Evaluation of health, nutrition and food security programmes in a complex emergency: the case of Congo as an example of a chronic post-conflict situation

OBJECTIVE: To describe the case of Congo as an example of the assessment and appropriateness of donor operational and sectoral strategies in a complex emergency. DESIGN AND SETTING: The paper reports the findings of an external evaluation of operations financed by the European Commission Humanitarian Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). RESULTS: The Congolese health system is suffering from severe deterioration. What is functioning in the public health context is donor-dependent with high costs and limited coverage. Despite a relatively favourable agro-climatic situation, food shortage and famine severely affect the nutritional status of large population groups. In this context, humanitarian programmes have generally improved access to health care and the nutritional status of beneficiaries. The reduction of malnutrition in project areas is often demonstrated even though the context did not permit consolidation of these results. Malnutrition continues to claim a massive cost of lives owing to the effect of widespread food insecurity that follows a circular cause-and-effect pattern of very low food production and extreme poverty. CONCLUSIONS: The current context in DRC does not correspond yet to 'post-crisis': neither at population level with regard to indicators of poverty, malnutrition, disease and death, nor at institutional level, with regard to state support to institutions. In these situations, the international community is often called upon to replace the state as service provider. Integrated humanitarian actions should be the future of relief projects in DRC. Health, nutrition and food security components should be considered a standard public health intervention strategy representing the most sensible approach to address the needs of the affected population.     

Isolation and identification of two lipid transfer proteins in pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are a family of low molecular mass (7-9 kDa) polypeptides, the members of which share 35-95% sequence homology. These proteins are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom and are receiving attention for their biochemical characteristics and biological activity. LTPs are indeed studied in different research fields varying from allergy to food technology, and numerous molecules belonging to this class are progressively being identified and investigated. Proteins from pomegranate juice were fractioned by cation exchange chromatography and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Two proteins were identified as putative LTPs on the basis of their molecular weights and their electrophoretic behaviors under reducing and nonreducing conditions. Finally, proteins were purified and characterized by mass spectrometry. This analysis confirmed that the two polypeptides are LTPs on the basis of an amino acid sequence common to LTPs from other plant sources and cysteine content. The two proteins, named LTP1a and LTP1b, showed similar molecular masses but different immunological profiles when immunodetected with rabbit antibodies specific for Pru p 3 and human IgE from a patient suffering from pomegranate allergy. The demonstration of the existence of two immunologically unrelated LTPs in pomegranate confirms the variability and the complexity of the plant LTP family. This should be taken into account when the role of these proteins as elicitors of allergies to fruits is investigated and could help to explain the contradictory literature data on pomegranate allergy.     

Venetian olive (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Olea europaea</Emphasis>) germplasm: disclosing the genetic identity of locally grown cultivars suited for typical extra virgin oil productions

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most important tree crops of the Mediterranean regions. In spite of the increasing appreciation of typical extra virgin olive oils at world level, based on the use of local traditional varieties, very few studies have focused on the genetic characterisation of olive cultivars of regional interest, such as those grown in Veneto, a North-Eastern Italy region. A deep knowledge of the varieties cultivated in this territory is a key step to address the product quality, to increase market demand and to certify the origin of local olive oils. Here we have analyzed olive cultivars and cultivar groups within the olive cultivation area in Veneto, from the Garda Lake to the Euganean and Trevisan hills, by using discriminant SSR markers, in order to obtain a systematic genetic survey of the Veneto regional olive germplasm patrimony. A total of 203 previously uncharacterized olive samples were collected from ancient trees still grown by local farmers. The analyzed samples included also 36 olive reference cultivars from Veneto and neighbour Regions. We found 57 unique molecular profiles out of this set of olive accessions that were split into 15 cultivar groups corresponding to genetically distinct STRUCTURE clusters. Based on a common SSR database, our 239 Venetian accessions were compared with 280 olive reference genotypes representative of the Mediterranean cultivation area. From the genetic structure analysis, it has been observed that 80% of Venetian cultivars clustered in the central Mediterranean group, about 9% and 2% with the eastern and western varieties, respectively, and all the others resulted intermixed among two or three populations. We found that regionally the most common variety was “Casaliva”, corresponding to the widely diffused cultivar “Frantoio”, while others showed identity with known varieties grown in close regions, such as “Leccino”, “Miniol”, “Capolga” and “Bianchera”. Besides these genotypes, others were not matching any known reference and therefore they could be classified as true local varieties of indigenous origin, possibly deriving from the hybridization and selection made by farmers and from their adaptation to the local soil and climate conditions.     

Comparison of integrated field programmes for the reduction of fumonisin contamination in maize kernels

Fusarium verticillioides is a common maize pathogen which causes diseases on ears and synthesis of the mycotoxins, fumonisins, in kernels. Fumonisin production is influenced by both environmental conditions and agricultural inputs during growth and maturation of the maize plant. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of crop management techniques on fumonisin contamination in maize kernels. Experiments were conducted in Northern Italy during 2006 and 2007 using two maize hybrids with different precocity. Factors evaluated were seed planting time (March versus May), plant density (65,000 plants versus 80,000 plants per ha), N fertilization (200 kg N versus 400 kg N per ha), and chemical treatment to control European maize borer (ECB) (yes versus no). These factors were analyzed were as follows: (T1) May sowing, high plant density and N fertilization, (T2) March sowing time, high plant density and N fertilization, (T3) March sowing time, low plant density and balanced N fertilization, (T4) the same agronomic techniques as T3 plus a chemical treatment to control European maize borer. Ears were analyzed morphologically for ECB incidence and severity. Subsequently, kernels were analyzed chemically for fumonisins. Fumonisin contamination was reduced by 57%, 69% and 86% for T2, T3 and T4, respectively, compared to T1. This study clearly underlines that the application of good agricultural practices (GAP) in crop management strategies can effectively control fumonisin contamination of maize kernels.     

