Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity Evaluation of Eco-Friendly Rosin-Diamide-Based Fungicides as Potential Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors for Sustainable Crop Protection.

To develop novel succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitors for sustainable crop protection, a series of dehydroabietyl-diamide-based fungicides (a total of 21) were designed. In vitro fungicidal activity measurement showed that compound 3u exhibited excellent fungicidal activity against Valsa mali (half-maximal effective concentration, EC50 = 0.195 µg/mL), surpassing that of the positive control carbendazim (EC50 = 1.35 µg/mL). The in vivo fungicidal activity assessment suggested that 3u exhibited a protective effect on apple branches (69.7-48.1%) and apples (94.6-56.6%). Furthermore, biosafety evaluation indicated that 3u was significantly environmentally friendly toward zebrafish. Subsequently, morphology, physiology, and molecular docking were investigated to elucidate the mode of action of 3u against V. mali. Results demonstrated a strong binding between 3u and SDH, resulting in decreased SDH activity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 11.7 µg/mL). Moreover, 3u disrupted the mycelial cell membrane and accelerated electrolyte leakage, ultimately resulting in the death of V. mali. These findings suggest that 3u could serve as a potent SDH inhibitor for sustainable crop protection.

VmSpm1: a secretory protein from Valsa mali that targets apple's abscisic acid receptor MdPYL4 to suppress jasmonic acid signaling and enhance infection.

Pathogenic fungi such as Valsa mali secrete effector proteins to manipulate host defenses and facilitate infection. Subtilases are identified as potential virulence factors, yet their specific roles in fruit tree pathogens, such as those affecting apple trees, are poorly understood. Our research shows VmSpm1 as a virulence factor in V. mali. Knocking it out decreased virulence, whereas its heterologous expression in apple led to reduced disease resistance. Using Y2H, BiFC, SLC, and Co-IP techniques, we demonstrated an interaction between VmSpm1 and MdPYL4. MdPYL4 levels increased during V. mali infection. The stable transgenic apple lines inoculation experiment showed that MdPYL4 correlates with enhanced resistance to Apple Valsa canker when overexpressed in apples. Furthermore, through in vitro and in vivo assays, we showed the degradative role of VmSpm1 on MdPYL4. MdPYL4 promotes the synthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) in apples in an abscisic acid-dependent manner. The degradation of MdPYL4 leads to a reduction in JA content in apples during V. mali infection, thereby impairing JA signal transduction and decreasing disease resistance in apple plants. In summary, this study reveals how V. mali utilizes VmSpm1 to subvert JA signaling, shedding light on fungal manipulation of plant hormones to disrupt immunity.

Genetic profile of progressive myoclonic epilepsy in Mali reveals novel findings.

Background and objectives: Progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME) is a group of neurological disorders characterized by recurrent myoclonic seizures with progressive neurological deterioration. We investigated the genetics of three unrelated patients with PME from Mali, a country in sub-Saharan Africa highly underrepresented in genetic and genomic research. Methods: Participants were carefully examined and phenotyped. DNA was obtained for genetic analysis including whole exome sequencing (WES). In silico prediction tools and ACMG criteria were used to assess the deleteriousness of putative candidate variants. Results: Pedigree analysis suggests autosomal recessive inheritance patterns for one family and sporadic forms of PME for the two other cases. WES identified novel homozygous missense variants in all the three patients, one each for NHLRC1, EPM2A, and NEU1. The sequence variants segregated with PME in each family and in silico studies including protein 3D structures, CADD scores and ACMG criteria suggested that they were damaging. Discussion: PME is a group of clinically heterogeneous neurological disorders. Most reported cases in the literature are from European background with only a few cases described in North Africa. We report here novel pathogenic variants in three different genes causing PME phenotypes in three unrelated Malian patients, suggesting that genetic studies of underrepresented populations may expand the genetic epidemiology of PME. These findings also emphasize the need for inclusive genetic research to ensure a more targeted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for diverse patient populations.

The efficacy of attractive targeted sugar baits in reducing malaria vector abundance in low-endemicity settings of northwest Mali.

