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HCV RNA test determines current active infection and is a requirement prior to initiating HCV treatment. We investigated trends and factors associated with post‐diagnosis HCV RNA testing rates prior to HCV treatment, and risk factors for first positive HCV RNA among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with HCV in the Asia‐Pacific region. PLHIV with positive HCV antibody and in follow‐up after 2010 were included. Patients were considered HCV‐antibody positive if they ever tested positive for HCV antibody (HCVAb). Repeated measures Poisson regression model was used to analyse factors associated with post‐diagnosis HCV RNA testing rates from positive HCVAb test. Factors associated with time to first positive HCV RNA from positive HCVAb test were analysed using Cox regression model. There were 767 HCVAb positive participants included (87% from LMICs) of whom 11% had HCV RNA tests. With 163 HCV RNA tests post positive HCVAb test, the overall testing rate was 5.05 per 100 person‐years. Factors associated with increased testing rates included later calendar years of follow‐up, HIV viral load ≥1000 copies/mL and higher income countries. Later calendar years of follow‐up, ALT >5 times its upper limit of normal, and higher income countries were associated with shorter time to first positive HCV RNA test. Testing patterns indicated that uptake was predominantly in high income countries possibly due to different strategies used to determine testing in LMICs. Expanding access to HCV RNA, such as through lower‐cost point of care assays, will be required to achieve elimination of HCV as a public health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål, is an insect pest that severely damages rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Asia, causing huge yield loss. Use of resistant variety is a cost-effective and eco-friendly strat‐ egy for maintaining BPH populations below the economic injury level. However, current BPH populations have been changed to virulence against resistant varieties. In this study, to estimate effective combinations among eight BPH resistance genes (BPH32, BPH17-ptb, BPH20, BPH17, BPH3, BPH25, BPH26 and qBPH6), eight near-isogenic lines with the genetic background of an Indica Group rice variety ‘IR64’ (IR64- NIL) were developed using marker-assisted selection. The genome recoveries of these NILs ranged from 89.3% to 98.8% and agronomic traits of them were similar to those of ‘IR64’. In modified seed box screening test, resistance level of IR64-NILs was higher than that of ‘IR64’. In antibiosis test, high adult mortalities of BPH (from 56.0% to 97.0%) were observed among NILs, in comparison with that of ‘IR64’. Among IR64- NILs, the line carrying BPH17 showed the highest resistance level at all tests. Thus, these IR64-NILs with multiple BPH resistance genes could be valuable breeding lines for enhancing resistance levels by gene pyra‐ miding and multiline variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non‐Asian body mass index (BMI) classifications are commonly used as a risk factor for high fasting blood glucose (FBG). We investigated the incidence and factors associated with high FBG among people living with HIV in the Asia‐Pacific region, using a World Health Organization BMI classification specific to Asian populations. Methods: This study included people living with HIV enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study from 2003 to 2019, receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and without prior tuberculosis. BMI at ART initiation was categorized using Asian BMI classifications: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5–22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23–24.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥25 kg/m2). High FBG was defined as a single post‐ART FBG measurement ≥126 mg/dL. Factors associated with high FBG were analyzed using Cox regression models stratified by site. Results: A total of 3939 people living with HIV (63% male) were included. In total, 50% had a BMI in the normal weight range, 23% were underweight, 13% were overweight, and 14% were obese. Median age at ART initiation was 34 years (interquartile range 29–41). Overall, 8% had a high FBG, with an incidence rate of 1.14 per 100 person‐years. Factors associated with an increased hazard of high FBG included being obese (≥25 kg/m2) compared with normal weight (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31–2.44; p < 0.001) and older age compared with those aged ≤30 years (31–40 years: HR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.08–2.01; 41–50 years: HR = 2.03; 95% CI 1.42–2.90; ≥51 years: HR = 3.19; 95% CI 2.17–4.69; p < 0.001). Conclusion: People living with HIV with BMI >25 kg/m2 were at increased risk of high FBG. This indicates that regular assessments should be performed in those with high BMI, irrespective of the classification used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Over the last few decades, the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti has become one of the most abundant and dangerous arbovirus vectors in Asia. In this study, we assessed the invasion pattern of Aedes aegypti by investigating its distribution, relative abundance with its closest