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  1. Chaing HS, Merino-chavez G, Yang LL, Wang FN, Hafez ES
    Adv Contracept Deliv Syst, 1994;10(3-4):355-63.
    PMID: 12287843
  2. Chen X, Yang B, Huang W, Wang T, Li Y, Zhong Z, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2018 Dec 05;19(12).
    PMID: 30563128 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123897
    Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyzes the o-hydroxylation of monophenols and oxidation of o-diphenols to quinones. Although the effects of PPO on plant physiology were recently proposed, little has been done to explore the inherent molecular mechanisms. To explore the in vivo physiological functions of PPO, a model with decreased PPO expression and enzymatic activity was constructed on Clematis terniflora DC. using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology. Proteomics was performed to identify the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the model (VC) and empty vector-carrying plants (VV) untreated or exposed to high levels of UV-B and dark (HUV-B+D). Following integration, it was concluded that the DEPs mainly functioned in photosynthesis, glycolysis, and redox in the PPO silence plants. Mapman analysis showed that the DEPs were mainly involved in light reaction and Calvin cycle in photosynthesis. Further analysis illustrated that the expression level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase, the content of chlorophyll, and the photosynthesis rate were increased in VC plants compared to VV plants pre- and post HUV-B+D. These results indicate that the silence of PPO elevated the plant photosynthesis by activating the glycolysis process, regulating Calvin cycle and providing ATP for energy metabolism. This study provides a prospective approach for increasing crop yield in agricultural production.
  3. Diana Yap FS, Ng ZY, Wong CY, Muhamad Saifuzzaman MK, Yang LB
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 02;74(1):45-50.
    PMID: 30846662
    INTRODUCTION: Increasing incidence of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) has complicated treatment courses for hospitalised patients. Despite recommendation to support deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk assessment and appropriate use of prophylaxis in medical inpatients, it is either neglected or prescribed unnecessarily by the clinicians. This study aimed to assess and compare the appropriateness of DVT prophylaxis prescribing between usual care versus a pharmacist-driven DVT Risk Alert Tool (DRAT) intervention among hospitalised medical patients.

    METHODS: A prospective pre- and post-intervention study was conducted among medical inpatients in a Malaysian secondary care hospital. DVT and bleeding risks were stratified using validated Padua Risk Assessment Model (RAM) and International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism (IMPROVE) Bleeding Risk Assessment Model. Pharmacist-driven DRAT was developed and implemented post-interventional phase. DVT prophylaxis use was determined and its appropriateness was compared between pre and post study using multivariate logistic regression with IBM SPSS software version 21.0.

    RESULTS: Overall, 286 patients (n=142 pre-intervention versus n=144 post-intervention) were conveniently recruited. The prevalence of DVT prophylaxis use was 10.8%. Appropriate thromboprophylaxis prescribing increased from 64.8% to 68.1% post-DRAT implementation. Of note, among high DVT risk patients, DRAT intervention was observed to be a significant predictor of appropriate thromboprophylaxis use (14.3% versus 31.3%; adjusted odds ratio=2.80; 95% CI 1.01 to 7.80; p<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: The appropriateness of DVT prophylaxis use was suboptimal but doubled after implementation of DRAT intervention. Thus, an integrated risk stratification checklist is an effective approach for the improvement of rational DVT prophylaxis use.

  4. Gao L, Zhang W, Yang L, Fan H, Olatunji OJ
    Arch Physiol Biochem, 2023 Feb;129(1):261-267.
    PMID: 33522287 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2021.1876733
    The present study investigated the effect of polyphenol-rich extract of Parkia speciosa (PPS) against pancreatic and hepatorenal dysfunction in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Diabetic rats were treated with PPS (100 and 400 mg/kg) and glibenclamide. The results revealed that diabetic rats displayed marked hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hypoinsulinemia as well as alterations in serum renal and kidney function markers. Furthermore, diabetic rats showed significant increase in hepatorenal level of malonaldehyde as well as suppression of antioxidant enzyme activities. Whereas, diabetic rats that received PPS displayed marked attenuation in most of the aforementioned parameters compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Additionally, histological examination revealed restoration of histopathological alterations of the pancreas, liver, and kidney of PPS treated diabetic rats. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that PPS could decrease serum lipids and blood glucose level, enhance insulin level and hepatorenal antioxidant capacity, as well as ameliorate hepatorenal dysfunction in rats.
  5. Global Burden of Disease 2019 Cancer Collaboration, Kocarnik JM, Compton K, Dean FE, Fu W, Gaw BL, et al.
    JAMA Oncol, 2022 Mar 01;8(3):420-444.
    PMID: 34967848 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.6987
    IMPORTANCE: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019) provided systematic estimates of incidence, morbidity, and mortality to inform local and international efforts toward reducing cancer burden.

