Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 47 in total

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  1. A newly developed porcine training model for transurethral piecemeal and en bloc resection of bladder tumour
    Teoh JY, Cho CL, Wei Y, Isotani S, Tiong HY, Ong TA, et al.
    World J Urol, 2019 Sep;37(9):1879-1887.
    PMID: 30560297 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-018-2602-2
    PURPOSE: The Asian Urological Surgery Training & Education Group (AUSTEG) has been established to provide training and education to young urologists in Asia. We developed and validated a porcine bladder training model for transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT).

    METHODS: Urology residents and specialists were invited to test the training model. They were asked to complete a pre-task questionnaire, to perform piecemeal and en bloc resection of 'bladder tumours' within the training model, and to complete a post-task questionnaire afterwards. Their performances were assessed by faculty members of the AUSTEG. For the face validity, a pre-task questionnaire consisting of six statements on TURBT and the training model were set. For the content validity, a post-task questionnaire consisting of 14 items on the details of the training model were set. For the construct validity, a Global Rating Scale was used to assess the participants' performances. The participants were stratified into two groups (junior surgeons and senior surgeons groups) according to their duration of urology training.

    RESULTS: For the pre-task questionnaire, a mean score of ≥ 4.0 out of 5.0 was achieved in 5 out of 6 statements. For the post-task questionnaire, a mean score of ≥ 4.5 out of 5.0 was achieved in every item. For the Global Rating Scale, the senior surgeons group had higher scores than the junior surgeons group in 8 out of 11 items as well as the total score.

    CONCLUSION: A porcine TURBT training model has been developed, and its face, content and construct validity has been established.

  2. Fulltext A review on current trends in the treatment of human infection with H7N9-avian influenza A
    Sivanandy P, Zi Xien F, Woon Kit L, Tze Wei Y, Hui En K, Chia Lynn L
    J Infect Public Health, 2018 09 10;12(2):153-158.
    PMID: 30213468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2018.08.005
    The H7N9 subtype of avian influenza is an enzootic and airborne virus which caused an influenza outbreak in China. Infected individuals mostly worked with poultry, suggesting H7N9 virus-infected poultry as the primary source of human infection. Significantly increased levels of proinflammatory mediators (chemokines, cytokines) during virus infection could hamper the immune system and aggravate the infection. Severe cases are marked by fulminant pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and encephalopathy. Left untreated, the condition may rapidly progress to multi-organ failure and death. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is the gold standard diagnostic test for H7N9 avian influenza. Use of neurominidase inhibitor antivirals remain the main treatment. New antivirals are developed to counteract neurominidase inhibitor resistance H7N9 viral strains. Corticosteroid use in viral pneumonia may provoke mortality and longer viral shedding time. Subjects at high risk of contracting avian influenza H7N9 infection are recommended to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination.
  3. Adverse metabolic consequences of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on Asian patients with prostate cancer: Primary results from the real-life experience of ADT in Asia (READT) study
    Wong CHM, Xu N, Lim J, Feng KK, Chan WKW, Chan MTY, et al.
    Prostate, 2023 Jun;83(8):801-808.
    PMID: 36938957 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24519
    BACKGROUND: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use in prostate cancer (PCa) has seen a rising trend. We investigated the relationship between ADT and adverse changes in metabolic parameters in an Asian population.

    METHODS: This is an international prospective multicenter single-arm cohort yielded from the real-life experience of ADT in Asia (READT) registry. Consecutive ADT-naïve patients diagnosed of PCa and started on ADT were prospectively recruited from 2016 and analyzed. Baseline patient characteristics, PCa disease status, and metabolic parameters were documented. Patients were followed up at 6-month interval for up to 5 years. Metabolic parameters including body weight, lipid profiles, and glycemic profiles were recorded and analyzed.