BACKGROUND: Attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) have the potential to significantly reduce infective female Anopheles mosquitoes in arid areas, such as in Northern Mali. Malaria is epidemic in the north due to the limited viability of Anopheles species in the desert climate. The goal of this study was to determine of the effect of ATSB on the number of older female An. gambiae and on the number of sporozoite-positive females in villages in northern Mali. METHODS: Villages were located in the north of Mali. In this study, 5677 ATSB stations were deployed, two on each home, in ten villages during late July and early August 2019. Ten villages served as controls. After a pre-treatment monitoring period in July, An. gambiae populations were monitored again from August to December using CDC-UV light traps, pyrethrum spray catches (PSC), and human landing catches (HLC). Mosquitoes were dissected to estimate their age, while ELISA detected sporozoite positivity. The monthly entomological inoculation rates (EIRs) were calculated for HLC indoors and outdoors. Data from villages were compared using t-tests, while bait station weighted density versus amount of collected females was checked with a Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: A total of 2703 female An. gambiae were caught from treated villages, 4582 from control villages, a 41.0% difference. Dissection of 1759 females showed that ATSB significantly reduced the number of older females. The proportion of older females in treated villages was 0.93% compared to 9.4% in control villages. ELISA analysis of 7285 females showed that bait stations reduced the number of sporozoite-positive females. The infective females in treated villages was 0.30% compared to 2.73% in the controls. The greater the density of bait stations deployed, the fewer the older, infective females (P < 0.05). EIRs were low in control villages except in months when An. gambiae populations were high. EIRs in ATSB placement villages remained zero. Significant reductions (P < 0.0001) in An. gambiae males were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Bait stations reduced all measures of vector populations in this study. In a low-transmission setting, ATSB has the potential to greatly reduce malaria.

Assessing traditional medicine in the treatment of neurological disorders in Mali: prelude to efficient collaboration.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological disorders (ND) have a high incidence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this region, systemic challenges of conventional medicine (CM) and cultural beliefs have contributed to a large utilization of traditional medicine (TM). Yet, data on TM and those who use it in the treatment of ND in SSA are scarce. Here, we systematically analyze its role as a therapy modality for ND in Mali, the socio-demographic characteristics of its users, and propose next steps to optimize the dual usages of TM and CM for patients with ND. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire study in two phases. In phase one, patients with ND answered questions on their usage of and attitudes towards TM. In phase two, the TM therapists who provided care to the patients in phase one answered questions regarding their own practices for treating ND. Patients were recruited from the country's two university neurology departments. RESULTS: 3,534 of the 4,532 patients seen in the Departments of Neurology in 2019 met the inclusion criteria. Among these 3,534 patients, 2,430 (68.8%) had previously consulted TM for their present ND. Patients over 60 years of age most often used TM (83.1%). By education, illiterate patients utilized TM the most (85.5%) while those with more than a secondary education used TM the least (48.6%). An income greater than the minimum guaranteed salary was associated with decreased use of traditional medicine (OR 0.29, CI 0.25-0.35, p < 0.001). Among those using TM, it was overwhelmingly thought to be more effective than CM (84.6%). Linking illness to supernatural causes and believing TM therapists had a better understanding of illnesses were the most common reasons patients used traditional medicine (82.3% and 80.5%, respectively). We then interviewed 171 TM therapists who had provided care to the patients in phase one. These providers most commonly "sometimes" (62.6%) referred patients to CM and 4.1% never had. A majority of TM providers (62.6%) believed collaboration with CM could be improved by having doctor "take into account" our existence. CONCLUSION: Our work shows that TM plays a central role in the provision of care for patients with ND in SSA with certain cohorts using it at higher rates. Future development of treatment of ND in SSA will require optimizing TM with CM and needs buy-in from all stakeholders including conventional medicine clinicians, traditional medicine therapists, researchers, politicians, and most importantly, patients.

Acceptability of innovative department community-based health insurance in central Mali: A mixed methods study.

