Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 35 in total

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  1. Zhang H, Gao J, Ma Z, Liu Y, Wang G, Liu Q, et al.
    Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 2022;12:1082809.
    PMID: 36530420 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1082809
    BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is gram-negative and common intracellular bacteria, which is maternally inherited endosymbionts and could expand their propagation in host populations by means of various manipulations. Recent reports reveal the natural infection of Wolbachia in Aedes Aegypti in Malaysia, India, Philippines, Thailand and the United States. At present, none of Wolbachia natural infection in Ae. aegypti has been reported in China.

    METHODS: A total of 480 Ae. aegypti adult mosquitoes were collected from October and November 2018 based on the results of previous investigations and the distribution of Ae. aegypti in Yunnan. Each individual sample was processed and screened for the presence of Wolbachia by PCR with wsp primers. Phylogenetic trees for the wsp gene was constructed using the neighbour-joining method with 1,000 bootstrap replicates, and the p-distance distribution model of molecular evolution was applied.

    RESULTS: 24 individual adult mosquito samples and 10 sample sites were positive for Wolbachia infection. The Wolbachia infection rate (IR) of each population ranged from 0 - 41.7%. The infection rate of group A alone was 0%-10%, the infection rate of group B alone was 0%-7.7%, and the infection rate of co-infection with A and B was 0-33.3%.

    CONCLUSIONS: Wolbachia infection in wild Ae. aegypti in China is the first report based on PCR amplification of the Wolbachia wsp gene. The Wolbachia infection is 5%, and the wAlbA and wAlbB strains were found to be prevalent in the natural population of Ae. aegypti in Yunnan Province.

  2. Tang DYY, Chew KW, Chia SR, Ting HY, Sia YH, Gentili FG, et al.
    Environ Technol, 2022 Dec 19.
    PMID: 36536589 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2150094
    Overgrowth of microalgae will result in harmful algae blooms that can affect the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Therefore, the quantitation of chlorophyll pigments can be used as an indicator of algae bloom. However, it is difficult to monitor the geographical and temporal distribution of chlorophyll in the aquatic environment. Accordingly, an innovative and inexpensive method based on the red-green-blue (RGB) image analysis was utilized in this study to estimate the microalgae chlorophyll content. The digital images were acquired using a smartphone camera. The colour index was then evaluated using software and associated with chlorophyll concentration significantly. A regression model, using RGB colour components as independent variables to estimate chlorophyll concentration, was developed and validated. The Green in the RGB index was the most promising way to estimate chlorophyll concentration in microalgae. The result showed that acetone was the best extractant solvent with a high R-squared value among the four extractant solvents. Next, the isolation of useful biomolecules, such as proteins, fatty acids, polysaccharides and antioxidants from the microalgae, has been recognized as an alternative to regulating algae bloom. Microalgae are shown to produce bioactive compounds with a variety of biological activities that can be applied in various industries. This study evaluates the biochemical composition of mixed microalgae species, Desmodesmus sp. and Scenedesmus sp. using the liquid triphasic partitioning (TPP) system. The findings from analytical assays revealed that the biomass consisted of varied concentrations of carbohydrates, protein, and lipids. Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were at 60.22 mg/L and 90.69%, respectively.
  3. Ma Z, Idris S, Zhang Y, Zewen L, Wali A, Ji Y, et al.
    BMC Pediatr, 2021 02 24;21(1):95.
    PMID: 33627089 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02550-1
    BACKGROUND: The emerging of psychological problems triggered by COVID-19 particularly in children have been extensively highlighted and emphasized, but original research in this respect is still lagging behind. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and the effectiveness and attitudes towards online education among Chinese children aged 7-15 years.

    METHODS: A detailed questionnaire, comprising of 62 questions was designed and parents or caretakers of 7 to 15 years old children were invited to participate via WeChat, a multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app, which is widely used by the Chinese population. A total of 668 parents across different regions of China were included.

