Plant regeneration in Piper longum L. (Piperaceae) through direct and indirect adventitious shoot development

Methods for large scale multiplication of Piper longum are reported. Shoot tips cultured on Murashige & Skoog's medium supplemented with 0.5 mgl-1 benzyl adenine or kinetin in combination with 0.5 mgl-1 I-naphthalene acetic acid developed multiple shoots at very low frequency. Multiple shoots originated in large numbers, only from nodes of vertically planted explants, while shoots dnveloped de novo from all over the surface, when planted horizontally in the same medium containing 2·5 mgl-1 benzyl adenine. Leaf segments also developed adventitious buds in large numbers in Murashige & Skoog's medium containing 3 mgl-1 benzyl adenine, I mgl-1 kinetin and 10% (v/v) coconut water. Callus induced from leaf and stem explants in Murashige & Skoog's medium with 1-2 mgl-1 2, 4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid in combination with Imgl-1 benzyl adenine developed shoot buds when transferred to medium containing 3 mgl-1 benzyl adenine. All the shoots were rooted in Murashige & Skoog's basal medium. The isolated plantlets, hardened in vermiculite were transferred to pots containing garden soil and sand. &nbsp

Plant regeneration in Piper longum L. (Piperaceae) through direct and indirect adventitious shoot development

Methods for large scale multiplication of Piper longum are reported. Shoot tips cultured on Murashige & Skoog's medium supplemented with 0.5 mgl-1 benzyl adenine or kinetin in combination with 0.5 mgl-1 I-naphthalene acetic acid developed multiple shoots at very low frequency. Multiple shoots originated in large numbers, only from nodes of vertically planted explants, while shoots dnveloped de novo from all over the surface, when planted horizontally in the same medium containing 2·5 mgl-1 benzyl adenine. Leaf segments also developed adventitious buds in large numbers in Murashige & Skoog's medium containing 3 mgl-1 benzyl adenine, I mgl-1 kinetin and 10% (v/v) coconut water. Callus induced from leaf and stem explants in Murashige & Skoog's medium with 1-2 mgl-1 2, 4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid in combination with Imgl-1 benzyl adenine developed shoot buds when transferred to medium containing 3 mgl-1 benzyl adenine. All the shoots were rooted in Murashige & Skoog's basal medium. The isolated plantlets, hardened in vermiculite were transferred to pots containing garden soil and sand. &nbsp

Plant regeneration in Piper longum L. (Piperaceae) through direct and indirect adventitious shoot development

Methods for large scale multiplication of Piper longum are reported. Shoot tips cultured on Murashige & Skoog's medium supplemented with 0.5 mgl-1 benzyl adenine or kinetin in combination with 0.5 mgl-1 I-naphthalene acetic acid developed multiple shoots at very low frequency. Multiple shoots originated in large numbers, only from nodes of vertically planted explants, while shoots dnveloped de novo from all over the surface, when planted horizontally in the same medium containing 2·5 mgl-1 benzyl adenine. Leaf segments also developed adventitious buds in large numbers in Murashige & Skoog's medium containing 3 mgl-1 benzyl adenine, I mgl-1 kinetin and 10% (v/v) coconut water. Callus induced from leaf and stem explants in Murashige & Skoog's medium with 1-2 mgl-1 2, 4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid in combination with Imgl-1 benzyl adenine developed shoot buds when transferred to medium containing 3 mgl-1 benzyl adenine. All the shoots were rooted in Murashige & Skoog's basal medium. The isolated plantlets, hardened in vermiculite were transferred to pots containing garden soil and sand. &nbsp

Development and Open Pilot Trial of an HIV-Prevention Intervention Integrating Mobile-Phone Technology for Male Sex Workers in Chennai, India

In India men who have sex with men and engage in sex work (i.e., male sex workers; MSW) have a high risk of transmitting HIV. Globally, sex workers have become more spatially mobile due to advances in mobile-phone technology. In 2012 in-depth qualitative feedback was garnered from 40 interviews with MSW and four focus groups with 35 key informants (KIs) who had expert knowledge of the local MSW community to inform the design of an HIV-prevention intervention among MSW in Chennai, India. All MSW were recruited during outreach by employees of a Chennai-based organization for MSM (men who have sex with men). The data were analyzed using a descriptive qualitative approach. MSW and KIs discussed the need for intervention content that went beyond basic HIV psychoeducation. They emphasized the importance of addressing psychological distress, alcohol-related risk, and sexual communication skills. Concerns were raised about confidentiality, privacy, and scheduling. Participants endorsed a combination of in-person and mobile-phone-delivered sessions as well as the integration of mobile-phone messaging. These findings served as the basis for the development of a theoretically driven, manual-based intervention incorporating mobile phones. An open pilot assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention with eight MSW. Assessments and HIV testing were administered at baseline, 3, and 6 months post-baseline. Exit interviews were conducted at the conclusion of the intervention. Retention for session attendance and assessment follow-up was 100 %. There was a high level of acceptability for the format, structure, and content. These data show initial promise, feasibility, and acceptability of the intervention

Randomized controlled trial of molnupiravir SARS-CoV-2 viral and antibody response in at-risk adult outpatients