As the Universal Health Insurance Plan (RAMU) is gradually being implemented in Mali, community-based health insurance (CBHI) -considered one of the pillars of this programme- must innovate to meet the challenge of universal health coverage. An experimental CBHI was tested in central Mali between 2017 and 2021. This innovative CBHI professionalizes and organizes risk sharing on a larger scale than before, moving from municipalities to circles (departments). A mixed-method study was carried out in the Mopti region to assess the acceptability of this innovation among CBHI elected representatives. In April 2021, 118 questionnaires were administered to CBHI elected representatives, followed by 43 qualitative interviews from the same sample in October 2021. Sekhon et al. (2017) developed an approach outlining seven dimensions of acceptability (attitude, burden, values, coherence, opportunity costs, perceived efficiency, and personal effectiveness), which was used as a conceptual model for data analysis. The results obtained by factor analysis indicate that more than half of individuals (58%) reported above-average acceptability. Elected representatives feel well supported in their activities by the Technical Union of Malian Mutuality (TUM), the umbrella organisation of CBHI. They show some confidence in their ability to perform their duties effectively despite varying levels of commitment that often fall short of expectations and needs, which they justify by their volunteer status. Elected representatives note that the system is very effective despite the nonoptimal conditions linked to the prevailing insecurity. The new CBHI is highly advantageous for the population in terms of content, financial, and geographical access. Professionalisation is an unavoidable condition for the performance of the innovation, as well as the new community assembly. However, elected representatives are concerned about the sustainability of this CBHI and rely on the State and its partners to assume responsibility. The TUM will play an essential role in continuing its support and fulfiling its functions as a delegated management organisation within the framework of the RAMU.

Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies among Children attending the Pediatric Hospital in Bamako, Mali (BamaCoV-Kids Study).

Background: This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among children attending pediatric consultations in Bamako, Mali, using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) on fingertip or venous blood samples. Methods: A single-center, prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2022 at the Pediatric Hospital in Bamako, Mali. Children aged 1 to 15 years underwent phlebotomy or fingertip blood sampling for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing using the Abbott Panbio COVID-19 IgG/IgM Test. Demographic data and potential risk factors were collected. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test, and quantitative variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. Results: A total of 315 children were included, with a median age of 6 years (range 3-9 years); 45.7% (144/315) were younger than 6 years, and 54% (170/315) were male. The majority lived in urban areas (89.9%) and used public transportation (85.7%). The overall seroprevalence was 63.5%, with a higher seroprevalence observed among children aged 6 years and older compared to those under 6 years. The odds of having a positive serology were approximately twice as high in children aged ≥6 years in both univariate (OR 1.99; 95% CI: 1.25-3.17; P=0.0014) and multivariable analyses (OR 2.05; 95% CI: 1.26-3.32; P=0.0038). No significant differences in seropositivity were found for other demographic or risk factors. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of children in Bamako showed evidence of past SARS-CoV-2 infection, underscoring the importance of continued surveillance and preventive measures in this population.

Relationship between red blood cell polymorphisms and effectiveness of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in 2020 in Dangassa, Mali.

Treatment failure with amodiaquine was reported in Dangassa, where red blood cell (RBC) polymorphisms are found and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is underway. Here, we aimed at assessing the influence of RBC polymorphisms on SMC effectiveness. This was a secondary analysis of data from a study conducted in Dangassa. Children aged 5 to 14 years enrolled in an open randomized study were assigned either to receive SMC (intervention arm) or not (control arm). SMC was implemented from July to November. For all children, hemoglobin type and blood group were determined at enrolment in July, and parasitemia and hemoglobin level were monthly monitored by finger-prick. Overall, 166 children were enrolled among which 82 (49.40%) in the control arm and 84 (50.60%) in the SMC arm. The prevalence of HbAS was 10.24% (17/166) with 12.20% in the control and 8.33% in the SMC arm. O group was the most common overall (45%) and in the SMC arm (54%), but the control arm had more B (39.02%) than O (36.59%). In the SMC arm, no case of Plasmodium infection and malaria disease was observed in the 7 HbAS children while in Non-HbAS children, peaks of infection and disease prevalence were respectively observed in October (24.66%) and November (7.14%). For the SMC arm, in group O and Non-group O, Plasmodium infection cases were observed from August to December. Plasmodium infection and malaria disease were more frequently observed in HbAS children in the control arm than in the SMC arm. Further studies are needed to assess factors associated with the asymptomatic carriage of parasites during SMC in Dangassa. NCT04149106.

