Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 135 in total

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  1. Whitton C, Ho JCY, Tay Z, Rebello SA, Lu Y, Ong CN, et al.
    Nutrients, 2017 Sep 25;9(10).
    PMID: 28946670 DOI: 10.3390/nu9101059
    The assessment of diets in multi-ethnic cosmopolitan settings is challenging. A semi-quantitative 163-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed for the adult Singapore population, and this study aimed to assess its reproducibility and relative validity against 24-h dietary recalls (24 h DR) and biomarkers. The FFQ was administered twice within a six-month interval in 161 adults (59 Chinese, 46 Malay, and 56 Indian). Fasting plasma, overnight urine, and 24 h DR were collected after one month and five months. Intra-class correlation coefficients between the two FFQ were above 0.70 for most foods and nutrients. The median correlation coefficient between energy-adjusted deattenuated FFQ and 24 h DR nutrient intakes was 0.40 for FFQ1 and 0.39 for FFQ2, highest for calcium and iron, and lowest for energy and carbohydrates. Significant associations were observed between urinary isoflavones and soy protein intake (r = 0.46), serum carotenoids and fruit and vegetable intake (r = 0.34), plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA) and fish/seafood intake (r = 0.36), and plasma odd chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) and dairy fat intake (r = 0.25). Associations between plasma EPA + DHA and fish/seafood intake were consistent across ethnic groups (r = 0.28-0.49), while differences were observed for other associations. FFQ assessment of dietary intakes in modern cosmopolitan populations remains feasible for the purpose of ranking individuals' dietary exposures in epidemiological studies.
  2. Gao X, Santhanam RK, Xue Z, Jia Y, Wang Y, Lu Y, et al.
    J Food Sci, 2020 Apr;85(4):1060-1069.
    PMID: 32147838 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.15084
    Inonotus obliquus is a traditional mushroom well known for its therapeutic value. In this study, various solvent fractions of I. obliquus were preliminarily screened for their antioxidant, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition properties. To improve the drug delivery, the active fraction (ethyl acetate fraction) of I. obliquus was synthesized into fungisome (ethyl acetate phophotidyl choline complex, EAPC) and its physical parameters were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and ς potential analysis. Then normal human hepatic L02 cells was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of EAPC. The results showed that EA fraction possesses significant free radical scavenging, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition properties. FTIR, SEM, and HPLC analysis confirmed the fungisome formation. The particle size of EAPC was 102.80 ± 0.42 nm and the ς potential was -54.30 ± 0.61 mV. The percentage of drug entrapment efficiency was 97.13% and the drug release rates of EAPC in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid were 75.04 ± 0.29% and 93.03 ± 0.36%, respectively. EAPC was nontoxic to L02 cells, however it could selectively fight against the H2 O2 induced oxidative damage in L02 cells. This is the first study to provide scientific information to utilize the active fraction of I. obliquus as fungisome. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Inonotus obliquus (IO) is a traditional medicinal fungus. The extracts of IO have obvious antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. Ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of IO was encapsulated in liposomes to form EAPC. EAPC has a sustained-release effect. It has nontoxic to L02 cells and could protect L02 cells from oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide. This study could provide new ideas for the treatment of diabetes.
  3. Zhang F, Shih SF, Harapan H, Rajamoorthy Y, Chang HY, Singh A, et al.
    BMC Res Notes, 2021 Nov 25;14(1):428.
    PMID: 34823587 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05846-8
    OBJECTIVES: This study assessed changes in behaviors/attitudes related to the COVID-19. With the understanding that behaviors and vaccine decision-making could contribute to global spread of infectious diseases, this study collected several waves of internet-based surveys from individuals in the United States, mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India. The aims of this study were to (1) characterize the relationship between the epidemiology of disease and changes over time in risk perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes towards hygienic behaviors; (2) examine if risk perceptions affect acceptance of less-than-ideal vaccines; and (3) contrast adherence to public health recommendations across countries which have had different governmental responses to the outbreak.

