Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 53 in total

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  1. Liu B, Lu Y, Deng H, Huang H, Wei N, Jiang Y, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2023 Sep 01;889:164173.
    PMID: 37201824 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164173
    Microplastic (MP) pollution is a serious global environmental problem, particularly in marine ecosystems. However, the pollution patterns of MPs in the ocean and atmosphere, particularly the sea-air interrelationship, remain unclear. Therefore, the abundance, distribution patterns, and sources of MPs in the seawater and atmosphere of the South China Sea (SCS) were comparatively investigated. The results showed that MPs were prevalent in the SCS with an average abundance of 103.4 ± 98.3 items/m3 in the seawater and 4.62 ± 3.60 items/100 m3 in the atmosphere. The spatial analysis indicated that the pollution patterns of seawater MPs were mainly determined by land-based discharge and sea surface currents, whereas atmospheric MPs were predominantly determined by air parcel trajectory and wind conditions. The highest MP abundance of 490 items/m3 in seawater was found at a station near Vietnam with current vortices. However, the highest MP abundance of 14.6 items/100 m3 in the atmosphere was found in air parcels with low-speed southerly winds from Malaysia. Similar MP compositions (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and polyethylene) were observed in the two environmental compartments. Furthermore, similar MP characteristics (e.g., shape, color, and size) in the seawater and atmosphere of the same region suggested a close relationship between the MPs in the two compartments. For this purpose, cluster analysis and calculation of the MP diversity integrated index were performed. The results showed an obvious dispersion between the two compartment clusters and a higher diversity integrated index of MPs in seawater than in the atmosphere, thus implying higher compositional diversity and more complex sources of MPs in seawater relative to the atmosphere. These findings deepen our understanding of MP fate and patterns in the semi-enclosed marginal sea environment and highlight the potential interrelationship of MPs in the air-sea system.
  2. Ling L, Huang L, Wang J, Zhang L, Wu Y, Jiang Y, et al.
    Interdiscip Sci, 2023 Dec;15(4):560-577.
    PMID: 37160860 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-023-00570-2
    Soft subspace clustering (SSC), which analyzes high-dimensional data and applies various weights to each cluster class to assess the membership degree of each cluster to the space, has shown promising results in recent years. This method of clustering assigns distinct weights to each cluster class. By introducing spatial information, enhanced SSC algorithms improve the degree to which intraclass compactness and interclass separation are achieved. However, these algorithms are sensitive to noisy data and have a tendency to fall into local optima. In addition, the segmentation accuracy is poor because of the influence of noisy data. In this study, an SSC approach that is based on particle swarm optimization is suggested with the intention of reducing the interference caused by noisy data. The particle swarm optimization method is used to locate the best possible clustering center. Second, increasing the amount of geographical membership makes it possible to utilize the spatial information to quantify the link between different clusters in a more precise manner. In conclusion, the extended noise clustering method is implemented in order to maximize the weight. Additionally, the constraint condition of the weight is changed from the equality constraint to the boundary constraint in order to reduce the impact of noise. The methodology presented in this research works to reduce the amount of sensitivity the SSC algorithm has to noisy data. It is possible to demonstrate the efficacy of this algorithm by using photos with noise already present or by introducing noise to existing photographs. The revised SSC approach based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is demonstrated to have superior segmentation accuracy through a number of trials; as a result, this work gives a novel method for the segmentation of noisy images.
  3. Jiang Y, Wu H, Ho PCL, Tang X, Ao H, Chen L, et al.
    Molecules, 2023 Nov 28;28(23).
    PMID: 38067553 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237824
    Seahorse is a valuable marine-animal drug widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and which was first documented in the "Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu" during the Liang Dynasty. Hippocampus kelloggi (HK) is the most common seahorse species in the medicinal material market and is one of the genuine sources of medicinal seahorse documented in the Chinese pharmacopeia. It is mainly cultivated in the Shandong, Fujian, and Guangxi Provinces in China. However, pseudo-HK, represented by Hippocampus ingens (HI) due to its similar appearance and traits, is often found in the market, compromising the safety and efficacy of clinical use. Currently, there is a lack of reliable methods for identifying these species based on their chemical composition. In this study, we employed, for the first time, a strategy combining gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fingerprints and chemical patterns in order to identify HK and HI; it is also the first metabolomic study to date of HI as to chemical components. The obtained results revealed remarkable similarities in the chemical fingerprints, while significant differences were also observed. By employing hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), based on the relative contents of their characteristic peaks, all 34 samples were successfully differentiated according to their species of origin, with samples from the same species forming distinct clusters. Moreover, nonadecanoic acid and behenic acid were exclusively detected in HK samples, further distinguishing them from HI samples. Additionally, the relative contents of lauric acid, tetradecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, oleic acid, fenozan acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exhibited significant differences between HK and HI (p < 0.0001), as determined by an unpaired t-test. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified seven components (DHA, EPA, n-hexadecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, octadecanoic acid, and margaric acid) with high discriminatory value (VIP value > 1). Thus, nonadecanoic acid, behenic acid, and these seven compounds can be utilized as chemical markers for distinguishing HK from HI. In conclusion, our study successfully developed a combined strategy of GC-MS fingerprinting and chemical pattern recognition for the identification of HK and HI, and we also discovered chemical markers that can directly differentiate between the two species. This study can provide a foundation for the authentication of Hippocampus and holds significant importance for the conservation of wild seahorse resources.
  4. Wu X, Zhang W, Li Y, Zheng L, Liu J, Jiang Y, et al.
    PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0295118.
    PMID: 38166098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295118
    BACKGROUND: As an important factor affecting personal health, anxiety has always been valued by people. Prior research has consistently shown that personality traits is associated with anxiety level,but little is known about the inner mechanism of this relationship. To fill the gap, the present research aims to explore the chain mediating role of general self-efficacy and academic burnout in the relationship between big five personality and anxiety.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed from September to November 2022. Self-reported questionnaires including the Big Five Personality Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, College Student's academic burnout Scale, Generalized Anxiety Scale and demographic characteristics were distributed to 2505 college students in a university in Hebei Province, of which 2,471 were valid. Statistical analysis was carried out through SPSS26.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro.