High Schistosoma mansoni Co-Infection in Tuberculosis Patients with or without Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: People with Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) remain the reservoir of tuberculosis. One-third to 1/4 of the world's population is infected. Its reactivation is due to factors that disrupt the host's immune response. Recent findings showed that Schistosoma mansoni coinfection leads to a Th2/Th1 profile which results in an immune modulation that favors the escape of the Mycobacteria. Schistosoma mansoni may contribute to TB incidence in endemic regions. We aimed to investigate the co-infection rate and patient outcomes. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between 2020-2022 at University Clinical Research Center (UCRC), including culture-confirmed active pulmonary TB patients and tested for Schistosoma mansoni in stools using Kato-Katz Technique. After descriptive analysis a logistic regression was performed to determine risk factors associated with TB and Schistosoma mansoni co-infection. Results: Data of 174 tuberculosis-confirmed patients, Kato-Katz tested were analyzed. Males represented 62.6%, mean age was 34.9 ± 13.8 years, 29.9% were smokers, alcohol consumption 13.8%, TB contact history 26.4%, HIV coinfection 11.5%, diabetes 6.3%, undernourished 55.7%. Schistosoma mansoni prevalence was 28.7%. The co-infection was associated with less lung cavitation [aOR = 0.24 [95% CI (0.06-0.85), p = 0.028], unfavorable treatment result [aOR = 2.95 (1.23-7.08), p = 0.015] and death [aOR = 3.43 (1.12-10.58), p = 0.032]. Conclusions: Despite Kato-Katz's low sensitivity, Schistosoma mansoni coinfection was found in one-third of the TB patients; 2.5-fold higher than that of HIV. The coinfection was associated with poor treatment results and death.

Coronavirus awareness, prevention, and household hardship survey data for the CHAMPS HDSS network: Data collected between August and September of 2022 from the Bamako HDSS, Mali.

Data were gathered through a collaborative initiative to investigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns on child and maternal health, economic hardships, and access to care for children and pregnant women by the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network. The data were gathered in Bamako, the capital city of Mali (population ∼2.9 million) between August and September of 2022 through a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). Data collectors used a survey instrument specifically designed to measure household awareness, knowledge, and prevalence of COVID-19, as well as hardships that households experienced since the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020. The data are from two neighborhoods of Bamako, Banconi and Djicoroni; the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) operating in these neighborhoods tracks the health of approximately 235,000 inhabitants. The data were collected using a stratified random sample of 454 households.

Willingness of West African Consumers to Buy Food Produced Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae and Frass.

The use of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and frass in agriculture can make an important contribution to food and nutrition security. However, it is important to understand whether consumers are willing to consume food products resulting from the use of BSF larvae as animal feed or BSF frass as fertilizer. This study employed the stated preference approach as food products produced using BSF larvae and frass are not currently available on the market. Questionnaires were administered to a total of 4412 consumers in Ghana (1360), Mali (1603), and Niger (1449). The results show that the vast majority of respondents are willing to consume vegetables (88%) produced using BSF frass and meat (87%) produced using animal feed made of BSF larvae. A smaller percentage of respondents are even willing to pay USD 1.32 and USD 1.7 more if the base price of BSF-based products were USD 5 per kg. Age, gender, education, and country positively influenced the respondents' willingness to consume food produced using BSF products. In contrast, neighborhood status, income, and household size are inversely related to the respondents' willingness to pay for and consume these products. Our findings are, therefore, important to scaling up BSF technologies in the region.

