Growth of squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) roots was significantly inhibited by 1 mM AlCl3 as early as 1 h after the treatment. The growth inhibition was confined to the elongating zone (1-6 mm from the root tip). Chemical analysis of cell-wall polysaccharides from roots revealed that aluminum increased pectin, hemi-cellulose, and cellulose contents after 3 h of treatment. The effect of aluminum on pectin content was found in the elongating zone including the root tip, whereas change in cellulose content was confined to only nonelongating zones. Hemicellulose content increased in all of the regions along the root axis. The increase in the pectin fraction was due to the increases in uronic acids, galactose, and arabinose constituents, whereas hemicellulose content changed due to increases in glucose, xylose, galactose, and arabinose. The results clearly indicate that aluminum rapidly reduced squash root growth by inhibiting cell elongation and altering metabolism of cell-wall polysaccharides in the nonelongating zone as well as in the elongating zone.

BackgroundWe surveyed HIV patients with late-stage disease in southern Vietnam to determine if barriers to access and service quality resulted in late HIV testing and delays from initial diagnosis to entry into HIV care.Methodology196 adult patients at public HIV clinics with CD4 counts less than 250 cells/mm3 completed a standardized questionnaire. We used multivariate analysis to determine risk factors for delayed entry into care, defined as >3 months time from diagnosis to registration.ResultsCommon reasons for delayed testing were feeling healthy (71%), fear of stigma and discrimination in the community (43%), time conflicts with work or school (31%), did not want to know if infected (30%), and fear of lack of confidentiality (27%). Forty-five percent of participants delayed entry into care with a median CD4 count of 65 cells/mm3. The most common reasons for delayed entry were feeling healthy (51%), fear of stigma and discrimination in the community (41%), time conflicts with work or school (33%), and fear of lack of confidentiality (26%). Independent predictors for delayed entry were feeling healthy (aOR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5–9.1), first positive HIV test at other site (aOR 2.9, CI 1.2–7.1), history of injection drug use (IDU) (aOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1–7.9), work/school conflicts (aOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.7–10.8), prior registration at another clinic (aOR 77.4, 95% CI 8.6–697), detention or imprisonment (aOR 10.3, 95% CI 1.8–58.2), and perceived distance to clinic (aOR 3.7, 95% CI 1.0–13.7).ConclusionDelayed entry into HIV care in Vietnam is common and poses a significant challenge to preventing AIDS and opportunistic infections, decreasing mortality, and reducing HIV transmission. Improved linkages between testing and care are needed, particularly for patients who feel healthy, as well as incarcerated and drug-using populations who may face structural and social barriers to accessing care.

Background HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Vietnam is high, whereas coverage of effective HIV prevention services has been inadequate. Studies have measured MSM and TGW demand for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services, which led to the design of the first ever PrEP program in Vietnam, Prepped for PrEP (P4P). Methods: In March 2017, PrEP services were offered in Ho Chi Minh City as part of the P4P demonstration project, enabling same-day enrolment in three key population (KP)-led clinics and four public clinics. P4P aimed to assess acceptability and feasibility of PrEP services through calculating the rate of PrEP enrolment over time, and quarterly measures of continuation and adherence over an 18-month period. Results: A total of 1069 MSM and 62 TGW were enrolled in P4P. Average monthly PrEP enrolment among MSM increased five-fold from the first 3 months (March–June 2017) to the last 3 months of active enrolment (March–June 2018), whereas for TGW, no increased trend in PrEP enrolment per quarter was seen. Self-reported PrEP adherence was >90% at all time points among MSM, but varied from 11.1% to 88.9% among TGW. PrEP continuation was calculated at months 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18. For MSM, it was 88.7% at month 3, 68.8% at month 12 and 46.6% at month 18, whereas for TGW, it was 87.1%, 54.8% and 52.8%, respectively. Multivariable regression identified that MSM with lower-than-average income (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.38 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59–3.54), P = 0.000), aged >30 years (aOR 2.03 (95% CI: 1.30–3.40), P = 0.007) and with an increasing number of sex partners (aOR: 1.06 (1.01–1.11), P = 0.011) had greater odds of remaining on PrEP. For TGW, being aged >30 years was associated with continuing on PrEP (aOR 5.62 (95% CI: 1.05–29.9), P = 0.043). Conclusions: We found PrEP to be highly acceptable among MSM and moderately acceptable among TGW. Continuation rates were relatively high for the first roll-out of PrEP; however, those aged ≤30 years were much more likely to discontinue services. Scaling-up PrEP through differentiated and community-led and engaged PrEP service delivery will be key to effectively increase access and uptake over the next 5 years.

Aluminum is rhizotoxic and is often present in acidic soils at activities high enough to inhibit root growth. The objectives of present study were to screen for Al-sensitive and Al-tolerant pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill) cultivars and to investigate the potential mechanism(s) of Al tolerance. Seven cultivars were analysed and found to differ considerably in Al tolerance. The cultivars Soft Touch (Al-sensitive) and Cayenne (Al-tolerant) were selected for further analysis of physiological mechanism(s) of Al tolerance. The root elongation of Soft Touch was 80% compared with 120% for Cayenne in response to 300 μm AlCl3 at pH 4.5 for 72 h. Al accumulation and Al-induced callose formation in root apices were 50 and 15% of that in Cayenne, respectively. It is clearly shown that Al only inhibited Soft Touch during the treatment, whereas it enhanced root growth of Cayenne, suggesting an Al-induced Al-tolerance mechanism operating in Cayenne. There was no significantly difference in total protein in root exudates between cultivars treated with or without 300 μm AlCl3. However, 2D SDS–PAGE analysis could detect an acidic and low molecular weight protein in Al-treated Cayenne root tips, but not in control Cayenne or in Soft Touch both in the presence and absence of Al. The identification of organic acids in collected root exudates was conducted on Al-tolerant Cayenne. Citrate, malate, and succinate were found in Cayenne root exudates, and citrate was induced by Al exposure. Changes in organic acids from root exudates and soluble protein of root tips may be involved in the Al-tolerance mechanism. Further studies are, however, needed to clarify their functions on detoxification of Al in the pineapple roots.

The study investigates the change in osmolality and haemolymph constituents in marron and yabbies associated with moult stages, body weights and their feeding status. A total of 582 haemolymph samples from 5 moult stages (postmoult-AB, intermoult-C, and premoult stages - D, D, D), two body weight classes (2-15 g and 61-75 g) and nutritional status were used for analysis of osmolality, protein, glucose, and ionic concentrations of potassium and chloride following the standard biochemical procedures. The haemolymph protein, glucose, potassium and chloride levels were highest at intermoult and early premoult stages, and lowest at postmoult in both crayfish species. Except protein, no significant differences were seen in analyzed parameters between various weight classes and two species. Haemolymph osmolality, protein and glucose were significantly higher in fed crayfish, whereas no variations in haemolymph potassium and chloride concentrations were observed between the fed and unfed crayfish. Maximum osmolality was recorded at 7-8 h after feeding in both crayfish species. The results showed that the biochemical changes in the haemolymph of marron and yabbies are related to moult stages, body weight and feeding and thus can be used as tools for determining suitable diets.