Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 21 in total

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  1. Giannakopoulou O, Lin K, Meng X, Su MH, Kuo PH, Peterson RE, et al.
    JAMA Psychiatry, 2021 Nov 01;78(11):1258-1269.
    PMID: 34586374 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.2099
    IMPORTANCE: Most previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of depression have used data from individuals of European descent. This limits the understanding of the underlying biology of depression and raises questions about the transferability of findings between populations.

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetics of depression among individuals of East Asian and European descent living in different geographic locations, and with different outcome definitions for depression.

    DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Genome-wide association analyses followed by meta-analysis, which included data from 9 cohort and case-control data sets comprising individuals with depression and control individuals of East Asian descent. This study was conducted between January 2019 and May 2021.

    EXPOSURES: Associations of genetic variants with depression risk were assessed using generalized linear mixed models and logistic regression. The results were combined across studies using fixed-effects meta-analyses. These were subsequently also meta-analyzed with the largest published GWAS for depression among individuals of European descent. Additional meta-analyses were carried out separately by outcome definition (clinical depression vs symptom-based depression) and region (East Asian countries vs Western countries) for East Asian ancestry cohorts.

    MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Depression status was defined based on health records and self-report questionnaires.

    RESULTS: There were a total of 194 548 study participants (approximate mean age, 51.3 years; 62.8% women). Participants included 15 771 individuals with depression and 178 777 control individuals of East Asian descent. Five novel associations were identified, including 1 in the meta-analysis for broad depression among those of East Asian descent: rs4656484 (β = -0.018, SE = 0.003, P = 4.43x10-8) at 1q24.1. Another locus at 7p21.2 was associated in a meta-analysis restricted to geographically East Asian studies (β = 0.028, SE = 0.005, P = 6.48x10-9 for rs10240457). The lead variants of these 2 novel loci were not associated with depression risk in European ancestry cohorts (β = -0.003, SE = 0.005, P = .53 for rs4656484 and β = -0.005, SE = 0.004, P = .28 for rs10240457). Only 11% of depression loci previously identified in individuals of European descent reached nominal significance levels in the individuals of East Asian descent. The transancestry genetic correlation between cohorts of East Asian and European descent for clinical depression was r = 0.413 (SE = 0.159). Clinical depression risk was negatively genetically correlated with body mass index in individuals of East Asian descent (r = -0.212, SE = 0.084), contrary to findings for individuals of European descent.

    CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These results support caution against generalizing findings about depression risk factors across populations and highlight the need to increase the ancestral and geographic diversity of samples with consistent phenotyping.

