Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Cacao Germplasm. Revised from the FAO/IPGRI Technical Guidelines No. 20 (Fourth Update 2021)

The CacaoNet Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Cacao Germplasm provide updated information on the precautions and quarantine measures that can be taken to minimise the risk of spread of pests and diseases when cacao genetic resources are being moved for research, crop improvement, plant breeding, exploration or conservation. These Guidelines are based on those last published by FAO/IPGRI in 1999 but have been revised and expanded by a group of experts set up within CacaoNet (the Global Cacao Genetic Resources Network coordinated by Bioversity International), to take account of new knowledge of the pests and diseases, including their current distribution, and advances in detection techniques. These CacaoNet Guidelines were first published on-line in 2012 but have been revised in 2014, in 2017 and now in 2021 to take account of new information received. The document includes general advice regarding safe procedures to use when moving cacao germplasm, whether as seed, vegetative and tissue cultured materials, and summarised information on the geographical spread and risks posed by significant pests and diseases of cacao. In addition, experts have contributed sections giving detailed information on the following: Virus diseases (Cacao necrosis virus, Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV), Cacao Yellow mosaic virus), Fungal diseases (Witches’ broom disease, Moniliophthora pod rot, Phytophthora pod rot, Vascular streak die-back, Verticillium wilt, Ceratocystis wilt, Rosellinia root rot), Insect pests (Cocoa pod borer, mirids/capsids, mosquito bug, other insect pests) and nematodes. Each section contains information on physical symptoms, geographical distribution, biology of the pest or disease and recommended quarantine measures. The publication of these Guidelines has been supported by financial and in-kind contributions from Bioversity International, the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry, the Cocoa Research Association Ltd., UK (CRA Ltd., a UK-based organization managing scientific cocoa research on behalf of Mars Mondelēz International and the London Cocoa Trade NYSE-Liffe) and the University of Reading. CacaoNet has received additional financial support from Mars, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF)

The role of the international cocoa germplasm database and the international cocoa quarantine centre in information management and distribution of cocoa genetic resources

A range of physiological parameters (canopy light transmission, canopy shape, leaf size, flowering and flushing intensity) were measured from the International Clone Trial, typically over the course of two years. Data were collected from six locations, these being: Brazil, Ecuador, Trinidad, Venezuela, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Canopy shape varied significantly between clones, although it showed little variation between locations. Genotypic variation in leaf size was differentially affected by the growth location; such differences appeared to underlie a genotype by environment interaction in relation to canopy light transmission. Flushing data were recorded at monthly intervals over the course of a year. Within each location, a significant interaction was observed between genotype and time of year, suggesting that some genotypes respond to a greater extent than others to environmental stimuli. A similar interaction was observed for flowering data, where significant correlations were found between flowering intensity and temperature in Brazil and flowering intensity and rainfall in Côte d’Ivoire. The results demonstrate the need for local evaluation of cocoa clones and also suggest that the management practices for particular planting material may need to be fine-tuned to the location in which they are cultivated

Identification of Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus (CaMMV) and Cacao Yellow Vein-Banding Virus (CYVBV) in Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Germplasm

Cocoa, Theobroma cacao, is an important tropical perennial crop grown widely in the humid tropics. The exchange of cocoa germplasm between germplasm collections and breeding centres is vital for varietal development. Intermediate quarantine facilities, such as the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, Reading UK (ICQC-R) play a vital role in ensuring the transfer of germplasm whilst minimising the risk of spreading pests and diseases. Current screening procedures combine visual inspection and molecular techniques, which are effective in detecting Cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV), a badnavirus, which causes severe losses but are restricted to West Africa. However, the detection of latent or mild virus infections that produce no visual symptoms has been a challenge. Recently two badnavirus species of cocoa producing mild symptoms, cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and cacao yellow vein-banding virus (CYVBV), have been sequenced. Here, we report new assays for the detection of these two species, for the first time in non-symptomatic accessions. Evolutionary and bioinformatic analyses of the viruses suggest their most recent source was from Trinidad, though there is historic evidence that these viruses may have their origin in South America and then become widespread globally over the last century. We also report a novel colorimetric Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of CYVBV. This simple and accurate method could be employed in field virus testing

Phase II study of the farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 in advanced melanoma (CALGB 500104)

BACKGROUND: Multiple farnesylated proteins are involved in signal transduction in cancer. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) have been developed as a strategy to inhibit the function of these proteins. As FTIs inhibit proliferation of melanoma cell lines, we undertook a study to assess the impact of a FTI in advanced melanoma. As farnesylated proteins are also important for T cell activation, measurement of effects on T cell function was also pursued. METHODS: A 3-stage trial design was developed with a maximum of 40 patients and early stopping if there were no responders in the first 14, or fewer than 2 responders in the first 28 patients. Eligibility included performance status of 0–1, no prior chemotherapy, at most 1 prior immunotherapy, no brain metastases, and presence of at least 2 cutaneous lesions amenable to biopsy. R115777 was administered twice per day for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. Patients were evaluated every 2 cycles by RECIST. Blood and tumor were analyzed pre-treatment and during week 7. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were enrolled. Two patients had grade 3 toxicities, which included myelosuppression, nausea/vomiting, elevated BUN, and anorexia. There were no clinical responses. All patients analyzed showed potent inhibition of FT activity (85-98%) in tumor tissue; inhibition of phosphorylated ERK and Akt was also observed. T cells showed evidence of FT inhibition and diminished IFN-γ production. CONCLUSIONS: Despite potent target inhibition, R115777 showed no evidence of clinical activity in this cohort of melanoma patients. Inhibition of T cell function by FTIs has potential clinical implications. Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT0006012

