Grain yield and N uptake of maize in response to increased plant density under reduced water and nitrogen supply conditions

The development of modern agriculture requires the reduction of water and chemical N fertilizer inputs.Increasing the planting density can maintain higher yields,but also consumes more of these restrictive resources.However,whether an increased maize density can compensate for the negative effects of reduced water and N supply on grain yield and N uptake in the arid irrigated areas remains unknown.This study is part of a long-term positioning trial that started in 2016.A split-split plot field experiment of maize was implemented in the arid irrigated area of northwestern China in 2020 to 2021.The treatments included two irrigation levels:local conventional irrigation reduced by 20%(W1,3,240 m^(3)ha^(-1))and local conventional irrigation(W2,4,050 m^(3)ha^(-1));two N application rates:local conventional N reduced by 25%(N1,270 kg ha^(-1))and local conventional N(360 kg ha^(-1));and three planting densities:local conventional density(D1,75,000 plants ha^(-1)),density increased by 30%(D2,97,500 plants ha-1),and density increased by 60%(D3,120,000 plants ha^(-1)).Our results showed that the grain yield and aboveground N accumulation of maize were lower under the reduced water and N inputs,but increasing the maize density by 30% can compensate for the reductions of grain yield and aboveground N accumulation caused by the reduced water and N supply.When water was reduced while the N application rate remained unchanged,increasing the planting density by 30% enhanced grain yield by 13.9% and aboveground N accumulation by 15.3%.Under reduced water and N inputs,increasing the maize density by 30% enhanced N uptake efficiency and N partial factor productivity,and it also compensated for the N harvest index and N metabolic related enzyme activities.Compared with W2N2D1,the N uptake efficiency and N partial factor productivity increased by 28.6 and 17.6%under W1N1D2.W1N2D2 had 8.4% higher N uptake efficiency and 13.9% higher N partial factor productivity than W2N2D1.W1N2D2 improved urease activity and nitrate reductase activity by 5.4% at the R2(blister)stage and 19.6% at the V6(6th leaf)stage,and increased net income and the benefit:cost ratio by 22.1 and 16.7%,respectively.W1N1D2 and W1N2D2 reduced the nitrate nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen contents at the R6 stage in the 40-100 cm soil layer,compared with W2N2D1.In summary,increasing the planting density by 30% can compensate for the loss of grain yield and aboveground N accumulation under reduced water and N inputs.Meanwhile,increasing the maize density by 30% improved grain yield and aboveground N accumulation when water was reduced by 20% while the N application rate remained constant in arid irrigation areas.

COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Associated Factors in Selected Communities in Two Southwestern States in Nigeria

Introduction: COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptance have been a major global concern due to the prevalent misinformation and disinformation that has characterized the vaccine rollout worldwide. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptance, and associated factors among selected community members in two states in southwestern Nigeria. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a multistage sampling technique. Fifty catchment settlements of 10 health facilities in each of Oyo and Ogun States targeted for a COVID-19 infection prevention and control intervention were randomly selected. Four households were targeted per settlement. All households that refused access were replaced, to ensure a minimum of four households randomly selected per settlement. The primary household decision-maker was interviewed in each household. Information elicited included respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics, health history, knowledge, risk and benefit perception about the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine uptake, and willingness to be vaccinated. The study was conducted from July–August 2021. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM version 23. Result: Four hundred household decision-makers were surveyed in Oyo and Ogun states, after replacement. The mean age of the respondents was 43.0 ± 11.0 years. The majority, 346 (86.5%) had heard about COVID-19 vaccination, but only 47 (13.6%) had received a COVID-19 vaccination. Of the 299 respondents who reported not receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, 166 (55.5%) were willing to be vaccinated. In univariate analysis, respondents who were female had tertiary education, perceived that COVID-19 vaccines are free and accessible, perceived that COVID-19 vaccines have minimal side effects, and perceived higher benefits of COVID-19 vaccination had higher odds of being vaccinated. In contrast, younger respondents, respondents with higher knowledge scores on COVID-19 preventive measures, and with chronic illness had lower likelihoods of being vaccinated. In multivariate analysis, only the respondent’s age, perception score on COVID-19 vaccine benefits, knowledge score on IPC measures, and positive response on accessibility and safety were significant after adjusting for other factors. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate as well as willingness to receive vaccination were low in the study setting. There is an urgent need for policymakers to embark on well-designed campaigns to address barriers to COVID-19 vaccination to increase vaccine uptake.

