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Primary assessment of a T. spiralis putative serine protease for early serological detection of experimental trichinellosis

Sun GG, Lei JJ, Guo KX, Liu RD, Long SR, Zhang X, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):792-802.
PMID: 33597500

A putative serine protease of T. spiralis (TsSP) was expressed in Escherichia coli and its potential as a diagnostic antigen was primarily assessed in this study. Anti-Trichinella IgG in serum samples from T. spiralis different animal hosts (mice, rats, pigs and rabbits) were detected on Western blot analysis with rTsSP. Anti-Trichinella antibodies were detected in 100% (30/30) of experimentally infected mice by rTsSP-ELISA. Cross-reactions of rTsSPELISA were not found with sera from mice infected with other parasites (S. erinaceieuropaei, S. japonicum, C. sinensis, A. cantonensis and T. gondii) and sera from normal mice. There was no statistical difference in antibody detection rate among mice infected with the encapsulated Trichinella species (T. spiralis, T. nativa, T. britovi, and T. nelsoni) (P>0.05). The results of rTsSP-ELISA showed that serum specific antibody IgG in mice infected with 100 or 500 T. spiralis muscle larvae (ML) were detectable early at 7-8 dpi, but not detected by ML ES antigen-ELISA prior to 10-12 dpi. Specific anti-Trichinella IgG was detected in 100% (18/18) of infected pigs by rTsSP-ELISA and ES-ELISA, but no specific antibodies was not detected in 20 conventionally raised normal pigs by two antigens. The results showed the rTsSP had the potential for early serodiagnosis of animal Trichinella infection, however it requires to be assayed with early infection sera of swine infected with Trichinella and other parasites.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel aspartyl aminopeptidase from Trichinella spiralis

Sun XY, Ma KN, Bai Y, Liu RD, Long SR, Zhang X, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2021 Sep 01;38(3):420-434.
PMID: 34608116 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.3.085

Trichinellosis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease worldwide and is principally caused by ingesting animal meat containing Trichinella infective larvae. Aspartyl aminopeptidase is an intracytoplasmic metalloproteinase that specifically hydrolyzes the N-terminus of polypeptides free of acidic amino acids (aspartic acid and glutamate), and plays an important role in the metabolism, growth and development of organisms. In this study, a novel T. spiralis aspartyl aminopeptidase (TsAAP) was cloned and expressed, and its biological properties and roles in worm growth and development were investigated. The results revealed that TsAAP transcription and expression in diverse T. spiralis stages were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and primarily localized at cuticle, stichosome and intrauterine embryos of this nematode by immunofluorescence test. rTsAAP has the enzymatic activity of native AAP to hydrolyze the substrate H-Glu-pNA. There was a specific binding between rTsAAP and murine erythrocyte, and the binding site was localized in erythrocyte membrane proteins. Silencing of TsAAP gene by specific dsRNA significantly reduced the TsAAP expression, enzymatic activity, intestinal worm burdens and female fecundity. The results demonstrated that TsAAP participates in the growth, development and fecundity of T. spiralis and it might be a potential target molecule for anti-Trichinella vaccines.
Functional analysis of Trichinella spiralis serine protease 1.2 by siRNA mediated RNA interference

Yang F, Guo KX, Yang DQ, Liu RD, Long SR, Zhang X, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2020 Jun 01;37(2):458-470.
PMID: 33612815

A T. spiralis serine protease 1.2 (TsSP1.2) was identified in the muscle larvae (ML) and intestinal larvae surface/excretory-secretory (ES) proteins by immunoproteomics. The aim of this study was to determine the TsSP1.2 function in the process of T. spiralis intrusion, growth and reproduction by using RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi was used to silence the expression of TsSP1.2 mRNA and protein in the nematode. On 2 days after the ML were electroporated with 2 µM of TsSP1.2-specific siRNA 534, TsSP1.2 mRNA and protein expression declined in 56.44 and 84.48%, respectively, compared with untreated ML. Although TsSP1.2 silencing did not impair worm viability, larval intrusion of intestinal epithelium cells (IEC) was suppressed by 57.18% (P < 0.01) and the suppression was siRNA-dose dependent (r = 0.976). Infection of mice with siRNA 534 transfected ML produced a 57.16% reduction of enteral adult burden and 71.46% reduction of muscle larva burden (P < 0.05). Moreover, silencing of TsSP1.2 gene in ML resulted in worm development impediment and reduction of female fertility. The results showed that silencing of TsSP1.2 by RNAi inhibited larval intrusion and development, and reduced female fecundity. TsSP1.2 plays a crucial role for worm invasion and development in T. spiralis life cycle, and is a potential vaccine/drug target against Trichinella infection.
Regional suitability prediction of soil salinization based on remote-sensing derivatives and optimal spectral index

