Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 26 in total

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  1. Chen A, Jiang J, Luo Y, Zhang G, Hu B, Wang X, et al.
    PeerJ, 2023;11:e16337.
    PMID: 38130929 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16337
    Drought monitoring is crucial for assessing and mitigating the impacts of water scarcity on various sectors and ecosystems. Although traditional drought monitoring relies on soil moisture data, remote sensing technology has have significantly augmented the capabilities for drought monitoring. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of two temperature vegetation drought indices (TVDI), TVDINDVI and TVDIEVI, constructed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) vegetation indices for drought monitoring. Using Guangdong Province as a case, enhanced versions of these indices, developed through Savitzky-Golay filtering and terrain correction were employed. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis and F-tests were utilized to determine the suitability of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in correlation with TVDINDVI and TVDIEVI. The results show that TVDINDVI had more meteorological stations passing both significance test levels (P 
  2. Chen L, Xie W, Luo Y, Ding X, Fu B, Gopinath SCB, et al.
    PMID: 33786878 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2155
    A highly sensitive silica-alumina (Si-Al)-modified capacitive non-Faradaic glucose biosensor was introduced to monitor gestational diabetes. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was attached to the Si-Al electrode surface as the probe through amine-modification followed by glutaraldehyde premixed GOx as aldehyde-amine chemistry. This Si-Al (∼50 nm) modified electrode surface has increased the current flow upon binding of GOx with glucose. Capacitance values were increased by increasing the glucose concentrations. A mean capacitance value was plotted and the detection limit was found as 0.03 mg/mL with the regression coefficient value, R² = 0.9782 [y = 0.8391x + 1.338] on the linear range between 0.03 and 1 mg/mL. Further, a biofouling experiment with fructose and galactose did not increase the capacitance, indicating the specific glucose detection. This Si-Al-modified capacitance sensor detects a lower level of glucose presence and helps in monitoring gestational diabetes.
  3. Chen Y, Chen Y, Shi W, Hu S, Huang Q, Liu GS, et al.
    Biosens Bioelectron, 2022 Feb 15;198:113787.
    PMID: 34864241 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113787
    High sensitivity and capturing ratio are strongly demanded for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors when applied in detection of small molecules. Herein, an SPR sensor is combined with a novel smart material, namely, MoS2 nanoflowers (MNFs), to demonstrate programmable adsorption/desorption of small bipolar molecules, i.e., amino acids. The MNFs overcoated on the plasmonic gold layer increase the sensitivity by 25% compared to an unmodified SPR sensor, because of the electric field enhancement at the gold surface. Furthermore, as the MNFs have rich edge sites and negatively charged surfaces, the MNF-SPR sensors exhibit not only much higher bipolar-molecule adsorption capability, but also efficient desorption of these molecules. It is demonstrated that the MNF-SPR sensors enable controllable detection of amino acids by adjusting solution pH according to their isoelectric points. In addition, the MNFs decorated on the plasmonic interface can be as nanostructure frameworks and modified with antibody, which allows for specific detection of proteins. This novel SPR sensor provides a new simple strategy for pre-screening of amino acid disorders in blood plasma and a universal high-sensitive platform for immunoassay.
  4. Chu C, Lutz JA, Král K, Vrška T, Yin X, Myers JA, et al.
    Ecol Lett, 2019 Feb;22(2):245-255.
    PMID: 30548766 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13175
    Climate is widely recognised as an important determinant of the latitudinal diversity gradient. However, most existing studies make no distinction between direct and indirect effects of climate, which substantially hinders our understanding of how climate constrains biodiversity globally. Using data from 35 large forest plots, we test hypothesised relationships amongst climate, topography, forest structural attributes (stem abundance, tree size variation and stand basal area) and tree species richness to better understand drivers of latitudinal tree diversity patterns. Climate influences tree richness both directly, with more species in warm, moist, aseasonal climates and indirectly, with more species at higher stem abundance. These results imply direct limitation of species diversity by climatic stress and more rapid (co-)evolution and narrower niche partitioning in warm climates. They also support the idea that increased numbers of individuals associated with high primary productivity are partitioned to support a greater number of species.
  5. Guo M, Xu J, Long X, Liu W, Aris AZ, Yang D, et al.
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2024 Mar 01;272:116110.
    PMID: 38364763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116110
    OBJECTIVE: We here explored whether perinatal nonylphenol (NP) exposure causes myocardial fibrosis (MF) during adulthood in offspring rats and determined the role of the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway in NP-induced fibrosis in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs).