Socio-Demographic and Economic Factors Associated with Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccine among Pregnant Women at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya

Introduction: Pregnant women are a highly vulnerable population for COVID-19 with increased risk of hospitalization, intensive-care unit admission, invasive ventilation support, and mortality. Objective: This study determined the socio-demographic and economic factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women utilizing antenatal care services in Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi County-Kenya. Methods: The study was carried out from 15 June to 23 July 2023. Systematic sampling was used to select 302 women from whom data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS software in which bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done at a significance level of p Results: A total of 302 pregnant women participated in the study. Of these, 105 (34.8%) were aged between twenty-six (26) and thirty (30) years. The mean age of the women was 28.60 ± (SD = 5.297). The uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was 41.1%. The common side effects reported to be associated with the vaccines were fever, headache, joint pain, vomiting and skin rash. Uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was significantly associated with being married (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI: 0.62 - 1.80, p = 0.001), having a secondary level of education (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 0.99 - 2.88, p = 0.001) and being employed (COR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.31 - 3.06, p = 0.001). Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination uptake remains low among pregnant women in seeking ANC in Nairobi. The individual factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant Women at Pumwani maternity hospital in Nairobi County were being married, having secondary level of education and being employed. Integration of the COVID-19 vaccine with other routine vaccinations as per the national immunization program in Kenya and the enhancement of education regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding and economic empowerment of women are recommended.

Methods,Mechanisms,and Application Prospects for Enhancing Extracellular Vesicle Uptake

Extracellular vesicles(EVs)are considered to be a new generation of bioinspired nanoscale drug delivery systems due to their low immunogenicity,natural functionality,and excellent biocompatibility.However,limitations such as low uptake efficiency,insufficient production,and inhomogeneous performance undermine their potential.To address these issues,numerous researchers have put forward various methods and applications for enhancing EV uptake in recent decades.In this review,we introduce various methods for the cellular uptake of EVs and summarize recent advances on the methods and mechanisms for enhancing EV uptake.In addition,we provide further understanding regarding enhancing EV uptake and put forward prospects and challenges for the development of EV-based therapy in the future.

Combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer alleviates the kernel position effect in summer maize by promoting post-silking nitrogen uptake and dry matter accumulation

Adjusting agronomic measures to alleviate the kernel position effect in maize is important for ensuring high yields.In order to clarify whether the combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer(CAOFCF)can alleviate the kernel position effect of summer maize,field experiments were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons,and five treatments were assessed:CF,100%chemical fertilizer;OFCF1,15%organic fertilizer+85%chemical fertilizer;OFCF2,30%organic fertilizer+70%chemical fertilizer;OFCF3,45%organic fertilizer+55%chemical fertilizer;and OFCF4,60%organic fertilizer+40%chemical fertilizer.Compared with the CF treatment,the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments significantly alleviated the kernel position effect by increasing the weight ratio of inferior kernels to superior kernels and reducing the weight gap between the superior and inferior kernels.These effects were largely due to the improved filling and starch accumulation of inferior kernels.However,there were no obvious differences in the kernel position effect among plants treated with CF,OFCF3,or OFCF4 in most cases.Leaf area indexes,post-silking photosynthetic rates,and net assimilation rates were higher in plants treated with OFCF1 or OFCF2 than in those treated with CF,reflecting an enhanced photosynthetic capacity and improved postsilking dry matter accumulation(DMA)in the plants treated with OFCF1 or OFCF2.Compared with the CF treatment,the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments increased post-silking N uptake by 66.3 and 75.5%,respectively,which was the major factor driving post-silking photosynthetic capacity and DMA.Moreover,the increases in root DMA and zeatin riboside content observed following the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments resulted in reduced root senescence,which is associated with an increased post-silking N uptake.Analyses showed that post-silking N uptake,DMA,and grain yield in summer maize were negatively correlated with the kernel position effect.In conclusion,the combined application of 15-30%organic fertilizer and 70-85%chemical fertilizer alleviated the kernel position effect in summer maize by improving post-silking N uptake and DMA.These results provide new insights into how CAOFCF can be used to improve maize productivity.

