Enhancement of Drought Tolerance in Trifoliate Orange by Mycorrhiza: Changes in Root Sucrose and Proline Metabolisms

Sucrose and proline metabolisms are often associated with drought tolerance of plants. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species (Funneliformis mosseae and Paraglomus occultum) on root biomass, lateral root number, root sucrose and proline metabolisms in trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings under well-watered (WW) or drought stress (DS). All the AMF treatments significantly increased root dry weight, taproot length, and the number of lateral roots in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class under WW and DS. Mycorrhizal seedlings conferred considerably higher fructose and glucose concentrations but lower sucrose accumulation, regardless of soil water status. Under DS, F. mosseae treatment significantly increased root sucrose synthase (SS, degradative direction) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity but deceased root acid invertase (AI) and neutral invertase (NI) activity, and P. occultum inoculation markedly increased root AI, NI, SS, and SPS activities. AMF treatments led to a lower proline accumulation in roots, in company with lower activities of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS), δ-ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5CR), and proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) in roots. It appears that the AM symbiosis induced greater root development and sucrose and proline metabolisms to adapt DS

Summarizing methods for estimating population size for key populations: a global scoping review for human immunodeficiency virus research.

BACKGROUND: Estimating the population sizes of key populations(people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender persons, and commercial sex workers) is critical for understanding the overall Human Immunodeficiency Virus burden. This scoping review aims to synthesize existing methods for population size estimation among key populations, and provide recommendations for future application of the existing methods. METHODS: Relevant studies published from 1st January 2000 to 4th August 2020 and related to key population size estimation were retrieved and 120 of 688 studies were assessed. After reading the full texts, 81 studies were further excluded. Therefore, 39 studies were included in this scoping review. Estimation methods included five digital methods, one in-person method, and four hybrid methods. FINDING: We summarized and organized the methods for population size estimateion into the following five categories: methods based on independent samples (including capture-recapture method and multiplier method), methods based on population counting (including Delphi method and mapping method), methods based on the official report (including workbook method), methods based on social network (including respondent-driven sampling method and network scale-up method) and methods based on data-driven technologies (Bayesian estimation method, Stochastic simulation method, and Laska, Meisner, and Siegel estimation method). Thirty-six (92%) articles were published after 2010 and 23 (59%) used multiple methods. Among the articles published after 2010, 11 in high-income countries and 28 in low-income countries. A total of 10 estimated the size of commercial sex workers, 14 focused on men who have sex with men, and 10 focused on people who inject drugs. CONCLUSIONS: There was no gold standard for population size estimation. Among 120 studies that were related to population size estimation of key populations, the most commonly used population estimation method is the multiplier method (26/120 studies). Every method has its strengths and biases. In recent years, novel methods based on data-driven technologies such as Bayesian estimation have been developed and applied in many surveys

A Population-based and Clinical Cohort Validation of the Novel Consensus Definition of Metabolic Hyperferritinemia

Background: There is limited data on the clinical significance of metabolic hyperferritinemia (MHF) based on the most recent consensus. We aimed to validate the clinical outcomes of MHF in general population and biopsy-proven metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) patients. Methods: NHANES database and PERSONS cohort were included. MHF was defined as elevated serum ferritin with metabolic dysfunction (MD) and stratified into different grades according to ferritin (grade 1: 200 [females]/300 [males] - 550 ng/ml; grade 2: 550 - 1000 ng/ml; grade 3: > 1000 ng/ml). The clinical outcomes, including all-cause death, comorbidities and liver histology were compared between non-MHF and MHF in adjusted models. Results: In NHANES, compared with non-MHF with MD, MHF was related to higher risks of advanced fibrosis (FIB-4, P = 0.036), elevated albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR, P = 0.001) and sarcopenia (P = 0.013). Although the association between all grades of MHF and mortality was insignificant (P = 0.122), grades 2/3 was associated with increased mortality (P = 0.029). While comparing with non-MHF without MD, the harmful effects of MHF were more significant in mortality (P < 0.001), elevated UACR (P < 0.001), cardiovascular disease (P = 0.028), and sarcopenia (P < 0.001). In PERSONS cohort, MHF was associated with more advanced grades of steatosis (P < 0.001), lobular inflammation (P < 0.001), advanced fibrosis (P = 0.017), and more severe hepatocellular iron deposition (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Both in general population and at-risk individuals with MAFLD, MHF was related with poorer clinical outcomes

Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression in patients with multi-drug/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis

BackgroundMental health disorders in patients with multi-drug or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) receive consistent attention. Anxiety and depression can manifest and may impact disease progression in patients with MDR/RR-TB. Given the heightened stressors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, this scenario is even more concerning.ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors associated with anxiety and depression among patients with MDR/RR-TB in southern China.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was undertaken at Guangzhou Chest Hospital in southern China, encompassing a cohort of 219 patients undergoing outpatient and inpatient treatment for MDR/RR-TB. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using the 7-Item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The ramifications of anxiety and depression were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, with odds ratios (ORs) and age- and sex-adjusted ORs (AORs) employed to quantify their influence. All data underwent statistical analysis using SPSS 25.0, with statistical significance established at P < 0.05.ResultsTwo hundred and nineteen individuals with MDR/RR-TB were included in the study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 57.53% (n = 126) and 65.75% (n = 144), respectively, with 33.3% (n = 73) of the participants experiencing both conditions simultaneously. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an age of 20–40 years [anxiety AOR = 3.021, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.240–7.360; depression AOR = 3.538, 95% CI: 1.219–10.268], disease stigma (anxiety AOR = 10.613, 95% CI: 2.966–37.975; depression AOR = 4.514, 95% CI: 2.051–10.108) and poor physical health (anxiety AOR = 7.636, 95% CI: 2.938–19.844; depression AOR = 6.190, 95% CI: 2.468–15.529) were significant risk factors for moderate levels of anxiety and depression.ConclusionsWe found that individuals with MDR/RR-TB had an elevated risk of anxiety and depression. To decrease the likelihood of unfavorable treatment outcomes, it is imperative to carefully monitor the psychological wellbeing of patients with MDR/RR-TB and promptly address any detrimental psychiatric conditions

Effectiveness of sexual health influencers identified by an ensemble machine learning model in promoting secondary distribution of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: study protocol for a quasi-experimental trial

Background HIV self-testing (HIVST), especially the secondary distribution of HIVST (SD-HIVST) initiated by sexual health influencers (SHIs), has been recognized as an effective strategy in promoting HIV testing, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate whether SHIs identified through the ensemble machine learning approach can distribute more HIVST than those who identified by the empiricalscale. Methods We will recruit eligible adults (≥18 years old) who were assigned male gender at birth, and willing to participate in potential SD-HIVST online. Participants will be assigned randomly to two groups (scale group or machine learning group), followed by a separate process of SHI identification based on the group assignment. After identification, all index participants (defined as identified SHIs who are verbally consented to participate in SD-HIVST or who directly order HIVST kits) will follow the same procedure for SD-HIVST acquisition and distribution. Index participants can order HIVST online and distribute them to members within their social networks (defined as alters) in-person or virtually through a personalized peer referral link. Once a unique alter uploads a photographed test result to the platform, both the alter and the corresponding index participant will receive a fixed incentive of 3 USD. The index MSM can order up to five HIVST in the first three months and ten HIVST in the following three months. Each index participant will need to complete a baseline survey at the first-time ordering and one to two follow-upbased on the times of ordering,, three months after ordering. This trial will be comparing 1) the mean number of alters motivated by each index participant in each group and 2) the mean number of newly-tested alters motivated by each index participant in each group. Discussion In promoting the efficacy of identifying SHIs for SD-HIVST, our study has the potential to enhance testing coverage, particularly among marginalized individuals and those who are reluctant to for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Trial registration We registered the study on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry website on 4th November 2021, with registration number ChiCTR2000039632