    METHODS AND RESULTS: Histopathology revealed increased collagen deposition and altered fiber arrangement in the NP and isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) groups compared with the blank group. Systolic and diastolic functions were impaired. Western blotting and qRT-PCR demonstrated that the expression of central myofibrosis-related proteins (collagens Ι and ΙΙΙ, MMP2, MMP9, TGF-β1, α-SMA, IL-1β, and TGF-β1) and genes (Collagen Ι, Collagen ΙΙΙ, TGF-β1, and α-SMA mRNA) was upregulated in the NP and ISO groups compared with the blank group. The mRNA-seq analysis indicated differential expression of TGF-β1 signaling pathway-associated genes and proteins. Fibrosis-related protein and gene expression increased in the CFs stimulated with the recombinant human TGF-β1 and NP, which was consistent with the results of animal experiments. According to the immunofluorescence analysis and western blotting, NP exposure activated the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway whose action mechanism in NP-induced CFs was further validated using the LIMK1 inhibitor (BMS-5). The inhibitor modulated the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway and suppressed the NP-induced increase in fibrosis-related protein expression in the CFs. Thus, the aforementioned pathway is involved in NP-induced fibrosis.

    CONCLUSION: We here provide the first evidence that perinatal NP exposure causes myocardial fibrosis in growing male rat pups and reveal the molecular mechanism and functional role of the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway in this process.

  6. Ishigaki K, Sakaue S, Terao C, Luo Y, Sonehara K, Yamaguchi K, et al.
    Nat Genet, 2022 Nov;54(11):1640-1651.
    PMID: 36333501 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01213-w
    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly heritable complex disease with unknown etiology. Multi-ancestry genetic research of RA promises to improve power to detect genetic signals, fine-mapping resolution and performances of polygenic risk scores (PRS). Here, we present a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) of RA, which includes 276,020 samples from five ancestral groups. We conducted a multi-ancestry meta-analysis and identified 124 loci (P 
  7. Ji L, Luo Y, Bee YM, Xia J, Nguyen KT, Zhao W, et al.
    J Diabetes, 2023 Jun;15(6):474-487.
    PMID: 37088916 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13392
    The objective of this study was to provide recommendations regarding effectiveness, safety, optimal starting dose, optimal maintenance dose range, and target fasting plasma glucose of five basal insulins (glargine U-300, degludec U-100, glargine U-100, detemir, and insulin protamine Hagedorn) in insulin-naïve adult patients with type 2 diabetes in the Asia-Pacific region. Based on evidence from a systematic review, we developed an Asia-Pacific clinical practice guideline through comprehensive internal review and external review processes. We set up and used clinical thresholds of trivial, small, moderate, and large effects for different critical and important outcomes in the overall certainty of evidence assessment and balancing the magnitude of intervention effects when making recommendations, following GRADE methods (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). The AGREE (Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation) and RIGHT (Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare) guideline reporting checklists were complied with. After the second-round vote by the working group members, all the recommendations and qualifying statements reached over 75% agreement rates. Among 44 contacted external reviewers, we received 33 clinicians' and one patient's comments. The overall response rate was 77%. To solve the four research questions, we made two strong recommendations, six conditional recommendations, and two qualifying statements. Although the intended users of this guideline focused on clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region, the eligible evidence was based on recent English publications. We believe that the recommendations and the clinical thresholds set up in the guideline can be references for clinicians who take care of patients with type 2 diabetes worldwide.
  8. Jiang C, Zhu Y, Luo Y, Tan CS, Mastrotheodoros S, Costa P, et al.
    BMC Psychol, 2023 Oct 18;11(1):345.
    PMID: 37853499 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01293-1
    BACKGROUND: The 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is a widely used tool for individuals to self-report their self-esteem; however, the factorial structures of translated versions of the RSES vary across different languages. This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the RSES in the Chinese mainland using a longitudinal design.