competitor Aedes albopictus, and genetic diversity in Vietnam. Our results revealed that the distribution and abundance of this species are significantly influenced by climate region, larval habitat, and the presence of Aedes albopictus. Furthermore, we found a high level of genetic diversity in Aedes aegypti, with two major genetic lineages. The results of this study have significant potential for optimizing vector control strategies regarding future mosquito invasion and outbreak prediction in Asia. Since its introduction to Asia, Aedes aegypti has coexisted with the native species Ae. albopictus and has been reported to transmit several infectious diseases. However, the development of efficient disease prevention and vector control is hindered by the relatively poor understanding of the biogeography and the genetic diversity of Ae. aegypti in the region. This study aimed to determine the invasion patterns of Ae. aegypti by evaluating the distribution and abundance of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in different climatic regions (northern temperate and southern tropical regions) and habitats (domestic, peri-domestic, and natural). We further analyzed the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Ae. aegypti populations in Vietnam using mitochondrial COI gene sequences. Both Aedes species were observed at most of the study sites, but only Ae. albopictus thrived in northern mountainous areas. In sympatric ranges, the individual abundance of the species was influenced by regional climate and habitats. The tropical climate and availability of domestic containers facilitated the dominance of Ae. aegypti, whereas temperate climates and natural breeding sites facilitated that of Ae. albopictus. In addition, many genetic polymorphisms were detected in the Ae. aegypti populations, which formed two distinct genetic groups; however, this genetic diversity is unlikely to be relevant to the invasive success of Ae. aegypti. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms and patterns of Ae. Aegypti invasion, which depend on the climate and reproductive strategies in the native range of Ae. albopictus in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the prevalence and mortality of hepatitis is high in the Asia‐Pacific region, few studies are available on the diagnosis, treatment, and cure rates for viral hepatitis among people living with HIV in this area. This study aims to report the cascade of care (CoC) for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) among people living with HIV receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods: Patients enrolled in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database Low Intensity Transfer (TAHOD‐LITE) cohort, on ART, and with follow‐up data from 2010 to 2019 were included. Patients were determined as positive for HCV or HBV co‐infection if they ever tested positive for HCV antibody (anti‐HCV) or HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), respectively. Results: In total, 39% (8612/22 340) of the adult HIV cohort had undergone HBsAg testing, with 8% (672/8612) testing positive. HBV CoC demonstrated that 71% (474/672) of those with HBsAg positive results initiated treatment, 67% (318/474) of those on treatment had HBV DNA testing to evaluate treatment progression, and 18% (58/318) of those tested reached viral suppression. Of the cohort, 37% (8231/22 340) had anti‐HCV testing, of whom 10% (779/8231) tested positive. The HCV CoC showed that 68% (526/779) of those with positive anti‐HCV tests had HCV RNA tests, of whom 51% (267/526) had detectable HCV RNA. Among those with detectable HCV RNA, 65% (174/267) initiated HCV treatment. Of the 40% (69/174) who initiated HCV treatment, 90% (62/69) reached sustained virological response. Conclusion: Our findings identified less frequent testing in the healthcare system and limited access to treatment as gaps in the CoC for viral hepatitis. More routine HCV RNA and HBV DNA testing is required for patients with positive screening tests to identify those in need of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meloidogyne graminicola is a widely spread nematode pest of rice that reduces crop yield up to 20% on average in Asia, with devastating consequences for local and global rice production. Due to the ban on many chemical nematicides and the recent changes in water management practices in rice agriculture, an even greater impact of M. graminicola can be expected in the future, stressing the demand for the development of new sustainable nematode management solutions. Recently, a source of resistance to M. graminicola was identified in the Oryza sativa japonica rice variety Zhonghua 11 (Zh11). In the present study, we examine the genetics of the Zh11 resistance to M. graminicola and provide new insights into its cellular and molecular mechanisms. The segregation of the resistance in F2 hybrid populations indicated that two dominant genes may be contributing to the resistance. The incompatible interaction of M. graminicola in Zh11 was distinguished by a lack of swelling of the root tips normally observed in compatible interactions. At the cellular level, the incompatible interaction was characterised by a rapid accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the vicinity of the