    OBJECTIVE: To estimate cancer burden and trends globally for 204 countries and territories and by Sociodemographic Index (SDI) quintiles from 2010 to 2019.

    EVIDENCE REVIEW: The GBD 2019 estimation methods were used to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2019 and over the past decade. Estimates are also provided by quintiles of the SDI, a composite measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and total fertility rate for those younger than 25 years. Estimates include 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).

    FINDINGS: In 2019, there were an estimated 23.6 million (95% UI, 22.2-24.9 million) new cancer cases (17.2 million when excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million (95% UI, 9.36-10.6 million) cancer deaths globally, with an estimated 250 million (235-264 million) DALYs due to cancer. Since 2010, these represented a 26.3% (95% UI, 20.3%-32.3%) increase in new cases, a 20.9% (95% UI, 14.2%-27.6%) increase in deaths, and a 16.0% (95% UI, 9.3%-22.8%) increase in DALYs. Among 22 groups of diseases and injuries in the GBD 2019 study, cancer was second only to cardiovascular diseases for the number of deaths, years of life lost, and DALYs globally in 2019. Cancer burden differed across SDI quintiles. The proportion of years lived with disability that contributed to DALYs increased with SDI, ranging from 1.4% (1.1%-1.8%) in the low SDI quintile to 5.7% (4.2%-7.1%) in the high SDI quintile. While the high SDI quintile had the highest number of new cases in 2019, the middle SDI quintile had the highest number of cancer deaths and DALYs. From 2010 to 2019, the largest percentage increase in the numbers of cases and deaths occurred in the low and low-middle SDI quintiles.

    CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this systematic analysis suggest that the global burden of cancer is substantial and growing, with burden differing by SDI. These results provide comprehensive and comparable estimates that can potentially inform efforts toward equitable cancer control around the world.

  6. Grabovac I, Cao C, Haider S, Stefanac S, Jackson SE, Swami V, et al.
    J Sex Med, 2020 01;17(1):60-68.
    PMID: 31812682 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.10.015
    INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is likely to be associated with sexual activity. However, to date, there is no literature on the relationship between overweight/obesity and sexual activity outcomes.

    AIM: Thus, the present study assessed the associations among physical activity, sedentary behavior, and weight status with sexual activity and number of previous sexual partners in a representative sample of U.S. adults.

    METHODS: Data on leisure time physical activity, total sitting time, weight status, sexual behavior outcomes, and other characteristics were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Study cycle 2007 to 2016. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations among body mass index, leisure time physical activity, and total sitting time with past-year sexual activity and number of sexual partners.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self reported frequency of past-year sexual activity and number of sex partners in the past year.

    RESULTS: In a sample of 7,049 men (mean age: 38.3 ± 0.3 years) and 7,005 women (mean age: 38.7 ± 0.2 years) being overweight was associated with higher odds of frequent sexual activity (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.2-1.7) among men, but lower odds among women (OR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.6-0.9). Sufficient physical activity was associated with higher odds of frequent sexual activity among both men (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.1-1.5) and women (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.0-1.4). In those living alone, being obese was associated with lower odds of having at least 1 sexual partner for men (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.5-0.9) and women (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.4-0.8). Being sufficiently physically active was associated with higher odds of having at least 1 sexual partner only in men (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.2-2.2).

    CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals need to be made aware of these results, as they could be used to plan tailored interventions.

    STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths include the large, representative sample of U.S. adults and objective measures of anthropometry. Limitations include the cross-sectional design of the study and that all variables on sexual history were self-reported.

    CONCLUSION: The present study identifies novel modifiable behavioral and biological antecedents of sexuality outcomes. Grabovac I, Cao C, Haider S, et al. Associations Between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Weight Status With Sexuality Outcomes: Analyses from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Sex Med 2020;17:60-68.

