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Hydrogel-based methods for engineering cellular microenvironment with spatiotemporal gradients

Wang L, Li Y, Huang G, Zhang X, Pingguan-Murphy B, Gao B, et al.

Crit Rev Biotechnol, 2016 Jun;36(3):553-65.
PMID: 25641330 DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2014.993588

Natural cellular microenvironment consists of spatiotemporal gradients of multiple physical (e.g. extracellular matrix stiffness, porosity and stress/strain) and chemical cues (e.g. morphogens), which play important roles in regulating cell behaviors including spreading, proliferation, migration, differentiation and apoptosis, especially for pathological processes such as tumor formation and progression. Therefore, it is essential to engineer cellular gradient microenvironment incorporating various gradients for the fabrication of normal and pathological tissue models in vitro. In this article, we firstly review the development of engineering cellular physical and chemical gradients with cytocompatible hydrogels in both two-dimension and three-dimension formats. We then present current advances in the application of engineered gradient microenvironments for the fabrication of disease models in vitro. Finally, concluding remarks and future perspectives for engineering cellular gradients are given.
Influences of flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. on biofilm formation of Pseudomonas fragi

Wang H, Ge Q, Shao X, Wei Y, Zhang X, Wang H, et al.

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2023 Apr 20.
PMID: 37079063 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12526-z

Pseudomonas fragi (P. fragi) is one of the main categories of bacteria responsible for the spoilage of chilled meat. In the processing and preservation of chilled meat, it is easy to form biofilms on the meat, leading to the development of slime on the meat, which becomes a major quality defect. Flavonoids, as one of the critical components of secondary plant metabolites, are receiving increasing attention for their antibacterial activity. Flavonoids in Sedum aizoon L. (FSAL), relying on its prominent antibacterial activity, are of research importance in food preservation and other applications. This article aims to investigate the effect of FSAL on the biofilm formation of P. fragi, to better apply FSAL to the processing and preservation of meat products. The disruption of cellular structure and aggregation properties by FSAL was demonstrated by the observation of the cellular state within the biofilm. The amount of biofilm formation was determined by crystal violet staining, and the content of polysaccharides and proteins in the extracellular wrapped material was determined. It was shown that the experimental concentrations of FSAL (1.0 MIC) was able to inhibit biofilm formation and reduce the main components in the extracellular secretion. The swimming motility assay and the downregulation of flagellin-related genes confirmed that FSAL reduced cell motility and adhesion. The downregulation of cell division genes and the lowering of bacterial metabolic activity suggested that FSAL could hinder bacterial growth and reproduction within P. fragi biofilms. KEY POINTS: • FSAL inhibited the activity of Pseudomonas fragi in the dominant meat strain • The absence of EPS components affected the formation of P. fragi biofilms • P. fragi has reduced adhesion capacity due to impaired flagellin function.
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 An fNIRS investigation of novel expressed emotion stimulations in schizophrenia

Wang C, Zhang Y, Lim LG, Cao W, Zhang W, Wan X, et al.

Sci Rep, 2023 Jul 10;13(1):11141.
PMID: 37429942 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38057-1

Living in high expressed emotion (EE) environments tends to increase the relapse rate in schizophrenia (SZ). At present, the neural substrates responsible for high EE in SZ remain poorly understood. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) may be of great use to quantitatively assess cortical hemodynamics and elucidate the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. In this study, we designed novel low- (positivity and warmth) and high-EE (criticism, negative emotion, and hostility) stimulations, in the form of audio, to investigate cortical hemodynamics. We used fNIRS to measure hemodynamic signals while participants listened to the recorded audio. Healthy controls (HCs, [Formula: see text]) showed increased hemodynamic activation in the major language centers across EE stimulations, with stronger activation in Wernicke's area during the processing of negative emotional language. Compared to HCs, people with SZ ([Formula: see text]) exhibited smaller hemodynamic activation in the major language centers across EE stimulations. In addition, people with SZ showed weaker or insignificant hemodynamic deactivation in the medial prefrontal cortex. Notably, hemodynamic activation in SZ was found to be negatively correlated with the negative syndrome scale score at high EE. Our findings suggest that the neural mechanisms in SZ are altered and disrupted, especially during negative emotional language processing. This supports the feasibility of using the designed EE stimulations to assess people who are vulnerable to high-EE environments, such as SZ. Furthermore, our findings provide preliminary evidence for future research on functional neuroimaging biomarkers for people with psychiatric disorders.
Research advances on production and application of algal biochar in environmental remediation

