Generation of doubled haploid lines from winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding material using in vitro anther culture

We investigated the anther culture (AC) efficiency of thirteen F4 combinations of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The genotype dependency was assessed during the induction of the androgenic entities, i.e. embryo-like structures (ELS), regenerated-, green-, albino-, and transplanted plantlets. The number of green plantlets per 100 anthers (GP/100A) varied from 0.36 to 24.74 GP/100A with a mean of 8.31 GP/100A. Albino plantlets (AP) occurred in each combination, ranging from 0.20 to 22.80 AP/100A with an average value of 5.59 AP/100A. Between 25–87.76 doubled haploid (DH) plants per 100 acclimatised plantlets (DH/100ADP), depending on the combination, with a mean of 59.74% were recovered. We have found the highest DH production in the combinations Béres/Midas, Kalász/Tacitus, Béres/Pamier, and Premio/5009. This improves remarkably the choice of basic genetic material in subsequent crossing programmes. These observations emphasise the usability and efficiency of in vitro AC in producing a large number of DH lines for breeding and the applied researches of winter wheat. Although albinism was found in each combination, it was mitigated by the in vitro AC application

Gastro-protective and anti-acidic effects of Corchorus trilocularis Linn against diclofenac-induced gastric ulcers.

Ethnopharmacological RelevanceCorchorus trilocularis Linn leaves are consumed as green leafy vegetables that are boiled and used as relish, or potherb by some rural communities in Eastern Africa for the treatment of stomach ulcers.Aim: This study investigated the gastro-protective effects of Corchorus trilocularis Linn (local name ‘mrenda’), a popularly consumed vegetable in Kenya, on diclofenac-induced gastric ulcers and established its possible mechanisms of action.Methods: In the in-vivo study, thirty six Sprague dawley rats of either sex weighing 150-200 grams were randomly assigned into a normal control (distilled water), negative control (distilled water plus diclofenac sodium), treatment (200 and 400 mg/kg Corchorus trilocularis Linn plus diclofenac sodium), positive control group (omeprazole plus diclofenac sodium), or comparison group (400 mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of spinach). The ulcer index, total acidity, volume, pH of gastric secretions, and gastric morphology were assessed. In the in-vitro anti-acidity study, a rat stomach was perfused with Kreb’s solution and the pH of the mucosal perfusate measured using a digital pH meter for 1 hour after exposure to histamine, acetylcholine, or pre-treatment with 400 mg/kg of the extract prior to addition the acid secretagogues.Results: The extract, significantly reduced the ulcer index and total acidity in comparison to the diclofenac group. The high dose extract also increased the gastric pH and had cytoprotective effects. However, it did not significantly affect the volume of gastric secretions. In the in-vitro study, the extract significantly inhibited histamine and acetylcholine stimulated gastric acid secretions as analyzed by the areas under curve for pH against time.Conclusions. The gastro-protective effects of Corchorus trilocularis Linn against diclofenac induced gastric ulcers are; therefore, mediated through preservation of the gastric mucosal barrier, increase in gastric pH, and inhibition of gastric acid secretion through the histamine H2 and acetylcholine M3 extracellular pathways on the parietal cell

Explaining the continuing high prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis unknown to the health system in evaluation units: a mixed methods explanatory study in four trachoma-endemic countries

BACKGROUND: We explored reasons for continuing higher-than-anticipated prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) unknown to the health system in population-based prevalence surveys in evaluation units where full geographical coverage of TT case finding was reported. METHODS: A mixed-methods study in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania was conducted. We compared data from clinical examination, campaign documentation and interviews with original trachoma impact survey (TIS) results. RESULTS: Of 169 TT cases identified by TIS teams, 130 (77%) were examined in this study. Of those, 90 (69%) were a match (both TIS and study teams agreed on TT classification) and 40 (31%) were a mismatch. Of the 40 mismatches, 22 (55%) were identified as unknown to the health system by the study team but as known to the health system by the TIS team; 12 (30%) were identified as not having TT by the study team but as having TT by the TIS team; and six (15%) were identified as unknown to the health system in the TIS team but as known to the health system by the study team based on documentation reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Incorrectly reported geographical coverage of case-finding activities, and discrepancies in TT status between TIS results and more detailed assessments, are the key reasons identified for continuing high TT prevalence

