Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 233 in total

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  1. Fulltext The Emerging Role of MMP12 in the Oral Environment
    Lin B, Ser HL, Wang L, Li J, Chan KG, Lee LH, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Feb 28;24(5).
    PMID: 36902078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054648
    Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12), or macrophage metalloelastase, plays important roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) component degradation. Recent reports show MMP12 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. To date, this review represents the latest comprehensive overview of MMP12 in various oral diseases, such as periodontitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Furthermore, the current knowledge regarding the distribution of MMP12 in different tissues is also illustrated in this review. Studies have implicated the association of MMP12 expression with the pathogenesis of several representative oral diseases, including periodontitis, TMD, OSCC, OTM, and bone remodelling. Although there may be a potential role of MMP12 in oral diseases, the exact pathophysiological role of MMP12 remains to be elucidated. Understanding the cellular and molecular biology of MMP12 is essential, as MMP12 could be a potential target for developing therapeutic strategies targeting inflammatory and immunologically related oral diseases.
  2. Expression pattern of AGPATs isoforms indicate different functions during the triacylglyceride synthesis in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis
    Pan K, Zhu B, Wang L, Guo Q, Shu-Chien AC, Wu X
    Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol, 2024 Jan;287:111535.
    PMID: 37852318 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111535
    The 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT) acts as a crucial enzyme in the process of triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis, enabling the acylation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) into phosphatidic acid (PA). In order to decode the distinctive roles of AGPAT isoforms in the TAG production pathway, three AGPAT isoforms were detected for the first time in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (Es-agpat2, Es-agpat3, and Es-agpat4). The mRNA levels of Es-agpat2 and Es-agpat4 demonstrated a conspicuous presence in the hepatopancreas, with subsequent high levels in the heart, muscle, and thoracic ganglion. On the other hand, the thoracic ganglion exhibited abundant levels of Es-agpat3, while other tissues recorded relatively low expression levels. Observing the molting cycle of E. sinensis, the hepatopancreas showed minimum expression levels of Es-agpat2 and Es-agpat4 at stage A/B. A peak at stage C was noted, which was then followed by a gradual drop until stage E. For the ovarian development cycle, stage II witnessed the maximum expression level of Es-agpat2 and Es-agpat4, succeeded by a sharp fall in stage III. After this, there was an increasing trend from stage III up to stage V. Expression of Es-agpat3 in the hepatopancreas was consistently lower than Es-agpat2 and Es-agpat4 during either the molting or ovarian development. However, in terms of ovarian expression, Es-agpat3 outperformed Es-agpat2 and Es-agpat4. It exhibited a steep increase in expression, peaking at stage II and subsequently diminishing. In situ hybridization (ISH) revealed that in stages II and IV hepatopancreas, Es-agpat4-mRNA was primarily located in fibrillar cells (F cell) and resorptive cells (R cell), with no signal from Es-agpat3. During stage II of ovarian development, both Es-agpat3-mRNA and Es-agpat4-mRNA were located in the cytoplasm of previtellogenic oocyte (PRO) and endogenous vitellogenic oocyte (EN), with no expression at stage IV. Additionally, the silencing of Es-agpat2 and Es-agpat4 caused a downward trend in the expression levels of all subsequent genes in the E. sinensis TAG synthesis pathway. To sum up, these findings suggest that the three Es-agpats may have unique functions in TAG synthesis during either the molting process or ovarian maturation of E. sinensis.
  3. An immunogenic epitope of Chlamydia pneumoniae from a random phage display peptide library is reactive with both monoclonal antibody and patients sera
    Naidu BR, Ngeow YF, Wang LF, Chan L, Yao ZJ, Pang T
    Immunol Lett, 1998 Jun;62(2):111-5.