    RESULTS: Results showed four of the big five personality characters (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness) were negatively correlated with anxiety. Neuroticism was positively correlated with anxiety. Moreover, general self-efficacy was found to be negatively correlated with academic burnout and anxiety; academic burnout was positively correlated with anxiety. Finally, general self-efficacy and academic burnout mediated the relationship between personality traits (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness) and anxiety.

    CONCLUSIONS: Personality traits (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness) could influence anxiety through the chain mediating effects of general self-efficacy and academic burnout. Interventions focusing on anxiety reduction may be successful in increasing general self-efficacy and decreasing students' academic burnout.

  5. Jiang Y, Zhao L, Ma J, Yang Y, Zhang B, Xu J, et al.
    Phytomedicine, 2024 Jan;123:155229.
    PMID: 38006804 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155229
    BACKGROUND: Triphala (TLP), as a Chinese Tibetan medicine composing of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica (1.2:1.5:1), exhibited hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and gut microbiota modulatory effects. Nonetheless, its roles in prevention of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the related mechanistic insights involving the interplay of gut microbiota and hepatic inflammation are not known.

    PURPOSE: The present study seeks to determine if TLP would prevent HFD-induced NAFLD in vivo and its underlying mechanisms from the perspectives of gut microbiota, metabolites, and hepatic inflammation.

    METHODS: TLP was subjected to extraction and chemo-profiling, and in vivo evaluation in HFD-fed rats on hepatic lipid and inflammation, intestinal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and permeability, and body weight and fat content profiles.

    RESULTS: The TLP was primarily constituted of gallic acid, corilagin and chebulagic acid. Orally administered HFD-fed rats with TLP were characterized by the growth of Ligilactobacillus and Akkermansia, and SCFAs (acetic/propionic/butyric acid) secretion which led to increased claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 expression that reduced the mucosal permeability to migration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into blood and liver. Coupling with hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride lowering actions, the TLP mitigated both inflammatory (ALT, AST, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and pro-inflammatory (TLR4, MYD88 and NF-κB P65) activities of liver, and sequel to histopathological development of NAFLD in a dose-dependent fashion.

    CONCLUSION: TLP is promisingly an effective therapy to prevent NAFLD through modulating gut microbiota, mucosal permeability and SCFAs secretion with liver fat and inflammatory responses.

