Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 847 in total

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  1. Li YY, Wang XM, Lu XZ
    J Cell Mol Med, 2014 Feb;18(2):274-82.
    PMID: 24373634 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12185
    The KCNQ1 rs2237892 C→T gene polymorphism is reportedly associated with T2DM susceptibility, but various studies show conflicting results. To explore this association in the Asian population, a meta-analysis of 15,736 patients from 10 individual studies was performed. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated using random-effect or fixed-effect models. A significant relationship between the KCNQ1 rs2237892 C→T gene polymorphism and T2DM was observed in the Asian population under the allelic (OR, 1.350; 95% CI, 1.240-1.480; P 
  2. Dib HH, Lu SQ, Wen SF
    Parasitol Res, 2008 Jul;103(2):239-51.
    PMID: 18425689 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-0968-6
    This article is a review of the latest information on the prevalence of G. lamblia in South Asia, South East Asia and Far East, characterizing the current endemic situation within these regions. Around 33 published papers from 2002-2007 were collected on G. lamblia. The included countries were Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Republic of Korea, and China. Only five published papers were discarded because data was extracted before 2002-2007 or they are not included within our regions, emphasizing more on G. lamblia in animals, or performed at extensive molecular level. The prevalence of G. lamblia varied markedly between studies illustrating higher levels in the urban than in the rural areas, more among poor communities, slightly higher in males than in females with age range of 2-5-year-old children, and among university students, old-aged people, HIV-positive patients, and gastric carcinoma patients. Though G. lamblia is not a life-threatening parasite, nevertheless, it is still considered as the most common water-borne diarrhea-causing disease. It is important to understand the etiology, frequency, and consequences of acute diarrhea in children. Routine surveillance such as bi-annual follow-up treatments, treating G. duodenalis cysts and other protozoa oocysts detected in ground water sources, and continuous health education are the most preventive measures.
  3. Král D, Lu Y, Bai M
    Zootaxa, 2021 Jan 27;4920(1):zootaxa.4920.1.8.
    PMID: 33756680 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4920.1.8
    The genus Airapus Stebnicka Howden, 1996 currently comprises 26 extant species distributed in the Australian and Oriental zoogeographical regions (Stebnicka Howden 1996; Stebnicka 1998, 2009; Rakovič et al. 2019; Král et al. 2019; Minkina 2020) and one fossil species from the Eocene Baltic amber (Tamutis et al. 2017). Of the continental Southeast Asia, only three species have been known so far: Airapus cechovskyi Král, Mencl Rakovič, 2019 (mainland Malaysia: Kelantan), A. tyri Král, Mencl Rakovič, 2019 (Central Thailand: Phetchaburi Province) and A. sicardi ( Paulian, 1945) (Laos: "Cochinchine: Long Xuyen" and South Vietnam: "Annam: Tanh Hoa") (Paulian 1945; Balthasar 1964; Král et al. 2019). Examination of the material housed in the collections of the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, revealed Airapus material belonging to an undescribed species. Its formal description is presented in this paper. This new species is another, fourth species occurring in mainland Southeast Asia. It is also the first country record from China. The geographical distribution of the genus is now known to the north as far as Fujian Province.
  4. Tan K, Lu T, Ren MX
    PhytoKeys, 2020;157:7-26.
    PMID: 32934445 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.157.34032
    Based on an updated taxonomy of Gesneriaceae, the biogeography and evolution of the Asian Gesneriaceae are outlined and discussed. Most of the Asian Gesneriaceae belongs to Didymocarpoideae, except Titanotrichum was recently moved into Gesnerioideae. Most basal taxa of the Asian Gesneriaceae are found in the Indian subcontinent and Indo-China Peninsula, suggesting Didymocarpoideae might originate in these regions. Four species diversification centers were recognized, i.e. Sino-Vietnam regions, Malay Peninsula, North Borneo and Northwest Yunnan (Hengduan Mountains). The first three regions are dominated by limestone landscapes, while the Northwest Yunnan is well-known for its numerous deep gorges and high mountains. The places with at least 25% species are neoendemics (newly evolved and narrowly endemic) which were determined as evolutionary hotspots, including Hengduan Mountains, boundary areas of Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi in Southwest China, North Borneo, Pahang and Terengganu in Malay Peninsula, and mountainous areas in North Thailand, North Sulawesi Island. Finally, the underlying mechanisms for biogeographical patterns and species diversification of the Asian Gesneriaceae are discussed.
