CULTURAL MANAGEMENT OF RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID INFESTATION OF BREAD WHEAT VARIETIES IN KENYA

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is ecologically suited to East African countries and is the second important cereal after maize in Kenya. It is an important source of food, livestock feeds and income. However, its production (442,000 MT) does not meet annual domestic demand (1,750,000 MT), due to cereal aphids infestation. The most serious cereal aphid in Kenya is the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) ( Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov), causing yield losses of >90% when not controlled. The objective of this study was to develop low cost cultural, sustainable and environmentally safe practices for the management of the RWA in East Africa. Treatments included nine varieties, three seeding rates and three rates of nitrogen application. Nine commercial wheat varieties, K. Tai, K. Kingbird, K Wren, K. Korongo, K. Hawk, K. Sunbird, Robin, K. Eagle, and NBWII were sown. Main plots were assigned to wheat varieties, sown at three seeding rates 75, 100 and 125 kg ha-1. Sub-plots were assigned to three rates of nitrogen, 75, 100 and 130 kg N ha-1, applied at tillering stage (GS 22). Variety K. Korongo supported the lowest aphid count of 3.6 per 5 plants; followed by K. Hawk (3.8) and Robin (2.9 aphids). Robin gave the highest grain yield (2.9 t ha-1), followed by K. Korongo (2.7 t ha-1) and K. Hawk (2.5 t ha-1). Application of 100 kg N ha-1 and seeding at 100 kg ha-1 were the best rates.Le bl\ue9 ( Triticum aestivum L.) convient \ue9cologiquement aux pays de l\u2019Afrique de l\u2019est et est la deuxi\ue8me c\ue9r\ue9ale importante apr\ue8s le ma\uefs au Kenya. C\u2019est une source importante de nourriture, nourritures de b\ue9tail et revenu. Pourtant, sa production (442,000 MT) ne satisfait pas de demande domestique annuelle (1,750,000 MT), en raison de l\u2019infestation de pucerons de c\ue9r\ue9ale. Le puceron de c\ue9r\ue9ale le plus s\ue9rieux au Kenya est le puceron de bl\ue9 russe (RWA) ( Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov), en provoquant des pertes de production de> 90 % sinon contr\uf4l\ue9s. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9velopper bas le prix les pratiques culturelles, durables et environnementalement s\ufbres pour l\u2019administration du RWA \ue0 Afrique de l\u2019est. Les traitements ont inclus neuf vari\ue9t\ue9s, trois taux seeding et trois taux d\u2019application d\u2019azote. Neuf vari\ue9t\ue9s de bl\ue9 commerciales, K. Tai, K. Kingbird, K le Troglodyte, K. Korongo, K. Faucon, K. Sunbird, Robin, K. L\u2019aigle et NBWII ont \ue9t\ue9 sem\ue9s. Les complots principaux ont \ue9t\ue9 allou\ue9s aux vari\ue9t\ue9s de bl\ue9, sem\ue9es \ue0 trois taux seeding 75, 100 et \ue0 125 kg ha 1. Les sous-complots ont \ue9t\ue9 allou\ue9s \ue0 trois taux d\u2019azote, 75, 100 et de 130 kg N ha-1, appliqu\ue9 au stade tillering (GS 22). Vari\ue9t\ue9 K. Korongo a soutenu le compte de puceron le plus bas de 3.6 par 5 usines; suivi par K. Le faucon (3.8) et Robin (2.9 pucerons). Robin a donn\ue9 la plus haute production de grain (2.9 t ha-1), suivi par K. Korongo (2.7 t ha-1) et K. Le faucon (2.5 t ha-1). L\u2019application de 100 kg N ha-1 et de seeding \ue0 100 kg ha-1 \ue9tait les meilleurs taux

The future of African nowcasting

Nowcasting (weather forecasting predictions from zero to several hours) has enormous value and potential in Africa, where populations and economic activity are highly vulnerable to rapidly changing weather conditions. Timely issuing of warnings, a few hours before an event, can enable the public and decision-makers to take action. Rainfall radar estimates are not widely available in Africa, nor likely to be in the coming years, and numerical weather prediction (NWP) currently has low skill over the African continent. Therefore, for the delivery of nowcasting in Africa, satellite products are the best practical option and needed urgently (Roberts et al., 2021). Fifteen minute (or faster) updates of MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) images and NWC-SAF (Nowcasting Satellite Applications Facility) products are crucial for nowcasting to warn users (e.g. fisherfolk on Lake Victoria, flooding in urban areas, etc.) on pending severe storms. The possibility to have such products every 10 minutes, as well as data from the forthcoming MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) lightning imager, would be highly beneficial to all African countries, saving lives and livelihoods where high population growth and the most extreme impacts of climate change combine

