Empirical Evidence of Internal and External Factors Influencing Users' Motivation Toward Teleconsultation Use.

Introduction: The use of teleconsultation systems has increased in recent years, which has improved patients' access to health care providers and enabled seamless interaction between them. The literature points out several factors that either facilitate or impede the use of teleconsultation. However, there is a lack of studies that provide empirical evidence of factors that influence consumers' motivation toward the use of teleconsultation systems. Aim and Objective: This study aimed to provide empirical evidence of the internal and external factors that influence consumers' motivation toward the use of teleconsultation systems. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from consumers who used a real-time teleconsultation system called the Sehha application in Saudi Arabia between March 13 and June 14, 2021. SPSS 27.0.1 was used for descriptive analysis. Results: Four hundred eighty-five participants completed the survey, 471 of whom were included in the analysis. The findings confirmed that internal and external factors exert an influence on consumers' motivation toward the use of teleconsultation systems. The findings indicated that the presence of factors such as saving time, saving cost, accessibility to health care, ease-of-use, reliable internet access, availability of devices, and appropriate places during the online connection would increase consumers' motivation toward teleconsultation systems use. Also, the findings indicated that users' familiarity with systems similar to teleconsultation systems, users' perception of teleconsultation convenience, the influence of others on users' decision to use teleconsultation, and user's skills and confidence in using teleconsultation easily, and their trust in the teleconsultation system would also increase their motivation to use it. Furthermore, the findings showed that demographic factors, including age, gender, level of education, and employment status, did not influence users' motivation toward the use of teleconsultation Conclusions: This study provided empirical evidence of a variety of internal and external factors that exert an influence on consumers' motivation toward the use of teleconsultation systems.

Global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as a major predictor. Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation are key pathways in the pathogenesis of T2DM leading to NAFLD and vice versa, with the synergistic effect of NAFLD and T2DM increasing morbidity and mortality risks. This meta-analysis aims to quantify the prevalence of NAFLD and the prevalence of clinically significant and advanced fibrosis in people with T2DM. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from inception until 13 February 2023. The primary outcomes were the prevalence of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis in people with T2DM. A generalised linear mixed model with Clopper-Pearson intervals was used for the analysis of proportions with sensitivity analysis conducted to explore heterogeneity between studies. RESULTS: 156 studies met the inclusion criteria, and a pooled analysis of 1 832 125 patients determined that the prevalence rates of NAFLD and NASH in T2DM were 65.04% (95% CI 61.79% to 68.15%, I2=99.90%) and 31.55% (95% CI 17.12% to 50.70%, I2=97.70%), respectively. 35.54% (95% CI 19.56% to 55.56%, I2=100.00%) of individuals with T2DM with NAFLD had clinically significant fibrosis (F2-F4), while 14.95% (95% CI 11.03% to 19.95%, I2=99.00%) had advanced fibrosis (F3-F4). CONCLUSION: This study determined a high prevalence of NAFLD, NASH and fibrosis in people with T2DM. Increased efforts are required to prevent T2DM to combat the rising burden of NAFLD. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022360251.

Seed phytic acid concentration affects rice seedling vigor irrespective of soil phosphorus bioavailability.

Rice with a black-colored pericarp (hereafter, black rice) is well-known as an antioxidant-rich food, but a high grain phytic acid (PA) concentration affects its nutritional quality. However, phytic acid helps improve seedling vigor, which is crucial for enhancing subsequent plant growth. This study investigated the effect of seed phytic acid concentration in black rice on seedling vigor compared to the effects on white rice. In the first experiment, three phytic acid concentrations in the seeds of black rice, low (LPA, 15.5 mg g-1 per seed), medium (MPA, 24.7 mg g-1 per seed), and high (HPA, 35.4 mg g-1 per seed) were tested for seedling vigor in phosphorus-deficient soils. The HPA seedlings showed substantially increased seedling vigor and shoot P uptake due to early root development and enhanced physiological processes. LPA grown seedlings showed increased ethylene production in response to P stress, which is the main physiological mechanism modulating seedling growth under P stress conditions. In the second experiment, the three phytic acid concentrations in black and white rice seeds were tested under low and high soil P conditions. Again, LPA seedlings showed significantly reduced seedling vigor in both rice varieties in P-deficient soils. Interestingly, seed phytic acid and external P application had an additive effect on seedling vigor, suggesting that the combined effect further improved seedling growth. Our results reveal that black rice seeds with a HPA concentration can be used as a seed source for planting in P-deficient ecosystems for rice plants as they can increase seedling vigor and subsequent growth, thus reducing dependence on finite P resources.

