Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 59 in total

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  1. Investigations of clinical characteristics and inflammatory markers of febrile seizures induced by coronavirus infection
    Zhao L, Wu HY, Xie D, Mo LM, Yang FF, Gao Y, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Dec 01;40(4):439-443.
    PMID: 38308831 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.4.009
    The study of children who experienced with febrile seizures(FS) as a result of COVID-19 infection to gain insight into the clinical characteristics and prognosis of neurological damage, with the aim of improving prevention, diagnosis, and the treatment of neurological complications. This study investigated the clinical features of 53 children with FS who were admitted to Sanya Women and Children's Hospital from December 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The results indicated that the duration of convulsion in the case and control group was 7.90±8.91 and 2.67±1.23 (minutes) respectively. The analysis reveals that convulsions occurred within 24 hours in 39 cases (95.12%) of the case group, and in 8 cases (66.7%) of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Additionally, the case group presented lower counts of WBC and NEU compared to the control group (p<0.05). The findings indicate that convulsions manifest at earlier stages of COVID-19 in children and the last longer than in the control group. It is therefore crucial for healthcare workers to remain attentive to patients with COVID-19 who report fever within 24 hours, and act promptly to implement preventive measures, particularly in cases of prolonged fever. It is essential to integrate the clinical manifestation, particularly convulsions, and the continuous numerical changes of inflammatory factors to assess COVID-19 linked with febrile seizures. In addition, larger-scale multi-center and systematic research are necessary to aid clinicians in monitoring neuropathological signals and biological targets, enabling more equitable diagnosis and treatment plans.
  2. Gold-nanourchin seeded single-walled carbon nanotube on voltammetry sensor for diagnosing neurogenerative Parkinson's disease
    Zhang R, Wang S, Huang X, Yang Y, Fan H, Yang F, et al.
    Anal Chim Acta, 2020 Jan 15;1094:142-150.
    PMID: 31761041 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.10.012
    α-synuclein is a predominantly expressing neuronal protein for understanding the neurodegenerative disorders. A diagnosing system with aggregated α-synuclein encoded by SNCA gene is necessary to make the precautionary treatment against Parkinson's disease (PD). Herein, gold-nanourchin conjugated anti-α-synuclein antibody was desired as the probe and seeded on single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCN) integrated interdigitated electrode (IDE). The surface morphology of SWCN-modified IDE and gold urchin-antibody conjugates were observed under FESEM, FETEM and AFM, the existing elements were confirmed. Voltammetry analysis revealed that the limit of fibril-formed α-synuclein detection was improved by 1000 folds (1 fM) with gold-nanourchin-antibody modified surface, compared to the surface with only antibody (1 pM). Validating the interaction of α-synuclein by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay was displayed the detection limit as 10 pM. IDE has a good reproducibility and a higher selectivity on α-synuclein as evidenced by the interactive analysis with the control proteins, PARK1 and DJ-1.
  3. Fulltext Research protocol of the efficacy of probiotics for the treatment of alcohol use disorder among adult males: A comparison with placebo and acceptance and commitment therapy in a randomized controlled trial
    Zhang B, Zhang R, Deng H, Cui P, Li C, Yang F, et al.
    PLoS One, 2023;18(12):e0294768.
    PMID: 38051740 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294768
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Primarily, this study compares the efficacy of probiotic and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in alleviating the severity of alcohol craving and alcohol use disorder (AUD) among patients who had undergo two weeks of in-patient detoxification. Secondarily, this study compares the efficacy of probiotic and ACT in mitigating the severity of comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms; decreasing serum level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); changing the event-related potential in electroencephalogram (EEG) and restoring microbiota flora in the gut of AUD patients.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Initially, during Phase I of the study, the serum level of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α; ERP changes in the EEG and fecal microbiota content will be compared between 120 AUD patients and 120 healthy controls. Subsequently in Phase II of the study, 120 AUD patients will be randomized by stratified permuted block randomization into the probiotic, ACT and placebo groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Participants in the probiotic and placebo groups will be administered one sachet per day of Lactobacillus spp. probiotic and placebo, respectively for 12 weeks. While those in the ACT group will receive one session per week of ACT for 8 weeks. Outcome measures will be administered at four timepoints, such as t0 = baseline assessment prior to intervention, t1 = 8 weeks after intervention began, t2 = 12 weeks after intervention and t3 = 24 weeks after intervention. Primary outcomes are the degrees of alcohol craving, alcohol withdrawal during abstinence and AUD. Secondary outcomes to be assessed are the severity of co-morbid depression and anxiety symptoms; the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α; changes in ERP and fecal microbiota content.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05830708 (ClinicalTrials.gov). Registered on April 25, 2023.