Age at symptom onset and death and disease duration in genetic frontotemporal dementia : an international retrospective cohort study

Background: Frontotemporal dementia is a heterogenous neurodegenerative disorder, with about a third of cases being genetic. Most of this genetic component is accounted for by mutations in GRN, MAPT, and C9orf72. In this study, we aimed to complement previous phenotypic studies by doing an international study of age at symptom onset, age at death, and disease duration in individuals with mutations in GRN, MAPT, and C9orf72. Methods: In this international, retrospective cohort study, we collected data on age at symptom onset, age at death, and disease duration for patients with pathogenic mutations in the GRN and MAPT genes and pathological expansions in the C9orf72 gene through the Frontotemporal Dementia Prevention Initiative and from published papers. We used mixed effects models to explore differences in age at onset, age at death, and disease duration between genetic groups and individual mutations. We also assessed correlations between the age at onset and at death of each individual and the age at onset and at death of their parents and the mean age at onset and at death of their family members. Lastly, we used mixed effects models to investigate the extent to which variability in age at onset and at death could be accounted for by family membership and the specific mutation carried. Findings: Data were available from 3403 individuals from 1492 families: 1433 with C9orf72 expansions (755 families), 1179 with GRN mutations (483 families, 130 different mutations), and 791 with MAPT mutations (254 families, 67 different mutations). Mean age at symptom onset and at death was 49\ub75 years (SD 10\ub70; onset) and 58\ub75 years (11\ub73; death) in the MAPT group, 58\ub72 years (9\ub78; onset) and 65\ub73 years (10\ub79; death) in the C9orf72 group, and 61\ub73 years (8\ub78; onset) and 68\ub78 years (9\ub77; death) in the GRN group. Mean disease duration was 6\ub74 years (SD 4\ub79) in the C9orf72 group, 7\ub71 years (3\ub79) in the GRN group, and 9\ub73 years (6\ub74) in the MAPT group. Individual age at onset and at death was significantly correlated with both parental age at onset and at death and with mean family age at onset and at death in all three groups, with a stronger correlation observed in the MAPT group (r=0\ub745 between individual and parental age at onset, r=0\ub763 between individual and mean family age at onset, r=0\ub758 between individual and parental age at death, and r=0\ub769 between individual and mean family age at death) than in either the C9orf72 group (r=0\ub732 individual and parental age at onset, r=0\ub736 individual and mean family age at onset, r=0\ub738 individual and parental age at death, and r=0\ub740 individual and mean family age at death) or the GRN group (r=0\ub722 individual and parental age at onset, r=0\ub718 individual and mean family age at onset, r=0\ub722 individual and parental age at death, and r=0\ub732 individual and mean family age at death). Modelling showed that the variability in age at onset and at death in the MAPT group was explained partly by the specific mutation (48%, 95% CI 35\u201362, for age at onset; 61%, 47\u201373, for age at death), and even more by family membership (66%, 56\u201375, for age at onset; 74%, 65\u201382, for age at death). In the GRN group, only 2% (0\u201310) of the variability of age at onset and 9% (3\u201321) of that of age of death was explained by the specific mutation, whereas 14% (9\u201322) of the variability of age at onset and 20% (12\u201330) of that of age at death was explained by family membership. In the C9orf72 group, family membership explained 17% (11\u201326) of the variability of age at onset and 19% (12\u201329) of that of age at death. Interpretation: Our study showed that age at symptom onset and at death of people with genetic frontotemporal dementia is influenced by genetic group and, particularly for MAPT mutations, by the specific mutation carried and by family membership. Although estimation of age at onset will be an important factor in future pre-symptomatic therapeutic trials for all three genetic groups, our study suggests that data from other members of the family will be particularly helpful only for individuals with MAPT mutations. Further work in identifying both genetic and environmental factors that modify phenotype in all groups will be important to improve such estimates. Funding: UK Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, and Alzheimer's Society

