Identification, Characterization and Purification of MSC_0265, a Potential Immunogenic Antigen Homologue of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides in Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae

In silico identification and characterization of vaccine antigens has opened up new frontiers in the field of reverse vaccinology to mitigate the effects of livestock diseases by development of new subunit vaccines. This study aims to characterize, express and purify MSC_0265 for eventual use in immunoassays and inoculation in goats. Mycoplasma mycoides subs. mycoides (Mmm) and Mycoplasma capricolum capripneumoniae (Mccp) are similar pathogens on the genomic level and are the causative agents of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in cattle and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goats respectively. In this study, BLAST was used to identify the homology of MSC_0265 in Mycoplasma capricolum capripneumoniae genome and the protein it is similar to. Characterization of MSC_0265 was also done using I-TASSER to predict secondary structure, solvent accessibility, normalised B-factor, 3D models and function. With cut off points of 0.0 for E-value, 100% for Query coverage and 90% for Identity, MSC_0265 a pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme gave a high homology score on tBLASTn and BLASTp. It had earlier been cloned in pGS21a vector before proceeding with expression and purification of the His-tagged protein by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. This study identified the homologue of MSC_0265 as protein WP_029333261.1 in the Mycoplasma capricolum capripneumoniae genome (Accession NZ_LN515398.1) using tBLASTn and BLASTp. Additionally, MSC_0265 was characterized and its optimal expression profile and estimated molecular weight verified

Clinico-pathological pattern and early post-operative complications of gastro-duodenal perforations at Mulago Hospital Kampala- a prospective cohort study

Background: Gastro-Duodenal Perforations are one of the commonest causes of mortality and morbidity in conditions that require emergency surgery. The main objective of this study was to determine the clinico-pathological pattern and evaluate factors for early post operative complications of Gastro-duodenal perforations in Mulago. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients with gastro-duodenal perforations managed by simple repair between September 2014 and April 2015 in Mulago was studied. Primary/ secondary outcomes were mortality and complications respectively. Data was managed using stata-12 and multivariate analysis using log-binomial regression model. Results: A total of 65 patients were operated for Gastro-duodenal perforations in the study period. 86.2% were male (M: F 6.2:1). Median age was 35 years (range 16- 80 years). 93.9% had gastric perforations. Clinical diagnosis was predicted in 89.3%. H. pyloriwas present in 7.9%. Mortality was 18.5% and complications developed in 58.5%. Age above 35 and presence of   co morbidity predicted mortality (CI 1.22- 21.12, p= 0.009) (CI 1.26- 8.82, p= 0.024) and early post-operative complications (CI 1.03- 2.44, p= 0.031) (CI 1.23- 2.44, p= 0.011) respectively. Conclusion: Gastroduodenal perforations remain a common surgical emergency in Mulago hospital affecting mainly young men below 35 years. Majority are gastric perforations. Mortality and early post-operative complications are high, and increase with age and presence of co morbidity. Keywords: gastro-duodenal perforations, perforated peptic ulcer disease, gastric perforation

One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa

Applying Bayesian model averaging for uncertainty estimation of input data in energy modelling

Background Energy scenarios that are used for policy advice have ecological and social impact on society. Policy measures that are based on modelling exercises may lead to far reaching financial and ecological consequences. The purpose of this study is to raise awareness that energy modelling results are accompanied with uncertainties that should be addressed explicitly. Methods With view to existing approaches of uncertainty assessment in energy economics and climate science, relevant requirements for an uncertainty assessment are defined. An uncertainty assessment should be explicit, independent of the assessor’s expertise, applicable to different models, including subjective quantitative and statistical quantitative aspects, intuitively understandable and be reproducible. Bayesian model averaging for input variables of energy models is discussed as method that satisfies these requirements. A definition of uncertainty based on posterior model probabilities of input variables to energy models is presented. Results The main findings are that (1) expert elicitation as predominant assessment method does not satisfy all requirements, (2) Bayesian model averaging for input variable modelling meets the requirements and allows evaluating a vast amount of potentially relevant influences on input variables and (3) posterior model probabilities of input variable models can be translated in uncertainty associated with the input variable. Conclusions An uncertainty assessment of energy scenarios is relevant if policy measures are (partially) based on modelling exercises. Potential implications of these findings include that energy scenarios could be associated with uncertainty that is presently neither assessed explicitly nor communicated adequately