  4. Nanophase hydroxyapatite as a biomaterial in advanced hard tissue engineering: a review
    Zakaria SM, Sharif Zein SH, Othman MR, Yang F, Jansen JA
    Tissue Eng Part B Rev, 2013 Oct;19(5):431-41.
    PMID: 23557483 DOI: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2012.0624
    Hydroxyapatite is a biocompatible material that is extensively used in the replacement and regeneration of bone material. In nature, nanostructured hydroxyapatite is the main component present in hard body tissues. Hence, the state of the art in nanotechnology can be exploited to synthesize nanophase hydroxyapatite that has similar properties with natural hydroxyapatite. Sustainable methods to mass-produce synthetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles are being developed to meet the increasing demand for these materials and to further develop the progress made in hard tissue regeneration, especially for orthopedic and dental applications. This article reviews the current developments in nanophase hydroxyapatite through various manufacturing techniques and modifications.
  5. Molecular identification of the first local dengue fever outbreak in Shenzhen city, China: a potential imported vertical transmission from Southeast Asia?
    Yang F, Guo GZ, Chen JQ, Ma HW, Liu T, Huang DN, et al.
    Epidemiol Infect, 2014 Feb;142(2):225-33.
    PMID: 23587429 DOI: 10.1017/S0950268813000897
    A suspected dengue fever outbreak occurred in 2010 at a solitary construction site in Shenzhen city, China. To investigate this epidemic, we used serological, molecular biological, and bioinformatics techniques. Of nine serum samples from suspected patients, we detected seven positive for dengue virus (DENV) antibodies, eight for DENV-1 RNA, and three containing live viruses. The isolated virus, SZ1029 strain, was sequenced and confirmed as DENV-1, showing the highest E-gene homology to D1/Malaysia/36000/05 and SG(EHI)DED142808 strains recently reported in Southeast Asia. Further phylogenetic tree analysis confirmed their close relationship. At the epidemic site, we also detected 14 asymptomatic co-workers (out of 291) positive for DENV antibody, and DENV-1-positive mosquitoes. Thus, we concluded that DENV-1 caused the first local dengue fever outbreak in Shenzhen. Because no imported case was identified, the molecular fingerprints of the SZ1029 strain suggest this outbreak may be due to vertical transmission imported from Southeast Asia.
  6. [Identification and sequence analysis of E gene of Dengue virus type 2 strain isolated from patient serum in Shenzhen]
    Yang F, He JF, Xian HX, Zhang HL, He YQ, Yang H, et al.
    Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi, 2009 Sep;43(9):798-802.
    PMID: 20137564
    To isolate and identify the pathogen of Dengue fever from Shenzhen city in 2005 - 2006, and to analyze the molecular characteristics of the isolated Dengue virus strain as well as to explore its possible origin.
  7. Fulltext Factors Affecting the Manufacturing Industry Transformation and Upgrading: A Case Study of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
    Yang F, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Wang T
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 07 04;18(13).