    DATA DESCRIPTION: We conducted cross-sectional online surveys in six countries from March 2020 to April 2021. By the end of June 2021, there will be six waves of surveys for the United States and China, and four waves for the rest of countries. There are common sets of questions for all countries, however, some questions were adapted to reflect local situations and some questions were designed intentionally for specific countries to capture different COVID-19 mitigation actions. Participants were asked about their adherence towards countermeasures, risk perceptions, and acceptance of a hypothetical vaccine for COVID-19.

  4. Li Y, Hou J, Sun Z, Hu J, Thilakavathy K, Wang Y, et al.
    Signal Transduct Target Ther, 2023 Jul 17;8(1):278.
    PMID: 37460567 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01540-2
  5. 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.
  6. Heng BC, Bai Y, Li X, Meng Y, Lu Y, Zhang X, et al.
    Animal Model Exp Med, 2023 Apr;6(2):120-130.
    PMID: 36856186 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12300
    Understanding the bioelectrical properties of bone tissue is key to developing new treatment strategies for bone diseases and injuries, as well as improving the design and fabrication of scaffold implants for bone tissue engineering. The bioelectrical properties of bone tissue can be attributed to the interaction of its various cell lineages (osteocyte, osteoblast and osteoclast) with the surrounding extracellular matrix, in the presence of various biomechanical stimuli arising from routine physical activities; and is best described as a combination and overlap of dielectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric and ferroelectric properties, together with streaming potential and electro-osmosis. There is close interdependence and interaction of the various electroactive and electrosensitive components of bone tissue, including cell membrane potential, voltage-gated ion channels, intracellular signaling pathways, and cell surface receptors, together with various matrix components such as collagen, hydroxyapatite, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. It is the remarkably complex web of interactive cross-talk between the organic and non-organic components of bone that define its electrophysiological properties, which in turn exerts a profound influence on its metabolism, homeostasis and regeneration in health and disease. This has spurred increasing interest in application of electroactive scaffolds in bone tissue engineering, to recapitulate the natural electrophysiological microenvironment of healthy bone tissue to facilitate bone defect repair.
  7. Yang D, Zhang Y, Lee YY, Lu Y, Wang Y, Zhang Z
    Food Chem, 2024 Feb 02;444:138635.
    PMID: 38325087 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138635
    The relationship between batch and continuous enzymatic interesterification was studied through enzymatic interesterification of beef tallow. The interesterification degree (ID) during the batch reaction was monitored based on triacylglycerol composition, sn-2 fatty acid composition, solid fat content, and melting profile and was described by an exponential model. A relationship equation featuring reaction parameters of the two reations was established to predict the ID and physicochemical characteristics in continuous interesterification. The prediction of the ID based on triacylglycerol composition was reliable, with an R2 value greater than 0.85. Interesterification produced more high-melting-point components for both reactions, but the acyl migration in the batch-stirring reactor was much greater, resulting in faster crystallization, a more delicate crystal network, and lower hardness. The relationship equation can be employed to predict the ID, but the prediction of physicochemical properties was constrained by the difference in acyl migration degree between the two reactions.
  8. Zhang S, Zhang R, Yin X, Lu Y, Cheng H, Pan Y, et al.
    Reprod Sci, 2023 Nov;30(11):3325-3338.
    PMID: 37308799 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01282-0
    Endometrial injury is one of the leading causes of female infertility and is caused by intrauterine surgery, endometrial infection, repeated abortion, or genital tuberculosis. Currently, there is little effective treatment to restore the fertility of patients with severe intrauterine adhesions and thin endometrium. Recent studies have confirmed the promising therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on various diseases with definite tissue injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the improvements of menstrual blood-derived endometrial stem cells (MenSCs) transplantation on functional restoration in the endometrium of mouse model. Therefore, ethanol-induced endometrial injury mouse models were randomly divided into two groups: the PBS-treated group, and the MenSCs-treated group. As expected, the endometrial thickness and gland number in the endometrium of MenSCs-treated mice were significantly improved compared to those of PBS-treated mice (P 
  9. Joachim G, Shih SF, Singh A, Rajamoorthy Y, Harapan H, Chang HY, et al.
    PLOS Glob Public Health, 2024;4(2):e0002961.