Our Daughters-Ourselves: Evaluating the Impact of Paired Cervical Cancer Screening of Mothers with HPV Vaccination for Daughters to Improve HPV Vaccine Coverage in Bamako, Mali.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer in Western Africa, accounting for 12,000 cases and 6000 deaths annually. While vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) and CC screenings reduce the incidence and mortality of CC in many developed countries, 90% of CC deaths are in low-income countries. Lack of knowledge about the connection between HPV and CC, lack of access to vaccines and screenings, weak healthcare infrastructure, and stigma related to sexually transmitted diseases are among the factors that contribute to this disparity. Previously, we evaluated the knowledge of HPV and CC in Bamako, Mali, showing that knowledge of the link between HPV and CC was very low (less than 8% of participants) and that less than 3% of women were screened for CC. Subsequent implementation of a community-based education program and support for local clinics resulted in a five-fold increase in CC screening at the five participating clinics in 2015. In this study, we paired CC screenings of mothers with HPV vaccination of their daughters to target out-of-school (OOS) girls whom school-based vaccination campaigns would not reach. Our campaign resulted in a 10.7% increase in HPV vaccination.

Pseudomonas thivervalensis K321, a promising and effective biocontrol agent for managing apple Valsa canker triggered by Valsa mali.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been reported to suppress various diseases as potential bioagents. It can inhibit disease occurrence through various means such as directly killing pathogens and inducing systemic plant resistance. In this study, a bacterium isolated from soil showed significant inhibition of Valsa mali. Morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis identified the strain as Pseudomonas thivervalensis, named K321. Plate confrontation assays demonstrated that K321 treatment severely damaged V. mali growth, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showing severe distortion of hyphae due to K321 treatment. In vitro twigs inoculation experiments indicated that K321 had good preventive and therapeutic effects against apple Valsa canker (AVC). Applying K321 on apples significantly enhanced the apple inducing systemic resistance (ISR), including induced expression of apple ISR-related genes and increased ISR-related enzyme activity. Additionally, applying K321 on apples can activate apple MAPK by enhancing the phosphorylation of MPK3 and MPK6. In addition, K321 can promote plant growth by solubilizing phosphate, producing siderophores, and producing 3-indole-acetic acid (IAA). Application of 0.2% K321 increased tomato plant height by 53.71%, while 0.1% K321 increased tomato fresh weight by 59.55%. Transcriptome analysis revealed that K321 can inhibit the growth of V. mali by disrupting the integrity of its cell membrane through inhibiting the metabolism of essential membrane components (fatty acids) and disrupting carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, transcriptome analysis also showed that K321 can enhance plant resistance to AVC by inducing ISR-related hormones and MAPK signaling, and application of K321 significantly induced the transcription of plant growth-related genes. In summary, an excellent biocontrol strain has been discovered that can prevent AVC by inducing apple ISR and directly killing V. mali. This study indicated the great potential of P. thivervalensis K321 for use as a biological agent for the control of AVC.

A novel variant in the GNE gene in a Malian patient presenting with distal myopathy.

GNE-myopathy (GNE-M) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by variants in the GNE gene. We report a novel variant in GNE causing GNE-M in a Malian family. A 19-year-old male patient from consanguineous marriage was seen for progressive walking difficulty. Neurological examination found predominant distal muscle weakness and atrophy, decreased tendon reflexes, predominating in lower limbs. Electroneuromyography showed an axonal neuropathy pattern. However, whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed a novel biallelic variant in GNE c.1838G > A:p.Gly613Glu, segregating with the phenotype within the family. This study highlights its diagnosis challenges in sub-Saharan Africa and broadens the genetic spectrum of this rare disease.

Human-water interactions associated to cercarial emergence pattern and their influences on urinary schistosomiasis transmission in two endemic areas in Mali.