Legume green manure can intensify the function of chemical nitrogen fertilizer substitution via increasing nitrogen supply and uptake of wheat

Achieving the green development of agriculture requires the reduction of chemical nitrogen(N)fertilizer input.Previous studies have confirmed that returning green manure to the field is an effective measure to improve crop yields while substituting partial chemical N fertilizer.However,it remains unclear how to further intensify the substituting function of green manure and elucidate its underlying agronomic mechanism.In a split-plot field experiment in spring wheat,different green manures returned to the field under reduced chemical N supply was established in an oasis area since 2018,in order to investigate the effect of green manure and reduced N on grain yield,N uptake,N use efficiency(NUE),N nutrition index,soil organic matter,and soil N of wheat in 2020-2022.Our results showed that mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch can substitute 40%of chemical N fertilizer without reducing grain yield or N accumulation.Noteworthily,mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch under reduced N by 20%showed the highest N agronomy efficiency and recovery efficiency,which were 92.0%and 46.0%higher than fallow after wheat harvest and conventional N application rate,respectively.The increase in NUE of wheat was mainly attributed to mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch,which increased N transportation quantity and transportation rate at pre-anthesis,enhanced N harvest index,optimized N nutrition index,and increased activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase of leaf,respectively.Meanwhile,mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch under reduced N by 20%improved soil organic matter and N contents.Therefore,mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch can substitute 40%of chemical N fertilizer while maintaining grain yield and N accumulation,and it combined with reduced chemical N by 20%or 40%improved NUE of wheat via enhancing N supply and uptake.

Prevalence and Individual-Level Determinants of Uptake of Three or More Doses of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy in Busia County, Kenya

Background: Malaria in pregnancy causes maternal anemia, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm deliveries. In malaria-endemic regions in Kenya, percentage of pregnant women hospitalized with malaria reach up to 60%. WHO recommends at least three doses of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) antenatally. This study sought to ascertain the prevalence and individual-level factors influencing the uptake of IPTp-SP3+. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study at Busia County Referral Hospital. 384 mothers were consecutively sampled at the maternity unit during delivery. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR were used to determine statistical significance of individual factors influencing uptake of three or more IPTp-SP. Results: 43.0% of participants took IPTp-SP3+. Individual factors that affected the uptake of IPTp-SP3+ included starting ANC visits in the first trimester (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.23 – 3.67, p = 0.046), having more than four ANC visits (aOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.49 – 6.50, p = 0.002), having a higher monthly income (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.24 – 5.36, p = 0.012), being aware of the advantages of IPTp-SP medications (aOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.40 – 9.74, p = 0.008), and having a positive attitude toward ANC services (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.61 – 6.31, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Less than half of the pregnant mothers are complyingIPTp-SP3+. There should be aggressive efforts by the County and National Ministries of Health promoting initiation of ANC attendance early and attendance of all the recommended eight visits together with ensuring availability of the drugs.

低盐水体Na^(+)/K^(+)对凡纳滨对虾生长、体成分与肝胰腺、鳃组织结构的影响

缺钾在内陆低盐度盐碱水中经常发生,为探究低盐水体中不同钾缺乏程度对凡纳滨对虾生长、存活、体成分以及鳃和肝胰腺组织结构的影响,实验参照海水离子组成配置盐度为2的低盐度水体,在Na^(+)/K^(+)(mg/mg)比值为27、47、67、87、107 (分别记为A、B、C、D、E组)的条件下,对体重为(1.04±0.23) g的凡纳滨对虾幼虾开展了为期60 d的养殖实验。结果显示,E组对虾的存活率为44.64%±20.95%,显著低于A、B、D三组;E组体重为(4.86±0.66) g,显著低于其他4组;A~D组之间的湿重、增重率、特定生长率差异不显著,但均大于E组且差异显著;在饲料系数上,E组最高并与A、D组差异显著。在体成分上,各组全虾钾含量、灰分含量差异不显著,E组的水分含量高于其他组,并与A、B组差异显著;E组粗蛋白含量最低,且与B组差异显著。E组对虾鳃组织角质层明显受损,红细胞数量减少,空泡增多,肝胰腺B细胞及其内部转运泡体积增大,肝小管结构受损。研究表明,低盐条件下严重缺钾引起了对虾鳃和肝胰腺损伤,降低了对虾的存活率和生长率;水体缺钾在前期即可对对虾的生长产生明显影响,而对存活的影响随养殖时间的增加而增大。实验结果有助于为内陆低盐度盐碱水养殖凡纳滨对虾提供理论依据。

