Displaying publications 101 - 120 of 428 in total

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  1. Nanosensing colon cancer biomarker on zeolite-modified gap-fingered dielectrodes
    Gao M, Sun Y, Wang Q, Ma S, Guo X, Zhou L, et al.
    Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2021 Sep 15.
    PMID: 34523748 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2254
    Nanomaterial on the sensing area elevates the biomolecular immobilization by its right orientation with a proper alignment, and zeolite is one of the suitable materials. In this research, the zeolite nanoparticles were synthesized using rice hush ash as the basic source and the prepared zeolite by the addition of sodium silicate was utilized to attach antibody as a probe on a gap-fingered dielectrode surface to identify the colon cancer biomarker, "colon cancer-secreted protein-2" (CCSP-2). Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscopy images confirmed the size of the nanoparticle to be ∼15 nm and the occurrence of silica and alumina. Zeolite was modified on the electrode surface through the amine linker, and then anti-CCSP-2 was attached by an aldehyde linker. On this surface, CCSP-2 was detected and attained the detection limit to be 3 nM on the linear regression curve with 3-5 nM of CCSP-2. Estimated by the determination coefficient of y = 2.3952x - 4.4869 and R2 = 9041 with 3δ (n = 3). In addition, control proteins did not produce the notable current response representing the specific sensing of CCSP-2. This research is suitable to identify CCSP-2 at a lower level in the bloodstream under the physiological condition of a colon cancer patient.
  2. Constraints on the Initial State of Pb-Pb Collisions via Measurements of Z-Boson Yields and Azimuthal Anisotropy at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV
    Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Ambrogi F, Bergauer T, Dragicevic M, et al.
    Phys Rev Lett, 2021 Sep 03;127(10):102002.
    PMID: 34533355 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.102002
    The CMS experiment at the LHC has measured the differential cross sections of Z bosons decaying to pairs of leptons, as functions of transverse momentum and rapidity, in lead-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02  TeV. The measured Z boson elliptic azimuthal anisotropy coefficient is compatible with zero, showing that Z bosons do not experience significant final-state interactions in the medium produced in the collision. Yields of Z bosons are compared to Glauber model predictions and are found to deviate from these expectations in peripheral collisions, indicating the presence of initial collision geometry and centrality selection effects. The precision of the measurement allows, for the first time, for a data-driven determination of the nucleon-nucleon integrated luminosity as a function of lead-lead centrality, thereby eliminating the need for its estimation based on a Glauber model.
  3. Guideline for the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus
    Lu Q, Long H, Chow S, Hidayat S, Danarti R, Listiawan Y, et al.
    J Autoimmun, 2021 09;123:102707.
    PMID: 34364171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102707
    Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is an inflammatory, autoimmune disease encompassing a broad spectrum of subtypes including acute, subacute, chronic and intermittent CLE. Among these, chronic CLE can be further classified into several subclasses of lupus erythematosus (LE) such as discoid LE, verrucous LE, LE profundus, chilblain LE and Blaschko linear LE. To provide all dermatologists and rheumatologists with a practical guideline for the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of CLE, this evidence- and consensus-based guideline was developed following the checklist established by the international Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT) Working Group and was registered at the International Practice Guideline Registry Platform. With the joint efforts of the Asian Dermatological Association (ADA), the Asian Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AADV) and the Lupus Erythematosus Research Center of Chinese Society of Dermatology (CSD), a total of 25 dermatologists, 7 rheumatologists, one research scientist on lupus and 2 methodologists, from 16 countries/regions in Asia, America and Europe, participated in the development of this guideline. All recommendations were agreed on by at least 80% of the 32 voting physicians. As a consensus, diagnosis of CLE is mainly based on the evaluation of clinical and histopathological manifestations, with an exclusion of SLE by assessment of systemic involvement. For localized CLE lesions, topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors are first-line treatment. For widespread or severe CLE lesions and (or) cases resistant to topical treatment, systemic treatment including antimalarials and (or) short-term corticosteroids can be added. Notably, antimalarials are the first-line systemic treatment for all types of CLE, and can also be used in pregnant patients and pediatric patients. Second-line choices include thalidomide, retinoids, dapsone and MTX, whereas MMF is third-line treatment. Finally, pulsed-dye laser or surgery can be added as fourth-line treatment for localized, refractory lesions of CCLE in cosmetically unacceptable areas, whereas belimumab may be used as fourth-line treatment for widespread CLE lesions in patients with active SLE, or recurrence of ACLE during tapering of corticosteroids. As for management of the disease, patient education and a long-term follow-up are necessary. Disease activity, damage of skin and other organs, quality of life, comorbidities and possible adverse events are suggested to be assessed in every follow-up visit, when appropriate.
  4. Aptamer-17β-estradiol-antibody sandwich ELISA for determination of gynecological endocrine function
    Huang Y, Zhang L, Li Z, Gopinath SCB, Chen Y, Xiao Y
    Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2021 Aug;68(4):881-888.
    PMID: 33245588 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2008
    17β-Estradiol-E2 (17β-E2) is a steroid hormone that plays a major role in the reproductive endocrine system and is involved in various processes, such as pregnancy, fertility, and menopause. In this study, the performance of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for 17β-E2 quantification was enhanced by using a gold nanoparticle (GNP)-conjugated aptamer. An anti-17β-E2-aptamer-GNP antibody was immobilized on an amine-modified ELISA surface. Then, 17β-E2 was allowed to interact with and be sandwiched by antibodies. Aptamer-GNP conjugation was confirmed by colorimetric assays via the naked eye and UV-visible light spectroscopy. The detection limit based on a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3 was estimated to be 1.5 nM (400 pg/mL), and the linear range was 1.5-50 nM. Control experiments (without 17β-E2/with a complementary aptamer sequence/with a nonimmune antibody) confirmed the specific detection of 17β-E2. Moreover, 17β-E2 spiking of human serum did not interrupt the interaction between 17β-E2 and its antibody and aptamer. Thus, the developed ELISA can be used as an alternate assay for quantification of 17β-E2 and assessment of endocrine-related gynecological problems.
  5. Home-Initiated-Programme-to-Prepare-for-Operation: evaluating the effect of an animation video on peri-operative anxiety in children: A randomised controlled trial
    Nair T, Choo CSC, Abdullah NS, Lee S, Teo LLE, Chen Y, et al.
    Eur J Anaesthesiol, 2021 Aug 01;38(8):880-887.
    PMID: 33186309 DOI: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000001385
    BACKGROUND: Hospital admissions and surgical operations commonly trigger anxiety in young children. Despite employing numerous support measures in our hospital, such as a pre-operative play room, the encouragement of parental companionship during induction of anaesthesia and distraction therapy, allaying the anxiety of our young surgical patients remains a challenge.