Complete alcohol abstinence increases the risk of NAFLD but not severity. A population analysis with transient elastography.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: As the global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) continues to rise, ubiquity of alcohol use has also prompted discussion regarding the potential interactions between the two. This study aims to examine the effects of modest alcohol consumption on the prevalence and complications of NAFLD in a multi-ethnic population. METHODS: This study analyses the 2017-2018 cycles of NHANES that examined liver fibrosis and steatosis with vibration controlled transient elastography. A coarsened exact matching was conducted to reduce confounding. Logistic regression was done with a multivariate model to assess the relationship between alcohol consumption (modest drinkers and non-drinkers) and risk of NAFLD and its complications. RESULTS: 2,067 individuals were found to have NAFLD and 284 NAFLD patients had a total history of alcohol abstinence. After coarsened exact matching, the prevalence of NAFLD was 49% (CI: 0.41 - 0.58) in non-drinkers and 33% (CI: 0.26 - 0.41) in modest drinkers. Non-drinkers had twice the odds of NAFLD compared to modest drinkers (OR: 1.99, CI: 1.22 - 3.22, p<.01) after adjustment for confounders. There were no significant differences in the odds of significant fibrosis, advance fibrosis, cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke between non-drinkers and modest drinkers. The odds of malignancy in non-drinkers were almost significantly less than modest drinkers (OR: 0.28, CI:0.08 - 1.02, p=.053). CONCLUSION: Interestingly, modest alcohol consumption is associated with decreased odds of NAFLD. Further investigations are required to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and NAFLD and subsequently the potential impact on NAFLD management.

A Meta-analysis on Associated Risk of Mortality in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects much of the worldwide population and poses a significant burden to the global healthcare. The rising numbers of individuals with NAFLD and instances of mortality point toward the importance of understanding the association causes of mortality in NAFLD. This meta-analysis aimed to seek the associations of NAFLD with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related, liver-related, and cancer-related mortality. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase were searched for articles relating to causes of mortality between NAFLD and non-NAFLD. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to analyze adjusted hazard ratios (HR), and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to reduce heterogeneity through a graphical display of study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Fifteen studies involving 10 286 490 patients were included. Individuals with NAFLD exhibited an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.09-1.59; P < .01; I2 = 96.00%), CVD-related mortality (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.41; P < .01; I2 = 81.00%), and cancer-related mortality (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.15-2.41; P < .01; I2 = 95.00%). However, no significant association was found between liver-related mortality and NAFLD (HR, 3.58; 95% CI, 0.69-18.46; P =.13; I2 = 96.00%). The sensitivity analysis conducted with graphic display of heterogeneity and only population-based studies found similar results. CONCLUSION: NAFLD was associated with an increased risk of all-cause, CVD-related, and cancer-related mortality but not liver-related mortality. The finding is likely because of low fibrosis prevalence in the community. However, the significant burden in other causes of mortality beyond the liver points to a need for multidisciplinary efforts to reduce the mortality risks.

Practical, epistemic and normative implications of algorithmic bias in healthcare artificial intelligence: a qualitative study of multidisciplinary expert perspectives.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing concern about artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare that can disadvantage already under-represented and marginalised groups (eg, based on gender or race). OBJECTIVES: Our objectives are to canvas the range of strategies stakeholders endorse in attempting to mitigate algorithmic bias, and to consider the ethical question of responsibility for algorithmic bias. METHODOLOGY: The study involves in-depth, semistructured interviews with healthcare workers, screening programme managers, consumer health representatives, regulators, data scientists and developers. RESULTS: Findings reveal considerable divergent views on three key issues. First, views on whether bias is a problem in healthcare AI varied, with most participants agreeing bias is a problem (which we call the bias-critical view), a small number believing the opposite (the bias-denial view), and some arguing that the benefits of AI outweigh any harms or wrongs arising from the bias problem (the bias-apologist view). Second, there was a disagreement on the strategies to mitigate bias, and who is responsible for such strategies. Finally, there were divergent views on whether to include or exclude sociocultural identifiers (eg, race, ethnicity or gender-diverse identities) in the development of AI as a way to mitigate bias. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Based on the views of participants, we set out responses that stakeholders might pursue, including greater interdisciplinary collaboration, tailored stakeholder engagement activities, empirical studies to understand algorithmic bias and strategies to modify dominant approaches in AI development such as the use of participatory methods, and increased diversity and inclusion in research teams and research participant recruitment and selection.