Effects of on‐demand feeding on sea urchin larvae (Paracentrotus lividus; Lamarck, 1816), development,survival and microalgae utilization

This study compared the growth of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus larvae cultured using two different rearing methods: a variable method based on a variable amount of feed (microalgae) and seawater exchange (30% or 50%) established according to the phytoplankton concentration in the larval cultures and a fixed method characterized by a fixed amount of feed and seawater exchange. Three microalgae diets, Isochrysis sp. (Tahitian strain, T‐Iso), Chaetoceros gracilis and a 50:50 mixed diet, were tested with both rearing methods. Larval development and survival were assessed at the 6‐arm pluteus stage (P6), competence (Cp) and metamorphosis (Mt). Data showed that the variable method reduced the requirements for phytoplankton and seawater exchange. Indeed, through the optimization of feed rations, it was possible to reduce the production of debris and settled phytoplankton, minimizing the need for water exchanges. Higher larval survival resulted at Cp and Mt stages for those reared with the variable method as opposed to the fixed one. Survival and development were also influenced by the tested dietary treatments: at Mt stage, the mixed diet resulted in a higher larval survival (63.3 ± 8.9%) than T‐Iso (19.7 ± 12.1%) and C. gracilis (23.4 ± 15.1%) (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the use of the variable method improves the larval survival and development and also it reduces resource consumption (phytoplankton, seawater use and work effort), which in turn could potentially improve the hatchery production of P. lividus.     

Lab-scale feasibility tests for sediment treatment using different physico-chemical techniques

Purpose  

The fairly high amounts of sediments dredged in coastal or internal water bodies for navigational and/or environmental purposes claims for the identification of appropriate management strategies. Dredged sediments are frequently affected by organic and inorganic contamination, so that their reuse, as an alternative to final landfill disposal, could need remediation. In this framework, a two-year joint research project was carried out to assess the feasibility of different remediation technologies for the treatment of polluted sediments.     

An integrated approach for cetacean knowledge and conservation in the central Mediterranean Sea using research and social media data sources

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Reproductive behaviour of tetraploid alfalfa plants obtained by unilateral and bilateral sexual polyploidization

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the fertility of tetraploid plants obtained from diploid mutants that produced 2n gametes via bilateral (BSP) and unilateral sexual polyploidization (USP) schemes. Controlled matings between selected plants from BSP and USP were carried out according to a complete diallel. The level of male and female fertility of each plant was estimated within full-sib, half-sib and non-inbred crosses. Crosses with unrelated self-fertile and male-sterile testers were also performed. Pollen size and stainability were determined by acetocarmine staining. The number of ovules per ovary was counted and the callose deposition within ovules examined to evaluate embryo sac fecundity. Cross-fertility was generally much higher for USP than BSP plants (on average, 0.3 vs. 0.03 seeds per flower pollinated). Both male and female fertility were inversely related to the inbreeding level of cross combinations. The in vitro pollen germinability was positively correlated to male fertility of BSP plants. The level of in vivo embryo sac sterility was not correlated to female fertility in either BSP or USP plants. Female fertility was restored in both BSP and USP groups when plants were crossed with unrelated tetraploid testers. Male fertility also increased in USP plants but remained rather low in the BSP plants. Scaling up the ploidy level by means of 2n gamete union resulted in tetraploid plants with low fertility. In particular, the BSP process yielded virtually self-sterile and highly cross-sterile plants. The well documented positive effect of sexual tetraploidization on forage yield was accompanied by worsening of fertility traits. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The threat of the ambrosia beetle Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis) (=Platypus mutatus Chapuis) to world poplar resources

We describe the life cycle of Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis)(=Platypus mutatus) and the damage it causes to poplar resourcesin Argentina. This insect, native to the subtropical and tropicalareas of South America, has extended its range into temperateregions, reaching as far south as Neuquén in ArgentineanPatagonia. The damage is caused by the adult insects, whichbore large gallery systems into living poplars (Populus spp.),willows (Salix spp.) and many other broadleaf species, includingimportant fruit trees species such as apples (Malus spp.), walnuts(Juglans spp.) and avocados (Persea spp.). The galleries degradethe lumber and weaken the tree stems, which often then breakduring windstorms. A recent introduction of M. mutatus to Italydemonstrates that this insect can be transported long distancesbetween countries, and therefore presents a threat worldwide—particularlyto poplar cultivation. We review the taxonomic nomenclaturefor this pest, provide a summary of the life cycle, hosts anddamage and summarize actions taken to reduce the risk of introductionof M. mutatus to Canada.     

RadEst3.00: software to estimate daily radiation data from commonly available meteorological variables

RadEst3.00 estimates and evaluates daily global solar radiation values at given latitudes. Radiation is calculated as the product of the atmospheric transmissivity of radiation times the radiation outside the earth atmosphere. Four models estimate the atmospheric transmissivity, based on the daily temperature range. Model parameters can be fitted over one or more years of data by iterative procedures. Graphical and statistical evaluations of the estimates are presented. Reports of the analysis can be exported in a variety of formats. Penman–Monteith or Priestley–Taylor reference evapotranspiration is estimated, using both measured and estimated radiation. Utilities are provided to process numerous files, or correct possible constant biases in the data. Samples of data for tropical and temperate sites are supplied with the software.