Genetic analysis of tolerance to rice tungro bacilliform virus in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through agroinoculation

Balimau Putih [an Indonesian cultivar tolerant to rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV)] was crossed with IR64 (RTBV, susceptible variety) to produce the three filial generations F1, F2 and F3. Agroinoculation was used to introduce RTBV into the test plants. RTBV tolerance was based on the RTBV level in plants by analysis of coat protein using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The level of RTBV in cv. Balimau Putih was significantly lower than that of IR64 and the susceptible control, Taichung Native 1. Mean RTBV levels of the F1, F2 and F3 populations were comparable with one another and with the average of the parents. Results indicate that there was no dominance and an additive gene action may control the expression of tolerance to RTBV. Tolerance based on the level of RTBV coat protein was highly heritable (0.67) as estimated using the mean values of F3 lines, suggesting that selection for tolerance to RTBV can be performed in the early selfing generations using the technique employed in this study. The RTBV level had a negative correlation with plant height, but positive relationship with disease index valu

Provider perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on treatment of substance use and opioid use disorders among American Indian and Alaska Native adults

IntroductionAmerican Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities are more likely to suffer negative consequences related to substance misuse. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the opioid poisoning crisis, in combination with ongoing treatment barriers resulting from settler-colonialism, systemic oppression and racial discrimination. AI/AN adults are at greatest risk of COVID-19 related serious illness and death. In collaboration with an Indigenous community advisory board and Tribal leadership, this study explored AI/AN treatment provider perceptions of client-relatives’ (i.e., SUD treatment recipients) experiences during the pandemic from 2020 to 2022.MethodsProviders who underwent screening and were eligible to participate (N = 25) represented 6 programs and organizations serving rural and urban areas in Washington, Utah, and Minnesota. Participants engaged in audio-recorded 60–90 min semi-structured individual interviews conducted virtually via Zoom. The interview guide included 15 questions covering regulatory changes, guidance for telemedicine, policy and procedures, staff communication, and client-relatives’ reactions to implemented changes, service utilization, changes in treatment modality, and perceptions of impact on their roles and practice. Interview recordings were transcribed and de-identified. Members of the research team independently reviewed transcripts before reaching consensus. Coding was completed in Dedoose, followed by analyses informed by a qualitative descriptive approach.ResultsFive main domains were identified related to client-relative experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, as observed by providers: (1) accessibility, (2) co-occurring mental health, (3) social determinants of health, (4) substance use, coping, and harm reduction strategies, and (5) community strengths. Providers reported the distinctive experiences of AI/AN communities, highlighting the impact on client-relatives, who faced challenges such as reduced income, heightened grief and loss, and elevated rates of substance use and opioid-related poisonings. Community and culturally informed programming promoting resilience and healing are outlined.ConclusionFindings underscore the impact on SUD among AI/AN communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying treatment barriers and mental health impacts on client-relatives during a global pandemic can inform ongoing and future culturally responsive SUD prevention and treatment strategies. Elevating collective voice to strengthen Indigenous informed systems of care to address the gap in culturally-and community-based services, can bolster holistic approaches and long-term service needs to promote SUD prevention efforts beyond emergency response efforts

Variations in national availability of waivered buprenorphine prescribers by racial and ethnic composition of zip codes

Background Opioid overdose remains a public health crisis in diverse communities. Between 2019 and 2020, there was an almost 40% increase in drug fatalities primarily due to opioid analogues of both stimulants and opioids. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD; e.g., buprenorphine) are effective, evidence-based treatments that can be delivered in office-based primary care settings. We investigated disparities in the proportion of national prescribers who have obtained a waiver issued to prescribe MOUD by demographic characteristics. Methods Data for the secondary data analyses were obtained from the Drug Enforcement Administration that maintains data on waivered MOUD prescribers across the US. Proportion of waivered prescribers were examined by ZIP code, race and ethnicity composition, socioeconomic status, insurance, and urban–rural designation using generalized linear mixed effects models. Results Compared with predominantly Non-Hispanic White ZIP codes, other racially and ethnically diverse areas had a higher proportion of waivered buprenorphine prescribers. Differences in prescriber availability between predominant racial group was dependent on rurality based on the interaction found in our fitted model. In metropolitan areas, we found that predominantly Non-Hispanic White ZIP codes had a lower rate of waivered prescribers compared to predominantly Black/African American ZIP codes. Conclusions Our findings suggest that among AI/AN and Black/African American neighborhoods, availability of waivered prescribers may not be a primary barrier. However, availability of waivered prescribers and prescribing might potentially be an obstacle for Hispanic/Latinx and rural communities. Additional research to determine factors related to improving MOUD availability among diverse communities therefore remains vital to advancing health equity

Toxicological assessment of pesticides used in the Pagsanjan-Lumban catchment to selected non-target aquatic organisms in Laguna Lake, Philippines

Laguna Lake is the largest inland water resource in the Philippines and an important source of fisheries in the area. The Pagsanjan-Lumban catchment is the main freshwater input of the lake but contaminants resulting from agricultural activities within the catchment may impact fisheries. Laboratory-based acute toxicity data was generated on selected non-target aquatic species native to Laguna Lake for pesticides used in the catchment. Freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium lar, were found to be the most sensitive species for the pesticides used in the areas surrounding the catchment compared to Tilapia sp. embryos, newly hatched Tilapia and 22mm Tilapia fingerling. Of the pesticides used in the catchment, the pyrethroids (lambda cyhalothrin, deltamethrin and cypermethrin) were found to be highly toxic under laboratory conditions to freshwater shrimp and Tilapia fingerling. Malformations, such as spinal deformities and abnormal yolk sac distribution, were observed in the fish embryos at pesticide concentrations below LC values. Currently there are no water quality guidelines available in the Philippines for pesticides. Such toxicity data on local species is highly beneficial in developing site-specific water quality guidelines. An acute hazard assessment was conducted for risk ranking of pesticides used in the Philippines by comparing the 48h LC values of selected pesticides to M. lar and actual concentrations of the pesticides detected in selected sampling areas within the Pagsanjan-Lumban catchment. The maximum measured concentration of profenofos (15.4μg/L) and pyrethroids (3-6μg/L) in the field samples collected in the Pagsanjan-Lumban catchment were above the 48h LC values. These compounds posed a high acute hazard (HQ>1) to freshwater shrimp in the Pagsanjan-Lumban catchment. Poor management practices in pesticide use could result in decline of rice-fish cultures and other economical invertebrates in some catchments in the Philippines