  5. Lu GL, Lee MT, Chiou LC
    Addict Biol, 2019 11;24(6):1153-1166.
    PMID: 30276922 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12672
    Orexins (also called hypocretins) are implicated in reward and addiction, but little is known about their role(s) in the association between hippocampal synaptic plasticity and drug preference. Previously, we found that exogenous orexin via OX1 and OX2 receptors can impair low frequency stimulation-induced depotentiation, i.e. restoring potentiation of excitatory synaptic transmission (re-potentiation) in mouse hippocampal slices. Here, we found this re-potentiation in hippocampal slices from mice that had acquired conditioned place preference (CPP) to cocaine. Both 10 and 20 mg/kg of cocaine induced similar magnitudes of CPP in mice and re-potentiation in their hippocampal slices, but differed in their susceptibility to TCS1102, a dual (OX1 and OX2 ) orexin receptor antagonist. TCS1102 significantly attenuated CPP and hippocampal re-potentiation induced by cocaine at 10 mg/kg but not at 20 mg/kg. Nonetheless, SCH23390, an antagonist of dopamine D1-like receptors (D1-likeRs), inhibited the effects induced by both doses of cocaine. SKF38393, a D1-likeR-selective agonist, also induced hippocampal re-potentiation in vitro. Interestingly, this effect was attenuated by TCS1102. Conversely, SCH23390 prevented orexin A-induced hippocampal re-potentiation. These results suggest that endogenous orexins are released in mice during cocaine-CPP acquisition, which sustains potentiated hippocampal transmission via OX1 /OX2 receptors and may contribute to the addiction memory of cocaine. This effect of endogenous orexins, however, may be substituted by dopamine that may dominate hippocampal re-potentiation and CPP via D1-likeRs when the reinforcing effect of cocaine is high.
  6. Zhang T, Liu H, Lu Y, Wang Q
    PMID: 36834432 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043737
    Physical inactivity has increased globally, particularly in developed nations. A high proportion of the human population is unable to meet the physical activity recommendation of the World Health Organisation due to hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and other medical conditions. Non-communicable diseases and mental health problems are becoming more prevalent, particularly in low and middle-income nations. This study aimed to determine the effectivenessof a mentorship programmeon university students' mental health and physical fitness. The intervention comprised the effects of sports-based development and education on physical fitness and mental health. A total of 196 and 234 students from two universities were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups, respectively. The primary outcomes were engagement in physical activities (number of push-ups for 1 min, the strength of hand grip (kg), and the Jump test while standing (cm)), body fat proportion and psychological resilience, self-efficacy, and relationship with family and schoolmates. Participants in the control group had access to a web-based health education game, whereas the intervention group wassubjected to intensive interventional activities for one month based on the eight principles of the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to compare the physical and mental components between the intervention and control groups. Relative to baseline, all the physical health components (push-ups, sit-ups, and jump tests), psychological resilience, relationship with family members, and self-efficacy increased significantly in the intervention compared to the control group. Body fat composition was significantly reduced in the intervention when compared tothe control group. In conclusion, the mentorship programme effectively improved the participants' physical and psychological health and could be developed further for application in a larger population.
  7. Chang HX, Huang CC, Lu PK
    Plant Dis, 2023 Nov 21.
    PMID: 37990523 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-10-23-2127-PDN