    PMID: 38416781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002961
    COVID-19 vaccination rates for children globally are relatively low. This study aimed to investigate parental vaccine hesitancy and parents' acceptance of a COVID-19 for their children for their children in the United States, China, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.We analyzed data from an opt-in, internet-based cross-sectional study (n = 23,940). Parents were asked about their acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine for their children, and if they would accept the vaccine with different risk and effectiveness profiles for themselves. Poisson regression was used to generate prevalence ratios (PR) of the relationship between vaccine acceptance for a child and vaccine profile, by country and waves and overall. Between August 2020 and June 2021, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance for children decreased in the United States (89% to 72%) and Taiwan (79% to 71%), increased in India (91% to 96%) and Malaysia (81% to 91%), and was stable in Indonesia (86%) and China (at 87%-90%). Vaccine risk and effectiveness profiles did not consistently affect parent's acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine for their children. Instead, being not hesitant was a large driver of vaccine acceptance (PR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.36). Adolescent COVID-19 vaccination have already been established in many high and middle-income countries, but our study suggests that there is a movement of vaccine hesitancy which could impede the success of future pediatric and adolescent COVID-19 vaccination programs.
  10. Zhang T, Liu H, Lu Y, Wang Q, Loh YC, Li Z
    Environ Res, 2024 Feb 14.
    PMID: 38365060 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118405
    Climate change and coastal ecosystems have become challenging subjects for world sustainability. Humans, animals, and other ocean habitats are primarily affected by the harmful changes in climate. Coastal ecosystems support biodiversity and a wide range of species that serve as habitats for many commercially important fish species and enhance human activities in coastal areas. By engaging in coastal outdoor activities, individuals can experience numerous physical and mental health benefits, foster environmental awareness. This study provided valuable insights into the importance of coastal outdoor activities and their potential to improve our quality of life. This study undertook a challenging subject where we graphically and econometrically analyze the relationship and linkages among coastal indicators with other climate-concerning factors. The study comprises the ordinary regression and comparative analysis among the four largest coastline countries in the world. The study took a sample from Canada, Indonesia, Norway, and the Russian Federation from 1990 to 2022. The data is selected on a convenient basis. Results declared that each country has its unique challenges and opportunities in mitigating adverse climate change and retaining a sustainable coastal ecosystem. The study surprisingly revealed that climate change insignificantly affects the coastal ecosystem in Indonesia and the Russian Federation while it inversely affects the coastal ecosystem in Canada and Norway, showed that climate change on average declines coastal production by 0.0041922 and 0.0261104 in Canada and Norway respectively. The detailed review is given in the results section; however, the pooling analysis proved that at the aggregate level, a one percent increase in climate change caused a 0.02266-tonne decline in coastal ecosystems in the four largest coastline nations. There is a need for policies tend to increase CAP activities by implementing practical marine protected areas. Furthermore, scientific research and monitoring will be beneficial in restoring coastal sustainability.
  11. Lu Y, Kham SK, Ariffin H, Oei AM, Lin HP, Tan AM, et al.
    Br. J. Cancer, 2014 Mar 18;110(6):1673-80.
    PMID: 24434428 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.7
    Host germline variations and their potential prognostic importance is an emerging area of interest in paediatric ALL.
  12. Jiang X, Li Y, Feng JL, Nik Nabil WN, Wu R, Lu Y, et al.
    Front Cell Dev Biol, 2020;8:598620.
