Comparative durability of nevirapine versus efavirenz in first-line regimens during the first year of initiating antiretroviral therapy among Swaziland HIV-infected adults

Nevirapine (NVP) and Efavirenz (EFV) have generally comparable clinical and virologic efficacy. However, data comparing NVP durability to EFV are imprecise. We analyzed cohort data to compare durability of NVP to EFV among patients initiating ART in Mbabane, Swaziland. The primary outcome was poor regimen durability defined as any modification of NVP or EFV to the ART regimen. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed to estimate the risk of poor regimen durability (all-cause) for the two regimens and also separately to estimate risk of drug-related toxicity. We analyzed records for 769 patients initiating ART in Mbabane, Swaziland from March 2006 to December 2007. 30 patients (3.9%) changed their NVP or EFV-based regimen during follow up. Cumulative incidence for poor regimen durability was 5.3 % and 2.7 % for NVP and EFV, respectively. Cumulative incidence for drug-related toxicity was 1.9 % and 2.7 % for NVP and EFV, respectively. Burden of TB was high and 14 (46.7%) modifications were due to patients substituting NVP due to beginning TB treatment. Though the estimates were imprecise, use of NVP - based regimens seemed to be associated with higher risk of modifications compared to use of EFV - based regimens (HR 2.03 95%CI 0.58 - 7.05) and NVP - based regimens had a small advantage over EFV - based regimens with regard to toxicity - related modifications (HR 0.87 95%CI 0.26 - 2.90). Due to the high burden of TB and a significant proportion of patients changing their ART regimen after starting TB treatment, use of EFV as the preferred NNRTI over NVP in high TB endemic settings may result in improved first-line regimen tolerance. Further studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of delivering these two NNRTIs in light of their different limitations are required.Key words: Tolerability, Toxicity, Efavirenz, Nevirapine, Antiretroviral therapy, Resource limited setting, Swazilan

Past, Present and Future Perspectives on Groundnut Breeding in Burkina Faso

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a major food and cash crop in Burkina Faso. Due to the growing demand for raw oilseeds, there is an increasing interest in groundnut production from traditional rain-fed areas to irrigated environments. However, despite implementation of many initiatives in the past to increase groundnut productivity and production, the groundnut industry still struggles to prosper due to the fact of several constraints including minimal development research and fluctuating markets. Yield penalty due to the presence of drought and biotic stresses continue to be a major drawback for groundnut production. This review traces progress in the groundnut breeding that started in Burkina Faso before the country’s political independence in 1960 through to present times. Up to the 1980s, groundnut improvement was led by international research institutions such as IRHO (Institute of Oils and Oleaginous Research) and ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics). However, international breeding initiatives were not su�cient to establish a robust domestic groundnut breeding programme. This review also provides essential information about opportunities and challenges for groundnut research in Burkina Faso, emphasising the need for institutional attention to genetic improvement of the crop

The prevalence of serum antibodies to tick-borne infections in Mbale District, Uganda: The effect of agro-ecological zone, grazing management and age of cattle

Between August and October 2000, a cross-sectional study was conducted in smallholder dairy farms in Mbale District, Uganda to assess the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne diseases under different grazing systems and agro-ecological zones and understand the circumstances under which farmers operated. A questionnaire was administered to obtain information on dairy farm circumstances and practices. A total of 102 farms were visited and sera and ticks were collected from 478 animals. Sero-prevalence of tick-borne diseases was determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Acaricides were used indiscriminately but the intensity of their use varied with the grazing system and zone. Cattle from different farms mixed for various reasons. During the dry seasons farmers have to get additional fodder from outside their farms that can result in importation of ticks. The prevalence of ticks and serum antibodies to tick-borne infections differed across the grazing systems and zones. The highest serum antibody prevalence (>60%) was recorded in the lowland zone under the free range and tethering grazing systems. The lowest tick challenge and serum antibody levels (<50%) were recorded in the midland and upland zones under a zero-grazing system. These findings suggest that endemic stability to East Coast Fever, babesiosis and anaplasmosis is most likely to have existed in the lowland zone, particularly, under the tethering and free-range grazing systems. Also, endemic stability for babesiosis existed in the upland zones. Endemic instability for East Coast Fever existed in the midland and upland zones. These structured observational studies are instrumental in planning of control strategies for ticks and tick borne diseases since production systems and the cattle population at high risk of the diseases in the district have been identified. Abbreviation: / zone: agro-ecological zon