    PMID: 9698107
    Random 15-mer peptides displayed on filamentous phages were screened in binding studies using a Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific monoclonal antibody (RR-402) and affinity-purified, polyclonal sera from patients seropositive for C. pneumoniae infections by the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test. One 15-mer epitope, epitope Cpnl5A (LASLCNPKPSDAPVT) was identified in both the monoclonal and polyclonal screenings, and showed higher ELISA reactivity with C. pneumoniae MIF-positive sera compared to patients with other chlamydial infections, non-chlamydial respiratory infections and normal healthy sera (MIF-negative). Interestingly, epitope Cpnl5A also showed significant (52%) amino acid sequence homology to the 56 kDa type-specific antigen of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, a protein implicated in the virulence of this organism.
  4. The research advance of resistant starch: structural characteristics, modification method, immunomodulatory function, and its delivery systems application
    Jiali L, Wu Z, Liu L, Yang J, Wang L, Li Z, et al.
    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2023 Jul 06.
    PMID: 37409451 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2230287
    Resistant starch, also known as anti-digestion enzymatic starch, which cannot be digested or absorbed in the human small intestine. It can be fermented in the large intestine into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and metabolites, which are advantageous to the human body. Starches can classify as rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and resistant starch (RS), which possess high thermal stability, low water holding capacity, and emulsification characteristics. Resistant starch has excellent physiological functions such as stabilizing postprandial blood glucose levels, preventing type II diabetes, preventing intestinal inflammation, and regulating gut microbiota phenotype. It is extensively utilized in food processing, delivery system construction, and Pickering emulsion due to its processing properties. The resistant starches, with their higher resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis, support their suitability as a potential drug carrier. Therefore, this review focuses on resistant starch with structural features, modification characteristics, immunomodulatory functions, and delivery system applications. The objective was to provide theoretical guidance for applying of resistant starch to food health related industries.
  5. Fulltext Inhibition of Heterogeneous Nucleation in Water by Hydrogel Coating
    Li S, Zhu P, Xue Y, Wang L, Wong TW, Yang X, et al.
    Research (Wash D C), 2023;6:0190.
    PMID: 37426472 DOI: 10.34133/research.0190
    Heterogeneous nucleation plays a critical role in the phase transition of water, which can cause damage in various systems. Here, we report that heterogeneous nucleation can be inhibited by utilizing hydrogel coatings to isolate solid surfaces and water. Hydrogels, which contain over 90% water when fully swelled, exhibit a high degree of similarity to water. Due to this similarity, there is a great energy barrier for heterogeneous nucleation along the water-hydrogel interface. Additionally, hydrogel coatings, which possess polymer networks, exhibit higher fracture energy and more robust adhesion to solid surfaces compared to water. This high fracture and adhesion energy acts as a deterrent for fracture nucleation within the hydrogel or along the hydrogel-solid interface. With a hydrogel layer approximately 100 μm thick, the boiling temperature of water under atmospheric pressure can be raised from 100 to 108 °C. Notably, hydrogel coatings also result in remarkable reductions in cavitation pressure on multiple solid surfaces. We have demonstrated the efficacy of hydrogel coatings in preventing damages resulting from acceleration-induced cavitation. Hydrogel coatings have the potential to alter the energy landscape of heterogeneous nucleation on the water-solid interface, making them an exciting avenue for innovation in heat transfer and fluidic systems.
  6. Alpha-ketoglutaric acid mitigates the detrimental effects of soy antigenic protein on the intestinal health and growth performance of Mirror carp Cyprinus carpio
    Zhou Z, Zhao J, de Cruz CR, Xu H, Wang L, Xu Q
    Fish Physiol Biochem, 2023 Oct;49(5):951-965.
    PMID: 37665506 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-023-01234-0
    The study investigated the alleviated effects of Alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) on the intestinal health of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio Songpu) caused by soy antigenic protein. The diets were formulated from fishmeal (CON), 50% soybean meal (SBM), the mixture of glycinin and β-conglycinin (11 + 7S) and adding 1% AKG in the 11 + 7S (AKG). Carp (~ 4 g) in triplicate (30 fish per tank) was fed to apparent satiation thrice a day for six weeks. Compared with CON, SBM treatment resulted in significantly poor growth performance (P  0.05). Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) in proximal intestines (PI) and distal intestines (DI) were increased (P 
  7. Tioman virus infection in experimentally infected mouse brain and its association with apoptosis
    Yaiw KC, Ong KC, Chua KB, Bingham J, Wang L, Shamala D, et al.