    RESULTS: During COVID-19 pandemic, 20.7 and 7.2% children report experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PTSD and SMFQ-P scores are significantly higher in middle school and boarding school students compared to primary and day school students. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that school system and province of origin are factors significantly associated with developing PSTD symptoms. 44.3% respondents feel online education is effective in gaining knowledge and improving practical and communications skills. 78.0% believe the online education system is efficient. Overall 79.8% respondents are satisfied and children can adapt to this new education system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we found 1 in five children have PTSD and 1 in 14 children have depressive symptoms.

    CONCLUSION: In summary, COVID-19 epidemic has caused PTSD and depression symptoms among Chinese children aged 7 to 15 years. In general, a large proportion of respondents are satisfied with online education, but still a substantial proportion of students are not comfortable with this new form of learning. Authorities should optimize online education systems and implement effective interventions to cope with the psychological effects of COVID-19 on children, as it is affecting the global population and remains uncertain when it will end.

  4. Li L, Su Y, Li F, Wang Y, Ma Z, Li Z, et al.
    BMC Microbiol, 2020 03 24;20(1):65.
    PMID: 32209070 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01754-2
    BACKGROUND: It has recently been reported that intermittent fasting shapes the gut microbiota to benefit health, but this effect may be influenced to the exact fasting protocols. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of different daily fasting hours on shaping the gut microbiota in mice. Healthy C57BL/6 J male mice were subjected to 12, 16 or 20 h fasting per day for 1 month, and then fed ad libitum for an extended month. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing and food intake was recorded as well.

    RESULTS: We found that cumulative food intake was not changed in the group with 12 h daily fasting, but significantly decreased in the 16 and 20 h fasting groups. The composition of gut microbiota was altered by all these types of intermittent fasting. At genus level, 16 h fasting led to increased level of Akkermansia and decreased level of Alistipes, but these effects disappeared after the cessation of fasting. No taxonomic differences were identified in the other two groups.

    CONCLUSIONS: These data indicated that intermittent fasting shapes gut microbiota in healthy mice, and the length of daily fasting interval may influence the outcome of intermittent fasting.

  5. Khan AJ, Sajjad M, Khan S, Khan M, Mateen A, Shah SS, et al.
    Chem Rec, 2024 Jan;24(1):e202300302.
    PMID: 38010947 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202300302
    As supercapacitor (SC) technology continues to evolve, there is a growing need for electrode materials with high energy/power densities and cycling stability. However, research and development of electrode materials with such characteristics is essential for commercialization the SC. To meet this demand, the development of superior electrode materials has become an increasingly critical step. The electrochemical performance of SCs is greatly influenced by various factors such as the reaction mechanism, crystal structure, and kinetics of electron/ion transfer in the electrodes, which have been challenging to address using previously investigated electrode materials like carbon and metal oxides/sulfides. Recently, tellurium and telluride-based materials have garnered increasing interest in energy storage technology owing to their high electronic conductivity, favorable crystal structure, and excellent volumetric capacity. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental properties and energy storage performance of tellurium- and Te-based materials by introducing their physicochemical properties. First, we elaborate on the significance of tellurides. Next, the charge storage mechanism of functional telluride materials and important synthesis strategies are summarized. Then, research advancements in metal and carbon-based telluride materials, as well as the effectiveness of tellurides for SCs, were analyzed by emphasizing their essential properties and extensive advantages. Finally, the remaining challenges and prospects for improving the telluride-based supercapacitive performance are outlined.
  6. Tian Y, Ding B, Ma ZR, Yang JT, Ding GT, Liu HN
    J Dairy Sci, 2023 Nov;106(11):7419-7431.
    PMID: 37641279 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23300
    Due to the lack of basic information on Chinese ghee and the increasing demand of consumers for natural oils, this study aims to explore and distinguish the quality characteristics of ghee in different regions of China. Ghee samples from 16 regions of Qinghai Province, Gansu Province, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and Tibet Autonomous Region were selected and their physicochemical properties, fatty acids, texture, antioxidant and antibacterial activities were determined. The results showed that: (1) The physicochemical properties of ghee were different from different regions, but the freshness and fat content are generally high. The results of iodine value and saponification value suggest that the fatty acid composition is good; (2) The unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid content of ghee in Tibet and Xinjiang ranges from 63.05% to 79.13%, which is better than that in other regions; (3) Gansu Diebu ghee has the highest hardness (40.69 N); (4) Ghee from different regions has good antioxidant activity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity is 30.45% to 58.06%, ABTS free radical scavenging activity is 41.14% to 65.53%, and has varying degrees of inhibition on gram-positive bacteria. In addition, yak ghee, cattle-yak ghee and cow ghee have better fatty acid composition and antibacterial ability than scalper ghee. The results of this study distinguish the differences in the quality characteristics of yak ghee in different geographical regions. Therefore, it can provide a theoretical basis for the origin tracing and quality-oriented improvement of yak ghee.
  7. Su J, Wang Y, Zhang X, Ma M, Xie Z, Pan Q, et al.
    Am J Clin Nutr, 2021 May 08;113(5):1332-1342.
    PMID: 33842951 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa388
    BACKGROUND: Intermittent fasting is a popular dietary intervention with perceived relatively easy compliance and is linked to various health benefits, including weight loss and improvement in blood glucose concentrations. The mechanistic explanations underlying the beneficial effects of intermittent fasting remain largely obscure but may involve alterations in the gut microbiota.