Groundnut Production Guide for Uganda: Recommended Practices for Farmers

Groundnut is one of the staple crops in the Uganda rich in protein, oil and essential minerals. The crop is increasingly becoming a cash crop and both production area and productivity are increasing. This is evident by the significant expansion of the industry in Uganda and with spillovers in the neighbouring countries. The end-users’ preferences of groundnuts vary and are dynamic. The crop also suffers from numerous pests and diseases and erratic weather that affect production. The National Groundnuts Improvement Programme responded to these challenges by developing groundnuts varieties to meets these challenges. The manual contains valuable scientific information about crop management topics such as land preparation, varietal selection, seed management, crop protection and postharvest management under Ugandan conditions. The appendices contain a catalogue of groundnut varieties released since 1966 with their yields and botanical classifications. This is in addition to the summarized poster of recommended practices at major growth stages covering pre- and post harvest operations The manual is carefully written in comprehensible language while making no scientific compromises. I believe that this production manual will become an essential source of ideas and information for any farmer, extension staff, and researchers interested in cultivating groundnuts in Uganda. NARO as a leader of quality agricultural research and development in the country and the region furnishes the users with practical technologies and the accompanying packages. Publication of this production manual is thus timely, and will help the wide spectrum of industry stakeholders (agricultural researchers, extension people, smallholder producers, agricultural consultants and commercial producers) by providing information on best management practices that will improve groundnut productivity and quality. I sincerely thank the development partners for their contribution towards the production of this manual. The management of NARO applauds this effort by the authors and hope that the messages in the manual reach the intended users as we strive towards a sustainable quality groundnut production and productivity, and improvement of livelihoods

Genotype-by-environment interactions for grain yield of Valencia groundnut genotypes in East and Southern Africa

Grain yield is a quantitatively inherited trait in groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) and subject to genotype by environment interactions. Groundnut varieties show wide variation in grain yield across different agro-ecologies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate Valencia groundnut genotypes for yield stability and classify environments to devise appropriate breeding strategies. Seventeen multi-location trials were conducted in six countries, viz., Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia, from 2013 to 2016. The experiments were laid out following a resolvable incomplete block design, with two replications at each location (hereafter referred to as ‘environments’) using 14 test lines and two standard checks. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis was conducted. Variation attributable to environments, genotypes and genotype × environment interaction for grain yield was highly significant (P<0.001). Genotype, environment and genotype × environment interactions accounted for 7%, 53 % and 40% of the total sum of squares respectively. Superior-performing genotypes possessing high to moderate adaptability and stability levels included ICGV-SM 0154, ICGV-SM 07539, ICGV-SM 07536, ICGV-SM 7501, ICGV-SM 99568 and ICGV SM 07520. Nachingwea 2013 in Tanzania, Nakabango 2014 in Uganda and Chitedze 2015 in Malawi were the most representative and discriminative environments. Considering the implications of interactions for Valencia groundnut breeding in East and Southern Africa we propose that different varieties should be targeted for production in different environments and at the same time used for breeding in specific environments