    METHODS: A group of healthcare university students completed the RSES across three waves: baseline, 1-week follow-up, and 15-week follow-up. A total of 481 valid responses were collected through the three-wave data collection process. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the baseline data to explore the potential factorial structure, while confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the follow-up data to determine the best-fit model. Additionally, the cross-sectional and longitudinal measurement invariances were tested to assess the measurement properties of the RSES for different groups, such as gender and age, as well as across different time points. Convergent validity was assessed against the Self-Rated Health Questionnaire (SRHQ) using Spearman's correlation. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients, while test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient.

    RESULTS: The results of EFA revealed that Items 5, 8, and 9 had inadequate or cross-factor loadings, leading to their removal from further analysis. Analysis of the remaining seven items using EFA suggested a two-factor solution. A comparison of several potential models for the 10-item and 7-item RSES using CFA showed a preference for the 7-item form (RSES-7) with two factors. Furthermore, the RSES-7 exhibited strict invariance across different groups and time points, indicating its stability and consistency. The RSES-7 also demonstrated adequate convergent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability, which further supported its robustness as a measure of self-esteem.

    CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the RSES-7 is a psychometrically sound and brief self-report scale for measuring self-esteem in the Chinese context. More studies are warranted to further verify its usability.

  9. Khoo VPH, Ting RS, Wang X, Luo Y, Seeley J, Ong JJ, et al.
    Front Psychol, 2021;12:773510.
    PMID: 34955992 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.773510
    Background: Though many literatures documented burnout and occupational hazard among healthcare workers and frontliners during pandemic, not many adopted a systemic approach to look at the resilience among this population. Another under-studied population was the large numbers of global healthcare workers who have been deployed to tackle the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic in the less resourceful regions. We investigated both the mental wellbeing risk and protective factors of a deployed healthcare workers (DHWs) team in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak during 2020. Method: A consensual qualitative research approach was adopted with 25 DHWs from H province through semi-structured interviews after 3 months of deployment period. Results: Inductive-Deductive thematic coding with self-reflexivity revealed multi-layered risk and protective factors for DHWs at the COVID-19 frontline. Intensive working schedule and high-risk environment, compounded by unfamiliar work setting and colleagues; local culture adaptation; isolation from usual social circle, strained the DHWs. Meanwhile, reciprocal relationships and "familial relatedness" with patients and colleagues; organizational support to the DHWs and their immediate families back home, formed crucial wellbeing resources in sustaining the DHWs. The dynamic and dialectical relationships between risk and protective factors embedded in multiple layers of relational contexts could be mapped into a socio-ecological framework. Conclusion: Our multidisciplinary study highlights the unique social connectedness between patient-DHWs; within DHWs team; between deploying hospital and DHWs; and between DHWs and the local partners. We recommend five organizational strategies as mental health promotion and capacity building for DHWs to build a resilient network and prevent burnout at the disaster frontline.
  10. Li C, Wang R, Xu J, Luo Y, Tan ML, Jiang Y
    Int J Biometeorol, 2018 Dec;62(12):2197-2204.
    PMID: 30368677 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-018-1623-2
    Understanding the impacts of climate change on crop yield is important for improving crop growth and yield formation in northwestern China. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between meteorological dryness/wetness conditions and spring wheat yield in the Ili river basin (IRB). The climate and yield data from 1961 to 2013 were collected to analyze characteristics and correlations between these two variables using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), yield detrending method, modified Mann-Kendall test and Spearman correlation analysis. Main results were as follows: (1) correlations between monthly SPEI values (MSV) and climatic yield of spring wheat indicated that the dryness/wetness condition in May was a key factor affecting yield in the whole region; (2) although the MSV in May and yield fluctuated from negative to positive values in time, the severely and extremely dryness events were in good agreement with the higher yield losses; (3) each increase of 0.5 MSV in May promoted over 3% increase of yield in most part of IRB; however, the larger variability of MSV in May resulted in larger yield fluctuations; and (4) the Tibetan Plateau index in April showed significant correlations with the MSV in May and yield, which provided a precursory signal for decision-makers to better understand potential yield fluctuations.