Rhizosphere frame system enables nondestructive live-imaging of legume-rhizobium interactions in the soil.

Most plants interact with various soil microorganisms as they grow through the soil. Root nodule symbiosis by legumes and rhizobia is a well-known phenomenon of plant-microbe interactions in the soil. Although microscopic observations are useful for understanding the infection processes of rhizobia, nondestructive observation methods have not been established for monitoring interactions between rhizobia and soil-grown roots. In this study, we constructed Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens strains that constitutively express different fluorescent proteins, which allows identification of tagged rhizobia by the type of fluorophores. In addition, we constructed a plant cultivation device, Rhizosphere Frame (RhizoFrame), which is a soil-filled container made of transparent acrylic plates that allows observation of roots growing along the acrylic plates. Combining fluorescent rhizobia with RhizoFrame, we established a live imaging system, RhizoFrame system, that enabled us to track the nodulation processes with fluorescence stereomicroscope while retaining spatial information about roots, rhizobia, and soil. Mixed inoculation with different fluorescent rhizobia using RhizoFrame enabled the visualization of mixed infection of a single nodule with two strains. In addition, observation of transgenic Lotus japonicus expressing auxin-responsive reporter genes indicated that RhizoFrame system could be used for a real-time and nondestructive reporter assay. Thus, the use of RhizoFrame system is expected to enhance the study of the spatiotemporal dynamics of plant-microbe interactions in the soil.

Aqueous Synthesis, Doping, and Processing of n-Type Ag2Se for High Thermoelectric Performance at Near-Room-Temperature.

Herein, we have successfully synthesized binary Ag2Se, composite Ag0:Ag2Se, and ternary Cu+:Ag2Se through an ambient aqueous-solution-based approach in a one-pot reaction at room temperature and atmospheric pressure without involving high-temperature heating, multiple-processes treatment, and organic solvents/surfactants. Effective controllability over phases and compositions/components are demonstrated with feasibility for large-scale production through an exquisite alteration in reaction parameters especially pH for enhancing and understanding thermoelectric properties. Thermoelectric ZT reaches 0.8-1.1 at near-room-temperature for n-type Ag2Se and Cu+ doping further improves to 0.9-1.2 over a temperature range of 300-393 K, which is the largest compared to that reported by wet chemistry methods. This improvement is related to the enhanced electrical conductivity and the suppressed thermal conductivity due to the incorporation of Cu+ into the lattice of Ag2Se at very low concentrations (x%Cu+:Ag2Se, x = 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0).

QTL-seq analysis of powdery mildew resistance in a Korean cucumber inbred line.

KEY MESSAGE: QTL mapping and RT-PCR analyses identified the CsGy5G015660 as a strong powdery mildew resistance candidate gene and natural variation of CsGy5G015660 allele was observed using 115 core germplasm. Powdery mildew (PM) is among the most serious fungal diseases encountered in the cultivation of cucurbits. The development of PM-resistant inbred lines is thus of considerable significance for cucumber breeding programs. In this study, we applied bulked segregant analysis combined with QTL-seq to identify PM resistance loci using F2 population derived from a cross between two Korean cucumber inbred lines, PM-R (resistant) and PM-S (susceptible). Genome-wide SNP profiling using bulks of the two extreme phenotypes identified two QTLs on chromosomes 5 and 6, designated pm5.2 and pm6.1, respectively. The two PM resistance loci were validated using molecular marker-based classical QTL analysis: pm5.2 (30% R2 at LOD 11) and pm6.1 (11% R2 at LOD 3.2). Furthermore, reverse transcriptase-PCR analyses, using genes found to be polymorphic between PM-R and PM-S, were conducted to identify the candidate gene(s) responsible for PM resistance. We found that transcripts of the gene CsGy5G015660, encoding a putative leucine-rich repeat receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase (RPK2), showed specific accumulation in PM-R prior to the appearance of disease symptoms, and was accordingly considered a strong candidate gene for PM resistance. In addition, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence markers from CsGy5G015660 were developed and used to screen 35 inbred lines. Natural variation in the CsGy5G015660 allele was also observed based on analysis of a core collection of 115 cucumber accessions. Our results provide new genetic insights for gaining a better understanding of the genetic basis of PM resistance in cucumber, and pave the way for further utilization in cucumber PM resistance breeding programs.