Wang C, Lin X, Zhang X, Show PL

Environ Pollut, 2024 May 01;348:123860.
PMID: 38537803 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123860

Algae, comprising microalgae and macroalgae, have emerged as a promising feedstock for the production of functional biochar. Recently, the application of algal biochar in environmental remediation gains increasing attention. This review summarizes research advancements in the synthesis and application of algal biochar, a versatile and sustainable material for environmental remediation ranging from wastewater treatment to soil improvement. Algal biochar can be prepared by pyrolysis, microwave-assisted pyrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization. Physical and chemical modifications have proven to be effective for improving biochar properties. Algal biochar is promising for removing diverse pollutants including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and microplastics. The role in soil improvement signifies a sustainable approach to enhancing soil structure, nutrient retention, and microbial activity. Research gaps are identified based on current understanding, necessitating further exploration into variations in biochar characteristics, the performance improvement, large-scale applications, and the long-term evaluation for environmental application. This review provides a better understanding of algal biochar as a sustainable and effective tool in environmental remediation.
Fulltext Online Learning Approach for Predictive Real-Time Energy Trading in Cloud-RANs

Wan Ariffin WNSF, Zhang X, Nakhai MR, Rahim HA, Ahmad RB

Sensors (Basel), 2021 Mar 25;21(7).
PMID: 33806215 DOI: 10.3390/s21072308

Constantly changing electricity demand has made variability and uncertainty inherent characteristics of both electric generation and cellular communication systems. This paper develops an online learning algorithm as a prescheduling mechanism to manage the variability and uncertainty to maintain cost-aware and reliable operation in cloud radio access networks (Cloud-RANs). The proposed algorithm employs a combinatorial multi-armed bandit model and minimizes the long-term energy cost at remote radio heads. The algorithm preschedules a set of cost-efficient energy packages to be purchased from an ancillary energy market for the future time slots by learning both from cooperative energy trading at previous time slots and by exploring new energy scheduling strategies at the current time slot. The simulation results confirm a significant performance gain of the proposed scheme in controlling the available power budgets and minimizing the overall energy cost compared with recently proposed approaches for real-time energy resources and energy trading in Cloud-RANs.
Beyond the 'east-west' dichotomy: Global variation in cultural models of selfhood

Vignoles VL, Owe E, Becker M, Smith PB, Easterbrook MJ, Brown R, et al.

J Exp Psychol Gen, 2016 08;145(8):966-1000.
PMID: 27359126 DOI: 10.1037/xge0000175

Markus and Kitayama's (1991) theory of independent and interdependent self-construals had a major influence on social, personality, and developmental psychology by highlighting the role of culture in psychological processes. However, research has relied excessively on contrasts between North American and East Asian samples, and commonly used self-report measures of independence and interdependence frequently fail to show predicted cultural differences. We revisited the conceptualization and measurement of independent and interdependent self-construals in 2 large-scale multinational surveys, using improved methods for cross-cultural research. We developed (Study 1: N = 2924 students in 16 nations) and validated across cultures (Study 2: N = 7279 adults from 55 cultural groups in 33 nations) a new 7-dimensional model of self-reported ways of being independent or interdependent. Patterns of global variation support some of Markus and Kitayama's predictions, but a simple contrast between independence and interdependence does not adequately capture the diverse models of selfhood that prevail in different world regions. Cultural groups emphasize different ways of being both independent and interdependent, depending on individualism-collectivism, national socioeconomic development, and religious heritage. Our 7-dimensional model will allow future researchers to test more accurately the implications of cultural models of selfhood for psychological processes in diverse ecocultural contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record
Fulltext Development of the FitSight Fitness Tracker to Increase Time Outdoors to Prevent Myopia

Verkicharla PK, Ramamurthy D, Nguyen QD, Zhang X, Pu SH, Malhotra R, et al.