    OBJECTIVES: We sought to establish the effects of 1 mo of intermittent fasting on the gut microbiome.

    METHODS: We took advantage of intermittent fasting being voluntarily observed during the Islamic faith-associated Ramadan and sampled feces and blood, as well as collected longitudinal physiologic data in 2 cohorts, sampled in 2 different years. The fecal microbiome was determined by 16S sequencing. Results were contrasted to age- and body weight-matched controls and correlated to physiologic parameters (e.g., body mass and calorie intake).

    RESULTS: We observed that Ramadan-associated intermittent fasting increased microbiome diversity and was specifically associated with upregulation of the Clostridiales order-derived Lachnospiraceae [no fasting 24.6 ± 13.67 compared with fasting 39.7 ± 15.9 in relative abundance (%); linear discriminant analysis = 4.9, P 

  8. Ng YJ, Chan SS, Khoo KS, Munawaroh HSH, Lim HR, Chew KW, et al.
    Biotechnol Adv, 2023 Nov;68:108198.
    PMID: 37330152 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108198
    Surfactants have always been a prominent chemical that is useful in various sectors (e.g., cleaning agent production industry, textile industry and painting industry). This is due to the special ability of surfactants to reduce surface tension between two fluid surfaces (e.g., water and oil). However, the current society has long omitted the harmful effects of petroleum-based surfactants (e.g., health issues towards humans and reducing cleaning ability of water bodies) due to their usefulness in reducing surface tension. These harmful effects will significantly damage the environment and negatively affect human health. As such, there is an urgency to secure environmentally friendly alternatives such as glycolipids to reduce the effects of these synthetic surfactants. Glycolipids is a biomolecule that shares similar properties with surfactants that are naturally synthesized in the cell of living organisms, glycolipids are amphiphilic in nature and can form micelles when glycolipid molecules clump together, reducing surface tension between two surfaces as how a surfactant molecule is able to achieve. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive study on the recent advances in bacteria cultivation for glycolipids production and current lab scale applications of glycolipids (e.g., medical and waste bioremediation). Studies have proven that glycolipids are effective anti-microbial agents, subsequently leading to an excellent anti-biofilm forming agent. Heavy metal and hydrocarbon contaminated soil can also be bioremediated via the use of glycolipids. The major hurdle in the commercialization of glycolipid production is that the cultivation stage and downstream extraction stage of the glycolipid production process induces a very high operating cost. This review provides several solutions to overcome this issue for glycolipid production for the commercialization of glycolipids (e.g., developing new cultivating and extraction techniques, using waste as cultivation medium for microbes and identifying new strains for glycolipid production). The contribution of this review aims to serve as a future guideline for researchers that are dealing with glycolipid biosurfactants by providing an in-depth review on the recent advances of glycolipid biosurfactants. By summarizing the points discussed as above, it is recommended that glycolipids can substitute synthetic surfactants as an environmentally friendly alternative.
  9. Tan KY, Low SS, Manickam S, Ma Z, Banat F, Munawaroh HSH, et al.
    Food Res Int, 2023 Jul;169:112870.
    PMID: 37254319 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112870
