Singlet oxygen induces cell wall thickening and stomatal density reducing by transcriptome reprogramming.

Singlet oxygen (1O2) has a very short half-life of 10-5 s; however, it is a strong oxidant that causes growth arrest and necrotic lesions on plants. Its signaling pathway remains largely unknown. The Arabidopsis flu (fluorescent) mutant accumulates a high level of 1O2 and shows drastic changes in nuclear gene expression. Only two plastid proteins, EX1 (executer 1) and EX2 (executer 2), have been identified in the singlet oxygen signaling. Here, we found that the transcription factor abscisic acid insensitive 4 (ABI4) binds the promoters of genes responsive to 1O2-signals. Inactivation of the ABI4 protein in the flu/abi4 double mutant was sufficient to compromise the changes of almost all 1O2-responsive-genes and rescued the lethal phenotype of flu grown under light/dark cycles, similar to the flu/ex1/ex2 triple mutant. In addition to cell death, we reported for the first time that 1O2 also induces cell wall thickening and stomatal development defect. Contrastingly, no apparent growth arrest was observed for the flu mutant under normal light/dim light cycles, but the cell wall thickening (doubled) and stomatal density reduction (by two-thirds) still occurred. These results offer a new idea for breeding stress tolerant plants.

The ABI4-RGL2 module serves as a double agent to mediate the antagonistic crosstalk between ABA and GA signals.

Abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GA) antagonistically mediate several biological processes, including seed germination, but the molecular mechanisms underlying ABA/GA antagonism need further investigation, particularly any role mediated by a transcription factors module. Here, we report that the DELLA protein RGL2, a repressor of GA signaling, specifically interacts with ABI4, an ABA signaling enhancer, to act as a transcription factor complex to mediate ABA/GA antagonism. The rgl2, abi3, abi4 and abi5 mutants rescue the non-germination phenotype of the ga1-t. Further, we demonstrate that RGL2 specifically interacts with ABI4 to form a heterodimer. RGL2 and ABI4 stabilize one another, and GA increases the ABI4-RGL2 module turnover, whereas ABA decreases it. At the transcriptional level, ABI4 enhances the RGL2 expression by directly binding to its promoter via the CCAC cis-element, and RGL2 significantly upregulates the transcriptional activation ability of ABI4 toward its target genes, including ABI5 and RGL2. Abscisic acid promotes whereas GA inhibits the ability of ABI4-RGL2 module to activate transcription, and ultimately ABA and GA antagonize each other. Genetic analysis demonstrated that both ABI4 and RGL2 are essential for the activity of this transcription factor module. These results suggest that the ABI4-RGL2 module mediates ABA/GA antagonism by functioning as a double agent.

Abscisic acid inhibits primary root growth by impairing ABI4-mediated cell cycle and auxin biosynthesis.

Cell cycle progression and the phytohormones auxin and abscisic acid (ABA) play key roles in primary root growth, but how ABA mediates the transcription of cell cycle-related genes and the mechanism of crosstalk between ABA and auxin requires further research. Here, we report that ABA inhibits primary root growth by regulating the ABA INSENSITIVE4 (ABI4)-CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE B2;2 (CDKB2;2)/CYCLIN B1;1 (CYCB1;1) module-mediated cell cycle as well as auxin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). ABA induced ABI4 transcription in the primary root tip, and the abi4 mutant showed an ABA-insensitive phenotype in primary root growth. Compared with the wild type (WT), the meristem size and cell number of the primary root in abi4 increased in response to ABA. Further, the transcription levels of several cell-cycle positive regulator genes, including CDKB2;2 and CYCB1;1, were upregulated in abi4 primary root tips. Subsequent chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq, ChIP-qPCR, and biochemical analysis revealed that ABI4 repressed the expression of CDKB2;2 and CYCB1;1 by physically interacting with their promoters. Genetic analysis demonstrated that overexpression of CDKB2;2 or CYCB1;1 fully rescued the shorter primary root phenotype of ABI4-overexpression lines, and consistently, abi4/cdkb2;2-cr or abi4/cycb1;1-cr double mutations largely rescued the ABA-insensitive phenotype of abi4 with regard to primary root growth. The expression levels of DR5promoter-GFP and PIN1promoter::PIN1-GFP in abi4 primary root tips were significantly higher than those in WT after ABA treatment, with these changes being consistent with changes in auxin concentration and expression patterns of auxin biosynthesis genes. Taken together, these findings indicated that ABA inhibits primary root growth through ABI4-mediated cell cycle and auxin-related regulatory pathways.