    PMID: 34281094 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137157
    This study aims to analyze the development trend of the manufacturing industry transformation and upgrading in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (2008-2018). On the basis of synergetics, the order parameter method of factor analysis is used to study these factors. The results show that: (1) There are five slow variable factors, such as intelligent manufacturing industry, technological innovation, scale agglomeration, market demand, and fixed asset investment, which are important power sources of the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry in Greater Bay Area. The development of these factors is relatively mature, and they cooperate with each other. (2) Similar to a fast variable of manufacturing development ecology, green development is an important coordinating factor in removing bottlenecks. Finally, suggestions for the development of the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry are put forward.
  8. Functional analysis of Trichinella spiralis serine protease 1.2 by siRNA mediated RNA interference
    Yang F, Guo KX, Yang DQ, Liu RD, Long SR, Zhang X, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Jun 01;37(2):458-470.
    PMID: 33612815
    A T. spiralis serine protease 1.2 (TsSP1.2) was identified in the muscle larvae (ML) and intestinal larvae surface/excretory-secretory (ES) proteins by immunoproteomics. The aim of this study was to determine the TsSP1.2 function in the process of T. spiralis intrusion, growth and reproduction by using RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi was used to silence the expression of TsSP1.2 mRNA and protein in the nematode. On 2 days after the ML were electroporated with 2 µM of TsSP1.2-specific siRNA 534, TsSP1.2 mRNA and protein expression declined in 56.44 and 84.48%, respectively, compared with untreated ML. Although TsSP1.2 silencing did not impair worm viability, larval intrusion of intestinal epithelium cells (IEC) was suppressed by 57.18% (P < 0.01) and the suppression was siRNA-dose dependent (r = 0.976). Infection of mice with siRNA 534 transfected ML produced a 57.16% reduction of enteral adult burden and 71.46% reduction of muscle larva burden (P < 0.05). Moreover, silencing of TsSP1.2 gene in ML resulted in worm development impediment and reduction of female fertility. The results showed that silencing of TsSP1.2 by RNAi inhibited larval intrusion and development, and reduced female fecundity. TsSP1.2 plays a crucial role for worm invasion and development in T. spiralis life cycle, and is a potential vaccine/drug target against Trichinella infection.
  9. Fulltext Estimating nutrient uptake requirements for soybean using QUEFTS model in China
    Yang F, Xu X, Wang W, Ma J, Wei D, He P, et al.
    PLoS One, 2017;12(5):e0177509.
    PMID: 28498839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177509
    Estimating balanced nutrient requirements for soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr) in China is essential for identifying optimal fertilizer application regimes to increase soybean yield and nutrient use efficiency. We collected datasets from field experiments in major soybean planting regions of China between 2001 and 2015 to assess the relationship between soybean seed yield and nutrient uptake, and to estimate nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) requirements for a target yield of soybean using the quantitative evaluation of the fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model. The QUEFTS model predicted a linear-parabolic-plateau curve for the balanced nutrient uptake with a target yield increased from 3.0 to 6.0 t ha-1 and the linear part was continuing until the yield reached about 60-70% of the potential yield. To produce 1000 kg seed of soybean in China, 55.4 kg N, 7.9 kg P, and 20.1 kg K (N:P:K = 7:1:2.5) were required in the above-ground parts, and the corresponding internal efficiencies (IE, kg seed yield per kg nutrient uptake) were 18.1, 126.6, and 49.8 kg seed per kg N, P, and K, respectively. The QUEFTS model also simulated that a balanced N, P, and K removal by seed which were 48.3, 5.9, and 12.2 kg per 1000 kg seed, respectively, accounting for 87.1%, 74.1%, and 60.8% of the total above-ground parts, respectively. These results were conducive to make fertilizer recommendations that improve the seed yield of soybean and avoid excessive or deficient nutrient supplies. Field validation indicated that the QUEFTS model could be used to estimate nutrient requirements which help develop fertilizer recommendations for soybean.
  10. Fulltext Bamboo-based magnetic activated carbon for efficient removal of sulfadiazine: Application and adsorption mechanism
    Yang F, Jin C, Wang S, Wang Y, Wei L, Zheng L, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2023 May;323:138245.
