Baobab Index

Sorghum is a cornerstone of food security in Sudan, yet sorghum-based diets contribute to widespread micronutrient deficiencies. Conventional biofortification has focused on raising grain mineral concentrations, overlooking the antinutrients and matrix factors that govern actual nutrient absorption. We hypothesized that Sudanese wild sorghum, encompassing a deeper allelic pool than cultivated lines, harbors decoupled variation in mineral density, extractability, and protein quality that could redirect breeding toward functional nutritional outcomes. A panel of 70 wild accessions, representing six taxa collected across diverse Sudanese agro-ecologies, was advanced through three single-seed-descent cycles and evaluated in a replicated alpha-lattice trial for total and HCl-extractable Fe and Zn, phytate, and soluble protein. Substantial variation was detected across traits, with total Fe ranging from 2.65 to 8.20 mg/100 g and Fe extractability reaching 44.12%, often in genotypes with modest total Fe levels. Total Zn (0.25-0.81 mg/100 g) and Zn extractability (up to 57.37%) likewise showed independent distributions, while phytate (210.37-380.21 mg/100 g) varied largely independently of HCl-extractable Fe. Principal component analysis explained 55.4% of the variance and separated mineral accumulation, extractability, and protein functionality into orthogonal trait domains. High broad-sense heritability (0.83-0.99) and substantial genetic advance (GAM up to 54.19%) indicated strong selection potential. Elite accessions, notably HSD14541 and HSD14468, combined low phytate with high mineral extractability and protein solubility. These findings establish wild Sudanese sorghum as a strategic genetic resource and reposition in vitro mineral accessibility (estimated as HCl-extractability), rather than concentration alone, as a breeding target.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 26 (CCL26), also known as eotaxin-3, is an immune-regulatory chemokine involved in inflammatory responses and immune cell recruitment. Emerging evidence suggests its expression is dysregulated across multiple malignancies, yet comprehensive pan-cancer evaluations remain limited. To systematically analyze CCL26 expression, clinicopathological correlations, survival associations, and immune modulatory functions across 33 cancer types, and evaluate its potential as a prognostic biomarker and immunomodulatory therapeutic target. CCL26 expression was analyzed using GEPIA, TIMER2.0, and UALCAN, three platforms that share the TCGA data source but employ distinct analytical pipelines; cross-platform concordance was therefore used as a measure of pipeline robustness, not validation. external validation was performed using four GEO microarray cohorts (GSE53757, GSE30219, GSE39582, and GSE33479) Results: CCL26 was significantly upregulated in 11 cancer types (33.33%), particularly epithelial malignancies including lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), and esophageal carcinoma (ESCA), and downregulated in genitourinary cancers including kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD). Cross-database validation achieved 96.97% concordance. Expression correlated with advancing cancer stage, older age (61-80 years), and racial/ethnic background. Survival analysis revealed opposing prognostic associations: high CCL26 predicted poor outcomes in LIHC, KIRC, and KIRP (HR 1.45-3.79, p<0.036), but favorable outcomes in STAD and ESCA (HR 0.35-0.71, p<0.047). Significant immune correlations were identified with dendritic cells (LUAD, r=0.373), macrophages (COAD, r=0.318), and CD4+ T cells (STAD, r=0.296). Promoter hypermethylation was identified in lung and breast cancers, with minimal genomic mutation frequency (1%). CCL26 exhibits cancer-type-specific expression and differential prognostic significance across malignancies. Its strong immune infiltration correlations support potential utility in prognostic panels and as an immunomodulatory target. GEO-based validation supported selected expression findings, particularly in renal and lung cohorts, while also highlighting context-dependent variability. Collectively, these data support the biological relevance of CCL26 in cancer but indicate that its clinical and therapeutic value should be interpreted in a tumor-specific manner and confirmed in further mechanistic studies.

