Quantitative trait loci analysis of brown blotch resistance in cowpea variety KN1.

Cowpea is one of the most important crops in West Africa and is essential for the region's food and nutrition security and economic development. Consequently, improving its agronomic performance and yield is a desirable goal. Brown blotch disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum capsici, is an important constraint of cowpea productivity, and at present, only limited genetic resources are available for breeding improved brown blotch-resistant varieties. The current study has characterized the genetic basis for brown blotch resistance conferred by the cowpea cultivar KN1 and identified a major dominant quantitative trait locus (QTL) for resistance on chromosome Vu02. A segregating F2 population (n = 200), derived from a cross between KN1 and brown blotch-susceptible Tiligre (KVx775-33-2G), was developed and scored for disease severity following controlled inoculation. A subset of the population (n = 94) was genotyped with 99 newly developed allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) markers, and multiple interval mapping was performed. One major and three minor QTL were identified. This is the first reported mapping of QTL conferring resistance to C. capsici in cowpea, and it is expected that the markers identified here will be a valuable resource for developing elite cowpea cultivars with resistance to brown blotch.

Inhabitants' and professionals' social representations of health determinants in a disadvantaged urban area in France: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Access to care in French disadvantaged urban areas remains an issue despite the implementation of local healthcare structures. To understand this contradiction, we investigated social representations held by inhabitants of such areas, as well as those of social and healthcare professionals, regarding events or behaviours that can impact low-income individuals' health. METHOD: In the context of a health diagnosis, 288 inhabitants living in five disadvantaged districts of Aix-les-Bains, as well as 28 professionals working in these districts, completed an open-ended questionnaire. The two groups of respondents were asked to describe what could have an impact on health status from the inhabitants' point of view. The textual responses were analyzed using the Alceste method. RESULTS: We observed a number of differences in the way the inhabitants and professionals represented determinants of health in disadvantaged urban areas: the former proposed a representation mixing personal responsibility with physiological, social, familial, and professional aspects, whereas the latter associated health issues with marginalization (financial, drug, or alcohol problems) and personal responsibility. Both inhabitants and professionals mentioned control over events and lifestyle as determinants of health. DISCUSSION: The results are discussed regarding the consequences of these different representations on the beneficiary - healthcare-provider relationship in terms of communication and trust.

The effect of Cissus quadrangularis (CQR-300) and a Cissus formulation (CORE) on obesity and obesity-induced oxidative stress.

AIM: Obesity is generally linked to complications in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a proprietary extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CQR-300) to that of a proprietary formulation containing CQR-300 (CORE) on weight, blood lipids, and oxidative stress in overweight and obese people. METHODS: The first part of the study investigated the in vitro antioxidant properties of CQR-300 and CORE using 3 different methods, while the second part of the study was a double-blind placebo controlled design, involving initially 168 overweight and obese persons (38.7% males; 61.3% females; ages 19-54), of whom 153 completed the study. All participants received two daily doses of CQR-300, CORE, or placebo and were encouraged to maintain their normal levels of physical activity. Anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were done at the beginning and end of the study period. RESULTS: CQR-300 as well as CORE exhibited antioxidant properties in vitro. They also acted as in vivo antioxidants, bringing about significant (p < 0.001) reductions in plasma TBARS and carbonyls. Both CQR-300 and CORE also brought about significant reductions in weight, body fat, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose levels over the respective study periods. These changes were accompanied by a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol levels, plasma 5-HT, and creatinine. CONCLUSION: CQR-300 (300 mg daily) and CORE (1028 mg daily) brought about significant reductions in weight and blood glucose levels, while decreasing serum lipids thus improving cardiovascular risk factors. The increase in plasma 5-HT and creatinine for both groups hypothesizes a mechanism of controlling appetite and promoting the increase of lean muscle mass by Cissus quadrangularis, thereby supporting the clinical data for weight loss and improving cardiovascular health.

[Benefit of seasonal use of a rapid diagnosis of influenza virus in a paediatric emergency unit]. / Bénéfice de l'utilisation saisonnière d'un test de diagnostic rapide (TDR) de la grippe aux urgences pédiatriques.

Influenza virus infections are current in viral infections of childhood. The quick test is now available and we want to assess its clinical and economical benefit through an unicentric study and during two seasons of influenza pandemic. An hospitalization avoided due to a quick test is equivalent to 20 to 30 general practitioner fixes fees. For social security, it is equivalent to 55 to 83 quick tests per child per hospitalization avoid. We plead for free test during influenza pandemic.

[New isolation procedure for swine kidney acylase. Kinetics of Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Cd2+-enzymes]. / Ein neues Isolierungsverfahren für Schweinenierenacylase. Kinetik des Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ und Cd2+-enzyms.

A new procedure for the isolation of highly purified acylamino acid amidohydrolase from hog kidney is described which allows the preparation of the enzyme with a recovery of about 45%, a 200 fold purification and a spec. activity of 350-500 U. The essential Zn2+ of the enzyme was exchanged for Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+ and Cd2+, and the kinetic parameters KM, kcat and kcat/KM of the different enzyme species for a series of acetyl-L-amino acids were determined.