Search

In the desert region of Rajasthan, India, farmers mainly grow pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] landraces. The adoption of modern cultivars is generally low because of their poor adaptation to extreme drought stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of six elite breeding populations and three landraces and to determine the heterotic pattern among the 36 diallel crosses of those populations. Field experiments were conducted in eight environments in India. Mean grain yields (GYs) in the three environments with favorable growing conditions were double to threefold those in the three arid environments. The elite populations generally showed higher GY than the landraces; stover yield (SY) was similar in both population types. The landraces flowered earlier, had a higher tillering potential, and smaller seeds. Mean level of midparent heterosis was generally low, ranging from 0.85% for time to flowering (TF) to 6.57% for SY. For GY, expression of heterosis for individual population crosses was between -14 and +30% under drought stress, and between -9 and +17% in the favorable environments. For SY, mean heterosis was always positive and higher than for GY. The elite x landrace population crosses with high mean GY and high levels of heterosis under drought stress could be beneficial to widen the germplasm base and to combine the high yield potential of elite materials with the good adaptation of the landraces., PEARL MILLET is a staple food crop in the semiarid and arid areas of Africa and Asia. In India, modern cultivars, both hybrids and open-pollinated cultivars, have been widely adopted [...]

Although pesticide use is widespread, little is known about potential adverse health effects of in utero exposure. We investigated the effects of organophosphate pesticide exposure during pregnancy on fetal growth and gestational duration in a cohort of low-income, Latina women living in an agricultural community in the Salinas Valley, California. We measured nonspecific metabolites of organophosphate pesticides (dimethyl and diethyl phosphates) and metabolites specific to malathion (malathion dicarboxylic acid), chlorpyrifos [O,O[for symbol see text]-diethyl O[for symbol see text]-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl) phosphoro-thioate], and parathion (4-nitrophenol) in maternal urine collected twice during pregnancy. We also measured levels of cholinesterase in whole blood and butyryl cholinesterase in plasma in maternal and umbilical cord blood. We failed to demonstrate an adverse relationship between fetal growth and any measure of in utero organophosphate pesticide exposure. In fact, we found increases in body length and head circumference associated with some exposure measures. However, we did find decreases in gestational duration associated with two measures of in utero pesticide exposure: urinary dimethyl phosphate metabolites [ß[adjusted] = -0.41 weeks per log[10] unit increase; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.75--0.02; p = 0.02], which reflect exposure to dimethyl organophosphate compounds such as malathion, and umbilical cord cholinesterase (ßadjusted = 0.34 weeks per unit increase; 95% CI, 0.13-0.55; p = 0.001). Shortened gestational duration was most clearly related to increasing exposure levels in the latter part of pregnancy. These associations with gestational age may be biologically plausible given that organophosphate pesticides depress cholinesterase and acetylcholine stimulates contraction of the uterus. However, despite these observed associations, the rate of preterm delivery in this population (6.4%) was lower than in a U.S. reference population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] landraces provide nutritional quality and security under the harsh environmental conditions of Rajasthan, India. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), this study investigated pearl millet genetic diversity patterns and related the results to farmers' local knowledge and seed systems. Thirty-nine cultivars were assessed: 14 farmer landraces from western Rajasthan, 13 farmer landraces from eastern Rajasthan, and 12 control cultivars. Shannons' information index for western (H = 0.34) and eastern (H = 0.32) Rajasthan landraces was up to 14% higher than in composite-based improved cultivars. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that variation within landrace populations was much higher than between regional samples. In the west, intra-village variation was higher than inter-village variation. In the east, variation between landrace groups bearing a specific name was higher than intra-group variation. Gene flow, inferred from genetic distances between populations, was used as an indicator for seed exchange between farmers. In western Rajasthan, seed exchange appears to be especially dynamic, as gene flow was greater than N[sub e]m = 25 among most of its populations. Farmers' knowledge of local cultivars and seed systems was, for the most part, supported by the AFLP analysis. These results are relevant for in situ maintenance and breeding strategies with a view to improving traditional cultivars, specifically performance and yielding stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Breeding for high yielding Sorghum bicolor varieties with effective resistance and tolerance against the hemi-parasitic weed Striga hermonthica requires suitable selection measures for both characteristics. The objective of this research was to constitute a set of practical selection measures that contain independent, reliable and discriminative criteria for resistance and tolerance. Ten sorghum genotypes were grown in the field with and without Striga infestation in a split-plot design in 3 successive years (2001–2003) using different Striga infestation levels (low, high and intermediate). Resistance against Striga in the below-ground stages was determined separately in an agar-gel assay and a pot trial. The addition of Striga-free control plots facilitated the calculation of the relative yield loss, which represents the result of resistance and tolerance combined. Correlation analysis indirectly demonstrated that both resistance and tolerance are important yield determining traits under Striga infestation. Tolerance was relatively more important under low Striga infestation levels, whereas resistance was relatively more important at high infestation levels. With respect to resistance, both the area under the Striga number progress curve (ASNPC) and maximum above-ground Striga number (NSmax) turned out to be discriminative