    From September 2020 to January 2021, an unknown disease of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) was reported by local growers in the Toucheng Town, Yilan County (N24.91, E121.85). The disease occurs in all age of winged bean, and the occurrence tended to be higher in humid environment, such as branches in lower canopy or branches in high density. The disease symptoms, which also appeared to be the sign of the pathogen, were spherical pustules in yellow to orange color on the stems, leaves, and pods of winged bean. Severely infected plants also exhibited growth reduction, malformation, and curling of the leaves and pods. According to the disease literature of winged bean, this unknown disease was likely to be the false rust caused by a chytrid pathogen, Synchytrium psophocarpi (UK, CAB International. 1993); and the uredinia-liked pustules could be the sori, which contain numerous ovoid to globose sporangia inside. In order to characterize the pathogen identity, the sori were manually ruptured to assess the size of individual sporangium, which had an average of 26.71 ± 4.25 μm x 26.61 ± 4.60 μm (n=42), similar to the size reported in literature (Drinkall and Price. 1979). To confirm the molecular identity, the full genomic sequences from the small subunit (SSU) to the internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1), 5.8S unit, and ITS-2 were amplified using the primer sets NS3 and ITS4. The 2,263 bp amplicon was cloned and sequenced to reveal the identity (Smith et al. 2014). The BLASTN results matched the SSU of our isolate (MW649126.1) to the Synchytrium minutum (HQ324138.1) with 96% similarity (1,075 out of 1,121 bp in length), Synchytrium decipiens isolate DAOM_87618 (KF160868.1) with 92% similarity (1,215 out of 1,326 bp in length) and S. decipiens isolate AFTOL-ID 634 (DQ536475.1) with 92% similarity (1210 out of 1316 bp in length). Phylogenetic analysis using the SSU sequence revealed this unknown pathogen was the grouped within the clade of Synchytrium genus with 100% bootstrapping confidence (Smith et al. 2014). Accordingly, the pathogen was confirmed to be a Synchytrium chytrid fungus. To complete the Koch's postulates, the sori were collected from infected tissue. After vortexing washing in 1% bleach for surface sterilization, the sori were gently crashed by a plastic tube pestle to harvest sporangia. The sporangia were sprayed onto healthy winged beans cultivated in pots, and the inoculated plants were kept in a moisture bag in 25 °C. While leaf curling and malformation could be observed about 14 days post inoculation, the yellow to orange sori could be observed around 30 to 40 days post inoculation on the whole plants cultivated in pots. The sori were collected to confirm the sporangia and the sequences were identical to the original pathogen. Collectively, this study not only presents the first report for the false rust of winged bean in Taiwan, but also documents the first reference sequence of S. psophocarpi that will be useful for future molecular diagnosis. Since S. psophocarpi has been only reported in tropic regions including Indonesia, Malay Peninsula, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Philippines, this report provides the first observation of S. psophocarpi moving in the subtropic region.
  8. Lu L, Jiang Y, Jaganathan R, Hao Y
    J Ophthalmol, 2018;2018:1694187.
    PMID: 29576875 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1694187
    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is classically defined by its vascular lesions and damage in the neurons of the retina. The cellular and clinical elements of DR have many features of chronic inflammation. Understanding the individual cell-specific inflammatory changes in the retina may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to prevent vision loss. The systematic use of available pharmacotherapy has been reported as a useful adjunct tool to laser photocoagulation, a gold standard therapy for DR. Direct injections or intravitreal anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis agents are widely used pharmacotherapy to effectively treat DR and diabetic macular edema (DME). However, their effectiveness is short term, and the delivery system is often associated with adverse effects, such as cataract and increased intraocular pressure. Further, systemic agents (particularly hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antihypertensive agents) and plants-based drugs have also provided promising treatment in the progression of DR. Recently, advancements in pluripotent stem cells technology enable restoration of retinal functionalities after transplantation of these cells into animals with retinal degeneration. This review paper summarizes the developments in the current and potential pharmacotherapy and therapeutic technology of DR. Literature search was done on online databases, PubMed, Google Scholar, clinitrials.gov, and browsing through individual ophthalmology journals and leading pharmaceutical company websites.
  9. Lu L, Jiang Y, Jaganathan R, Hao Y
    J Ophthalmol, 2018;2018:5047142.
    PMID: 30622819 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5047142
    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/1694187.].
  10. Lin CY, Wang LY, Lu TH
    BMC Public Health, 2019 Oct 28;19(1):1391.
    PMID: 31660919 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7749-2
    BACKGROUND: This study assessed international variations in changes in drowning mortality rates and the quality of reporting specific information in death certificates over the past decade.

