Advantages of Curcuma longa in preventing male infertility caused by thioacetamide.

Background: Thioacetamide (TAA) is known to cause damage to various organs, including the testes, posing a significant health threat. On the other hand, Curcuma longa (Cl) has been recognized for its antioxidant properties, suggesting a potential protective role against TAA-induced toxicity in the testes. Aim: This study aims to investigate the effect of TAA on testicular function and structure while exploring the therapeutic and protective potential of C. longa versus TAA toxicity. Methods: Thirty-two male albino rats, with an age range of 11-12 weeks and a weight range of 180-200 g, were randomly allocated into four distinct groups. The control group received normal saline, while the Cl group ingested Cl orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg daily. The TAA group, received TAA through intraperitoneal injections at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight three times per week. Lastly, the Cl with TAA group received Cl orally 2 hours before the TAA injections. After 8 weeks of treatment, we anesthetized the rats and saved blood samples for biochemical analysis. Results: The study revealed significant alterations in various biochemical parameters in the TAA-treated group, as compared with the control. Specifically, there was a significant increase in bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, white blood cells, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and platelets levels. Conversely, the Cl-treated group exhibited significant reductions in these parameters, along with notable increases in red blood cells, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hemoglobin. Conclusion: C. longa demonstrates a protective effect on the testes against TAA-induced toxicity, potentially attributed to its antioxidant properties. This suggests a promising avenue for the use of Cl in mitigating the harmful effects of TAA on testicular function and structure.

Prevotella are major contributors of sialidases in the human vaginal microbiome.

Elevated bacterial sialidase activity in the female genital tract is strongly associated with poor health outcomes including preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis (BV). These negative effects may arise from sialidase-mediated degradation of the protective mucus layer in the cervicovaginal environment. Prior biochemical studies of vaginal bacterial sialidases have focused solely on the BV-associated organism Gardnerella vaginalis. Despite their implications for sexual and reproductive health, sialidases from other vaginal bacteria have not been characterized. Here, we show that vaginal Prevotella species produce sialidases that possess variable activity toward mucin substrates. The sequences of sialidase genes and their presence are largely conserved across clades of Prevotella from different geographies, hinting at their importance globally. Finally, we find that Prevotella sialidase genes and transcripts, including those encoding mucin-degrading sialidases from Prevotella timonensis, are highly prevalent and abundant in human vaginal genomes and transcriptomes. Together, our results identify Prevotella as a critical source of sialidases in the vaginal microbiome, improving our understanding of this detrimental bacterial activity.

The immunological and pharmacokinetic evaluation of Lipid-PLGA hybrid nanoparticle-based oxycodone vaccines.

The current opioid epidemic is one of the most profound public health crises facing the United States. Despite that it has been under the spotlight for years, available treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose are limited to opioid receptor ligands such as the agonist methadone and the overdose reversing drugs such as naloxone. Vaccines are emerging as an alternative strategy to combat OUD and prevent relapse and overdose. Most vaccine candidates consist of a conjugate structure containing the target opioid attached to an immunogenic carrier protein. However, conjugate vaccines have demonstrated some intrinsic shortfalls, such as fast degradation and poor recognition by immune cells. To overcome these challenges, we proposed a lipid-PLGA hybrid nanoparticle (hNP)-based vaccine against oxycodone (OXY), which is one of the most frequently misused opioid analgesics. The hNP-based OXY vaccine exhibited superior immunogenicity and pharmacokinetic efficacy in comparison to its conjugate vaccine counterpart. Specifically, the hNP-based OXY vaccine formulated with subunit keyhole limpet hemocyanin (sKLH) as the carrier protein and aluminum hydroxide (Alum) as the adjuvant (OXY-sKLH-hNP(Alum)) elicited the most potent OXY-specific antibody response in mice. The induced antibodies efficiently bound with OXY molecules in blood and suppressed their entry into the brain. In a following dose-response study, OXY-sKLH-hNP(Alum) equivalent to 60 µg of sKLH was determined to be the most promising OXY vaccine candidate moving forward. This study provides evidence that hybrid nanoparticle-based vaccines may be superior vaccine candidates than conjugate vaccines and will be beneficial in treating those suffering from OUD.

Anticancer potential of NSAID-derived tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligands in iron(II) sandwich complexes.