Phosphorylation regulation of nitrogen,phosphorus,and potassium uptake systems in plants

The uptake of ammonium,nitrate,phosphorus,and potassium ions by roots is mediated by specific ion transporter or channel proteins,and protein phosphorylation regulation events occurring on these proteins and their regulators determine their ultimate activity.Elucidating the mechanism by which protein phosphorylation modification regulates nutrient uptake will advance plant breeding for high nutrientuse efficiency.In this review,it is concluded that the root nutrient absorption system is composed of several,but not all,members of a specific ion transporter or channel family.Under nutrient-starvation conditions,protein phosphorylation-based regulation of these proteins and associated transcription factors increases ion transporter-or channel-mediated nutrient uptake capacity via direct function activity enhancement,allowing more protein trafficking to the plasma membrane,by strengthening the interaction of transporters and channels with partner proteins,by increasing their protein stability,and by transcriptional activation.Under excessive nutrient conditions,protein phosphorylation-based regulation suppresses nutrient uptake by reversing these processes.Strengthening phosphorylation regulation items that increase nutrient absorption and weakening phosphorylation modification items that are not conducive to nutrient absorption show potential as strategies for increasing nutrient use efficiency.

Potassium nutrition of maize:Uptake,transport,utilization,and role in stress tolerance

Potassium(K) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development and influences yield and quality of agricultural crops.Maize(Zea mays) is one of the most widely distributed crops worldwide.In China,although maize consumes a large amount of K fertilizer,the K uptake/utilization efficiency(KUE)of maize cultivars is relatively low.Elucidation of KUE mechanisms and development of maize cultivars with higher KUE are needed.Maize KUE is determined by K+uptake,transport,and remobilization,which depend on a variety of K+channels and transporters.We review basic information about K+channels and transporters in maize,their functions and regulation,and the roles of K+in nitrogen transport,sugar transport,and salt tolerance.We discuss challenges and prospects for maize KUE improvement.

Accumulation of silicon in shoots is required for reducing lead uptake in rice

Silicon(Si) treatment has been shown to reduce the toxicity and accumulation of lead(Pb) in many plants,including rice.The mechanisms responsible for this effect are poorly understood.We investigated the effects of Si treatment on Pb toxicity and accumulation in two rice mutants(lsi1 and lsi2) defective in Si uptake and in their wild types.Si did not alleviate Pb-induced inhibition of root elongation in shortterm experiments,but reduced Pb accumulation in wild types,but not in mutants,in long-term experiments.Pre-treatment with Si reduced Pb concentration in xylem sap and Pb accumulation in wild types but not in mutants.In split-root experiments,Si treatment reduced Pb accumulation but did not alter Pb localization in roots.Si treatment suppressed the expression of many genes encoding proteins that may participate in Pb uptake and transport in the wild type,but not in the lsi1 mutant.These results indicate that Si accumulation in shoots is required to reduce Pb uptake in rice and that the effect is achieved via Siinduced suppression of genes encoding proteins involved in Pb uptake and/or transport.

Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine promotes lipid uptake of macrophage via cluster of differentiation 36 and receptor for advanced glycation end products