Wang Z, Zhang F, Zhang X, Chan NW, Kung HT, Ariken M, et al.

Sci Total Environ, 2021 Feb 12;775:145807.
PMID: 33618298 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145807

Soil salinization is an extremely serious land degradation problem in arid and semi-arid regions that hinders the sustainable development of agriculture and food security. Information and research on soil salinity using remote sensing (RS) technology provide a quick and accurate assessment and solutions to address this problem. This study aims to compare the capabilities of Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI in RS prediction and exploration of the potential application of derivatives to RS prediction of salinized soils. It explores the ability of derivatives to be used in the Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI multispectral data, and it was used as a data source as well as to address the adaptability of salinity prediction on a regional scale. The two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) optimal spectral indices are used to screen the bands that are most sensitive to soil salinity (0-10 cm), and RS data and topographic factors are combined with machine learning to construct a comprehensive soil salinity estimation model based on gray correlation analysis. The results are as follows: (1) The optimal spectral index (2D, 3D) can effectively consider possible combinations of the bands between the interaction effects and responding to sensitive bands of soil properties to circumvent the problem of applicability of spectral indices in different regions; (2) Both the Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI multispectral RS data sources, after the first-order derivative techniques are all processed, show improvements in the prediction accuracy of the model; (3) The best performance/accuracy of the predictive model is for sentinel data under first-order derivatives. This study compared the capabilities of Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI in RS prediction in finding the potential application of derivatives to RS prediction of salinized soils, with the results providing some theoretical basis and technical guidance for salinized soil prediction and environmental management planning.
Fulltext Measuring and preventing alcohol use and related harm among young people in Asian countries: a thematic review

Jiang H, Xiang X, Hao W, Room R, Zhang X, Wang X

Glob Health Res Policy, 2018;3:14.
PMID: 29761160 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-018-0070-2

Background: The paper reviews alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related social and health issues among 15-29-year old young people in Asian countries, and discusses strategies for preventing and controlling alcohol use and related harms.
Methods: We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science for reports, reviews and journal articles published in English between 1st Jan 1990 and 31st August 2016.
Results: Forty-one reports, reviews and journal papers were identified and included in the final review. The current drinking levels and prevalence among young people are markedly different between eight included Asian countries, ranging from 4.2% in Malaysia to 49.3% in China. In a majority of the selected Asian countries, over 15% of total deaths among young men and 6% among young women aged 15-29 years are attributable to alcohol use. Alcohol use among young people is associated with a number of harms, including stress, family violence, injuries, suicide, and sexual and other risky behaviours. Alcohol policies, such as controlling sales, social supply and marketing, setting up/raising a legal drinking age, adding health warning labels on alcohol containers, and developing a surveillance system to monitor drinking pattern and risky drinking behaviour, could be potential means to reduce harmful use of alcohol and related harm among young people in Asia.
Conclusions: The review reveals that drinking patterns and behaviours vary across eight selected Asian countries due to culture, policies and regional variations. The research evidence holds substantial policy implications for harm reduction on alcohol drinking among young people in Asian countries -- especially for China, which has almost no alcohol control policies at present.
Fulltext Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Marinobacter Phage vB_MalS-PS3, Representing a New Lambda-Like Temperate Siphoviral Genus Infecting Algae-Associated Bacteria

Liu Y, Zheng K, Liu B, Liang Y, You S, Zhang W, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:726074.
PMID: 34512604 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.726074