    Nutraceutical supplements provide health benefits, such as fulfilling the lack of nutrients in the human body or being utilized to treat or cure certain diseases. As the world population is growing, certain countries are experiencing food crisis challenges, causing natural foods are not sustainable to be used for nutraceutical production because it will require large-scale of food supply to produce enriched nutraceutics. The high demand for abundant nutritional compounds has made microalgae a reliable source as they can synthesize high-value molecules through photosynthetic activities. However, some microalgae species are limited in growth and unable to accumulate a significant amount of biomass due to several factors related to environmental conditions. Therefore, adding nanoparticles (NPs) as a photocatalyst is considered to enhance the yield rate of microalgae in an energy-saving and economical way. This review focuses on the composition of microalgal biomass for nutraceutical production, the health perspectives of nutritional compounds on humans, and the application of nanotechnology on microalgae for improved production and harvesting. The results obtained show that microalgal-based compounds indeed have better nutrients content than natural foods. However, nanotechnology must be further comprehended to make them non-hazardous and sustainable.
  10. Zainul NH, Ma ZF, Besari A, Siti Asma H, Rahman RA, Collins DA, et al.
    Epidemiol Infect, 2017 Oct;145(14):3012-3019.
    PMID: 28891459 DOI: 10.1017/S0950268817002011
    Little is known about Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in Asia. The aims of our study were to explore (i) the prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology of CDI and colonization in a tertiary academic hospital in North-Eastern Peninsular Malaysia; (ii) the rate of carriage of C. difficile among the elderly in the region; (iii) the awareness level of this infection among the hospital staffs and students. For stool samples collected from hospital inpatients with diarrhea (n = 76) and healthy community members (n = 138), C. difficile antigen and toxins were tested by enzyme immunoassay. Stool samples were subsequently analyzed by culture and molecular detection of toxin genes, and PCR ribotyping of isolates. To examine awareness among hospital staff and students, participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. For the hospital and community studies, the prevalence of non-toxigenic C. difficile colonization was 16% and 2%, respectively. The prevalence of CDI among hospital inpatients with diarrhea was 13%. Out of 22 C. difficile strains from hospital inpatients, the toxigenic ribotypes 043 and 017 were most common (both 14%). In univariate analysis, C. difficile colonization in hospital inpatients was significantly associated with greater duration of hospitalization and use of penicillin (both P < 0·05). Absence of these factors was a possible reason for low colonization in the community. Only 3% of 154 respondents answered all questions correctly in the awareness survey. C. difficile colonization is prevalent in a Malaysian hospital setting but not in the elderly community with little or no contact with hospitals. Awareness of CDI is alarmingly poor.
  11. Wei J, Ren W, Wang L, Liu M, Tian X, Ding G, et al.
    J Sci Food Agric, 2020 Dec;100(15):5627-5636.
    PMID: 32712996 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10690
    BACKGROUND: Serofluid dish, a traditional Chinese fermented food, possesses unique flavors and health beneficial effects. These properties are likely due to the sophisticated metabolic networks during fermentation, which are mainly driven by microbiota. However, the exact roles of metabolic pathways and the microbial community during this process remain equivocal.