Myelodysplasia-related gene mutations are associated with favorable prognosis in patients with TP53-mutant acute myeloid leukemia.

This study aimed to examine the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with TP53-mutant acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and to explore potential prognostic factors. This retrospective analysis included 130 patients diagnosed with TP53-mutant AML at the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital between January 2016 and June 2023. Patients' ages ranged from 17 to 80 years, with a median age of 59 years. The proportions of de novo, therapy-related, and secondary AML cases were 71.5%, 7.7%, and 20.8%, respectively. Complex karyotypes were observed in 60.6% of patients, and the proportions of -5 or del(5q), -7 or del(7q), and - 17 or del(17p) were 41.7%, 27.9% and 14.4%, respectively. DNA methylation- and myelodysplasia-related (MR) gene mutations were observed in 36.9% and 25.4% of patients, respectively. These patients showed poor survival, with a median overall survival (OS) of 4.5 months, a 1-year OS rate of 32.5%, a 3-year OS rate of 18.8%, and a 5-year OS rate of 11.3%. The complete response rates for intensive chemotherapy (IC), hypomethylating agent (HMAs)-based therapies, and azacitidine plus venetoclax were 35.7%, 22.2%, and 37.5%, respectively. Patients who did or did not receive allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) had similar prognoses (median OS: 6.0 vs. 3.9 months; P = 0.6415). Multivariate analysis indicated that MR gene mutations is an independent favorable prognostic factor of OS (HR = 0.366, 95% CI: 0.181-0.738, P = 0.005). In conclusion, patients with TP53-mutant AML have poor prognoses under current treatment strategies and MR gene mutations are associated with a more favorable survival. Therefore, further studies are needed to improve the survival rates in this population.

TFA-Mediated Synthesis of 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles from Carbamates and Nitriles.

An unprecedented protocol for the synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles from carbamates has been developed by employing nitriles as both substrates and solvents. This one-pot procedure achieves the formation of C═N bonds via TFA-mediated [3+2] annulation. A series of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles are synthesized in moderate to good yields.

Synthesis of isothiocyanato alkyl sulfides from alkenes using KSCN and DMTSM.

A method for the synthesis of isothiocyanato alkyl sulfides from KSCN and DMTSM under metal-free conditions has been developed. The features of this reaction are low-cost, readily accessible starting materials and the use of KSCN as nucleophiles for C-NCS bond formation. Alkenes with various substituted groups react smoothly and the desired products are obtained in moderate to good yields.

The relationship between clustering and networked Turing patterns.

Networked Turing patterns often manifest as groups of nodes distributed on either side of the homogeneous equilibrium, exhibiting high and low density. These pattern formations are significantly influenced by network topological characteristics, such as the average degree. However, the impact of clustering on them remains inadequately understood. Here, we investigate the relationship between clustering and networked Turing patterns using classical prey-predator models. Our findings reveal that when nodes of high and low density are completely distributed on both sides of the homogeneous equilibrium, there is a linear decay in Turing patterns as global clustering coefficients increase, given a fixed node size and average degree; otherwise, this linear decay may not always hold due to the presence of high-density nodes considered as low-density nodes. This discovery provides a qualitative assessment of how clustering coefficients impact the formation of Turing patterns and may contribute to understanding why using refuges in ecosystems could enhance the stability of prey-predator systems. The results link network topological structures with the stability of prey-predator systems, offering new insights into predicting and controlling pattern formations in real-world systems from a network perspective.

PIF4 interacts with ABI4 to serve as a transcriptional activator complex to promote seed dormancy by enhancing ABA biosynthesis and signaling.