    PMID: 33392189 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.598620
    The re-proliferation of quiescent cancer cells is considered to be the primary contributor to prostate cancer (Pca) recurrence and progression. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of safranal, a monoterpene aldehyde isolated from Crocus sativus (saffron), on the re-proliferation of quiescent Pca cells in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that safranal efficiently blocked the re-activation of quiescent Pca cells by downregulating the G0/G1 cell cycle regulatory proteins CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, and phospho-Rb at Ser807/811 and elevating the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27. Further investigation on the underlying mechanisms revealed that safranal suppressed the mRNA and protein expression levels of Skp2, possibly through the deregulation of the transcriptional activity of two major transcriptional factors, E2F1 and NF-κB subunits. Moreover, safranal inhibited AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 and deregulated both canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathways. Safranal suppressed the tumor growth of quiescent Pca cell xenografts in vivo. Furthermore, safranal-treated tumor tissues exhibited a reduction in Skp2, E2F1, NF-κB p65, p-IκBα (Ser32), c-MYC, p-Rb (Ser807), CDK4, CDK6, and CDK2 and an elevation of p27 and p21 protein levels. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that safranal suppresses cell cycle re-entry of quiescent Pca cells in vitro and in vivo plausibly by repressing the transcriptional activity of two major transcriptional activators of Skp2, namely, E2F1 and NF-κB, through the downregulation of AKT phosphorylation and NF-κB signaling pathways, respectively.
  13. Jiang Q, Lou K, Hou L, Lu Y, Sun L, Tan SC, et al.
    Complement Ther Med, 2020 May;50:102360.
    PMID: 32444042 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102360
    BACKGROUND: Data about the effects of resistance exercise on level of IGF-1 in the serum are conflicting. To resolve this inconsistency, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to precisely examine the effects of resistance exercise on the levels of serum IGF-1.

    METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were systematically searched from their inceptions until 10 December 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing individuals who underwent resistance training and control participants. We applied a random-effects model to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD).

    RESULTS: 33 trials reported IGF-1 level as an outcome measure. The pooled estimate demonstrated a significant increase in IGF-1 (WMD: 10.34 ng/ml, 95 % CI: 4.93, 15.74, p = 0.000, I2 = 90.3 %) after resistance training compared with the control group. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the increase in IGF-1 levels following resistance training was only statistically significant in treatment duration ≤16 weeks (WMD: 8.04 ng/ml), participants aged more than 60 years old (WMD: 9.84 ng/ml); and in women (WMD: 17.27 ng/ml). Subsequent analysis of the relationship between participants' age with plasma IGF-1 alterations revealed a U shape correlation in non-liner dose response, in which resistance training resulted in a declined IGF-1 level up to 40 years of age. Beyond 40 years old, the IGF-1 level was increased following resistance training.

    CONCLUSION: We have successfully demonstrated that resistance training was associated with an increased IGF-1 level among those who received the training for ≤16 weeks, among participants older than 60 years old, and among women. Further studies are warranted to clarify the mechanisms underlying the influence of resistance training on IGF-1.

  14. Xia NB, Lu Y, Zhao PF, Wang CF, Li YY, Tan L, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Jun 01;37(2):489-498.
    PMID: 33612818
    Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous pathogen that infects nearly all warm-blooded animals and humans, can cause severe complications to the infected people and animals as well as serious economic losses and social problems. Here, one local strain (TgPIG-WH1) was isolated from an aborted pig fetus, and the genotype of this strain was identified as ToxoDB #3 by the PCR RFLP typing method using 10 molecular markers (SAG1, SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, C22-8, C29-2 and Apico). A comparison of the virulence of this isolate with other strains in both mice and piglets showed that TgPIG-WH1 was less virulent than type 1 strain RH and type 2 strain ME49 in mice, and caused similar symptoms to those of ME49 such as fever in piglets. Additionally, in piglet infection with both strains, the TgPIG-WH1 caused a higher IgG response and more severe pathological damages than ME49. Furthermore, TgPIG-WH1 caused one death in the 5 infected piglets, whereas ME49 did not, suggesting the higher virulence of TgPIG-WH1 than ME49 during piglet infection. Experimental infections indicate that the virulence of TgPIG-WH1 relative to ME49 is weaker in mice, but higher in pigs. This is probably the first report regarding a ToxoDB #3 strain from pigs in Hubei, China. These data will facilitate the understanding of genetic diversity of Toxoplasma strains in China as well as the prevention and control of porcine toxoplasmosis in the local region.
