Combining ability analysis in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) for potential quality improvement

Abstract Combining ability analysis provides useful information for the selection of parents, also information regarding the nature and magnitude of involved gene actions. Crops improvement involves strategies for enhancing yield potentiality and quality components. Targeting the improvement of respective characters in bitter gourd, combining ability and genetic parameters for 19 characters were estimated from a 6×6 full diallel analysis technique. The results revealed that the variances due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant for most of the important characters. It indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions. GCA variances were higher in magnitude than SCA variances for all the characters studied indicating the predominance of the additive gene effects in their inheritance. The parent P2 (BG 009) appeared as the best general combiner for earliness; P1 (BG 006) for number of fruits, average single fruit weight and fruit yield; P4 (BG 027) for node number of first female flower and days to seed fruit maturity; P3 (BG 011) for fruit length and thickness of the fruit flesh; P5 (BG 033) for 100-seed weight; and P6 for number of nodes per main vine. The SCA effect as well as reciprocal effect was also significant for most of the important characters in different crosses.

Resumo A análise da capacidade de combinação fornece informações úteis para a seleção dos pais, também informações sobre a natureza e a magnitude das ações dos genes envolvidos. A melhoria das safras envolve estratégias para aumentar a potencialidade da produção e os componentes de qualidade. Visando ao aprimoramento dos respectivos caracteres em cabaça-amarga, capacidade de combinação e parâmetros genéticos para 19 caracteres, foram estimados a partir de uma técnica de análise dialélica completa 6 × 6. Os resultados revelaram que as variâncias, devido à capacidade geral de combinação (GCA) e capacidade específica de combinação (SCA), foram altamente significativas para a maioria dos caracteres importantes. Indicou a importância das ações gênicas aditivas e não aditivas. As variâncias GCA foram maiores em magnitude do que as variâncias SCA para todos os caracteres estudados, indicando a predominância dos efeitos do gene aditivo em sua herança. O pai P2 (BG 009) apareceu como o melhor combinador geral para o início; P1 (BG 006) para número de frutos, peso médio de um único fruto e produção de frutos; P4 (BG 027) para número de nó da primeira flor fêmea e dias para a maturidade do fruto da semente; P3 (BG 011) para comprimento do fruto e espessura da polpa do fruto; P5 (BG 033) para peso de 100 sementes; e P6 para o número de nós por videira principal. O efeito SCA, bem como o efeito recíproco, também foi significativo para a maioria dos personagens importantes em cruzamentos diferentes.

Combining ability analysis in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. ) for potential quality improvement / Análise de capacidade de combinação em cabaça-amarga (Momordica charantia L. ) para melhoria potencial da qualidade

Abstract Combining ability analysis provides useful information for the selection of parents, also information regarding the nature and magnitude of involved gene actions. Crops improvement involves strategies for enhancing yield potentiality and quality components. Targeting the improvement of respective characters in bitter gourd, combining ability and genetic parameters for 19 characters were estimated from a 6×6 full diallel analysis technique. The results revealed that the variances due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant for most of the important characters. It indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions. GCA variances were higher in magnitude than SCA variances for all the characters studied indicating the predominance of the additive gene effects in their inheritance. The parent P2 (BG 009) appeared as the best general combiner for earliness; P1 (BG 006) for number of fruits, average single fruit weight and fruit yield; P4 (BG 027) for node number of first female flower and days to seed fruit maturity; P3 (BG 011) for fruit length and thickness of the fruit flesh; P5 (BG 033) for 100-seed weight; and P6 for number of nodes per main vine. The SCA effect as well as reciprocal effect was also significant for most of the important characters in different crosses.

