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Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food crop in Nigeria, but root yields hardly exceed 10 t ha−1. Intensification of small holders' cassava production is key to improved food security and income generation. We tested, in two demonstration trials and 20 on‐farm trials, different intensification options: cassava growth type (erect and branching), fertilizer application (with and without), and cassava − legume arrangement (0.5 by 2 m/1 by 1 m spacing of cassava) in demonstration trials. In on‐farm trials, farmers tested a subset of these treatments. The demonstration trials had median cassava yields of about 20 (Akindele village) and 15 (Osunwoyin village) t ha−1. Fertilizer application increased the yield of the erect cassava variety. Cassava intercropped with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], reduced yield and the branching cassava variety produced lower yield than the erect variety. Median cowpea yields were about 1 and 1.5 t ha−1 pod yield. Median yields in the on‐farm trials were about 10 t ha−1. Intercropping with cowpea reduced cassava root yields (on average by 2.4 t ha−1), again, cowpea pod yields of 1−1.5 t ha−1 were attainable. In summary, this study confirmed that intensification measures need to be site and user or farmer specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-neuronal autoantibodies have been reported as the cause of several neurologic disorders other than encephalitis. Unfortunately, data are mostly based on serum analysis. Predictions about pathogenicity are thus limited. To determine the presence of so far unidentified autoantibody-derived neuroreactivity we analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with neurological disorders other than encephalitis. We did a retrospective analysis of CSF from 254 children with various neurologic diseases other than encephalitis and searched for reactivity against neuronal surface antigens by immunofluorescence on unfixed murine brain sections (tissue-based assay, TBA) and by commercial cell-based assays (CBA). A semi-quantitative fluorescence score classified our results and we described the clinical course of all positive patients with strong neuroreactivity. Strong anti-neuronal IgG immunoreactivity of unknown antigen specificity was detected in CSF samples of 10 pediatric patients (4%, n = 10/254) with unsolved neurological disorders. CSF inflammatory markers were elevated. Most patients did not or only partly recover. Five screening-positive patients presented with a combination of headache and visual impairment due to optic nerve atrophy. Our data suggest to consider inflammatory, autoantibody-related etiologies, especially in cases without definite diagnoses. We present an overview of CSF neuroreactivity in children with neurological disorders other than encephalitis, indicating the presence of unidentified anti-neuronal autoantibodies. As TBA enables screening for unknown autoantibodies, we suggest this method as a second step if commercial CBAs do not yield a result. Further studies are necessary to characterize such antibodies, evaluate pathogenicity, and answer the question whether positive CSF neuroreactivity should prompt an immunotherapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commensal microflora provides a repertoire of antigens that illicit mucosal antibodies. In some cases, these antibodies can cross-react with host proteins, inducing autoimmunity, or with other microbial antigens. We demonstrate that the oral microbiota can induce salivary anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG antibodies via molecular mimicry. Anti-Spike IgG antibodies in the saliva correlated with enhanced abundance of Streptococcus salivarius 1 month after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Several human commensal bacteria, including S. salivarius , were recognized by SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and induced cross-reactive anti-Spike antibodies in mice, facilitating SARS-CoV-2 clearance. A specific S. salivarius protein, RSSL-01370, contains regions with homology to the Spike receptor-binding domain, and immunization of mice with RSSL-01370 elicited anti-Spike IgG antibodies in the serum. Additionally, oral S. salivarius supplementation enhanced salivary anti-Spike antibodies in vaccinated individuals. Altogether, these data show that distinct species of the human microbiota can express molecular mimics of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, potentially enhancing protective immunity. [Display omitted] • SARS-CoV-2 vaccination induces an early increase in S. salivarius in the oral cavity • Anti-Spike-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies bind to S. salivarius via molecular mimicry • S. salivarius induces cross-reactive anti-Spike Abs in mice, aiding virus clearance • S. salivarius boosts salivary anti-Spike antibodies in the vaccinees Bondareva et al. show that commensal bacteria, including Streptococcus salivarius , trigger cross-reactive anti-Spike antibodies capable of SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibition. Streptococcus salivarius abundance correlates with salivary anti-Spike antibodies early after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Streptococcus salivarius supplementation enhances salivary anti-Spike antibodies in vaccinees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Autoimmune-mediated processes are the driving force behind many neurological diseases. Autoimmune encephalitis, a group of syndromes, mediated by or at least associated with autoantibodies against neuronal tissue, have gained increasing importance especially in paediatric neurology. Since the first NMDAR encephalitis was described a growing number of patients with encephalopathy, seizures and psychiatric symptoms were found to suffer from treatable autoimmune disorders. Recently a