  15. Ai L, Hu W, Zhang RL, Huang DN, Chen SH, Xu B, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Dec 01;37(4):947-962.
    PMID: 33612748 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.4.947
    Different miRNAs are involved in the life cycles of Schistosoma japonicum. The aim of this study was to examine the expression profile of miRNAs in individual S. japonicum of different sex before and after pairing (18 and 24 dpi). The majority of differential expressed miRNAs were highly abundant at 14 dpi, except for sja-miR-125b and sja-miR-3505, in both male and female. Moreover, it was estimated that sja-miR-125b and sja-miR-3505 might be related to laying eggs. sja-miR-2a-5p and sja-miR-3484-5p were expressed at 14 dpi in males and were significantly clustered in DNA topoisomerase III, Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 and L-serine/L-threonine ammonia-lyase. Target genes of sja-miR-2d-5p, sja-miR-31- 5p and sja-miR-125a, which were expressed at 14 dpi in males but particularly females, were clustered in kelch-like protein 12, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, class I, and heat shock protein 90 kDa beta. Predicted target genes of sja-miR-3483-3p (expressed at 28 dpi in females but not in males) were clustered in 26S proteasome regulatory subunit N1, ATPdependent RNA helicase DDX17. Predicted target genes of sja-miR-219-5p, which were differentially expressed at 28 dpi in females but particularly males, were clustered in DNA excision repair protein ERCC-6, protein phosphatase 1D, and ATPase family AAA domaincontaining protein 3A/B. Moreover, at 28 dpi, eight miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in females compared to males. The predicted target genes of these miRNAs were significantly clustered in heat shock protein 90 kDa beta, 26S proteasome regulatory subunit N1, and protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1. To sum up, differentially expressed miRNAs may have an essential role and provide necessary information on clarifying this trematode's growth, development, maturation, and infection ability to mammalian hosts in its complex life cycle, and may be helpful for developing new drug targets and vaccine candidates for schistosomiasis.
  16. Lu Y, Jacobson DL, Ashworth LA, Grand RJ, Meyer AL, McNeal MM, et al.
    Am J Gastroenterol, 2009 Feb;104(2):444-53.
    PMID: 19174786 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2008.120
    Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently receive immunosuppressive therapy. The immune response in these patients to vaccines has not been well studied. We conducted a prospective, open label study to evaluate the serologic response to influenza vaccine in children with IBD.
  17. Lassale C, Curtis A, Abete I, van der Schouw YT, Verschuren WMM, Lu Y, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2018 02 19;8(1):3290.
    PMID: 29459661 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21661-x
    All blood cells (white blood cells [WBC], red blood cells [RBC] and platelets) can play a role in atherosclerosis. Complete blood count (CBC) is widely available in clinical practice but utility as potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is uncertain. Our aim was to assess the associations of pre-diagnostic CBC with incidence of CVD in 14,362 adults free of CVD and aged 47.8 (±11.7) years at baseline, followed-up for 11.4 years (992 incident cases). Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to estimate HRs and 95%CI. Comparing the top (T3) to bottom (T1) tertile, increased total WBC, lymphocyte, monocyte and neutrophil counts were associated with higher CVD risk: 1.31 (1.10; 1.55), 1.20 (1.02; 1.41), 1.21 (1.03; 1.41) and 1.24 (1.05; 1.47), as well as mean corpuscular volume (MCV: 1.23 [1.04; 1.46]) and red cell distribution width (RDW: 1.22 [1.03; 1.44]). Platelets displayed an association for count values above the clinically normal range: 1.49 (1.00; 2.22). To conclude, total and differential WBC count, MCV, RDW and platelet count likely play a role in the aetiology of CVD but only WBC provide a modest improvement for the prediction of 10-year CVD risk over traditional CVD risk factors in a general population.