Marinobacter is the abundant and important algal-associated and hydrocarbon biodegradation bacteria in the ocean. However, little knowledge about their phages has been reported. Here, a novel siphovirus, vB_MalS-PS3, infecting Marinobacter algicola DG893(T), was isolated from the surface waters of the western Pacific Ocean. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that vB_MalS-PS3 has the morphology of siphoviruses. VB_MalS-PS3 was stable from -20 to 55°C, and with the latent and rise periods of about 80 and 10 min, respectively. The genome sequence of VB_MalS-PS3 contains a linear, double-strand 42,168-bp DNA molecule with a G + C content of 56.23% and 54 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Nineteen conserved domains were predicted by BLASTp in NCBI. We found that vB_MalS-PS3 represent an understudied viral group with only one known isolate. The phylogenetic tree based on the amino acid sequences of whole genomes revealed that vB_MalS-PS3 has a distant evolutionary relationship with other siphoviruses, and can be grouped into a novel viral genus cluster with six uncultured assembled viral genomes from metagenomics, named here as Marinovirus. This study of the Marinobacter phage vB_MalS-PS3 genome enriched the genetic database of marine bacteriophages, in addition, will provide useful information for further research on the interaction between Marinobacter phages and their hosts, and their relationship with algal blooms and hydrocarbon biodegradation in the ocean.
Fulltext Characterization and genomic analysis of the first Oceanospirillum phage, vB_OliS_GJ44, representing a novel siphoviral cluster

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.
Fulltext Genome and Ecology of a Novel Alteromonas Podovirus, ZP6, Representing a New Viral Genus, Mareflavirus

Wang Z, Zhang F, Liang Y, Zheng K, Gu C, Zhang W, et al.

Microbiol Spectr, 2021 10 31;9(2):e0046321.
PMID: 34643440 DOI: 10.1128/Spectrum.00463-21

Alteromonas is a ubiquitous, abundant, copiotrophic and phytoplankton-associated marine member of the Gammaproteobacteria with a range extending from tropical waters to polar regions and including hadal zones. Here, we describe a novel Alteromonas phage, ZP6, that was isolated from surface coastal waters of Qingdao, China. ZP6 contains a linear, double-stranded, 38,080-bp DNA molecule with 50.1% G+C content and 47 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Three auxiliary metabolic genes were identified, encoding metal-dependent phosphohydrolase, diaminopurine synthetase, and nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase. The first two ORFs facilitate the replacement of adenine (A) by diaminopurine (Z) in phage genomes and help phages to evade attack from host restriction enzymes. The nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase enables the host cells to stop programmed cell death and improves the survival rate of the host in a nutrient-depleted environment. Phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequences of whole genomes and comparative genomic analysis revealed that ZP6 is most closely related to Enhodamvirus but with low similarity (shared genes, <30%, and average nucleotide sequence identity, <65%); it is distinct from other bacteriophages. Together, these results suggest that ZP6 could represent a novel viral genus, here named Mareflavirus. Combining its ability to infect Alteromonas, its harboring of a diaminopurine genome-biosynthetic system, and its representativeness of an understudied viral group, ZP6 could be an important and novel model system for marine virus research. IMPORTANCE Alteromonas is an important symbiotic bacterium of phytoplankton, but research on its bacteriophages is still at an elementary level. Our isolation and genome characterization of a novel Alteromonas podovirus, ZP6, identified a new viral genus of podovirus, namely, Mareflavirus. The ZP6 genome, with a diaminopurine genome-biosynthetic system, is different from those of other isolated Alteromonas phages and will bring new impetus to the development of virus classification and provide important insights into novel viral sequences from metagenomic data sets.
Fulltext Characterization and genomic analysis of phage vB_ValR_NF, representing a new viral family prevalent in the Ulva prolifera blooms

Zhang X, Liang Y, Zheng K, Wang Z, Dong Y, Liu Y, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2023;14:1161265.
PMID: 37213492 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1161265