    PMID: 36841450 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138245
    Due to increasing antibiotic pollution in the water environment, green and efficient adsorbents are urgently needed to solve this problem. Here we prepare magnetic bamboo-based activated carbon (MDBAC) through delignification and carbonization using ZnCl2 as activator, resulting in production of an activated carbon with large specific surface area (1388.83 m2 g-1). The influencing factors, such as solution pH, initial sulfadiazine (SD) concentration, temperature, and contact time, were assessed in batch adsorption experiments. The Langmuir isotherm model demonstrated that MDBAC adsorption capacity on SD was 645.08 mg g-1 at its maximum, being higher than majority of previously reported adsorbents. In SD adsorption, the kinetic adsorption process closely followed the pseudo-second kinetic model, and the thermodynamic adsorption process was discovered to be exothermic and spontaneous in nature. The MDBAC exhibited excellent physicochemical stability, facile magnetic recovery and acceptable recyclability properties. Moreover, the synergistic interactions between MDBAC and SD mainly involved electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and chelation. Within the benefits of low cost, ease of production and excellent adsorption performance, the MDBAC biosorbent shows promising utilization in removing antibiotic contaminants from wastewater.
  11. Thirty-year trends of depressive disorders in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019: An age-period-cohort analysis
    Yang F, Lodder P, Huang N, Liu X, Fu M, Guo J
    Psychiatry Res, 2023 Oct;328:115433.
    PMID: 37651839 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115433
    This study aims to estimate the global, regional, and national burden of depressive disorders in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. All data were obtained from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Age-period-cohort (APC) modeling was conducted to disentangle age, period, and birth cohort effects on depression incidence. We compared these estimates across regions classified based on their socio-demographic index (SDI). The Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) was calculated for each of the 204 countries and territories to identify the top five countries with increased depression incidence (Spain, Mexico, Malaysia, the United States of America, and Uruguay) and the top five countries with decreased depression incidence (Singapore, Estonia, Cuba, Maldives, and Sri Lanka). The results from APC analysis indicate that although depression incidence has decreased globally, the incidence rate in high SDI regions is still increasing, especially in the younger generations. Findings suggest that currently some populations are in need of receiving more psychological support (i.e., individuals born after 1950s in high SDI regions; males in middle SDI regions). Forthcoming studies could corroborate our findings using individual-level data which may guide future prevention and intervention of depression in high-risk populations or regions.
  12. Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Conditioned Medium Promotes Aβ25-35 phagocytosis by Modulating Autophagy and Aβ-Degrading Enzymes in BV2 Cells
    Xu Z, Nan W, Zhang X, Sun Y, Yang J, Lu K, et al.
    J Mol Neurosci, 2018 Jun;65(2):222-233.
    PMID: 29845511 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1075-5
    Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a promising prospect for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the underlying mechanisms by which MSCs mediate positive effects are still unclear. We speculated that MSCs mediate microglial autophagy and enhance the clearance of Aβ. To test this hypothesis, we cultured BV2 microglial cells with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium (ucMSCs-CM) in the presence or absence of Aβ25-35 oligomers. We investigated BV2 cell proliferation, cell death, and Aβ25-35 phagocytosis as well as protein expression levels of LC3, Beclin-1, p62, insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), and neprilysin (Nep) with western blotting. The results showed that ucMSCs-CM inhibited the proliferation and decreased cell death of BV2 cells induced by Aβ25-35. ucMSCs-CM also promoted the phagocytosis of Aβ25-35 by BV2 cells and changed the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3, Beclin-1, and p62. Treatment also upregulated the expression of Aβ-degrading enzymes IDE and Nep. Furthermore, the culture medium in BV2 cells with Aβ25-35 and ucMSCs-CM prevented neuronal cell SH-SY5Y from cell death compared to control medium without ucMSCs-CM. Altogether, these data suggested that ucMSCs-CM protect microglial and neuronal cells from Aβ25-35-induced cell death and promote Aβ phagocytosis by modulating autophagy and enhancing the expression of Aβ-degrading enzymes in microglia.
