Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

The Potential of Acrocomia Value Webs for Rural Development and Bioeconomy in Paraguay = El Potencial de las redes de valor basadas en acrocomia para el desarrollo rural y la bioeconomía en Paraguay

Acrocomia ssp. is a native palm tree in Latin America which grows wildly and produces rich oil-bearing fruits traditionally used as food and fodder. Oils from pulp and kernel have applications in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and bioenergy sectors. Husk, endocarp and pressed cakes are by-products with manifold applications. This multipurpose characteristic of Acrocomia suits the concept of bioeconomy. Agronomic aspects, cultivation, breeding, crop management and further applications are progressively studied. Paraguay is a natural habitat of Acrocomia, which gained economic importance by mid of the 20th century with the emergence of vegetable oil industry. It is considered as an alternative crop to diversify income sources for peasant and smallholder family farmers. They represent 90% of farms in Paraguay and increasingly face multiple challenges associated to agribusiness activities. Using the approach of biomass value web, this research aims to analyse the existing Acrocomia value chains in Paraguay, identifying opportunities and constraints for inclusive upgrading. Complementary, a bottom-up Acrocomia initiative in the region of San Pedro del Paraná (Itapúa) is studied, which focus on small-scale cultivation and processing of Acrocomia fruits

A review of the knowledge base for the development of natural ingredients value chains for a sustainable biobased economy in Colombia

Abstract Natural ingredients (NIs) from plant biodiversity represent a value creation strategy in the transition to a sustainable biobased economy, especially in biodiversity rich countries. A necessary action to achieve this purpose is to orientate research and strengthen the knowledge base of NIs following a value chain (VC) approach. Although the promotion of NIVCs has gained increasing attention in the bioeconomy, a description of the scientific progress, research advances and gaps towards their development is necessary. This review aimed to scrutinize the existing literature on NIVCs to determine its state of progress. Firstly, we explored the global diffusion of research on natural plant ingredients. Secondly, we examined the research landscape in Colombia, focusing on the cooperation between countries, economic sectors impacted, and plant species reported. Lastly, we selected the most reported plant species as a promising NI source in Colombia to assess the literature that constitute the knowledge base of this plant in relation to the VC building blocks: biomass production, biomass processing, product development, and transversal aspects such as sustainability and governance. We show that research on NIs has risen worldwide, with notable scientific output from China, India, and the United States. In Colombia, the interest in NIs from plant biodiversity has also gained importance in the research agenda. Its progress is based on extensive collaboration between institutions, mainly from Spain, the United States, and Brazil. Its research prospects include diverse applications in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. We identify Lippia origanoides as the most reported native plant in scientific literature in Colombia. Using this plant as case study, we provide an overview of the knowledge base of L. origanoides in relation to the VC. Our results indicate that most publications focus on product development, suggesting a lack of comprehensive coverage of the VC and potentially neglected aspects. Based on this, we describe the current and desired scenario of L. origanoides VCs, as well as needs and opportunities for their sustainable implementation in Colombia. This contributes to build research and development roadmaps of sustainable NIVCs from plant diversity supported by multi-stakeholder collaboration

Social Aspects in the Assessment of Biobased Value Chains

Social Life-Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is under continuous development. The Methodological Sheets for Subcategories in S-LCA are a set of guidelines commonly used for the performance of such assessments. They cover a variety of stakeholders and subcategories for the social assessment of products in general. However, they may not necessarily be appropriate for the assessment of biobased value chains of agricultural and forestry origin. The aim of this study is the identification of social aspects relevant for the assessment of biobased value chains across various regions of the world, including those aspects possibly overlooked in the Methodological Sheets for Subcategories in S-LCA. For this purpose, a literature review of empirical studies was performed using the sheets as a reference. The results show that the Methodological Sheets for Subcategories in S-LCA provide good coverage of social topics relevant for biobased value chains, but that the stakeholders “smallholder” and “family farm” are not adequately addressed. Drawing on the empirical literature reviewed, the study emphasizes the relevance of these stakeholders in the analysis of biobased value chains of agricultural and forestry origin, and proposes criteria for consideration in the assessment of this stakeholder

Acrocomia spp.: neglected crop, ballyhooed multipurpose palm or fit for the bioeconomy? A review

International audienceAcrocomia spp., a genus of wild-growing palms in the neotropics, is rapidly gaining interest as a promising multipurpose crop. Diverse products can be derived from various components of the palm, the oils being of highest interest. Acrocomia shows similar oil yield and fatty acid composition to the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). It is, however, able to cope with a wider range of environmental conditions, including temporary water scarcity and lower temperatures, thus potentially a more sustainable alternative to its tropical counterpart. Acrocomia’s research history is recent compared to other traditional crops and thus knowledge gaps, uncertainty, and challenges need to be addressed. This review attempts to assess the acrocomia’s preparedness for cultivation by highlighting the state-of-the-art in research and identifying research gaps. Based on a systematic literature search following a value web approach, it (a) provides a comprehensive overview of research topics, (b) shows the development of publication activities over time and the drivers of this development, and (c) compiles main findings to assess the acrocomia’s preparedness for commercial cultivation. Our results confirm its multipurpose characteristic as a potential feedstock for manifold sectors. Research has continued to increase over the last decade, especially on A. aculeata and is driven by the interest in bioenergy. Increasing knowledge on botany has contributed to understanding the genetic diversity and genus-specific biology. This has enabled applied research on seed germination and propagation toward domestication and initial plantation activities, mostly in Brazil. Main research gaps are associated with genotype–environment interaction, planting material, crop management, and sustainable cropping systems. Overall, we conclude that acrocomia is at an early phase of development as an alternative and multipurpose crop and its up-scaling requires the integration of sustainability strategies tailored to location-based social-ecological conditions

A Collaborative, Systems Approach for the Development of Biomass-Based Value Webs: The Case of the Acrocomia Palm

The diversification of biomass resources is key to the transition towards a bioeconomy. Acrocomia spp., a neotropical genus of palms, is an example of plants’ diversity potential for a sustainable bioeconomy. Acrocomia’s adaptability to environments outside rainforests, its specific fruit properties and high yields has generated the interest of researchers and entrepreneurs, triggering its introduction as a multipurpose oil crop. Developing sustainability-oriented and knowledge-based acrocomia value webs requires a collaborative, systems approach from the outset. Fostering an inter- and transdisciplinary dialogue on acrocomia through a participatory workshop with both academic and non-academic actors contributed to this endeavor. This allowed the identification of priorities, knowledge gaps, and stakeholder roles, and served as the basis for the co-creation of a research and development roadmap. Key steps for the introduction of acrocomia include intertwined technical aspects relating to the development of planting material, cultivation systems, processing technologies and applications, market entry, and value web governance aspects. A broad collaboration among scientists, the public and private sectors, farmers, and civil society, is required for the development of acrocomia value webs. The incorporation of sustainability and a consideration of context in the design and development phases are fundamental to fostering the sustainable performance of acrocomia value webs