  18. Cai G, Lin Y, Lu Y, He F, Morita K, Yamamoto T, et al.
    J Psychiatr Res, 2021 Apr;136:296-305.
    PMID: 33631655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.008
    BACKGROUND: This study explored the behavioural responses and anxiety symptoms of the general adult population in Japan during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

    METHODS: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between 12th and May 13, 2020. Quota sampling was used to attain equal gender and age distributions representative of the Japanese population.

    RESULTS: A total of 4127 complete responses were analysed. Higher educational level (B = 0.045, p = 0.002) and household income (B = 0.04, p = 0.009) were associated with a higher increase in preventive measures when comparing before and after the state of emergency was declared. The highest reported social anxiety was a feeling of fear (65.6%), followed by embarrassment (43.8%), keeping infection a secret (41.3%), avoidance (41.3%), and stigma (25.5%). A total of 86.1% of the respondents reported moderate to severe anxiety. The partial least square-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) revealed that being female has the greatest effect (B = 0.246, p 

  19. Wu J, Cai G, Fan Y, Arima K, Lin Y, Wong L, et al.
    Vaccines (Basel), 2023 Jan 11;11(1).
    PMID: 36680002 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010157
    Background: This study aimed to survey the attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and their acceptability among the Japanese public as soon as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized vaccines and their rollouts started around the world. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted in Japan between 4 January and 5 March 2021. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines according to demographic characteristics, vaccine characteristics, and vaccine production. Results: A total of 1037 completed responses were received. More than half (63.5%) of the participants responded positively (extremely likely/likely) toward COVID-19 vaccines. The highest acceptance to be vaccinated was discovered among the youngest age group. As expected, participants who had never delayed acceptance or refused the vaccine in their history of vaccination had a significantly higher willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Females (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.99−3.58) and participants who had ever delayed acceptance or refuse the vaccine (OR = 3.49, 95% CI: 2.42−5.05) had higher odds of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Participants with a postgraduate degree (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.40−1.00) presented the highest willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. More than two-thirds (72.9%, 95% CI: 70.4%−75.8%) of the participants did not mind a booster dose required following primary vaccination. A total of 63.2% (95% CI: 60.0%−66.0%) of the participants only accepted a nearly 90% effective or above vaccine at preventing COVID-19. At the same, 86.4% (95% CI: 84.4%−88.4%) of the participants reported only accepting a vaccine with minor side effects. Conclusions: The moderate levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance found in the early phase of the pandemic demonstrate that it is important to improve the implementation of effective management for vaccine promotion and the acceptability of the vaccine to slow or delay transmission.
  20. Liu Y, Marshall NM, Yu SS, Kim W, Gao YG, Robinson H, et al.
    Inorg Chem, 2023 Jul 24;62(29):11618-11625.
    PMID: 37424080 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c01365
    In order to investigate the effects of the secondary coordination sphere in fine-tuning redox potentials (E°') of type 1 blue copper (T1Cu) in cupredoxins, we have introduced M13F, M44F, and G116F mutations both individually and in combination in the secondary coordination sphere of the T1Cu center of azurin (Az) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These variants were found to differentially influence the E°' of T1Cu, with M13F Az decreasing E°', M44F Az increasing E°', and G116F Az showing a negligible effect. In addition, combining the M13F and M44F mutations increases E°' by 26 mV relative to WT-Az, which is very close to the combined effect of E°' by each mutation. Furthermore, combining G116F with either M13F or M44F mutation resulted in negative and positive cooperative effects, respectively. Crystal structures of M13F/M44F-Az, M13F/G116F-Az, and M44F/G116F-Az combined with that of G116F-Az reveal these changes arise from steric effects and fine-tuning of hydrogen bond networks around the copper-binding His117 residue. The insights gained from this study would provide another step toward the development of redox-active proteins with tunable redox properties for many biological and biotechnological applications.
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