BACKGROUND Advanced glycation end products(AGEs)are diabetic metabolic toxic products that cannot be ignored.Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine(CML),a component of AGEs,could increase macrophage lipid uptake,promote foam cell formation,and thereby accelerate atherosclerosis.The receptor for AGEs(RAGE)and cluster of differentiation 36(CD36)were the receptors of CML.However,it is still unknown whether RAGE and CD36 play key roles in CML-promoted lipid uptake.AIM Our study aimed to explore the role of RAGE and CD36 in CML-induced macrophage lipid uptake.METHODS In this study,we examined the effect of CML on lipid uptake by Raw264.7 macrophages.After adding 10 mmol/L CML,the lipid accumulation in macrophages was confirmed by oil red O staining.Expression changes of CD36 and RAGE were detected with immunoblotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.The interaction between CML with CD36 and RAGE was verified by immunoprecipitation.We synthesized a novel N-succinimidyl-4-18Ffluorobenzoate-CML radioactive probe.Radioactive receptor-ligand binding assays were performed to test the binding affinity between CML with CD36 and RAGE.The effects of blocking CD36 or RAGE on CML-promoting lipid uptake were also detected.RESULTS The study revealed that CML significantly promoted lipid uptake by macrophages.Immunoprecipitation and radioactive receptor-ligand binding assays indicated that CML could specifically bind to both CD36 and RAGE.CML had a higher affinity for CD36 than RAGE.ARG82,ASN71,and THR70 were the potential interacting amino acids that CD36 binds to CML Anti-CD36 and anti-RAGE could block the uptake of CML by macrophages.The lipid uptake promotion effect of CML was significantly attenuated after blocking CD36 or RAGE.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the binding of CML with CD36 and RAGE promotes macrophage lipid uptake.

Na^(+)/g-C_(3)N_(4)材料的制备及光催化降解亚甲基蓝机理

制备碱金属掺杂的g-C_(3)N_(4)在g-C_(3)N_(4)半导体光催化材料研究中属于一个重要分支。本研究采用溶液合成、煅烧和溶剂热反应方法制备了Na^(+)掺杂的g-C_(3)N_(4)样品(Na^(+)/g-C_(3)N_(4)),通过不同检测手段确定了Na^(+)在g-C_(3)N_(4)中的负载位置和光电性能,考察了样品的形貌、比表面积及孔径随溶剂热反应时间延长的变化规律。结果表明:Na^(+)负载位置和表面生成的C-O-基团增强了g-C_(3)N_(4)材料的物理和化学吸附性能,Na^(+)/g-C_(3)N_(4)对亚甲基蓝(MB)的吸附率最高可达到93.25%;Na^(+)负载位置对g-C_(3)N_(4)的π共轭体系的电子分布产生影响,进而改变了材料的禁带宽度(Eg)、导(价)带位置和光生载流子分离效率及传输速率;在可见光降解过程中,由于MB的自身光敏性和在Na^(+)/g-C_(3)N_(4)样品表面的强吸附性,MB和Na^(+)/g-C_(3)N_(4)样品构建了独特的光敏-光催化降解体系,MB不仅通过光敏自降解,还在Na^(+)/g-C_(3)N_(4)协同下进行了光催化降解。在pH 6.0条件下,MB和Na^(+)/g-C_(3)N_(4)光催化体系对MB的最高降解率可达96.40%。

Influence of Socioeconomic Profile on Uptake of Immunohistochemistry Services among Women with Breast Cancer Attending Tertiary Health Facilities

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in women worldwide. It can be stratified by histological and immunopathological analysis as well as by molecular subtypes. Socioeconomic and cultural-mediated factors contribute to breast cancer heterogeneity and overall survivability. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of socioeconomic profile on the uptake of immunohistochemistry (IHC) services among women with breast cancer attending tertiary health facilities in Imo State. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among women with breast cancer in Imo State. The instrument for data collection used was a structured questionnaire constructed in line with the objectives of the study. A total of 121 respondents were selected randomly from a target study population of 891 using a systematic sampling technique. The software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was used for data analysis. Results: The mean age of the 121 respondents in this study was 45.2 ± 0.7 years. Age and education levels of the respondents were found to significantly influence the utilization of IHC services (P Conclusion: In our study, the consumption of IHC services was influenced significantly by the respondents’ age and level of education. Consequently, public health awareness programmes centred on the importance of IHC services in the management of breast cancer should be encouraged, so as to reach the less educationally endowed and older women in order to save more lives.

Nutrition Uptake among Pregnant Women: A Case of Solwezi District, North Western Province

