Vitamin D, Parathyroid Hormone, Insulin Sensitivity and Islet β-Cell Secretory Function in Diabetic Patients from South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The role of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in the metabolic profile of type 2 diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa has not been adequately assessed. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of low vitamin D level and secondary hyperparathyroidism and their association with insulin sensitivity and β-cell secretory function among Congolese type 2 diabetics. Methodology: Fasting glycaemia, fasting insulin, 25OH D3 and human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) were measured in one hundred and eighty-four type 2 diabetic patients followed as outpatients in South Kivu. Levels of 25OH D3 65 pg/ml defined low vitamin D and elevated parathyroid hormone levels, respectively. The HOMA model was used to measure insulin sensitivity and β-cell secretory function. Results: Medians (IQR) were 25.3 (20.4 - 32.4) ng/ml for 25OH D3 and 53.7 (38.4 - 115.7) pg/ml for hPTH. 58.7% of diabetics had insulin resistance, 126 (68.5%) had low vitamin D and 80 (43.5%) had hyperparathyroidism. In multivariate analysis, hPTH (partial r = −0.28;p = 0.0002) and 25OH D3 (partial r = 0.16;p = 0.03) showed an independent association with insulin sensitivity after adjustment for body mass index and waist circumference. Finally, hPTH (partial r = 0.27;p = 0.0002) was the sole determinant of β-cell secretory function. Conclusions: This study confirms the high prevalence of low vitamin D level and secondary hyperparathyroidism and their association with insulin resistance and impaired islet β-cell secretory function among Congolese with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation should be envisaged for cases of deficiency in this region.

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy reveals wide variation in major components of sesame seeds from Africa and Asia

Sesame is an important oilseed crop in Africa and Asia, owing to its high nutritional quality seed and market value. Variation in sesame seed components including oil, oleic acid,linoleic acid, and protein was investigated by near-infrared reflectance spectrometry in 139 samples collected from different countries. Oil and protein contents were between 40.8%and 60.3%(mean 53.0%) and 15.5% to 25.5%(mean 20.4%), respectively. Linoleic acid,ranging from 31.8% to 52.4%(mean 46%) was more abundant than oleic acid(31.8%–50.6%,mean 38.1%). Light-seeded samples displayed higher nutritional quality, as they were richer in oil, protein, and linoleic acid than dark seeds. Samples from Africa had higher oil and linoleic acid contents, while Asian samples had higher oleic content. The analysis revealed West African sesame cultivars containing especially high levels of seed components, which may command high market values. Two clusters of sesame samples grouped by seed composition were obtained, including one cluster with high oil and oleic acid content and the other with high protein and linoleic acid content. This study revealed that sesame samples from Africa and Asia harbor high variation for major seed components and also provided background information for breeding high-nutrition varieties according to the demands of sesame seed markets.

Evaluation of androgenic activity of Zingiber officinale and Pentadiplandra brazzeana in male rats

Aim: Aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinale and Pentadiplandra brazzeana were tested for their possible androgenic activity in male Wistar rats. Methods: The aqueous extracts of the two plants were gavaged separately to 2 groups of rats at a similar dose of 600 mg.kg^1.day-1 for 8 days. At the end of the treatment, the animals were killed and the blood, testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate were collected for biochemical analysis. Results: The aqueous extract of Z. officinale significantly increased in the relative weight of the testis, the serum testosterone level, testicular cholesterol level and epididymal α-glucosidase activity. The aqueous extract of P. brazzeana significantly increased the weights of the testis, seminal vesicles and prostate. It also significantly increased the serum and testicular testosterone level. The fructose, α-glucosidase and cholesterol levels in P. brazzeanatreated rats were increased by 28%, 35% and 114%, respectively. Conclusion: The aqueous extracts of both P. brazzeana and Z. officinale have an androgenic activity, which seems to be more potent with P. brazzeana than with Z. officinale. (Asian J Androl 2002 Dec; 4: 299-301)

