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Objective To describe changes in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk over time among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Methods We used data from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) and the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD). Five-year ASCVD risk was calculated using the D:A:D equation. Individuals were eligible for inclusion if they were aged ≥ 18 years, had started ART, had no previous history of ASCVD and had complete ASCVD risk factor data available within the first 5 years of ART initiation. Results A total of 3368 adults contributed data, 3221 were from TAHOD and 147 were from AHOD. The median age at ART initiation was 36 [IQR 31–43] years for TAHOD participants, and 42 [IQR 35–50] years for AHOD participants. Most TAHOD (70.4%) and AHOD (91.8%) participants were male. Overall, ASCVD risk increased from 0.84% (95% CI 0.81%–0.87%) at ART initiation to 1.34% (95% CI 1.29%–1.39%) after 5 years on ART. After adjusting for traditional and HIV-associated ASCVD risk factors, ASCVD risk increased at a similar rate among sub-populations defined by HIV exposure (heterosexuals, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs), race/ethnicity (Caucasian and Asian) and nadir CD4 at ART initiation (<200 and ≥200 cells/mm3). Conclusions These findings emphasize the growing burden of ASCVD risk among PLHIV and the need to develop interventions that are effective across a broad range of HIV sub-populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice allelopathy is a natural method of weed control that is regarded as an eco-friendly practice in agroecology. The allelopathic potential of rice is regulated by various genes, including those that encode transcription factors. Our study characterized a MYB transcription factor, OsMYB57, to explore its role in the regulation of rice allelopathy. Increasing the expression of OsMYB57 in rice using the transcription activator VP64 resulted in increased inhibitory ratios against barnyardgrass. The gene expression levels of OsPAL , OsC4H , OsOMT , and OsCAD from the phenylpropanoid pathway were also up-regulated, and the content of l -phenylalanine increased. Chromatin immunoprecipitation incorporated with HiSeq demonstrated that OsMYB57 transcriptionally regulated a mitogen-activated protein kinase (OsMAPK11); in addition, OsMAPK11 interacted with OsPAL2;3. The expression of OsPAL2;3 was higher in the allelopathic rice PI312777 than in the non-allelopathic rice Lemont, and OsPAL2;3 was negatively regulated by Whirly transcription factors. Moreover, microbes with weed-suppression potential, including Penicillium spp. and Bacillus spp., were assembled in the rhizosphere of the rice accession Kitaake with increased expression of OsMYB57, and were responsible for phenolic acid induction. Our findings suggest that OsMYB57 positively regulates rice allelopathy, providing an option for the improvement of rice allelopathic traits through genetic modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the healing effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on radiotherapy-induced skin injury. Rats were irradiated with a 6 MeV electron beam from a Varian linear accelerator. After skin wound formation, rats were individually administrated with distilled water, HRW (1.0 ppm) or HRW (2.0 ppm). We measured the healing time and observed the healing rate of the wounded surface. After irradiation, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the wounded tissues were evaluated, as determined using an MDA and SOD assay kit. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Models of skin damage were successfully established using a 44 Gy electronic beam. The healing time was shortened in the two HRW-treated groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, interventions of HRW resulted in a marked reduction in the MDA (P < 0.05) and IL-6 levels (P < 0.01). Additionally, the SOD activity in the two HRW-treated groups was higher than that in the distilled water group at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks (P < 0.001). The EGF level was also significantly increased at the end of the 1st and 2nd weeks (P < 0.05). Compared with the HRW (1.0 ppm) group, the healing rate was higher and the healing time was reduced in the HRW (2.0 ppm) group. A significant decrease was observed in the IL-6 level at the end of the 1st, 3rd and 4th weeks (P < 0.05) and in the EGF content at the end of the 1 week after the HRW administration (P < 0.01). Collectively, our data indicate that HRW accelerates wound healing of radiation-induced skin lesions through anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that HRW has a healing effect on acute radiation-mediated skin injury, and that this is dependent on the concentration of the hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]