Transl Vis Sci Technol, 2017 Jun;6(3):20.
PMID: 28660095 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.6.3.20

PURPOSE: To develop a fitness tracker (FitSight) to encourage children to increase time spent outdoors. To evaluate the wear pattern for this tracker and outdoor time pattern by estimating light illumination levels among children.
METHODS: The development of the FitSight fitness tracker involved the designing of two components: (1) the smartwatch with custom-made FitSight watch application (app) to log the instant light illuminance levels the wearer is exposed to, and (2) a companion smartphone app that synchronizes the time outdoors recorded by the smartwatch to smartphone via Bluetooth communication. Smartwatch wear patterns and tracker-recorded daily light illuminance levels data were gathered over 7 days from 23 Singapore children (mean ± standard deviation age: 9.2 ± 1.4 years). Feedback about the tracker was obtained from 14 parents using a three-level rating scale: very poor/poor/good.
RESULTS: Of the 14 parents, 93% rated the complete "FitSight fitness tracker" as good and 64% rated its wearability as good. While 61% of 23 children wore the watch on all study days (i.e., 0 nonwear days), 26% had 1 nonwear day, and 4.5% children each had 3, 4, and 5 nonwear days, respectively. On average, children spent approximately 1 hour in light levels greater than 1000 lux on weekdays and 1.3 hours on weekends (60 ± 46 vs. 79 ± 53 minutes, P = 0.19). Mean number of outdoor "spurts" (light illuminance levels >1000 lux) per day was 8 ± 3 spurts with spurt duration of 34 ± 32 minutes.
CONCLUSION: The FitSight tracker with its novel features may motivate children to increase time outdoors and play an important role in supplementing community outdoor programs to prevent myopia.
TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: If the developed noninvasive, wearable, smartwatch-based fitness tracker, FitSight, promotes daytime outdoor activity among children, it will be beneficial in addressing the epidemic of myopia.
Residual effects of treated effluent diversion on a seaweed farm in a tidal strait using a multi-nested high-resolution 3-D circulation-dispersal model

Uchiyama Y, Zhang X, Suzue Y, Kosako T, Miyazawa Y, Nakayama A

Mar Pollut Bull, 2018 May;130:40-54.
PMID: 29866568 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.007

A high-resolution 3-D model was developed to assess the impact of a diversion outfall at the Tarumi Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP) on an adjacent seaweed farm in Osaka Bay, Japan. The model was extensively validated to ensure a reasonable agreement with in situ observations. The western part of the farm is largely influenced by tidal currents, whereas the eastern area is mainly affected by subtidal residual currents that are primarily due to surface wind stress. The released effluent is transported by counterclockwise residual circulation formed off the TSTP. The model reveals that the diversion adequately suppresses the influence on the farm. While the instantaneous effluent concentration is diminished by about 50%, the effluent accumulated on the farm decreased from 2.83 × 104 m3 to 2.01 × 104 m3 due to the diversion, demonstrating an approximately 28% reduction of the effluent from the TSTP by the diversion outfall.
Fulltext Mouth-clicks used by blind expert human echolocators - signal description and model based signal synthesis

Thaler L, Reich GM, Zhang X, Wang D, Smith GE, Tao Z, et al.

PLoS Comput Biol, 2017 Aug;13(8):e1005670.
PMID: 28859082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005670

Echolocation is the ability to use sound-echoes to infer spatial information about the environment. Some blind people have developed extraordinary proficiency in echolocation using mouth-clicks. The first step of human biosonar is the transmission (mouth click) and subsequent reception of the resultant sound through the ear. Existing head-related transfer function (HRTF) data bases provide descriptions of reception of the resultant sound. For the current report, we collected a large database of click emissions with three blind people expertly trained in echolocation, which allowed us to perform unprecedented analyses. Specifically, the current report provides the first ever description of the spatial distribution (i.e. beam pattern) of human expert echolocation transmissions, as well as spectro-temporal descriptions at a level of detail not available before. Our data show that transmission levels are fairly constant within a 60° cone emanating from the mouth, but levels drop gradually at further angles, more than for speech. In terms of spectro-temporal features, our data show that emissions are consistently very brief (~3ms duration) with peak frequencies 2-4kHz, but with energy also at 10kHz. This differs from previous reports of durations 3-15ms and peak frequencies 2-8kHz, which were based on less detailed measurements. Based on our measurements we propose to model transmissions as sum of monotones modulated by a decaying exponential, with angular attenuation by a modified cardioid. We provide model parameters for each echolocator. These results are a step towards developing computational models of human biosonar. For example, in bats, spatial and spectro-temporal features of emissions have been used to derive and test model based hypotheses about behaviour. The data we present here suggest similar research opportunities within the context of human echolocation. Relatedly, the data are a basis to develop synthetic models of human echolocation that could be virtual (i.e. simulated) or real (i.e. loudspeaker, microphones), and which will help understanding the link between physical principles and human behaviour.
Integrative analysis of chloroplast DNA methylation in a marine alga-Saccharina japonica