Behavioral and physiological flexibility are used by birds to manage energy and support investment in the early stages of reproduction

Interest in phenotypic flexibility has increased dramatically over the last decade, but flexibility during reproduction has received relatively little attention from avian scientists, despite its possible impact on fitness. Because most avian species maintain atrophied reproductive organs when not active, reproduction in birds requires major tissue remodeling in preparation for breeding. Females undergo rapid （days） recrudescence and regression of their reproductive organs at each breeding attempt, while males grow their organs ahead of time at a much slower rate （weeks） and may maintain them at maximal size throughout the breeding season. Reproduction is associated with significant metabolic costs. Egg production leads to a 22%-27% increase in resting metabolic rate （RMR） over non-reproductive values. This is partly due to the activity of the oviduct, an organ that may allow females to adjust reproductive investment by modulating egg size and quality. In males, gonadal recrudescence may lead to a 30% increase in RMR, but the data are inconsistent and general conclusions regarding energetic costs of reproduction in males will require more research. Recent studies on captive female zebra finches describe the impacts of these costs on daily energy budgets and highlight the strategies used by birds to maintain their investment in reproduction when energy is limited. Whenever possible, birds use behavioral flexibility as a first means of saving energy. Decreasing locomotor activity saves energy during challenges such as egg production or exposure to cold temperatures and is an efficient way to buffer variation in individual daily energy budgets. However, when behavioral flexibility is not possible, birds must rely on flexibility at the physiological level to meet energy demands. In zebra finches breeding in the cold, this results in a reduced pace of laying, likely due to down-regulation of both reproductive and non-reproductive function, allowing females to defend minimal egg size and maintain reproductive success. More research involving a range of species in captive and flee-living conditions is needed to determine how phenotypic flexibility during tissue remodeling and early reproductive investment translates to natural conditions and affects fitness [Current Zoology 56 （6）： 767-792, 2010].

Breaking seed dormancy in Cupressus atlantica Gaussen,an endemicand threatened coniferous tree in Morocco

Cupressus atlantica Gaussen （Cupressaceae） is an endemic and endangered coniferous tree geographically restricted to the N＇Fis valley in South-Western Morocco. Like many forest species, C. atlantica exhibits dormancy which delays and reduces germination. To improve seed germination, different pre-treatments were conducted on C. atlantica seeds after storage for different periods （one, two and five years） including： scarification with sandy paper; soaking seeds in hot distilled water at 60℃ and 80℃ for 15 min and soaking seeds for 48 h in a gibberellic acid （GA3） at 1,000 and 2,000 mg·L-1. Results showed that scarification with sandy paper increased the germination rate of Atlas cypress by up to 67%, indicating that the species possess essentially an exogenous dormancy （physical dormancy） due to the hard seed coat （hardseededness）. Exogenous application of gibberellic acid （GA3） at 1,000 mg.L-1 was also effective in breaking seed dormancy and germination induction. These two treatments induced faster speed germination expressed by low number of days to first germination （8-10 days） and low values of mean germination times （MGT）. However, germination rate, under any treatment, is greatly dependent on the year of seed collection. Seeds collected in year 2004 gave the highest value, suggesting that even after five years of storage, the germination capacity of C. atlantica seeds could remain high. This observation is very interesting in the ex-situ conservation of such endemic and endangered species where the production of seeds is irregular over the years.