    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Home-Initiated-Programme-to-Prepare-for-Operation (HIPPO) on emotional manifestation and anxiety in children undergoing surgery.

    DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: One hundred and thirty children were randomly assigned to either control or intervention group between February 2018 and April 2019 in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Singapore.

    INTERVENTION: In addition to our standard pre-operative workflow, the intervention group received an additional home preparation kit consisting of an animated video on preoperative preparation and age-specific preoperative preparation activity sheets.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale score to evaluate behaviour and emotion in the children before and during induction of anaesthesia. Secondary outcomes evaluated anxiety levels in parents and children, the child's behaviour and degree of co-operation using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Children scores, the Induction Compliance Checklist scores, the Visual Analogue Scale scores for anxiety and the feedback questionnaire.

    RESULTS: The difference between the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale score in control and intervention groups was not statistically significant. A promising difference was however observed in one of the secondary outcomes where the state-State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Children scores of 7 to 10-year olds in the intervention group almost reached significance; P = 0.067.

    CONCLUSION: Despite being a child-friendly, easily accessible and affordable tool for patient education, HIPPO did not reduce anxiety experienced by children in the pre-operative waiting area or during induction of anaesthesia.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04271553.

  6. Fulltext Macro and Micro Routes to High Performance Bioplastics: Bioplastic Biodegradability and Mechanical and Barrier Properties
    Attallah OA, Mojicevic M, Garcia EL, Azeem M, Chen Y, Asmawi S, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Jun 30;13(13).
    PMID: 34208796 DOI: 10.3390/polym13132155
    On a score sheet for plastics, bioplastics have a medium score for combined mechanical performance and a high score for biodegradability with respect to counterpart petroleum-based plastics. Analysis quickly confirms that endeavours to increase the mechanical performance score for bioplastics would be far more achievable than delivering adequate biodegradability for the recalcitrant plastics, while preserving their impressive mechanical performances. Key architectural features of both bioplastics and petroleum-based plastics, namely, molecular weight (Mw) and crystallinity, which underpin mechanical performance, typically have an inversely dependent relationship with biodegradability. In the case of bioplastics, both macro and micro strategies with dual positive correlation on mechanical and biodegradability performance, are available to address this dilemma. Regarding the macro approach, processing using selected fillers, plasticisers and compatibilisers have been shown to enhance both targeted mechanical properties and biodegradability within bioplastics. Whereas, regarding the micro approach, a whole host of bio and chemical synthetic routes are uniquely available, to produce improved bioplastics. In this review, the main characteristics of bioplastics in terms of mechanical and barrier performances, as well as biodegradability, have been assessed-identifying both macro and micro routes promoting favourable bioplastics' production, processability and performance.
  7. Observation of a New Excited Beauty Strange Baryon Decaying to Ξ_{b}^{-}π^{+}π^{-}
    Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Andrejkovic JW, Bergauer T, Chatterjee S, et al.
    Phys Rev Lett, 2021 Jun 25;126(25):252003.
    PMID: 34241504 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.252003
    The Ξ_{b}^{-}π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass spectrum is investigated with an event sample of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016-2018 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140  fb^{-1}. The ground state Ξ_{b}^{-} is reconstructed via its decays to J/ψΞ^{-} and J/ψΛK^{-}. A narrow resonance, labeled Ξ_{b}(6100)^{-}, is observed at a Ξ_{b}^{-}π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass of 6100.3±0.2(stat)±0.1(syst)±0.6(Ξ_{b}^{-})  MeV, where the last uncertainty reflects the precision of the Ξ_{b}^{-} baryon mass. The upper limit on the Ξ_{b}(6100)^{-} natural width is determined to be 1.9  MeV at 95% confidence level. The low Ξ_{b}(6100)^{-} signal yield observed in data does not allow a measurement of the quantum numbers of the new state. However, following analogies with the established excited Ξ_{c} baryon states, the new Ξ_{b}(6100)^{-} resonance and its decay sequence are consistent with the orbitally excited Ξ_{b}^{-} baryon, with spin and parity quantum numbers J^{P}=3/2^{-}.
  8. Measurement of the Wγ Production Cross Section in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and Constraints on Effective Field Theory Coefficients
    Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Andrejkovic JW, Bergauer T, Chatterjee S, et al.
    Phys Rev Lett, 2021 Jun 25;126(25):252002.
    PMID: 34241533 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.252002
    A fiducial cross section for Wγ production in proton-proton collisions is measured at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 137  fb^{-1} of data collected using the CMS detector at the LHC. The W→eν and μν decay modes are used in a maximum-likelihood fit to the lepton-photon invariant mass distribution to extract the combined cross section. The measured cross section is compared with theoretical expectations at next-to-leading order in quantum chromodynamics. In addition, 95% confidence level intervals are reported for anomalous triple-gauge couplings within the framework of effective field theory.