  7. Huang L, Luo X, Shao J, Yan H, Qiu Y, Ke P, et al.
    Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 2016 Feb;35(2):269-77.
    PMID: 26700953 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-015-2540-5
    Dengue is a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV) and has emerged as a severe public health problem around the world. Guangdong, one of the southern Chinese provinces, experienced a serious outbreak of dengue in 2014, which was believed to be the worst dengue epidemic in China over the last 20 years. To better understand the epidemic, we collected the epidemiological data of the outbreak and analyzed 14,594 clinically suspected dengue patients from 25 hospitals in Guangdong. Dengue cases were then laboratory-confirmed by the detection of DENV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) antigen and/or DENV RNA. Afterwards, clinical manifestations of dengue patients were analyzed and 93 laboratory-positive serum specimens were chosen for the DENV serotyping and molecular analysis. Our data showed that the 2014 dengue outbreak in Guangdong had spread to 20 cities and more than 45 thousand people suffered from dengue fever. Of 14,594 participants, 11,387 were definitively diagnosed. Most manifested with a typical non-severe clinical course, and 1.96 % developed to severe dengue. The strains isolated successfully from the serum samples were identified as DENV-1. Genetic analyses revealed that the strains were classified into genotypes I and V of DENV-1, and the dengue epidemic of Guangdong in 2014 was caused by indigenous cases and imported cases from the neighboring Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia and Singapore. Overall, our study is informative and significant to the 2014 dengue outbreak in Guangdong and will provide crucial implications for dengue prevention and control in China and elsewhere.
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. Li Q, Zhang K, Li R, Yang L, Yi Y, Liu Z, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2023 May 10;872:162071.
    PMID: 36775179 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162071
    Biomass burning (BB) has significant impacts on air quality and climate change, especially during harvest seasons. In previous studies, levoglucosan was frequently used for the calculation of BB contribution to PM2.5, however, the degradation of levoglucosan (Lev) could lead to large uncertainties. To quantify the influence of the degradation of Lev on the contribution of BB to PM2.5, PM2.5-bound biomass burning-derived markers were measured in Changzhou from November 2020 to March 2021 using the thermal desorption aerosol gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TAG-GC/MS) system. Temporal variations of three anhydro-sugar BB tracers (e.g., levoglucosan, mannosan (Man), and galactosan (Gal)) were obtained. During the sampling period, the degradation level of air mass (x) was 0.13, indicating that ~87 % of levoglucosan had degraded before sampling in Changzhou. Without considering the degradation of levoglucosan in the atmosphere, the contribution of BB to OC were 7.8 %, 10.2 %, and 9.3 % in the clean period, BB period, and whole period, respectively, which were 2.4-2.6 times lower than those (20.8 %-25.9 %) considered levoglucosan degradation. This illustrated that the relative contribution of BB to OC could be underestimated (~14.9 %) without considering degradation of levoglucosan. Compared to the traditional method (i.e., only using K+ as BB tracer), organic tracers (Lev, Man, Gal) were put into the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model in this study. With the addition of BB organic tracers and replaced K+ with K+BB (the water-soluble potassium produced by biomass burning), the overall contribution of BB to PM2.5 was enhanced by 3.2 % after accounting for levoglucosan degradation based on the PMF analysis. This study provides useful information to better understand the effect of biomass burning on the air quality in the Yangtze River Delta region.
  11. Liu B, Yang L, Shi J, Zhang S, Yalçınkaya Ç, Alshalif AF
    Environ Pollut, 2023 Jan 15;317:120839.
    PMID: 36493937 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120839
    Stabilizing/solidificating municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MIFA) with cement is a common strategy, and it is critical to study the high-value utilization of MIFA in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) components. With this aim, binary-binding-system mortar was produced by partially replacing OPC (∼50%) with MIFA, and the effects of different curing regimes (steam curing and carbonation curing) on the properties of the cement mortar were studied. The results showed that the setting time of the cement paste was shorten with the increase of MIFA content, and steam curing accelerated the hardening of the mixture. Although the incorporation of MIFA reduced the strength of the mortar, compared to conventional curing method, steam curing and carbonation curing increased the 3-d strength of the mortar. For high-volume MIFA mortars, the CO2-cured samples had the highest long-term strength and lowest permeability. The incorporation of MIFA increased the initial porosity of the mortar, thereby significantly increasing the carbonation degree and crystallinity of the reaction product - CaCO3. Steam curing also further narrowed the difference in the hydration degree between MIFA-modified sample and plain paste, which may be due to the enhanced hydraulic reactivity of MIFA at high temperatures. Although the incorporation of MIFA increased the porosity of the mortar, this waste-derived SCM refined the bulk pore structure and decreased the interconnected porosity. Additionally, the heavy metal leaching contents of MIFA-modified mortars were all below 1%, which meet the requirements of Chinese standards. Compared with standard curing, steam curing and carbonation curing made the early-age and long-term performance of MIFA-modified mortar better, which can promote the efficient application of MIFA in OPC products.
  12. Schweiker M, Abdul-Zahra A, André M, Al-Atrash F, Al-Khatri H, Alprianti RR, et al.
    Sci Data, 2019 11 26;6(1):289.
    PMID: 31772199 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0272-6
    Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants' interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledge on contextual influences on the interpretation of thermal perception scales and their verbal anchors by survey participants. A questionnaire was designed and consequently applied in 21 language versions. These surveys were conducted in 57 cities in 30 countries resulting in a dataset containing responses from 8225 participants. The database offers potential for further analysis in the areas of building design and operation, psycho-physical relationships between human perception and the built environment, and linguistic analyses.
  13. Schweiker M, Abdul-Zahra A, André M, Al-Atrash F, Al-Khatri H, Alprianti RR, et al.
    Sci Data, 2020 01 06;7(1):11.
    PMID: 31907360 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0348-3
    An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
  14. Shi T, Huang Q, Liu K, Du S, Fan Y, Yang L, et al.
    Eur Urol, 2020 10;78(4):592-602.
    PMID: 32305170 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2020.03.020
    BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted thrombectomy (RAT) for inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus (RAT-IVCT) is being increasingly reported. However, the techniques and indications for robot-assisted cavectomy (RAC) for IVC thrombus are not well described.