  6. Bo S, Chang SK, Chen Y, Sheng Z, Jiang Y, Yang B
    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2024;64(9):2490-2512.
    PMID: 36123801 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2124396
    Rare flavonoids, a special subclass of naturally occurring flavonoids with diverse structures including pterocarpans, aurones, neoflavonoids, homoisoflavones, diphenylpropanes, rotenoids and 2-phenylethyl-chromones. They are mainly found in legumes with numerous health benefits. Rare flavonoids are regarded as minor flavonoids due to their very limited abundance in nature. This review gives an overview of the natural occurrences of rare flavonoids from previous literatures. Recent findings on the biosynthesis of rare flavonoids have been updated by describing their structural characteristics and classifications. Recent findings on the health benefits of rare flavonoids have also been compiled and discussed. Natural rare flavonoids with various characteristics from different subclasses from plant-based food sources are stated. They show a wide range of health benefits, including antibacterial, anticancer, anti-osteoporosis and antiviral activities. Studies reviewed suggest that rare flavonoids possessing different skeletons demonstrate different characteristic bioactivities by discussing their mechanism of actions and structure-activity relationships. Besides, recent advances on the biosynthesis of rare flavonoids, such as pterocarpans, rotenoids and aurones are well-known, while the biosynthesis of other subclasses remain unknown. The perspectives and further applications of rare flavonoids using metabolic engineering strategies also be expected.
  7. Yuan Y, Wang YB, Jiang Y, Prasad KN, Yang J, Qu H, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2016 Jan;82:696-701.
    PMID: 26505952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.10.069
    The water-soluble bioactive polysaccharides can contribute to the health benefits of Lycium barbarium fruit. However, the structure characteristics of these polysaccharides remain unclear yet. An important polysaccharide (LBPA) was isolated and purified from L. barbarium in this work. It was identified by chemical and spectroscopic methods as arabinogalactan with β-d-(1→6)-galactan as backbone, which was different to any reported polysaccharides from this species before. This arabinogalactan was comprised of Araf, Galp, GlcpA and Rhap with a molar ratio of 9.2:6.6:1.0:0.9. The side chains, including α-l-Araf-(1→, α-l-Araf-(1→5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, β-l-Araf-(1→5)-α-l-Araf-(1→ and α-l-Rhap-(1→4)-β-d-GlcpA-(1→6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, were linked to β-d-(1→6)-galactan at O-3. The putative structure was drawn as below. The molecular weight was determined to be 470,000g/mol by gel permeation chromatography.
  8. Ehteshami M, Tao S, Zandi K, Hsiao HM, Jiang Y, Hammond E, et al.
    PMID: 28137799 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.02395-16
    Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) represents a reemerging global threat to human health. Recent outbreaks across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean have prompted renewed scientific interest in this mosquito-borne alphavirus. There are currently no vaccines against CHIKV, and treatment has been limited to nonspecific antiviral agents, with suboptimal outcomes. Herein, we have identified β-d-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) as a novel inhibitor of CHIKV. NHC behaves as a pyrimidine ribonucleoside and selectively inhibits CHIKV replication in cell culture.
  9. Wang J, Jiang Y, Liu JY, Xu HB, Zhang YX, Peng X, et al.
    Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2021 Oct 04;60(41):22368-22375.
    PMID: 34383376 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202107637
    The salts {[Ln2 Ln*(Hhmq)3 (OAc)3 (hfac)2 ]+ [Ln*(hfac)3 (OAc)(MeOH)]- } (Hhmq=2-methanolquinolin-8-oxide, hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate; Ln, Ln*=Er, Gd, Yb) feature a discrete heteronuclear cation consisting of two types of lanthanide atoms. The quinolinoxy O-atom serves as a μ2 -bridge to two Ln atoms and as a μ3 -bridge to all three atoms, with metal⋅⋅⋅metal distances being around 3.7 Å. For 1 ([Yb2 Er]+ ), near-infrared downshifted luminescence is switched to competitive upconversion luminescence upon irradiation by a 980 nm laser under an extremely low excitation power (0.288 W cm-2 ) through introduction of fluoride ions. The stability of 1 after addition of fluoride was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and multistage mass spectrometry, associated with the 1 H NMR of 6 ([La2 Eu]+ ). More importantly, the at least 20-fold enhancement of the quantum yield in non-deuterated solvents at room temperature under low power densities (2 W cm-2 ) is the highest among the few molecular examples reported.