  9. Microenvironment-tailored nanoassemblies for the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases
    Low LE, Wang Q, Chen Y, Lin P, Yang S, Gong L, et al.
    Nanoscale, 2021 Jun 17;13(23):10197-10238.
    PMID: 34027535 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02127c
    Neurodegenerative disorder is an illness involving neural dysfunction/death attributed to complex pathological processes, which eventually lead to the mortality of the host. It is generally recognized through features such as mitochondrial dysfunction, protein aggregation, oxidative stress, metal ions dyshomeostasis, membrane potential change, neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter impairment. The aforementioned neuronal dysregulations result in the formation of a complex neurodegenerative microenvironment (NME), and may interact with each other, hindering the performance of therapeutics for neurodegenerative disease (ND). Recently, smart nanoassemblies prepared from functional nanoparticles, which possess the ability to interfere with different NME factors, have shown great promise to enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of NDs. Herein, this review highlights the recent advances of stimuli-responsive nanoassemblies that can effectively combat the NME for the management of ND. The first section outlined the NME properties and their interrelations that are exploitable for nanoscale targeting. The discussion is then extended to the controlled assembly of functional nanoparticles for the construction of stimuli-responsive nanoassemblies. Further, the applications of stimuli-responsive nanoassemblies for the enhanced diagnosis and therapy of ND are introduced. Finally, perspectives on the future development of NME-tailored nanomedicines are given.
  10. Anthropogenic emissions of atomic chlorine precursors in the Yangtze River Delta region, China
    Yi X, Yin S, Huang L, Li H, Wang Y, Wang Q, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2021 Jun 01;771:144644.
    PMID: 33736175 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144644
    Chlorine radical plays an important role in the formation of ozone and secondary aerosols in the troposphere. It is hence important to develop comprehensive emissions inventory of chlorine precursors in order to enhance our understanding of the role of chlorine chemistry in ozone and secondary pollution issues. Based on a bottom-up methodology, this study presents a comprehensive emission inventory for major atomic chlorine precursors in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region of China for the year 2017. Four primary chlorine precursors are considered in this study: hydrogen chloride (HCl), fine particulate chloride (Cl-) (Cl- in PM2.5), chlorine gas (Cl2), and hypochlorous acid (HClO) with emissions estimated for twelve source categories. The total emissions of these four species in the YRD region are estimated to be 20,424 t, 15,719 t, 1556 and 9331 t, respectively. The emissions of HCl are substantial, with major emissions from biomass burning and coal combustion, together accounting for 68% of the total HCl emissions. Fine particulate Cl- is mainly emitted from industrial processing, biomass burning and waste incineration. The emissions of Cl2 and HClO are mainly associated with usage of chlorine-containing disinfectants, for example, water treatment, wastewater treatment, and swimming pools. Emissions of each chlorine precursor are spatially allocated based on the characteristics of individual source category. This study provides important basic dataset for further studies with respect to the effects of chlorine chemistry on the formation of air pollution complex in the YRD region.
  11. TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose films derived from coconut residues: Physicochemical, mechanical and electrical properties
    Hassan SH, Velayutham TS, Chen YW, Lee HV
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2021 Jun 01;180:392-402.
    PMID: 33737185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.03.066
    The present work focuses on the development of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) film that derived from sustainable biomass resources, which potentially to work as bio-based conductive membranes that assembled into supercapacitors. The chemically purified cellulose was isolated from different parts of coconut (coconut shell and its husk) and further subjected to 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation for CNF preparation. Physicochemical properties of prepared CNFs were studied in terms of chemical characteristics & crystallinity, surface functionalities, surface morphology, and thermal properties. Both coconut shell-derived CNF and coconut husk-derived CNF fulfilled with nanocellulose's characteristics with fibres width ranged of 70-120 nm and 150-330 nm, respectively. CNF films were further prepared by solvent casting method to measure the modulus elasticity, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the films. Mechanical study indicated that coconut shell-derived CNF film showed a higher value of elastic modulus than the coconut husk-derived CNF film, which was 8.39 GPa and 5.36 GPa, respectively. The effectiveness of electrical aspects for CNF films are well correlated with the crystallinity and thermal properties, associated with it's composition of different coconut's part.
  12. Comparative accuracy of prognostic models for short-term mortality in acute-on-chronic liver failure patients: CAP-ACLF
    Verma N, Dhiman RK, Singh V, Duseja A, Taneja S, Choudhury A, et al.
    Hepatol Int, 2021 Jun;15(3):753-765.
    PMID: 34173167 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10175-w
    BACKGROUND: Multiple predictive models of mortality exist for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients that often create confusion during decision-making. We studied the natural history and evaluated the performance of prognostic models in ACLF patients.

