Weedy Rice: Competitive Ability, Evolution, and Diversity

Weedy rice is conspecific, the most troublesome weed of cultivated rice identified as a threat to global rice production. The weed has inherited high reproductive ability and high dormancy by outcrossing with modern rice cultivars and wild cultivars, respectively. Traits such as rapid growth, high tillering, enhanced ability to uptake fertilizers, asynchronous maturation, seed shattering, and long dormancy periods make weedy rice more competitive than cultivated rice. Weedy rice infesting rice fields are morphologically diverse with different hull color, awn length, plant height, and variable tiller number. Morphological diversity in weedy rice can be attributed to its high genetic diversity. Introgression of alleles from cultivated rice into weedy has resulted in high genetic and morphological diversity in weedy rice. Although variations among weedy rice populations make them difficult to control, on the brighter side, competitive nature of weedy rice could be considered as raw genetic materials for rice breeding program to develop vigorous rice plants able to tolerate high biotic and abiotic stresses

Strengthening Supply Chains for a Sustainable Housing Sector in Nepal : Factors Influencing the Organization, Management, Relationships and the Adoption and Use of Green Practices, Products and Services

EU’s main approach to sustainable housing is promoting green practices/products within the building construction sectors SCs. EU Switch Asia program financed research conducted in Nepal, 2015, to understand the organization of SCs, identify factors/barriers affecting SCM and existing relationships, the reasons to adopt green concepts/approaches and recommend support for SMEs to strengthen the sector’s management and sustainability. 109 companies, non-probabilistic snowball sampling and semi-closed questionnaires used in the survey. Conclusions: Companies create SCs to increase customer satisfaction, maintain long-term sales and retain clients. Size of company influences SCs organisation, SCM and using/producing green products/services; majority of participants had a person in the company to manage SC’s and had very good knowledge of SC, SCM and greening issues. SMEs need support with: information/communication technology, promotion and improvement/development of green products/services. Government should: increases awareness of green building products

Pericytic mimicry in well-differentiated liposarcoma / atypical lipomatous tumor

Pericytes are modified smooth muscle cells that closely enwrap small blood vessels, regulating and supporting the microvasculature through direct endothelial contact. Pericytes demonstrate a distinct immunohistochemical profile, including expression of αSMA (Smooth Muscle Actin), CD146, PDGFRβ (Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor β), and RGS5 (regulator of G-protein signaling 5). Previously, pericyte related antigens have been observed to be present among a group of soft tissue tumors with a perivascular growth pattern, including glomus tumor, myopericytoma and angioleiomyoma. Similarly, malignant tumor cells have been shown to pericyte-like immunoprofile when present in a perivascular location, seen in malignant melanoma, glioblastoma, and adenocarcinoma. Here, we examine well-differentiated liposarcoma specimens, which showed some element of perivascular areas with the appearance of smooth muscle (N=7 tumors). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for pericyte antigens, including αSMA, CD146, PDGFRβ, and RGS5. Results showed consistent pericytic marker expression among liposarcoma tumor cells within a perivascular distribution. MDM2 immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization for MDM2 revealed that these perivascular cells were of tumor origin (7/7 tumors), while double immunohistochemical detection for CD31/CD146 ruled out an endothelial cell contribution. These findings further support the concept of pericytic mimicry, already established in diverse malignancies, and its presence in well-differentiated liposarcoma. The extent to which pericytic mimicry has prognostic significance in liposarcoma is as yet unknown

Potent Dengue virus neutralization by a therapeutic antibody with low monovalent affinity requires bivalent engagement

We recently described our most potently neutralizing monoclonal antibody, E106, which protected against lethal Dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1) infection in mice. To further understand its functional properties, we determined the crystal structure of E106 Fab in complex with domain III (DIII) of DENV-1 envelope (E) protein to 2.45 Å resolution. Analysis of the complex revealed a small antibody-antigen interface with the epitope on DIII composed of nine residues along the lateral ridge and A-strand regions. Despite strong virus neutralizing activity of E106 IgG at picomolar concentrations, E106 Fab exhibited a ∼20,000-fold decrease in virus neutralization and bound isolated DIII, E, or viral particles with only a micromolar monovalent affinity. In comparison, E106 IgG bound DENV-1 virions with nanomolar avidity. The E106 epitope appears readily accessible on virions, as neutralization was largely temperature-independent. Collectively, our data suggest that E106 neutralizes DENV-1 infection through bivalent engagement of adjacent DIII subunits on a single virion. The isolation of anti-flavivirus antibodies that require bivalent binding to inhibit infection efficiently may be a rare event due to the unique icosahedral arrangement of envelope proteins on the virion surface

Digitally strengthened, midwife-led intervention to reach the unreached mothers across ten conflict-prone provinces of Afghanistan during humanitarian crisis

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had significant negative impact on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) with devastating impact on pregnant women in resource constrain humanitarian settings. This paper provides detailed account of a community midwife-led intervention in ten humanitarian settings of Afghanistan using world health organization (WHO) emergency disaster risk management (EDRM) framework.Objectives: The project is aimed at increasing access to Integrated Package of Essential SRH Services and Minimal Initial Service Package (MISP) with a specific focus on prevention of Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) and screening and management of preeclampsia and eclampsia.Methods: The project was implemented through 150 Community outreach midwives (COMs). Each midwife served 300 households; mentored by gynaecologists and supervisors. Midwives were trained through a digitally enabled, simulation based training and equipped with a set of off-the shelf devices and kits.Results: During COVID-19 pandemic and in absence of health care services during crisis, this intervention has played as a lifesaving intervention for the community in Afghanistan. Variable digital literacy, sociocultural barriers, reluctance in adapting to digital platforms, security and uncertainties were some of the challenges faced. Adaptation of outreach methods integrated high impactful digital technologies has been the most appropriate strategy "to reach the unreached".Conclusion: Through this model, national and global stakeholders were engaged even during the crisis in Afghanistan. It also provided vital inputs for the donors, governments, civil society organizations and other stakeholders for sustaining and advancing the delivery of quality SRH services in humanitarian settings