    METHODS: Drowning mortality data of 61 countries were extracted from the World Health Organization Mortality Database. We calculated the percentage change (PC) in age-standardized drowning mortality rates and percentage of drowning deaths reported with unspecified codes between 2004 and 2005 and 2014-2015.

    RESULTS: Of the 61 countries studied, 50 exhibited a reduction in drowning mortality rates from 2004 to 2005 to 2014-2015. Additionally, five countries-Lithuania, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, and El Salvador-with a high mortality rate in 2004-2005 (> 40 deaths per 100,000) showed improvement (PC  40%) exhibited a marked reduction (PC 

  11. Lu R, Yang Y, Liu J, Ayub A
    Heliyon, 2024 Jul 15;10(13):e33398.
    PMID: 39035500 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33398
    The nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Turkey (BRICS-T) have yet to find a satisfactory answer to the problem of how to reduce environmental pollution in their environments significantly. Using panel data from 1990 to 2022, this study analyzes the dynamic relationship between energy financial globalization (FG), good governance (GG), renewable energy consumption (REC), urbanization (URB), economic growth (GDP), and environmental pollution. To estimate the long-run and short-run interaction among the variables, this research included the Cross-sectional- ARDL. This research shows that economic growth, energy use, urbanization, and environmental degradation correlate positively and significantly. In contrast, the BRICS-T economies have significantly reduced environmental pollution due to FG, GG and REC. These results also lend credence to the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) concept for developing nations, which has been the focus of recent attention. Additionally, the results from fixed effects-difference in differences (FE-DK) and AMG robustness tests also validate the results from the CS-ARDL estimator. Finally, the findings found that the BRICS-T countries may benefit from this study.
  12. Liu P, Yuan H, Lu Y, Gao Z
    Front Physiol, 2024;15:1424216.
    PMID: 39072216 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1424216
    INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varied resistance training modalities on physical fitness components, body composition, maximal strength assessed by one-repetition maximum (1RM), isokinetic muscle functions of the shoulder and knee joints, and biomechanical properties of core muscles.

    METHODS: Forty participants were randomly assigned to four groups: control group (CG, n = 10), compound set training group (CSG, n = 10), pyramid set training group (PSG, n = 10), and superset training group (SSG, n = 10). Excluding the CG, the other three groups underwent an 8-week resistance training program, three sessions per week, at 60%-80% of 1RM intensity for 60-90 min per session. Assessments included body composition, physical fitness components, 1RM, isokinetic muscle functions, and biomechanical properties (muscle frequency, stiffness, etc.) of the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles.

    RESULTS: The PSG demonstrated the most significant improvement in relative peak torque during isokinetic testing of the shoulder and knee joints. Compared to the CG, all exercise groups exhibited positive effects on back strength, sprint performance, 1RM, and core muscle biomechanics. Notably, the PSG showed superior enhancement in external oblique stiffness. However, no significant differences were observed among the exercise groups for rectus abdominis biomechanical properties.

    DISCUSSION: Structured resistance training effectively improved maximal strength, functional performance, and core muscle biomechanics. The pyramidal training modality conferred specific benefits for isokinetic muscle functions and external oblique stiffness, suggesting its efficacy in enhancing force production capabilities and core stability.

  13. Chu C, Lu Y, Li S, Yao Z
    Biodivers Data J, 2022;10:e96003.
    PMID: 36761640 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.10.e96003
    BACKGROUND: The spider family Ctenidae Keyserling, 1877 has a worldwide distribution with 584 species belonging to 49 genera. Amongst these, 141 species are from Asia, including 130 species assigned to Cteninae Keyserling, 1877.

    NEW INFORMATION: Nine new species belonging to three genera of Cteninae are reported from Asia: Amauropelmakrabi sp. n. (female; Krabi, Thailand), Am.phangnga sp. n. (male; Phang Nga, Thailand), Am.saraburi sp. n. (male and female; Saraburi, Thailand); Anahitamedog sp. n. (male and female; Tibet, China); Bowieninhbinh sp. n. (male; Ninh Binh, Vietnam) and B.vinhphuc sp. n. (male and female; Vinh Phuc, Vietnam) from the robustus-species group; B.borneo sp. n. (male; Sabah, Malaysia) from the chinagirl-species group; B.engkilili sp. n. (female; Engkilili, Malaysia); B.sabah sp. n. (male and female; Sabah, Malaysia) from the scarymonsters-species group. The male of An.popa Jäger & Minn, 2015 and the female of B.fascination Jäger, 2022 (robustus-species group) are described for the first time. B.fascination Jäger, 2022 is reported from China for the first time. In addition, the DNA barcodes of all the species in this study were obtained, except for B.vinhphuc sp. n.

  14. Chu C, Lu Y, Yao Z, Li S
    Biodivers Data J, 2022;10:e87597.
    PMID: 36761608 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.10.e87597
    BACKGROUND: Amauropelma Raven, Stumkat & Gray, 2001 currently contains 24 species. It is distributed in Australia, India, Indonesia, Laos and Malaysia. This genus has not been found in China. Ctenus Walckenaer, 1805 comprises 213 known species. This genus is distributed worldwide. Currently, only two species, Ctenuslishuqiang Jäger, 2012 and Ctenusyaeyamensis Yoshida, 1998 are known to occur in China.