and consistent selection measures. Both measures also corresponded well with the expression of resistance during below-ground stages of the parasite. It proved more difficult to arrive at a satisfactory measure for tolerance. Inclusion of Striga-free plots is an essential step for the determination of tolerance, but in itself not sufficient. It provides a basis for the determination of the relative yield loss, which then needs to be corrected for differences in infection level resulting from genotypic differences in resistance. A linear correction for infection level disregards the density dependency of the relative yield loss function. It is expected that clarification of the relation between Striga infection level and yield loss, provides a solid basis for the development of unambiguous tolerance measures in the field. This will enable the breeder to select for resistance and tolerance separately, which is likely to result in the optimum combination of both defence mechanisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: It is not clear if bisphosphonates (BP) are associated with improved breast cancer prognosis in women with early breast cancer. Clinical trials have reported mixed results, yet BPs may be most beneficial in patients with low estrogen levels. However, BPs and risk of second (contralateral) breast cancer has been minimally studied. We examined the association of oral BP use (ever/never and duration) on risk of contralateral breast cancer (CBC) in 17,224 women with early stage breast cancer treated with tamoxifen. Materials and Methods: A cohort was assembled of women diagnosed with their first primary breast cancer (Stage 0, I, II) from 1996 to 2007 on tamoxifen and followed through 31 December 2009 at Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California. Demographic, tumor, pharmacy, and cancer treatment information was extracted from electronic medical records and SEER-affiliated cancer registries at each site. Second (contralateral) tumors were identified from the cancer registries. Detailed information on oral BP use (before and after initial breast cancer diagnosis) was obtained from pharmacy databases. A record of >90 days supply was considered the minimum exposure. Initiation and duration of post- diagnosis use was categorized as 1) non-use (≤90 days supply) and use (>90 days supply) and 2) non-use (≤90 days supply), 91 days-<1 year supply, 1-<2 years supply, and ≥2 years supply. Delayed entry Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with BP use modeled as a time-varying covariate. Women were followed through CBC, health plan disenrollment, death, or end of study, whichever occurred first. We adjusted for age, stage and year of diagnosis; race/ethnicity; income; comorbidity; tumor factors; primary and adjuvant cancer treatments; previous BP use, and study site. Results: Over a mean (SD) follow-up of 6.4 (6.3) years, 586 women (3.4%) were diagnosed with CBC after their initial breast cancer diagnosis. Around 19.2% (n = 3303) of the cohort used a BP post-initial breast cancer diagnosis (>93% alendronate). To minimize confounding by indication, all models were adjusted for prior use of BPs before breast cancer diagnosis (n = 1047, 6.1%) and excluded women with prior 5-year history of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures (n = 1808, 10.5%). Compared to non-users, ever use (>90 days supply) was associated with a modestly lower CBC risk (HR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.61, 1.16). However, stratified analyses by age at breast cancer diagnosis (<50 years vs. ≥50 years) suggested lower risk among older women (HR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.57, 1.12) compared with younger women (HR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.39, 2.52). Increasing duration of use was not associated with CBC risk compared to non-use and possibly reflective of some residual confounding by indication: <1 year (HR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.30, 1.02), 1-<2 years (HR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.56, 1.72), ≥2 years (HR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.58, 1.42). Discussion: While we found modestly lower CBC risk with BP use after diagnosis of primary breast cancer, the protective effects were perhaps confined to older women compared with younger women. Next steps include adding BMD to further explore confounding by indication and examining BP use and breast cancer recurrence and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Detailed reporting of individually tailored exercise prescriptions (ExR x ) used in clinical trials is essential to describe feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of the intervention and to inform translation to clinical care. This article outlines the methodology used to develop a resistance training (RT) ExR x for people with colon cancer receiving chemotherapy and reports adherence to the randomized controlled trial testing the impact of RT on relative dose intensity of chemotherapy and patient-reported toxicities., Methods: Participants randomized to the exercise arm ( n = 90) were included. To promote muscle hypertrophy, the ExR x was twice-weekly, moderate to heavy loads (65%-85% one-repetition maximum), high sets (3-5), and intermediate repetitions (6-10) of five large multijoint movements with adjustable dumbbells. Attendance (achieved frequency) and adherence (achieved volume) were calculated. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify clusters of individuals with similar adherence patterns and compared baseline characteristics across adherence groups., Results: The median attendance was 69.1%. Adherence was 60.6% but higher for those receiving 3 versus 6 months of chemotherapy (80.4 vs 47.4%; P < 0.05 ). Participants engaged in a median of 1.4 d of RT each week, lifting 62% of the one-repetition maximum load, for 3.0 sets and 7.5 repetitions per set. Three distinct adherence groups were identified: 13% "nonstarter," 37% "tapered off," and 50% "consistent exercisers." Females were more likely to be in the nonstarter and tapered-off groups., Conclusions: This article outlines suggested methods for reporting ExR x of RT in oncology clinical trials and provides insight into the tolerance of ExR x of RT during chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer. These findings aim to foster constructive dialogue and offer a premise for designing future research to elucidate the benefits of exercise during chemotherapy., (Copyright © 2024 by the American College of Sports Medicine.)