    RESULTS: 589 patients were eligible for analysis. ADT was associated with adverse glycemic profiles, being notable at 6 months upon ADT initiation and persisted beyond 1 year. Comparing to baseline, fasting glucose level and hemoglobin A1c level increased by 4.8% (p 

  4. An overview of signaling pathways regulating YAP/TAZ activity
    Heng BC, Zhang X, Aubel D, Bai Y, Li X, Wei Y, et al.
    Cell Mol Life Sci, 2021 Jan;78(2):497-512.
    PMID: 32748155 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03579-8
    YAP and TAZ are ubiquitously expressed homologous proteins originally identified as penultimate effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a key role in maintaining mammalian tissue/organ size. Presently, it is known that YAP/TAZ also interact with various non-Hippo signaling pathways, and have diverse roles in multiple biological processes, including cell proliferation, tissue regeneration, cell lineage fate determination, tumorigenesis, and mechanosensing. In this review, we first examine the various microenvironmental cues and signaling pathways that regulate YAP/TAZ activation, through the Hippo and non-Hippo signaling pathways. This is followed by a brief summary of the interactions of YAP/TAZ with TEAD1-4 and a diverse array of other non-TEAD transcription factors. Finally, we offer a critical perspective on how increasing knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of YAP/TAZ signaling might open the door to novel therapeutic applications in the interrelated fields of biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and synthetic biology.
  5. Fulltext Calcium Involved in the Enrichment of γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in Broccoli Sprouts under Fructose Treatment
    Wei Q, Xie K, Wang H, Shao X, Wei Y, Chen Y, et al.
    Plants (Basel), 2023 Jan 04;12(2).
    PMID: 36678938 DOI: 10.3390/plants12020224
    The effect of fructose on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content and its metabolic pathway in broccoli sprouts was investigated. The results demonstrated that the fructose treatment not only significantly increased the fresh weight, GABA, and glutamate contents in sprouts, but also promoted the activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and the expressions of BoGAD1 and BoGAD2. Meanwhile, fructose treatment inhibited the stem length of broccoli sprouts and enhanced the abscisic acid (ABA) production in comparison with the control. Ca2+, CaM contents, and BoCaM2 expression in broccoli sprouts were also stimulated after fructose treatment. Exogenous fructose increased inositol trisphosphate (IP3) content and activated the activity of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and the expression of BoPLC2, contributing to Ca2+ influx into the cells. These results suggested that Ca2+ played an essential role in GABA enrichment under fructose treatment, which may be associated with GAD and PI-PLC.
  6. Fulltext Characterization of the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of ochraceous darkies, Euphaea ochracea Selys, 1859 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Euphaeidae) and phylogenetic analysis
    Miga M, Jahari PNS, Parimannan S, Rajandas H, Latiff MAB, Jing Wei Y, et al.
    Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2023;8(2):292-296.
    PMID: 36845007 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2023.2179355
    In the present study, the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Euphaea ochracea was described and its phylogenetic position in the family Euphaeidae was analyzed. Here, we recovered 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs and a partial control region, resulting in a mitogenome length of 15,545bp. All protein-coding genes were initiated by the typical ATN codon except nad3 and nad1, which utilizes the TTG codon. Four protein-coding genes (cox1, cox2, cox3 and nad5) are terminated by an incomplete stop codon T, while others end with either a TAA or TAG codon. The intergenic spacer region, S5, is absent in this mitogenome, supporting the lack of this region as a specific character in damselflies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the newly sequenced E. ochracea is phylogenetically closer to E. ornata with a high support value.
  7. Complete genome sequences of Lactococcus lactis D1_2, a bacterium with antimicrobial properties isolated from peat soil
    Isaac P, Mutusamy P, Su Yin L, Jing Wei Y, Mohd Salleh F, Abu Bakar MALb, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2023 Nov 07.
    PMID: 37933991 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00680-23
    Lactococcus lactis is a beneficial lactic acid bacterium commonly studied for its probiotic properties and role in dairy production. Here, we present a complete genome of Lactococcus lactis D1_2, isolated from peat swamp forests. To discover the potential antimicrobial properties, the complete genome of the strain was sequenced and analyzed.