INTRODUCTION: Vibrio is an important bacterial genus containing many pathogenic species. Although more and more Vibrio phages were isolated, the genome, ecology and evolution of Vibrio phages and their roles in bacteriophage therapy, have not been fully revealed.
METHODS: Novel Vibrio phage vB_ValR_NF infecting Vibrio alginolyticus was isolated from the coastal waters of Qingdao during the Ulva prolifera blooms, Characterization and genomic feature of phage vB_ValR_NF has been analysed using phage isolation, sequencing and metagenome method.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Phage vB_ValR_NF has a siphoviral morphology (icosahedral head 114±1 nm in diameter; a tail length of 231±1 nm), a short latent period (30 minutes) and a large burst size (113 virions per cell), and the thermal/pH stability study showed that phage vB_ValR_NF was highly tolerant to a range of pHs (4-12) and temperatures (-20 - 45 °C), respectively. Host range analysis suggests that phage vB_ValR_NF not only has a high inhibitory ability against the host strain V. alginolyticus, but also can infect 7 other Vibrio strains. In addition, the phage vB_ValR_NF has a double-stranded 44, 507 bp DNA genome, with 43.10 % GC content and 75 open reading frames. Three auxiliary metabolic genes associated with aldehyde dehydrogenase, serine/threonine protein phosphatase and calcineurin-like phosphoesterase were predicted, might help the host V. alginolyticus occupy the survival advantage, thus improving the survival chance of phage vB_ValR_NF under harsh conditions. This point can be supported by the higher abundance of phage vB_ValR_NF during the U. prolifera blooms than in other marine environments. Further phylogenetic and genomic analysis shows that the viral group represented by Vibrio phage vB_ValR_NF is different from other well-defined reference viruses, and can be classified into a new family, named Ruirongviridae. In general, as a new marine phage infecting V. alginolyticus, phage vB_ValR_NF provides basic information for further molecular research on phage-host interactions and evolution, and may unravel a novel insight into changes in the community structure of organisms during the U. prolifera blooms. At the same time, its high tolerance to extreme conditions and excellent bactericidal ability will become important reference factors when evaluating the potential of phage vB_ValR_NF in bacteriophage therapy in the future.
Fulltext Psychrobacter Phage Encoding an Antibiotics Resistance Gene Represents a Novel Caudoviral Family

Wang H, Ren L, Liang Y, Zheng K, Guo R, Liu Y, et al.

Microbiol Spectr, 2023 Aug 17;11(4):e0533522.
PMID: 37272818 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05335-22

Psychrobacter is an important bacterial genus that is widespread in Antarctic and marine environments. However, to date, only two complete Psychrobacter phage sequences have been deposited in the NCBI database. Here, the novel Psychrobacter phage vB_PmaS_Y8A, infecting Psychrobacter HM08A, was isolated from sewage in the Qingdao area, China. The morphology of vB_PmaS_Y8A was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, revealing an icosahedral head and long tail. The genomic sequence of vB_PmaS_Y8A is linear, double-stranded DNA with a length of 40,226 bp and 44.1% G+C content, and encodes 69 putative open reading frames. Two auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) were identified, encoding phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate reductase and MarR protein. The first AMG uses thioredoxin as an electron donor for the reduction of phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate to phosphoadenosine phosphate. MarR regulates multiple antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Escherichia coli and is rarely found in viruses. No tRNA genes were identified and no lysogeny-related feature genes were detected. However, many similar open reading frames (ORFs) were found in the host genome, which may indicate that Y8A also has a lysogenic stage. Phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequences of whole genomes and comparative genomic analysis indicate that vB_PmaS_Y8A contains a novel genomic architecture similar only to that of Psychrobacter phage pOW20-A, although at a low similarity. vB_PmaS_Y8A represents a new family-level virus cluster with 22 metagenomic assembled viral genomes, here named Minviridae. IMPORTANCE Although Psychrobacter is a well-known and important bacterial genus that is widespread in Antarctic and marine environments, genetic characterization of its phages is still rare. This study describes a novel Psychrobacter phage containing an uncharacterized antibiotic resistance gene and representing a new virus family, Minviridae. The characterization provided here will bolster current understanding of genomes, diversity, evolution, and phage-host interactions in Psychrobacter populations.
Fulltext Correction: Genomic diversity and ecological distribution of marine Pseudoalteromonas phages

Zheng K, Dong Y, Liang Y, Liu Y, Zhang X, Zhang W, et al.