Viral clearance, antibody response and the mutagenic effect of molnupiravir has not been elucidated in at-risk populations. Non-hospitalised participants within 5 days of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms randomised to receive molnupiravir (n = 253) or Usual Care (n = 324) were recruited to study viral and antibody dynamics and the effect of molnupiravir on viral whole genome sequence from 1437 viral genomes. Molnupiravir accelerates viral load decline, but virus is detectable by Day 5 in most cases. At Day 14 (9 days post-treatment), molnupiravir is associated with significantly higher viral persistence and significantly lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody titres compared to Usual Care. Serial sequencing reveals increased mutagenesis with molnupiravir treatment. Persistence of detectable viral RNA at Day 14 in the molnupiravir group is associated with higher transition mutations following treatment cessation. Viral viability at Day 14 is similar in both groups with post-molnupiravir treated samples cultured up to 9 days post cessation of treatment. The current 5-day molnupiravir course is too short. Longer courses should be tested to reduce the risk of potentially transmissible molnupiravir-mutated variants being generated. Trial registration: ISRCTN3044803

Smoking, alcohol use disorder and tuberculosis treatment outcomes: A dual co-morbidity burden that cannot be ignored

BackgroundMore than 20% of tuberculosis (TB) disease worldwide may be attributable to smoking and alcohol abuse. India is the second largest consumer of tobacco products, a major consumer of alcohol particularly among males, and has the highest burden of TB globally. The impact of increasing tobacco dose, relevance of alcohol misuse and past versus current or never smoking status on TB treatment outcomes remain inadequately defined.MethodsWe conducted a multi-centric prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed adult pulmonary TB patients initiated on TB treatment and followed for a minimum of 6 months to assess the impact of smoking status with or without alcohol abuse on treatment outcomes. Smokers were defined as never smokers, past smokers or current smokers. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) scores were used to assess alcohol misuse. The association between smoking status and treatment outcomes was assessed in univariate and multivariate random effects poisson regression models.ResultsOf 455 enrolled, 129 (28%) had a history of smoking with 94 (20%) current smokers and 35 (8%) past smokers. Unfavourable treatment outcomes were significantly higher among past and current smokers as compared to never smokers. Specifically, the risk of treatment failure was significantly higher among past smokers (aIRR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.41-4.90, p = 0.002), recurrent TB among current smokers (aIRR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.30-6.67, p = 0.010) and death among both past (2.63, 95% CI: 1.11-6.24, p = 0.028) and current (aIRR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.29-5.18, p = 0.007) smokers. Furthermore, the combined effect of alcohol misuse and smoking on unfavorable treatment outcomes was significantly higher among past smokers (aIRR: 4.67, 95% CI: 2.17-10.02, pConclusionPast and current smoking along with alcohol misuse have combined effects on increasing the risk of unfavourable TB treatment outcomes. Innovative interventions that can readily address both co-morbidities are urgently needed

Early life child micronutrient status, maternal reasoning, and a nurturing household environment have persistent influences on child cognitive development at age 5 years: Results from MAL-ED

Background: Child cognitive development is influenced by early-life insults and protective factors. To what extent these factors have a long-term legacy on child development and hence fulfillment of cognitive potential is unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between early-life factors (birth to 2 y) and cognitive development at 5 y. Methods: Observational follow-up visits were made of children at 5 y, previously enrolled in the community-based MAL-ED longitudinal cohort. The burden of enteropathogens, prevalence of illness, complementary diet intake, micronutrient status, and household and maternal factors from birth to 2 y were extensively measured and their relation with the Wechsler Preschool Primary Scales of Intelligence at 5 y was examined through use of linear regression. Results: Cognitive T-scores from 813 of 1198 (68%) children were examined and 5 variables had significant associations in multivariable models: mean child plasma transferrin receptor concentration (β: −1.81, 95% CI: −2.75, −0.86), number of years of maternal education (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.45), maternal cognitive reasoning score (β: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.15), household assets score (β: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.24, 1.04), and HOME child cleanliness factor (β: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.15). In multivariable models, the mean rate of enteropathogen detections, burden of illness, and complementary food intakes between birth and 2 y were not significantly related to 5-y cognition. Conclusions: A nurturing home context in terms of a healthy/clean environment and household wealth, provision of adequate micronutrients, maternal education, and cognitive reasoning have a strong and persistent influence on child cognitive development. Efforts addressing aspects of poverty around micronutrient status, nurturing caregiving, and enabling home environments are likely to have lasting positive impacts on child cognitive development.publishedVersio

Early Life Child Micronutrient Status, Maternal Reasoning, and a Nurturing Household Environment have Persistent Influences on Child Cognitive Development at Age 5 years : Results from MAL-ED

Funding Information: The Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project (MAL-ED) is carried out as a collaborative project supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for the NIH, and the National Institutes of Health/Fogarty International Center. This work was also supported by the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health (D43-TW009359 to ETR). Author disclosures: BJJM, SAR, LEC, LLP, JCS, BK, RR, RS, ES, LB, ZR, AM, RS, BN, SH, MR, RO, ETR, and LEM-K, no conflicts of interest. Supplemental Tables 1–5 and Supplemental Figures 1–3 are available from the “Supplementary data” link in the online posting of the article and from the same link in the online table of contents at https://academic.oup.com/jn/. Address correspondence to LEM-K (e-mail: [email protected]). Abbreviations used: HOME, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment inventory; MAL-ED, The Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project; TfR, transferrin receptor; WPPSI, Wechsler Preschool Primary Scales of Intelligence.Peer reviewe