The Relative Importance of Nitrogen vs. Moisture Stress May Drive Intraspecific Variations in the SLA-RGR Relationship: The Case of <i>Picea mariana</i>Seedlings

Plants acclimate to nitrogen (N) or moisture stress by respectively increasing photosynthetic N use efficiency (PNUE) or water use efficiency (WUE), in order to maximize their relative growth rate (RGR). These two phenotypic adaptations have opposite effects on specific leaf area (SLA). Thus, intraspecific variations in the SLA-RGR relationship should reflect the relative importance of N vs. moisture stress in plants. In this study, we measured needle gas exchanges and N concentrations in order to derive PNUE and WUE, as well as SLA and RGR of black spruce (Picea mariana) seedlings growing on a rapidly drained site in the presence or absence of Kalmia angustifolia. The eradication of Kalmia had resulted in a ~140% increase in seedling growth over a 6 year period. We found a negative SLA-RGR relationship where Kalmia had been eradicated, and a positive one where Kalmia had been maintained. Kalmia eradication resulted in higher WUE when measurements were made directly on the seedlings, and in lower PNUE when twigs were rehydrated prior to gas exchange measurements. Our data suggest that the bigger seedlings on Kalmia-eradicated plots increase RGR by decreasing SLA, as a means of coping with moisture stress. By contrast, increasing SLA on noneradicated plots may be a means of coping with nutrient stress exerted by Kalmia. The SLA-RGR relationship could potentially be used to identify the limiting resource for black spruce seedlings in different environments.

Ecological Structure and Prediction Equations for Estimating Tree Age, and Dendometric Parameters of <i>Acacia senegal</i>in the Senegalese Semi-Arid Zone—Ferlo

The development of equations to predict tree height, crown diameter, crown depth from stem diameter of a tree species enables arborists, researchers, and urban forest managers to model costs and benefits, analyze alternative management scenarios, and determine the best management practices for sustainable forests. The objective of this study was to develop regression prediction models for tree age, tree height, crown diameter, crown ratio and crown depth for A. senegal growing in Ferlo, in the northern Senegal. Four plantations of different years old (ISRA, 10 years old plantations, Ndodj, 8 years old plantations, Boulal, 5 years old plantations and Déali, 4 years old plantations) were selected. The following dendometric variables: crown height, crown diameter, stem diameter at the breast height, stem basal diameter (at 0.30 m) and the height from the tree base to first branch were measured on a total of 489 trees. The results suggested that the ecological structure of the different year old A. Senegal plantation revealed a bell-shaped form with left dissymmetric distribution indicating a predominance of individuals with small diameter at breast height. Allometry study of A. Senegal showed highly significant positive correlations (p = 0.00) between stem diameter at breast height, stem basal diameter, tree height, crown diameter and crown depth. Positive correlations were also found between crown diameter, tree height and crown height. Prediction models derived from these relationships can be used to estimate the tree height, stem diameter at breast height and crown depth from crown diameter with greater precision. As for A. Senegal age estimation, the established model is not strong as it can explain only 49.1% of the age variation.

<i>In Vitro</i>Germination and Early Vegetative Growth of Five Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>L.) Varieties under Salt Stress Conditions

In Senegal, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation is affected by salinity in many agro-ecological zones. The selection of salt tolerant varieties would be an alternative solution to enhance the production. Thus, germination and growth are studied under axenic conditions for five varieties of tomato subjected to increasing concentrations of NaCl [0, 35, 70 and 105 mM], and supplemented in an MS/2 medium for 30 days. The results reveal that salt negatively affects the evaluated parameters. The Rodeo and Lady Nema varieties have the lowest final germination rates (50%) unlike the Mongal variety (55%). These last two varieties have a decrease of 71.78% and 81.28% in the height of the stem, respectively, in the presence of NaCl at [105 mM] while that of the Rodeo variety is 70%. The Xewel variety has the greatest average number of leaves in the presence of [NaCl 35 mM] (4.95 leaves) and [NaCl 70 mM] (4.77 leaves). The Lady Nema variety records the longest taproot length (2.99 cm) unlike the Rodeo variety (2.25 cm) at [NaCl 105 mM]. The Ganila variety reveals the highest number of secondary roots at the concentrations of [0, 35 and 105 mM] of NaCl with, respectively, 44.12, 29.25, and 4.25 roots. The Lady Nema variety records the highest fresh weight of aerial (0.055 g) and root parts (0.014 g) and the lowest root dry weights (0.0023 g). These results allow to conclude that the Lady Nema and Mongal varieties seem more tolerant, Ganila and Xewel are moderately tolerant and Rodeo is more sensitive to the presence of salt.

Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improves seedlings growth of two sahelian date palm cultivars (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i>L., cv. Nakhla hamra and cv. Tijib) under salinity stresses

This study presents an analysis of the impact of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth under salt stress of date palms cultivars Nakhla hamra (NHH) and Tijib known in the Sahel for their earliness in flowering and fruiting. The seedlings were grown in a greenhouse on a sandy substrate watered to field capacity every two days and were subjected to increasing levels of NaCl (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 16 g·L-1) and then inoculated with 5 strains of Glomus (G. aggregatum, G. intraradices, G. verriculosum, G. mosseae, G. fasciculatum). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three factors (cultivars: Tijib and Nakhla Hamra x seven levels of NaCl concentrations x six levels of inoculum). The results showed that in the absence of NaCl, G. verriculosum significantly enhanced shoot growth: 33.5 cm against 30.3 cm in the control and roots growth: 81.5 cm against 78 cm in NHH, while in Tijib, the growth is stimulated by Glomus fasciculatum: 33.8 cm against 32.7 cm for stems and 90 cm against 86 cm for the roots of inoculated plants and controls. In contrast, in the presence of NaCl 8 g·L-1, NHH has a better growth in the presence of G. intraradices: 37.3 cm against 30.6 cm for stems and 77 cm against 73 for roots, while Tijib grows better in the presence of G. fasciculatum with respectively 31.9 cm against 31.7 cm and 51.27 cm against 51.6 cm for stems and roots of inoculated plants and controls. Biochemical analysis revealed that changes in levels of proline depend on the cultivar, the mycorrhizal strain used and concentrations of NaCl applied. These results open the prospect of using mycorrhizal fungi to improve the productivity of palm trees in the Sahel.

In <i>Vitro</i>Clonal Propagation from Adult Material of a Savannah Species of Socio-Economic Importance: <i>Annona senegalensis</i>Pers.

Annona senegalensis (Pers.) or Annone from Senegal is a species found in the West African savannah and para-littoral sands. It offers real possibilities of socio-economic use, particularly in the medical, nutritional, ecosystem conservation and poverty alleviation fields. However, this wild species remained not fully exploited despite its potentialities. As a result, there is a need to regenerate this species;therefore, the in vitro propagation from adult material was undertaken. For this purpose, axillary nodes from plant regrowth taken from elderly subjects were aseptically introduced into different media enriched or not with phytohormones. Among the 3 culture media tested, that of Murashige and Skoog (MS, 1962) was the most reactive and made it possible to develop a micropropagation protocol for adult material of A. senegalensis. Thus, the introduction of these explants in media containing cytokinins (BAP and Kinetin) significantly increased the reactivity compared to media without hormones. If the best average numbers of shoots (2.3) and nodes (5.3) are obtained in MS + BAP 2 mg·L−1, with a reactivity of 91.66%, the addition of 0.1 mg·L−1 NAA gave the best average length (8.25 cm) of vitroplants. An induction time of 3 days into darkness with IBA at 50 mg·L−1, followed by a transfer to hormone-free expression medium (MS/2) under light, resulted in a rooting rate of 58.33%. After the gradual weaning of the young plants in a mini-greenhouse, under shade for 3 weeks, 50% of the plants survived. This in vitro regeneration protocol can therefore be adopted for the clonal propagation of adult material of A. senegalensis. However, the rooting rate can be improved by trying other hormonal combinations based on auxins or by considering ex-vitro rooting during shade weaning.