Background: Many patients with colon cancer cannot fully adhere to postoperative chemotherapy due to dose-limiting toxicities, resulting in lower relative dose intensity (RDI) and potentially compromising overall survival. This study examined whether home-based resistance training (RT) during adjuvant chemotherapy improves RDI and patient-reported toxicities versus usual care (UC) in colon cancer patients., Methods: Multicenter, randomized control trial (RCT) conducted at community and academic practices. Enrollment of patients receiving postoperative chemotherapy for colon cancer occurred between February 23, 2018, and September 29, 2021; final follow-up was March 21, 2022. Participants were randomized to RT (n = 90) or UC (n = 91) for the duration of chemotherapy. Participants in the RT group engaged in twice weekly home-based progressive RT. At the end of the study, UC was given an online exercise program., Results: Among 181 randomized patients (mean age, 55.2 [SD, 12.8] years, 95 [52.5%] were men), there were no differences in the mean RDI among those in RT (79% [SD, 19%]) and those in UC (82% [SD, 19%]); (mean difference -0.04 [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.09 to 0.02]). Assignment to RT did not significantly reduce the number of moderate/severe symptoms per week across follow-up (relative rate: 0.94 [95% CI, 0.72-1.22]). Additionally, time since randomization did not significantly modify the effect of RT on the overall number of symptoms (p = .06)., Conclusions: Among patients with colon cancer, these results do not support home-based RT as an adjunct to chemotherapy specifically to improve planned treatment intensity., (© 2024 American Cancer Society.)

Identifying the genetic factors impacting the adaptation of crops to environmental conditions is of key interest for conservation and selection purposes. It can be achieved using population genomics, and evolutionary or quantitative genetics. Here we present a sorghum multireference back-cross nested association mapping population composed of 3,901 lines produced by crossing 24 diverse parents to 3 elite parents from West and Central Africa-back-cross nested association mapping. The population was phenotyped in environments characterized by differences in photoperiod, rainfall pattern, temperature levels, and soil fertility. To integrate the multiparental and multi-environmental dimension of our data we proposed a new approach for quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection and parental effect estimation. We extended our model to estimate QTL effect sensitivity to environmental covariates, which facilitated the integration of envirotyping data. Our models allowed spatial projections of the QTL effects in agro-ecologies of interest. We utilized this strategy to analyze the genetic architecture of flowering time and plant height, which represents key adaptation mechanisms in environments like West Africa. Our results allowed a better characterization of well-known genomic regions influencing flowering time concerning their response to photoperiod with Ma6 and Ma1 being photoperiod-sensitive and the region of possible candidate gene Elf3 being photoperiod-insensitive. We also accessed a better understanding of plant height genetic determinism with the combined effects of phenology-dependent (Ma6) and independent (qHT7.1 and Dw3) genomic regions. Therefore, we argue that the West and Central Africa-back-cross nested association mapping and the presented analytical approach constitute unique resources to better understand adaptation in sorghum with direct application to develop climate-smart varieties., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Genetics Society of America.)

