Baobab Index

Ensete ventricosum (enset) is a multipurpose staple crop central to food security in Ethiopia, where landraces Kake, Kerse, and Mundo are traditionally used to treat bone fractures, wounds, abdominal pain, and skin ailments. However, the biochemical basis for these part-specific applications remains poorly characterized, and no previous study has systematically compared nutrient profiles across landraces, plant parts, and geographic contexts. This study quantitatively evaluated proximate composition, macro- and micronutrient profiles, and heavy metal content in corm, pseudostem, leaf, and midrib of three Ethiopian enset landraces from the Gedeo Zone, and compared findings with published data from other Ethiopian regions and from processed enset products (kocho, bulla). Proximate composition was determined using standard AOAC methods, with crude protein quantified by Kjeldahl. Elemental analysis was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Statistical differences among landraces and plant parts were assessed using two-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD post-hoc test (p < 0.05). Distinct biochemical specialization was observed among landraces and plant parts. Corms of Kake and Mundo were rich in zinc (88-121 mg/kg) and phosphorus (up to 2,986 mg/kg). Leaves exhibited high protein (16.0-19.6%), iron (> 1,000 mg/kg), and calcium (up to 10,119 mg/kg). The midrib of Kerse showed elevated magnesium (1,847 mg/kg). Two-way ANOVA revealed significant landrace × plant part interaction effects for most minerals (p < 0.05). However, the presence of anti-nutritional factors particularly phytate limits mineral bioavailability, as indicated by molar ratios exceeding critical thresholds [1, 2]. Elevated mercury levels in several samples (up to 2.867 mg/kg) exceeded FAO/WHO limits, while other heavy metals were within safety thresholds. Comparison with published data revealed that protein levels in Gedeo Zone leaves exceed previously reported ranges (10-15%) for enset leaves from other Ethiopian regions. Traditional fermentation into kocho reduces protein content by 80-90% compared to raw corm. These findings provide biochemical evidence consistent with the traditional uses of enset landraces. However, mineral bioavailability is likely limited by anti-nutritional factors, and pharmacological activities may be mediated by secondary metabolites rather than minerals alone, warranting phytochemical screening. Elevated mercury levels in some samples indicate food safety concerns requiring investigation. The observed biochemical diversity supports conservation of local enset genetic resources.

The whole-genome sequence data set for methicillin-resistant

This study aimed to synthesize melatonin laoded chitosan nanoparticles (MEL NPs) and assess its effects on the production of bioactive metabolites, antioxidant activity and gene expression in O. basilicum culture. Our results showed that the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) content of basil leaves treated with melatonin (MEL) and MEL NPs at 5, 10, and 20 μm was significantly increased, with the rosmarinic acid content also being enhanced. Treatment with 10 µM MEL NPs induced the most pronounced enhancement in total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), reaching 3.48 and 3.79- fold, respectively, compared with the control. meanwhile, the same treatment resulted in the maximum accumulation of rosmarinic acid (RA), 19.73 mg g⁻¹ FW. Furthermore, the application of MEL NPs or melatonin markedly stimulated the phenylprpanoid pathway in basil leaves, as evidenced by the enhanced activities of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). This enzymatic stimulation was accompanied by significant transcriptional activation of key pathway genes. Notably, basil leaves treated with 10 µM MEL NPs showed pronounced upregulation of 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL) and Hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase (HPPR) transcript with expression levels increasing by 3.45- and 5.47-fold, respectively, compared with the untreated control. The study concluded that nano encapsulated melatonin at 10 µM was the most effective elicitor for stimulating rosmarinic acid biosynthesis by coordinating transcriptional activation of key biosynthetic genes and enhancing tha activities of related enzymes in basil tissue culture. This is due to its stability and targeted delivery compared to conventional melatonin in large-scale Ocimum basilicum L. plant cultivation as a resource for food and pharmaceutical industries.

To understand how the two parental genomes coordinate transcription in hybrids, chromatin architecture must be resolved at the haplotype level. Here, using phased Bridge-Linker Hi-C, we reconstructed a haplotype-resolved three-dimensional (3D) genome of the elite hybrid rice (