HERITABILITY FOR RESISTANCE TO ROSETTE DISEASE IN EXOTIC VALENCIA GROUNDNUTS

Groundnut rosette disease (GRD) is the most destructive virus disease of Valencia groundnuts ( Arachis hypogaea L.) in sub-Saharan Africa. Cultural, biological and chemical control measures have received limited success due to small scale farmers\u2019 inability to use them. Use of host plant resistance provides the most effective and economically viable management option for the resource poor farmers. This study was conducted to determine heritability for resistance to GRD in Valencia groundnuts. Six crosses; Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 96801(P2), Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), NuMex-M3 (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), NuMex-M3 7 ICGV-SM 96801 (P2), and NuMex-M3 (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), were made to generate F1, F2, BC1P1 and BC1P2 populations. Data on GRD severity were collected on a 1-9 score scale. Genetic Advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) and heritability were estimated using variance components. Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) estimates were high (20.04-70.1%) in the six crosses, except for Valencia C 7 ICGV-SM 96801(18.1%) and NuMex-M3 7 ICGV-SM 96801(17.1%), which exhibited moderate GCV values. Broad and narrow sense heritability estimates for GRD disease score ranged from 64.1 to 73.7% and 31 to 41.9%, respectively, in all the crosses. GAM was high in all the crosses (21-50.7%), except for Valencia C x ICGV-SM 96801 (14.67), M3 x ICGV-SM 99566 (18%) and NuMex-M3 x ICGV-SM 96801 (13.5%) crosses that exhibited moderate GAM. The study revealed the presence of variability of GRD resistance, implying that genetic improvement of these exotic materials is possible.La maladie de rosette chez l\u2019arachide ( Arachis hypogaea L.) est la plus destructive des maladies virales chez les vari\ue9t\ue9s Valencia en Afrique au sud du Sahara. Les moyens de lutte culturale, biologique et chimique pr\ue9sentent des limitations surtout li\ue9es \ue0 l\u2019inhabilit\ue9 des petits producteurs \ue0 les mettre en pratique. L\u2019utilisation de vari\ue9t\ue9s resistantes repr\ue9sente le moyen le plus efficace et \ue9conomiquement viable pour les petits producteurs. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 conduite afin de d\ue9terminer l\u2019h\ue9ritabilit\ue9 de la r\ue9sistance \ue0 la maladie de rosette chez les vari\ue9t\ue9s d\u2019arachide Valencia. Six croisements; Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 96801(P2), Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), NuMex-M3 (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), NuMex-M3 7 ICGV-SM 96801 (P2), et NuMex-M3 (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), ont \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9s afin de g\ue9n\ue9rer F1, F2, BC1P1 et BC1P2 populations. Des donn\ue9es ont \ue9t\ue9 collect\ue9es sur le degr\ue9 s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9 de GRD en se servant d\u2019une \ue9chelle de 1-9. Les param\ue8tres d\u2019avanc\ue9e g\ue9n\ue9tique exprim\ue9e en pourcentage de la moyenne (GAM) et h\ue9ritabilit\ue9 ont \ue9t\ue9 estim\ue9s \ue0 partir de composantes de variance. Le coefficient de variation ph\ue9notypique (PCV) et g\ue9notypique (GCV) estim\ue9s \ue9taient \ue9lev\ue9s (20,04-70,1%) dans les six croisements, sauf pour Valencia C 7 ICGV-SM 96801(18,1%) et NuMex-M3 7 ICGV-SM 96801(17,1%), o\uf9 les valeurs de GCV \ue9taient mod\ue9r\ue9es. Les valeurs de l\u2019h\ue9ritabilit\ue9 au sens large et au sens strict pour la r\ue9sistance \ue0 GRD variaient respectivement de 64,1 \ue0 73,7% et de 31 \ue0 41,9%, au niveau de tous les croisements. Les valeurs de GAM \ue9taient \ue9lev\ue9es au niveau de tous les croisements (21-50,7%), sauf pour les croisements Valencia C x ICGV-SM 96801 (14,67), M3 x ICGV-SM 99566 (18%) et NuMex-M3 x ICGV-SM 96801 (13,5%) o\uf9 les valeurs de GAM \ue9taient mod\ue9r\ue9es. L\u2019\ue9tude a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 l\u2019existence dans la r\ue9sistance au GRD, ceci implique qu\u2019il est possible d\u2019entreprendre l\u2019am\ue9lioration g\ue9n\ue9tique de ces mat\ue9riels

Bridging the gap: decomposing sources of gender yield gaps in Uganda groundnut production

Female plot managers in Sub-Saharan Africa often realize significantly lower crop yields than their male counterparts. Even for legumes, which are often referred to as ‘women’s crops’, yields are significantly lower. This study investigated the underlying causes of this gender yield gap in groundnut production. The analysis is based on survey data from 228 farm households from two groundnut growing regions in Uganda. We used the Blinder-Oaxaca model to decompose factors that contribute to this yield gap. Results show 63% and 44% gender yield gaps for improved and local varieties, respectively, with female plot managers realizing less than their male counterparts. Improved groundnut seeds increase female plot manager’s yields but not the yields of male plot managers. Male advantage and female disadvantage combined account for more than 70% of the yield gap in both improved and local groundnut variety production and exceed pure productivity differences. Labor use differences between female and male plot managers and variety types explain the observed yield gap. Interventions and policies that increase women’s access to productive inputs including improved seed will significantly contribute to closing the yield gap, and thereby increase crop production, food security, as well as women’s incomes