Transcriptional regulation plays a key role in the control of seed dormancy, and many transcription factors (TFs) have been documented. However, the mechanisms underlying the interactions between different TFs within a transcriptional complex regulating seed dormancy remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that TF PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4) physically interacted with the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling responsive TF ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE4 (ABI4) to act as a transcriptional complex to promote ABA biosynthesis and signaling, finally deepening primary seed dormancy. Both pif4 and abi4 single mutants exhibited a decreased primary seed dormancy phenotype, with a synergistic effect in the pif4/abi4 double mutant. PIF4 binds to ABI4 to form a heterodimer, and ABI4 stabilizes PIF4 at the protein level, whereas PIF4 does not affect the protein stabilization of ABI4. Subsequently, both TFs independently and synergistically promoted the expression of ABI4 and NCED6, a key gene for ABA anabolism. The genetic evidence is also consistent with the phenotypic, physiological and biochemical analysis results. Altogether, this study revealed a transcriptional regulatory cascade in which the PIF4-ABI4 transcriptional activator complex synergistically enhanced seed dormancy by facilitating ABA biosynthesis and signaling.

Study on the inhibitory effect of quercetin combined with gentamicin on the formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its bioenvelope.

OBJECTIVE: The potential effects of quercetin and gentamicin combination on the bacteriostatic activity and biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) were examined, and the findings provided a theoretical basis for the development of quercetin as a new biofilm inhibitor. METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of eight PAs was determined by microdilution method and the partial inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of the combined drug was analyzed by micro-dilution method. Thereafter, the lowest film inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of quercetin and gentamicin alone and in combination was evaluated by crystal violet staining. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser confocal microscopy (CLSM) were used to decipher the inhibitory effect of the combination on biofilm formation. OUTCOME: The antibacterial activity of quercetin alone was relatively weak, but after combination with gentamicin, the antibacterial activity was significantly enhanced, as evident by FICI of 0.28 and 0.53 and manifested as synergistic or additive effect, which indicated that quercetin can enhance gentamicin antibacterial activity. The results of crystal violet staining revealed that quercetin and gentamicin alone exhibited a similar biofilm formation inhibitory effect, but the inhibitory effect was substantially weaker, and the antibiofilm activity was stronger and exhibited a dose-dependent response after the combination of the two with 1/2FICI. The results of scanning electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy also showed that the treatment of PA biofilm after combining quercetin and gentamicin with 1/2FICI could completely destroy the spatial structure of the complete biofilm, significantly reduce the thickness of bacteria, and markedly reduce the proportion of viable bacteria in the membrane. CONCLUSION: The combination of quercetin and gentamicin can effectively inhibit the formation of PA as well as its biofilm, and exhibit synergistic and additive effects.

ABO blood groups and nosocomial infection.

The timely identification of the high-risk groups for nosocomial infections (NIs) plays a vital role in its prevention and control. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate whether the ABO blood group is a risk factor for NI. In this study, patients with NI and non-infection were matched by the propensity score matching method and a logistic regression model was used to analyse the matched datasets. The study found that patients with the B&AB blood group were susceptible to Escherichia coli (OR = 1.783, p = 0.039); the A blood group were susceptible to Staphylococcus aureus (OR = 2.539, p = 0.019) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR = 5.724, p = 0.003); the A&AB blood group were susceptible to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR = 4.061, p = 0.008); the AB blood group were vulnerable to urinary tract infection (OR = 13.672, p = 0.019); the B blood group were susceptible to skin and soft tissue infection (OR = 2.418, p = 0.016); and the B&AB blood group were vulnerable to deep incision infection (OR = 4.243, p = 0.043). Summarily, the patient's blood group is vital for identifying high-risk groups for NIs and developing targeted prevention and control measures for NIs.

Minority stress, social support and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual college students in China: a moderated mediation analysis.