  2. Aad G, Abbott B, Abeling K, Abicht NJ, Abidi SH, Aboulhorma A, et al.
    Phys Rev Lett, 2024 Jan 12;132(2):021803.
    PMID: 38277607 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.021803
    The first evidence for the Higgs boson decay to a Z boson and a photon is presented, with a statistical significance of 3.4 standard deviations. The result is derived from a combined analysis of the searches performed by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations with proton-proton collision datasets collected at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2015 to 2018. These correspond to integrated luminosities of around 140  fb^{-1} for each experiment, at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measured signal yield is 2.2±0.7 times the standard model prediction, and agrees with the theoretical expectation within 1.9 standard deviations.
  3. Zhu J, Fang Y, Wakisaka M, Saadiah Hafid H, Yang Z, Yin Y, et al.
    Food Chem X, 2024 Mar 30;21:101181.
    PMID: 38357373 DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101181
    The massive production of food waste and plastic pollution necessitates innovative solutions. This study reports the first fabrication of a flexible chitosan (CH) film reinforced with lignosulfonate (LS) derived from pulping byproduct as a sustainable alternative to synthetic food packaging. The CH/LS composite film was prepared by a simple casting method with varying LS contents of 1 % and 2 %. Compared to CH film, the addition of 2 % LS increased the tensile strength by over 4 times and decreased water vapor permeability by 11 %. Moreover, the CH/LS film exhibited excellent UV-shielding properties. This novel use of LS to reinforce CH film presents an eco-friendly active packaging material. When used to package cherry tomatoes for 2 weeks, the CH/LS film effectively maintained fruit freshness and hardness while minimizing weight loss. This work provides new scientific evidence on the optimized preparation and application of CH/LS composite films from renewable resources for food preservation.
  4. Hayat K, Arshed M, Fiaz I, Afreen U, Khan FU, Khan TA, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2021;9:603602.
    PMID: 33981657 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.603602
    Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly increased the rate of mortality and morbidity worldwide due to its rapid transmission rate. The mental health status of individuals could have a negative impact attributed to this global situation. Therefore, this study was intended to explore the symptoms of depression and anxiety among healthcare workers (HCWs) of Pakistan during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken by administering a web-based questionnaire between May and June 2020. Two tools, including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), were employed to measure anxiety and depression symptoms among HCWs. The data analyses were carried out using descriptive statistics, Man Whitney, and Kruskal Wallis tests. Results: Of 1094 HCWs who participated in this online survey, 742 (67.8%) were physicians, followed by nurses (n = 277, 25.3%) and pharmacists (n = 75, 6.9%). The survey respondents had a median depression and anxiety score of 5.00 (7.00-3.00) and 8.00 (11.00-5.00), respectively. A considerable number of HCWs (82.2%) utilized online psychological resources to deal with their psychological distress. Female HCWs, nurses, frontline HCWs, and HCWs aged 30-49 years were more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety (p < 0.05). Conclusion: During the recent ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, there is a mild level of symptoms of depression and anxiety among HCWs. Our findings call for urgent psychological interventions for vulnerable groups of Pakistani HCWs.
  5. Hayat K, Mustafa ZU, Godman B, Arshed M, Zhang J, Khan FU, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2021;12:650137.
    PMID: 34054528 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.650137
    Background: Optimal collaboration between pharmacists and other healthcare professionals such as physicians is integral in implementing pharmaceutical care. However, there are concerns regarding the role of pharmacists, especially among low- and middle-income countries. This study explored the perceptions, expectations, and experience of physicians working in various hospital settings of Punjab, Pakistan, about pharmacists and their roles. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire consisting of four sections was administered from October to December 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis using SPSS. Results: Six hundred and seventy-eight physicians participated in this study with a response rate of 77.9%. Most of the physicians reported minimal to no interaction with pharmacists (n = 521, 76.8%). However, more than three-quarters of physicians (n = 660, 97.3%) accepted pharmacists as evidence-based sources of drug information. In addition, many physicians (n = 574, 84.7%) strongly agreed that pharmacists should attend patient care rounds to respond promptly to questions related to patient medication. A limited number of physicians (n = 124, 18.3%) assumed that pharmacists were advising their patients regarding the judicial use of their drugs. Median expectation and experience score had a significant association with age, experience, and education of physicians (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The perception of physicians was positive toward certain roles of pharmacists, coupled with high expectations. However, their experience was low, with most of the activities of pharmacists due to inadequate interprofessional coordination.
  6. Hayat K, Rosenthal M, Xu S, Arshed M, Li P, Zhai P, et al.
    PMID: 32408528 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103347
    BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a deadly disease that is affecting most of the countries worldwide. Public understanding, including knowledge about signs and symptoms, mode of transmission, and hygiene of COVID-19, is vital for designing effective control strategies during a public health crisis. The current study is aimed at investigating the public's perspective about COVID-19, including their knowledge, attitude, and practices.

    METHODS: A rapid online survey comprising 22 items was administered during the rapid outbreak of COVID-19 in Pakistan. Questions were focused on the prevention, transmission, clinical features, and control of COVID-19. In addition, the attitudes and practices of the participants were explored. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and regression analysis were carried out during data analysis.