    J Virol Methods, 2007 Aug;143(2):140-6.
    PMID: 17442409
    Tioman virus is a newly described bat-urine derived paramyxovirus isolated in Tioman Island, Malaysia in 2001. Hitherto, neither human nor animal infection by this virus has been reported. Nonetheless, its close relationship to another paramyxovirus, the Menangle virus which had caused diseases in humans and pigs [Philbey, A.W., Kirkland, P.D., Ross, A.D., Davis, R.J., Gleeson, A.B., Love, R.J., Daniels, P.W., Gould, A.R., Hyatt, A.D., 1998. An apparently new virus (family Paramyxoviridae) infectious for pigs, humans, and fruit bats. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 4, 269-271], raises the possibility that it may be potentially pathogenic. In this study, mice were experimentally infected with Tioman virus by intraperitoneal and intracerebral routes, and the cellular targets and topographical distribution of viral genome and antigens were examined using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The possible association between viral infection and apoptosis was also investigated using the TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry to FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and bcl-2. The results showed that Tioman virus inoculated intracerebrally was neurotropic causing plaque-like necrotic areas, and appeared to preferentially replicate in the neocortex and limbic system. Viral infection of inflammatory cells was also demonstrated. TUNEL and Caspase-3 positivity was found in inflammatory cells but not in neurons, while FasL, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 were consistently negative. This suggests that neuronal infection was associated with necrosis rather than apoptosis. Moreover, the data suggest that there may be an association between viral infection and apoptosis in inflammatory cells, and that it could, at least in part, involve Caspase-independent pathways. Bcl-2 was expressed in some neurons and inflammatory cells indicating its possible role in anti-apoptosis. There was no evidence of central nervous system infection via the intraperitoneal route.
  8. Psychrobacter species enrichment as potential microplastic degrader and the putative biodegradation mechanism in Shenzhen Bay sediment, China
    Ou D, Ni Y, Li W, He W, Wang L, Huang H, et al.
    J Hazard Mater, 2024 Feb 15;464:132971.
    PMID: 37956562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132971
    Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental concern due to its ubiquity and longevity. Biodegradation of MPs has garnered significant attention in combatting global MP contamination. This study focused on MPs within sediments near the sewage outlet of Shenzhen Bay. The objective was to elucidate the microbial communities in sediments with varying MPs, particularly those with high MP loads, and to identify microorganisms associated with MP degradation. The results revealed varying MP abundance, ranging from 211 to 4140 items kg-1 dry weight (d. w.), with the highest concentration observed near the outfall. Metagenomic analysis confirmed the enrichment of Psychrobacter species in sediments with high MP content. Psychrobacter accounted for ∼16.71% of the total bacterial community and 41.71% of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria at the S3 site, exhibiting a higher abundance than at other sampling sites. Psychrobacter contributed significantly to bacterial function at S3, as evidenced by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and enzyme analysis. Notably, 28 enzymes involved in MP biodegradation were identified, predominantly comprising oxidoreductases, hydrolases, transferases, ligases, lyases, and isomerases. We propose a putative mechanism for MP biodegradation, involving the breakdown of long-chain plastic polymers and subsequent oxidation of short-chain oligomers, ultimately leading to thorough mineralization.
  9. Fulltext Transmission routes for nipah virus from Malaysia and Bangladesh
    Clayton BA, Middleton D, Bergfeld J, Haining J, Arkinstall R, Wang L, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2012 Dec;18(12):1983-93.
    PMID: 23171621 DOI: 10.3201/eid1812.120875
    Human infections with Nipah virus in Malaysia and Bangladesh are associated with markedly different patterns of transmission and pathogenicity. To compare the 2 strains, we conducted an in vivo study in which 2 groups of ferrets were oronasally exposed to either the Malaysia or Bangladesh strain of Nipah virus. Viral shedding and tissue tropism were compared between the 2 groups. Over the course of infection, significantly higher levels of viral RNA were recovered from oral secretions of ferrets infected with the Bangladesh strain. Higher levels of oral shedding of the Bangladesh strain of Nipah virus might be a key factor in onward transmission in outbreaks among humans.