    RESULTS: Here, we investigated the microbial dynamics by next-generation sequencing, and outlined a differential non-targeted metabolite profiling in the process of serofluid dish fermentation using the method of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Lactobacillus was the leading genus of bacteria, while Pichia and Issatchenkia were the dominant fungi. They all accumulated during fermentation. In total, 218 differential metabolites were identified, of which organic acids, amino acids, sugar and sugar alcohols, fatty acids, and esters comprised the majority. The constructed metabolic network showed that tricarboxylic acid cycle, urea cycle, sugar metabolism, amino acids metabolism, choline metabolism, and flavonoid metabolism were regulated by the fermentation. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that the leading fungi, Pichia and Issatchenkia, were linked to organic acids, amino acid and sugar metabolism, flavonoids, and several other flavor and functional components. Antibacterial tests indicated the antibacterial effect of serofluid soup against Salmonella and Staphylococcus.

    CONCLUSION: This work provides new insights into the complex microbial and metabolic networks during serofluid dish fermentation, and a theoretical basis for the optimization of its industrial production. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

  12. Liu Z, Li H, Gao D, Su J, Su Y, Ma Z, et al.
    Open Life Sci, 2022;17(1):1629-1640.
    PMID: 36567720 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0516
    Ghee is a traditional Tibetan dairy product with high-fat content, low yield, plasticity, caseation, and rich nutrition. In this study, we analyzed the diversity of microbial communities in yak milk and ghee samples at high and low altitudes, especially the Lactobacillus genus, and further used metabolomic techniques to compare the differences in metabolites in yak ghee at different altitudes. The results showed that the increase in altitude had a significant and generally inhibitory effect on the microbial community diversity in milk ghee, and yak milk at high altitude was abundant in nutrients, which could antagonize the negative impact of increased altitude. Using non-targeted metabolomics, we infer the composition of flavor compounds in ghee: nine kinds of carboxylic acids, 11 kinds of esters, six kinds of ketones, two kinds of alcohols, and four kinds of alkene compounds, among which the key flavor compounds are dl-2-(acetylamino)-3-phenylephrine acid, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone, sebacic acid, Lysope 18:1, and uracil 1-beta-d-arabinofuranoside. These flavor substances are found in Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus. With the participation of Lactobacillus, it is synthesized through biosynthesis of alkaloids derived from ornithine, lysine, and nicotine acid and glyoxylate and decarboxylate metabolism, among which Lactococcus plays a key role. In this study, a variety of lactic acid bacteria related to ghee fermentation were screened out, revealing the composition of volatile flavor compounds in Gannan yak milk ghee in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and providing a reference for further key volatile flavor compounds and the formation mechanism of flavor compounds.
  13. Ma Z, Cheah WY, Ng IS, Chang JS, Zhao M, Show PL
    Trends Biotechnol, 2022 Dec;40(12):1439-1453.
    PMID: 36216714 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.09.002
    Excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere have become a dire threat to the human race and environmental sustainability. The ultimate goal of net zero emissions requires combined efforts on CO2 sequestration (natural sinks, biomass fixation, engineered approaches) and reduction in CO2 emissions while delivering economic growth (CO2 valorization for a circular carbon bioeconomy, CCE). We discuss microalgae-based CO2 biosequestration, including flue gas cultivation, biotechnological approaches for enhanced CO2 biosequestration, technological innovations for microalgal cultivation, and CO2 valorization/biofuel productions. We highlight challenges to current practices and future perspectives with the goal of contributing to environmental sustainability, net zero emissions, and the CCE.
  14. Song C, Xiong Y, Jin P, Sun Y, Zhang Q, Ma Z, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2023 Oct 15;895:164986.