Background: Zambia has a population of 17.4 million people of which 48% are unable to meet their minimum calorie requirement and 35% of the children in Zambia are stunted (ZDHS, 2018). In the 2018 ZDHS report, 31% of women aged 15 - 49 had anaemia. Most cases of anaemia in pregnancy are due to micronutrient deficiency and maternal malnutrition. The 2020 Zambia Global Nutrition Report shows an increase in the prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age (45%) and low birth weight infants (13.0%) which suggested a need to explore determinants of pregnant women’s nutrition uptake in order to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women particularly those in Solwezi district of the north-western province of Zambia. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on antenatal mothers aged 15 - 49 accessing routine antenatal care from four selected health facilities in Solwezi district from July 2021 to February 2021. Cluster sampling method was used to select the 4 health facilities and the 98 antenatal mothers were selected using systematic sampling method. Data was collected using a pretested researcher-assisted semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS version 26. Chi-square test was used to determine associations between the independent and independent variables. The level of significance was set at 0.05 and the confidence interval was set at 95%. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to predict associations among variables. Results: The findings revealed that a large proportion of respondents (71.4 %) had high knowledge regarding nutrition during pregnancy compared to (19.4%) and (9.2%) who expressed medium and low knowledge levels respectively. Attitude towards nutrition in pregnancy was positive in the majority, 82 (83.7%) of the respondents, and over half, (55%) of the respondents reported good nutrition uptake during pregnancy. Conclusions: In this study, nutrition uptake in pregnancy was significantly associated with women’s attitudes towards nutrition. It was also observed that more respondents who had a positive attitude towards nutrition had good nutrition uptake during pregnancy. We can therefore, conclude that the research study has revealed that majority of the respondents had high knowledge level and positive attitudes towards nutrition during pregnancy and only half of the respondents had good nutrition uptake during pregnancy which should be able to prompt all the stakeholders of health to focus their attention on behavioural change messages, policies and intervention in order to enhance good nutrition uptake among pregnant women.

Influence of Cues to Action towards Uptake of Immunohistochemistry Services among Women with Breast Cancer Attending Tertiary Health Facilities

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women, making it a significant global public health issue. Although developed countries have a higher incidence of breast cancer, developing countries like Nigeria have a low incidence rate but higher rates of morbidity and mortality from the disease. Objective: This study explored how cues to action influenced the use of immunohistochemistry by women in Imo State and how many of them used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to diagnose their condition. Methodology: We used a descriptive study methodology for the investigation, and 121 participants were chosen at random from the 891 total population. The respondents were chosen through a systematic sampling procedure. Structured questionnaire was used as the data collection tool, and the statistical software for social science (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of the 121 participants in the study was 45.2 ± 0.7 years. The study found that awareness of IHC services is a significant influencing factor for the uptake and health personnel is the major source of awareness of IHC services. Cues to action particularly from health workers, as well as knowledge of any victim of breast cancer and user of IHC services, also significantly influenced uptake of the IHC services (P Conclusion: In our study, utilization of IHC services was also impacted by cues to action, particularly from healthcare professionals, as well as awareness of any breast cancer victims and those who used IHC services thus cues to action is a major predicator of immunohistochemistry uptake among women with breast cancer.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among teenagers and their parents in Zhejiang, China: An online cross-sectional study

Objective:To examine COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among teenagers and their parents in Zhejiang,China.Methods:An online cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of teenagers in Zhejiang,China from May 1 to 31,2022.Data were interpreted via univariate and multivariate analyses using the statistical package for the social sciences(SPSS)program.Results:A total of 11115(96.11%)participants and 11449(99.00%)of their children in Zhejiang,China had been vaccinated against COVID-19.Children whose parents did not receive COVID-19 vaccination were 19 times(aOR 18.96,95%CI 12.36-29.08)more likely to be unvaccinated than their counterparts.In addition,children with no previous influenza vaccination,those whose parents doubted the COVID-19 vaccine’s safety or effectiveness,were 6.11 times(aOR 6.11,95%CI 2.80-13.34),8.27 times(aOR 8.27,95%CI 5.33-12.83),and 2.69 times(aOR 2.69,95%CI 1.11-6.50)more likely to be unvaccinated than their counterparts,respectively.COVID-19 vaccine uptake varied between different sociodemographic groups.However,the odds of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine decreased as age and education level increased.The main refusal reasons claimed by participants were that they had medical conditions that may not qualify them for vaccination(53.78%),followed by safety concerns about the vaccine(13.56%),not knowing where to get vaccinated(6.44%),and concerns about fertility issues(5.56%).Conclusions:Despite a highly encouraging level of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Zhejiang,China,the elderly and highly educated people had lower COVID-19 vaccine uptake.It is suggested that tailored health education strategies should be taken to increase the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in such groups.Furthermore,with vaccination rates at such a high level,the pandemic is still ongoing,and public confidence in vaccines may decline.Thus,sufficient evidence-based information regarding COVID-19 vaccines should be provided to the public.