  11. Lian Z, Chan Y, Luo Y, Yang X, Koh KS, Wang J, et al.
    Electrophoresis, 2020 06;41(10-11):891-901.
    PMID: 31998972 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201900403
    Scale-up in droplet microfluidics achieved by increasing the number of devices running in parallel or increasing the droplet makers in the same device can compromise the narrow droplet-size distribution, or requires high fabrication cost, when glass- or polymer-based microdevices are used. This paper reports a novel way using parallelization of needle-based microfluidic systems to form highly monodispersed droplets with enhanced production rates yet in cost-effective way, even when forming higher order emulsions with complex inner structure. Parallelization of multiple needle-based devices could be realized by applying commercially available two-way connecters and 3D-printed four-way connectors. The production rates of droplets could be enhanced around fourfold (over 660 droplets/min) to eightfold (over 1300 droplets/min) by two-way connecters and four-way connectors, respectively, for the production of the same kind of droplets than a single droplet maker (160 droplets/min). Additionally, parallelization of four-needle sets with each needle specification ranging from 34G to 20G allows for simultaneous generation of four groups of PDMS microdroplets with each group having distinct size yet high monodispersity (CV < 3%). Up to six cores can be encapsulated in double emulsion using two parallelly connected devices via tuning the capillary number of middle phase in a range of 1.31 × 10-4 to 4.64 × 10-4 . This study leads to enhanced production yields of droplets and enables the formation of groups of droplets simultaneously to meet extensive needs of biomedical and environmental applications, such as microcapsules with variable dosages for drug delivery or drug screening, or microcapsules with wide range of absorbent loadings for water treatment.
  12. Lin YP, Luo Y, Chen Y, Lamers MM, Zhou Q, Yang XH, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2016;16:102.
    PMID: 26932451 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1379-4
    Dengue virus is transmitted by mosquito around the tropical and sub-tropical regions. There was a large-scale dengue epidemic in Guangdong province, China during 2014 and around fifty thousands dengue fever cases, including six deaths, have been reported. In this study, we aimed to understand the clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed dengue virus (DENV) infection and determined the origin of the virus from the outbreak.
  13. Liu H, Ding Z, Fan Y, Luo Y, Yang Y
    Polymers (Basel), 2023 Sep 26;15(19).
    PMID: 37835940 DOI: 10.3390/polym15193892
    The bonding properties of BFRP composites have been demonstrated in previous studies, satisfying the strength and durability criteria. In this paper, a further in-depth study is carried out to bond Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) to Aluminum Alloy 5052 using two bonding agents, Aralite® 2012 and Aralite® 2015, respectively. The salt sprays under 80 °C, 3.5% NaCl environment; 80 °C, 5% NaCl environment; and pure water environment are also considered for comparison. Experimental results show that joints created with Araldite® 2012 adhesives show higher average breaking strength (10.66 MPa at 720 h) and better ductility in a 5% NaCl environment. While the Araldite® 2015 adhesive joint exhibits a combination of tear failure and interface failure, along with thin-layer cohesion failure. In the SEM images of the two adhesive joints' failure, fiber pullout due to tension and damage at the interface between fiber and resin is apparent. To validate the experimental outcomes, water absorption testing, DSC, TGA-DTG, and FTIR experiments were conducted on dog-bone-shaped adhesive specimens to elucidate the results.
  14. Liu J, Long J, Zhang S, Fang X, Luo Y
    J Pediatr (Rio J), 2013 07 11;89(5):434-43.
    PMID: 23850112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2013.01.008
    OBJECTIVE: To determine whether three variants (388 G>A, 521 T>C, and 463 C>A) of the solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) are associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

