultures have been shown to improve outcomes; (ii) creating Spanish materials to improve access of the materials to the large Spanish-speaking population in the US; (iii) professional review of the materials for acceptability as an intervention tool for a US population; and (iv) literacy level adjustments to make the content accessible to those with lower levels of health literacy skills. Results: Cultural adaptations were made by using word substitutions, changing examples and modifying the spelling of certain words. The materials were then translated into Spanish and cross-checked. Professional review ensured suitability of the chapters. Literacy level adjustments ensured all chapters were within the guidelines for readability grade levels below the 6th-grade level. Conclusions: The previously developed tinnitus materials were revised to adhere to best practice guidelines and ensure cultural suitability for adults with tinnitus in the US. As it is also available in Spanish, members of the large Hispanic community also have access to the intervention in their first language. Further studies should determine whether these changes improve patients’ self-efficacy, engagement, and motivation to complete the intervention

Pathogenic mycobacteria achieve cellular persistence by inhibiting the Niemann-Pick Type C disease cellular pathway

Background. Tuberculosis remains a major global health concern. The ability to prevent phagosome-lysosome fusion is a key mechanism by which intracellular mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, achieve long-term persistence within host cells. The mechanisms underpinning this key intracellular pro-survival strategy remain incompletely understood. Host macrophages infected with intracellular mycobacteria share phenotypic similarities with cells taken from patients suffering from Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC), a rare lysosomal storage disease in which endocytic trafficking defects and lipid accumulation within the lysosome lead to cell dysfunction and cell death. We investigated whether these shared phenotypes reflected an underlying mechanistic connection between mycobacterial intracellular persistence and the host cell pathway dysfunctional in NPC.  Methods. The induction of NPC phenotypes in macrophages from wild-type mice or obtained from healthy human donors was assessed via infection with mycobacteria and subsequent measurement of lipid levels and intracellular calcium homeostasis. The effect of NPC therapeutics on intracellular mycobacterial load was also assessed.  Results. Macrophages infected with intracellular mycobacteria phenocopied NPC cells, exhibiting accumulation of multiple lipid types, reduced lysosomal Ca 2+ levels, and defects in intracellular trafficking. These NPC phenotypes could also be induced using only lipids/glycomycolates from the mycobacterial cell wall. These data suggest that intracellular mycobacteria inhibit the NPC pathway, likely via inhibition of the NPC1 protein, and subsequently induce altered acidic store Ca 2+ homeostasis. Reduced lysosomal calcium levels may provide a mechanistic explanation for the reduced levels of phagosome-lysosome fusion in mycobacterial infection. Treatments capable of correcting defects in NPC mutant cells via modulation of host cell calcium were of benefit in promoting clearance of mycobacteria from infected host cells.  Conclusion. These findings provide a novel mechanistic explanation for mycobacterial intracellular persistence, and suggest that targeting interactions between the mycobacteria and host cell pathways may provide a novel avenue for development of anti-TB therapies