  10. Fulltext Engineering artificial machines from designable DNA materials for biomedical applications
    Qi H, Huang G, Han Y, Zhang X, Li Y, Pingguan-Murphy B, et al.
    Tissue Eng Part B Rev, 2015 Jun;21(3):288-97.
    PMID: 25547514 DOI: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2014.0494
    Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) emerges as building bricks for the fabrication of nanostructure with complete artificial architecture and geometry. The amazing ability of DNA in building two- and three-dimensional structures raises the possibility of developing smart nanomachines with versatile controllability for various applications. Here, we overviewed the recent progresses in engineering DNA machines for specific bioengineering and biomedical applications.
  11. Viral morphogenesis and morphological changes in human neuronal cells following Tioman and Menangle virus infection
    Yaiw KC, Hyatt A, Vandriel R, Crameri SG, Eaton B, Wong MH, et al.
    Arch Virol, 2008;153(5):865-75.
    PMID: 18330496 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-008-0059-0
    Tioman virus (TioPV) and Menangle virus (MenPV) are two antigenically and genetically related paramyxoviruses (genus: Rubulavirus, family: Paramyxoviridae) isolated from Peninsular Malaysia (2001) and Australia (1997), respectively. Both viruses are potential zoonotic agents. In the present study, the infectivity, growth kinetics, morphology and morphogenesis of these two paramyxoviruses in a human neuronal cell (SK-N-SH) line were investigated. Sub-confluent SK-N-SH cells were infected with TioPV and MenPV at similar multiplicity of infection. These cells were examined by conventional and immunoelectron microscopy, and virus titres in the supernatants were assayed. Syncytia were observed for both infections in SK-N-SH cells and were more pronounced during the early stages of TioPV infection. The TioPV titre increased consistently (10(1)) every 12 h after infection. In MenPV-infected cells, cellular material was frequently observed within budding virions, and microfilaments and microtubules were abundant. Viral budding was common, and extracellular MenPVs tended to be more pleomorphic compared to TioPVs, which appeared to be more spherical in appearance. The MenPV cytoplasmic viral inclusion appeared to be comparatively smaller, loose and interspersed with randomly scattered circle-like particles, whereas huge tubule-like cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in TioPV-infected cells. Both viruses also displayed different cellular pathology in the SK-N-SH cells. The intracellular ultrastructural characteristics of these two viruses in infected neuronal cells may allow them to be differentiated by electron microscopy.
  12. Paeonol protects against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced endothelial dysfunction via AMPK/PPARδ signaling pathway
    Choy KW, Mustafa MR, Lau YS, Liu J, Murugan D, Lau CW, et al.
    Biochem Pharmacol, 2016 09 15;116:51-62.
    PMID: 27449753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.07.013
    Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in endothelial cells often leads to endothelial dysfunction which underlies the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Paeonol, a major phenolic component extracted from Moutan Cortex, possesses various medicinal benefits which have been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study investigated the protective mechanism of paeonol against tunicamycin-induced ER stress in isolated mouse aortas and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Vascular reactivity in aorta was measured using a wire myograph. The effects of paeonol on protein expression of ER stress markers, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) activity in the vascular wall were assessed by Western blot, dihydroethidium fluorescence (DHE) or lucigenin enhanced-chemiluminescence, 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein (DAF-FM DA) and dual luciferase reporter assay, respectively. Ex vivo treatment with paeonol (0.1μM) for 16h reversed the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations in C57BJ/6J and PPARδ wild type (WT) mouse aortas following incubation with tunicamycin (0.5μg/mL). Elevated ER stress markers, oxidative stress and reduction of NO bioavailability induced by tunicamycin in HUVECs, C57BJ/6J and PPARδ WT mouse aortas were reversed by paeonol treatment. These beneficial effects of paeonol were diminished in PPARδ knockout (KO) mouse aortas. Paeonol increased the expression of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PPARδ expression and activity while restoring the decreased phosphorylation of eNOS. The present study delineates that paeonol protects against tunicamycin-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction by inhibition of ER stress and oxidative stress, thus elevating NO bioavailability via the AMPK/PPARδ signaling pathway.