  8. Complete mitochondrial genome data and phylogenetic analysis of the Great Marquis, Bassarona dunya (Doubleday, 1848) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Limenitidinae) from Malaysia
    Miga M, Yap YZ, Jahari PNS, Parimannan S, Rajandas H, Abu Bakar-Latiff M, et al.
    Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2023;8(1):167-171.
    PMID: 36733274 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2023.2167476
    The Great Marquis or Bassarona dunya is a butterfly species commonly found in the tropical regions of Asia, America, and Africa. This butterfly is a member of the subfamily Limenitidinae and the classification within this subfamily has been unstable. Here, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of B. dunya sampled from Malaysia. The mitogenome is 15,242 bp long, comprising a set of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and an A + T rich region. All PCGs were initiated by the typical ATN codon, except for COX1 which started with a CGA start codon. Nine PCGs were terminated with a TAA or TAG stop codon, while COX1, COX2, NAD4, and NAD5 ended with an incomplete T. The 12S and 16S rRNAs were 716 bp and 1269 bp in length, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis supported the placement of B. dunya within Limenitidinae with a high support value.
  9. Epinecidin-1, a marine antifungal peptide, inhibits Botrytis cinerea and delays gray mold in postharvest peaches
    Fan L, Wei Y, Chen Y, Jiang S, Xu F, Zhang C, et al.
    Food Chem, 2023 Mar 01;403:134419.
    PMID: 36191421 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134419
    This study investigatedthe mechanism of epinecidin-1 against Botrytis cinerea, in vitro, and its effectiveness at inhibiting gray mold on postharvest peach fruit. We found that in vitro, epinecidin-1 had significantly greater antifungal activity against B. cinerea than either clavanin-A or mytimycin, two other marine derived antimicrobial peptides that we tested. Its antifungal activity was heat-resistant (15 min at 40-100 °C) and tolerant to lower concentrations of cations (<100 mM Na+, K+; <10 mM Ca2+). Epinecidin-1 interacted directly with B. cinerea genomic DNA, and that in mycelia, epinecidin-1 exposure induced accumulation of intracellular ROS and increased the permeability of cell membranes resulting in leakage of nucleic acids and aberrant cell morphology. Meanwhile, 200 μM of epinecidin-1 had a significant inhibitory effect on gray mold injected into peach fruit. These results suggested that epinecidin-1 showed promise as a potential method for controlling postharvest gray mold in peaches.
  10. Evidence for the Higgs Boson Decay to a Z Boson and a Photon at the LHC
    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.
  11. Evolution of a self-renewing, participant-centered workshop series in BMB assessment
    Tyler L, Kennelly PJ, Engelman S, Block KF, Bobenko JC, Catalano J, et al.
    Biochem Mol Biol Educ, 2024;52(1):58-69.
    PMID: 37815098 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21789
    We present as a case study the evolution of a series of participant-centered workshops designed to meet a need in the life sciences education community-the incorporation of best practices in the assessment of student learning. Initially, the ICABL (Inclusive Community for the Assessment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/BMB Learning) project arose from a grass-roots effort to develop material for a national exam in biochemistry and molecular biology. ICABL has since evolved into a community of practice in which participants themselves-through extensive peer review and reflection-become integral stakeholders in the workshops. To examine this evolution, this case study begins with a pilot workshop supported by seed funding and thoughtful programmatic assessment, the results of which informed evidence-based changes that, in turn, led to an improved experience for the community. Using participant response data, the case study also reveals critical features for successful workshops, including participant-centered activities and the value of frequent peer review of participants' products. Furthermore, we outline a train-the-trainer model for creating a self-renewing community by bringing new perspectives and voices into an existing core leadership team. This case study, then, offers a blueprint for building a thriving, evolving community of practice that not only serves the needs of individual scientist-educators as they seek to enhance student learning, but also provides a pathway for elevating members to positions of leadership.
  12. Exogenous application and interaction of biochar with environmental factors for improving functional diversity of rhizosphere's microbial community and health
    Ren T, Feng H, Xu C, Xu Q, Fu B, Azwar E, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2022 Jan 22;294:133710.