Purification of Propylene and Ethylene by a Robust Metal–Organic Framework Mediated by Host–Guest Interactions

From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-03-19, pub-electronic 2021-06-07Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000266; Grant(s): EP/I011870, EP/R00661X/1, EP/S019367/1, EP/P025021/1, EP/P025498/1Funder: European Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000781; Grant(s): 742401Abstract: Industrial purification of propylene and ethylene requires cryogenic distillation and selective hydrogenation over palladium catalysts to remove propane, ethane and/or trace amounts of acetylene. Here, we report the excellent separation of equimolar mixtures of propylene/propane and ethylene/ethane, and of a 1/100 mixture of acetylene/ethylene by a highly robust microporous material, MFM‐520, under dynamic conditions. In situ synchrotron single crystal X‐ray diffraction, inelastic neutron scattering and analysis of adsorption thermodynamic parameters reveal that a series of synergistic host–guest interactions involving hydrogen bonding and π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions underpin the cooperative binding of alkenes within the pore. Notably, the optimal pore geometry of the material enables selective accommodation of acetylene. The practical potential of this porous material has been demonstrated by fabricating mixed‐matrix membranes comprising MFM‐520, Matrimid and PIM‐1, and these exhibit not only a high permeability for propylene (≈1984 Barrer), but also a separation factor of 7.8 for an equimolar mixture of propylene/propane at 298 K

Validation of differentially expressed brain-enriched microRNAs in the plasma of PD patients

Objective: There is a pressing need to identify and validate, minimally invasive, molecular biomarkers that will complement current practices and increase the diagnostic accuracy in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Brain-enriched miRNAs regulate all aspects of neuron development and function; importantly, they are secreted by neurons in amounts that can be readily detected in the plasma. Τhe aim of the present study was to validate a set of previously identified brain-enriched miRNAs with diagnostic potential for idiopathic PD and recognize the molecular pathways affected by these deregulated miRNAs. Methods: RT-qPCR was performed in the plasma of 92 healthy controls and 108 idiopathic PD subjects. Statistical and in silico analyses were used to validate deregulated miRNAs and pathways in PD, respectively. Results: miR-22-3p, miR-124-3p, miR-136-3p, miR-154-5p, and miR-323a-3p levels were found to be differentially expressed between healthy controls and PD patients. miR-330-5p, miR-433-3p, and miR-495-3p levels were overall higher in male subjects. Most of these miRNAs are clustered at Chr14q32 displaying CREB1, CEBPB, and MAZ transcription factor binding sites. Gene Ontology annotation analysis of deregulated miRNA targets revealed that “Protein modification,” “Transcription factor activity,” and “Cell death” terms were over-represented. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis revealed that “Long-term depression,” “TGF-beta signaling,” and “FoxO signaling” pathways were significantly affected. Interpretation: We validated a panel of brain-enriched miRNAs that can be used along with other measures for the detection of PD, revealed molecular pathways targeted by these deregulated miRNAs, and identified upstream transcription factors that may be directly implicated in PD pathogenesis. © 2020 The Authors. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc on behalf of American Neurological Association

Impact of N-acetylcysteine and sesame oil on lipid metabolism and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis homeostasis in middle-aged hypercholesterolemic mice

Hyperlipidemia and stress are important factors affecting cardiovascular health in middle-aged individuals. We investigated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and sesame oil on the lipidemic status, liver architecture and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of middle-aged mice fed a cholesterol-enriched diet. We randomized 36 middle-aged C57bl/6 mice into 6 groups: a control group, a cholesterol/cholic acid diet group, a cholesterol/cholic acid diet group with NAC supplementation, a cholesterol/cholic acid diet enriched with 10% sesame oil and two groups receiving a control diet enriched with NAC or sesame oil. NAC administration prevented the onset of the disturbed lipid profile, exhibiting decreased lipid peroxidation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, restored nitric oxide bioavailability and reduced hepatic damage, compared to non-supplemented groups. High-cholesterol feeding resulted in increased hypothalamic glucocorticoid receptors (GR) levels, while NAC supplementation prevented this effect. NAC supplementation presented significant antioxidant capacity by means of preventing serum lipid status alterations, hepatic damage, and HPA axis disturbance due to high-cholesterol feeding in middle-aged mice. These findings suggest a beneficial preventive action of plant-derived antioxidants, such as NAC, on lipid metabolism and on the HPA axis