Synthesis of selenated tetracyclic indoloazulenes via iodine and diorganyl diselenides.

Herein, we report an efficient protocol for the synthesis of selenated tetracyclic indoloazulenes. The reaction of diorganyl diselenides with molecular iodine in dichloromethane leads to the in situ formation of organo selenenyl iodide. The synthesis of selenylated tetracyclic indoloazulenes through intramolecular cascade cyclization has been achieved via organo selenenyl iodide and bisindole at room temperature under metal-free conditions in good yields. All compounds were fully characterized by the FT-IR, HRMS, and 1H, 13C and 77Se NMR spectral data.

A fresh weight-based method for evaluating soybean resistance to red crown rot.

Soybean red crown rot (RCR) caused by Calonectria ilicicola is a serious soil-borne disease affecting soybean production and quality. The current visual necrosis-based method for the measurement of RCR severity is prone to subjectivity as well as time consuming and laborious as it requires digging out and washing the roots to remove adhering soil prior to the visual scoring. Using cultivar Enrei, we show that, upon C. ilicicola infection, relative fresh weights (RFW; fresh weights relative to non-inoculated control plants) showed a significant negative correlation with visual RCR severity in apical shoot (trifoliate and above, R2 = 0.96), shoot (unifoliate and above, R2 = 0.82) and roots (R2 = 0.89). Furthermore, apical shoot RFW efficiently correlated with varying levels of C. ilicicola resistance in two test sets containing 37 soybean cultivars and three wild soybean accessions, exhibiting a significant correlation with visual severity (R2 = 0.72 and 0.79, p < 0.01). Taken together, our results suggest that RFW can serve as an index of soybean RCR severity, providing a simple, rapid, consistent, and cost-effective method for evaluating C. ilicicola resistance in soybeans.

Short term clinical outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate short term clinical outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (AHR T) regarding locoregional response (LRR), symptoms relief and acute toxicities in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The radical treatment for inoperable NSCLC is intolerable for some patients. An alternative RT regime should be considered for them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inoperable NSCLC patients who could not tolerate radical treatment were treated with AHRT (45 Gy in 15 fractions over three weeks) by using the 3-dimensional conformal (RT) technique. The LRR was assessed by chest computed tomography (CT) performed before and 6 weeks after RT. Relief of symptoms such as cough, dyspnoea and chest pain was evaluated during RT and 6 and 12 weeks after RT, compared with the status before RT. Treatment-related acute toxicities such as dysphagia and radiation dermatitis were observed during and 6 and 12 weeks after RT. RESULTS: Total 65 patients (seven patients of stage II and fifty-eight patients of stage III) were included. Partial response was seen in 70.8% of patients, and stable disease was seen in 29.2% while there was neither complete response nor progressive disease after RT. Statistically significant associations were found between tumour response vs. pre-treatment tumour size and tumour response vs. performance status of the patients. Satisfactory symptom relief was found after RT, but severe acute dysphagia and radiation dermatitis (more than grade 3) were not observed. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory LRR, symptom relief and acute toxicities were achieved by this regime. Long term studies are recommended to evaluate late toxicities and survival outcome further. TRIAL REGISTRATION NO: TCTR20200110001.

Chikungunya Virus Infection in Blood Donors and Patients During Outbreak, Mandalay, Myanmar, 2019.

In 2019, an outbreak of chikungunya virus infection occurred in Mandalay, Myanmar, and 3.2% of blood donors and 20.5% of patients who were children were confirmed as being infected. The prevalence rate was up to 6.3% among blood donors. The East Central/South African genotype was predominantly circulating during this outbreak.

In situ air oxidation and photophysical studies of isoquinoline-fused N-heteroacenes.

An efficient, metal free and environment friendly synthesis of isoquinoline-fused benzimidazole has been developed via in situ air oxidation. Also, syntheses of isoquinoline-fused quinazolinone heteroacenes were successfully achieved. The synthesized isoquinoline-fused benzimidazole and isoquinoline-fused quinazolinone derivatives showed λmax, Fmax and Φf values in the ranges 356-394 nm, 403-444 nm and 0.063-0.471, respectively, in CHCl3.