Tris(pyrazolyl)methane (tpm), 2,2,2-tris(pyrazolyl)ethanol (tpmOH) and its esterification derivatives with ibuprofen and flurbiprofen (tpmIBU and tpmFLU) were used as ligands to obtain complexes of the type [Fe(tpmX)2]Cl2 (1-4). The tpmIBU and tpmFLU ligands and corresponding complexes 3 and 4 were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the structure of tpmIBU was elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1-4 were also assessed for their behaviour in aqueous media (solubility in D2O, octanol/water partition coefficient, stability in physiological-like conditions). The antiproliferative activity of ligands and complexes was determined on A2780, A2780cis and A549 cancer cell lines and the non-cancerous HEK 293T and BJ cell lines. The ligands and complexes were investigated for their ability to inhibit COX-2 (cyclooxygenase) and HNE (4-hydroxynonenal) enzymes. Complexes 3 and 4 exhibited cytotoxicity that may be attributed predominantly to their bioactive fragments, while DNA binding and enhancement of ROS production do not appear to play any significant role.

Implicit Biases and Racial Microaggressions: Examining the Impact on Black Social Work Students' Well-Being.

This paper explores the concept of racial microaggressions, everyday slights and offensive behaviors experienced by people of color, particularly focusing on their manifestation within social work education programs. Black social work students, in particular, frequently encounter instances tied to stereotypes about their intellectual abilities, perpetuating historical prejudices and contributing to mental health challenges such as anxiety and impostor phenomenon (IP). The historical trauma endured by Black individuals adds a distinct layer to the struggles faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students in social work education. Despite the evident impact, there exists a significant gap in scholarship addressing these issues, emphasizing the urgent need for the social work profession to confront and comprehend how implicit biases and racial microaggressions impede the success of Black social work students. This theoretical exploration aims to spark vital dialogue on the manifestations of implicit biases and racial microaggressions, probing their link to feelings of IP and historical trauma. Central to this inquiry is the examination of the critical consciousness framework's efficacy in social work education, uncovering its role in raising awareness among professionals regarding their inadvertent perpetuation of oppressive systems. By leveraging this framework, the paper seeks to unearth structures of oppression and privilege, promoting awareness of unintentional complicity in upholding these structures. Recommendations align with the critical consciousness framework, advocating for future dialogues and the implementation of effective microaggression scales to incorporate and analyze frequencies and the impact of racism in social work research.

Satisfaction Paradoxes in Health Behaviors: Contrasting Patterns across Weight, Physical Activity and Dietary Habits.

(1) Background: Obesity, a poor diet, and inactivity are major health issues among Saudi youth. However, satisfaction with unhealthy lifestyles could impede change. This study assessed lifestyle factors and related satisfaction among Saudi university students. (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1957 students at Jazan University completed surveys on demographics, physical activity, dietary habits, and 10-point satisfaction scales for weight, activity, and diet. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the associations between behaviors and satisfaction. (3) Results: Overweight/obesity prevalence was 25.45%, and only 26.67% of the subjects met activity guidelines. Many of them exhibited poor dietary habits. Despite unhealthy behaviors, some expressed high satisfaction, especially regarding their diets. Subjects with a normal BMI had the highest weight satisfaction. Activity satisfaction increased with higher activity levels. Dietary satisfaction was minimally impacted by healthfulness. Males and higher incomes were correlated with greater satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: A concerning paradox exists between unhealthy lifestyles and satisfaction among Saudi university students, particularly regarding their diets. Multicomponent interventions informed by behavior change theories and employing motivational techniques are urgently needed to address this disconnect and facilitate positive behavior change.

Effect of dietary supplementation of macadamia oil on the growth, immune function, physio-biochemical components and thyroid activity of growing rabbits.

The current research aimed to assess the effects of dietary macadamia oil (MO) on carcass traits, growth performance, physio-biochemical components, immune function, thyroid hormones and inflammation markers of growing rabbits. A total of 96 growing rabbits were randomly distributed into four treatments, with 24 rabbits in each group. The rabbits were fed a basal diet (control group) or a diet supplemented with MO at 0.5 (MO0.5), 1 (MO1.0) and 2 (MO2.0) mL/kg of diet for eight weeks. The daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio showed a quadratic improvement with increasing levels of MO, and the optimal dose was 1.25 mL/kg of diet. Increasing levels of MO also had a quadratic effect on hepatic and renal functions. Dose-response curves revealed that the optimal doses of MO were 1.50, 1.75 and 1.25 mL/kg of diet for total bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and creatinine respectively. A quadratic relationship was observed between the increased levels of MO and tumour necrosis factor-α (p = 0.038), interleukin-6 (p = 0.014) and immunoglobulins (p = 0.016 and IgM p = 0.026). Additionally, a linear relationship was observed between the increment in MO levels and both nitric oxide (p = 0.040) and interleukin-4 (p = 0.001). The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase showed a linear increase with increasing dietary MO content, while xanthine oxidase showed a linear decrease. Total antioxidant capacity showed quadratic improvement (p = 0.035) with the dietary treatment, with the optimal dose observed at 1.25 mL/kg of diet. The inclusion of MO in the diet had a linear effect on the activity of thyroxine (p = 0.001). Therefore, supplementation of MO at a dose of 1 or 1.5 mL/kg of diet in growing rabbits' diets can improve growth and carcass traits, sustain thyroid function by supporting immunity, and reduce oxidative/inflammation pathways.