Resumo A análise da capacidade de combinação fornece informações úteis para a seleção dos pais, também informações sobre a natureza e a magnitude das ações dos genes envolvidos. A melhoria das safras envolve estratégias para aumentar a potencialidade da produção e os componentes de qualidade. Visando ao aprimoramento dos respectivos caracteres em cabaça-amarga, capacidade de combinação e parâmetros genéticos para 19 caracteres, foram estimados a partir de uma técnica de análise dialélica completa 6 × 6. Os resultados revelaram que as variâncias, devido à capacidade geral de combinação (GCA) e capacidade específica de combinação (SCA), foram altamente significativas para a maioria dos caracteres importantes. Indicou a importância das ações gênicas aditivas e não aditivas. As variâncias GCA foram maiores em magnitude do que as variâncias SCA para todos os caracteres estudados, indicando a predominância dos efeitos do gene aditivo em sua herança. O pai P2 (BG 009) apareceu como o melhor combinador geral para o início; P1 (BG 006) para número de frutos, peso médio de um único fruto e produção de frutos; P4 (BG 027) para número de nó da primeira flor fêmea e dias para a maturidade do fruto da semente; P3 (BG 011) para comprimento do fruto e espessura da polpa do fruto; P5 (BG 033) para peso de 100 sementes; e P6 para o número de nós por videira principal. O efeito SCA, bem como o efeito recíproco, também foi significativo para a maioria dos personagens importantes em cruzamentos diferentes.

[Sexuality assessment of homozygous adult sickle cell patients with a history of priapism in Senegal]. / Évaluation de la sexualité des drépanocytaires adultes homozygotes ayant des antécédents de priapisme au Sénégal.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the sexuality of SS sickle cell patients with a history of priapism. METHODS: This was a case-control study of adult SS sickle cell patients. The occurrence of priapism as well as the nature of the priapism had been investigated. The patients were subdivided into three groups: Group 1 (no priapism), Group 2 (intermittent priapism) and Group 3 (acute priapism). The patients' sexuality was studied using the IIEF-15 questionnaire. RESULTS: We interviewed 191 SS sickle cell patients. The mean age was 27.1±7.1 years. Priapism was observed in 43.5 %. Only 77 patients were eligible for the IIEF15 questionnaire. Groups 1 and 2 performed significantly better than group 3 on erectile function (EF) and orgasmic function (OF) scores. There was no significant difference in the EF and OF scores between groups 1 and 2. No significant difference was observed between the three groups for the scores of sexual desire (SD), intercourse satisfaction (IS), and overall satisfaction (OS). The impairment of erectile function in group 2 was related to the age of the first episode of priapism and the last episode. The impairment of erectile function in group 3 was related to the duration of evolution (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that priapism is responsible for impaired erectile function in SS adult sickle cell patients. A program to prevent intermittent episodes of priapism should be put in place.

Combining ability analysis in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) for potential quality improvement.

Combining ability analysis provides useful information for the selection of parents, also information regarding the nature and magnitude of involved gene actions. Crops improvement involves strategies for enhancing yield potentiality and quality components. Targeting the improvement of respective characters in bitter gourd, combining ability and genetic parameters for 19 characters were estimated from a 6×6 full diallel analysis technique. The results revealed that the variances due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant for most of the important characters. It indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions. GCA variances were higher in magnitude than SCA variances for all the characters studied indicating the predominance of the additive gene effects in their inheritance. The parent P2 (BG 009) appeared as the best general combiner for earliness; P1 (BG 006) for number of fruits, average single fruit weight and fruit yield; P4 (BG 027) for node number of first female flower and days to seed fruit maturity; P3 (BG 011) for fruit length and thickness of the fruit flesh; P5 (BG 033) for 100-seed weight; and P6 for number of nodes per main vine. The SCA effect as well as reciprocal effect was also significant for most of the important characters in different crosses.

Risk in the "Red Zone": Outcomes for Children Admitted to Ebola Holding Units in Sierra Leone Without Ebola Virus Disease.