Sorghum production system in the semi-arid region of Africa is characterized by low yields which are generally attributed to high rainfall variability, poor soil fertility, and biotic factors. Production constraints must be well understood and quantified to design effective sorghum-system improvements. This study uses the state-of-the-art in silico methods and focuses on characterizing the sorghum production regions in Mali for drought occurrence and its effects on sorghum productivity. For this purpose, we adapted the APSIM-sorghum module to reproduce two cultivated photoperiod-sensitive sorghum types across a latitude of major sorghum production regions in Western Africa. We used the simulation outputs to characterize drought stress scenarios. We identified three main drought scenarios: (i) no-stress; (ii) early pre-flowering drought stress; and (iii) drought stress onset around flowering. The frequency of drought stress scenarios experienced by the two sorghum types across rainfall zones and soil types differed. As expected, the early pre-flowering and flowering drought stress occurred more frequently in isohyets < 600 mm, for the photoperiod-sensitive, late-flowering sorghum type. In isohyets above 600 mm, the frequency of drought stress was very low for both cultivars. We quantified the consequences of these drought scenarios on grain and biomass productivity. The yields of the highly-photoperiod-sensitive sorghum type were quite stable across the higher rainfall zones > 600 mm, but was affected by the drought stress in the lower rainfall zones < 600 mm. Comparatively, the less photoperiod-sensitive cultivar had notable yield gain in the driest regions < 600 mm. The results suggest that, at least for the tested crop types, drought stress might not be the major constraint to sorghum production in isohyets > 600 mm. The findings from this study provide the entry point for further quantitative testing of the Genotype × Environment × Management options required to optimize sorghum production in Mali., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13593-023-00909-5., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Background: There is an emerging viewpoint that change in body weight is not sufficiently sensitive to promptly identify clinically meaningful change in body composition, such as skeletal muscle depletion., Objectives: We aimed to determine whether body weight stability is associated with skeletal muscle depletion and whether skeletal muscle depletion is prognostic of death independently of change in body weight., Methods: This retrospective cohort included 1921 patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer. Computed tomography (CT)-based skeletal muscle characteristics and body weight were measured at diagnosis and after a mean 15.0-mo follow-up. Body weight stability was defined as weight change less than ±5% during follow-up. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis were defined using established thresholds for patients with cancer. Multivariable-adjusted logistic and flexible parametric proportional hazards survival models were used to quantify statistical associations., Results: At follow-up, 1026 (53.3%) patients were weight stable. Among patients with weight stability, incident sarcopenia and myosteatosis occurred in 8.5% (95% CI: 6.3%, 10.6%) and 13.5% (95% CI: 11.1%, 15.9%), respectively. Men were more likely to be weight stable than were women (56.7% compared with 49.9%; P = 0.04). Weight-stable men were less likely to develop incident sarcopenia (5.4% compared with 15.4%; P = 0.003) and myosteatosis (9.3% compared with 20.8%; P = 0.001) than weight-stable women. Among all patients, the development of incident sarcopenia (HR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.91) and of myosteatosis (HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.90) were associated with a higher risk of death, independently of change in body weight. Patient sex did not modify the relation between skeletal muscle depletion and death., Conclusions: Body weight stability masks clinically meaningful skeletal muscle depletion. Body composition quantified using clinically acquired CT images may provide a vital sign to identify patients at increased risk of death. These data may inform the design of future cachexia trials., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.)

Importance: Given the risks of postoperative morbidity and its consequent economic burden and impairment to patients undergoing colon resection, evaluating risk factors associated with complications will allow risk stratification and the targeting of supportive interventions. Evaluation of muscle characteristics is an emerging area for improving preoperative risk stratification., Objective: To examine the associations of muscle characteristics with postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), readmission, and mortality in patients with colon cancer., Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1630 patients who received a diagnosis of stage I to III colon cancer from January 2006 to December 2011 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, an integrated health care system. Preliminary data analysis started in 2017. Because major complication data were collected between 2018 and 2019, the final analysis using the current cohort was conducted between 2019 and 2020., Exposures: Low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and/or low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) levels were assessed using preoperative computerized tomography images., Main Outcomes and Measures: Length of stay, any complication (≥1 predefined complications) or major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification score ≥3), 30-day mortality and readmission up to 30 days postdischarge, and overall mortality., Results: The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 64.0 (11.3) years and 906 (55.6%) were women. Patients with low SMI or low SMD were more likely to remain hospitalized 7 days or longer after surgery (odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05-1.68; OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.05-1.84, respectively) and had higher risks of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.13-1.74; hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.12-1.85, respectively). Additionally, patients with low SMI were more likely to have 1 or more postsurgical complications (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04-1.65) and had higher risk of 30-day mortality (OR, 4.85; 95% CI, 1.23-19.15). Low SMD was associated with higher odds of having major complications (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.44-4.04)., Conclusions and Relevance: Low SMI and low SMD were associated with longer LOS, higher risk of postsurgical complications, and short-term and long-term mortality. Research should evaluate whether targeting potentially modifiable factors preoperatively, such as preserving muscle mass, could reverse the observed negative associations with postoperative outcomes.