    PMID: 37353016 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164986
    China is responsible for the biggest shellfish and macroalgae production in the world. In this study, comprehensive methods were used to assess the CO2 release and sequestration by maricultured shellfish and macroalgae in China. Through considering CaCO3 production and CO2 release coefficient (Φ, moles of CO2 released per mole of CaCO3 formed) in different waters, we find that cultured shellfish released 0.741 ± 0.008 Tg C yr-1 through calcification based on the data of 2016-2020. In addition to calcification, maricultured shellfish released 0.580 ± 0.004 Tg C yr-1 by respiration. Meanwhile, shellfish sequestered 0.145 ± 0.001 and 0.0387 ± 0.0004 Tg C yr-1 organic carbon in sediments and shells, respectively. Therefore, the net released CO2 by maricultured shellfish was 1.136 ± 0.011 Tg C yr-1, which is about four times higher than that maricultured macroalgae could sequester (0.280 ± 0.010 Tg C yr-1). To achieve carbon neutrality within the mariculture system, shellfish culture may need to be restricted and meanwhile the expansion of macroalgae cultivation should be carried out. The mean carbon sequestration rate of seven kinds of macroalgae was 174 ± 6 g m-2 yr-1 while some cultivated macroalgae had higher CO2 sequestration rates, e.g. 356 ± 24 g C m-2 yr-1 for Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis and 331 ± 17 g C m-2 yr-1 for Undaria pinnatifida. In scenario 0.5 (CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) sequesters 0.5 Gt CO2 per year), using macroalgae culture cannot achieve China's carbon neutrality by 2060 but in scenarios 1.0 and 1.5 (CCUS sequesters 1.0 and 1.5 Gt CO2 per year, respectively) it is feasible to achieve carbon neutrality using some macroalgae species with high carbon sequestration rates. This study provides important insights into how to develop mariculture in the context of carbon-neutrality and climate change mitigation.
  15. Li Y, Yu P, Qu C, Li P, Li Y, Ma Z, et al.
    Antiviral Res, 2020 04;176:104743.
    PMID: 32057771 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104743
    Enteric viruses including hepatitis E virus (HEV), human norovirus (HuNV), and rotavirus are causing global health issues. The host interferon (IFN) response constitutes the first-line defense against viral infections. Melanoma Differentiation-Associated protein 5 (MDA5) is an important cytoplasmic receptor sensing viral infection to trigger IFN production, and on the other hand it is also an IFN-stimulated gene (ISG). In this study, we investigated the effects and mode-of-action of MDA5 on the infection of enteric viruses. We found that MDA5 potently inhibited HEV, HuNV and rotavirus replication in multiple cell models. Overexpression of MDA5 induced transcription of important antiviral ISGs through IFN-like response, without triggering of functional IFN production. Interestingly, MDA5 activates the expression and phosphorylation of STAT1, which is a central component of the JAK-STAT cascade and a hallmark of antiviral IFN response. However, genetic silencing of STAT1 or pharmacological inhibition of the JAK-STAT cascade only partially attenuated the induction of ISG transcription and the antiviral function of MDA5. Thus, we have demonstrated that MDA5 effectively inhibits HEV, HuNV and rotavirus replication through provoking a non-canonical IFN-like response, which is partially dependent on JAK-STAT cascade.
  16. Gao D, Guo P, Cao X, Ge L, Ma H, Cheng H, et al.
    Food Sci Nutr, 2020 Jun;8(6):2798-2808.
    PMID: 32566197 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1572
    Chicken plasma protein hydrolysate (CPPH) was prepared by trypsin with angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of 53.5% ± 0.14% and the degree of hydrolysis (DH) of 16.22% ± 0.21% at 1 mg·ml-1; then, five proteases, including pepsin, trypsin, papain, alcalase, and neutrase, were employed to improve ACE inhibitory ability by catalyzing plastein reaction. The results indicated that trypsin-catalyzed plastein reaction showed the highest ACE inhibitory activity. The exogenous amino acids of leucine, histidine, tyrosine, valine, and cysteine were selected to modify the CPPH. The leucine-modified plastein reaction released the highest ACE inhibitory activity. The effects of four reaction parameters on plastein reaction were studied, and the optimal conditions with the purpose of obtaining the most powerful ACE inhibitory peptides from modified products were obtained by response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum ACE inhibition rate of the modified hydrolysate reached 82.07% ± 0.03% prepared at concentration of hydrolysates of 30%, reaction time of 4.9 hr, pH value of 8.0, temperature of 40°C, and E/S ratio of 5,681.62 U·g-1. The results indicated that trypsin-catalyzed plastein reaction increased ACE inhibitory activity of chicken plasma protein hydrolysates by 28.57%.