We collected data on 1054 children admitted to Ebola Holding Units in Sierra Leone and describe outcomes of 697/1054 children testing negative for Ebola virus disease (EVD) and accompanying caregivers. Case-fatality was 9%; 3/630 (0.5%) children discharged testing negative were readmitted EVD-positive. Nosocomial EVD transmission risk may be lower than feared.

[Advanced prostate cancer in Senegal. Clinical aspects at the General Hospital of Grand Yoff]. / Cancer avancé de la prostate au Sénégal. Aspects diagnostiques à l'hôpital de Grand Yoff.

UNLABELLED: Prostate cancer is a common disease, which continues to be discovered at advanced stages in Africa, despite improved diagnostic tools. AIM: The authors report the experience of the Department of Urology, General Hospital of Grand Yoff Dakar in the diagnostic of advanced prostate cancer. MATERIAL: This was a retrospective descriptive study on patients followed for advanced prostate cancer during the period from January 1st, 2004 to May 31st, 2010. RESULTS: There were 102 people aged from 51 to 96 years with an average of 71 ± 9 years. A comorbid condition was associated in 24.5 % of cases. The circumstances of discovery were pain (32 cases), neurological signs (17 cases), and urinary disorders. DRE had objectified an abnormality in all patients. The serum levels of prostate specific antigen ranged from 5.88 ng/mL to 21,660 ng/mL, with an average of 1447.57 ± 812 ng/mL. A prostate biopsy was performed in 44 patients and prostatic adenocarcinoma was found in 97.7 % of cases with Gleason scores greater than 7 (33 cases). We found different metastatic sites at vertebral column (23 cases), at lung (14 cases), and on pelvic bones (11 cases). CONCLUSION: The prostate cancer is a serious condition with high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis is not made early in developing countries. We need a strategic plan to improve the early screening and we should develop supportive care too because of the high number of advanced cases diagnosed in our context.

[Management of prostate cancer in Senegal: what is being done?]. / Cancer de la prostate : quelle prise en charge au Sénégal ?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the management of patients with prostate cancer in Senegal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective descriptive study, based on the medical records of patients managed for prostate cancer during a period of six years and a half from January 1, 2004, to June 30, 2010. All records of inpatients and outpatients managed for prostate cancer were collected. Data collection was performed through a standardized survey form, and included the following parameters: age, presence or absence of known history of prostate cancer in siblings, circumstances of discovery, clinical and paraclinical examination, histology and therapeutic modalities. RESULTS: We studied the records of 164 patients with prostate cancer. The mean age of our patients was 65years, ranging from 43 to 96years. The circumstances of diagnosis were mostly due to lower urinary tract symptoms. Digital rectal examination was suggestive in 87% of cases, and PSA levels were high in 100% of cases, ranging from 5.88ng/ml to 21,660ng/ml, with a mean of 1447.57ng/ml. Half of the patients had PSA levels greater than or equal to 100ng/ml. The most common histological type was adenocarcinoma. During the study period, 49 radical prostatectomies were performed. The mean PSA levels of patients who underwent a prostatectomy were 23.4ng/ml. Radical retropubic prostatectomy was performed in 35 patients, and radical perineal prostatectomy was performed in 10 cases. Pulpectomy was the method most commonly used in metastatic prostate cancer; it was performed in 48 patients. After resistance to castration, antiandrogens were reintroduced in 13 patients, and diethylstilbestrol in four patients. Only two patients underwent a taxane-based chemotherapy regimen. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of prostate cancer was usually tardive in Senegal. Treatment often involves surgical castration. Prostatectomy was only very seldom indicated.