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a highly heterogeneous malignancy in which outcomes are particularly poor for patients classified as having high-risk disease. Traditionally, high-risk AML has been defined by adverse baseline genetic features, including complex cytogenetics, TP53 alterations, and mutations associated with secondary or therapy-related disease. However, this static, genetics-centered definition is increasingly insufficient in the modern therapeutic era. Emerging evidence supports a more dynamic and context-dependent model in which risk is shaped not only by molecular architecture but also by treatment intensity, patient fitness, measurable residual disease (MRD), and evolving resistance mechanisms. Advances in genomic profiling have refined risk stratification frameworks, including ELN 2022 for intensively treated patients and the ELN 2024 classification for those receiving less-intensive therapies. In parallel, MRD has emerged as a powerful biomarker that reclassifies patients during treatment, identifying those with persistent, therapy-resistant disease despite morphologic remission. Biologically, high-risk AML is driven by the interplay of clonal evolution, epigenetic plasticity, leukemic stem cell persistence, and protective microenvironmental and immune interactions, all of which contribute to relapse. Therapeutically, the landscape has expanded to include targeted agents, venetoclax-based combinations, and transplantation strategies, yet outcomes remain limited in key high-risk subsets, particularly TP53-mutated disease and post-venetoclax relapse. Accordingly, current strategies emphasize rational combination therapies, MRD-guided treatment adaptation, and approaches targeting both leukemic cells and their supportive niches. In 2026, high-risk AML is best understood as a dynamic, treatment-context-dependent state. Improving outcomes will require integration of precision diagnostics, biologically informed therapy, and adaptive strategies designed to anticipate and overcome resistance.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health challenge, affecting approximately 674 million people worldwide and representing one of the fastest-growing causes of mortality. Since CKD is frequently asymptomatic in its early stages, the identification of novel genetic biomarkers may improve early detection and risk stratification. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified numerous genetic loci associated with CKD and related traits; however, their performance is often limited in small and imbalanced cohorts, where reduced statistical power increases both false-positive and false-negative findings. Machine learning (ML) approaches can complement conventional GWAS by prioritizing biologically relevant genetic signals from high-dimensional genomic data. In this study, we implemented a nested ensemble (NCBC) model composed of an undersampler and a CatBoostClassifier (CBC) to prioritize candidate genetic variants associated with CKD in the INCIPE cohort. Prioritized variants were functionally annotated and evaluated through enrichment analyses, GTEx gene expression profiling, and protein-protein interaction network analyses. Genes identified by the CKDGen Consortium were analysed as an external reference set and used to validate the biological relevance of the prioritized results. The NCBC model outperformed conventional ML classifiers, achieving a ROC AUC score of 87.77%, compared to 50%-53% for the other evaluated models. Among the prioritized genes, 56.25% showed protein-protein interactions with genes previously reported by the CKDGen Consortium, whereas only 1.9% of randomly generated gene sets showed interactions. Our study demonstrates that the NCBC model improves the prioritization of biologically plausible candidate variants in a small and imbalanced CKD cohort. Functional analyses suggested ABC transporter-related genes, including ABCA13, ABCA4, and ABCC4 genes, as promising candidate for future validation, with ABCA4 showing substantial expression in kidney tissues. Overall, these findings support the integration of ML with GWAS to prioritize candidate genes and investigate the genetic architecture of complex diseases.

The global proliferation of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) constitutes one of the most urgent public health threats, yet high-resolution genomic data from sub-Saharan Africa remain critically scarce. We applied whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and comparative phylogenomics to characterise antimicrobial resistance determinants, virulence genes, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in three carbapenem-resistant clinical isolates originating from three tertiary hospitals (selected from a broader surveillance collection spanning four facilities) in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria. We purposively selected three isolates, two Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae (K22, ST411; K31, ST17) and one Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. steigerwaltii (K32, ST45) from a broader surveillance collection of 27 carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacterales, to represent phenotypically and genotypically divergent lineages. Resistome analysis revealed extensive plasmid-associated β-lactam and aminoglycoside resistance in K31 (including bla

A thorough molecular and environmental evaluation of microbial isolates and indoor air quality (IAQ) at a place of worship is presented in this work. The study used a dual-methodological approach, including systematic environmental monitoring to assess occupant health concerns and 16S rRNA gene sequencing for taxonomic identification. Four different bacterial isolates were successfully identified by molecular analysis using BLAST and phylogenetic reconstruction: Bacillus tropicus (A11), Leclercia adecarboxylata (A12), Acinetobacter sp. (A13), and Escherichia coli (A14). The evolutionary position of isolate A13 indicated possible horizontal gene transfer, underscoring the existence of flexible, opportunistic pathogens within the indoor environment, whereas isolates A11 and A14 demonstrated significant genetic stability. Concurrently, six sessions of air quality monitoring showed a thermally demanding environment, with humidity (56.00-70.51%) and temperatures (29.21-33.79 °C) continuously surpassing ASHRAE guidelines. The average pollutant concentrations are within WHO and USEPA safety criteria, however, there were outliers that may suggest sporadic pollutant penetration (outdoor) or resuspension of dust. The results demonstrate a clear relationship between increased chemical pollutants (TVOCs) and reduced thermal comfort. To reduce the congregation's acute respiratory and cardiovascular risks, optimal ventilation systems and source-control measures are urgently needed, as evidenced by the presence of clinically relevant microorganisms combined with dangerous pollution levels.

Seeds are one of the preferred and most used sources of germplasm for the ex situ preservation of plant genetic resources. They are generally stored dry at -20°C in seed banks following international standards. However, some seeds do not tolerate drying and/or storage at -20°C, or present short lifespans at these conditions. For them, cryopreservation is indicated for long-term preservation. When seeds tolerate desiccation (i.e., orthodox seeds), they can be dried at about 32% ± 3% relative humidity at 18°C and stored in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen. This is the method followed in the Millennium Seed Bank of the Royal Botanic Garden`s, Kew for wild species with short life spans in the standard conditions of seeds banks. When seeds do not tolerate desiccation (i.e., recalcitrant seeds) or their tolerance to desiccation and/or -20°C storage is limited (i.e., intermediate seeds), drying and cooling procedures must be adjusted, and often, antioxidants and/or cryoprotection are required to avoid physical and metabolic lesions. Some methods are detailed for diverse species of temperate and tropical origin.