<i>In Vitro</i>Germination and Early Vegetative Growth of Five Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>L.) Varieties under Water Stress Conditions

Water is the main limiting factor in the cultivation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Senegal. Thus, the selection of varieties tolerant to water stress would be an alternative solution for their production. In vitro germination, growth, total chlorophyll and proline levels were studied in five varieties of tomato subjected to increasing osmotic pressures (0, 5, 10 and 15 kPa) thanks to the PEG-8000 incorporated in an MS/2 medium for 30 days. A strong sensitivity to water stress for in vitro seed germination in the Rodeo variety (41%) is recorded at 5 kPa and maintained at 15 kPa (20.83%) while it was only noticed at 15 kPa in the other tomato varieties. The Xewel and Lady Nema varieties obtained the smallest reductions in the number of leaves of vitroplants, with 30.79% and 27.97% at 15 kPa, respectively, and the Rodeo variety recorded a reduction of 35.97%. From 5 kPa, the varieties record reductions in the number of secondary roots of more than 15%. The effect of osmotic pressures on decreasing the taproot height and length is not significant. The Xewel variety had the highest average fresh (0.483 g) and dry (0.082 g) weights of the aerial part at 15 kPa and the Rodeo variety had the lowest ones (0.308 g and 0.0501 g). The Lady Nema variety had the highest average fresh (0.171 g) and dry (0.039 g) root weights and the Rodeo variety had the lowest ones (0.086 and 0.020 g). The vitroplants of Rodeo variety recorded the highest decreases in total chlorophyll contents at all osmotic pressures and the lowest increase in proline content (53.37%) at 15 kPa. A contrario, the Xewel variety recorded the greatest increase in proline content (116.26%). Ultimately, the vitroplants of Lady Nema and Xewel varieties were more tolerant to water stress, the Ganila and Mongal varieties were moderately tolerant and the Rodeo variety was the most sensitive.

Environmental, morphological and physiological factors analyzes for optimization of potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>L.) microtuber <i>in vitro</i>germination

The microtuber is considered one of the most effective means of spreading basic materials, as well as transporting and preserving potato germplasm varieties. To define the optimal conditions for the potato microtuber in vitro germination of Aida, Atlas and Odessa varieties, the effects of temperature, physiological age and grade (size) were evaluated. The study conducted at three different temperature levels has demonstrated that the most favorable temperature for microtuber germination at a higher and faster germination rate was 25℃, regardless of the variety. In addition, microtubers of large caliber, greater than 4 mm, germinate more quickly, with a higher germination rate, than smaller size ones (less than 4 mm) for all genotypes. For Atlas, Aida and Odessa varieties, a germination rate equal to 86.66%, 70% and 70% respectively, was obtained for microtubers with a caliber superior to 4 mm. Physiological age influences microtuber germination. The mean length of sprouts, reached after a 7 week incubation period, was more marked at “multiple sprout” and “branched sprout” stages than at a “monosprout” stage. The average length was 2.35 cm, 2.48 cm and 1.5 cm, respectively. Thus, it is necessary to plant microtubers at a “multiple sprout” stage to optimize their yield in plants and minitubers.

Inventory, Geographical Distribution of <i>Caryedon</i>Species in Burkina Faso, and Evaluation of Their Impact on Stored Groundnut

To understand the mechanism of infestation of stored groundnut in farming areas, studies on the inventory and geographical distribution of Caryedon species were carried out in the tree savannah and in producers’ storage structures. The incidence of C. serratus in stored groundnut was evaluated. Inventory and geographical distribution of insects belonging to Caryedon genus was achieved through a sampling in the savannah and producers’ granaries. The inventory and geographical distribution of insects was made throughout Burkina Faso whereas the evaluation of the perforations of groundnut pods was made in the western zone of the country. The results of the inventory showed the presence of two species belonging to Caryedon genus which are C. serratus and C. crampelii. These species are found on the agro-ecological zones of the country. The survival and maintenance of Caryedon species genus are ensured by the presence of plants belonging to various families such as Caesalpiniceae and Mimosaceae. The evaluation of the losses caused by C. serratus in producer’s stored groundnut revealed that the pods perforation rate varied according to the locality. In?Toussiana, the rate of perforated pods ranged from 53.72% to 100% in five months while in?Karangasso Sembla, for the same conservation time, the rate was in the range from 2.8% to 35%. However it is C. serratus which is responsible for the losses observed in the stored groundnut. Indeed, in the western area of Burkina Faso where more than 25% of the production is realized, 70% of groundnut stocked without treatment is destroyed by this insect after only four months of storage.

