Search

This study aimed to analyze the determinants of neonatal mortality over the last decade (2013–2023), identifying key factors that have influenced neonatal outcomes both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a systematic literature review approach guided by the PRISMA method, this study evaluates 91 papers collected from indexed databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The review encompasses studies conducted globally, offering insights into the evolution of neonatal mortality research and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on neonatal health. The analysis revealed a complex array of risk determinants, categorized into socioeconomic factors, clinical factors, and healthcare access and quality. Notable factors include rural versus urban healthcare disparities, prenatal and postnatal care quality, and the influence of healthcare infrastructure on neonatal outcomes. This study highlights the shifting focus of neonatal mortality research in response to global health challenges, including the pandemic. The findings underscore the need for multidisciplinary approaches to address neonatal mortality, emphasizing the importance of enhancing healthcare systems, improving maternal education, and ensuring equitable access to quality care. Future research should explore the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on neonatal health and investigate the efficacy of interventions in diverse healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La lentille (Lens culinaris Medik.) contribue a la securite alimentaire et a la durabilite des systemes agricoles. La tolerance a la secheresse est un objectif majeur pour la creation varietale. Cette etude visait la comparaison des reponses des populations locales, accessions sauvages Lens orientalis et des lignees avancees au stress hydrique progressif sous conditions controlees. Les accessions sauvages ont demontre une grande tolerance au stress hydrique par rapport aux lignees avancees et populations locales. Elles avaient un rapport (biomasse racinaire/biomasse aerienne), un contenu relatif en eau des feuilles, une depression de la temperature du couvert et une stabilite de la membrane cellulaire plus eleves ainsi qu'une severite de fletrissement et un taux de perte d'eau des feuilles plus faible. Une differentiation genetique claire pour la tolerance a la secheresse entre les 3 groupes genetiques a ete montree. Differentes reponses morpho-physiologiques du materiel genetique ont ete observees, correspondant a differents mecanismes de tolerance a la secheresse. Les accessions sauvages, les lignees avancees et les nouvelles varietes ameliorees de l'Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA) du Maroc A3, A4, A5, A6 et A7 ainsi que la lentille de Zaer, une population locale beneficiant d'un label de qualite connue dans le pays, ont ete identifiees comme les plus tolerantes a la secheresse parmi le materiel genetique etudie. Ces accessions pourraient etre utilisees dans les programmes d'amelioration genetique dans la perspective de developper des varietes tolerantes a la secheresse. Mots-cles : tolerance a la secheresse, accessions sauvages, populations locales, especes cultivees, differenciation morpho-physiologique, lentille. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is one of the most important food legumes in the world that can contribute to food security and sustainable farming. Drought tolerance is one of the major objectives of breeding programs. This research paper aimed at comparing genotypes with different genetic background (landraces, Lens orientalis wild accessions, and elite advanced lines) under 2 watering regimes (well-watered and progressive water deficit). Drought tolerance was assessed based on morphological and physiological parameters: relative water content and water loss rate of leaves, cell membrane stability, canopy temperature, root/shoot ratio, seedling vigor, wilting severity, and harvest index. The evaluation was carried out in a greenhouse pot experiment using 3 replications. Wild accessions were more drought tolerant than advanced lines and landraces. They had higher root/shoot ratios, relative water contents of leaves, canopy temperature depressions, and cell membrane stability, and lower wilting severity and water loss rate of leaves. In fact, discriminant factor analysis highlighted a clear genetic differentiation for drought tolerance between the 3 genetic groups. Different morpho-physiological responses of the studied genetic material have been observed corresponding to different drought tolerance mechanisms. Wild accessions, advanced lines, and new National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) of Morocco varieties A3, A4, A5, A6, and A7, as well as lentil of Zaer, a specific landrace with specific quality mark distinction known in the country, were identified as the most drought tolerant among the studied genetic material. These accessions could be used in genetic improvement programs from the perspective of developing drought tolerant varieties. Keywords: drought tolerance, wild accessions, landraces, cultivated species, morpho-physiological differentiation, lentil., Introduction La lentille (Lens culinaris Medik.) est l'une des legumineuses les plus importantes au monde. En 2019, la production mondiale de la lentille a atteint 5,73 millions de tonnes (FAOSTAT [...]