BACKGROUND: The existing body of research exploring minority stressors and their impact on the mental health of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) students in China remains limited in scope and often restricted to specific geographic regions.. METHODS: A combination of snowball and targeted sampling strategies was used to recruit lesbian, gay and bisexual students (N = 1,393) for a cross-sectional, online survey in China. Participants (Mage = 20.00 years; 60.23% assigned male at birth) were tasked with completing a comprehensive questionnaire designed to capture various dimensions, including gender expression, minority stressors (e.g., school bullying, internalized homophobia), social psychological resources (e.g., perceived social support), and mental health-related outcomes (e.g., depression, anxious and stress). Our analytical approach involved hierarchical multiple regression analyses, mediation and moderated mediation modeling to elucidate the intricate interplay among these factors. RESULTS: Our findings shed light on the pronounced mental health disparities afflicting LGB college students in China, with notable prevalence rates of depression (48.1%), anxiety (57.1%), and stress (37.5%). A significant positive correlation was observed between experiences of school-based victimization and internalized homophobia, which, in turn, exhibited a direct association with affective symptoms.School bullying was positive with internalized homophobia, which was positively associated with affective symptoms.In addition to unveiling the indirect effects of school bullying on affective symptoms, our study identified direct links in this complex relationship. Notably, the availability of social support emerged as a pivotal factor, serving as a moderator within the mediation model by mitigating the path from school-based victimization bullying to internalized homophobia (ß = -0.077, P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the pervasive and concerning mental health disparities experienced by LGB college students in China. In response, institutions of higher learning should intensify anti-bullying initiatives tailored to LGB students and implement comprehensive gender education programs. Moreover, concerted efforts should be directed at enhancing the accessibility of social support resources for LGB college students, with the aim of cultivating and sustaining favorable psychological well-being.

A hierarchical intervention scheme based on epidemic severity in a community network.

As there are no targeted medicines or vaccines for newly emerging infectious diseases, isolation among communities (villages, cities, or countries) is one of the most effective intervention measures. As such, the number of intercommunity edges ([Formula: see text]) becomes one of the most important factor in isolating a place since it is closely related to normal life. Unfortunately, how [Formula: see text] affects epidemic spread is still poorly understood. In this paper, we quantitatively analyzed the impact of [Formula: see text] on infectious disease transmission by establishing a four-dimensional [Formula: see text] edge-based compartmental model with two communities. The basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] is explicitly obtained subject to [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, according to [Formula: see text] with zero [Formula: see text], epidemics spread could be classified into two cases. When [Formula: see text] for the case 2, epidemics occur with at least one of the reproduction numbers within communities greater than one, and otherwise when [Formula: see text] for case 1, both reproduction numbers within communities are less than one. Remarkably, in case 1, whether epidemics break out strongly depends on intercommunity edges. Then, the outbreak threshold in regard to [Formula: see text] is also explicitly obtained, below which epidemics vanish, and otherwise break out. The above two cases form a severity-based hierarchical intervention scheme for epidemics. It is then applied to the SARS outbreak in Singapore, verifying the validity of our scheme. In addition, the final size of the system is gained by demonstrating the existence of positive equilibrium in a four-dimensional coupled system. Theoretical results are also validated through numerical simulation in networks with the Poisson and Power law distributions, respectively. Our results provide a new insight into controlling epidemics.

PFMT relevant strategies to prevent perineal trauma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Most women suffer from perineal trauma during childbirth, whether it is natural tears or episiotomy. OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis investigating the effectiveness of different PFMT relevant strategies in the prevention of perineal trauma. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, CBM, WANFANG DATABASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for citations published in any language from inception to 1 July 2021. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PFMT relevant prevention strategies for preventing perineal trauma during childbirth. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were independently extracted by two reviewers. Relative treatment effects were estimated using network meta-analysis (NMA). MAIN RESULTS: Of 12 632 citations searched, 21 RCTs were included. Comparing with usual care, "PFMT combine with perineal massage" and PFMT alone showed more superiority in intact perineum (RR = 5.37, 95% CI: 3.79 to 7.60, moderate certainty; RR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.34-4.97, moderate certainty, respectively), episiotomy (RR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.49, very low certainty; RR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.45-0.90, very low certainty, respectively), and OASIS (RR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16-0.78, moderate certainty; RR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.85, high certainty, respectively). "PFMT combine with perineal massage" showed superiority in reducing perineal tear (RR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.20-0.85, moderate certainty). CONCLUSIONS: In view of the results, antenatal "PFMT combine with perineal massage" and PFMT were effective strategies for the prevention of perineal trauma.

ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 5 mediates light-ABA/gibberellin crosstalk networks during seed germination.