Physicochemical Characterization of Nine Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i>Crantz) Cultivars from Chad

In Chad, despite the multiple culinary uses of cassava leaves and tubers, their nutritional values are untapped. In this study, the physicochemical compositions and structure of nine cultivars were assessed. The proteins were obtained by Kjeldahl’s method. Total sugars were determined according to the Luff-Schoorl method. For starch content, the polarimetric method of Earle and Milner was used. Mineral elements were carried out using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The cyanide was evaluated by the method of Williams and Edwards. Significant variability has been demonstrated in the leaves and dry tubers except for water content and dry matter. Analysis of the variances of the components of the tubers reveals that the water contents of the cultivars vary from 5.01% to 5.86%. The ash contents vary from 4.23% (cultivar DVA2) to 8.32% (cultivar DVL2). For total sugars, the values are between 53.63% (cultivar DVL2) and 57.99% (cultivars DVL12 and KA0303). The fiber contents are lower and vary from 1.74% (cultivar DVL12) to 1.92% (cultivars SB1366, DVA2, TL0101 and PG1314). The starch content varies from 28.93% (cultivar DVL12) to 31.05% (cultivar SB1366). The variations in mineral constituents of the tubers in mg/100g are Ca (145.21 - 250.08), Mg (83.89 - 165.22), P (147.34 - 360.78), K (1534.50 - 3064.09), Zn (0.75 - 0.82) and Mn (0.78 - 0.89). Iron concentrations are from 7.72 mg/100g (cultivar BA0909) to 60.62 mg/100g (cultivar DVA2). Analysis of the variances of the leaf constituents reveals high contents of Calcium for SB1366 (2108.41 mg/100g), of iron (Fe 54.26 mg/100g) and potassium (K 1866.86 mg/100g) for DVL12, of phosphorus for TL0101 (471.87 mg/100g), of phosphorus (470.36 mg/100g) and protein (30.74%) for PG1314, for magnesium for DVA2 (383.41 mg/100g) and Copper for KA0303 (0.0147 mg/100g). The concentrations of hydrocyanic acids are high in both leaves than fresh tubers (85 - 150 ppm). Lowest values are observed in tubers (10 - 15 ppm) for cultivar DVA2. Principal component analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of the leaves revealed four groups: the first very rich in calcium, magnesium and average potassium contents. Groups 2 and 3 are poor in calcium and magnesium but Group 2 has the highest potassium content while Group 3 has an intermediate content. Group 4 is very rich in calcium but low in magnesium and potassium. According to tubers, three groups have been identified which are characterized by low, intermediate and high contents in phosphorus. Cultivars SB1366, DVA2, DVL2, TL0101 and PG1314 show promising nutritional values and chemical constituents even if some have high levels of hydrocyanic acids. They could be recommended for the national selection program and for various applications.