A crosstalk between 'osteocyte lacunal-canalicular system' and metabolism.

Considering the importance, bone physiology has long been studied to understand what systematic and cellular impact its cells and functions have. Exploring more questions is a substantially solid way to improve the understanding of bone physiological functions in/out sides. In adult bone, osteocytes (Ots) form about 95% of bone cells and live the longest lifespan inside their mineralized surroundings. Ots are the endocrine cells and originate from blood vessel's endothelial cells. In this work, we discussed the vital role of the "Ots". To determine the association between osteocytes' network with metabolic parameters in healthy mice, the experiments were performed on ten (10) adult C57BL6 male mice. Fasting blood and bone samples were collected weekly from mice for measurement of metabolic parameters and bone morphology. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a 2D fine morphology of the bone which indicates a strong functional interconnection with bone nano/micro, and macro components of the organs. The long-branched canaliculi look like neurocytes in structure. The morphology and quantitative measurements of the osteocyte lacunal-canalicular system showed its wide spectrum spatial resolution of the positive and negative relationship within this system or metabolite parameters, confirming a strong cross connection between osteocyte lacunal-canalicular system and metabolism. We believe that the findings of this study can deliver a strategy about the potential roles of metabolic relation among osteocytes, insulin, and lipid in management of bone and metabolic diseases.

Demographic and clinical correlates of depression among older adults with arthritis in Nigeria.

Background: Older adults have a high prevalence of chronic conditions like arthritis with morbidities, especially depression ranging up to 40% - 70%. Therefore, it is important to explore depression in older adults with arthritis. Aim: This study aimed to determine if any demographic and clinical factors are associated with depression in older adults aged ≥ 60 years with arthritis attending a rheumatology clinic. Setting: This is a cross-sectional study conducted over 6 months among 127 older adults on follow-up care in a university teaching hospital in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria. Methods: A clinical proforma with information about the type of arthritis, duration of illness, hospitalisation, use of medications, co-morbidity was utilised for the data collection. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30), sociodemographic questionnaire and clinical proforma were administered. Data were analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 26.0 with the level of significance set as 0.05. Results: The mean age (± standard deviation [s.d.]) was 66.6 (± 5.5) years, with males constituting 57.5%. The prevalence of depression was 57.8%. Osteoarthritis 30.2%, while 69.8% had rheumatoid arthritis. Sociodemographic factors associated with depression include age (p = 0.049), marital status (p = 0.001), and level of education (p = 0.001). Duration of illness (p = 0.02), hospitalisation (p = 0.03), and number of medications (p = 0.01) were clinical factors associated with depression score. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in older people with arthritis is high and was associated with females, the widowed, no formal education; and those with long duration of illness, those using multiple medications, and those with repeated hospitalisation. Contribution: This finding can enhance the suspicion index for depression to establish standard operating procedures, which will help to improve therapeutic practice for caring for the older adult age group.

Islet-antigen reactive B cells display a unique phenotype and BCR repertoire in autoantibody positive and recent-onset type 1 diabetes patients.

Autoreactive B cells play an important but ill-defined role in autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D). To better understand their contribution, we performed single cell gene and BCR-seq analysis on pancreatic islet antigen-reactive (IAR) B cells from the peripheral blood of nondiabetic (ND), autoantibody positive prediabetic (AAB), and recent-onset T1D individuals. We found that the frequency of IAR B cells was increased in AAB and T1D. IAR B cells from these donors had altered expression of B cell signaling, pro-inflammatory, infection, and antigen processing and presentation genes. Both AAB and T1D donors demonstrated a significant increase in certain heavy and light chain V genes, and these V genes were enriched in islet-reactivity. Public clones of IAR B cells were restricted almost entirely to AAB and T1D donors. IAR B cells were clonally expanded in the autoimmune donors, particularly the AAB group. Notably, a substantial fraction of IAR B cells in AAB and T1D donors appeared to be polyreactive, which was corroborated by analysis of recombinant monoclonal antibodies. These results expand our understanding of autoreactive B cell activation during T1D and identify unique BCR repertoire changes that may serve as biomarkers for increased disease risk.