  13. Morphology, ultrastructure, and molecular phylogeny of Wangodinium sinense gen. et sp. nov. (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae) and revisiting of Gymnodinium dorsalisulcum and Gymnodinium impudicum
    Luo Z, Hu Z, Tang Y, Mertens KN, Leaw CP, Lim PT, et al.
    J Phycol, 2018 10;54(5):744-761.
    PMID: 30144373 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12780
    The genus Gymnodinium includes many morphologically similar species, but molecular phylogenies show that it is polyphyletic. Eight strains of Gymnodinium impudicum, Gymnodinium dorsalisulcum and a novel Gymnodinium-like species from Chinese and Malaysian waters and the Mediterranean Sea were established. All of these strains were examined with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. SSU, LSU and internal transcribed spacers rDNA sequences were obtained. A new genus, Wangodinium, was erected to incorporate strains with a loop-shaped apical structure complex (ASC) comprising two rows of amphiesmal vesicles, here referred to as a new type of ASC. The chloroplasts of Wangodinium sinense are enveloped by two membranes. Pigment analysis shows that peridinin is the main accessory pigment in W. sinense. Wangodinium differs from other genera mainly in its unique ASC, and additionally differs from Gymnodinium in the absence of nuclear chambers, and from Lepidodinium in the absence of Chl b and nuclear chambers. New morphological information was provided for G. dorsalisulcum and G. impudicum, e.g., a short sulcal intrusion in G. dorsalisulcum; nuclear chambers in G. impudicum and G. dorsalisulcum; and a chloroplast enveloped by two membranes in G. impudicum. Molecular phylogeny was inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference with independent SSU and LSU rDNA sequences. Our results support the classification of Wangodinium within the Gymnodiniales sensu stricto clade and it is close to Lepidodinium. Our results also support the close relationship among G. dorsalisulcum, G. impudicum, and Barrufeta. Further research is needed to assign these Gymnodinium species to Barrufeta or to erect new genera.
  14. Fulltext Metal Oxide Compact Electron Transport Layer Modification for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
    Shahiduzzaman M, Fukaya S, Muslih EY, Wang L, Nakano M, Akhtaruzzaman M, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2020 May 11;13(9).
    PMID: 32403454 DOI: 10.3390/ma13092207
    Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have appeared as a promising design for next-generation thin-film photovoltaics because of their cost-efficient fabrication processes and excellent optoelectronic properties. However, PSCs containing a metal oxide compact layer (CL) suffer from poor long-term stability and performance. The quality of the underlying substrate strongly influences the growth of the perovskite layer. In turn, the perovskite film quality directly affects the efficiency and stability of the resultant PSCs. Thus, substrate modification with metal oxide CLs to produce highly efficient and stable PSCs has drawn attention. In this review, metal oxide-based electron transport layers (ETLs) used in PSCs and their systemic modification are reviewed. The roles of ETLs in the design and fabrication of efficient and stable PSCs are also discussed. This review will guide the further development of perovskite films with larger grains, higher crystallinity, and more homogeneous morphology, which correlate to higher stable PSC performance. The challenges and future research directions for PSCs containing compact ETLs are also described with the goal of improving their sustainability to reach new heights of clean energy production.
  15. Potential of Producing Flavonoids Using Cyanobacteria As a Sustainable Chassis
    Jin H, Wang Y, Zhao P, Wang L, Zhang S, Meng D, et al.
    J Agric Food Chem, 2021 Oct 27;69(42):12385-12401.