    NEW INFORMATION: Three new species of ctenid spiders are described from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan Province, China: Amauropelmayunnan sp. nov., Ctenusbanna sp. nov. and Ctenusyulin sp. nov. Amauropelma and Ctenusrobustus Thorell, 1897 are reported from China for the first time.

  15. Lu J, Gulzar F, Lai Y
    Heliyon, 2024 Aug 15;10(15):e34467.
    PMID: 39145029 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34467
    In the context of China's transportation sector, which has faced escalating challenges in carbon emissions, this study delves into the intricate nexus between sustainable finance strategies and the imperative of achieving carbon neutrality. Spanning the years 2010-2022 across 30 provinces of China and employing a rigorous Panel Model methodology, our research sets out to achieve several pivotal objectives. These include assessing the tangible impact of sustainable finance initiatives on curtailing carbon emissions within the transportation domain, discerning the pivotal drivers that influence the trajectory of carbon neutrality endeavors, and critically evaluating the efficacy of policy interventions aimed at fostering sustainability. Our findings unearth a compelling narrative. Firstly, we observe a discernible positive correlation between the implementation of sustainable finance mechanisms-such as green bonds, sustainable investment portfolios, and innovative financial instruments-and the tangible reduction of carbon emissions within the transportation sector. Secondly, our analysis underscores the indispensable role of key drivers, ranging from technological advancements and regulatory frameworks to evolving consumer behavior and public consciousness, in steering the course towards carbon neutrality. Thirdly, our research underscores the pivotal impact of targeted policy interventions, emphasizing the efficacy of measures aimed at incentivizing sustainable practices, fostering stakeholder collaborations, and bolstering industry-wide accountability frameworks. In light of these insights, our study advocates for a nuanced policy landscape characterized by a multifaceted approach. By aligning financial incentives with sustainability goals, fostering technological innovation, and fostering robust regulatory frameworks, policymakers can catalyze a paradigm shift towards carbon neutrality in the transportation sector.
  16. Lu T, Sanitah MY, Huang Y
    Front Psychol, 2022;13:923466.
    PMID: 35967693 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.923466
    Learning capabilities among students are the crucial element for the student's success in learning a particular language, and this phenomenon needs recent studies. The current study examines the impact of self-efficacy and resistance to innovation on the demotivation and insufficient learning capabilities of preservice English normal students in China. The current research also investigates the mediating impact of demotivation among self-efficacy, resistance to innovation, and insufficient learning capabilities. The questionnaires were employed by the researchers to gather the data from chosen respondents. The preservice English students are the respondents of the study. These are selected using purposive sampling. These questionnaires were forwarded to them by personal visits. The researchers have sent 690 surveys but only received 360 surveys and used them for analysis. These surveys represented a 52.17% response rate. The SPSS-AMOS was applied to test the relationships among variables and also test the hypotheses of the study. The results revealed that self-efficacy and resistance to innovation have a significant and a positive linkage with demotivation and insufficient learning capabilities. The findings also indicated that demotivation significantly mediates self-efficacy, resistance to innovation, and insufficient learning capabilities. The article helps the policymakers to establish the regulations related to the improvement of learning capabilities using innovation adoption and motivation of the students.
  17. Sim, F.S., Mohd Irwan Lu, N.A.L., Lee, Z.E.T., Mohamed, M.
    MyJurnal
    In this study, agriculture biomass was used to remove dissolved organic matter from peat swamp runoff. The functional groups and morphological properties of 6 tropical agriculture biomasses (coconut husk, rice husk, empty fruit bunch, sago hampas, saw dust and banana trunk) in their raw and citric acid–treated states were examined. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that various biomasses were typically characterised with lignocellulosic compounds. The spectra analysis further demonstrated that citric acid treatment resulted in the dissolution of lignin and hemicelluloses to various extents where carboxyl groups were also introduced. These changes hypothetically suggest improved adsorption ability. Treatment of peat swamp runoff with various untreated biomasses showed no adsorption. With the modified biomass, adsorption was evidenced, with rice husk illustrating the highest removal efficiency of 60% to 65%.The biosorbent can be used in the water treatment process especially for treating water with a high dissolved organic matter content. The spent sorbent can be subsequently applied as a soil conditioner as the dissolved organic fraction, commonly known as humic matter, possesses important agricultural value.
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