Metabolic syndrome and its association with physical activity in Sudanese early adolescents - Khartoum state, Sudan: An observational study.

The growing prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescents highlights the significance of studying metabolic syndrome (MetS) in increasingly sedentary adolescents. To date, no study in Sudan has examined the association between MetS and physical activity (PA) among adolescents. This study aimed to assess the association between MetS and its components and PA among Sudanese early adolescents. A cross-sectional assessment was conducted from to 2018 to 2019 on a sample of 921 primary school students from Khartoum State, Republic of Sudan. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria and a standardized questionnaire was used to assess PA. Metabolic equivalents of task were calculated, and levels of different intensities of PA (tertiles) were identified accordingly. The association between PA and MetS and its components was assessed using a logistic regression model. The participants comprised 388 boys and 533 girls with a mean age of 12.59 ±â€…1.21 years. The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in subjects in the 1st PA tertile (least active) than in the 2nd and 3rd (most active) tertiles of PA, and this difference was observed in both boys and girls. After adjusting for other study factors, the odds of MetS among adolescents in the 1st PA tertile were 7 times higher than those in the highest PA tertile (adjusted odds ratio = 7.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.48, 32.99). A physically inactive lifestyle was associated with higher odds of MetS and its components, especially waist circumference and triglyceride levels, in Sudanese early adolescents. This study highlights the importance of promoting PA in this age group.

Ameliorative potential of rosmarinic acid in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome: Targeting MCP-1 and VEGF: A histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multidisciplinary endocrinopathy that affects women of reproductive age. It is characterized by menstrual complications, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular issues. The current research investigated the efficacy of rosmarinic acid in letrozole-induced PCOS in adult female rats as well as the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Forty female rats were divided into the control group, the rosmarinic acid group (50 mg/kg per orally, po) for 21 days, PCOS group; PCOS was induced by administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg po) for 21 days, and rosmarinic acid-PCOS group, received rosmarinic acid after PCOS induction. PCOS resulted in a marked elevation in both serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio with a marked reduction in serum estradiol and progesterone levels. A marked rise in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (messenger RNA) in the ovarian tissue was reported. The histological analysis displayed multiple cystic follicles in the ovarian cortex with markedly thin granulosa cell layer, vacuolated granulosa and theca cell layers, and desquamated granulosa cells. Upregulation in the immune expression of TNF-α and caspase-3 was demonstrated in the ovarian cortex. Interestingly, rosmarinic acid ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological changes. In conclusion, rosmarinic acid ameliorates letrozole-induced PCOS through its anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis effects.

Biological Control of Tomato Bacterial Leaf Spots and Its Impact on Some Antioxidant Enzymes, Phenolic Compounds, and Pigment Content.

Tomato bacterial spots, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv1) and X. euvesicatoria (Xe2), as well as bacterial specks, caused by two strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst1 and Pst2), represent significant threats to tomato production in the El-Sharkia governorate, often resulting in substantial yield losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of various biocontrol culture filtrates, including bacteria and fungi agents, in managing the occurrence and severity of these diseases, while also monitoring physiological changes in tomato leaves, including antioxidant enzymes, phenolics, and pigment content. The culture filtrates from examined Trichoderma species (T. viride, T. harzianum, and T. album), as well as the tested bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Serratia marcescens) at concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 100%, significantly inhibited the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria In vitro. For the In vivo experiments, we used specific doses of 5 mL of spore suspension per plant for the fungal bioagents at a concentration of 2.5 × 107 spores/mL. The bacterial bioagents were applied as a 10 mL suspension per plant at a concentration of 1 × 108 CFU/mL. Spraying the culture filtrates of the tested bioagents two days before infection In vivo significantly reduced disease incidence and severity. Trichoderma viride exhibited the highest efficacy among the fungal bioagents, followed by T. harzianum and T. album. Meanwhile, the culture filtrate of B. subtilis emerged as the most potent among the bacterial bioagents, followed by P. fluorescens. Furthermore, applying these culture filtrates resulted in elevated levels of chitinase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activity. This effect extended to increased phenol contents, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids in sprayed tomato plants compared to the control treatment. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of these biocontrol strategies to effectively mitigate disease incidence and severity while enhancing plant defense mechanisms and physiological parameters, thus offering promising avenues for sustainable disease management in tomato production.