    PMID: 35074326 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133710
    The usage of fertilizer with high nitrogen content in many countries, as well as its enormous surplus, has a negative impact on the soil ecological environment in agricultural system. This consumption of nitrogen fertilizer can be minimized by applying biochar to maintain the sufficient supply of nitrogen as nutrient to the near-root zone. This study investigated the effects of various amounts of biochar application (450, 900, 1350, and 1800 kg/hm2) and reduction of nitrogen fertilizer amount (10, 15, 20, and 25%) on the nutrients and microorganism community structure in rhizosphere growing tobacco plant. The microorganism community was found essential in improving nitrogen retention. Compared with conventional treatment, an application of biochar in rhizosphere soil increased the content of soil available phosphorus, organic matter and total nitrogen by 21.47%, 26.34%, and 9.52%, respectively. It also increased the abundance of microorganisms that are capable of degrading and utilizing organic matter and cellulose, such as Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria. The relative abundance of Chloroflexi was also increased by 49.67-78.61%, and the Acidobacteria increased by 14.79-39.13%. Overall, the application of biochar with reduced nitrogen fertilizer amount can regulate the rhizosphere microecological environment of tobacco plants and their microbial population structure, thereby promoting soil health for tobacco plant growth while reducing soil acidification and environmental pollution caused by excessive nitrogen fertilizer.
  13. Fulltext Fine mapping of chromosome 5p15.33 based on a targeted deep sequencing and high density genotyping identifies novel lung cancer susceptibility loci
    Kachuri L, Amos CI, McKay JD, Johansson M, Vineis P, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, et al.
    Carcinogenesis, 2016 Jan;37(1):96-105.
    PMID: 26590902 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgv165
    Chromosome 5p15.33 has been identified as a lung cancer susceptibility locus, however the underlying causal mechanisms were not fully elucidated. Previous fine-mapping studies of this locus have relied on imputation or investigated a small number of known, common variants. This study represents a significant advance over previous research by investigating a large number of novel, rare variants, as well as their underlying mechanisms through telomere length. Variants for this fine-mapping study were identified through a targeted deep sequencing (average depth of coverage greater than 4000×) of 576 individuals. Subsequently, 4652 SNPs, including 1108 novel SNPs, were genotyped in 5164 cases and 5716 controls of European ancestry. After adjusting for known risk loci, rs2736100 and rs401681, we identified a new, independent lung cancer susceptibility variant in LPCAT1: rs139852726 (OR = 0.46, P = 4.73×10(-9)), and three new adenocarcinoma risk variants in TERT: rs61748181 (OR = 0.53, P = 2.64×10(-6)), rs112290073 (OR = 1.85, P = 1.27×10(-5)), rs138895564 (OR = 2.16, P = 2.06×10(-5); among young cases, OR = 3.77, P = 8.41×10(-4)). In addition, we found that rs139852726 (P = 1.44×10(-3)) was associated with telomere length in a sample of 922 healthy individuals. The gene-based SKAT-O analysis implicated TERT as the most relevant gene in the 5p15.33 region for adenocarcinoma (P = 7.84×10(-7)) and lung cancer (P = 2.37×10(-5)) risk. In this largest fine-mapping study to investigate a large number of rare and novel variants within 5p15.33, we identified novel lung and adenocarcinoma susceptibility loci with large effects and provided support for the role of telomere length as the potential underlying mechanism.
  14. Fulltext Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1
    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.
  15. Fulltext Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment in Prostate Cancer Patient Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy: Real-World Experience in the READT Study
    Lim J, Ng CF, Wei Y, Ong TA, Chu PS, Chan WKW, et al.
    World J Mens Health, 2024 Apr;42(2):449-459.
    PMID: 37853536 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.230042
    PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Asian men with all stages of prostate cancer.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: READT (real-life evaluation of the effect of ADT in prostate cancer patients in Asia) was a multi-center, prospective observational study involving six sites across four Asian populations. We enrolled eligible prostate cancer patients, who opted for ADT alone or in combination without prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant ADT within 12 months. The EuroQoL-5 dimensions, 5 level scale (EQ-5D-5L) utility index scores and visual analog scale (VAS) were evaluated at baseline, month 6 and month 12.