  13. Protective effect of daidzein against streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's disease via improving cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress in rat model
    Wei J, Yang F, Gong C, Shi X, Wang G
    J Biochem Mol Toxicol, 2019 Jun;33(6):e22319.
    PMID: 30897277 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22319
    Oxidative stress is performing an essential role in developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), and age-related disorder and other neurodegenerative diseases. In existing research, we have aimed at investigating the daidzein (4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone) effect (10 and 20 mg/kg of body weight), as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant in streptozotocin (STZ) infused AD in rat model. Daidzein treatment led to significant improvement in intracerebroventricular-streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)-induced memory and learning impairments that was evaluated by Morris water maze test and spontaneous locomotor activity. It significantly restored the alterations in malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione levels. In addition, histopathological observations in cerebral cortex and hippocampal areas confirmed the neuroprotective effect of daidzein. These outcomes provide experimental proof showing preventive effect of daidzein on memory, learning dysfunction and oxidative stress in case of ICV-STZ rats. In conclusion, daidzein offers a potential treatment module for various neurodegenerative disorders with regard to mental deficits like AD.
  14. Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group Expert Consensus Statement on Optimal Management of Stage III NSCLC
    Tan WL, Chua KLM, Lin CC, Lee VHF, Tho LM, Chan AW, et al.
    J Thorac Oncol, 2020 03;15(3):324-343.
    PMID: 31733357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.10.022
    Stage III NSCLC represents a heterogeneous disease for which optimal treatment continues to pose a clinical challenge. Recent changes in the American Joint Commission on Cancer staging to the eighth edition has led to a shift in TNM stage grouping and redefined the subcategories (IIIA-C) in stage III NSCLC for better prognostication. Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy has remained standard-of-care for stage III NSCLC for almost 2 decades, contemporary considerations include the impact of different molecular subsets of NSCLC, and the roles of tyrosine kinase inhibitors post-definitive therapy and of immune checkpoint inhibitors following chemoradiotherapy. With rapid evolution of diagnostic algorithms and expanding treatment options, the need for interdisciplinary input involving multiple specialists (medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists and thoracic surgeons) has become increasingly important. The unique demographics of Asian NSCLC pose further challenges when applying clinical trial data into clinical practice. This includes differences in smoking rates, prevalence of oncogenic driver mutations, and access to health care resources including molecular testing, prompting the need for critical review of existing data and identification of current gaps. In this expert consensus statement by the Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group, an interdisciplinary group of experts representing Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Mainland China was convened. Standard clinical practices for stage III NSCLC across different Asian countries were discussed from initial diagnosis and staging through to multi-modality approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
  15. Fulltext Copy number variation arising from gene conversion on the human Y chromosome
    Shi W, Massaia A, Louzada S, Banerjee R, Hallast P, Chen Y, et al.
    Hum Genet, 2018 Jan;137(1):73-83.
    PMID: 29209947 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-017-1857-9
    We describe the variation in copy number of a ~ 10 kb region overlapping the long intergenic noncoding RNA (lincRNA) gene, TTTY22, within the IR3 inverted repeat on the short arm of the human Y chromosome, leading to individuals with 0-3 copies of this region in the general population. Variation of this CNV is common, with 266 individuals having 0 copies, 943 (including the reference sequence) having 1, 23 having 2 copies, and two having 3 copies, and was validated by breakpoint PCR, fibre-FISH, and 10× Genomics Chromium linked-read sequencing in subsets of 1234 individuals from the 1000 Genomes Project. Mapping the changes in copy number to the phylogeny of these Y chromosomes previously established by the Project identified at least 20 mutational events, and investigation of flanking paralogous sequence variants showed that the mutations involved flanking sequences in 18 of these, and could extend over > 30 kb of DNA. While either gene conversion or double crossover between misaligned sister chromatids could formally explain the 0-2 copy events, gene conversion is the more likely mechanism, and these events include the longest non-allelic gene conversion reported thus far. Chromosomes with three copies of this CNV have arisen just once in our data set via another mechanism: duplication of 420 kb that places the third copy 230 kb proximal to the existing proximal copy. Our results establish gene conversion as a previously under-appreciated mechanism of generating copy number changes in humans and reveal the exceptionally large size of the conversion events that can occur.