Mycetoma is a neglected tropical disease caused by various bacterial and fungal pathogens that has a significant health impact across a broad geographically defined "mycetoma belt" spanning South America, Africa and Asia. Histologically, mycetoma is characterised by invasive and destructive granuloma development in the skin, deep tissues and bone, leading to tissue destruction, deformities and high morbidity. The presence of macroscopic, highly compacted pathogen microcolonies, or "grains," is a key diagnostic feature, and the formation of grains supports pathogen persistence and disease chronicity. However, there is a paucity of information on immune responses in mycetoma patients and on the relative importance of phylogeny and/or grains in establishing the local immune landscape. Here, we used spatial proteomics to examine the distribution of 43 immune-related proteins in surgical biopsies from 11 patients with mycetoma of bacterial (actinomycetoma; Actinomadura pelletierii and Streptomyces somaliensis; n = 6) and fungal (eumycetoma; Madurella mycetomatis; n = 5) origin. Using mixed-effects modelling, an exploratory analysis across species and pathogen classes revealed few significant differences in immune marker expression. In contrast, and independently of pathogen class, the cellular infiltrate closest to grain boundaries had higher per-cell expression of CD66b+ neutrophils, ARG1, and VISTA. The preferential accumulation of CD66b+ARG1+VISTA+ cells at grain boundaries was confirmed by quantitative immunofluorescence analysis. Hence, the local tissue microenvironment surrounding the mycetoma grain represents a specialised immunosuppressive niche, with parallels to the tumour microenvironment. Trial Registration The study was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04401969.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is rare, diagnostically challenging, and historically associated with poor outcomes. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) inhibitors may improve outcomes, but evidence remains limited to case reports and small series. To summarize the clinical features, diagnostic findings, treatment patterns, efficacy, safety, and outcomes of CNS involvement by CLL/SLL treated with novel targeted therapies. Systematic review of published case reports, case series, and cohorts with extractable individual-level data. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from database inception to September 15, 2025. Eligible studies reported adults with CNS involvement by CLL/SLL treated with targeted agents, including BTK inhibitors, venetoclax, duvelisib, dasatinib, or other novel therapies. Chemotherapy-only regimens and Richter transformation cases were excluded. Patient-level data were extracted, and study quality was assessed using the Murad tool. Twenty-six studies including 32 patients were analyzed. Median age at CNS presentation was 65.5 years, and most cases occurred at relapse. CNS disease was meningeal in 47%, parenchymal in 22%, and combined in 31%. Adverse biological features, including TP53 mutation, del(17p), and unmutated immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV), were common. Across 34 treatment regimens, the overall response rate was 94.1%, with 55.9% complete and 38.2% partial responses. Ibrutinib was the most frequently used agent, while venetoclax and ibrutinib-venetoclax showed favorable activity. Other targeted agents showed promising responses in isolated cases. Toxicities were infrequent and consistent with known safety profiles. BTK inhibitor- and venetoclax-based regimens show encouraging activity in CNS involvement by CLL/SLL, including in genomically adverse disease. However, the current evidence remains primarily exploratory and descriptive. Prospective multicenter studies are warranted to establish optimal treatment sequencing, combination strategies, and the role of adjunctive intrathecal therapy or radiotherapy.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of public health and economic importance worldwide. A cross-sectional study using simple random and purposive sampling techniques was conducted from May 2024 to October 2024 in agro-pastoral areas of Mvomero district, Morogoro Region. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis, associated risk factors, and characterize the circulating Brucella spp., in livestock and humans. A total of 918 serum samples were collected from Mvomero district, comprising cattle (n = 339), sheep (n = 164), goats (n = 303), and humans (n = 112). Animal samples were obtained from 18 herds with mixed livestock species, while human samples were collected from four health facilities. All samples were screened for Brucella-specific antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and positive samples were subjected to competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Genomic DNA was extracted from the heparin-coated blood samples corresponding to the same samples that tested positive by c-ELISA for confirmation by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). A herd was considered Brucella seropositive if at least one animal tested positive on c-ELISA. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on potential individual and herd-level risk factors. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out using a backward elimination procedure to identify potential risk factors, following a univariate analysis, using a p-value cut-off of 0.25 from the univariable analysis to select candidate variables for a multivariable model. At the individual level, screening by RBPT revealed seropositivity rates of 9.1% (31/339) in cattle, 4.3% (7/164) in sheep, 5.6% (17/303) in goats, and 10.7% (12/112) in humans. Subsequent results by c-ELISA demonstrated lower seroprevalence rates of 6.5% (22/339) in cattle, 1.2% (2/164) in sheep, and 2.0% (6/303) in goats. Human seroprevalence by c-ELISA was 4.5% (5/112), with all positive cases originating from a single health facility. At the herd level, the overall seroprevalence was 55.5% (10/18) based on c-ELISA results. Out of the 35 c-ELISA positive samples, 21/35 (60.0%) tested positive for the Brucella genus detection using the IS711 gene. The Brucella species-specific assay detected 17/35 (48.6%) samples as B. abortus. There was no B. melitensis detected in this study. Risk factor analysis in sheep, goats, and humans yielded no significant associations in the univariable analyses. However, multivariable logistic regression analysis in cattle identified two significant risk factors: prior history of abortion (p < 0.001, OR = 12.7, 95% CI: 3.88-41.8) and retained placenta (p = 0.023, OR = 32.5, 95% CI: 1.602-660.8). Brucella abortus was the predominant circulating species in cattle, goats and humans. The significant association between brucellosis seropositivity and reproductive complications in cattle (abortion and retained placenta) underscores its economic impact on livestock productivity. We recommend serological screening of livestock and vaccination programmes in cattle and strengthened collaboration between veterinary and public health sectors through a One Health approach.

