Selection for resistance to cassava mosaic disease in African cassava germplasm using single nucleotide polymorphism markers

Open Access Journal; Published online: 27 Jan 2022Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is one of the main constraints that hamper cassava production. Breeding for varieties that are CMD resistant is a major aim in cassava breeding programmes. However, the use of the conventional approach has its limitations, including a lengthy growth cycle and a low multiplication rate of planting materials. To increase breeding efficiency as well as genetic gain of traits, SNP markers can be used to screen and identify resistant genotypes. The objective of this study was to predict the performance of 145 cassava genotypes from open-pollinated crosses for CMD resistance using molecular markers. Two SNP markers (S12_7926132 and S14_4626854), previously converted into Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) assays, as well as CMD incidence and severity scores, were used for selection. About 76% of the genotypes were revealed to be resistant to CMD based on phenotypic scores, while over 24% of the total population were found to be susceptible. Significant effects were observed for alleles associated with marker S12_7926132 while the other marker had non-significant effects. The predictive accuracy (true positives and true negatives) of the major CMD2 locus on chromosome 12 was 77% in the population used in this study. Our study provides insight into the potential use of marker-assisted selection for CMD resistance in cassava breeding programmes. Significance: With an aim towards reducing the food insecurity rate in Africa, we report on the use of genetic tools for a fast and efficient release of new cassava varieties to benefit breeders, farmers and consumers, given the food and industrial importance of this staple crop. This study adds tremendous knowledge to phenotypic and molecular screening for CMD resistance. The outcome will encourage breeders in various cassava breeding programmes to accelerate genetic gains as well as increase breeding accuracy and efficiency for CMD resistance

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Association between loop diuretic dose changes and outcomes in chronic heart failure: observations from the ESC-EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

[Abstract] Aims. Guidelines recommend down-titration of loop diuretics (LD) once euvolaemia is achieved. In outpatients with heart failure (HF), we investigated LD dose changes in daily cardiology practice, agreement with guideline recommendations, predictors of successful LD down-titration and association between dose changes and outcomes. Methods and results. We included 8130 HF patients from the ESC-EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry. Among patients who had dose decreased, successful decrease was defined as the decrease not followed by death, HF hospitalization, New York Heart Association class deterioration, or subsequent increase in LD dose. Mean age was 66±13 years, 71% men, 62% HF with reduced ejection fraction, 19% HF with mid-range ejection fraction, 19% HF with preserved ejection fraction. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] LD dose was 40 (25–80) mg. LD dose was increased in 16%, decreased in 8.3% and unchanged in 76%. Median (IQR) follow-up was 372 (363–419) days. Diuretic dose increase (vs. no change) was associated with HF death [hazard ratio (HR) 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–2.08; P = 0.008] and nominally with cardiovascular death (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.96–1.63; P = 0.103). Decrease of diuretic dose (vs. no change) was associated with nominally lower HF (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.33–1.07; P = 0.083) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.62 95% CI 0.38–1.00; P = 0.052). Among patients who had LD dose decreased, systolic blood pressure [odds ratio (OR) 1.11 per 10 mmHg increase, 95% CI 1.01–1.22; P = 0.032], and absence of (i) sleep apnoea (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09–0.69; P = 0.008), (ii) peripheral congestion (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29–0.80; P = 0.005), and (iii) moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37–0.87; P = 0.008) were independently associated with successful decrease. Conclusion. Diuretic dose was unchanged in 76% and decreased in 8.3% of outpatients with chronic HF. LD dose increase was associated with worse outcomes, while the LD dose decrease group showed a trend for better outcomes compared with the no-change group. Higher systolic blood pressure, and absence of (i) sleep apnoea, (ii) peripheral congestion, and (iii) moderate/severe mitral regurgitation were independently associated with successful dose decrease

DMTs and Covid-19 severity in MS: a pooled analysis from Italy and France

We evaluated the effect of DMTs on Covid-19 severity in patients with MS, with a pooled-analysis of two large cohorts from Italy and France. The association of baseline characteristics and DMTs with Covid-19 severity was assessed by multivariate ordinal-logistic models and pooled by a fixed-effect meta-analysis. 1066 patients with MS from Italy and 721 from France were included. In the multivariate model, anti-CD20 therapies were significantly associated (OR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.39–3.02, p < 0.001) with Covid-19 severity, whereas interferon indicated a decreased risk (OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.18–0.99, p = 0.047). This pooled-analysis confirms an increased risk of severe Covid-19 in patients on anti-CD20 therapies and supports the protective role of interferon

Phytodiversité des légumes-feuilles locales consommées par les peuples Holli et Nagot de la région de Pobè au sud-est du Bénin