BACKGROUND: Mali is known to be a schistosomiasis-endemic country with a limited supply of clean water. This has forced many communities to rely on open freshwater bodies for many human-water contact (HWC) activities. However, the relationship between contact with these water systems and the level of schistosome infection is currently receiving limited attention. This study assessed human-water interactions including cercarial emergence pattern and their influences on urinary schistosomiasis transmission in two communities in the Kayes district of Mali. METHODS: We carried out a parasitological study first in children in September 2021, then a cross-sectional study of quantitative observations of human-water contact activities in the population, and finally a study of snail infectivity at contact points in September 2022. The study took place in two communities, Fangouné Bamanan and Diakalèl in the Kayes region of western Mali. The chronobiological study focused on cercarial release from naturally infected snails. Released cercariae were molecularly genotyped by targeting the cox1 region, and the ITS and 18S ribosmal DNA gene (18S rDNA) regions of the DNA. Links between sociodemographic parameters, human water-contact points and hematuria were established using multivariate statistical analysis or the logistic regression model. RESULTS: The main factor predisposing the 97 participants to water contact was domestic activity (62.9%). Of the 378 snails collected at 14 sampling sites, 27 (7.1%) excreted schistosome cercariae, with 15.0% (19/126) at Fangouné Bamanan and 3.3% (8/252) at Diakalel. The release of Schistosoma cercariae shows three different patterns in Fangouné Bamanan: (i) an early release peak (6:00-8:00 AM), (ii) a mid-day release peak (10:00 AM-12:00 PM) and (iii) a double peak: (6:00-8:00 AM) and (6:00-8:00 PM) cercariae release; and two release patterns in Diakalel: early release (6:00-8:00 AM) and (ii) mid-day release (12:00-2:00 PM). All cercariae released during early diurnal (6:00-8:00 AM) or nocturnal emission patterns (6:00-8:00 PM) were hybrids parasite having an cox1 S. bovis or S. curassoni associated with an ITS and 18S rDNA of S. haematobium while the cercariae released during diurnal, or mid-day patterns (8:00 AM-6:00 PM) were pure S. haematobium. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that domestic activity is the main source of exposure in the Kayes region. Two and three cercariae emission patterns were observed at Diakalel and Fangouné Bamanan respectively. These results suggest that the parasite adapts to the human-water contact period in order to increase its infectivity.

Evaluating barriers to reaching women with public health information in remote communities in Mali.

Telecommunications offers an alternative or supplement to community-based interventions as a means of extending healthcare services and improving health outcomes in remote settings but can fail to reach target communities and achieve the desired impact if barriers to access are not overcome. We conducted seven focus group discussions and 26 interviews with community health workers, community leaders, and female members of the public who declared that they had or had not previously accessed free audio health messages provided via a mobile platform in two rural communities of Mali, Koulikoro and Bougouni. A content analysis showed that participants accessed and trusted health information from a range of sources, including radio, telephone and television, as well as town criers, local relays and community health centres. Barriers to access faced by women included economic factors, lack of network or electricity, and social factors such as illiteracy, cultural restrictions and being unaware of mobile communication. Through analysis and interpretation of the participants' responses, we have made recommendations for future campaigns for the dissemination of health-related information for women in remote settings.

Qualitative evaluation of a package of implementation strategies codesigned to support the introduction of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women in Bamako, Mali.

Mali national policy recommends that women take iron and folic acid supplements (IFA) from the time of the first antenatal care (ANC) visit, throughout pregnancy and during the first 3 months after delivery. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated their ANC guidelines to recommend the United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation (UNIMMAP) formulation of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) in the context of rigorous research, including implementation research. In Bamako, Mali, a codesign process was used to tailor antenatal care MMS packaging and counselling materials aimed at optimizing delivery and uptake of and adherence to MMS. This paper presents the codesign process along with the results of a post-intervention qualitative assessment to evaluate the behaviour change intervention. At the conclusion of the intervention, we conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 24 women who had received the intervention and six pharmacy managers from the six health centres participating in the study. We conducted two focus groups with midwives who had delivered the intervention and two group discussions with family members of women who had received the intervention. Respondent perspectives reveal an easy experience transitioning from previously used IFA. Women and providers concur that the intervention counselling materials and visual aids were instrumental in influencing the perceived benefit and uptake of MMS. Family members play an influential role in pregnant women's decision-making regarding MMS uptake. MMS and the associated implementation strategies developed through the codesign process were found to be a highly acceptable intervention.

Children with hemoglobin C or S trait have low serologic responses to a subset of malaria variant surface antigens.