One hundred priority questions for the development of sustainable food systems in sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa

Dipeptidyl peptidase-1 inhibition in patients hospitalised with COVID-19: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial

Background Neutrophil serine proteases are involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and increased serine protease activity has been reported in severe and fatal infection. We investigated whether brensocatib, an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP-1; an enzyme responsible for the activation of neutrophil serine proteases), would improve outcomes in patients hospitalised with COVID-19. Methods In a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial, across 14 hospitals in the UK, patients aged 16 years and older who were hospitalised with COVID-19 and had at least one risk factor for severe disease were randomly assigned 1:1, within 96 h of hospital admission, to once-daily brensocatib 25 mg or placebo orally for 28 days. Patients were randomly assigned via a central web-based randomisation system (TruST). Randomisation was stratified by site and age (65 years or ≥65 years), and within each stratum, blocks were of random sizes of two, four, or six patients. Participants in both groups continued to receive other therapies required to manage their condition. Participants, study staff, and investigators were masked to the study assignment. The primary outcome was the 7-point WHO ordinal scale for clinical status at day 29 after random assignment. The intention-to-treat population included all patients who were randomly assigned and met the enrolment criteria. The safety population included all participants who received at least one dose of study medication. This study was registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN30564012. Findings Between June 5, 2020, and Jan 25, 2021, 406 patients were randomly assigned to brensocatib or placebo; 192 (47·3%) to the brensocatib group and 214 (52·7%) to the placebo group. Two participants were excluded after being randomly assigned in the brensocatib group (214 patients included in the placebo group and 190 included in the brensocatib group in the intention-to-treat population). Primary outcome data was unavailable for six patients (three in the brensocatib group and three in the placebo group). Patients in the brensocatib group had worse clinical status at day 29 after being randomly assigned than those in the placebo group (adjusted odds ratio 0·72 [95% CI 0·57–0·92]). Prespecified subgroup analyses of the primary outcome supported the primary results. 185 participants reported at least one adverse event; 99 (46%) in the placebo group and 86 (45%) in the brensocatib group. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders and infections. One death in the placebo group was judged as possibly related to study drug. Interpretation Brensocatib treatment did not improve clinical status at day 29 in patients hospitalised with COVID-19. Funding Sponsored by the University of Dundee and supported through an Investigator Initiated Research award from Insmed, Bridgewater, NJ; STOP-COVID19 trial

Diagnosis and control of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia

Le diagnostic de la pleuropneumonie contagieuse caprine a souvent été jugé difficile, cette maladie pouvant être confondue avec d'autres mycoplasmoses des petits ruminants. Les symptômes et lésions peuvent être similaires et l'isolement de Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (MccF38) nécessite une bonne compétence technique. Une fois les souches MccF38 isolées, leur identification ne devrait pas poser de problème. De nouvelles techniques, telles que l'amplification en chaîne par polymerase, offrent désormais la possibilité d'identifier MccF38 directement à partir de prélèvements lyophilisés. Toutefois, l'isolement de souches MccF38 reste obligatoire pour une déclaration officielle d'infection. Jusqu'à présent, le test sérologique de référence était l'épreuve de fixation du complément, ses principaux inconvénients étant l'absence de sensibilité et de spécificité, ainsi que la brève persistance des anticorps décelés au moyen de cette technique. L'épreuve immuno-enzymatique (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay : ELISA) de compétition, récemment mise au point, devrait désormais permettre de déterminer, à l'occasion de larges enquêtes sérologiques, la prévalence réelle de la maladie. Les traitements antibiotiques sont efficaces, mais ils ne peuvent prévenir la persistance d'un portage latent du mycoplasme. Unvaccin à mycoplasmes tués, adjuvé à la saponine, a été mis au poins au Kenya : il confère aux caprins une immunité d'environ un an. (Résumé d'auteur

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia vaccines and control strategies: recent data

International audienc

Contagiousbovine pleuropneumonia vaccines and control strategies: recent data

International audienc