Teng L, Han W, Fan X, Zhang X, Xu D, Wang Y, et al.

Plant Mol Biol, 2021 Apr;105(6):611-623.
PMID: 33528753 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-020-01113-9

We applied an integrative approach using multiple methods to verify cytosine methylation in the chloroplast DNA of the multicellular brown alga Saccharina japonica. Cytosine DNA methylation is a heritable process which plays important roles in regulating development throughout the life cycle of an organism. Although methylation of nuclear DNA has been studied extensively, little is known about the state and role of DNA methylation in chloroplast genomes, especially in marine algae. Here, we have applied an integrated approach encompassing whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation, gene co-expression networks and photophysiological analyses to provide evidence for the role of chloroplast DNA methylation in a marine alga, the multicellular brown alga Saccharina japonica. Although the overall methylation level was relatively low in the chloroplast genome of S. japonica, gametophytes exhibited higher methylation levels than sporophytes. Gene-specific bisulfite-cloning sequencing provided additional evidence for the methylation of key photosynthetic genes. Many of them were highly expressed in sporophytes whereas genes involved in transcription, translation and biosynthesis were strongly expressed in gametophytes. Nucleus-encoded photosynthesis genes were co-expressed with their chloroplast-encoded counterparts potentially contributing to the higher photosynthetic performance in sporophytes compared to gametophytes where these co-expression networks were less pronounced. A nucleus-encoded DNA methyltransferase of the DNMT2 family is assumed to be responsible for the methylation of the chloroplast genome because it is predicted to possess a plastid transit peptide.
Public welfare crowdfunding decision-making of environmental nonprofit organizations based on social responsibility

Tang Z, Zhang X

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Sep;30(44):99992-100005.
PMID: 37624492 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29114-3

Sustainable crowdfunding has emerged as a significant factor in the quest for alternative funding streams in recent times. The process has entailed the removal of financial obstacles and intermediaries, facilitating proximity between entrepreneurs' initiatives and fund providers, thereby initiating modifications in conventional investment and profitability criteria. The correlation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business returns is a significant metric that may enhance funding costs. CSR initiatives and crowdfunding possess the potential for mutually beneficial outcomes in terms of fundraising. However, fundraisers encounter obstacles and competition in their efforts to attain their donation objectives. As an illustration, CSR endeavors may provide a chance to raise capital via crowdfunding. Conversely, crowdfunding has the potential to serve as a means of micro-funding various social initiatives that align with a corporation's corporate social responsibility objectives. The present research investigates the correlation between efficacious donation fundraising campaigns in the context of crowdfunding endeavors that hold the possibility of transforming into corporate social responsibility initiatives. The present study investigates the correlation between the initial amount of funds raised on the first day of a fundraising campaign and the target amount of funds sought by the fundraiser, as well as the type of activities involved. The present study utilizes data derived from crowdfunding endeavors in Southeast Asian nations to scrutinize the funds amassed through donations by juxtaposing trends, cultures, and characteristics of fundraisers employing donation-based crowdfunding. The present investigation employs data collected between the period spanning from the beginning of September 2021 to the end of September 2021 in the economies of Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The present investigation utilizes the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach for the estimation of the variables. The findings of the hypothesis indicate that there exists a positive correlation between crowdfunding, environmental nonprofit organizations, organizational profitability, and CSR.
Optimizing palm oil and palm stearin utilization for sensory and textural properties of chicken frankfurters

Tan SS, Aminah A, Zhang XG, Abdul SB

Meat Sci, 2006 Mar;72(3):387-97.
PMID: 22061722 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2005.07.012