    DATA SOURCE: The China National Knowledge Infrastructure and MEDLINE databases were searched. The systematic review with meta-analysis included genetic studies which assessed the association between neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and 388 G>A, 521 T>C, and 463 C>A variants of SLCO1B1 between January of 1980 and December of 2012. Data selection and extraction were performed independently by two reviewers.

    SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Ten articles were included in the study. The results revealed that SLCO1B1 388 G>A is associated with an increased risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.07-1.82) in Chinese neonates, but not in white, Thai, Latin American, or Malaysian neonates. The SLCO1B1 521 T>C mutation showed a low risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Chinese neonates, while no significant associations were found in Brazilian, white, Asian, Thai, and Malaysian neonates. There were no significant differences in SLCO1B1 463 C>A between the hyperbilirubinemia and the control group.

    CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the 388 G>A mutation of the SLCO1B1 gene is a risk factor for developing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Chinese neonates, but not in white, Thai, Brazilian, or Malaysian populations; the SLCO1B1 521 T>C mutation provides protection for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Chinese neonates, but not in white, Thai, Brazilian, or Malaysian populations.

  15. Luo Y, Wang J, Wang P, Mai C, Wang J, Yap BK, et al.
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2021 Jun 18;11(6).
    PMID: 34207371 DOI: 10.3390/nano11061606
    We report the effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and storage on the performance of ZnO-based inverted quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). The effects of UV irradiation on the electrical properties of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated. We demonstrate that the charge balance was enhanced by improving the electron injection. The maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) and power efficiency (PE) of QLEDs were increased by 26% and 143% after UV irradiation for 15 min. In addition, we investigated the storage stabilities of the inverted QLEDs. During the storage period, the electron current from ZnO gradually decreased, causing a reduction in the device current. However, the QLEDs demonstrated improvements in maximum EQE by 20.7% after two days of storage. Our analysis indicates that the suppression of exciton quenching at the interface of ZnO and quantum dots (QDs) during the storage period could result in the enhancement of EQE. This study provides a comprehension of the generally neglected factors, which could be conducive to the realization of high-efficiency and highly storage-stable practical applications.
  16. Luo Y, Xia J, Zhao Z, Chang Y, Bee YM, Nguyen KT, et al.
    J Diabetes, 2023 Apr 10.
    PMID: 37038616 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13381
    AIMS: To investigate the effectiveness, safety, optimal starting dose, optimal maintenance dose range, and target fasting plasma glucose of five basal insulins in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 2000 to February 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was adopted. The registration ID is CRD42022319078 in PROSPERO.

    RESULTS: Among 11 163 citations retrieved, 35 publications met the planned criteria. From meta-analyses and network meta-analyses, we found that when injecting basal insulin regimens at bedtime, the optimal choice in order of most to least effective might be glargine U-300 or degludec U-100, glargine U-100 or detemir, followed by neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH). Injecting glargine U-100 in the morning may be more effective (ie, more patients archiving glycated hemoglobin 

  17. Luo Y, Chang Y, Zhao Z, Xia J, Xu C, Bee YM, et al.
    Lancet Reg Health West Pac, 2023 Jun;35:100746.
    PMID: 37424694 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100746
    BACKGROUND: Technological advances make it possible to use device-supported, automated algorithms to aid basal insulin (BI) dosing titration in patients with type 2 diabetes.

    METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and quality of life of automated BI titration versus conventional care. The literature in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane databases from January 2000 to February 2022 were searched to identify relevant studies. Risk ratios (RRs), mean differences (MDs), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effect meta-analyses. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

    FINDINGS: Six of the 7 eligible studies (889 patients) were included in meta-analyses. Low- to moderate-quality evidence suggests that patients who use automated BI titration versus conventional care may have a higher probability of reaching a target of HbA1c <7.0% (RR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.16-2.86]); and a lower level of HbA1c (MD, -0.25% [95% CI, -0.43 to -0.06%]). No statistically significant differences were detected between the two groups in fasting glucose results, incidences of hypoglycemia, severe or nocturnal hypoglycemia, and quality of life, with low to very low certainty for all the evidence.

    INTERPRETATION: Automated BI titration is associated with small benefits in reducing HbA1c without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Future studies should explore patient attitudes and the cost-effectiveness of this approach.

    FUNDING: Sponsored by the Chinese Geriatric Endocrine Society.

  18. Nazri NAA, Azeman NH, Bakar MHA, Mobarak NN, Luo Y, Arsad N, et al.
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2021 Dec 23;12(1).
    PMID: 35009983 DOI: 10.3390/nano12010035
    This paper demonstrates carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with triangular silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as the sensing materials of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors for chlorophyll detection. The CQDs and AgNPs were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal process and a direct chemical reduction process, respectively. FTIR analysis shows that a CQD consists of NH2, OH, and COOH functional groups. The appearance of C=O and NH2 at 399.5 eV and 529.6 eV in XPS analysis indicates that functional groups are available for adsorption sites for chlorophyll interaction. A AgNP-CQD composite was coated on the glass slide surface using (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) as a coupling agent and acted as the active sensing layer for chlorophyll detection. In LSPR sensing, the linear response detection for AgNP-CQD demonstrates R2 = 0.9581 and a sensitivity of 0.80 nm ppm-1, with a detection limit of 4.71 ppm ranging from 0.2 to 10.0 ppm. Meanwhile, a AgNP shows a linear response of R2 = 0.1541 and a sensitivity of 0.25 nm ppm-1, with the detection limit of 52.76 ppm upon exposure to chlorophyll. Based on these results, the AgNP-CQD composite shows a better linearity response and a higher sensitivity than bare AgNPs when exposed to chlorophyll, highlighting the potential of AgNP-CQD as a sensing material in this study.
  19. Taha BA, Al Mashhadany Y, Al-Jubouri Q, Rashid ARBA, Luo Y, Chen Z, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2023 Jul 01;880:163333.
    PMID: 37028663 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163333
    Constantly mutating SARS-CoV-2 is a global concern resulting in COVID-19 infectious waves from time to time in different regions, challenging present-day diagnostics and therapeutics. Early-stage point-of-care diagnostic (POC) biosensors are a crucial vector for the timely management of morbidity and mortalities caused due to COVID-19. The state-of-the-art SARS-CoV-2 biosensors depend upon developing a single platform for its diverse variants/biomarkers, enabling precise detection and monitoring. Nanophotonic-enabled biosensors have emerged as 'one platform' to diagnose COVID-19, addressing the concern of constant viral mutation. This review assesses the evolution of current and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 and critically summarizes the current state of biosensor approaches for detecting SARS-CoV-2 variants/biomarkers employing nanophotonic-enabled diagnostics. It discusses the integration of modern-age technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and 5G communication with nanophotonic biosensors for intelligent COVID-19 monitoring and management. It also highlights the challenges and potential opportunities for developing intelligent biosensors for diagnosing future SARS-CoV-2 variants. This review will guide future research and development on nano-enabled intelligent photonic-biosensor strategies for early-stage diagnosing of highly infectious diseases to prevent repeated outbreaks and save associated human mortalities.
  20. 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.
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