Uptake of Two Doses of HPV Vaccines in Nakuru County, Kenya: A Case of Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties

Background: HPV vaccines were introduced globally as one of the most effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer. HPV vaccines were rolled out in Kenya in 2019 targeting girls aged 10 - 14 years, but the uptake has not been satisfactory. The Purpose of the Study: The aim of the study was to assess the level of HPV uptake among girls aged 10 - 14 years in Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties in Nakuru County. Method: This was a cross-sectional study where data on HPV uptake was retrieved from all the public health facilities located in Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties, Nakuru County, entered into Microsoft Excel then transferred to SPSS version 26 for analysis of HPV vaccine uptake since the year 2019 to June 2022. Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used where tables and graphs were generated to represent the percentages and trends of HPV vaccine uptake. Results: The average percentage of HPV uptake in Nakuru West Sub-County since the rollout of vaccination was 17% while that of Rongai Sub-County was 15%. In 2019, HPV 1 uptake was generally low for both Sub-Counties, the results show no HPV 2 vaccines were administered during that year. In 2020, Nakuru West reported an increase in HPV 1 uptake, while Rongai reported a drop in HPV 1 uptake. Both Sub-Counties reported an increase in HPV 2 in 2020 as compared to the previous year. The highest HPV 1 & 2 uptakes were reported in 2021 in both Sub-Counties. The uptake of both HPV 1 & 2 kept increasing subsequently. Conclusion: The overall uptake of HPV vaccines for Doses 1 and 2, in both Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties, is low. However, there has been a consistent increase in uptake of the two doses in the two Sub-Counties since 2019. Therefore, raising public awareness of the importance of HPV vaccination could improve uptake.

Comparison of growth and nutrient uptake capacities of three dominant species of Qinhuangdao green tides

Since 2015, green tides have been blooming in offshore waters of Qinhuangdao, with serious impacts on the local ecological environment and tourism. Ulva australis, Bryopsis plumosa, and U. prolifera are the dominant species of Qinhuangdao green tides, following a sequential succession pattern. Ulva prolifera is the dominant species,with the highest biomass and the greatest influence on the local ecological environment. To study the reason of green tide dominant species succession and U. profilera became the dominant species with the largest biomass,we compared and analyzed the growth and nutrient uptake capacity of the three algae. The results showed that temperature significantly affects the growth of the three species. Within the temperature range of the experimental setup, the optimum temperature for the growth of U. australis, B. plumosa and U. profilera is10℃, 15℃, and 20–25℃, respectively. Combined with the temperature variation trend during green tide bloom development, we believe that temperature is the key environmental factor for the succession of the dominant species. Ulva prolifera has a higher growth rate than U. australis and B. plumosa under the same nitrate,ammonium, and phosphate levels. Significant differences in the maximum absorption rate(R_(max)) and R_(max)/Ks(the relationship between uptake rate and substrate concentration) values indicated that U. prolifera had an apparent competitive advantage over U. australis and B. plumosa regarding nutrient uptake. Therefore, the strong growth and nutrient uptake capacities of U. prolifera might be the main reason for becoming the dominant species with the largest biomass in Qinhuangdao green tides.

枯草芽孢杆菌YvdSR蛋白转运Na^(+)关键残基的研究

对枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis strain 168)双组分基因YvdSR表达的双组分蛋白YvdSR进行功能鉴定,得出YvdSR具有转运Na^(+)/Li^(+)功能,为探究YvdSR离子转运机制,分别对两种组分作同源序列比对,从每种组分中筛选出完全保守的酸性氨基酸残基并进行氨基酸残基定点突变。结果表明,YvdS和YvdR共有的E13在同源物中完全保守且突变为丙氨酸后均失去Na^(+)(Li^(+))/H^(+)逆向转运活性,说明两种组分的E13均是蛋白质行使功能不可或缺的,YvdS的E13A经回复突变后可恢复高水平Na^(+)(Li^(+))/H^(+)逆向转运活性,YvdR的E13A经回复突变后仍失去Na^(+)(Li^(+))/H^(+)逆向转运活性,表明YvdS和YvdR在Na^(+)(Li^(+))/H^(+)逆向转运中行使不同功能。