    OBJECTIVE: To develop a decision-making program and analyze multi-institutional outcomes of RAC-IVCT versus RAT-IVCT.

    DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Ninety patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with level II IVCT were included from eight Chinese urological centers, and underwent RAC-IVCT (30 patients) or RAT-IVCT (60 patients) from June 2013 to January 2019.

    SURGICAL PROCEDURE: The surgical strategy was based on IVCT imaging characteristics. RAT-IVCT was performed with standardized cavotomy, thrombectomy, and IVC reconstruction. RAC-IVCT was mainly performed in patients with extensive IVC wall invasion when the collateral blood vessels were well-established. For right-sided RCC, the IVC from the infrarenal vein to the infrahepatic veins was stapled. For left-sided RCC, the IVC from the suprarenal vein to the infrahepatic veins was removed and caudal IVC reconstruction was performed to ensure the right renal vein returned through the IVC collaterals.

    MEASUREMENTS: Clinicopathological, operative, and survival outcomes were collected and analyzed.

    RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: All procedures were successfully performed without open conversion. The median operation time (268 vs 190 min) and estimated blood loss (1500 vs 400 ml) were significantly greater for RAC-IVCT versus RAT-IVCT (both p < 0.001). IVC invasion was a risk factor for progression-free and overall survival at midterm follow-up. Large-volume and long-term follow-up studies are needed.

    CONCLUSIONS: RAC-IVCT or RAT-IVCT represents an alternative minimally invasive approach for selected RCC patients with level II IVCT. Selection of RAC-IVCT or RAT-IVCT is mainly based on preoperative IVCT imaging characteristics, including the presence of IVC wall invasion, the affected kidney, and establishment of the collateral circulation.

    PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study we found that robotic surgeries for level II inferior vena cava thrombus were feasible and safe. Preoperative imaging played an important role in establishing an appropriate surgical plan.

  15. Vermunt J, Bragg F, Halsey J, Yang L, Chen Y, Guo Y, et al.
    PMID: 34728472 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2021-002495
    INTRODUCTION: We examined the associations between long-term usual random plasma glucose (RPG) levels and cause-specific mortality risks among adults without known diabetes in China.

    RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 512,891 adults (59% women) aged 30-79 from 10 regions of China during 2004-2008. At baseline survey, and subsequent resurveys of a random subset of survivors, participants were interviewed and measurements collected, including on-site RPG testing. Cause of death was ascertained via linkage to local mortality registries. Cox regression yielded adjusted HR for all-cause and cause-specific mortality associated with usual levels of RPG.

    RESULTS: During median 11 years' follow-up, 37,214 deaths occurred among 452,993 participants without prior diagnosed diabetes or other chronic diseases. There were positive log-linear relationships between RPG and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) (n=14,209) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (n=432) mortality down to usual RPG levels of at least 5.1 mmol/L. At RPG <11.1 mmol/L, each 1.0 mmol/L higher usual RPG was associated with adjusted HRs of 1.14 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.16), 1.16 (1.12 to 1.19) and 1.44 (1.22 to 1.70) for all-cause, CVD and CKD mortality, respectively. Usual RPG was positively associated with chronic liver disease (n=547; 1.45 (1.26 to 1.66)) and cancer (n=12,680; 1.12 (1.09 to 1.16)) mortality, but with comparably lower risks at baseline RPG ≥11.1 mmol/L. These associations persisted after excluding participants who developed diabetes during follow-up.

    CONCLUSIONS: Among Chinese adults without diabetes, higher RPG levels were associated with higher mortality risks from several major diseases, with no evidence of apparent thresholds below the cut-points for diabetes diagnosis.