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Evaluation of Herbicide Tolerance and Interference Potential Among Weedy Rice Germplasm

Weedy red rice is conspecific weed of rice, identified as a threat to global rice production. As weedy rice is more tolerant to stresses than cultivated rice and has wide genetic and morphological variation we hypothesized that weedy rice has high herbicide tolerance and weed suppressive potential. Herbicide tolerance and weed suppressive potential of 54 weedy rice accessions were evaluated and the traits were associated with molecular markers. Accessions B2, B20 and S11 showed high tolerance to glyphosate and B49, B51 and S59 had high tolerance to flumioxazin. All the accessions were controlled 100% with 1311g a.i/ha (1.5x) rate of glufosinate. Accession B2 inhibited the growth of barnyardgrass and amazon sprangletop by more than 50% indicating its high weed suppressive potential. Nei’s gene diversity and Shannon’s information index among the weedy rice accessions were found to be 0.45 and 0.66 respectively indicating high genetic diversity among weedy rice accessions

Crop Diversification for Improved Weed Management: A Review

Weeds are among the major constraints to any crop production system, reducing productivity and profitability. Herbicides are among the most effective methods to control weeds, and reliance on herbicides for weed control has increased significantly with the advent of herbicide-resistant crops. Unfortunately, over-reliance on herbicides leads to environmental-health issues and herbicide-resistant weeds, causing human health and ecological concerns. Crop diversification can help manage weeds sustainably in major crop production systems. It acts as an organizing principle under which technological innovations and ecological insights can be combined to manage weeds sustainably. Diversified cropping can be defined as the conscious inclusion of functional biodiversity at temporal and/or spatial levels to improve the productivity and stability of ecosystem services. Crop diversification helps to reduce weed density by negatively impacting weed seed germination and weed growth. Additionally, diversified farming systems are more resilient to climate change than monoculture systems and provide better crop yield. However, there are a few challenges to adopting a diversified cropping system, ranging from technology innovations, government policies, farm-level decisions, climate change, and market conditions. In this review, we discuss how crop diversification supports sustainable weed management, the challenges associated with it, and the future of weed management with respect to the diversification concept

Genetic Loci Associated with Resistance to Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus in Squash

Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV) is an aphid-transmitted potyvirus that causes severe yield losses in squash (Cucurbita moschata) production worldwide. Development of resistant cultivars using traditional breeding approaches relies on rigorous and resource-intensive phenotypic assays. QTL-seq, a whole genome re-sequencing based bulked segregant analysis, is a powerful tool for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in crop plants. In the current study, the QTL-seq approach was used to identify genetic loci associated with ZYMV resistance in an F2 population (n = 174) derived from a cross between Nigerian Local (resistant) and Butterbush (susceptible). Whole genome re-sequencing of the parents and bulks of resistant and susceptible F2 progeny revealed a mapping rate between 94.04% and 98.76%, and a final effective mapping depth ranging from 81.77 to 101.73 across samples. QTL-seq analysis identified four QTLs significantly (p < 0.05) associated with ZYMV resistance on chromosome 2 (QtlZYMV-C02), 4 (QtlZYMV-C04), 8 (QtlZYMV-C08) and 20 (QtlZYMV-C20). Seven markers within the QTL intervals were tested for association with ZYMV resistance in the entire F2 population. For QtlZYMV-C08, one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker (KASP-6) was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with ZYMV resistance, while two SNPs (KASP-1 and KASP-3) and an indel (Indel-2) marker were linked to resistance within QtlZYMV-C20. KASP-3 and KASP-6 are non-synonymous SNPs leading to amino acid substitutions in candidate disease resistant gene homologs on chromosomes 20 (CmoCh20G003040.1) and 8 (CmoCh08G007140.1), respectively. Identification of QTL and SNP markers associated with ZYMV resistance will facilitate marker-assisted selection for ZYMV resistance in squash

Exploring the Genetic Diversity among Weedy Rice Accessions Differing in Herbicide Tolerance and Allelopathic Potential

Increasing agricultural productivity is indispensable to meet future food demand. Crop improvement programs rely heavily on genetic diversity. The success of weeds in the ecosystem can be attributed to genetic diversity and plasticity. Weedy rice, a major weed of rice, has diverse morphology and phenology, implying wide genetic diversity. Study was conducted to genotype weedy rice accessions (n = 54) previously phenotyped for herbicide tolerance and allelopathic potential using 30 SSR markers. Cultivated rice (CL163, REX) and allelopathic rice (RONDO, PI312777, PI338047) were also included in the study. Nei’s genetic diversity among weedy rice (0.45) was found to be higher than cultivated rice (0.24) but less than allelopathic rice (0.56). The genetic relationship and population structure based on herbicide tolerance and allelopathic potential were evaluated. Herbicide-tolerant and susceptible accessions formed distinct clusters in the dendrogram, indicating their genetic variation, whereas no distinction was observed between allelopathic and non-allelopathic weedy rice accessions. Weedy rice accession B2, which was previously reported to have high allelopathy and herbicide tolerance, was genetically distinct from other weedy rice. Results from the study will help leverage weedy rice for rice improvement programs as both rice and weedy rice are closely related, thus having a low breeding barrier