  16. Fulltext Evolutionary and functional analysis of RBMY1 gene copy number variation on the human Y chromosome
    Shi W, Louzada S, Grigorova M, Massaia A, Arciero E, Kibena L, et al.
    Hum Mol Genet, 2019 08 15;28(16):2785-2798.
    PMID: 31108506 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz101
    Human RBMY1 genes are located in four variable-sized clusters on the Y chromosome, expressed in male germ cells and possibly associated with sperm motility. We have re-investigated the mutational background and evolutionary history of the RBMY1 copy number distribution in worldwide samples and its relevance to sperm parameters in an Estonian cohort of idiopathic male factor infertility subjects. We estimated approximate RBMY1 copy numbers in 1218 1000 Genomes Project phase 3 males from sequencing read-depth, then chose 14 for valid ation by multicolour fibre-FISH. These fibre-FISH samples provided accurate calibration standards for the entire panel and led to detailed insights into population variation and mutational mechanisms. RBMY1 copy number worldwide ranged from 3 to 13 with a mode of 8. The two larger proximal clusters were the most variable, and additional duplications, deletions and inversions were detected. Placing the copy number estimates onto the published Y-SNP-based phylogeny of the same samples suggested a minimum of 562 mutational changes, translating to a mutation rate of 2.20 × 10-3 (95% CI 1.94 × 10-3 to 2.48 × 10-3) per father-to-son Y-transmission, higher than many short tandem repeat (Y-STRs), and showed no evidence for selection for increased or decreased copy number, but possible copy number stabilizing selection. An analysis of RBMY1 copy numbers among 376 infertility subjects failed to replicate a previously reported association with sperm motility and showed no significant effect on sperm count and concentration, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels or testicular and semen volume. These results provide the first in-depth insights into the structural rearrangements underlying RBMY1 copy number variation across diverse human lineages.
  17. Impact of socioeconomic and meteorological factors on reservoirs' air quality: a case in the Three Gorges Reservoir of Chongqing (TGRC), China over a 10-year period
    Peng Y, Zhou F, Cui J, Du K, Leng Q, Yang F, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Jul;24(19):16206-16219.
    PMID: 28540543 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9221-0
    The Three Gorges Dam's construction and industrial transfer have resulted in a new air pollution pattern with the potential to threaten the reservoir eco-environment. To assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on the pattern of air quality vairation and economical risks, concentrations of SO2, NO2, and PM10, industry genres, and meteorological conditions were selected in the Three Gorges Reservoir of Chongqing (TGRC) during 2006-2015. Results showed that air quality had improved to some extent, but atmospheric NO2 showed an increased trend during 2011-2015. Spatially, higher atmospheric NO2 extended to the surrounding area. The primary industry, especially for agriculture, had shown to be responsible for the remarkable increase of atmospheric NO2 (p 
  18. DNA methylation of ITGB2 contributes to allopurinol hypersensitivity
    Liu Y, Wang CW, Chen CB, Yu KH, Wu YJ, Choon SE, et al.
    Clin Immunol, 2023 Mar;248:109250.
    PMID: 36738816 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109250
    BACKGROUNDS: HLA-B*58:01 allele was strongly associated with allopurinol induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction (SCAR). However, HLA-B genotype is not sufficient to predict the occurrence of allopurinol-induced SCAR.

    OBJECTIVE: To discover DNA methylation markers for allopurinol-induced SCAR which may improve the prediction accuracy of genetic testing.

    STUDY DESIGN: The study was designed as a retrospective case-control clinical study in multicenter hospitals across Taiwan, Mainland China, Malaysia and Canada. 125 cases of allopurinol-induced SCAR patients and 139 cases of allopurinol tolerant controls were enrolled in this study during 2005 to 2021.