From noble beginnings as a prospective forage, polyploid Sorghum halepense ('Johnsongrass') is both an invasive species and one of the world's worst agricultural weeds. Formed by S. bicolor x S. propinquum hybridization, we show S. halepense to have S. bicolor -enriched allele composition and striking mutations in 5,957 genes that differentiate it from representatives of its progenitor species and an outgroup. The spread of S. halepense may have been facilitated by introgression from closely-related cultivated sorghum near genetic loci affecting rhizome development, seed size, and levels of lutein, a photochemical protectant and abscisic acid precursor. Rhizomes, subterranean stems that store carbohydrates and spawn clonal propagules, have growth correlated with reproductive rather than other vegetative tissues, and increase survival of both temperate cold seasons and tropical dry seasons. Rhizomes of S. halepense are more extensive than those of its rhizomatous progenitor S. propinquum , with gene expression including many alleles from its non-rhizomatous S. bicolor progenitor. The first surviving polyploid in its lineage in ∼96 million years, its post-Columbian spread across six continents carried rich genetic diversity that in the United States has facilitated transition from agricultural to non-agricultural niches. Projected to spread another 200-600 km northward in the coming century, despite its drawbacks S. halepense may offer novel alleles and traits of value to improvement of sorghum., (Copyright © 2020 Paterson, Kong, Johnston, Nabukalu, Wu, Poehlman, Goff, Isaacs, Lee, Guo, Zhang, Sezen, Kennedy, Bauer, Feltus, Weltzien, Rattunde, Barney, Barry, Cox and Scanlon.)

Importance: Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are up to 4-fold more likely than individuals without a history of cancer to develop cardiovascular disease. Clinical care guidelines recommend that physicians counsel patients with CRC regarding the association between obesity (defined using body mass index [BMI] calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and cardiovascular disease risk; however, this recommendation is based on expert opinion., Objective: To determine which measures of body composition are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with CRC., Design, Setting, and Participants: Population-based retrospective cohort study of 2839 patients with stage I to III CRC diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2011 at an integrated health care system in North America., Exposures: The primary exposures were BMI and computed tomography-derived body composition measurements (eg, adipose tissue compartments and muscle characteristics) obtained at the diagnosis of CRC., Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time to the first occurrence of MACE after diagnosis of CRC, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death., Results: In this population-based cohort study of 2839 participants with CRC (1384 men and 1455 women), the average age (SD) was 61.9 (11.5) years (range, 19-80 years). A substantial number of patients were former (1127; 40%) or current smokers (340; 12%), with hypertension (1150; 55%), hyperlipidemia (1389; 49%), and type 2 diabetes (573; 20%). The cumulative incidence of MACE 10 years after diagnosis of CRC was 19.1%. Body mass index was positively correlated with some computed tomography-derived measures of body composition. However, BMI was not associated with MACE; contrasting BMI categories of greater than or equal to 35 vs 18.5 to 24.9, the hazard ratio (HR) was 1.23 (95% CI, 0.85-1.77; P = .50 for trend). Visceral adipose tissue area was associated with MACE; contrasting the highest vs lowest quintile, the HR was 1.54 (95% CI, 1.02-2.31; P = .04 for trend). Subcutaneous adipose tissue area was not associated with MACE; contrasting the highest vs lowest quintile, the HR was 1.15 (95% CI, 0.78-1.69; P = .65 for trend). Muscle mass was not associated with MACE; contrasting the highest vs lowest quintile, the HR was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.57-1.61; P = .92 for trend). Muscle radiodensity was associated with MACE; contrasting the highest (ie, less lipid stored in the muscle) vs lowest quintile, the HR was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.44-1.03; P = .02 for trend)., Conclusions and Relevance: Visceral adiposity and muscle radiodensity appear to be risk factors for MACE. Body mass index may have limited use for determining cardiovascular risk in this patient population.