Mar Life Sci Technol, 2023 May;5(2):286-288.
PMID: 37275540 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-023-00166-1

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s42995-022-00160-z.].
Fulltext Genomic diversity and ecological distribution of marine Pseudoalteromonas phages

Zheng K, Dong Y, Liang Y, Liu Y, Zhang X, Zhang W, et al.

Mar Life Sci Technol, 2023 May;5(2):271-285.
PMID: 37275543 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-022-00160-z

Pseudoalteromonas, with a ubiquitous distribution, is one of the most abundant marine bacterial genera. It is especially abundant in the deep sea and polar seas, where it has been found to have a broad metabolic capacity and unique co-existence strategies with other organisms. However, only a few Pseudoalteromonas phages have so far been isolated and investigated and their genomic diversity and distribution patterns are still unclear. Here, the genomes, taxonomic features and distribution patterns of Pseudoalteromonas phages are systematically analyzed, based on the microbial and viral genomes and metagenome datasets. A total of 143 complete or nearly complete Pseudoalteromonas-associated phage genomes (PSAPGs) were identified, including 34 Pseudoalteromonas phage isolates, 24 proviruses, and 85 Pseudoalteromonas-associated uncultured viral genomes (UViGs); these were assigned to 47 viral clusters at the genus level. Many integrated proviruses (n = 24) and filamentous phages were detected (n = 32), suggesting the prevalence of viral lysogenic life cycle in Pseudoalteromonas. PSAPGs encoded 66 types of 249 potential auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) relating to peptidases and nucleotide metabolism. They may also participate in marine biogeochemical cycles through the manipulation of the metabolism of their hosts, especially in the phosphorus and sulfur cycles. Siphoviral and filamentous PSAPGs were the predominant viral lineages found in polar areas, while some myoviral and siphoviral PSAPGs encoding transposase were more abundant in the deep sea. This study has expanded our understanding of the taxonomy, phylogenetic and ecological scope of marine Pseudoalteromonas phages and deepens our knowledge of viral impacts on Pseudoalteromonas. It will provide a baseline for the study of interactions between phages and Pseudoalteromonas in the ocean.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-022-00160-z.
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.
Robot-assisted Cavectomy Versus Thrombectomy for Level II Inferior Vena Cava Thrombus: Decision-making Scheme and Multi-institutional Analysis

Shi T, Huang Q, Liu K, Du S, Fan Y, Yang L, et al.

Eur Urol, 2020 10;78(4):592-602.
PMID: 32305170 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2020.03.020

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted thrombectomy (RAT) for inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus (RAT-IVCT) is being increasingly reported. However, the techniques and indications for robot-assisted cavectomy (RAC) for IVC thrombus are not well described.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a decision-making program and analyze multi-institutional outcomes of RAC-IVCT versus RAT-IVCT.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Ninety patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with level II IVCT were included from eight Chinese urological centers, and underwent RAC-IVCT (30 patients) or RAT-IVCT (60 patients) from June 2013 to January 2019.
SURGICAL PROCEDURE: The surgical strategy was based on IVCT imaging characteristics. RAT-IVCT was performed with standardized cavotomy, thrombectomy, and IVC reconstruction. RAC-IVCT was mainly performed in patients with extensive IVC wall invasion when the collateral blood vessels were well-established. For right-sided RCC, the IVC from the infrarenal vein to the infrahepatic veins was stapled. For left-sided RCC, the IVC from the suprarenal vein to the infrahepatic veins was removed and caudal IVC reconstruction was performed to ensure the right renal vein returned through the IVC collaterals.
MEASUREMENTS: Clinicopathological, operative, and survival outcomes were collected and analyzed.
RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: All procedures were successfully performed without open conversion. The median operation time (268 vs 190 min) and estimated blood loss (1500 vs 400 ml) were significantly greater for RAC-IVCT versus RAT-IVCT (both p < 0.001). IVC invasion was a risk factor for progression-free and overall survival at midterm follow-up. Large-volume and long-term follow-up studies are needed.
CONCLUSIONS: RAC-IVCT or RAT-IVCT represents an alternative minimally invasive approach for selected RCC patients with level II IVCT. Selection of RAC-IVCT or RAT-IVCT is mainly based on preoperative IVCT imaging characteristics, including the presence of IVC wall invasion, the affected kidney, and establishment of the collateral circulation.
PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study we found that robotic surgeries for level II inferior vena cava thrombus were feasible and safe. Preoperative imaging played an important role in establishing an appropriate surgical plan.
Fulltext Triggering Chinese lecturers' intrinsic work motivation by value-based leadership and growth mindset: Generation difference by using multigroup analysis

Zhao X, Wider W, Zhang X, Fauzi MA, Wong CH, Jiang L, et al.