  16. Wang D, Tang G, Huang Y, Yu C, Li S, Zhuang L, et al.
    J Med Case Rep, 2015;9:109.
    PMID: 25962780 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-015-0580-1
    Human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus was first reported on March, 2013 in the Yangtze River Delta region of China. The majority of human cases were detected in mainland China; other regions out of mainland China reported imported human cases, including Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan (the Republic of China) and Malaysia, due to human transportation. Here, we report the first human case of H7N9 infection imported into Guizhou Province during the Spring Festival travel season in January 2014.
  17. Wang HC, Djajalaksana S, Sharma L, Theerakittikul T, Lim HF, Yoo KH, et al.
    World Allergy Organ J, 2023 Oct;16(10):100823.
    PMID: 37869560 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2023.100823
    BACKGROUND: The extent of short-acting Beta-2-agonist (β2-agonist) (SABA) use across Asian countries is not well documented. As part of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study, we assessed SABA prescriptions and clinical outcomes in patients with asthma from Asia.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited patients (aged ≥12 years) with asthma from 8 Asian countries. Data on disease characteristics and asthma treatments were collected using electronic case report forms. Patients were classified by practice type (primary or specialist care) and investigator-defined asthma severity (per Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA] 2017 recommendations). The association of SABA prescriptions with clinical outcomes was analyzed using multivariable regression models.

    RESULTS: Overall, 3066 patients were analyzed, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 51.8 (16.7) years; of these patients, 2116 (69%) were female, 2517 (82.1%) had moderate-to-severe asthma and 2498 (81.5%) and 559 (18.2%) were treated in specialist and primary care, respectively. In total, 1423 (46.4%) patients had partly controlled/uncontrolled asthma, with 1149 (37.5%) patients experiencing ≥1 severe asthma exacerbation in the previous year. Overall, 800 (26.7%) patients were prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters in the previous year, which is regarded as overprescription and was associated with a significantly decreased odds of at least partly controlled asthma and increased incidence rates of severe exacerbations (P 

  18. Wong WM, Tham YC, Simunovic MP, Chen FK, Luu CD, Chen H, et al.
    Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila), 2024;13(1):100030.
    PMID: 38233300 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjo.2023.100030
    PURPOSE: There are major gaps in our knowledge of hereditary ocular conditions in the Asia-Pacific population, which comprises approximately 60% of the world's population. Therefore, a concerted regional effort is urgently needed to close this critical knowledge gap and apply precision medicine technology to improve the quality of lives of these patients in the Asia-Pacific region.

    DESIGN: Multi-national, multi-center collaborative network.

    METHODS: The Research Standing Committee of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and the Asia-Pacific Society of Eye Genetics fostered this research collaboration, which brings together renowned institutions and experts for inherited eye diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. The immediate priority of the network will be inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), where there is a lack of detailed characterization of these conditions and in the number of established registries.

    RESULTS: The network comprises 55 members from 35 centers, spanning 12 countries and regions, including Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. The steering committee comprises ophthalmologists with experience in consortia for eye diseases in the Asia-Pacific region, leading ophthalmologists and vision scientists in the field of IRDs internationally, and ophthalmic geneticists.

    CONCLUSIONS: The Asia Pacific Inherited Eye Disease (APIED) network aims to (1) improve genotyping capabilities and expertise to increase early and accurate genetic diagnosis of IRDs, (2) harmonise deep phenotyping practices and utilization of ontological terms, and (3) establish high-quality, multi-user, federated disease registries that will facilitate patient care, genetic counseling, and research of IRDs regionally and internationally.

  19. Xu D, Yang L, Zhao M, Zhang J, Syed-Hassan SSA, Sun H, et al.
    Environ Pollut, 2021 Feb 01;270:116120.
    PMID: 33341552 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116120
    Understanding the migration and conversion of nitrogen in wood-based panels (WBPs) during pyrolysis is fundamentally important for potentially transforming the N-containing species into valuable material-based products. This review firstly summarizes the commonly used methods for examining N evolution during the WBPs pyrolysis before probing into the association between the wood and adhesives.The potential effects of wood-adhesive interaction on the pyrolysis process are subsequently analyzed. Furthermore, the controversial statements from literature on the influence of adhesives on wood pyrolysis behavior are discussed, which is followed by the detailed investigation into the distribution and evolution of N-containing species in gas, liquid and char, respectively, during WBPs pyrolysis in recent studies. The differences in N species due to the heating sources (i.e. electrical heating vs microwave heating) are particularly compared. Finally, based on the characteristics of staged pyrolysis, co-pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis, the converting pathways for WBPs are proposed with an emphasis on the production of value-added chemicals and carbon materials, simultaneously mitigating NOx emission.
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