nematodes, accompanied by extensive necrosis of neighbouring cells. The expression profiles of several genes involved in plant immunity were analysed at the early stages of infection during compatible (susceptible plant) and incompatible (resistant plant) interactions. Notably, the expression of OsAtg4 and OsAtg7 , significantly increased in roots of resistant plants in parallel with the cell death response, suggesting that autophagy is activated and may contribute to the resistance-mediated hypersensitive response. Similarly, transcriptional regulation of genes involved in hormonal pathways in Zh11 indicated that salicylate signalling may be important in the resistance response towards M. graminicola. Finally, the nature of the resistance to M. graminicola and the potential exploitation of the Zh11 resistance for breeding are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of holding regimens for people living with HIV (PLWH) without effective antiretroviral options can have effects on outcomes and future treatment options. We aimed to investigate the use of holding regimens for PLWH in Asian countries. Data from adults enrolled in routine HIV care in IeDEA Asia-Pacific cohorts were included. Individuals were considered to be on holding regimen if they had been on combination antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months, had two confirmed viral loads (VL) ≥1000 copies/mL, and had remained on the same medications for at least 6 months. Survival time was analyzed using Fine and Gray's competing risk regression. Factors associated with CD4 changes and VL <1000 copies/mL were analyzed using linear regression and logistic regression, respectively. A total of 425 PLWH (72.9% male; 45.2% high-income and 54.8% low-to-middle-income country) met criteria for being on a holding regimen. From high-income countries, 63.0% were on protease inhibitors (PIs); from low-to-middle-income countries, 58.4% were on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs); overall, 4.5% were on integrase inhibitors. The combination of lamivudine, zidovudine, and efavirenz was the most commonly used single regimen (n = 46, 10.8%), followed by lamivudine, zidovudine, and nevirapine (n = 37, 8.7%). Forty-one PLWH (9.7%) died during follow-up (mortality rate 2.0 per 100 person-years). Age >50 years compared to age 31–40 years (sub-hazard ratio [SHR] 3.29, 95% CI 1.45–7.43, p = 0.004), and VL ≥1000 copies/ml compared to VL <1000 copies/mL (SHR, 2.14, 95% CI 1.08–4.25, p = 0.029) were associated with increased mortality, while higher CD4 counts were protective. In our Asia regional cohort, there was a diversity of holding regimens, and the patterns of PI vs. NNRTI use differed by country income levels. Considering the high mortality rate of PLWH with holding regimen, efforts to extend accessibility to additional antiretroviral options are needed in our region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity exchanges across the Malesian region, linking the distinct biotas of Asia and Australia, have long attracted the curiosity of biologists. Tetrastigma (Vitaceae) has a wide distribution in Asia through the Sunda archipelago to Australia and provides a good case to elucidate floristic exchange between Asia and Australia. Tetrastigma species have fleshy fruits that are consumed by birds, representing a lineage with a predictable dispersal across island chains. We herein estimate the divergence times and reconstruct the biogeographic history of Tetrastigma with intensive taxon sampling (96 of approximately 120 species; >80%) using 10 chloroplast loci. The biogeographic history of Tetrastigma was reconstructed with 4‐area and 6‐area divisions by delineating the Sunda region into one or three areas of endemism based on a phylogenetic bioregionalization analysis and the geological history of Malesia. The 4‐area division shows that Tetrastigma originated in continental Asia and diverged from the recently segregated genus Pseudocayratia in the early Eocene (49.43 Ma). Dispersal from continental Asia might have started in the late Eocene but mainly occurred in the last 10 Myr. Continental Asia is indicated to be the most important source area while Sunda is the biggest sink, with 16 of the 27 dispersal events inferred from continental Asia to Sunda. Only seven dispersal events are inferred arriving in the Sahul plate and one reverse dispersal from Sahul back to Asia. The 6‐area division suggests that the Philippines have been an active junction between Asia and Australia. The biogeographic history of Tetrastigma illustrates an asymmetric floristic exchange between Asia and Australia in this genus, which has been facilitated by the formation of terrestrial connections in the late Miocene and the expansion of wet tropical forests across Wallace's Line and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), is one of the most notorious pests of rice throughout Asia. The brown planthopper has developed high resistance to imidacloprid, a member of neonicotinoid insecticides. Several genes and mutations conferring imidacloprid resistance in N. lugens, especially in eastern and southeastern Asia populations, have been reported. Thus, the key mechanisms of imidacloprid resistance need to be examined. RESULTS: RNA-seq analyses revealed that only one cytochrome