Directrices técnicas para el movimiento seguro del germoplasma de cacao. Versión revisada de las Directrices técnicas de FAO/IPGRI No. 20 (Cuarta actualización, 2021)

Las Directrices Técnicas de CacaoNet para el Movimiento Seguro del Germoplasma de Cacao ofrecen información actualizada sobre las precauciones y las medidas de cuarentena que pueden adoptarse para minimizar el riesgo de propagación de plagas y enfermedades cuando los recursos genéticos del cacao se trasladan para la investigación, la mejora de los cultivos, el fitomejoramiento, la exploración o la conservación. Estas directrices se basan en las publicadas por última vez por la FAO/IPGRI en 1999, pero han sido revisadas y ampliadas por un grupo de expertos creado en el seno de CacaoNet (la Red Mundial de Recursos Genéticos del Cacao coordinada por Bioversity International), para tener en cuenta los nuevos conocimientos sobre plagas y enfermedades, incluida su distribución actual, y los avances en las técnicas de detección. Estas directrices técnicas de CacaoNet se publicaron por primera vez en línea en 2012, pero se revisaron en 2014, 2017 y ahora en 2021 para tener en cuenta la nueva información recibida. El documento incluye consejos generales sobre los procedimientos seguros que deben emplearse al transferir germoplasma de cacao, ya sean semillas, material vegetativo o tejidos, así como información resumida sobre la propagación geográfica y los riesgos que plantean las principales plagas y enfermedades del cacao. Además, los expertos han aportado secciones con información detallada sobre Enfermedades víricas (virus de la necrosis del cacao, virus del edema de los brotes del cacao : (CSSV), el virus del mosaico amarillo del cacao), enfermedades fúngicas (escoba de bruja, podredumbre de la vaina por Moniliophthora, podredumbre de la vaina por Phytophthora, podredumbre de la raya vascular, Verticillium wilt, Ceratocystis wilt, Rosellinia root rot), plagas de insectos (barrenador de la vaina del cacao, miriñaques/cápsulas, mosquitos, otras plagas de insectos) y nematodos. Cada sección contiene información sobre los síntomas físicos, la distribución geográfica, la biología de la plaga o enfermedad y las medidas de cuarentena recomendadas. La publicación de estas directrices ha contado con el apoyo financiero y en especie de Bioversity International, el Programa de Investigación sobre Bosques, Árboles y Agroforestería del CGIAR, la Cocoa Research Association Ltd, UK (CRA Ltd, una organización con sede en el Reino Unido que gestiona la investigación científica sobre el cacao en nombre de Mars, Mondelēz International y la London Cocoa Trade NYSE-Liffe) y la Universidad de Reading. CacaoNet ha recibido apoyo financiero adicional de Mars, el Servicio de Investigación Agrícola del Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA/ARS) y la World Cocoa Foundation (WCF)

End-Stage Renal Disease in African Americans With Lupus Nephritis Is Associated With APOL1

OBJECTIVE: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that exhibits familial aggregation and may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). LN is more prevalent among African Americans than among European Americans. This study was undertaken to investigate the hypothesis that the apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) nephropathy risk alleles G1/G2, common in African Americans and rare in European Americans, contribute to the ethnic disparity in risk. METHODS: APOL1 G1 and G2 nephropathy alleles were genotyped in 855 African American SLE patients with LN-ESRD (cases) and 534 African American SLE patients without nephropathy (controls) and tested for association under a recessive genetic model, by logistic regression. RESULTS: Ninety percent of the SLE patients were female. The mean ± SD age at SLE diagnosis was significantly lower in LN-ESRD cases than in SLE non-nephropathy controls (27.3 ± 10.9 years versus 39.5 ± 12.2 years). The mean ± SD time from SLE diagnosis to development of LN-ESRD in cases was 7.3 ± 7.2 years. The G1/G2 risk alleles were strongly associated with SLE-ESRD, with 25% of cases and 12% of controls having 2 nephropathy alleles (odds ratio [OR] 2.57, recessive model P = 1.49 × 10(−9)), and after adjustment for age, sex, and ancestry admixture (OR 2.72, P = 6.23 × 10(−6)). The age-, sex-, and admixture-adjusted population attributable risk for ESRD among patients with G1/G2 polymorphisms was 0.26, compared to 0.003 among European American patients. The mean time from SLE diagnosis to ESRD development was ~2 years earlier among individuals with APOL1 risk genotypes (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: APOL1 G1/G2 alleles strongly impact the risk of LN-ESRD in African Americans, as well as the time to progression to ESRD. The high frequency of these alleles in African Americans with near absence in European Americans explains an important proportion of the increased risk of LN-ESRD in African Americans