    RESULTS: A total of 504 patients were recruited into READT between September 2016 and May 2020 with 52.9% diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. The EQ-5D-5L was evaluable in 442/504 (87.7%) of patients. Overall baseline EQ-5D-5L utility index score was 0.924 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.876-1.000). We observed a statistically significant difference in baseline EQ-5D-5L utility index score among different populations with a median EQ-5D-5L utility index score of 1 for Taiwan & Hong Kong, 0.897 for China and 0.838 for Malaysia. Similar trend was observed throughout multiple treatment time-points. Stage IV prostate cancer were significantly associated with a lower baseline EQ-5D-5L utility index score compared to stage I-III prostate cancer, producing a median disutility value of -0.080. Participants had a high median VAS (80, IQR 70-90), indicating good overall health on average during ADT initiation.

    CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the differences in health state utility index scores among various Asian prostate cancer patients receiving ADT at real-world setting. Our findings will be informative and useful in cost-effectiveness evaluation and policy decision making.

  16. Fulltext Highly Diverse Synechococcus Pigment Types in the Eastern Indian Ocean
    Zhang X, Cheung S, Wang J, Zhang G, Wei Y, Liu H, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2022;13:806390.
    PMID: 35283844 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.806390
    Marine picocyanobacteria Synechococcus exhibit highly diverse pigment types (PTs) and hence possess great advantage to utilize different spectrum of light effectively and to occupy a wide range of light niches. In this study, we explored the diversity of Synechococcus PTs in the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO), surface water of Strait of Malacca (SSM), and coastal waters of Sri Lanka (SSL). All the detected PTs were phycourobilin (PUB) containing PT 3 and showed distinct distribution patterns. Low PUB PT 3a and partial chromatic acclimater PT 3eA dominated in coastal and shallow waters (SSM and SSL). In contrast, high PUB and chromatic acclimaters PT 3dA and PT 3c/3dB were mainly distributed in open ocean (EIO). PT 3dA and PT 3c/3dB occurred at similar depths of the lower euphotic layers but showed distinct distribution pattern that are partially exclusive, indicating that they compete with each other for the same light niche. Interestingly, the newly described PT 3f was detected with high relative abundances at all stations and particularly dominated in the upper euphotic layer in EIO, which was confirmed with PT-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The relative abundance of PT 3f was negatively correlated with nutrient level, implying that PT 3f is adapted to oligotrophic waters. Pronounced niche partition of different PTs was observed in the upper and lower layers of euphotic zone in EIO and SSM/SSL. Light, nutrients, and strong stratification may play important roles in the niche partition of different PTs. Further analysis about ecologically significant taxonomic units revealed high diversity within each PT at different locations, which provided insights for understanding specific PT with wide range of niches.
  17. Hot air treatment reduces postharvest decay in Chinese bayberries during storage by affecting fungal community composition
    Dai K, Han P, Zou X, Jiang S, Xu F, Wang H, et al.
    Food Res Int, 2021 02;140:110021.
    PMID: 33648251 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.110021
    Chinese bayberry fruit were treated with hot air (HA) at 48 ℃ for 3 h and then stored at 4 ℃ for 15 d. Changes in fungal communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing (HTS), and decay and fruit quality were monitored during storage. The results showed that HA treatment effectively maintains fruit quality and the richness and diversity of fungal communities. Heat treatment inhibited decay development and reduced the growth of fungi in the genera Botryotinia spp., Davidiella spp., Hanseniaspora spp., and Candida spp. Canonical correspondence analysis further revealed that Botryotinia spp. and Davidiella spp. were positively correlated with fruit decay and weight loss. FUNGuild analysis demonstrated that HA-treated bayberries had a lower relative abundance within the plant pathogen guild, but higher relative abundance within the endophyte guild. The results suggest that HA treatment reduces pathogens by favoring the increase of endophytes, providing new insight into the decay development and quality changes during the storage of postharvest Chinese bayberries.
  18. Fulltext Impact of climate change on dengue fever epidemics in South and Southeast Asian settings: A modelling study
    Wang Y, Zhao S, Wei Y, Li K, Jiang X, Li C, et al.
    Infect Dis Model, 2023 Sep;8(3):645-655.
    PMID: 37440763 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2023.05.008