Effectiveness of Internet-Based Electronic Technology Interventions on Breastfeeding Outcomes: Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Supporting women to initiate and continue breastfeeding is a global challenge. A range of breastfeeding interventions employing electronic technologies (e-technologies) are being developed, which offer different delivery modes and features over the internet; however, the impact of internet-based e-technologies on breastfeeding outcomes remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of current internet-based breastfeeding interventions employing e-technologies and investigate the effects of internet-based e-technologies on breastfeeding outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines in the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, the Association for Computing Machinery, SpringerLink, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore. RESULTS: This systematic review included 16 studies published between 2007 and 2018, with 4018 women in 8 countries. The characteristics of the interventions were grouped based on (1) mode of delivery (web-based, mobile phone apps, and computer kiosk), (2) purpose of the interventions (education and support), and (3) key strategies (monitoring and breastfeeding tracking, personalization, online discussion forum, web-based consultation, and breastfeeding station locators). Combining educational activities with web-based personalized support through discussion forums appeared to be the most effective way to improve breastfeeding outcomes and long-term exclusive breastfeeding rates. Monitoring and breastfeeding trackers appeared to be the least effective ways. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a variety of internet-based e-technologies that professionals can use to promote, educate, and support breastfeeding women. Future internet-based breastfeeding interventions employing e-technologies might consider improving interaction with mothers and personalizing the content of the proposed interventions.

Barriers and Facilitators That Influence Telemedicine-Based, Real-Time, Online Consultation at Patients' Homes: Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Health care providers are adopting information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enhance their services. Telemedicine is one of the services that rely heavily on ICTs to enable remote patients to communicate with health care professionals; in this case, the patient communicates with the health care professional for a follow-up or for a consultation about his or her health condition. This communication process is referred to as an e-consultation. In this paper, telemedicine services refer to health care services that use ICTs, which enable patients to share, transfer, and communicate data or information in real time (ie, synchronous) from their home with a care provider-normally a physician-at a clinical site. However, the use of e-consultation services can be positively or negatively influenced by external or internal factors. External factors refer to the environment surrounding the system as well as the system itself, while internal factors refer to user behavior and motivation. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to investigate the barriers and the facilitators that influence the use of home consultation systems in the health care context. This review also aims to identify the effectiveness of Home Online Health Consultation (HOHC) systems in improving patients' health as well as their satisfaction with the systems. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review to search for articles-empirical studies-about online health consultation in four digital libraries: Scopus, Association for Computing Machinery, PubMed, and Web of Science. The database search yielded 2518 articles; after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the number of included articles for the final review was 45. A qualitative content analysis was performed to identify barriers and facilitators to HOHC systems, their effectiveness, and patients' satisfaction with them. RESULTS: The systematic literature review identified several external and internal facilitators and barriers to HOHC systems that were used in the creation of a HOHC framework. The framework consists of four requirements; the framework also consists of 17 facilitators and eight barriers, which were further categorized as internal and external influencers on HOHC. CONCLUSIONS: Patients from different age groups and with different health conditions benefited from remote health services. HOHC via video conferencing was effective in delivering online treatment and was well-accepted by patients, as it simulated in-person, face-to-face consultation. Acceptance by patients increased as a result of online consultation facilitators that promoted effective and convenient remote treatment. However, some patients preferred face-to-face consultation and showed resistance to online consultation. Resistance to online consultation was influenced by some of the identified barriers. Overall, the framework identified the facilitators and barriers that positively and negatively influenced the uptake of HOHC systems, respectively.

Two types of mutations in the HEUKCHEEM gene functioning in cucumber spine color development can be used as signatures for cucumber domestication.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The HEUKCHEEM gene plays an important role in spine color formation. A white spine occurs due to two mutations in HEUKCHEEM and is closely related to the regional distribution of these mutants. Mapping analysis revealed that the HEUKCHEEM gene is co-segregated with the B locus in the regulation of black spine color development in cucumber fruit. HEUKCHEEM induced the expression of the genes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, leading to the accumulation of anthocyanins in black spines. The transiently over-expressed HEUKCHEEM in cucumber and tobacco plants enhanced the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes, leading to anthocyanin accumulation. However, two mutations-insertion of the 6994 bp mutator-like transposable element (MULE) sequence into the second intron and one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of C to T in the second exon of HEUKCHEEM-were identified in white spines, leading to no accumulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related gene transcripts and anthocyanins. Furthermore, association analysis using 104 cucumber accessions with different geographical origins revealed that the types of mutations in HEUKCHEEM are strongly linked to geographical origins. The MULE insertion is found extensively in cucumbers with white spines in East Asia and Australia. However, cucumbers with white spines in other areas could be significantly influenced by a single SNP mutation. Our results provide fundamental information on spine color development in cucumber fruits and spine color-based cucumber breeding programs.