    PMID: 34649432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c04632
    Numerous plant secondary metabolites have remarkable impacts on both food supplements and pharmaceuticals for human health improvement. However, higher plants can only generate small amounts of these chemicals with specific temporal and spatial arrangements, which are unable to satisfy the expanding market demands. Cyanobacteria can directly utilize CO2, light energy, and inorganic nutrients to synthesize versatile plant-specific photosynthetic intermediates and organic compounds in large-scale photobioreactors with outstanding economic merit. Thus, they have been rapidly developed as a "green" chassis for the synthesis of bioproducts. Flavonoids, chemical compounds based on aromatic amino acids, are considered to be indispensable components in a variety of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. In contrast to heterotrophic metabolic engineering pioneers, such as yeast and Escherichia coli, information about the biosynthesis flavonoids and their derivatives is less comprehensive than that of their photosynthetic counterparts. Here, we review both benefits and challenges to promote cyanobacterial cell factories for flavonoid biosynthesis. With increasing concerns about global environmental issues and food security, we are confident that energy self-supporting cyanobacteria will attract increasing attention for the generation of different kinds of bioproducts. We hope that the work presented here will serve as an index and encourage more scientists to join in the relevant research area.
  16. Ameliorative effect of Gastrodia elata Blume extracts on depression in zebrafish and cellular models through modulating reticulon 4 receptors and apoptosis
    Wang R, Ren Q, Gao D, Paudel YN, Li X, Wang L, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2022 Jan 29;289:115018.
    PMID: 35092824 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115018
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata), a traditional Chinese herb, known as "Tian Ma", is widely used as a common medicine and diet ingredient for treating or preventing neurological disorders for thousands of years in China. However, the anti-depressant effect of G. elata and the underlying mechanism have not been fully evaluated.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: The study is aimed to investigate the anti-depressant effect and the molecular mechanism of G. elata in vitro and in vivo using PC12 cells and zebrafish model, respectively.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Network pharmacology was performed to explore the potential active ingredients and action targets of G. elata Blume extracts (GBE) against depression. The cell viability and proliferation were determined by MTT and EdU assay, respectively. TUNEL assay was used to examine the anti-apoptotic effect of GBE. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression level. In addition, novel tank diving test was used to investigate the anti-depressant effect in zebrafish depression model. RT-PCR was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels of genes.

    RESULTS: G. elata against depression on the reticulon 4 receptors (RTN4R) and apoptosis-related targets, which were predicted by network pharmacology. Furthermore, GBE enhanced cell viability and inhibited the apoptosis in PC12 cells against CORT treatment. GBE relieved depression-like symptoms in adult zebrafish, included increase of exploratory behavior and regulation of depression related genes. Mechanism studies showed that the GBE inhibited the expression of RTN4R-related and apoptosis-related genes.

    CONCLUSION: Our studies show the ameliorative effect of G. elata against depression. The mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of RTN4R-related and apoptosis pathways.

  17. Serological evidence of possible human infection with Tioman virus, a newly described paramyxovirus of bat origin
    Yaiw KC, Crameri G, Wang L, Chong HT, Chua KB, Tan CT, et al.
    J Infect Dis, 2007 Sep 15;196(6):884-6.
    PMID: 17703419
    Tioman virus, a relatively new paramyxovirus, was isolated from fruit bats (Pteropus species) on Tioman Island, Malaysia, in 2001. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to T. virus in island inhabitants, by use of comparative ELISA and serum neutralization assays. Of the 169 human sera analyzed, 5 (approximately 3.0%) were positive for T. virus, by comparative ELISA. Of these 5 sera, 3 (1.8% of the total) had neutralizing antibodies against T. virus, suggesting previous infection of this study population by this virus or a similar virus.
  18. Paste Aging Spontaneously Tunes TiO2 Nanoparticles into Reproducible Electrosprayed Photoelectrodes
    Shahiduzzaman M, Chen B, Akhtaruzzaman M, Wang L, Fukuhara H, Tomita K, et al.
    ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021 Nov 17;13(45):53758-53766.
