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Abstract Background Legionellosis remains a public health problem. The most common diagnostic method to detect Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) is culture. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a fast and accurate method for this detection in environmental samples. Methods Four databases were searched for studies that evaluated the detection efficiency of PCR in L. pneumophila. The quality evaluation was conducted using Review Manager 5.3. We used Meta-DiSc 1.4 software and the Stata 15.0 software to create forest plots, a meta-regression, a bivariate boxplot and a Deeks’ funnel plot. Results A total of 18 four-fold tables from 16 studies were analysed. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of PCR was 94% and 72%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio (RLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) was 2.73 and 0.12, respectively. The result of the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 22.85 and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.7884. Conclusion Establishing a laboratory diagnostic tool for L. pneumophila detection is important for epidemiological studies. In this work, PCR demonstrated a promising diagnostic accuracy for L. pneumophila.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death that was discovered recently. For beneficial microbes to establish mutualistic relationships with hosts, precisely controlled cell death in plant cells is necessary. However, whether ferroptosis is involved in the endophyte‒plant system is poorly understood. Here, we reported that endophytic Streptomyces hygroscopicus OsiSh-2, which established a sophisticated and beneficial interaction with host rice plants, caused ferroptotic cell death in rice characterized by ferroptosis- and immune-related markers. Treatments with ferroptosis inhibitors and inducers, different doses of OsiSh-2, and the siderophore synthesis-deficient mutant ΔcchH revealed that only moderate ferroptosis induced by endophytes is essential for the establishment of an optimal symbiont to enhance plant growth. Additionally, ferroptosis involved in a defence-primed state in rice, which contributed to improved resistance against rice blast disease. Overall, our study provides new insights into the mechanisms of endophyte‒plant interactions mediated by ferroptosis and suggests new directions for crop yield promotion. Ferroptosis is of great importance in plant immunity including microbe-plant interactions. Here, the authors unveil that a regulated ferroptosis process is involved in the mutualistic symbiosis and disease resistance of endophyte OsiSh-2 and host rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There are no clear conclusions as to whether inflammatory proteins and plasma metabolites influence erectile dysfunction (ED). Aim In this research, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to discover a causal relationship between inflammatory proteins, plasma metabolites, and ED. Methods Raw data with ED, inflammatory proteins, and plasma metabolites were obtained from the MRC IEU OpenGWAS and FinnGen database. After a series of screenings, the remaining single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected as instrumental variables or MR analysis to assess the relationship between genetically predicted inflammatory proteins or plasma metabolites and the pathogenesis of ED. Outcomes The relationship between inflammatory factors and ED was fully analyzed and elaborated. Results In the inverse variance–weighted method, there exists a significant causal relationship between 4 types of genetically predicted inflammatory proteins and 50 types of plasma metabolites with the incidence of ED. The primary discovery is that 3 inflammatory proteins, fibroblast growth factor 5, interleukin-22 receptor subunit alpha-1, and protein S100-A12, can impact the risk of ED through plasma metabolites. Clinical Implications ED metabolites and inflammatory proteins are also closely associated with cardiovascular diseases, warranting further exploration. Strengths and Limitations Our analysis is based on a European population, limiting its generalizability, the genome-wide association study dataset for ED has a relatively small number of cases, and we hope for larger genome-wide association study datasets for future validation. Conclusion This study has identified that inflammatory proteins can influence ED through plasma metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To describe the experiences and perceptions of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with a prolonged decision‐making phase of treatment‐seeking. Background: Previous attempts to reduce the treatment‐seeking time of AMI have been less than optimal. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the situation of prehospital delay is possibly worse. Decisions to seek treatment are influenced by multiple factors and need individualised interventions. Understanding patients' external and internal experiences and psychological perceptions is essential. Design: Meta‐synthesis. Data sources: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus and four Chinese databases from inception to April 2022. Methods: We screened the retrieved articles with predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and reviewed articles using Thomas and Harden's (BMC Medical Research Methodology, 2008 8, 45) qualitative thematic synthesis approach. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for qualitative research was used to assess the quality of studies. Results: Twenty‐one studies were included, identifying four themes and nine sub‐themes. The four primary themes were difficulty recognising and attributing symptoms, attempt to act, unwillingness to change and self‐sacrifice. Conclusion: Deciding to seek treatment is a complex social and psychological process, which needs comprehensive interventions considering personal and sociocultural factors and factors related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Implications for the profession and/or patient care: Details of interventions for decisions to seek treatment in AMI patients need to be further designed and evaluated. Impact: Results would help healthcare professionals to implement individualised management of decision‐making of treatment‐seeking among AMI patients, and improve medical records of patients' prehospital experiences. Reporting Method: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews 2020 checklist was used to report the findings. Patient or Public Contribution: Two AMI patients contributed to the data synthesis by giving simple feedback about the final themes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]