Background: Sarcopenia and low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) have been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC); however, factors contributing to these 2 muscle abnormalities are unclear., Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of medical and demographic characteristics with muscle abnormalities among patients with nonmetastatic CRC., Methods: Patients with stage I-III invasive CRC (2006-11) who had diagnostic computed tomography (CT) available from Kaiser Permanente Northern California electronic medical records were included. CT-assessed sarcopenia and low SMD were defined according to optimal stratification. Logistic regressions including age, stage, site, total adipose tissue (TAT), race/ethnicity, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, smoking history, alcohol use, and Charlson Comorbidity Score were performed to identify characteristics associated with muscle abnormalities., Results: The study included 3262 patients (49.9% females) with a mean ± SD age of 62.6 ± 11.4 y. Sarcopenia and low SMD were highly prevalent (42.4% and 29.6%, respectively). Age and sex interactions were noted for muscle mass, but not SMD. Age was associated with higher odds of muscle abnormalities in a dose-response manner. Compared with those aged ≤50 y, patients aged 70-80 y had considerably higher odds (OR: 6.19; 95% CI: 4.72, 8.11) of sarcopenia, and low SMD (OR: 17.81; 95% CI: 11.73, 27.03). High TAT was related to a higher odds of low SMD (OR: 9.62; 95% CI: 7.37, 12.56), but lower odds of sarcopenia (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.71). Compared with Caucasians, African Americans had lower odds of sarcopenia and low SMD. Patients with a higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio had higher odds of having both muscle abnormalities. Patients who were smokers or had any comorbidity had higher odds of low SMD, but not sarcopenia., Conclusions: Muscle abnormalities were common in patients with nonmetastatic CRC, with great variability in muscle mass and SMD across age, TAT, and race/ethnicity. Factors associated with muscle abnormalities may be used to facilitate risk stratification and the guidance of targeted strategies to counteract these abnormalities., (© 2019 American Society for Nutrition.)

Key message Major A 1 cytoplasm fertility restoration loci, Rf 2 and Rf 5 , were found in the West African sorghum. A potential causative mutation for Rf 2 was identified. KASP markers were validated on independent material. To accelerate the identification and development of hybrid parental lines in West African (WA) sorghum, this study aimed to understand the genetics underlying the fertility restoration (Rf) in WA A 1 cytoplasmic male sterility system and to develop markers for a routine use in WA breeding programs. We genotyped by sequencing three F 2 populations to map the Rf quantitative trait loci (QTL), validated the molecular KASP markers developed from those QTL in two F 2:3 populations, and assessed the most promising markers on a set of 95 R- and B-lines from WA breeding programs. Seven QTL were found across the three F 2 populations. On chromosome SBI-05, we found a major fertility restorer locus (Rf 5 ) for two populations with the same male parent, explaining 19 and 14% of the phenotypic variation in either population. Minor QTL were detected in these two populations on chromosomes SBI-02, SBI-03, SBI-04 and SBI-10. In the third population, we identified one major fertility restorer locus on chromosome SBI-02, Rf 2 , explaining 31% of the phenotypic variation. Pentatricopeptide repeat genes in the Rf 2 QTL region were sequenced, and we detected in Sobic.002G057050 a missense mutation in the first exon, explaining 81% of the phenotypic variation in a F 2:3 population and clearly separating B- from R-lines. The KASP marker developed from this mutation stands as a promising tool for routine use in WA breeding programs.

Background and Aim: Co-morbidities and computerized tomography-measured muscle abnormalities are both common in cancer patients and independently adversely influence clinical outcomes. Muscle abnormalities are also evident in other diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. This study examined for the first time the association between co-morbidities and muscle abnormalities in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC)., Methods: This cross-sectional study included 3051 non-metastatic patients with Stages I-III CRC. Muscle abnormalities, measured at diagnosis, were defined as low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) or low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) quantified using computerized tomography images using optimal stratification. Co-morbidities included in the Charlson index were ascertained. χ 2 tests were used to compare the prevalence of co-morbidities by the presence or absence of each muscle abnormality. Logistic regressions were performed to evaluate which co-morbidities predicted muscle abnormalities adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, weight change, cancer stage, cancer site, race/ethnicity, and smoking., Results: Mean age was 63 years; 50% of patients were male. The prevalence of low SMI and low SMD were 43.1% and 30.2%, respectively. Co-morbidities examined were more prevalent in patients with low SMD than in those with normal SMD, and most remained independent predictors of low SMD after adjustment for covariates. Co-morbidities associated with higher odds of low SMD included myocardial infarction [odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, P = 0.023], congestive heart failure (OR = 3.27, P < 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (OR = 2.15, P = 0.002), diabetes with or without complications (OR = 1.61, P = 0.008; OR = 1.46, P = 0.003, respectively), and renal disease (OR = 2.21, P < 0.001). By contrast, only diabetes with complications was associated with lower odds of low SMI (OR = 0.64, P = 0.007)., Conclusions: Prevalence of muscle abnormalities was high in patients with non-metastatic CRC. Pre-existing co-morbidities were associated with low SMD, suggestive of a potential shared mechanism between fat infiltration into muscle and each of these co-morbidities., (© 2018 The Authors. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders.)