GENETICS OF RESISTANCE TO GROUNDNUT ROSETTE VIRUS DISEASE

Groundnut Rosette Virus disease (GRD) has long been regarded a major limiting biotic constraint to groundnut production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The disease is caused by a complex of three viral components that interact in a synergistic fashion resulting into severe crop losses. A study was conducted to better understand the genetics of inheritance of GRD resistance. Nineteen groundnut genotypes among which twelve F2 families populations arising from a 3x4 North Carolina II mating design, were evaluated for their percentage disease severity (PDS) and incidence (PDI). There was significant genetic variability for resistance to GRD among the materials studied with more significant additive gene action as compared to non additive. However, since specific combining ability effects were not so consistent among the F2 family populations, evaluation and testing of progenies alongside with their parents would be more meaningful and selection in the early generations would be the most effective strategy. Further, narrow sense heritability of 53% suggests that prerformance of groundnut progenies could be partly predicted by both parental and individual cross means.La rosette, une maladie virale de l\u2019arachide (GRD) a pendant longtemps \ue9t\ue9 consid\ue9r\ue9e comme une contrainte biotique majeur \ue0 la production de l\u2019arachide en Afrique Sub Saharienne (SSA). La maladie est caus\ue9e par un complexe de trois composants viraux qui interagissent de fa\ue7on synerg\ue9tique causant ainsi de pertes lourdes de la culture. Une \ue9tude \ue9tait men\ue9e afin de mieux comprendre l\u2019acquisition g\ue9n\ue9tique de la r\ue9sistance de GRD. Dix neuf g\ue9notypes d\u2019arachides parmi douze populations de famille F2 provenant de la disposition du mating 3x4 de Nord Caroline II \ue9taient \ue9valu\ue9s sur base de leur pourcentage de s\ue9verit\ue9 (PDS) et incidence maladie (PDI). Une variabilit\ue9 significative de la r\ue9sistance au GRD parmi le mat\ue9riel \ue9tudi\ue9 avec plus d\u2019 action additive significative du g\ue8ne en comparaison \ue0 la non additive. Par ailleurs, du fait que les effets de combinaison des aptitudes n\u2019\ue9taient pas consistants parmi les populations de familles F2, l\u2019\ue9valuation et le test des prog\ue9nies avec leurs parents pourraient \ueatre plus significatif et la s\ue9lection parmi les g\ue9n\ue9rations pr\ue9coces pourrait \ueatre une strat\ue9gie la plus efficace. Aussi, l\u2019heritabilit\ue9 de 53% sugg\ue8re que la performance des prog\ue9nies d\u2019arachide pourrait partiellement \ueatre pr\ue9dit par le moyen de croisements parentaux et individuals

Stakeholder narratives on trypanosomiasis, their effect on policy and the scope for One Health

Background This paper explores the framings of trypanosomiasis, a widespread and potentially fatal zoonotic disease transmitted by tsetse flies (Glossina species) affecting both humans and livestock. This is a country case study focusing on the political economy of knowledge in Zambia. It is a pertinent time to examine this issue as human population growth and other factors have led to migration into tsetse-inhabited areas with little historical influence from livestock. Disease transmission in new human-wildlife interfaces such as these is a greater risk, and opinions on the best way to manage this are deeply divided. Methods A qualitative case study method was used to examine the narratives on trypanosomiasis in the Zambian policy context through a series of key informant interviews. Interviewees included key actors from international organisations, research organisations and local activists from a variety of perspectives acknowledging the need to explore the relationships between the human, animal and environmental sectors. Principal Findings Diverse framings are held by key actors looking from, variously, the perspectives of wildlife and environmental protection, agricultural development, poverty alleviation, and veterinary and public health. From these viewpoints, four narratives about trypanosomiasis policy were identified, focused around four different beliefs: that trypanosomiasis is protecting the environment, is causing poverty, is not a major problem, and finally, that it is a Zambian rather than international issue to contend with. Within these narratives there are also conflicting views on the best control methods to use and different reasoning behind the pathways of response. These are based on apparently incompatible priorities of people, land, animals, the economy and the environment. The extent to which a One Health approach has been embraced and the potential usefulness of this as a way of reconciling the aims of these framings and narratives is considered throughout the paper. Conclusions/Significance While there has historically been a lack of One Health working in this context, the complex, interacting factors that impact the disease show the need for cross-sector, interdisciplinary decision making to stop rival narratives leading to competing actions. Additional recommendations include implementing: surveillance to assess under-reporting of disease and consequential under-estimation of disease risk; evidence-based decision making; increased and structurally managed funding across countries; and focus on interactions between disease drivers, disease incidence at the community level, and poverty and equity impacts

Current status of groundnut improvement in Uganda

In Uganda, groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) is the second most important legume after beans. Groundnuts is cultivated on nearly 260,000 ha, representing 24.6% of the total arable land. On-farm pod yields are low, averaging 800 kg/ha of dry pods, compared to on-station potential yields of 3,000kg/ha. Sales from current production could potentially generate $344 million to the producers who are largely small-scale farmers. The yield gaps are attributed to a combination of biotic, abiotic, cultural and political factors. Since the 1920s, research efforts have released 24 varieties, the most recent commercial varieties being the Serenut 1-14 series. These varieties have overcome some of the mentioned production constraints. However, varied growing agroecologies, land tenure systems, diverse market preferences, and emerging stresses call for continuous research. Current research agenda includes breeding for high oleic, leafminer resistance, confectionery, aflatoxin tolerance, drought tolerance, early to medium maturing varieties, high yielding, and rosette disease resistant varieties. We have initiated Marker Assisted Selection for high oleic breeding and adopted BMS for Digitalization of data capture, management, analyses and storage. Recently developed regeneration protocol will aid in introgressing additional traits across taxa. The bimodal rainfall pattern and active hybridization programme increases our breeding cycles. To date, the groundnut breeding program has an active breeding pipeline frequently releasing varieties and lines which have already been shared with National Programs across Africa, Haiti and the USA with many additional National Programs making requests. We have strong partnerships in Research and Development among the African Countries, USAID, ICRISAT, and BMGF