Vegetables are a critical component of diets, with inadequate intake of this essential food group leading to poor dietary quality and malnutrition. Food system assessments identify insufficient production, comparatively high prices, and sociocultural barriers as key constraints to vegetable consumption. We argue that vegetable biodiversity, spanning vegetable species and their varieties, as well as their wild relative species, is a central yet underutilized lever for enhancing vegetable consumption. Vegetables span a wider phylogenetic range than any other plant-derived food group, offering options for different climatic, cultural, and market niches worldwide. However, vegetable biodiversity is declining due to market homogenization, land-use change, and other threats. Its current conservation is insufficient, restricting in turn access to this diversity for research, breeding, and innovation, and making it more difficult to bridge the gap between current and recommended vegetable intake. Reversing this trend globally requires aligning conservation with dietary goals through four complementary action areas: i) Securing vegetable biodiversity by collecting, regenerating, and conserving local crop varieties and wild relatives of key vegetable species in biodiversity hotspots; ii) Harnessing vegetable biodiversity to deliver new varieties through collaborative research, breeding, and variety testing; iii) Promoting vegetable biodiversity to diversify diets, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups, by including nutrient-dense, climate-resilient vegetables into home and school meals; and iv) Integrating vegetable biodiversity into policy frameworks for long-term impact. Implementing this integrated approach in hotspots where vegetable biodiversity and malnutrition overlap can transform an overlooked opportunity into a cornerstone strategy for healthier diets.

Maize is the most staple food crop produced in sub-Saharan Africa which its cultivation has been expanding with time however, the productivity remains low. Low productivity of maize in Africa is contributed by different challenges such as pests and diseases, drought, floodings which are associated with the effects of climate change. Drought is among the critical constraints in maize production causing yield loss up to 100% under extreme conditions. With these challenges researchers have come with some of the promising technologies that help to reduce the effect of climate changes for instance breeding new climate resilience maize varieties which using modern breeding tools like marker assisted backcrossing, quantitative trait loci, genomewide association studies, double haploid, gene editing, genomic selection and high throughput phenotyping. These tools map traits of target for introgression to recipient varieties thus reducing time of breeding cycles. Some of the climate of improvement for climate resilience include drought and heat tolerance, high stay green with low less leaf rolling, stemborer and fall armyworm tolerance, water-use efficiency and high grain yield. Effort have been done by CIMMYT in collaboration with National Agricultural Research Institutes have developed climate resilient crop varieties, however, with pace of climate change there is more effort to diversify varieties for sustainable climate resilience that will strengthen food security in sub-Saharan Africa which is the most vulnerable to climate change. There is a need to integrate approaches to cope with climate change such as use of next-generation genomic technologies, digital agriculture and data-driven approaches, strengthening seed systems, integration of farmer preferences and socioeconomic factors into the breeding process, and adaptive breeding programs based on climate scenarios. These will shorten breeding cycles and come up with new technologies that cope with variation of climate at certain intervals.

Phylogenomics has the power to reveal complex evolutionary hypotheses across taxa, thereby allowing important glimpses into the evolutionary history, such as incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and introgression among closely related species. The 系统发育基因组学能够揭示分类单元间复杂的演化假说，为重构演化历史提供关键证据，如不完全谱系分选（ILS）和基因渐渗等现象。黑喉石䳭复合种由

Chemotherapy-related toxicities remain a major barrier to optimal outcomes in pediatric cancer care in low-resource settings. Genetic variation in drug-metabolizing and transport pathways contributes to interindividual differences in toxicity risk; however, pharmacogenomic data from African pediatric populations are limited. This study assessed the distribution of selected pharmacogenomic variants and chemotherapy-related toxicities profiles in Tanzanian children with cancer. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 155 pediatric patients with cancer (1-17 years) receiving chemotherapy at Bugando Medical Centre, Tanzania. Clinical data, clinician-reported toxicities, and patient-reported outcomes were collected. Eleven pharmacogenomic variants in genes involved in drug metabolism, transport, and detoxification pathways Hematologic toxicities, including anemia (50.3%) and leukopenia (37.4%), and mucocutaneous toxicities such as alopecia (38.1%) and oral ulcers (24.5%) were common. Reduced muscle strength was observed in 78.1% of patients. Reduced-function This study provides baseline data on pharmacogenomic variability among Tanzanian pediatric patients with cancer. The observed genetic diversity in pharmacogenes involved in drug metabolism and transport may be relevant to variability in chemotherapy-related toxicities, as reported in previous studies. These findings highlight the need for further research to evaluate genotype-toxicity relationships and to inform the future integration of pharmacogenomics into pediatric oncology care in resource-limited settings.