Background: Muscle abnormalities such as low muscle mass and low muscle radiodensity are well known risk factors for unfavourable cancer prognosis. However, little is known in regard to the degree and impact of longitudinal changes in muscle mass and radiodensity within the context of cancer. Here, we explore the relationship between muscle wasting and mortality in a large population-based study of patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC)., Methods: A total of 1924 patients with stage I-III CRC who underwent surgical resection in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Health System were included. Muscle mass and radiodensity were quantified using computed tomography images obtained at diagnosis and after approximately 14 months. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for all-cause mortality., Results: The hazard ratio for all-cause mortality among patients with the largest deterioration in muscle mass (≥2 SD; ≥11.4% loss from baseline), as compared with those who remained stable (±1 SD; 0.0 ± 5.7%) was 2.15 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59-2.92; P < 0.001]. The hazard ratio for all-cause mortality among patients who experienced the largest deterioration in muscle radiodensity (≥2 SD; ≥20.2% loss from baseline), as compared with those who remained stable (±1 SD; 0.0 ± 10.1%) was 1.61 (95% CI: 1.20-2.15; P = 0.002)., Conclusions: In patients with stage I-III CRC, muscle wasting is a risk factor for mortality, independent of change in body mass and other body composition parameters., (© 2018 The Authors. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders.)

Uptake of improved sorghum varieties in the Sudan Savanna of West Africa has been limited, despite the economic importance of the crop and long-term investments in sorghum improvement. One reason why is that attaining substantial yield advantages has been difficult in this harsh, heterogeneous growing environment. Release in Mali of the first sorghum hybrids in Sub-Saharan Africa that have been developed primarily from local germplasm has the potential to change this situation. Utilizing plot data collected in Mali, we explain the adoption of improved seed with an ordered logit model and apply a multivalued treatment effects model to measure impacts on farm families, differentiating between improved varieties and hybrids. Since farm families both consume and sell their sorghum, we consider effects on consumption patterns as well as productivity. Status within the household, conferred by gender combined with marital status, generation, and education, is strongly related to the improvement status of sorghum seed planted in these extended family households. Effects of hybrid use on yields are large, widening the range of food items consumed, reducing the share of sorghum in food purchases, and contributing to a greater share of the sorghum harvest sold. Use of improved seed appears to be associated with a shift toward consumption of other cereals, and also to greater sales shares. Findings support on-farm research concerning yield advantages, also suggesting that the use of well-adapted sorghum hybrids could contribute to diet diversification and the crop's commercialization by smallholders.

Importance: Systemic inflammation and sarcopenia are easily evaluated, predict mortality in many cancers, and are potentially modifiable. The combination of inflammation and sarcopenia may be able to identify patients with early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) with poor prognosis., Objective: To examine associations of prediagnostic systemic inflammation with at-diagnosis sarcopenia, and determine whether these factors interact to predict CRC survival, adjusting for age, ethnicity, sex, body mass index, stage, and cancer site., Design, Setting, and Participants: A prospective cohort of 2470 Kaiser Permanente patients with stage I to III CRC diagnosed from 2006 through 2011., Exposures: Our primary measure of inflammation was the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We averaged NLR in the 24 months before diagnosis (mean count = 3 measures; mean time before diagnosis = 7 mo). The reference group was NLR of less than 3, indicating low or no inflammation., Main Outcomes and Measures: Using computed tomography scans, we calculated skeletal muscle index (muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra divided by squared height). Sarcopenia was defined as less than 52 cm2/m2 and less than 38 cm2/m2 for normal or overweight men and women, respectively, and less than 54 cm2/m2 and less than 47 cm2/m2 for obese men and women, respectively. The main outcome was death (overall or CRC related)., Results: Among 2470 patients, 1219 (49%) were female; mean (SD) age was 63 (12) years. An NLR of 3 or greater and sarcopenia were common (1133 [46%] and 1078 [44%], respectively). Over a median of 6 years of follow-up, we observed 656 deaths, 357 from CRC. Increasing NLR was associated with sarcopenia in a dose-response manner (compared with NLR < 3, odds ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.10-1.67 for NLR 3 to <5; 1.47; 95% CI, 1.16-1.85 for NLR ≥ 5; P for trend < .001). An NLR of 3 or greater and sarcopenia independently predicted overall (hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% CI, 1.40-1.91 and HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.10-1.53, respectively) and CRC-related death (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.39-2.12 and HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.13-1.78, respectively). Patients with both sarcopenia and NLR of 3 or greater (vs neither) had double the risk of death, overall (HR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.70-2.65) and CRC related (HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.79-3.29)., Conclusions and Relevance: Prediagnosis inflammation was associated with at-diagnosis sarcopenia. Sarcopenia combined with inflammation nearly doubled risk of death, suggesting that these commonly collected biomarkers could enhance prognostication. A better understanding of how the host inflammatory/immune response influences changes in skeletal muscle may open new therapeutic avenues to improve cancer outcomes.