    RESULTS: A total of 1257 respondents participated in this study. Most of the respondents had good knowledge (good = 64.8%, average = 30.5%, poor = 4.7%) of COVID-19. Gender, marital status, education, and residence were observed to have a significant association with the knowledge score. A vast majority of the survey respondents (77.0%) believed that COVID-19 would be controlled successfully in Pakistan. The practices of wearing a mask (85.8%) and handwashing (88.1%) were common among the participants.

    CONCLUSION: The participants demonstrated good knowledge and reasonable attitudes and practices toward most aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Improvements in certain areas could be made by mass-level education.

  7. Khan FU, Khan A, Shah S, Hayat K, Usman A, Khan FU, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2021;12:754000.
    PMID: 34819859 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.754000
    Background: Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is one of the major issues around the globe. Timely education and awareness of pharmacy students regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics, ABR, and antimicrobial stewardships are required. Methods: The present study was first conducted in 12 (public and private sector) universities among undergraduate pharmacy students (UGPS) (n = 414) irrespective of their study year through a validated questionnaire, and the insights of pharmacy teachers were taken through in-depth semi-structured interviews in the second phase. For the quantitative data, different statistical methods were used, and data were presented in tabulated form, whereas inductive thematic interpretation was used to categorize themes and derive conclusions from qualitative evidence. Results: The majority of the students were males (n = 223, 54%) with the mean age group 19-23 years, and 20 faculty members were interviewed with a mean duration of 15 min. Students have good knowledge about antibiotics use and the majority purchased antibiotics through prescription (n = 277, 66.9%) during the last month and strongly agreed to stop unnecessary household storage (n = 183 44.2%). Most of the students have heard the terminologies related to antimicrobial resistance through social media while unaware (n = 104, 25.1%) of a Pakistan national action plan against AMR (antimicrobial resistance). Overall, respondents have a somewhat good understanding of the ABR. Regular use of antibiotics without consultation of a physician can lead to ABR and some wrong answers were observed (162, 39.1%; p > 0.05). The majority of the students (n = 198, 47.8%) and teachers believe that the current pharmacy syllabus must be swiftly updated with the new subjects related to ABR and AMS (antimicrobial stewardship) in Pakistan. The UGPS have emphasized (n = 220, 53.1%; Median = 1, IQR = 2) establishing a link between academia and hospitals. The ABR issue has been highlighted by pharmacy faculty members, who have urged students to take practical efforts toward ABR and AMS knowledge. Conclusion: The UGPS knowledge related to ABR and AMS must be updated. Students at the undergraduate level must get training in order to encourage the sensible use of antibiotics. Courses on ABR and AMS should be included in present pharmacy curricula.
  8. Shukar S, Zahoor F, Omer S, Awan SE, Yang C, Fang Y
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Dec 06;19(23).
    PMID: 36498446 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316373
    This study aimed to examine the current situation of anti-cancer drug shortages in Pakistan, namely its determinants, impacts, adopted mitigation strategies, and proposed solutions. Qualitative semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 pharmacists in oncology hospitals in Pakistan from August to October 2021. Data were collected in person and online, recorded, and subjected to inductive thematic analysis after being transcribed verbatim. Most participants experienced anti-cancer drug shortages that increased during the pandemic. Etoposide, paclitaxel, vincristine, dacarbazine, and methotrexate were frequently short. Important causes included the compromised role of regulatory authorities, lack of local production, and inventory mismanagement. The impacts were delayed/suboptimal treatment and out-of-pocket costs for patients, patients' prioritization, increased workload, negative work environment, and patients' trust issues for pharmacists. The participants proposed that a cautious regulator's role is needed to revise policies for all stakeholders and support all stakeholders financially at their level to increase access to these medicines. Based on the outcomes, it is clear that anti-cancer medicine shortages are a current issue in Pakistan. Governmental authorities need to play a role in revising policies for all levels of the drug supply chain and promoting local production of these drugs. Stakeholders should also collaborate and manage inventory.
  9. Peng S, Othman AT, Khairani AZ, Zeng G, Xiaogang Z, Fang Y
    Digit Health, 2023;9:20552076231188213.
    PMID: 37492032 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231188213
    BACKGROUND: Although the pedometer- and accelerometer-based interventions (PABI) have demonstrated efficacy in improving physical activity (PA) and health-related outcomes, the dearth of empirical evidence in college students warrants further investigation.

    OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to examine the effects of PABI on improving PA and health-related outcomes among college students.

    METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO were searched for relevant literature from inception to 20 February 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted among college students with PABI to increase objectively measured PA as the primary outcome were included in this study.

    RESULTS: A total of nine RCTs with 527 participants were included in this study. The combined results showed that PABI significantly improved PA (standardized mean difference = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08, 0.74, P = 0.016) and significantly contributed to weight loss (mean differences (MD) = -1.56 kg, 95% CI: -2.40 kg, -0.73 kg, P 

  10. Fang YK, Osama M, Rashmi W, Shahbaz K, Khalid M, Mjalli FS, et al.
    Nanotechnology, 2016 Feb 19;27(7):075702.
    PMID: 26766874 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/7/075702
    This study introduces a new class of heat transfer fluids by dispersing functionalised graphene oxide nanoparticles (GNPs) in ammonium and phosphonium-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) without the aid of a surfactant. Different molar ratios of salts and hydrogen bond donors (HBD) were used to synthesise DESs for the preparation of different concentrations of graphene nanofluids (GNFs). The concentrations of GNPs were 0.01 wt%, 0.02 wt% and 0.05 wt %. Homogeneous and stable suspensions of nanofluids were obtained by high speed homogenisation and an ultrasonication process. The stability of the GNFs was determined through visual observation for 4 weeks followed by a centrifugal process (5000-20,000 rpm) for 30 min in addition to zeta potential studies. Dispersion of the GNPs in DES was observed using an optical microscope. The synthesised DES-based GNFs showed no particle agglomeration and formation of sediments in the nanofluids. Thermo-physical properties such as thermal conductivity and specific heat of the nanofluids were also investigated in this research. The highest thermal conductivity enhancement of 177% was observed. The findings of this research provide a new class of engineered fluid for heat transfer applications as a function of temperature, type and composition DESs as well as the GNPs concentration.
  11. Tang C, Yang M, Fang Y, Luo Y, Gao S, Xiao X, et al.
    Nat Plants, 2016 05 23;2(6):16073.
    PMID: 27255837 DOI: 10.1038/nplants.2016.73
    The Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is an economically important tropical tree species that produces natural rubber, an essential industrial raw material. Here we present a high-quality genome assembly of this species (1.37 Gb, scaffold N50 = 1.28 Mb) that covers 93.8% of the genome (1.47 Gb) and harbours 43,792 predicted protein-coding genes. A striking expansion of the REF/SRPP (rubber elongation factor/small rubber particle protein) gene family and its divergence into several laticifer-specific isoforms seem crucial for rubber biosynthesis. The REF/SRPP family has isoforms with sizes similar to or larger than SRPP1 (204 amino acids) in 17 other plants examined, but no isoforms with similar sizes to REF1 (138 amino acids), the predominant molecular variant. A pivotal point in Hevea evolution was the emergence of REF1, which is located on the surface of large rubber particles that account for 93% of rubber in the latex (despite constituting only 6% of total rubber particles, large and small). The stringent control of ethylene synthesis under active ethylene signalling and response in laticifers resolves a longstanding mystery of ethylene stimulation in rubber production. Our study, which includes the re-sequencing of five other Hevea cultivars and extensive RNA-seq data, provides a valuable resource for functional genomics and tools for breeding elite Hevea cultivars.
  12. Ma RC, Hu C, Tam CH, Zhang R, Kwan P, Leung TF, et al.
    Diabetologia, 2013 Jun;56(6):1291-305.
    PMID: 23532257 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-013-2874-4
    AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Most genetic variants identified for type 2 diabetes have been discovered in European populations. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in a Chinese population with the aim of identifying novel variants for type 2 diabetes in Asians.

    METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of three GWAS comprising 684 patients with type 2 diabetes and 955 controls of Southern Han Chinese descent. We followed up the top signals in two independent Southern Han Chinese cohorts (totalling 10,383 cases and 6,974 controls), and performed in silico replication in multiple populations.

    RESULTS: We identified CDKN2A/B and four novel type 2 diabetes association signals with p 

  13. Peng S, Fang Y, Othman AT, Liang J
    Front Psychol, 2022;13:940977.
    PMID: 36533019 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.940977
    BACKGROUND: No consensus on whether physical activity (PA) is related to physical and mental health among pediatric population remains has been reached to date. To further explore their association, our study assessed the effect of PA on physical and mental health of children and adolescents through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (RCTs).

    METHODS: Several databases(Web of science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central register of controlled trials, CINAHL) were searched from inception to 1st, December 2020 without language restrictions.

    RESULTS: 38,236 records were identified primitively and 31 included studies with 1,255 participants eventually met our inclusion criteria, all of which exhibited a relatively low-moderate risk of bias of overall quality. In regard to mental health, the administration of PA, compared with the control group, led to moderate improvements in Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD)[Standard mean difference (SMD) = -0.50, Confidence interval(CI): -0.87, -0.14)] and depression(SMD = -0.68, CI: -0.98, -0.38) among children and adolescents. Similarly, significant result was observed in obesity (SMD = -0.58, CI: -0.80, -0.36). No significant differences were observed in Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (SMD = -0.29, CI: -0.59, 0.01).

    CONCLUSION: Altogether, PA may have a beneficial effect on children and adolescents with ASD, depression and obesity; nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence to confirm its efficacy in ADHD. More large-scale population based randomized controlled trials are needed to explore more reliable evidence between them.

  14. Wang Y, Cheng C, Zhang Z, Wang J, Wang Y, Li X, et al.
    Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet, 2018 12;177(8):709-716.
    PMID: 30350918 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32675
    No biologically based diagnostic criteria are in clinical use today for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder (MDD), which are defined with reference to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual clinical symptoms alone. However, these disorders cannot always be well distinguished on clinical grounds and may also be comorbid. A biological blood-based dynamic genomic signature that can differentiate among OCD, MDD, and schizophrenia would therefore be of great utility. This study enrolled 77 patients with OCD, 67 controls with no psychiatric illness, 39 patients with MDD, and 40 with schizophrenia. An OCD-specific gene signature was identified using blood gene expression analysis to construct a predictive model of OCD that can differentiate this disorder from healthy controls, MDD, and schizophrenia using a logistic regression algorithm. To verify that the genes selected were not derived as a result of chance, the algorithm was tested twice. First, the algorithm was used to predict the cohort with true disease/control status and second, the algorithm predicted the cohort with disease/control status randomly reassigned (null set). A six-gene panel (COPS7A, FKBP1A, FIBP, TP73-AS1, SDF4, and GOLGA8A) discriminated patients with OCD from healthy controls, MDD, and schizophrenia in the training set (with an area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve of 0.938; accuracy, 86%; sensitivity, 88%; and specificity, 85%). Our findings indicate that a blood transcriptomic signature can distinguish OCD from healthy controls, MDD, and schizophrenia. This finding further confirms the feasibility of using dynamic blood-based genomic signatures in psychiatric disorders and may provide a useful tool for clinical staff engaged in OCD diagnosis and decision making.
  15. Srisurapanont M, Hong JP, Tian-Mei S, Hatim A, Liu CY, Udomratn P, et al.
    Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Dec;5(4):259-67.
    PMID: 24038919 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12104
    The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical features of depression in Asian patients.
  16. Sulaiman AH, Bautista D, Liu CY, Udomratn P, Bae JN, Fang Y, et al.
    Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 2014 Apr;68(4):245-54.
    PMID: 24829935
    The aim of this study was to compare the symptomatic and clinical features of depression among five groups of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) living in China, Korea, Malaysia/Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
  17. Yang J, Lu J, Zhu Q, Tao Y, Zhu Q, Guo C, et al.
    J Biosci Bioeng, 2021 Aug;132(2):161-166.
    PMID: 33972168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2020.12.016
    As one of Lianyungang's most famous specialties, Acanthogobius hasta is delicious and nutritious fish, but is extremely susceptible to spoilage during transportation and storage. In this study, Lactobacillus plantarum MMB-07 was isolated from traditional fermented sour fish to reduce losses and improve the utilization and food value of A. hasta. L. plantarum MMB-07 had good ability of acid production and acid resistance. Moreover, it could also inhibit common pathogens in food or aquatic products to ensure the safety of fermented products. MMB-07 was used to ferment A. hasta and obtain fermented Suanyu rich in nutrition value and good flavor. The volatile base nitrogen was 18.44 mg/100 g and the fermented fish meat maintained second-grade freshness. Thiobarbituric acid assay was 0.90 mg/kg and fat in fish meat was oxidized to a low degree. The studies indicated that MMB-07 has a high application prospect in low salt fermented fish.
  18. Chen L, Xu YY, Lin JY, Ji ZP, Yang F, Tan S, et al.
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2024 Mar;93:103958.
    PMID: 38364597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.103958
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Suicide is nearly always associated with underlying mental disorders. Risk factors for suicide attempts (SAs) in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) remain unelucidated. This study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical risk factors of SAs in Chinese patients with BD misdiagnosed with MDD.