PLoS One, 2024;19(3):e0297791.
PMID: 38536845 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297791

This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of value-based leadership and growth mindset on the intrinsic work motivation of Chinese lecturers. In addition, this study used age as a categorical moderator to investigate generational differences between the effects of Millennials and their predecessors. A sample of 518 lecturers from various Chinese universities was used to collect data, and SEM-PLS was used to analyse the data. The results showed that value-based leadership and growth mindset had a significant positive impact on both younger and older lecturers' intrinsic work motivation, with the effect of value-based leadership on younger lecturers' intrinsic motivation being significantly stronger than on older lecturers' intrinsic motivation, whereas the effect of growth mindset on intrinsic work motivation did not differ significantly between the younger and older groups. This study contributes to the existing research literature by contrasting the value-based leadership and growth mindset in relation to lecturers' intrinsic work motivation across younger and older groups in Chinese higher education settings, where greater heterogeneity between age groups was identified. The findings also provided university administrators with recommendations for boosting the intrinsic work motivation of lecturers, influencing future education policy.
Fulltext Health Behaviors of Higher Education Students from 7 Countries: Poorer Sleep Quality during the COVID-19 Pandemic Predicts Higher Dietary Risk

Du C, Zan MCH, Cho MJ, Fenton JI, Hsiao PY, Hsiao R, et al.

Clocks Sleep, 2021 Jan 15;3(1):12-30.
PMID: 33467418 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep3010002

Health behaviors of higher education students can be negatively influenced by stressful events. The global COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to characterize and compare health behaviors across multiple countries and to examine how these behaviors are shaped by the pandemic experience. Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in universities in China, Ireland, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands and the United States (USA) were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Eligible students filled out an online survey comprised of validated tools for assessing sleep quality and duration, dietary risk, alcohol misuse and physical activity between late April and the end of May 2020. Health behaviors were fairly consistent across countries, and all countries reported poor sleep quality. However, during the survey period, the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the health behaviors of students in European countries and the USA more negatively than Asian countries, which could be attributed to the differences in pandemic time course and caseloads. Students who experienced a decline in sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher dietary risk scores than students who did not experience a change in sleep quality (p = 0.001). Improved sleep quality was associated with less sitting time (p = 0.010). Addressing sleep issues among higher education students is a pressing concern, especially during stressful events. These results support the importance of making education and behavior-based sleep programming available for higher education students in order to benefit students' overall health.
Fulltext Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1

Klionsky DJ, Abdel-Aziz AK, Abdelfatah S, Abdellatif M, Abdoli A, Abel S, et al.

Autophagy, 2021 Jan;17(1):1-382.
PMID: 33634751 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.
Fulltext Acceptance and Perception of Artificial Intelligence Usability in Eye Care (APPRAISE) for Ophthalmologists: A Multinational Perspective

Gunasekeran DV, Zheng F, Lim GYS, Chong CCY, Zhang S, Ng WY, et al.

Front Med (Lausanne), 2022;9:875242.
PMID: 36314006 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.875242

