Smoking Dose Modifies the Association between C242T Polymorphism and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in a Chinese Population

Background: The C242T polymorphism of the CYBA gene that encodes p22phox, a component of NADPH oxidase, has been found to modulate superoxide production. Oxidase is a major source of the superoxide anion that contributes to individual components of metabolic syndrome. We examined the relationship of the C242T polymorphism with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population, taking account of consumed cigarette amounts. Methodology/Principal Findings: In 870 participants, we collected biomarkers related to metabolic syndrome and detailed history of smoking and genotyped the C242T polymorphisms. After adjustment for covariates, the CT/TT genotypes were associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.0008). The odds of having metabolic syndrome in the CT/TT participants were 0.439 (95%CI: 0.265, 0.726), while for CC participants the odds were 1.110 (95%CI: 0.904, 1.362). There was significant (P = 0.014) interaction between the C242T polymorphism and smoking status in relation to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. For smokers who smoke no less than 25 pack-years, those with CT/TT genotypes had lower risk of metabolic syndrome as compared with CC polymorphism carriers (P = 0.015). In the multiple regression analysis, the CT/TT genotypes were significantly associated with lower serum concentration of triglycerides both in all subjects and smokers; furthermore, the CT/TT genotypes were also related to smaller waist circumference in smokers. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the C242T gene polymorphism is indeed related to the prevalence of metaboli

Time-resolved dual transcriptomics reveal early induced Nicotiana benthamiana root genes and conserved infection-promoting Phytophthora palmivora effectors

BACKGROUND: Plant-pathogenic oomycetes are responsible for economically important losses in crops worldwide. Phytophthora palmivora, a tropical relative of the potato late blight pathogen, causes rotting diseases in many tropical crops including papaya, cocoa, oil palm, black pepper, rubber, coconut, durian, mango, cassava and citrus. Transcriptomics have helped to identify repertoires of host-translocated microbial effector proteins which counteract defenses and reprogram the host in support of infection. As such, these studies have helped in understanding how pathogens cause diseases. Despite the importance of P. palmivora diseases, genetic resources to allow for disease resistance breeding and identification of microbial effectors are scarce. RESULTS: We employed the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana to study the P. palmivora root infections at the cellular and molecular levels. Time-resolved dual transcriptomics revealed different pathogen and host transcriptome dynamics. De novo assembly of P. palmivora transcriptome and semi-automated prediction and annotation of the secretome enabled robust identification of conserved infection-promoting effectors. We show that one of them, REX3, suppresses plant secretion processes. In a survey for early transcriptionally activated plant genes we identified a N. benthamiana gene specifically induced at infected root tips that encodes a peptide with danger-associated molecular features. CONCLUSIONS: These results constitute a major advance in our understanding of P. palmivora diseases and establish extensive resources for P. palmivora pathogenomics, effector-aided resistance breeding and the generation of induced resistance to Phytophthora root infections. Furthermore, our approach to find infection-relevant secreted genes is transferable to other pathogen-host interactions and not restricted to plants.This work was supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation (RG62472), by the Royal Society (RG69135) and by the European Research Council (ERC-2014-STG, H2020, 637537)

Gendered self-views across 62 countries: a test of competing models

Social role theory posits that binary gender gaps in agency and communion should be larger in less egalitarian countries, reflecting these countries’ more pronounced sex-based power divisions. Conversely, evolutionary and self-construal theorists suggest that gender gaps in agency and communion should be larger in more egalitarian countries, reflecting the greater autonomy support and flexible self-construction processes present in these countries. Using data from 62 countries (N = 28,640), we examine binary gender gaps in agentic and communal self-views as a function of country-level objective gender equality (the Global Gender Gap Index) and subjective distributions of social power (the Power Distance Index). Findings show that in more egalitarian countries, gender gaps in agency are smaller and gender gaps in communality are larger. These patterns are driven primarily by cross-country differences in men’s self-views and by the Power Distance Index (PDI) more robustly than the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI). We consider possible causes and implications of these findings

Wirkung von oralen und nasalen antiseptischen Phthalocyanin-Lösungen auf die Infektiosität von SARS-CoV-2 bei Patienten mit COVID-19: eine randomisierte kontrollierte Studie

Background: In individuals with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral load (VL) plays an important role in infectivity.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the reduction in the VL and infectivity induced by phthalocyanine mouthwash and nasal spray in patients with COVID-19.Methods: Patients with mild COVID-19 were recruited to participate in a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants were assigned to one of three groups: Group 1, non-active mouthwash and saline nasal spray (SNS); Group 2, phthalocyanine mouthwash and SNS; and Group 3 phthalocyanine mouthwash and phthalocyanine nasal spray. VL was assessed in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs collected at the time of clinical diagnosis at baseline as well as 24 and 72 hours after starting the rinsing protocols.Findings: Forty-six participants were included in the analysis: 15, 16, and 15 in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. After 72 hours, the reduction in VL was significantly higher in Group 3 (mean cycle threshold (Ct) decrease: 11.21) than in Group 1 (mean Ct decrease: 5.53). Additionally, only the mean VL in Group 3 was reduced to a non-contagious level after 72 hours.Main conclusions: Use of phthalocyanine mouthwash and nasal spray is effective at reducing SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.Hintergrund: Bei Personen mit Coronavirus-Erkrankung (COVID-19) spielt die Viruslast (VL) des schweren akuten respiratorischen Syndroms Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) eine wichtige Rolle für die Infektiosität.Zielsetzungen: Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Verringerung der VL und der Infektiosität durch Phthalocyanin-Mundwasser und -Nasenspray bei Patienten mit COVID-19 zu untersuchen.Methoden: Patienten mit leichter COVID-19-Erkrankung wurden für die Teilnahme an einer dreifachblinden, randomisierten und kontrollierten Studie rekrutiert. Die Teilnehmer wurden einer von drei Gruppen zugeteilt: Gruppe 1: nicht-aktive Mundspülung und Kochsalz-Nasenspray; Gruppe 2: Phthalocyanin-Mundspülung und Kochsalz-Nasenspray und Gruppe 3: Phthalocyanin-Mundspülung und Phthalocyanin-Nasenspray. VL wurde in nasopharyngealen und oropharyngealen Abstrichen untersucht, die zum Zeitpunkt der klinischen Diagnose zu Studienbeginn sowie 24 und 72 Stunden nach Beginn der Spülprotokolle entnommen wurden.Ergebnisse: In die Analyse wurden 46 Teilnehmer einbezogen: 15 in Gruppe 1, 16 in Gruppe 2 und 15 in Gruppe 3. Nach 72 Stunden war die Verringerung der VL in Gruppe 3 signifikant höher (mittlere Abnahme der Zyklusschwelle: 11,21) als in Gruppe 1 (mittlere Abnahme der Zyklusschwelle: 5,53). Außerdem war nur die mittlere VL in Gruppe 3 nach 72 Stunden auf ein nicht-ansteckendes Niveau gesunken.Wichtigste Schlussfolgerungen: Die Verwendung von Phthalocyanin-Mundspülungen und -Nasensprays ist wirksam bei der Verringerung der SARS-CoV-2-Infektiosität