    METHODS: A total of 1487 patients with MDD from 13 mental health institutions in China were enrolled. Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to identify patients with BD who are misdiagnosed as MDD. The general sociodemographic and clinical data of the patients were collected and MINI suicide module was used to identify patients with SAs in these misdiagnosed patients.

    RESULTS: In China, 20.6% of patients with BD were incorrectly diagnosed as having MDD. Among these misdiagnosed patients, 26.5% had attempted suicide. These patients tended to be older, had a higher number of hospitalizations, and were more likely to experience frequent and seasonal depressive episodes with atypical features, psychotic symptoms, and suicidal thoughts. Frequent depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts during depression were identified as independent risk factors for SAs. Additionally, significant sociodemographic and clinical differences were found between individuals misdiagnosed with MDD in BD and patients with MDD who have attempted suicide.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis in individuals with BD and provide valuable insights for the targeted identification and intervention of individuals with BD misdiagnosed as having MDD and those with genuine MDD, particularly in relation to suicidal behavior.

  19. Klionsky DJ, Abdel-Aziz AK, Abdelfatah S, Abdellatif M, Abdoli A, Abel S, et al.
    Autophagy, 2021 Jan;17(1):1-382.
    PMID: 33634751 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280
    In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.
  20. Hooper TJN, Fang Y, Brown AAM, Pu SH, White TJ
    Nanoscale, 2021 Oct 01;13(37):15770-15780.
    PMID: 34528047 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr04602k
    This investigation has characterised the structure and surface chemistry of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals with controlled diameters between 6.4 to 12.8 nm. The nanocrystals were investigated via a thorough 133Cs solid state NMR and nuclear relaxation study, identifying and mapping radially-increasing nanoscale disorder. This work has formalised 133Cs NMR as a highly sensitive probe of nanocrystal size, which can conveniently analyse nanocrystals in solid forms, as they would be utilised in optoelectronic devices. A combined multinuclear solid state NMR and XPS approach, including 133Cs-1H heteronuclear correlation 2D (HETCOR) NMR, was utilised to study the nanocrystal surface and ligands, demonstrating that the surface is Cs-Br rich with vacancies passivated by didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) ligands. Furthermore, it is shown that a negligible amount of phosphonate ligands remain on the powder nanocrystal surface, despite the key role of octylphosphonic acid (OPA) in controlling the colloidal nanocrystal growth. The CsPbBr3 NCs were shown to be structurally stable under ambient conditions for up to 6 months, albeit with some particle agglomeration.
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