Serological and molecular characterization of begomoviruses infecting cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Africa

[no abstract

Allelic variants of a potato HEAT SHOCK COGNATE 70 gene confer improved tuber yield under a wide range of environmental conditions

Funding: This work was funded by the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division as part of the Strategic Research Programme 2016‐2022, by a GCRF Foundation Awards for Global Agricultural and Food Systems Research funded by the BBSRC project BB/P022553/1 (Quickgro) and EPSRC Reference: EP/T01525X/1, GCRF Global Research Translation Awards, Food Security and Health for East Africa, 2019‐2021, and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme ADAPT (Accelerated Development of Multiple‐Stress Tolerant Potato), grant agreement No GA 2020 862‐858 and G2P‐SOL (Linking genetic resources, genomes and phenotypes of Solanaceous crops) grant agreement No 677379.Previously, we developed and applied a glasshouse screen for potato tuber yield under heat stress and identified a candidate gene (HSc70) for heat tolerance by genetic analysis of a diploid potato population. Specific allelic variants were expressed at high levels on exposure to moderately elevated temperature due to variations in gene promoter sequence. In this study, we aimed to confirm the results from the glasshouse screen in field trials conducted over several seasons and locations including those in Kenya, Malawi and the UK. We extend our understanding of the HSc70 gene and demonstrate that expression level of HSc70 correlates with tolerance to heat stress in a wide range of wild potato relatives. The physiological basis of the protective effect of HSc70 was explored and we show that genotypes carrying the highly expressed HSc70 A2 allele are protected against photooxidative damage to PSII induced by abiotic stresses. Overall, we show the potential of HSc70 alleles for breeding resilient potato genotypes for multiple environments.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Addressing gaps in AMR awareness in the public: an evidence-based policy brief to guide school curriculum review in Uganda

The government of Uganda, through its Ministry of Health, previously adopted curriculum review as a mechanism to respond to public health threats such as HIV/AIDS and include content in primary and secondary schools. This approach contributes to raising public awareness, a key strategy recommended by the World Health Organization to support the global response to the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This policy brief, developed for policymakers related to school curricula, aims to advocate for and support integration of AMR content in Uganda's primary and secondary level school curricula. The policy brief supports efforts by the multisectoral National AMR Subcommittee to create awareness on this issue as part of its role in facilitating the operationalization of Uganda's National Action Plan on AMR

Pre-formulation and delivery strategies for the development of bacteriocins as next generation antibiotics

peer-reviewedBacteriocins, a class of antimicrobial peptide produced by bacteria, may offer a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics, an important step towards mitigating the ever increasing antimicrobial resistance crisis. They are active against a range of clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteriocins have been discussed in the literature for over a century. Although they are used as preservatives in food, no medicine based on their antimicrobial activity exists on the market today. In order to formulate them into clinical antibiotics, pre-formulation studies on their biophysical and physicochemical properties that will influence their activity in vivo and their stability during manufacture must be elucidated. Thermal, pH and enzymatic stability of bacteriocins are commonly studied and regularly reported in the literature. Solubility, permeability and aggregation properties on the other hand are less frequently reported for many bacteriocins, which may contribute to their poor clinical progression. Promising cytotoxicity studies report that bacteriocins exhibit few cytotoxic effects on a variety of mammalian cell lines, at active concentrations. This review highlights the lack of quantitative data and in many cases even qualitative data, on bacteriocins’ solubility, stability, aggregation, permeability and cytotoxicity. The formulation strategies that have been explored to date, proposed routes of administration, trends in in vitro/in vivo behaviour and efforts in clinical development are discussed. The future promise of bacteriocins as a new generation of antibiotics may require tailored local delivery strategies to fulfil their potential as a force to combat antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections

Increasing access to integrated ESKD care as part of Universal Health Coverage

The global nephrology community recognizes the need for a cohesive strategy to address the growing problem of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). In March 2018, the International Society of Nephrology hosted a summit on integrated ESKD care, including 92 individuals from around the globe with diverse expertise and professional backgrounds. The attendees were from 41 countries, including 16 participants from 11 low- and lower-middle–income countries. The purpose was to develop a strategic plan to improve worldwide access to integrated ESKD care, by identifying and prioritizing key activities across 8 themes: (i) estimates of ESKD burden and treatment coverage, (ii) advocacy, (iii) education and training/workforce, (iv) financing/funding models, (v) ethics, (vi) dialysis, (vii) transplantation, and (viii) conservative care. Action plans with prioritized lists of goals, activities, and key deliverables, and an overarching performance framework were developed for each theme. Examples of these key deliverables include improved data availability, integration of core registry measures and analysis to inform development of health care policy; a framework for advocacy; improved and continued stakeholder engagement; improved workforce training; equitable, efficient, and cost-effective funding models; greater understanding and greater application of ethical principles in practice and policy; definition and application of standards for safe and sustainable dialysis treatment and a set of measurable quality parameters; and integration of dialysis, transplantation, and comprehensive conservative care as ESKD treatment options within the context of overall health priorities. Intended users of the action plans include clinicians, patients and their families, scientists, industry partners, government decision makers, and advocacy organizations. Implementation of this integrated and comprehensive plan is intended to improve quality and access to care and thereby reduce serious health-related suffering of adults and children affected by ESKD worldwide

African Linguistics in Central and Eastern Europe, and in the Nordic Countries

Non peer reviewe