P450 monooxygenase gene, CYP6ER1, was commonly upregulated in the five resistant strains tested. Sequences of CYP6ER1, which were highly expressed in the imidacloprid-resistant strains, contained a three-nucleotide deletion in the coding region, and amino acid substitutions and deletion, compared to that in an imidacloprid-susceptible strain. RNAi-mediated gene knockdown of CYP6ER1 increased imidacloprid susceptibility in a resistant strain. Further, we established two simple and convenient PCR-based molecular diagnostic methods to detect the CYP6ER1 locus with the three-nucleotide deletion. Using these methods, the resistance of F2 progenies derived from the crosses of F1 siblings from susceptible and resistant parents was analyzed, showing that the imidacloprid resistance had a relationship to the CYP6ER1 locus with the three-nucleotide deletion. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of a variant CYP6ER1 with amino acid substitutions and deletion was involved in imidacloprid resistance in N. lugens. Based on these findings, molecular diagnostic methods have been developed and are promising tools for monitoring imidacloprid resistance in paddy fields. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: There is paucity of data on the epidemiology of end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) from South Asia and South‐East Asia. The objective of this study was to assess the aetiology, practice patterns and disease burden and growth of ESKD in the region comparing the economies. Methods: The national nephrology societies of the region; responded to the questionnaire; based on latest registries, acceptable community‐based studies and society perceptions. The countries in the region were classified into Group 1 (High|higher‐middle‐income) and Group 2 (lower|lowermiddle income). Student t‐test, Mann‐Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test were used for comparison. Results: Fifteen countries provided the data. The average incidence of ESKD was estimated at 226.7 per million population (pmp), (Group 1 vs. Group 2, 305.8 vs. 167.8 pmp) and average prevalence at 940.8 pmp (Group 1 vs. Group 2, 1306 vs. 321 pmp). Group 1 countries had a higher incidence and prevalence of ESKD. Diabetes, hypertension and chronic glomerulonephritis were most common causes. The mean age in Group 2 was lower by a decade (Group 1 vs. Group 2—59.45 vs 47.7 years). Conclusion: Haemodialysis was the most common kidney replacement therapy in both groups and conservative management of ESKD was the second commonest available treatment option within Group 2. The disease burden was expected to grow >20% in 50% of Group 1 countries and 78% of Group 2 countries along with the parallel growth in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. SUMMARY AT A GLANCE: There are few data on the epidemiology and pattern of practice for end‐stage kidney disease from South Asia and South‐East Asia. This survey covers 15 Asian countries and provide important information on how ESKD patients are managed in this part of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asia has intermediate-to-high prevalence and high morbidity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The use of guideline-recommended nucleos(t)ide analogs with high barrier to resistance, such as entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), is one of the key interventions for curbing HBV infection and associated morbidity in Asia. However, there are some challenges to the use of ETV and TDF; while ETV is associated with high resistance in lamivudine (LAM)-exposed (especially LAM-refractory) patients; bone and renal safety issues are a major concern with TDF. Hence, a panel of twenty-eight expert hepatologists from Asia convened, reviewed the literature, and developed the current expert opinion-based review article for the use of TAF in the resource-constrained settings in Asia. This article provides a comprehensive review of two large, phase 3, double-blind, randomized controlled trials of TAF versus TDF in HBeAg-negative (study 0108) and HBeAg-positive (study 0110) chronic HBV patients (> 70% Asians). These studies revealed as follows: (1) non-inferiority for the proportion of patients who had HBV DNA < 29 IU/mL; (2) significantly high rate of normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels; (3) no incidence of resistance; and (4) significantly better bone and renal safety, with TAF vs. TDF up to 144 weeks. Considering the benefits of TAF, the expert panel proposed recommendations for optimizing the use of TAF in Asia, along with guidance on specific patient groups at risk of renal or bone disease suitable for TAF therapy. The guidance provided in this article may help clinicians optimize the use of TAF in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Missed clinic visits can lead to poorer treatment outcomes in HIV-infected patients. Suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence has been linked to subsequent missed visits. Knowing the determinants of missed visits in Asian patients will allow for appropriate counselling and intervention strategies to ensure continuous engagement in care. A missed visit was defined as having no assessments within six months. Repeated measures logistic regression was used to analyse