Dans le cadre de la mise en place d’une banque de données fiables propre aux ressources alimentaires locales, la région de Pobè au sud-est du Bénin a été prospectée par l’équipe de recherche du Laboratoire de Gestion des Produits Forestiers Non ligneux de la Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques (PFNLs-Labo/FSA) de l’Université d’Abomey-Calavi du Bénin. Un état des lieux a été fait sur la diversité des espèces de légumesfeuilles locales consommées par les populations Holli et Nagot de cette région. La méthode utilisée par cette étude conduite dans deux villages, repose sur une enquête de consommation alimentaire suivie des relevés en milieu naturel. Au total, 35 espèces végétales ont été identifiées dans les différents faciès végétaux des deux villages. Les Holli ont un spectre alimentaire et une préférence plus larges que les Nagot.Mots clés : Phytodiversité, légumes-feuilles, peuples Holli et Nagot

Le marche du crincrin (Corchorus tridens) au Benin

Nombreux sont les Produits Forestiers Non Ligneux (PFNLs) qui sont collectés et vendus sur les marchés locaux et urbains au Bénin. C’est le cas de Corchorus tridens, une tiliaceae spontanée et abondante sur les terres argileuses du département du Plateau au Sud-Est du Bénin. Aujourd’hui, cette espèce consommée comme légume gluant est présente sur bon nombre de marchés tant ruraux qu’urbains. En 2001, plus de 121 Tonnes de ce légume feuille sauvage ont été déversées sur quatre marchés ruraux de la région du Plateau (au sud-est du Bénin) ; et une bonne partie de cette récolte est acheminée aux marchés urbains les plus proches. Ceci a permis la création d’un chiffre d’affaires de plus de 27.500.000 F.cfa (soit 41.888 Euro) dont environ 7.500.000 ont réellement atteint les mains des populations rurales, premiers acteurs dans le circuit de commercialisation. Plus de 600 acteurs locaux (majoritairement de femmes) s’adaptant à la saisonnalité des fruits et légumes sauvages, trouvent des emplois saisonniers dans la récolte et l’acheminement sur les différents marchés locaux.Mots clés : PFNL ; Corchorus tridens ; marchés locaux ; marchés urbains

Cytogenetics of the genus Arvicanthis (Rodentia, Murinae). 1. Arvicanthis niloticus from Republic of Benin (West Africa)

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Distal Pancreatectomy for Body-pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Is Splenectomy Necessary?

Purpose: The value of splenectomy during distal pancreatectomy (DP) for body-pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (B-PDAC) has not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the impact of spleen preservation (SP+) on morbidity and oncological outcomes following DP for B-PDAC. Method: Single-center cohort study including patients who underwent DP with SP+ according to Warshaw’s technique and DP with splenectomy (SP-) for B-PDAC from 2008 to 2019. Exclusion criteria were: distance <5cm between tumor and spleen hilum and multi-organ resection. Primary endpoints were disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were 90-day morbi-mortality using comprehensive complication index (CCI) and ISGPS definitions. Results: 129 patients were enrolled including 59 (46%) SP+ and 70 (54%) with splenectomy (SP-). Median age and BMI were 68 years and 24 kg/m2. SP+ and SP- patients were comparable regarding preoperative variables including neoadjuvant treatment (overall=24%), and laparoscopic approach (overall=39%). There was no 90-day mortality. Hospital stay was shorter after SP+ (11 vs. 16 days; p<0.001). SP+ patients experienced a lower CCI (8.7 vs. 16.6; p=0.004) with lower rates of grade B/C POPF (14% vs. 29%; p= 0.039) and deep organ space abscess (5% vs. 19%; p=0.041). The rate of R0 margins was similar in SP+ and SP- patients (75% vs. 71%, respectively; p=0.840), as well as invaded/harvested node ratio (0.0% vs. 0.0%; p=0.246), and AJCC staging (p=0.200). After a median follow-up of 63 months (IC95%:52-96), 1- ,3- and 5-year DFS and OS were 77%, 50% and 43% and 91%, 63% and 47%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, after doubly-robust adjustments on preoperative data, SP+ was associated with a better DFS (HR=0.315 [IC95%: 0.146-0.678]; p=0.0032), and had no influence on OS (HR=0.664 [IC95%: 0.317-1.392]; p=0.2782). After doubly-robust adjustments on pathological data and perioperative treatment, SP+ had no negative impact on DFS (HR=0.58 [IC95%: 0.3-1.13]; p=0.111) or OS (HR=0.9 [IC95%: 0.47-1.71]; p=0.738). Conclusion: SP+ DP for B-PDAC is associated with less postoperative morbidity than splenectomy, without impairing oncological outcomes. This study provides a rational to evaluate SP+ DP as a potential new oncological standard in B-PDAC