Optimization of Biogas Production from Organic Municipal Waste: Development of Activated Sludge as Digesters Inoculum

This study is a contribution to the optimization of organic fraction of municipal waste bioconversion into biomethane, by activated sludge production as inoculum for digesters. The wastewater (WW) and cow dung (CD) samples were taken from the slaughterhouse of Ouagadougou town, Burkina Faso. Different mixtures were made, enriched with mineral solution and cellulose at 5% (w/v) as: 10% CD + 90% WW (C7), 30% CD + 70% WW (C6), 50% CD + 50% WW (C5), 70% CD + 30% WW (C4), 90% CD + 10% WW (C3), 100% CD (C2) and 100% WW (C1). The pH evolution and biogas (CH4 and CO2) production were followed for 25 days. Cultures tend to acidify with increase in cow dung proportion. Biogas production was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in C5 (880.0 mL), C6 (862.0 10 mL) and C7 (772.0 mL). Mixture C5 had a highest level of CO2 production (40%). Also C7 and C6 retained in the experiment contained respectively organic matter, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and total alkalinity (TAC) as 41.06%, 47.02%, 1320 mg acetic acid/L, 3036 mg Acetic acid/L and 520 mg CaCO3/L, 1310 mg CaCO3/L. Mixture C6 was the best medium for microorganism proliferation stability with 3.5 × 105 UFC/ml of methanogens bacteria. It also possessed buffering capacity, which prevents acidification of medium during VFAs production.

Agro-Morphological Characterization of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Cultivars from Chad

Cassava is a considerable source of food and income for the rural community of the south of Chad. Despite the importance of the diversity of cultivars in situ, their morphological traits and agronomic performance are under investigated. The aim of this study is to characterize and analyze the variability structure of the cassava’s germplasm. Fifty nine cultivars collected from five main cassava growing regions, were evaluated by forty five agro-morphological descriptors in a Fisher design replicated three times. Data were collected at three, six, nine and twelve months after planting. High phenotypic variability was shown within the collection for the color of apical leaf, vein leaf, petiole, roots and pulp. The same case was observed for the root peduncle, the shape of the central leaflet and the root, the cortex root thickness and the texture of root epidermis. Significant to highly significant differences were observed for all the quantitative traits. High variability were shown for the size of the leaf lobe, petiole length, plant height, root number and length, harvest index, above-ground biomass and fresh root weight. Positive correlations were found between the leaflet and leaf lobe number. Fresh root weight was also positively correlated to the root number, length and diameter. Principal component analysis (PCA) on quantitative variable revealed four groups with two of them containing performant cultivars: Group II with small root, high potential yield but less leaflet and leaf lobe and group III characterized by some cultivars with high productivity, more leaflet and leaf lobe, more and bigger roots. At regional level, significant differences were shown within cultivars which were discriminated in relation to their origin region by the number of the leaf lobes. The better cultivars and the interesting traits could be used to improve cassava production in Chad.

Endothelin increases the proliferation of rat olfactory mucosa cells

The olfactory mucosa holds olfactory sensory neurons directly in contact with an aggressive environment. In order to maintain its integrity, it is one of the few neural zones which are continuously renewed during the whole animal life. Among several factors regulating this renewal, endothelin acts as an anti-apoptotic factor in the rat olfactory epithelium. In the present study, we explored whether endothelin could also act as a proliferative factor. Using primary culture of the olfactory mucosa, we found that an early treatment with endothelin increased its growth. Consistently, a treatment with a mixture of BQ123 and BQ788(endothelin receptor antagonists) decreased the primary culture growth without affecting the cellular death level. We then used combined approaches of calcium imaging, reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and protein level measurements to show that endothelin was locally synthetized by the primary culture until it reached confluency. Furthermore, in vivo intranasal instillation of endothelin receptor antagonists led to a decrease of olfactory mucosa cell expressing proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), a marker of proliferation. Only short-term treatment reduced the PCNA level in the olfactory mucosa cells. When the treatment was prolonged, the PCNA level was not statistically affected but the expression level of endothelin was increased. Overall, our results show that endothelin plays a proliferative role in the olfactory mucosa and that its level is dynamically regulated. This study was approved by the Comité d’éthique en expérimentation animale COMETHEA(COMETHEA C2 EA-45;protocol approval #12-058) on November 28, 2012.