factors associated with missed visits. A total of 7100 patients were included from 12 countries in Asia with 2676 (37.7%) having at least one missed visit. Patients with early suboptimal self-reported adherence <95% were more likely to have a missed visit compared to those with adherence ≥95% (OR = 2.55, 95% CI(1.81-3.61)). Other factors associated with having a missed visit were homosexual (OR = 1.45, 95%CI(1.27-1.66)) and other modes of HIV exposure (OR = 1.48, 95%CI(1.27-1.74)) compared to heterosexual exposure; using PI-based (OR = 1.33, 95%CI(1.15-1.53) and other ART combinations (OR = 1.79, 95%CI(1.39-2.32)) compared to NRTI+NNRTI combinations; and being hepatitis C co-infected (OR = 1.27, 95%CI(1.06-1.52)). Patients aged >30 years (31-40 years OR = 0.81, 95%CI(0.73-0.89); 41-50 years OR = 0.73, 95%CI(0.64-0.83); and >50 years OR = 0.77, 95%CI(0.64-0.93)); female sex (OR = 0.81, 95%CI(0.72-0.90)); and being from upper middle (OR = 0.78, 95%CI(0.70-0.80)) or high-income countries (OR = 0.42, 95%CI(0.35-0.51)), were less likely to have missed visits. Almost 40% of our patients had a missed clinic visit. Early ART adherence was an indicator of subsequent clinic visits. Intensive counselling and adherence support should be provided at ART initiation in order to optimise long-term clinic attendance and maximise treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutronics analysis has been performed for the 500 kW Dalat Nuclear Research Reactor loaded with highly enriched uranium fuel using the SRAC code system. The effective multiplication factors, keff, were analyzed for the core at criticality conditions and in two cases corresponding to the complete withdrawal and the full insertion of control rods. MCNP5 calculations were also conducted and compared to that obtained with the SRAC code. The results show that the difference of the keff values between the codes is within 55 pcm. Compared to the criticality conditions established in the experiments, the maximum differences of the keff values obtained from the SRAC and MCNP5 calculations are 119 pcm and 64 pcm, respectively. The radial and axial power peaking factors are 1.334 and 1.710, respectively, in the case of no control rod insertion. At the criticality condition these values become 1.445 and 1.832 when the control rods are partially inserted. Compared to MCNP5 calculations, the deviation of the relative power densities is less than 4% at the fuel bundles in the middle of the core, while the maximum deviation is about 7% appearing at some peripheral bundles. This agreement indicates the verification of the analysis models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is the major cause of severe hand, foot, and mouth disease and viral encephalitis in children across the Asia-Pacific region, including in Vietnam, which has experienced a high burden of disease in recent years. Multiple subgenogroups (C1, C4, C5, and B5) concurrently circulate in the region with a large variation in epidemic severity. The relative differences in their evolution and epidemiology were examined within Vietnam and globally.Methods: A total of 752 VP1 gene sequences were analyzed (413 generated in this study combined with 339 obtained from GenBank), collected from patients in 36 provinces in Vietnam during 2003-2013, along with epidemiological metadata. Globally representative VP1 gene datasets of subgenogroups were used to coestimate time-resolved phylogenies and relative genetic diversity to infer virus origins and regional transmission network.Results: Despite frequent virus migration between countries, the highest genetic diversity of individual subgenogroups was maintained independently for several years in specific Asian countries representing genogroup-specific sources of EV-A71 diversity.Conclusion: This study highlights a persistent transmission network of EV-A71, with specific Asian countries seeding other countries in the region and beyond, emphasizing the need for improved EV-A71 surveillance and detailed genetic and antigenic characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to a substantial change in the clinical population of HIV-positive patients receiving care. We describe the temporal trends in the demographic and clinical characteristics of HIV-positive patients initiating ART in 2003–13 within an Asian regional cohort. All HIV-positive adult patients that initiated ART between 2003 and 2013 were included. We summarized ART regimen use, age, CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, and HIV-related laboratory monitoring rates during follow-up by calendar year. A total of 16 962 patients were included in the analysis. Patients in active follow-up increased from 695 patients at four sites in 2003 to 11,137 patients at eight sites in 2013. The proportion of patients receiving their second or third ART regimen increased over time (5% in 2003 to 29% in 2013) along with patients aged ≥50 years (8% in 2003 to 18% in 2013). Concurrently, CD4 monitoring has remained stable in recent years, whereas HIV viral load monitoring, although varied among the sites, is increasing. There have been substantial changes in the clinical and demographic characteristics of HIV-positive patients receiving ART in Asia. HIV programmes will need to anticipate the clinical care needs for