Assessing the correlation between the degree of tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension: A comprehensive study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 118 patients with pulmonary hypertension was carried out at a single center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2018-2021. Patients who had pulmonary or tricuspid valves organic diseases, previously undergone tricuspid or pulmonary valve surgeries, had permanent pacemakers or critically ill were excluded. RESULTS: A high proportion of patients were women (n=100, 85%) and obese (n=57, 48%). Patients with more than mild TR had higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) than those with trivial or mild regurgitation (p<0.001). There was a significant association between severity of TR (p<0.001) and right chambers size (p=0.001). Furthermore, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was significantly higher in patients with mild right ventricular impairment (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Increase in degree of TR and right atrial size were predictors of elevated sPAP. Our findings highlight the interplay among TR, right heart size, ventricular function, and PAP. Understanding these associations can aid in risk stratification, monitoring disease progression, and potentially guiding treatment in those patients.

Ameliorative Potential of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Versus Prednisolone in a Rat Model of Lung Fibrosis: A Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Biochemical Study.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease of unknown origin with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The encouraging findings from preclinical investigations utilizing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) indicated that they could serve as a promising therapeutic alternative for managing chronic lung conditions, such as IPF. The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) versus prednisolone, the standard anti-inflammatory medication, in rats with bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis. Four groups were created: a control group, a BLM group, a prednisolone-treated group, and a BM-MSCs-treated group. To induce lung fibrosis, 5 mg/kg of BLM was administered intratracheally. BLM significantly increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. The disturbed lung structure was also revealed by light and transmission electron microscopic studies. Upregulation in the immune expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor beta-1, and Bax was demonstrated. Interestingly, all findings significantly regressed on treatment with prednisolone and BM-MSCs. However, treatment with BM-MSCs showed better results than with prednisolone. In conclusion, BM-MSCs could be a promising approach for managing lung fibrosis.

The Gut Microbiome and Joint Microbiome Show Alterations in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis Versus Controls: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To assess the current scientific literature on the microbiome's relation with knee osteoarthritis (OA), with specific focuses on the gut microbiome-joint axis and joint microbiome-joint axis. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines; the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant English-language clinical studies on the gut and/or joint microbiomes' association with knee OA in humans. Bias was evaluated using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies score. RESULTS: Thirty-five thousand bacterial species comprise the gut microbiome; approximately 90% are members of the phyla Bacteroides and Firmicutes. Symbiosis between the gut microbiome and host under normal physiological conditions positively affects host growth, development, immunity, and longevity. Gut microbiome imbalance can negatively influence various physiological processes, including immune response, inflammation, metabolism, and joint health including the development of knee OA. In addition, next-generation gene sequencing suggests the presence of microorganisms in the synovial fluid of OA knees, and distinct microbiome profiles detected are presumed to play a role in the development of OA. Regarding the gut microbiome, consistent alterations in microbial composition between OA patients and controls are noted, in addition to several associations between certain gut bacteria and OA-related knee pain, patient-reported outcome measure performance, imaging findings, and changes in metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Regarding the joint microbiome, studies have revealed that increased levels of lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in synovial fluid are associated with activated macrophages-and are correlated with worsened osteophyte severity, joint space narrowing, and pain scores in knee OA patients. In addition, studies have shown various microbial composition differences in OA patients compared with controls, with certain joint microbes directly associated with OA pathogenesis, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS: The gut microbiome-joint axis and joint microbiome show alterations in microbial composition between patients with OA and controls. These alterations are associated with perturbations of metabolic and inflammatory pathways, imaging findings, OA-related pain, and patient-reported outcome measure performance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, systematic review of Level II and III studies.

Neurosyphilis with sequential respiratory complications: A case report highlighting diagnostic and treatment challenges.

In this case report, we describe the presentation and clinical course of a 25-year-old male with a complex medical history and a fatal outcome due to neurosyphilis. The diagnosis of neurosyphilis-related complications. Neurosyphilis, a variant of tertiary syphilis, is a rare condition but can present with a wide range of neurological symptoms. This makes its diagnosis challenging. The study aims to report and discuss neurosyphilis in a young male, resulting in respiratory complications, and explore the clinical presentation, diagnostic and process, treatment challenges it poses to a tertiary care setup of a third-world country regimen, and the profound significance of this particular case.

Adopting yield-improving practices to meet maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa without cropland expansion.

Maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase 2.3 times during the next 30 years driven by demographic and dietary changes. Over the past two decades, the area cropped with maize has expanded by 17 million hectares in the region, with limited yield increase. Following this trend could potentially result in further maize cropland expansion and the need for imports to satisfy domestic demand. Here, we use data collected from 14,773 smallholder fields in the region to identify agronomic practices that can improve farm yield gains. We find that agronomic practices related to cultivar selection, and nutrient, pest, and crop management can double on-farm yields and provide an additional 82 million tons of maize within current cropped area. Research and development investments should be oriented towards agricultural practices with proven capacity to raise maize yields in the region.