Background: Body composition may partially explain the U-shaped association between body mass index (BMI) and colorectal cancer survival. Methods: Muscle and adiposity at colorectal cancer diagnosis and survival were examined in a retrospective cohort using Kaplan-Meier curves, multivariable Cox regression, and restricted cubic splines in 3,262 early-stage (I-III) male (50%) and female (50%) patients. Sarcopenia was defined using optimal stratification and sex- and BMI-specific cut points. High adiposity was defined as the highest tertile of sex-specific total adipose tissue (TAT). Primary outcomes were overall mortality and colorectal cancer-specific mortality (CRCsM). Results: Slightly over 42% patients were sarcopenic. During 5.8 years of follow-up, 788 deaths occurred, including 433 from colorectal cancer. Sarcopenic patients had a 27% [HR, 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-1.48] higher risk of overall mortality than those who were not sarcopenic. Females with both low muscle and high adiposity had a 64% higher risk of overall mortality (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.05-2.57) than females with adequate muscle and lower adiposity. The lowest risk of overall mortality was seen in patients with a BMI between 25 and <30 kg/m 2 , a range associated with the greatest number of patients (58.6%) who were not at increased risk of overall mortality due to either low muscle or high adiposity. Conclusions: Sarcopenia is prevalent among patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer, and should, along with adiposity be a standard oncological marker. Impact: Our findings suggest a biologic explanation for the obesity paradox in colorectal cancer and refute the notion that the association between overweight and lower mortality is due solely to methodologic biases. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(7); 1008-15. ©2017 AACR ., (©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.)

West Africa (WA) is among the most food insecure regions. Rapid human population growth and stagnating crop yields greatly contribute to this fact. Poor soil fertility, especially low plant available phosphorus (P) is constraining food production in the region. P-fertilizer use in WA is among the lowest in the world due to inaccessibility and high prices, often unaffordable to resource-poor subsistence farmers. This article provides an overview of soil P-deficiency in WA and opportunities to overcome it by exploiting sorghum and pearl millet genetic diversity. The topic is examined from the perspectives of plant breeding, soil science, plant physiology, plant nutrition, and agronomy, thereby referring to recent results obtained in a joint interdisciplinary research project, and reported literature. Specific objectives are to summarize: (1) The global problem of P scarcity and how it will affect WA farmers; (2) Soil P dynamics in WA soils; (3) Plant responses to P deficiency; (4) Opportunities to breed for improved crop adaptation to P-limited conditions; (5) Challenges and trade-offs for improving sorghum and pearl millet adaptation to low-P conditions in WA; and (6) Systems approaches to address soil P-deficiency in WA. Sorghum and pearl millet in WA exhibit highly significant genetic variation for P-uptake efficiency, P-utilization efficiency, and grain yield under P-limited conditions indicating the possibility of breeding P-efficient varieties. Direct selection under P-limited conditions was more efficient than indirect selection under high-P conditions. Combining P-uptake and P-utilization efficiency is recommendable for WA to avoid further soil mining. Genomic regions responsible for P-uptake, P-utilization efficiency, and grain yield under low-P have been identified in WA sorghum and pearl millet, and marker-assisted selection could be possible once these genomic regions are validated. Developing P-efficient genotypes may not, however, be a sustainable solution in itself in the long-term without replenishing the P removed from the system in harvested produce. We therefore propose the use of integrated soil fertility management and systems-oriented management such as enhanced crop-tree-livestock integration in combination with P-use-efficiency-improved varieties. Recycling P from animal bones, human excreta and urine are also possible approaches toward a partially closed and efficient P cycle in WA.