In the complex context of rising food demand, natural resources degradation and worsening climate changes impact, food legumes could play an important role in sustainable agriculture and food security. To overcome these challenges, enhanced genetic gain has become a necessity. Speed breeding‐based extended photoperiod is being used to reinforce conventional breeding methods and to speed up the development of adapted varieties. Speed breeding growth chambers and greenhouses' light quality in terms of red–blue ratio is among important factors that need to be optimized to enhance the efficiency of this technique to accelerate plant growth and development while limiting plant stress. We have compared the effect of different light ratios of 5:3 red–blue, 3:5 red–blue and 4:4 white–white on phenological and morphological characteristics of three lentil and chickpea genotypes grown in a speed breeding‐based extended photoperiod growth chamber with 22 h light/2 h dark. The 5:3 red–blue light ratio increased plant height and reduced flowering time for the three tested lentil varieties with 36, 41 and 40 days after sowing, respectively, as well as for the three tested chickpea varieties with 42, 38 and 24 days after sowing, respectively. While the 3:5 red–blue ratio increased leaves and secondary stem growth for lentil; leaves and secondary stem growth, green canopy cover and seedling vigour for chickpea. Less vegetative growth and later flowering were observed under white light. Higher red–blue light ratio of 5:3 accelerated lentil and chickpea vegetative growth and flowering, making it more optimal for speed breeding‐based extended photoperiod. It should be pointed out that the suggested home‐designed and built protocol is cost‐effective and easy to implement especially in small‐scale breeding programmes in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speed breeding (SB) is an effective solution to enhance genetic gain. We advanced 14 intraspecific and interspecific lentil populations from F2 to F6 generation under a SB growth chamber applying an extended photoperiod of 18h light (23-25 °C)/6h darkness (14-16 °C). Six generations per year were achieved with an average generation cycle ranging from 62 to 76 days, demonstrating the effectiveness of SB in reducing generation time. More than 1500 F6-7 single plant-row advanced lines obtained from the populations were grown as observation nurseries under field conditions for seed multiplication and preliminary selection prior to their introduction in yield trials in the perspective of identifying new improved varieties. In addition to higher genetic gain, the SB method is resource efficient and easy to implement in small-scale breeding programs. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing effective implementation of SB protocol in lentil breeding pipeline in Africa and the Middle East. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics play a crucial role in preserving and improving public health, saving millions of lives every year. However, their effectiveness is currently under threat due to the ability of bacteria to adapt and develop resistance to these treatments. Therefore, this study was carried out on two soil samples collected in two areas of Arba Aounate, Sidi Bennour province, Morocco, to identify natural antibiotic-producing Actinobacteria capable of combating multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. A primary screening revealed that of the 50 isolates, 16 exhibited antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27,853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25,923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25,922, and Candida albicans ATTC 60193. A secondary screening showed that of the 16 isolates, only EIZ1 and EIZ2 isolates displayed outstanding antimicrobial and antifungal activity against 6 MDR bacteria, including Escherichia coli 19L2418, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus sp. 19K1313, Klebsiella pneumoniae 19K 929, Proteus vulgaris 16C1737, and Klebsiella pneumoniae 20B1572. These two isolates were also characterized culturally, morphologically, physiologically, and biochemically. Afterward, the amplification of 16S rRNA revealed that isolate EIZ2 was 99.06% strongly related to the genus Streptomyces. Furthermore, this extract exhibits strong antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS free radicals and elevated ferric-reducing antioxidant power. A significant (p < 0.0001) positive correlation was observed between antioxidant activities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. A GC–MS analysis of the ethyl acetate extract revealed the presence of 10 compounds, mainly diethyl phthalate (97%) and benzeneacetic acid (94%). This research demonstrates that Streptomyces sp. strain EIZ2 represents a potential source of antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. These compounds could offer considerable potential as therapeutic agents, paving the way for future developments in medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentil plays an important role for food and nutritional security. It is a sustainable source of protein, zinc, iron, prebiotic carbohydrates, and diverse health-promoting nutrients. This crop is widely cultivated in semi-arid marginal areas and exposed to various environmental stressors. Drought stress is the major abiotic stress that causes serious effects on lentil growth and development. Thus, it is imperative to set up innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the adverse effects of drought on lentil crop. In this review, the agro-morphological, physiological, and biochemical effects of drought on lentil were highlighted. Furthermore, breeding and agronomic interventions to improve lentil performance in drought-prone environments were also discussed. Overall, drought disturbs lentil germination, photosynthesis, water relations, shoot and root growth, thereby reducing final yield. Conventional breeding programs have identified several sources of drought tolerance; however, modern biotechnological tools could be adopted to decipher the genetic architecture of drought tolerance in lentil to accelerate the genetic progress. Cost-affordable and eco-friendly agronomic practices may also contribute to minimize the negative consequences of drought stress. Smart exploitation of breeding approaches and agronomic practices could help overcome drought, improve lentil productivity, and increase the profitability of farmers in dry areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative usefulness of conventional and alternative breeding methods relies on the evolution of genetic variability in segregating populations undergoing selection. The objective of this study was to compare the frequencies of genetic resistance to Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) in populations generated by two conventional breeding methods in comparison with lines advanced through doubled haploid method. Distribution and proportions of Hessian fly resistance were evaluated in four populations of bread wheat lines advanced through 'Single Seed Descent' (SSD), 'Bulk', and doubled-haploid (DH) methods. These populations were all derived from crosses involving resistant parents and susceptible lines adapted to Moroccan conditions. The results of this study have shown a clear effect of the breeding method. The Bulk and SSD (F6) derived lines have shown a substantial residual heterozygocity while DH method has produced completely homozygous material. The observed proportions of resistance did not deviate from expected in the populations of lines derived through SSD and DH methods while evidence of natural selection for resistance was significant in the lines derived through the Bulk method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]