their aging populations, expanded viral load monitoring, and, the eventual increase in second and third ART regimens that will lead to higher costs and more complex drug procurement needs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Five countries in Asia including Bangladesh, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam formed a network called Asia-Pacific Network for Health Professional Education Reforms (ANHER). This network collectively conducted a survey at the national level and at the institutional level (for medical, nursing and public health education). We also undertook an assessment of final year graduates from these schools on their attitudes, competencies and willingness to work in rural areas. Methods: Pretested anonymous questionnaire comprised of four sections including demographic data, attitudes towards working in rural area, where to work after graduation and perception about competency of respondents was used. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for data analyses. Results: About 60% of students from Bangladesh and Thailand had positive attitude towards working in rural area, 50% in both China and India and only 33% in Vietnam. Students' positive attitudes towards their school in terms of preparing or inspiring them to work in rural areas were low across all five countries. Upon graduation and in the next five years, majority of students wanted to work in public sectors. Interestingly confidence about overall competency was quite low. Discussion: Positive attitude towards working in rural areas varied significantly across five countries in Asia. Medical schools should improve the preparation and inspiration towards working in rural areas for their students. Conclusion: Medical schools should put more effort in improving students' attitude towards working in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence of vector-transmitted virus diseases and the damage caused to vegetable crops by these diseases are reported to be increasing in countries with tropical and subtropical conditions. Virus-resistant crops and an integrated approach to crop management including appropriate control of plant-virus insect-vectors could reduce the problem. However, in developing countries, such a strategy is rarely applied effectively. We surveyed 800 growers of chili, tomato and mungbean in India, Thailand and Vietnam to understand what farmers know about plant viruses, their perceptions about yield damage, the control methods they choose to apply and the perceived effectiveness of these. Farmers regarded their economic losses from pests and diseases to be very substantial. Only a minority of them knew that certain disease symptoms were probably being caused by a plant virus and even fewer knew about the role of insect vectors in its spread. Farmers mostly relied on synthetic pesticides to manage the virus disease symptoms they observed. If farmers had better knowledge about plant viruses, their insect vectors, and cost-effective, safer means of control, then use of synthetic pesticides could be reduced substantially. Building knowledge among farmers is therefore an important way to address the diseases caused by plant viruses, while the development of virus-resistant varieties and simple and effective methods of vector control offer longer-term solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the significance of low-level viraemia ( LLV) and the timing of treatment change in low/middle-income country ( L/MIC) compared with high-income country ( HIC) settings. Methods Patients with virological control following commencement of combination antiretroviral therapy ( cART) were included in the study. LLV was defined as undetectable viral load (<50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) followed by confirmed detectable viral load < 1000 copies/mL. Virological failure was defined as viral load > 1000 copies/mL. Kaplan− Meier plots of time to virological failure by prior LLV and income category were generated. Regimen changes in the setting of LLV were compared between sites. Sensitivity analysis of rates of LLV and virological failure by person-years and number of tests was conducted for differing definitions of LLV and virological failure. Results A total of 1748 patients from HICs and 823 patients from L/MICs were included in the study. One hundred and ninety-six (11.2%) HIC participants and 36 (4.4%) L/MIC participants experienced at least one episode of LLV. Of the patients who underwent regimen switch in HIC settings, the majority changed from a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor ( NRTI)/protease inhibitor ( PI) regimen to an NRTI/nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor ( NNRTI) regimen (26.8%). Very few switches were made in L/MIC settings. Rates of LLV were significantly higher for HICs compared with L/MICs per 1000 person-years (28.6 and 9.9 per 1000 person-years, respectively), but not in terms of the number of tests (9.4 and 7.2 per 1000 tests, respectively). Rates of virological failure per test were significantly higher for L/MICs compared with HICs (30.7 vs. 19.6 per 1000 tests, respectively; P < 0.001). LLV was a significant predictor of virological failure at 2 years in L/MICs [0.25; 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.11-0.50; P = 0.043] but not in HICs (0.13; 95% CI 0.08-0.22; P = 0.523). Conclusions LLV is weakly predictive of virological failure at 2 years in L/ MICs but not in HICs. This suggests that interventions targeted at subjects with LLV in L/MICs would help to improve treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax ginseng Mayer is a perennial herb that has been used as a medicinal plant in Eastern Asia for thousands of years. The aim of this study was to enhance root biomass and ginsenoside content in cultured adventitious roots by colchicine mutagenesis. Adventitious P. ginseng roots were treated with colchicine at different concentrations (100, 200, and 300 mg·L−1) and for different durations (1, 2, and 3 days). Genetic variability of mutant lines was assessed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Ginsenoside biosynthesis gene expression, ginsenoside content, enzyme activities, and performance in bioreactor culture were assessed in four mutant lines (100–1-2, 100–1-18, 300–1-16, and 300–2-8). The results showed that ginsenoside productivity was enhanced in all mutant lines, with mutant 100–1-18 exhibiting the most pronounced increase (4.8-fold higher than the control). Expression of some ginsenoside biosynthetic enzymes was elevated in mutant lines. Enzyme activities varied among lines, and lipid peroxidation activity correlated with root biomass. All four lines were suitable for bioreactor cultivation, with mutant 100–1-18 exhibiting the highest biomass after culture scale-up. The results indicated that colchicine mutagenesis of P. ginseng roots increased biomass and ginsenosides production. This technique, and the root lines produced in this study, may be used to increase industrial yields of P. ginseng biomass and ginsenosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cotrimoxazole (CTX) is recommended as prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, malaria and other serious bacterial infections in HIV‐infected patients. Despite its in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the effects of CTX preventive therapy on tuberculosis (TB) remain unclear. Methods: Adults living with HIV enrolled in a regional observational cohort in Asia who had initiated combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) were included in the analysis. Factors associated with new TB diagnoses after cohort entry and survival after cART initiation were analysed using Cox regression, stratified by site. Results: A total of 7355 patients from 12 countries enrolled into the cohort between 2003 and 2016 were included in the study. There were 368 reported cases of TB after cohort entry with an incidence rate of 0.99 per 100 person‐years (/100 pys). Multivariate analyses adjusted for viral load (VL), CD4 count, body mass index (BMI) and cART duration showed that CTX reduced the hazard for new TB infection by 28% (HR 0.72, 95% CI l 0.56, 0.93). Mortality after cART initiation was 0.85/100 pys, with a median follow‐up time of 4.63 years. Predictors of survival included age, female sex, hepatitis C co‐infection, TB diagnosis, HIV VL, CD4 count and BMI. Conclusions: CTX was associated with a reduction in the hazard for new TB infection but did not impact survival in our Asian cohort. The potential preventive effect of CTX against TB during periods of severe immunosuppression should be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a commercially and nutritionally important market vegetable in Asia cultivated mainly by smallholder farmers. Cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) caused by Podosphaera xanthii (Px) is a nearly ubiquitous and serious fungal disease of bitter gourd. Five bitter gourd breeding lines (THMC 113, THMC 143, THMC 153, THMC 167, and THMC 170) were selected at the World Vegetable Center for resistance to a local isolate of Px in Kamphaeng Saen, Thailand. We evaluated the resistance potential of these five inbred lines against local isolates of Px at 12 locations in five Asian countries. Plants were inoculated with the respective local Px isolate 15 and 30 days after transplanting and additional Px-infected plants of the inoculated control were interplanted throughout each test. Plants were rated 60 days after transplanting forCPM reaction using a 0 (no evidence of infection) to 5 (>75% infection evident on individual leaves) disease severity scale. THMC 153 and THMC 167 were resistant to the local race of Px in all locations, whereas THMC 143 was observed resistant in all test locations except one in China. THMC 113 was resistant in each location except one in India. THMC 170 was susceptible in three locations in India. The multilocation tests revealed four unique Px races on bitter gourd in different Asian countries and sources of resistance for breeding CPM-resistant bitter gourd cultivars. Six strains of Px isolated from other cucurbits (Cucumis and Cucurbita) and representing five melon CPM races were unable to infect the susceptible M. charantia accession THMC 144 and the five resistant breeding lines, indicating pathotype differences between them and an isolate of M. charantia origin typed as race 1 on melon. THMC 143 and THMC 167, which originated from India, exhibited good yield potential in trials conducted in Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]