[Total cystectomies for cancers locally advanced of bladder about 12 cases in the service of urology of the general hospital of Grand-Yoff]. / Cystectomies totales pour cancers localement avancés de vessie au service d'urologie de l'hôpital général de Grand-Yoff.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of the study is to evaluate the feasability of the total cystectomy for cancer infiltrating locally advanced of bladder and to evaluate perioperatitive morbidity and short-term results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a retrospective study concerning 12 first patients having profited from a total cystectomy for cancer infiltrating of the bladder in our hospital over one period of 1 year. The parameters of study were: the age at the time of the diagnosis, circumstances of the diagnosis, antecedents of the patient, the histological type and stage TNM before and after intervention, the type of derivation associated, duration of the intervention, the anesthesia, complications and morbidity per- and postoperational. We carried out calculations of average and frequency for the data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 51 years (extreme: 32; 83). They were nine men and three women. The circumstances of diagnosis were dominated by the total hematuria and in less frequency by the bladder irritative symptoms. The antecedents of the patients were dominated by the schistosomia (five cases) and the tobacco addiction (two cases). The histological type obtained in preoperative after biopsy or trans urethral resection of bladder found, seven cases of squamous cell carcinoma, four cases of transitional cell carcinoma and one case of adenocarcinoma. Into preoperative, three patients were at the stage pT2, eight patients pT3, one pT4. Four patients had a replacement of bladder: three by a bladder in Z and a patient had Camey II. They were the three patients pT2 preoperative and a patient pT3. Two patients had a standard ureterosigmoidostomy type coffey: the patient pT4 and a patient pT3. The six other patients had Bricker. All the patients profited from a blood transfusion peroperational (two units on average). We did not record any operational mortality. The complications and morbidity are represented by the suppurations of wall (three cases), the vesicocutaneous fistula (one case), the infections urinary and the anemia which was constant. CONCLUSION: The management of bladder cancer poses a real problem in our countries because of the diagnosis at advanced stage.

[Urinary incontinence in woman: epidemiologic profile in Sub Saharian countries]. / Incontinence urinaire de la femme: profil épidémiologique au sud du Sahara.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiologic profile of urinary incontinence of the African woman of three Sub Saharan African countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentric study summarized the epidemiological data collected in female from Nouakchott, Dakar and Ndjamena using a questionnaire. All participants filled an anonymous questionnaire including demographic data and marital status, medical, surgical, gynecological and obstetrical history and the characteristics of the urinary incontinence. RESULTS: Overall, 3021 questionnaires were distributed, only 2070 answers (69%) could be processed. Mean age of the overall population was 28 years. Adult women aged less than 30 years accounted for 56% of the study population. The age group 30-49 years accounted for 42% of the population and only 2% of the study group had more than 50 years. The prevalence of incontinence was 367 cases over 2070 (17,7%). The types of incontinence found were: urgency in 28.6% of cases, stress incontinence in 38.4% of cases and mixed in 33% of cases. Approximately 23,9% of nulliparous and 23,5% of the multiparous had urinary incontinence. The leakage was occasional in 75% of the cases and regular in 25% of the cases. According to gravity, in 31% of cases the volume of urines lost necessitated a change of underwear. Of the women presenting urinary incontinence, 85 (23%) consulted a doctor. A psychosocial repercussion was found in 31% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Urinary incontinence is much more frequent in our areas than it was thought to be because it was rarely acknowledged.

L'echographie doppler couleur scrotale dans la recherche etiologique de l'infertilite conjugale