  10. Yang J, Gao Z, Yu Z, Hou Y, Tang D, Yan H, et al.
    PMID: 37599623 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2248244
    Aurones are a subclass of active flavonoids characterized with a scaffold of 2-benzylidene-3(2H)-benzofuranone. This type of chemicals are widely distributed in fruit, vegetable and flower, and contribute to human health. In this review, we summarize the natural aurones isolated from dietary plants. Their positive effects on immunomodulation, antioxidation, cancer prevention as well as maintaining the health status of cardiovascular, nervous system and liver organs are highlighted. The biosynthesis strategies of plant-derived aurones are elaborated to provide solutions for their limited natural abundance. The potential application of natural aurones in food coloration are also discussed. This paper combines the up-to-date information and gives a full image of dietary aurones.
  11. Teoh YX, Lai KW, Usman J, Goh SL, Mohafez H, Hasikin K, et al.
    J Healthc Eng, 2022;2022:4138666.
    PMID: 35222885 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4138666
    Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a deliberating joint disorder characterized by cartilage loss that can be captured by imaging modalities and translated into imaging features. Observing imaging features is a well-known objective assessment for knee OA disorder. However, the variety of imaging features is rarely discussed. This study reviews knee OA imaging features with respect to different imaging modalities for traditional OA diagnosis and updates recent image-based machine learning approaches for knee OA diagnosis and prognosis. Although most studies recognized X-ray as standard imaging option for knee OA diagnosis, the imaging features are limited to bony changes and less sensitive to short-term OA changes. Researchers have recommended the usage of MRI to study the hidden OA-related radiomic features in soft tissues and bony structures. Furthermore, ultrasound imaging features should be explored to make it more feasible for point-of-care diagnosis. Traditional knee OA diagnosis mainly relies on manual interpretation of medical images based on the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading scheme, but this approach is consistently prone to human resource and time constraints and less effective for OA prevention. Recent studies revealed the capability of machine learning approaches in automating knee OA diagnosis and prognosis, through three major tasks: knee joint localization (detection and segmentation), classification of OA severity, and prediction of disease progression. AI-aided diagnostic models improved the quality of knee OA diagnosis significantly in terms of time taken, reproducibility, and accuracy. Prognostic ability was demonstrated by several prediction models in terms of estimating possible OA onset, OA deterioration, progressive pain, progressive structural change, progressive structural change with pain, and time to total knee replacement (TKR) incidence. Despite research gaps, machine learning techniques still manifest huge potential to work on demanding tasks such as early knee OA detection and estimation of future disease events, as well as fundamental tasks such as discovering the new imaging features and establishment of novel OA status measure. Continuous machine learning model enhancement may favour the discovery of new OA treatment in future.
  12. Peng P, Wu D, Huang LJ, Wang J, Zhang L, Wu Y, et al.
    Interdiscip Sci, 2024 Mar;16(1):39-57.
    PMID: 37486420 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-023-00580-0
    Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed with mammography. Using image segmentation algorithms to separate lesion areas in mammography can facilitate diagnosis by doctors and reduce their workload, which has important clinical significance. Because large, accurately labeled medical image datasets are difficult to obtain, traditional clustering algorithms are widely used in medical image segmentation as an unsupervised model. Traditional unsupervised clustering algorithms have limited learning knowledge. Moreover, some semi-supervised fuzzy clustering algorithms cannot fully mine the information of labeled samples, which results in insufficient supervision. When faced with complex mammography images, the above algorithms cannot accurately segment lesion areas. To address this, a semi-supervised fuzzy clustering based on knowledge weighting and cluster center learning (WSFCM_V) is presented. According to prior knowledge, three learning modes are proposed: a knowledge weighting method for cluster centers, Euclidean distance weights for unlabeled samples, and learning from the cluster centers of labeled sample sets. These strategies improve the clustering performance. On real breast molybdenum target images, the WSFCM_V algorithm is compared with currently popular semi-supervised and unsupervised clustering algorithms. WSFCM_V has the best evaluation index values. Experimental results demonstrate that compared with the existing clustering algorithms, WSFCM_V has a higher segmentation accuracy than other clustering algorithms, both for larger lesion regions like tumor areas and for smaller lesion areas like calcification point areas.
  13. Tee LH, Yang B, Nagendra KP, Ramanan RN, Sun J, Chan ES, et al.
    Food Chem, 2014 Dec 15;165:247-55.
    PMID: 25038673 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.084
    Dacryodes species are evergreen, perennial trees with fleshy fruits and belong to the family Buseraseae. Many Dacryodes species are underutilized but are widely applied in traditional folk medicine to treat malaria, fever and skin diseases. The nutritional compositions, phytochemicals and biological activities of Dacryodes edulis, Dacryodes rostrata, Dacryodes buettneri, Dacryodes klaineana and Dacryodes hexandra are presented. The edible fruits of D. edulis are rich in lipids, proteins, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids. Its extracts (leaf, fruit and resin) exhibit antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic and other bioactivities. D. rostrata fruit has significant nutrient content, and is rich in proteins, lipids and minerals. These fruits are also highly rich in polyphenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant activities. This comprehensive review will assist the reader in understanding the nutritional benefits of Dacryodes species and in identifying current research needs.
  14. Sansone G, Fong GT, Hall PA, Guignard R, Beck F, Mons U, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2013;13:346.
    PMID: 23587205 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-346
    Prior studies have demonstrated that time perspective-the propensity to consider short-versus long-term consequences of one's actions-is a potentially important predictor of health-related behaviors, including smoking. However, most prior studies have been conducted within single high-income countries. The aim of this study was to examine whether time perspective was associated with the likelihood of being a smoker or non-smoker across five countries that vary in smoking behavior and strength of tobacco control policies.
  15. Elton-Marshall T, Xu SS, Meng G, Quah AC, Sansone GC, Feng G, et al.
    Tob Control, 2015 Nov;24 Suppl 4:iv6-13.
    PMID: 26420242 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052616
    In 2009, China changed its health warnings on cigarette packs from side-only text warnings to two text-only warnings on 30% of the bottom of the front and back of the pack. Also in 2009, Malaysia changed from similar text warnings to pictorial health warnings consistent with Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 11 Guidelines.
  16. Zhang W, Liang Y, Zheng K, Gu C, Liu Y, Wang Z, et al.
    BMC Genomics, 2021 Sep 20;22(1):675.
    PMID: 34544379 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07978-4
    BACKGROUND: Marine bacteriophages play key roles in the community structure of microorganisms, biogeochemical cycles, and the mediation of genetic diversity through horizontal gene transfer. Recently, traditional isolation methods, complemented by high-throughput sequencing metagenomics technology, have greatly increased our understanding of the diversity of bacteriophages. Oceanospirillum, within the order Oceanospirillales, are important symbiotic marine bacteria associated with hydrocarbon degradation and algal blooms, especially in polar regions. However, until now there has been no isolate of an Oceanospirillum bacteriophage, and so details of their metagenome has remained unknown.