Appropriate timing of seed germination is crucial for plant survival and has important implications for agricultural production. Timely germination relies on harmonious interactions between endogenous developmental signals, especially abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs), and environmental cues such as light. Recently, a series of investigations of a three-way crosstalk between phytochromes, ABA, and GAs in the regulation of seed germination demonstrated that the transcription factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) is a central mediator in the light-ABA/GA cascades. Here, we review current knowledge of ABI5 as a key player in light-, ABA-, and GA-signaling pathways that precisely control seed germination. We highlight recent advances in ABI5-related studies, focusing on the regulation of seed germination, which is strictly controlled at both the transcriptional and the protein levels by numerous light-regulated factors. We further discuss the components of ABA and GA signaling pathways that could regulate ABI5 during seed germination, including transcription factors, E3 ligases, protein kinases, and phosphatases. The precise molecular mechanisms by which ABI5 mediates ABA-GA antagonistic crosstalk during seed germination are also discussed. Finally, some potential research hotspots underlying ABI5-mediated seed germination regulatory networks are proposed.

Analysis of virulence genes, drug resistance detection, and pathogenicity in Enterococcus from farm animals.

This study aimed to investigate the presence of eight virulence genes (ace, asa1, esp, efaA, gelE, cylA, agg, fsr) in Enterococcus from a variety of animals and to explore the drug resistance and pathogenicity. This could provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment of Enterococcus infections. Anal swabs from pigs, chickens, cattle, and dogs in farms and pet hospitals were collected for Enterococcus isolation and identification. Eight virulence genes were detected (PCR method), and drug resistance was assessed (drug-sensitive paper method). The strains containing different virulence genes were then divided into EV1, EV2, and EV3 groups. The LD50 and pathogenicity was examined by intra-peritoneal injection to infect mice. Differences were found in the detection rates of virulence genes in Enterococcus from the different animals. The highest overall detection rate was for the esp gene (78.0%), and the lowest for the cylA gene (15.5%). Eight genes were detected most frequently in Enterococcus from dogs and least frequently from cattle. Among the Enterococcus strains from four variety of animals, drug resistance was highest against sulfamethoxazole (100%), cefotaxime (>97%), and cefotaxitin (>93%). Drug resistance was lowest against vancomycin (0%), levofloxacin (<12%) and ciprofloxacin (<13%). The LD50 for each of the three groups was EV1LD50=8.71×109CFU， EV2LD50=2.34×1010CFU，and EV3LD50=9.33×1010CFU. The Enterococcus12LD50 dose group caused significant clinical symptoms in mice, with pathological effects on the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys, and particularly on the urinary system. The abundance of Enterococcus virulence genes, drug resistance, and pathogenicity vary among different animal origins, and the pathology caused by Enterococcus requires effective treatment protocols based on species and regional characteristics.

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 Thermosensitive Neurons in the Preoptic Area Involved in Menopausal Hot Flashes in Ovariectomized Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Menopausal hot flashes are related to hypothalamic preoptic area (POA) dysfunction. Thermosensitive transient receptor potential channels (ThermoTRPs) are involved in temperature sensing and regulation of thermosensitive neurons (TSNs) in the POA. Whether ThermoTRP-TSNs in the POA, particularly the non-noxious thermoreceptor, transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2), are involved in the occurrence of hot flashes is still unclear. METHODS: Twenty wild-type and 50 Trpm2-Cre adult female mice were randomly divided into sham (SHAM) and ovariectomy (OVX) groups. In the POA, ERα, ERß, GPR30, TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPM2, and TRPV1 expression was detected by Western blot or/and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the number of TSNs expressing TRPM2 (TRPM2-TSNs) by immunofluorescence. Before and after TRPM2-TSN activation/inhibition, back (BST) and tail skin temperature (TST) and the proportion of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons among TRPM2-TSNs were recorded. RESULTS: Compared with SHAM, the expression of ERα, ERß, TRPM2, and TRPM8 in the POA of the OVX group decreased, with a significantly larger change range for TRPM2 than TRPM8. In addition, the number of TRPM2-TSNs showing TRPA1, TRPM8, and TRPV1 expression in the OVX group decreased, and the proportion of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in TRPM2-TSNs decreased and increased, respectively. Meanwhile, BST and TST increased. After activating or inhibiting TRPM2-TSNs, the proportions of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in TRPM2-TSNs changed, along with the BST and TST. CONCLUSION: In menopause, the abnormal quantity and function of TRPM2-TSNs in the POA is key for the development of hot flashes, characterized by an imbalance in heat dissipation and production due to the corresponding imbalance in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons.