Children with hemoglobin AC or AS have decreased susceptibility to clinical malaria. Parasite variant surface antigen (VSA) presentation on the surface of infected erythrocytes is altered in erythrocytes with hemoglobin C (Hb AC) or sickle trait (Hb AS) mutations in vitro. The protective role of incomplete or altered VSA presentation against clinical malaria in individuals with Hb AC or AS is unclear. Using a high-throughput protein microarray, we sought to use serological responses to VSAs as a measure of host exposure to VSAs among Malian children with Hb AC, Hb AS, or wildtype hemoglobin (Hb AA). In uncomplicated malaria, when compared to Hb AA children, Hb AC children had significantly lower serological responses to extracellular Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1 (PfEMP1) domains but did not differ in responses to intracellular PfEMP1 domains and other VSAs, including members of the repetitive interspersed family (RIFIN) and subtelomeric variable open reading frame (STEVOR) family. Healthy children with Hb AC and Hb AS genotypes recognized fewer extracellular PfEMP1s compared to children with Hb AA, especially CD36-binding PfEMP1s. These reduced serologic responses may reflect reduced VSA presentation or lower parasite exposure in children with Hb AC or AS and provide insights into mechanisms of protection.

VmSom1 is essential for growth, development, maintenance of cell wall integrity and virulence in Valsa mali.

Apple Valsa canker disease, caused by Valsa mali Miyabe et Yamada, severely endangers the healthy growth of apple trees. The Som1, located downstream of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) pathway, plays crucial roles in the growth, development, morphological differentiation, and virulence of filamentous fungi. In this study, we identify and functionally characterize VmSom1, a homolog of Som1, in Valsa mali. The VmSom1 gene is located on chromosome 12, encoding an 824 amino acid protein. Phylogenetic analysis reveals VmSom1 as a fungal Som1 homolog. The VmSom1 deletion mutants exhibit slower growth rates and fail to produce pycnidia. Additionally, their hyphal growth is significantly inhibited on media containing Calcofluor White, Congo Red, NaCl, and sorbitol. The growth rate of VmSom1 deletion mutants is reduced on maltose, lactose, sucrose and fructose media but increases on glucose medium. Moreover, the mycelial growth rate of the VmSom1 deletion mutant is significantly lower than that of the wild-type strain in peptone, NH4SO4, NaNO3, and no nitrogen. Notably, the distances between the septa increase, and chitin concentration shifts to the hyphal tip in the VmSom1 deletion mutant. Furthermore, compared with the wild-type strain, the VmSom1 deletion mutant exhibits fewer diseased spots on apple fruit and branches. Overall, our findings demonstrate that VmSom1 is involved in regulating the growth and development, colony surface hydrophobicity, osmotic stress, cell wall integrity maintenance, carbon and nitrogen source utilization, septa formation, and virulence of V. mali.

Multiple factors driving the acquisition efficiency of apple proliferation phytoplasma in Cacopsylla melanoneura.

Phytoplasmas are bacterial pathogens located in the plant's phloem that are responsible for several plant diseases and are mainly transmitted by phloem-sucking insects. Apple proliferation (AP) is an economically important disease associated with the presence of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali' which is transmitted by two psyllid species. While Cacopsylla picta is a vector in different regions, the vector efficiency of C. melanoneura varies between different populations. This species is considered the main AP vector in Northwestern Italy but plays a minor role in Northeastern Italy and other European regions. To investigate whether the psyllid and/or the phytoplasma subtype drive the phytoplasma acquisition in C. melanoneura, a phytoplasma acquisition experiment was set up using single mating couples of overwintered individuals from different psyllid populations and phytoplasma subtypes. All analyzed insect populations acquired phytoplasma, but with different efficiencies and concentrations. The main factors driving the acquisition were the phytoplasma subtype and its concentration in the leaves of the infected trees together with the psyllid lineage. The phytoplasma concentration in the psyllids was again influenced by the phytoplasma subtype, the psyllid lineage and the region of origin, whereas the phytoplasma concentration in the leaves and the psyllid haplotype defined with the cytochrome oxidase I gene had only a minor impact on the phytoplasma concentration. This is the first study evaluating the roles of both the psyllid haplotype and the phytoplasma subtype on the acquisition process and highlights the importance of C. melanoneura as an additional AP vector. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10340-023-01699-1.