Evolutionary modifications of Astyanax larval prey capture (LPC) in a dark environment

Feeding strategies of an organism depend on the multimodal sensory processing that most efficiently integrates available visual,chemosensory,and/or mechanoreceptive cues as part of their environmental adaptation.The blind cavefish morph of Astyanax mexicanus has developed sensory-dependent behaviors to find food more efficiently than their eyed,surface-morph counterparts while in darkness.In the absence of light,adult cavefish have evolved enhanced behaviors,such as vibration attraction behavior(VAB),and changes in feeding angle.Here,we identified evolved differences in cavefish larval prey capture(LPC)behavior.In the dark,LPC is more efficient in cavefish than in surface fish.Furthermore,different cave populations express laterality in their LPC and strike towards prey preferentially located on their left or right sides.This suggests the occurrence,to some extent,of divergent LPC evolution among cave populations.While LPC can be triggered exclusively by a vibration stimulus in both surface and cavefish,we provide evidence that LPC is,at least partially,a multimodal sensory process different from adult VAB.We also found that a lack of food may exacerbate the laterality of LPC.Thus,we proposed a mathematical model for explaining laterality based on a balance between:(1)enlarged range of foraging field(behavioral or perceptive)due to asymmetry,(2)food abundance,and(3)disadvantages caused by laterality(unequal lateral hydrodynamic resistance when swimming,allocation of resources for the brain and receptors,and predator escape).

Global Transcriptional Profile of Tranosema rostrale Ichnovirus Genes in Infected Lepidopteran Hosts and Wasp Ovaries

The ichnovirus TrIV, transmitted by the endoparasitic wasp Tranosema rostrale to its lepidopteran host during oviposition, replicates asymptomatically in wasp ovaries and causes physiological dysfunctions in parasitized caterpillars. The need to identify ichnoviral genes responsible for disturbances induced in lepidopteran hosts has provided the impetus for the sequencing and annotation of ichnovirus genomes, including that of TrIV. In the latter, 86 putative genes were identified, including 35 that could be assigned to recognized ichnoviral gene families. With the aim of assessing the relative importance of each TrIV gene, as inferred from its level of expression, and evaluating the accuracy of the gene predictions made during genome annotation, the present study builds on an earlier qPCR quantification of transcript abundance of TrIV rep ORFs, in both lepidopteran and wasp hosts, extending it to other gene families as well as to a sample of unassigned ORFs. We show that the majority (91%) of putative ORFs assigned to known gene families are expressed in infected larvae, while this proportion is lower (67%) for a sample taken among the remaining ORFs. Selected members of the TrV and rep gene families are shown to be transcribed in infected larvae at much higher levels than genes from any other TrIV gene family, pointing to their likely involvement in host subjugation. In wasp ovaries, the transcriptional profile is dominated by a rep gene and a member of a newly described gene family encoding secreted proteins displaying a novel cysteine motif, which we identified among previously unassigned ORFs.

<i>In Vitro</i>Germination and Plantlet Establishment of Wild Chamomile of Morocco <i>Cladanthus mixtus</i>(L.) Oberpr. and Vogt

In vitro seeds germination and plantlets establishment of Cladanthus mixtus (L.) Oberpr. and Vogt were studied in this report. A reliable protocol was developed for in vitro seed germination, multiplication and plantlet regeneration of Cladanthus mixtus. The seeds were sterilized and cultured in different media. Among the two basal media evaluated for symbiotic seed germination, gelled distilled water was found to be the best with a high percentage of seeds germination (100%) after 33 hours of culture. Seedlings were further transferred to different types of media. Result observed after 4 weeks showed that MS medium promotes the highest growth with an average of 2.75 ± 0.12 cm shoot length and 2.60 ± 0.29 shoots per explants, and the mean number of roots achieved 3.33 ± 0.17 root per explants with a length of 2.42 ± 0.16 cm. This study showed that macroelements of MS (1962) medium is essential for in vitro shoot multiplication, growth and rooting of shoots of Cladanthus mixtus L.