This study was designed to explore the potential of refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oil (PO) and palm stearin (POs) utilization in chicken frankfurters. A 10 points augmented simplex-centroid design was used to study the effect of chicken fat (CF), PO and POs as well as the interaction of these fats on the emulsion, textural and sensory properties of chicken frankfurters. All frankfurters were formulated to contain approx 25% fat, 52% moisture and 10% protein. No significant difference was found in end chopping temperatures of all meat batters even though the temperature of PO and POs upon incorporation into meat batters was 50°C higher than CF. Strong emulsions were formed as no fluid losses were observed in all the meat batters tested after heating. Texture profiles of the frankfurters containing PO and/or CF were quite similar, but increment of POs raised hardness, chewiness, and shear hardness of the frankfurters. Acceptability of the frankfurters was evaluated using hedonic test. Panelists found no difference in hardness preference between frankfurters made from totally CF and PO, while frankfurters made from POs were rated as hard and brittle. CF was important in determining acceptability of the frankfurters, as reduction of CF in formulation resulted in lower scores in chicken flavor, juiciness, oiliness and overall acceptance of the frankfurters. Frankfurters with sensory acceptability comparable to a commercial one were found to comprise of more than 17% CF, and less than 67% PO and 17% POs of the fat blend.
The attractive female body weight and female body dissatisfaction in 26 countries across 10 world regions: results of the international body project I

Swami V, Frederick DA, Aavik T, Alcalay L, Allik J, Anderson D, et al.

Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 2010 Mar;36(3):309-25.
PMID: 20179313 DOI: 10.1177/0146167209359702

This study reports results from the first International Body Project (IBP-I), which surveyed 7,434 individuals in 10 major world regions about body weight ideals and body dissatisfaction. Participants completed the female Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale (CDFRS) and self-reported their exposure to Western and local media. Results indicated there were significant cross-regional differences in the ideal female figure and body dissatisfaction, but effect sizes were small across high-socioeconomic-status (SES) sites. Within cultures, heavier bodies were preferred in low-SES sites compared to high-SES sites in Malaysia and South Africa (ds = 1.94-2.49) but not in Austria. Participant age, body mass index (BMI), and Western media exposure predicted body weight ideals. BMI and Western media exposure predicted body dissatisfaction among women. Our results show that body dissatisfaction and desire for thinness is commonplace in high-SES settings across world regions, highlighting the need for international attention to this problem.
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.
Fulltext The epidemiological characteristics and molecular phylogeny of the dengue virus in Guangdong, China, 2015

Sun J, Zhang H, Tan Q, Zhou H, Guan D, Zhang X, et al.

Sci Rep, 2018 07 02;8(1):9976.
PMID: 29967414 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28349-2

In 2015, an unexpected multiple outbreak of dengue occurred in Guangdong, China. In total, 1,699 cases were reported, of which 1,627 cases were verified to have DENV infections by nucleic acid or NS1 protein, including 44 DENV-1, 1126 DENV-2, 18 DENV-3 and 6 DENV-4, and the other cases were confirmed by NS1 ELISA. Phylogenetic analyses of DENV-1 isolates identified two genotypes (I and V). The predominant DENV-2 outbreak isolates were the Cosmopolitan genotypes, which likely originated from Malaysia. The DENV-3 isolates were assigned into genotype I and genotype III. All 6 DENV-4 isolates from imported cases were likely originally from Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines. The entomological surveillance showed a moderate risk for the BI index in Chaozhou and Foshan and a low risk in Guangzhou. The imported cases were mostly detected in Guangzhou and Foshan. Surprisingly, the most serious outbreak occurred in Chaozhou, but not in Guangzhou or Foshan. A combined analyses demonstrated the multiple geographical origins of this outbreak, and highlight the detection of suspected cases after the alerting of imported cases, early implementation of control policies and reinforce the vector surveillance strategies were the key points in the chain of prevention and control of dengue epidemics.
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.
Fulltext Infrapatellar fat pad resection or preservation during total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Sun C, Zhang X, Lee WG, Tu Y, Li H, Cai X, et al.