Introduction : l'infertilite masculine est de plus en plus importante(1). Les etiologies sont variees; l'echographie doppler couleur des bourses constitue l'examen d'imagerie de premiere intention dans la recherche etiologique. Le but de notre travail est d'evaluer la place de l'echographie doppler couleur dans l'exploration de l'infertilite masculine. Patients et methodes : Nous avons realise une etude retrospective sur une annee de 53 dossiers de patients ayant consulte pour infertilite du couple. Une echographie doppler couleur des bourses a ete realisee pour tous les patients. Elle a permis de noter pour chaque patient la taille; le volume; les contours du testicule et l'aspect du cordon. Le doppler couleur precisait la cartographie vasculaire. Resultats : la moyenne d'age etait de 39;5 ans; la duree moyenne d'infertilite etait de 07 ans et demi. L'examen clinique avait retrouve 20 cas de varicocele clinique dont 12 gauches et 8 bilaterales. L'echographie Doppler couleur avait retrouve 42 cas de varicocele dont 11 confirmant l'examen clinique (3 varicoceles gauches et 8 varicoceles bilaterales); et 31 infra cliniques avec 13 cas de varicoceles bilaterales; 12 cas de varicoceles droites et 6 cas de varicoceles gauches. Les valeurs du diametre des veines droites et gauches variaient entre 2 et 4;8 mm; un reflux a ete objective chez tous nos patients. 33 patients avaient une atrophie testiculaire droite; 35 patients une atrophie testiculaire gauche. 2 cas de kyste para-epididymaire; 3 cas de micro lithiases testiculaires; deux cas d'hydrocele ont ete retrouves. L'echographie Doppler couleur etait normale chez 3 patients. Conclusion : Cet examen est une methode d'imagerie de premier choix dans la strategie diagnostique de l'infertilite masculine

Varicocele primitive et fertilite : evaluation postoperatoire des parametres du spermogramme et de la fecondite

Objectif : Il n'existe pas de consensus concernant la capacite de la varicocelectomie a ameliorer la fertilite et la fecondite. L'objectif de cette etude retrospective etait d'etudier l'evolution postoperatoire de la fertilite masculine (par les parametres du spermogramme) et celle de la fecondite du couplePatients et methodes: Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective de 50 patients porteurs de varicocele palpable operes selon la technique de Palomo au service d'Urologie de l'Hopital Grand Yoff; Dakar; Senegal. Les parametres etudies sont les parametres du spermogramme (densite; mobilite totale a la premiere heure; vitalite) et du spermocytogramme (taux de spermatozoides de morphologie normale); une fois avant l'operation et a deux reprises apres (entre le 3eme et le 8eme mois et a partir du 9eme mois) et la fecondite postoperatoire du couple chez 35 patients. Resultats : L'etude du spermogramme retrouve; pour l'ensemble des patients; une elevation de la valeur moyenne de tous les parametres; sans normalisation; exception faite de la morphologie (spermocytogramme). L'evolution postoperatoire n'etait statistiquement significative que pour la densite. La majorite des patients (76a 92) presentaient des valeurs du spermogramme preoperatoires inferieures a la normale; excepte pour la morphologie (28) (spermocytogramme). Les parametres du spermogramme se sont ameliores pour 48 a 64des patients selon le parametre etudie. L'amelioration des parametres est d'autant plus importante que leur valeur preoperatoire moyenne etait basse. Les facteurs de bon pronostic postoperatoires sont representes par les patients les plus jeunes (moins de 35 ans) et ceux qui presentaient une varicocele bilaterale; une infertilite de type secondaire et une duree d'infertilite moins longue. Nous n'avons pas etudie la correlation entre le grade de la varicocele et la fecondite. Le taux de grossesse postoperatoire etait de 31;4. Les sujets feconds etaient plus jeunes; avaient une duree moyenne de l'infertilite moins longue et des parametres constamment plus eleves par rapport aux patients infeconds. Les ameliorations postoperatoires de la fertilite et de la fecondite dans cette etude etaient relatives et limitees. Conclusion: Par la frequence de la varicocele et ses consequences sur la fertilite; il s'avere necessaire aussi de mieux et de plus informer les populations sur cette affection; ses consequences et les resultats de son traitement sur la fertilite. De plus une collaboration plus etroite entre gynecologues; biologistes de la reproduction; radiologues et urologues-andrologues permettrait une prise en charge integree de l'infertilite du couple. Il est egalement necessaire; concernant l'infertilite; d'ameliorer la prise en charge psychologique du couple; et notamment celle de la conjointe