High sustained virologic response in genotypes 3 and 6 with generic NS5A inhibitor and sofosbuvir regimens in chronic HCV in myanmar.

Exclusive HCV therapy clinical trials with genotype 6 patients in high prevalence areas have been sparse. We analysed the safety and efficacy of two generic, pangenotypic NS5A/NS5B combination oral DAA regimens, primarily in genotypes 3 and 6, in a real-world setting: (a) daclatasvir/sofosbuvir (DCV/SOF) ± ribavirin (RBV) and (b) Velpatasvir/sofosbuvir (VEL/SOF ± RBV). Between December 2015 and November 2017, data from 522 patients were analysed, 311 of whom were treated with DCV/SOF ± RBV for 12/24 weeks (genotype 3: n = 193, genotype 6: n = 89) and 211 were treated with VEL/SOF ± RBV for 12/24 weeks (genotype 3: n = 83, genotype 6: n = 77). Overall SVR rates were high for both DCV/SOF ± RBV (96.1%, n = 299/311) and VEL/SOF ± RBV (95.3%, n = 201/211), and there was a good adverse event profile. Treatment naïve status and inclusion of RBV (in advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis) were significant independent predictors of achieving SVR12, while type of DAA regimen was not predictive. In this large cohort of genotypes 3 (n = 276) and 6 (n = 166; n = 127 unique subtype of 6c-l), high SVR rates of 94.9% (n = 262/276) and 95.2% (n = 158/166), respectively, were noted. In conclusion, generic and pangenotypic DCV/SOF and VEL/SOF ± RBV regimens were highly effective and safe, in genotypes 3 and 6 chronic HCV in Myanmar. These efficacious pangenotypic regimens suggest that baseline genotype testing can be eliminated moving forward. While RBV may still be needed for those with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, in a global elimination strategy it would not be practical even if it does compromise SVR in a minority with difficult to treat characteristics.

Identification of quantitative trait loci governing subgynoecy in cucumber.

KEY MESSAGE: QTL-seq analysis identified three major QTLs conferring subgynoecy in cucumbers. Furthermore, sequence and expression analyses predicted candidate genes controlling subgynoecy. The cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a typical monoecious having individual male and female flowers, and sex differentiation is an important developmental process that directly affects its fruit yield. Subgynoecy represents a sex form with a high degree of femaleness and would have alternative use as gynoecy under limited resource conditions. Recently, many studies have been reported that QTL-seq, which integrates the advantages of bulked segregant analysis and high-throughput whole-genome resequencing, can be a rapid and cost-effective way of mapping QTLs. Segregation analysis in the F2 and BC1 populations derived from a cross between subgynoecious LOSUAS and monoecious BMB suggested the quantitative nature of subgynoecy in cucumbers. Both genome-wide SNP profiling of subgynoecious and monoecious bulks constructed from F2 and BC1 plants consistently identified three significant genomic regions, one on chromosome 3 (sg3.1) and another two on short and long arms of chromosome 1 (sg1.1 and sg1.2). Classical QTL analysis using the F2 confirmed sg3.1 (R2 = 42%), sg1.1 (R2 = 29%) and sg1.2 (R2 = 18%) as major QTLs. These results revealed the unique genetic inheritance of subgynoecious line LOSUAS through two distinct major QTLs, sg3.1 and sg1.1, which mainly increase degree of femaleness, while another QTL, sg1.2, contributes to decrease it. This study demonstrated that QTL-seq allows rapid and powerful detection of QTLs using preliminary generation mapping populations such as F2 or BC1 population and further that the identified QTLs could be useful for molecular breeding of cucumber lines with high yield potential.

Iodine mediated in situ generation of R-Se-I: application towards the construction of pyrano[4,3-b]quinoline heterocycles and fluorescence properties.

In this paper, we report the iodine mediated in situ generation of R-Se-I and further its application towards the construction of pyrano[4,3-b]quinolin-1-one derivatives. The structural elaboration of 1-chloro-8-methyl-3-phenylbenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine 6 was successfully achieved by Sonogashira, Suzuki coupling and dehalogenation reactions. Finally, the synthesized compounds 4a, 5a, 5b, 6, and 7a-7c were studied for photophysical properties including UV-absorption, fluorescence, and quantum yield studies. The synthesized pyranoquinoline derivatives showed λmax, Fmax and Φf values in the range of 391-447 nm, 436-486 nm and 0.004-0.301, respectively in chloroform solvent.