    The potential for dengue fever epidemic due to climate change remains uncertain in tropical areas. This study aims to assess the impact of climate change on dengue fever transmission in four South and Southeast Asian settings. We collected weekly data of dengue fever incidence, daily mean temperature and rainfall from 2012 to 2020 in Singapore, Colombo, Selangor, and Chiang Mai. Projections for temperature and rainfall were drawn for three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585) scenarios. Using a disease transmission model, we projected the dengue fever epidemics until 2090s and determined the changes in annual peak incidence, peak time, epidemic size, and outbreak duration. A total of 684,639 dengue fever cases were reported in the four locations between 2012 and 2020. The projected change in dengue fever transmission would be most significant under the SSP585 scenario. In comparison to the 2030s, the peak incidence would rise by 1.29 times in Singapore, 2.25 times in Colombo, 1.36 times in Selangor, and >10 times in Chiang Mai in the 2090s under SSP585. Additionally, the peak time was projected to be earlier in Singapore, Colombo, and Selangor, but be later in Chiang Mai under the SSP585 scenario. Even in a milder emission scenario of SSP126, the epidemic size was projected to increase by 5.94%, 10.81%, 12.95%, and 69.60% from the 2030s-2090s in Singapore, Colombo, Selangor, and Chiang Mai, respectively. The outbreak durations in the four settings were projected to be prolonged over this century under SSP126 and SSP245, while a slight decrease is expected in 2090s under SSP585. The results indicate that climate change is expected to increase the risk of dengue fever transmission in tropical areas of South and Southeast Asia. Limiting greenhouse gas emissions could be crucial in reducing the transmission of dengue fever in the future.
  19. Influence of flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. on mitochondrial function of Rhizopus nigricans in strawberry
    Ge Q, Zhao S, Shao X, Wei Y, Chen J, Wang H, et al.
    World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2024 Apr 13;40(5):161.
    PMID: 38613738 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03967-3
    Rhizopus nigricans (R. nigricans), one of the fungi that grows the fastest, is frequently discovered in postharvest fruits, it's the main pathogen of strawberry root rot. Flavonoids in Sedum aizoon L. (FSAL) is a kind of green and safe natural substance extracted from Sedum aizoon L. which has antifungal activity. In this study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of FSAL on R. nigricans and cell apoptosis tests were studied to explore the inhibitory effect of FSAL on R. nigricans. The effects of FSAL on mitochondria of R. nigricans were investigated through the changes of mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP), mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP), Ca2+ content, H2O2 content, cytochrome c (Cyt c) content, the related enzyme activity and related genes of mitochondria. The results showed that the MIC of FSAL on R. nigricans was 1.800 mg/mL, with the addition of FSAL (1.800 mg/mL), the mPTP openness of R. nigricans increased and the MMP reduced. Resulting in an increase in Ca2+ content, accumulation of H2O2 content and decrease of Cyt c content, the activity of related enzymes was inhibited and related genes were up-regulated (VDAC1, ANT) or down-regulated (SDHA, NOX2). This suggests that FSAL may achieve the inhibitory effect of fungi by damaging mitochondria, thereby realizing the postharvest freshness preservation of strawberries. This lays the foundation for the development of a new plant-derived antimicrobial agent.
  20. Fulltext Influence of fresh-cut process on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism and sensory properties in carrot
    Hou Y, Ren H, Wang K, Cao S, Zheng Y, Wei Y, et al.
    J Food Sci Technol, 2022 Feb;59(2):552-561.
    PMID: 35185175 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-021-05039-y
    Effect of fresh-cut procedure on the accumulation of GABA in carrots via γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt and polyamines degradation pathway was investigated. Results showed that fresh-cut processing enhanced glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity and expression levels of DcGAD1 and DcGAD2, while reduced GABA transaminase (GABA-T) activity and DcGABA-T1 expression level, which induced the more glutamate (Glu) conversion to GABA. Polyamines (PAs) in shredded carrots were significantly lower than the whole, due to the elevated activities of diamine oxidase (DAO), polyamine oxidase (PAO) and aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase (AMADH) and DcPAO expression level, which indicated that the polyamines degradation pathway was activated and more PAs were converted to GABA. These results suggested that fresh-cut procedure can induce the accumulation of GABA through activating GABA shunt and polyamines degradation pathway. Besides, fresh-cut processing treatment did not have much adverse effect on the organoleptic quality of carrots.

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1007/s13197-021-05039-y).

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