Monetary incentives and peer referral in promoting digital network-based secondary distribution of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: study protocol for a three-arm randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is a crucial strategy for HIV prevention. HIV testing rates remain low among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Digital network-based secondary distribution is considered as an effective model to enhance HIV self-testing (HIVST) among key populations. Digital platforms provide opportunities for testers to apply for HIVST kits by themselves, and secondary distribution allows them to apply for multiple kits to deliver to their sexual partners or members within their social network. We describe a three-arm randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of monetary incentives and peer referral in promoting digital network-based secondary distribution of HIVST among MSM in China. METHODS: Three hundred MSM in China will be enrolled through a digital platform for data collection. The eligibility criteria include being biological male, 18 years of age or over, ever having had sex with another man, being able to apply for kits via the online platform, and being willing to provide personal telephone number for follow-up. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated into one of the three arms: standard secondary distribution arm, secondary distribution with monetary incentives arm, and secondary distribution with monetary incentives plus peer referral arm. Participants (defined as "index") will distribute actual HIV self-test kits to members within their social network (defined as "alter") or share referral links to encourage alters to apply HIV self-test kits by themselves. All index participants will be requested to complete a baseline survey and a 3-month follow-up survey. Both indexes and alters will complete a survey upon returning the results by taking a photo of the used kits with the unique identification number. DISCUSSION: HIV testing rates remain suboptimal among MSM in China. Innovative interventions are needed to further expand the uptake of HIV testing among key populations. The findings of the trial can provide scientific evidence and experience on promoting secondary distribution of HIVST to reach key populations who have not yet been covered by existing testing services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900025433) on 26, August 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=42001. Prospectively registered

The LAMOST Survey of Background Quasars in the Vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum Galaxies -- II. Results from the Commissioning Observations and the Pilot Surveys

We present new quasars discovered in the vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies with the LAMOST during the 2010 and 2011 observational seasons. Quasar candidates are selected based on the available SDSS, KPNO 4 m telescope, XSTPS optical, and WISE near infrared photometric data. We present 509 new quasars discovered in a stripe of ~135 sq. deg from M31 to M33 along the Giant Stellar Stream in the 2011 pilot survey datasets, and also 17 new quasars discovered in an area of ~100 sq. deg that covers the central region and the southeastern halo of M31 in the 2010 commissioning datasets. These 526 new quasars have i magnitudes ranging from 15.5 to 20.0, redshifts from 0.1 to 3.2. They represent a significant increase of the number of identified quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33. There are now 26, 62 and 139 known quasars in this region of the sky with i magnitudes brighter than 17.0, 17.5 and 18.0 respectively, of which 5, 20 and 75 are newly-discovered. These bright quasars provide an invaluable collection with which to probe the kinematics and chemistry of the ISM/IGM in the Local Group of galaxies. A total of 93 quasars are now known with locations within 2.5 deg of M31, of which 73 are newly discovered. Tens of quasars are now known to be located behind the Giant Stellar Stream, and hundreds behind the extended halo and its associated substructures of M31. The much enlarged sample of known quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33 can potentially be utilized to construct a perfect astrometric reference frame to measure the minute PMs of M31 and M33, along with the PMs of substructures associated with the Local Group of galaxies. Those PMs are some of the most fundamental properties of the Local Group.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures, AJ accepte

The preoperative platelet to neutrophil ratio and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio are superior prognostic indicators compared with other inflammatory biomarkers in ovarian cancer

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that the ratios of immune-inflammatory cells could serve as prognostic indicators in ovarian cancer. However, which of these is the superior prognostic indicator in ovarian cancer remains unknown. In addition, studies on the prognostic value of the platelet to neutrophil ratio (PNR) in ovarian cancer are still limited.MethodsA cohort of 991 ovarian cancer patients was analyzed in the present study. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to choose the optimal cut-off values of inflammatory biomarkers such as neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and PNR. The correlation of inflammatory biomarkers with overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) was investigated by Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank test, followed by Cox regression analyses.ResultsKaplan-Meier curves suggested that LMR<3.39, PLR≥181.46, and PNR≥49.20 had obvious associations with worse RFS (P<0.001, P=0.018, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that LMR (≥3.39 vs. <3.39) (P=0.042, HR=0.810, 95% CI=0.661-0.992) and PNR (≥49.20 vs. <49.20) (P=0.004, HR=1.351, 95% CI=1.103-1.656) were independent prognostic indicators of poor RFS. In addition, Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that PLR≥182.23 was significantly correlated with worse OS (P=0.039).ConclusionTaken together, PNR and LMR are superior prognostic indicators compared with NLR, PLR, and SII in patients with ovarian cancer