The Impact of Quarantine and Medical Resources on the Control of COVID-19 in Wuhan based on a Household Model.

In order to understand how Wuhan curbed the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, we build a network transmission model of 123 dimensions incorporating the impact of quarantine and medical resources as well as household transmission. Using our new model, the final infection size of Wuhan is predicted to be 50,662 (95%CI: 46,234, 55,493), and the epidemic would last until April 25 (95%CI: April 23, April 29), which are consistent with the actual situation. It is shown that quarantining close contacts greatly reduces the final size and shorten the epidemic duration. The opening of Fangcang shelter hospitals reduces the final size by about 17,000. Had the number of hospital beds been sufficient when the lockdown started, the number of deaths would have been reduced by at least 54.26%. We also investigate the distribution of infectious individuals in unquarantined households of different sizes. The high-risk households are those with size from two to four before the peak time, while the households with only one member have the highest risk after the peak time. Our findings provide a reference for the prevention, mitigation and control of COVID-19 in other cities of the world.

Repressors: the gatekeepers of phytohormone signaling cascades.

Coordinated phytohormone signal transduction, in which repressors are the key players, is essential to balance plant development and stress response. In the absence of phytohormones, repressors interplay to terminate the transcription of phytohormone-responsive genes. For phytohormone signal transduction, degradation or inactivation of the repressors is a prerequisite, a process in which proteasomal degradation or protein modifications, such as phosphorylation, are involved. In this review, we summarize the various repressor proteins and their methods of regulation. In addition, we also shed light on other post-transcriptional modifications, including protein sumoylation, acetylation, methylation, and S-nitrosylation, which might be involved in repressor regulation. We conclude that repressors are the gatekeepers of phytohormone signaling, allowing transcription of phytohormone-responsive genes only when required and thus serving as a universal mechanism to conserve energy in plants. Finally, we strongly recommend that plant research should be focused further on elucidating the mechanisms regulating repressor abundance or activity, to improve our understanding of phytohormone signal transduction.

Lubricant for reducing perineal trauma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIM: To assess the effect of lubricants on reducing perineal trauma during vaginal delivery. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, WanFang databases, and ClinicalTrials.gov, were searched for literature up to 25 June 2021. Randomized controlled trials published in English or Chinese that compared the vaginal application of lubricant with standard care for women were included. Two reviewers independently performed study screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and certainty of evidence assessment. Pooled effect sizes and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using meta-analysis. RESULTS: Nineteen trials enrolling 5445 pregnant women were included. Compared with standard care, women using lubricants had a lower incidence of perineal trauma (risk ratio [RR] 0.84, 95% CI 0.76-0.93; low certainty evidence), second-degree perineal laceration (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.64-0.82; moderate certainty evidence) and episiotomy (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62-0.96; very low certainty evidence), and had a shorter duration of the second-stage labor (MD -13.72 min, 95% CI -22.68 to -4.77; very low certainty evidence). CONCLUSION: Lubricants might reduce the incidence of perineal trauma, especially second-degree perineal laceration, and shorten the duration of the second-stage labor. More well-designed studies will continue developing high-quality evidence in this field.

Competitive exclusion and coexistence phenomena of a two-strain SIS model on complex networks from global perspectives.

Genetic heterogeneity plays an important role in exploring the interplays of microorganisms. Competitive exclusion principle is the main principle that governs causative agentries of diseases competition. Identifying coexistence mechanisms is a core issue for studying the interactions of multi-strains. In this paper, we are concerned with the dynamics of a two-strain SIS epidemic model with general incidence rate on complex networks. We derive the basic reproduction numbers and the invasion reproduction numbers associated with each strain, which determine the competitive, exclusion and coexistence of the two strains. We strictly prove that the competitive exclusion principle holds in a global sense and the endemic equilibrium coexists uniquely and globally. Numerical examples visibly illustrate the evolution of the two strains.