BACKGROUND: Many artificial intelligence (AI) studies have focused on development of AI models, novel techniques, and reporting guidelines. However, little is understood about clinicians' perspectives of AI applications in medical fields including ophthalmology, particularly in light of recent regulatory guidelines. The aim for this study was to evaluate the perspectives of ophthalmologists regarding AI in 4 major eye conditions: diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract.
METHODS: This was a multi-national survey of ophthalmologists between March 1st, 2020 to February 29th, 2021 disseminated via the major global ophthalmology societies. The survey was designed based on microsystem, mesosystem and macrosystem questions, and the software as a medical device (SaMD) regulatory framework chaired by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Factors associated with AI adoption for ophthalmology analyzed with multivariable logistic regression random forest machine learning.
RESULTS: One thousand one hundred seventy-six ophthalmologists from 70 countries participated with a response rate ranging from 78.8 to 85.8% per question. Ophthalmologists were more willing to use AI as clinical assistive tools (88.1%, n = 890/1,010) especially those with over 20 years' experience (OR 3.70, 95% CI: 1.10-12.5, p = 0.035), as compared to clinical decision support tools (78.8%, n = 796/1,010) or diagnostic tools (64.5%, n = 651). A majority of Ophthalmologists felt that AI is most relevant to DR (78.2%), followed by glaucoma (70.7%), AMD (66.8%), and cataract (51.4%) detection. Many participants were confident their roles will not be replaced (68.2%, n = 632/927), and felt COVID-19 catalyzed willingness to adopt AI (80.9%, n = 750/927). Common barriers to implementation include medical liability from errors (72.5%, n = 672/927) whereas enablers include improving access (94.5%, n = 876/927). Machine learning modeling predicted acceptance from participant demographics with moderate to high accuracy, and area under the receiver operating curves of 0.63-0.83.
CONCLUSION: Ophthalmologists are receptive to adopting AI as assistive tools for DR, glaucoma, and AMD. Furthermore, ML is a useful method that can be applied to evaluate predictive factors on clinical qualitative questionnaires. This study outlines actionable insights for future research and facilitation interventions to drive adoption and operationalization of AI tools for Ophthalmology.
New Determination Method of Two Bioactive Saponins in Lysimachia capillipes Hemsl. by Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by Single-Marker

Zhang X, Chen X, Jin J, Gong M, He Q, Li S, et al.

J Chromatogr Sci, 2021 Oct 29;59(10):941-948.
PMID: 33728454 DOI: 10.1093/chromsci/bmab028

Capilliposide B (CPS-B) and Capilliposide C (CPS-C), as the key components in Lysimachia capillipes Hemsl., increasingly aroused the interest and research concern of many researchers due to the good bioactivities. Nowadays, the reference standards of CPS-B and CPS-C yield were very limited. Due to the deficit of reference standards, the determination could be difficult to carry out, and the quality control and evaluation would be restrained afterwards. To solve this urgent problem, a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) method was proposed and established based on high-performance liquid-chromatography tandem evaporative light-scattering detector. In this QAMS method, the content of the two bioactive components could be calculated by buddlejasaponin IV, which is applied as an external standard and readily obtained. And the methodological experiments were evaluated and indicated accuracy, stability and feasibility of this QAMS method. Therefore, in this study, this built method would properly meet the requirement of determination of CPS-B, CPS-C and quality control of the L. capillipes Hemsl. plant.
Fulltext A hybrid approach for low-carbon transportation system analysis: integrating CRITIC-DEMATEL and deep learning features

Zhan C, Zhang X, Yuan J, Chen X, Zhang X, Fathollahi-Fard AM, et al.

Int J Environ Sci Technol (Tehran), 2023 Jun 09.
PMID: 37360563 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-023-04995-6

As supply chains, logistics, and transportation activities continue to play a significant role in China's economic and social developments, concerns around energy consumption and carbon emissions are becoming increasingly prevalent. In light of sustainable development goals and the trend toward sustainable or green transportation, there is a need to minimize the environmental impact of these activities. To address this need, the government of China has made efforts to promote low-carbon transportation systems. This study aims to assess the development of low-carbon transportation systems in a case study in China using a hybrid approach based on the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC), Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and deep learning features. The proposed method provides an accurate quantitative assessment of low-carbon transportation development levels, identifies the key influencing factors, and sorts out the inner connection among the factors. The CRITIC weight matrix is used to obtain the weight ratio, reducing the subjective color of the DEMATEL method. The weighting results are then corrected using an artificial neural network to make the weighting more accurate and objective. To validate our hybrid method, a numerical example in China is applied, and sensitivity analysis is conducted to show the impact of our main parameters and analyze the efficiency of our hybrid method. Overall, the proposed approach offers a novel method for assessing low-carbon transportation development and identifying key factors in China. The results of this study can be used to inform policy and decision-making to promote sustainable transportation systems in China and beyond.

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