    RESULTS: The results of genome-wide DNA methylation assay of 62 patients revealed that ITGB2 showed strong discriminative ability of allopurinol-induced SCAR in both HLA-B*58:01 positive and negative patients with AUC value of 0.9364 (95% CI 0.8682-1.000). In validation study, significant hypermethylation of ITGB2 were further validated in allopurinol-induced SCAR patients compared to tolerant controls, especially in those without HLA-B*58:01(AUC value of 0.8814 (95% CI 0.7121-1.000)). Additionally, the methylation levels of 2 sites on ITGB2 were associated with SCAR phenotypes. Combination of HLA-B*58:01 genotyping and ITGB2 methylation status could improve the prediction accuracy of allopurinol-induced SCAR with the AUC value up to 0.9387 (95% CI 0.9089-0.9684), while the AUC value of HLA-B*58:01 genotyping alone was 0.8557 (95% CI 0.8030-0.9083).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our study uncovers differentially methylated genes between allopurinol-induced SCAR patients and tolerant controls with positive or negative HLA-B*58:01 allele and provides the novel epigenetic marker that improves the prediction accuracy of genetic testing for prevention of allopurinol-induced SCAR.

  19. The effect of background elements of pictures on the visual attention among ASD children with intellectual disabilities, children with intellectual disabilities and typical development: Evidence from eye-tracking and fMRI
    Lian X, Hong WCH, Gao F, Kolletar-Zhu K, Wang J, Cai C, et al.
    Res Dev Disabil, 2023 Oct;141:104602.
    PMID: 37757565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104602
    Traditional picture books for children come with colourful images and a multitude of elements to attract attention and increase the reading interest of typical-developing (TD) children. However, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are less capable of filtering out unimportant elements in pictures and focusing on social items (e.g., human faces). This study proposed that the removal of background and less important elements in the pictures of children's storybooks could facilitate better attention and enhance children with ASD's focus on the main object and thus the intended meaning of the storybook. We adopted pictures from a well-known children's book and modified them by removing the inessential background elements. Then, ASD children with intellectual disabilities (ASD+ID) (n = 40), children with ID (n = 38) and TD (n = 40) were asked to view the original and modified pictures in an eye-tracking experiment, respectively. Additionally, brain activation of ASD+ID participants (n = 10) was recorded as they were viewing those pictures in an fMRI scan. Eye-tracking found that ASD+ID children viewed the modified pictures with significantly longer average fixations, fewer fixations, fewer saccades, and higher fixation/saccade duration ratio. Contrary to the original pictures, no significant differences were found among ASD+ID, ID only and TD. Especially, ASD+ID group showed highly similar visual patterns to the TD participants when viewing the modified pictures and particularly focusing on the main character in the pictures. Additional fMRI evidence on ASD+ID group also revealed that modified pictures were associated with enhanced activation in bilateral fusiform gyri as compared to those from original pictures, which might suggest increased visual attention. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed in light of our findings.
  20. Search for displaced supersymmetry in events with an electron and a muon with large impact parameters
    Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Bergauer T, Dragicevic M, et al.
    Phys Rev Lett, 2015 Feb 13;114(6):061801.
    PMID: 25723204
    A search for new long-lived particles decaying to leptons is presented using proton-proton collisions produced by the LHC at √[s]=8  TeV. Data used for the analysis were collected by the CMS detector and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 19.7  fb(-1). Events are selected with an electron and muon with opposite charges that both have transverse impact parameter values between 0.02 and 2 cm. The search has been designed to be sensitive to a wide range of models with nonprompt e-μ final states. Limits are set on the "displaced supersymmetry" model, with pair production of top squarks decaying into an e-μ final state via R-parity-violating interactions. The results are the most restrictive to date on this model, with the most stringent limit being obtained for a top squark lifetime corresponding to cτ=2  cm, excluding masses below 790 GeV at 95% confidence level.
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