    RESULTS: Here, we reported the first Oceanospirillum phage, vB_OliS_GJ44, which was assembled into a 33,786 bp linear dsDNA genome, which includes abundant tail-related and recombinant proteins. The recombinant module was highly adapted to the host, according to the tetranucleotides correlations. Genomic and morphological analyses identified vB_OliS_GJ44 as a siphovirus, however, due to the distant evolutionary relationship with any other known siphovirus, it is proposed that this virus could be classified as the type phage of a new Oceanospirivirus genus within the Siphoviridae family. vB_OliS_GJ44 showed synteny with six uncultured phages, which supports its representation in uncultured environmental viral contigs from metagenomics. Homologs of several vB_OliS_GJ44 genes have mostly been found in marine metagenomes, suggesting the prevalence of this phage genus in the oceans.

    CONCLUSIONS: These results describe the first Oceanospirillum phage, vB_OliS_GJ44, that represents a novel viral cluster and exhibits interesting genetic features related to phage-host interactions and evolution. Thus, we propose a new viral genus Oceanospirivirus within the Siphoviridae family to reconcile this cluster, with vB_OliS_GJ44 as a representative member.

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

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

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

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

  18. Zhong H, Wu M, Sonne C, Lam SS, Kwong RWM, Jiang Y, et al.
    Eco Environ Health, 2023 Sep;2(3):142-151.
    PMID: 38074987 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.07.004
    Increasing studies of plastisphere have raised public concern about microplastics (MPs) as vectors for pathogens, especially in aquatic environments. However, the extent to which pathogens affect human health through MPs remains unclear, as controversies persist regarding the distinct pathogen colonization on MPs as well as the transmission routes and infection probability of MP-associated pathogens from water to humans. In this review, we critically discuss whether and how pathogens approach humans via MPs, shedding light on the potential health risks involved. Drawing on cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, we show that some MPs may facilitate the growth and long-range transmission of specific pathogens in aquatic environments, ultimately increasing the risk of infection in humans. We identify MP- and pathogen-rich settings, such as wastewater treatment plants, aquaculture farms, and swimming pools, as possible sites for human exposure to MP-associated pathogens. This review emphasizes the need for further research and targeted interventions to better understand and mitigate the potential health risks associated with MP-mediated pathogen transmission.
  19. Shen J, Hao C, Yuan S, Chen W, Tong T, Chen Y, et al.
    Brain Res, 2024 Mar 01;1826:148715.
    PMID: 38142722 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148715
    BACKGROUND: The treatment of depression with acupuncture has been documented. The mechanism behind acupuncture's curative and preventative effects is still unknown.

    METHODS: The current study examined the effects of acupuncture on depression-like behaviors in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), while also exploring its potential mechanisms. A total of six groups of rats were randomly assigned: control, CUMS, acupuncture, fluoxetine, acupoint catgut embedding and sham acupoint catgut embedding. Fluoxetine (2.1 mg/kg) and acupoint catgut embedding were used for comparative research to acupuncture. The modelling evaluation is measured by body weight and behavior tests. Western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the proteins and mRNA expression of Silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1)/ nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/ Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway in the hippocampus. The expression of oxidative stress (OS)-related proteins and inflammatory cytokines in the serum was detected with ELISA. Immunofluorescence showed microglia and astrocytes activity in the hippocampus.

    RESULTS: Acupuncture and fluoxetine could alleviate CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors. Acupuncture was also found to effectively reverse the levels of MDA, SOD, GSH, GSH-PX and T-AOC, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum of CUMS-induced rats. Rats with CUMS showed decreased levels of Sirt1, Nrf2, HO-1 and GPX4 in the hippocampus, while acupuncture treatment could partly reverse the diminished effects. In addition, acupuncture treatment significantly reduced the activation of hippocampal microglia and astrocytes in CUMS-induced rats.

    CONCLUSION: The study's findings indicate that acupuncture has the potential to mitigate depression-like behaviors in rats induced with CUMS by mitigating OS and reducing neuroinflammation.

  20. Gravely S, Fong GT, Cummings KM, Yan M, Quah AC, Borland R, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2014 Nov 13;11(11):11691-704.
    PMID: 25421063 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph111111691
    BACKGROUND: In recent years, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have generated considerable interest and debate on the implications for tobacco control and public health. Although the rapid growth of e-cigarettes is global, at present, little is known about awareness and use. This paper presents self-reported awareness, trial and current use of e-cigarettes in 10 countries surveyed between 2009 and 2013; for six of these countries, we present the first data on e-cigarettes from probability samples of adult smokers.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of probability samples of adult (≥ 18 years) current and former smokers participating in the International Tobacco Control (ITC) surveys from 10 countries. Surveys were administered either via phone, face-to-face interviews, or the web. Survey questions included sociodemographic and smoking-related variables, and questions about e-cigarette awareness, trial and current use.

    RESULTS: There was considerable cross-country variation by year of data collection and for awareness of e-cigarettes (Netherlands (2013: 88%), Republic of Korea (2010: 79%), United States (2010: 73%), Australia (2013: 66%), Malaysia (2011: 62%), United Kingdom (2010: 54%), Canada (2010: 40%), Brazil (2013: 37%), Mexico (2012: 34%), and China (2009: 31%)), in self-reports of ever having tried e-cigarettes (Australia, (20%), Malaysia (19%), Netherlands (18%), United States (15%), Republic of Korea (11%), United Kingdom (10%), Brazil (8%), Mexico (4%), Canada (4%), and China (2%)), and in current use (Malaysia (14%), Republic of Korea (7%), Australia (7%), United States (6%), United Kingdom (4%), Netherlands (3%), Canada (1%), and China (0.05%)) [corrected].

    CONCLUSIONS: The cross-country variability in awareness, trial, and current use of e-cigarettes is likely due to a confluence of country-specific market factors, tobacco control policies and regulations (e.g., the legal status of e-cigarettes and nicotine), and the survey timing along the trajectory of e-cigarette awareness and trial/use in each country. These ITC results constitute an important snapshot of an early stage of what appears to be a rapid progression of global e-cigarette use.
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