    PMID: 34735118 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c13793
    In this study, the spontaneous microstructure tuning of TiO2 was observed by aging the ethanol/water TiO2 paste for up to 20 days at ambient conditions. A dynamic light scattering study reveals that it formed the outstanding reproducible TiO2 microstructure with a ∼200 nm average particle size and stabilizes in 6 to 20 days under an ambient atmosphere. Interestingly, the as-deposited day 15 sample spontaneously changed its crystallinity upon keeping the paste at ambient conditions; meanwhile the day 0 sample showed an amorphous structure. A dense, uniform, and stable TiO2 electrode was cast on a fluorine doped-tin oxide substrate using the electrospray technique. We exploit the spontaneous evolution of the TiO2 nanopowder to revisit the fabrication procedure of the TiO2 photoelectrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The controlled microstructure TiO2 film was used in DSSCs, which, to the best of our knowledge, achieved the highest power conversion efficiency of 9.65% using N719 dye in sensitizing the TiO2 photoanode.
  19. A series of anionic host coordination polymers based on azoxybenzene carboxylate: structures, luminescence and magnetic properties
    Feng X, Guo N, Chen H, Wang H, Yue L, Chen X, et al.
    Dalton Trans, 2017 Oct 24;46(41):14192-14200.
    PMID: 28990615 DOI: 10.1039/c7dt02974h
    A series of coordination polymers {[Ln(aobtc)(H2O)4]·Hbipy·H2O}n (H4aobtc = azoxybenzene-2,2',3,3'-tetracarboxylic acid, bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, and Ln = Sm(1), Eu(2), Gd(3), Tb(4), Dy(5), Er(6)) have been synthesized and characterized systematically. The cationic Hbipy(+) guest incorporated polymers are isostructural sets, featuring a one-dimensional (1D) zigzag double chain edifice composed of binuclear clusters [Ln2(H4aobtc)2], with the Hbipy(+) guest being located on two sides. These 1D chains are further interlinked into a 2D layer structure, and further extended into a 3D framework through hydrogen bonding interactions. The luminescence emission spectra of polymers 2 and 3 are based on the H4aobtc acid ligands, while 1 and 4 display the characteristic f-f transitions of Ln(iii) ions. Magnetic measurements revealed the presence of ferromagnetic behavior in polymer 3. The magnetic behaviors of 4 and 6 are ascribed to the depopulation of the Stark levels and/or weak antiferromagnetic interactions within MOFs at lower temperature. Slow relaxation is observed through the alternating-current susceptibility measurements for 5 at lower temperature, and the coexistence of weak ferromagnetism corresponding to the spin-canting-like behavior.
  20. Contribution of process-induced molten-globule state formation in duck liver protein to the enhanced binding ability of (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal
    Han C, Zheng Y, Wang L, Zhou C, Wang J, He J, et al.
    J Sci Food Agric, 2023 May;103(7):3334-3345.
    PMID: 36786016 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12499
    BACKGROUND: Extracted proteins of alternative animal origin tend to present strong off-flavor perception due to physicochemical interactions of coextracted off-flavor compounds with proteins. To investigate the relationship between absorption behaviors of volatile aromas and the processes-induced variations in protein microstructures and molecular conformations, duck liver protein isolate (DLp) was subjected to heating (65/100 °C, 15 min) and ultra-high pressure (UHP, 100-500 MPa/10 min, 28 °C) treatments to obtain differential unfolded protein states.

    RESULTS: Heat and UHP treatments induced the unfolding of DLp to varied degrees, as revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption, circular dichroism spectra and surface hydrophobicity measurements. Two types of heating-denatured states with varied unfolding degrees were obtained, while UHP at both levels of 100/500 MPa caused partial unfolding of DLp and the presence of a molten-globule state, which significantly enhanced the binding affinity between DLp and (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal. In particular, significantly modified secondary structures of DLp were observed in heating-denatured samples. Excessive denaturing and unfolding degrees resulted in no significant changes in the absorption behavior of the volatile ligand, as characterized by observations of fluorescence quenching and analysis of headspace concentrations.

    CONCLUSION: Defining process-induced conformational transition behavior of matrix proteins could be a promising strategy to regulate food flavor attributes and, particularly, to produce DLp coextracted with limited off-flavor components by modifying their interaction during extraction processes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

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