J Orthop Surg Res, 2020 Aug 05;15(1):297.
PMID: 32758250 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-020-01823-2

BACKGROUND: The infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) or Hoffa's fat pad is often resected during total knee arthroplasty in order to improve visibility. However, the management of the IPFP during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the subject of an ongoing debate that has no clear consensus. The purpose of this review was to appraise if resection of the IPFP affects clinical outcomes.
METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis to identify relevant randomized controlled trials involving infrapatellar fat pad resection and infrapatellar fat pad preservation during total knee arthroplasty in electronic databases, including Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Library, Highwire, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang database, up to March 2020.
RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials, involving 783 TKAs (722 patients), were included in the systematic review. Outcome measures included patellar tendon length (PTL), Insall-Salvati ratio (ISR), rate of anterior knee pain, Knee Society Scores (KSS), and knee range of motion. The meta-analysis identified a trend toward the shortening of the patellar tendon with IPFP resection at 6 months (P = 0.0001) and 1 year (P = 0.001). We found no statistical difference in ISR (P = 0.87), rate of anterior knee pain within 6 months (p = 0.45) and 1 year (p = 0.38), KSS at 1 year (p = 0.77), and knee range of motion within 6 months (p = 0.61) and 1 year (0.46).
CONCLUSION: Based on the available level I evidence, we were unable to conclude that one surgical technique of IPFP can definitively be considered superior over the other. More adequately powered and better-designed randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies with long-term follow-up are required to produce evidence-based guidelines regarding IPFP resection.
Advances in organosolv modified components occurring during the organosolv pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass

Sun C, Song G, Pan Z, Tu M, Kharaziha M, Zhang X, et al.

Bioresour Technol, 2023 Jan;368:128356.
PMID: 36414144 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128356

The valorization of organosolv pretreatment (OP) is a required approach to the industrialization of the current enzyme-mediated lignocellulosic biorefinery. Recent literature has demonstrated that the solvolysis happening in the OP can modify the soluble components into value-added active compounds, namely organosolv modified lignin (OML) and organosolv modified sugars (OMSs), in addition to protecting them against excessive degradation. Among them, the OML is coincidental with the "lignin-first" strategy that should render a highly reactive lignin enriched with β-O-4 linkages and less condensed structure by organosolv grafting, which is desirable for the transformation into phenolic compounds. The OMSs are valuable glycosidic compounds mainly synthesized by trans-glycosylation, which can find potential applications in cosmetics, foods, and healthcare. Therefore, a state-of-the-art OP holds a big promise of lowering the process cost by the valorization of these active compounds. Recent advances in organosolv modified components are reviewed, and perspectives are made for addressing future challenges.
Does intraoperative fluoroscopy improve acetabular component positioning and limb-length discrepancy during direct anterior total hip arthroplasty? A meta-analysis

Sun C, Lee WG, Ma Q, Zhang X, Zhao Z, Cai X

J Orthop Surg Res, 2023 Aug 08;18(1):586.
PMID: 37553600 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04023-w

BACKGROUND: The positioning of implant components for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is essential for joint stability, polyethylene liner wear, and range of motion. One potential benefit of the direct anterior approach (DAA) for THA is the ability to use intraoperative fluoroscopy for acetabular cup positioning and limb-length evaluation. Previous studies comparing intraoperative fluoroscopy with no fluoroscopy during DAA have reported conflicting results. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether intraoperative fluoroscopy improves component positioning compared to no fluoroscopy during direct anterior total hip arthroplasty.
METHODS: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted. We searched Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Library, Highwire, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang database in May 2023 to identify studies involving intraoperative fluoroscopy versus no fluoroscopy during direct anterior total hip arthroplasty. Finally, we identified 1262 hips assessed in seven studies.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in terms of acetabular cup inclination angle (ACIA, P = 0.21), ACIA within safe zone rate (P = 0.97), acetabular cup anteversion angle (ACAA, P = 0.26); ACAA within safe zone rate (P = 0.07), combined safe zone rate (P = 0.33), and limb-length discrepancy (LLD, P = 0.21) between two groups.
CONCLUSION: Even though intraoperative fluoroscopy was not related to an improvement in cup location or LDD. With fewer experienced surgeons, the benefit of intraoperative fluoroscopy might become more evident. More adequately powered and well-designed long-term follow-up studies were required to determine whether the application of the intraoperative fluoroscopy for direct anterior total hip arthroplasty will have clinical benefits and improve the survival of prostheses.

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