Profil clinique du cancer de la prostate au Senegal

Objectives: To describe the clinical features of prostate cancer in Senegal. Materials and Methods: We underwent a descriptive and retrospective study including 121 patients managed for prostate cancer in two hospitals of Dakar between 1997 and 2002. The histological diagnosis was assessed on prostate biopsy or after transurethral resection of the prostate or prostatectomy. We studied: the age of the patients; the PSA level; the stage of the tumor using the TNM staging of 1997; and the circumstances of diagnosis. Results: The mean age was 69 years (52-88); the mean PSA was 72;2 ng /ml (6-578;9). The localized tumors that represented 43;8of the cases were mainly T2 (42;1); while the advanced (T3-T4) tumors represented 41;3of the cases. Metastases were found in 15of cases; and in 78of the cases the metastases could not be assessed. The circumstances of diagnosis were dominated by prostate or cancer-related symptoms which represented 49;6of the cases. The association between symptoms and high PSA was present in 16;5of cases. Conclusion: This study shows an elevated age of our patients correlated with a high PSA level; an advanced tumor stage; an important rate of metastases and the presence of symptoms. Screening is needed for a better management of prostate cancer in Senegal

Clinical characteristics of prostate cancer in African Americans, American whites, and Senegalese men.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features of prostate cancer in Senegalese men and compare these features with those found in African-American and white American men. METHODS: We identified an unselected series of 121 patients with prostate cancer diagnosed at two hospitals in Dakar, Senegal between 1997 and 2002. Medical record abstractions were undertaken to evaluate the prostate tumor characteristics, patient age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and reason for referral. In addition, these characteristics were compared with a sample of 455 U.S. white men and 60 African-American men with prostate cancer who were studied as part of a prostate cancer case-control study. RESULTS: Senegalese men had a significantly worse tumor stage than Americans (41.3% versus 18.8%, P <0.001), a significantly worse mean PSA level at diagnosis (mean PSA 72.7 ng/mL versus 9.0 ng/mL in Americans; P <0.001), and were diagnosed at a significantly later age than U.S. men (69 years versus 61 years, P <0.001). U.S. men were most likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer after an elevated PSA test, and Senegalese men were most often diagnosed after presenting for prostate-related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These observations are not unexpected given the differences in the patterns of prostate cancer screening and health care in the United States compared with Senegal. However, our data provide descriptive information about the characteristics of prostate cancer diagnosed in Senegal and highlight differences in the characteristics and detection of these tumors across populations with very different healthcare systems.

Ethnic differences in the frequency of prostate cancer susceptibility alleles at SRD5A2 and CYP3A4.

OBJECTIVES: Ethnic differences in prostate cancer incidence are well documented, with African-Americans having among the highest rates in the world. Ethnic differences in genotypes for genes associated with androgen metabolism including SRD5A2 and CYP3A4 also may exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in these genotypes by ethnicity. METHODS: We studied cancer-free controls representative of four groups: 147 African Americans, 410 Caucasian-Americans, 129 Ghanaians, and 178 Senegalese. PCR-based genotype analysis was undertaken to identify two alleles (V89L, A49T) at SRD5A2 and *1B allele at CYP3A4. RESULTS: Differences were observed for V89L (variant frequency of 30% in Caucasians, 27% in African Americans, 19% in Ghanaians, and 18% in Senegalese, p = 0.002) and were observed for CYP3A4*1B (variant frequencies of 8% in Caucasians, 59% in African Americans, 81% in Ghanaians, and 78% in Senegalese, p = 0.0001). Pooled data combining the present data and previously published data from from Asian, Hispanic, and Arab cancer-free controls showed significant ethnic differences for SRD5A2 and CYP3A4 polymorphisms. Overall, Asians were least likely to have alleles associated with increased prostate cancer risk, while Africans were most likely to have those alleles. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ethnicity-specific differences in genotype frequencies exist for SRD5A2 and CYP3A4. Africans and African-Americans have the highest frequency of those alleles that have previously been associated with increased prostate cancer risk. Future studies should address whether allele frequency differences in part explain differences in prostate cancer incidence in these populations.