severe form of encephalitis associated with GABA A R antibodies was described showing extensive MRI abnormalities and refractory seizures. Case We now describe a child with catatonia and encephalopathy due to antibodies against the GABA A receptor. It is a rare paediatric case without the development of seizures despite severe encephalopathy. Relevance The report extends the phenotype of this rare disease. It demonstrates a favourable outcome after introduction of an early and aggressive immunomodulatory therapy. Due to the child's history of previous viral meningitis, the case raises questions about the unrevealed mechanisms leading to autoimmune encephalitis, including the model of a viral trigger as discussed in Herpes infection and NMDAR encephalitis. Finally, it describes in detail the neuropsychological symptoms and cognitive functions during disease flare and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the use of federal regulations and market-based incentives to conserve habitat for the Florida panther on private lands. We examine: the role of habitat conservation in panther recovery efforts; the limitations of existing regulatory mechanisms, in particular the Endangered Species Act, in conserving panther habitat on private lands; and how market-based incentives for habitat conservation may complement regulations. In particular, we examine how a payment for ecosystem services (PES) program could attain both economic and ecological efficiency in habitat conservation on private lands. We conclude that a strategic combination of regulatory and market-based incentives would be more effective at conserving contiguous habitat on private lands, especially when the loss of habitat is driven by rapid urban and exurban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We reviewed the current literature on fuels and fire behavior following mastication. [•] Mastication treatments convert shrubs and small trees into compact surface fuels. [•] Fuel bed characteristics vary widely across ecosystems and regions of the US. [•] Laboratory experiments reveal long-duration combustion in these dense fuels. [•] Field burning experiments highlight variation in treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We characterize fuelbeds following mastication in a southern US pine forest. [•] We highlight differences in fuel dynamics across 3 pine flatwoods stand types. [•] Fuel structure is rearranged and litter dominates surface fuels. [•] Rapid shrub recovery increases total fuel loading over time. [•] Treatment efficacy may be short-lived due to fuel dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stump sprouting is a widespread phenomenon in North American hardwood tree species following logging or severe crown damage from natural disturbances such as fire, wind, or insect attack. However, other than the effects of species and tree size, factors that influence the probability of sprouting are not well understood. Data from harvested stands in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, USA, were used to evaluate the effects of several variables on stump sprouting frequencies measured within the first year after cutting for several oak and other hardwood species. After adjusting for species and diameter of the "parent" tree (ortet), clearcut harvests were found to result in a higher frequency of sprouted stumps than shelterwood harvests or crop tree releases. In addition, the probability of sprouting was higher for trees in the Ridge and Valley province of Pennsylvania vs. the Appalachian Plateaus, and in general it was higher on dry vs. moist sites. After accounting for all measured variables, there remained statistically significant stand-to-stand differences in sprouting frequency that arose from unknown causes. Results should temper expectations of stump sprout contributions to regeneration stocking that are based on simple models derived from a small number of stands or a limited geographic area. On the stand-level basis at which most managers work, the actual contribution of sprouts to future stand development may vary widely from modeled expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term fire exclusion has altered ecological function in many forested ecosystems in North America. The invasion of fire-sensitive tree species into formerly pyrogenic upland forests in the southeastern United States has resulted in dramatic shifts in surface fuels that have been hypothesized to cause reductions in plant community flammability. The mechanism for the reduced flammability or "mesophication" has lacked empirical study. Here we evaluate a potential mechanism of reduced flammability by quantifying moisture retention (response time and initial moisture capacity) of foliar litter beds from 17 southeastern tree species spanning a wide range of fire tolerance. A A>means cluster analysis resulted in four species groups: a rapidly drying cluster of eight species; a five-species group that absorbed little water but desorbed slowly; a two-species group that absorbed substantial moisture but desorbed rapidly; and a two-species cluster that absorbed substantial moisture and dried slowly. Fire-sensitive species were segregated into the slow moisture loss clusters while fire-tolerant species tended to cluster in the rapid drying groups. Principal-components analysis indicated that several leaf characteristics correlated with absorption capacity and drying rates. Thin-leaved species with high surface area : volume absorbed the greatest moisture content, while those with large, curling leaves had the fastest drying rates. The dramatic shifts in litter fuels as a result of invasion by fire-sensitive species generate a positive feedback that reduce the windows of ignition, thereby facilitating the survival, persistence, and continued invasion of fire-sensitive species in the uplands of the southeastern United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]