  17. Bin Abu Sofian ADA, Lim HR, Chew KW, Khoo KS, Tan IS, Ma Z, et al.
    Environ Pollut, 2024 Feb 01;342:123024.
    PMID: 38030108 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123024
    The pursuit of carbon neutrality confronts the twofold challenge of meeting energy demands and reducing pollution. This review article examines the potential of gasifying plastic waste and biomass as innovative, sustainable sources for hydrogen production, a critical element in achieving environmental reform. Addressing the problem of greenhouse gas emissions, the work highlights how the co-gasification of these feedstocks could contribute to environmental preservation by reducing waste and generating clean energy. Through an analysis of current technologies, the potential for machine learning to refine gasification for optimal hydrogen production is revealed. Additionally, hydrogen storage solutions are evaluated for their importance in creating a viable, sustainable energy infrastructure. The economic viability of these production methods is critically assessed, providing insights into both their cost-effectiveness and ecological benefits. Findings indicate that machine learning can significantly improve process efficiencies, thereby influencing the economic and environmental aspects of hydrogen production. Furthermore, the study presents the advancements in these technologies and their role in promoting a transition to a green economy and circular energy practices. Ultimately, the review delineates how integrating hydrogen production from unconventional feedstocks, bolstered by machine learning and advanced storage, can contribute to a sustainable and pollution-free future.
  18. 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.
  19. Klionsky DJ, Abdelmohsen K, Abe A, Abedin MJ, Abeliovich H, Acevedo Arozena A, et al.
    Autophagy, 2016;12(1):1-222.
    PMID: 26799652 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2015.1100356
  20. Ma Z, Zhang F, Ma H, Chen X, Yang J, Yang Y, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(4):e0248329.
    PMID: 33857162 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248329
    The elderly usually suffer from many diseases. Improving the quality of life of the elderly is an urgent social issue. In this present study, D-galactose treated aging mice models were used to reveal the effects of different animal sources and different doses of whey protein (WP) on the immune indexes organs and intestinal flora. A total of 9 groups were set up, including normal control (NC), negative control (NS), positive control (Vc), low-, medium- and high-doses of cow WP intervention groups (CL, CM and CH for short, correspondingly) and low-, medium- and high-doses of goat WP intervention groups (GL, GM and GH for short, correspondingly). The body weight gain, thymus/body weight ratio, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, spleen immunoglobulins G (IgG), spleen interleukin-2 (IL-2) and spleen interleukin-2 (IL-6) were measured. Then, the intestinal contents were collected, and 16s genes of intestinal bacteria were sequenced to reveal the changes in bacterial flora structure. WP intervention significantly increased the weight gain, thymus/body ratio and SOD activity, but decrease the content of MDA. WP intervention increased some immune indicators. All the WP treated aging mice showed similar values of physiological indexes to that of the Vc group, even better. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Stenotrophomonas was increased and decreased, respectively, by both cow and goat WP. Lactobacillus may be involved in regulating the functional repair of organisms. In contrast, Stenotrophomonas might play a negative role in the immune and antioxidant capacity of the body. Combining physiological indicators and intestinal flora structure, low-concentration WP for cow and goat might be optimal for aging models.
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