Identical Genotype B3 Sequences from Measles Patients in 4 Countries, 2005

Surveillance of measles virus detected an epidemiologic link between a refugee from Kenya and a Dutch tourist in New Jersey, USA. Identical genotype B3 sequences from patients with contemporaneous cases in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in November and December 2005 indicate that Kenya was likely to have been the common source of virus

Effect of Bamlanivimab vs Placebo on Incidence of COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff of Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE Preventive interventions are needed to protect residents and staff of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities from COVID-19 during outbreaks in their facilities. Bamlanivimab, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2, may confer rapid protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of bamlanivimab on the incidence of COVID-19 among residents and staff of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized, double-blind, single-dose, phase 3 trial that enrolled residents and staff of 74 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in the United States with at least 1 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 index case. A total of 1175 participants enrolled in the study from August 2 to November 20, 2020. Database lock was triggered on January 13, 2021, when all participants reached study day 57. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to receive a single intravenous infusion of bamlanivimab, 4200mg (n = 588), or placebo (n = 587). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcomewas incidence of COVID-19, defined as the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and mild or worse disease severity within 21 days of detection, within 8 weeks of randomization. Key secondary outcomes included incidence of moderate or worse COVID-19 severity and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS The prevention population comprised a total of 966 participants (666 staff and 300 residents) who were negative at baseline for SARS-CoV-2 infection and serology (mean age, 53.0 [range, 18-104] years; 722 [74.7%] women). Bamlanivimab significantly reduced the incidence of COVID-19 in the prevention population compared with placebo (8.5%vs 15.2%; odds ratio, 0.43 [95%CI, 0.28-0.68]; P < .001; absolute risk difference, −6.6 [95%CI, −10.7 to −2.6] percentage points). Five deaths attributed to COVID-19 were reported by day 57; all occurred in the placebo group. Among 1175 participants who received study product (safety population), the rate of participants with adverse events was 20.1% in the bamlanivimab group and 18.9% in the placebo group. The most common adverse events were urinary tract infection (reported by 12 participants [2%] who received bamlanivimab and 14 [2.4%] who received placebo) and hypertension (reported by 7 participants [1.2%] who received bamlanivimab and 10 [1.7%] who received placebo). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among residents and staff in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, treatment during August-November 2020 with bamlanivimab monotherapy reduced the incidence of COVID-19 infection. Further research is needed to assess preventive efficacy with current patterns of viral strains with combination monoclonal antibody therapy

A digital microfluidic system for serological immunoassays in remote settings

Serosurveys are useful for assessing population susceptibility to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Although at-risk populations in remote areas could benefit from this type of information, they face several logistical barriers to implementation, such as lack of access to centralized laboratories, cold storage, and transport of samples. We describe a potential solution: a compact and portable, field-deployable, point-of-care system relying on digital microfluidics that can rapidly test a small volume of capillary blood for disease-specific antibodies. This system uses inexpensive, inkjet-printed digital microfluidic cartridges together with an integrated instrument to perform enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). We performed a field validation of the system’s analytical performance at Kakuma refugee camp, a remote setting in northwestern Kenya, where we tested children aged 9 to 59 months and caregivers for measles and rubella immunoglobulin G (IgG). The IgG assays were determined to have sensitivities of 86% [95% confidence interval (CI), 79 to 91% (measles)] and 81% [95% CI, 73 to 88% (rubella)] and specificities of 80% [95% CI, 49 to 94% (measles)] and 91% [95% CI, 76 to 97% (rubella)] (measles, n = 140; rubella, n = 135) compared with reference tests (measles IgG and rubella IgG ELISAs from Siemens Enzygnost) conducted in a centralized laboratory. These results demonstrate a potential role for this point-of-care system in global serological surveillance, particularly in remote areas with limited access to centralized laboratories

African Head and Neck Society Clinical Practice guidelines for thyroid nodules and cancer in developing countries and limited resource settings

Background International thyroid nodule and cancer management guidelines generally fail to take into account potential limitations in diagnostic and treatment resources. Methods Thyroid cancer specialists from the African Head and Neck Society and American Head & Neck Society Endocrine Section developed guidelines for diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings. Recommendations were based on literature review and expert opinion, with level of evidence defined. Results Using the ADAPTE process, diagnostic and treatment algorithms were adapted from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Low resource settings were simulated by systematically removing elements such as availability of laboratory testing, hormone replacement, imaging, and cytopathology from NCCN guidelines. Conclusions Successful management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings requires adaptation of treatment methodologies. These guidelines define specific scenarios where either more or less aggressive intervention for thyroid pathology may be advisable based on limited available resources