    METHODS: Prospectively collected data of ACLF patients from APASL-ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) was analyzed for 30-day outcomes. The models evaluated at days 0, 4, and 7 of presentation for 30-day mortality were: AARC (model and score), CLIF-C (ACLF score, and OF score), NACSELD-ACLF (model and binary), SOFA, APACHE-II, MELD, MELD-Lactate, and CTP. Evaluation parameters were discrimination (c-indices), calibration [accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values (PPV/NPV)], Akaike/Bayesian Information Criteria (AIC/BIC), Nagelkerke-R2, relative prediction errors, and odds ratios.

    RESULTS: Thirty-day survival of the cohort (n = 2864) was 64.9% and was lowest for final-AARC-grade-III (32.8%) ACLF. Performance parameters of all models were best at day 7 than at day 4 or day 0 (p  12 had the lowest 30-day survival (5.7%).

    CONCLUSIONS: APASL-ACLF is often a progressive disease, and models assessed up to day 7 of presentation reliably predict 30-day mortality. Day-7 AARC model is a statistically robust tool for classifying risk of death and accurately predicting 30-day outcomes with relatively lower prediction errors. Day-7 AARC score > 12 may be used as a futility criterion in APASL-ACLF patients.

  13. Fulltext Endothelial glycocalyx degradation and disease severity in Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi malaria
    Barber BE, Grigg MJ, Piera KA, Chen Y, William T, Weinberg JB, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 May 07;11(1):9741.
    PMID: 33963210 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88962-6
    Degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx is associated with mortality in adult falciparum malaria. However, its role in the pathogenesis of non-falciparum malaria is unknown. In Malaysian patients with knowlesi (n = 200) and vivax (n = 61) malaria, and in healthy controls (n = 50), we measured glycocalyx breakdown products plasma syndecan-1 and urinary glycosaminoglycans, and evaluated correlations with biomarkers of disease severity. Urinary glycosaminoglycans were increased in patients with knowlesi and vivax malaria compared to healthy controls, and in knowlesi malaria were highest in those with severe disease. In knowlesi malaria, plasma syndecan-1 was also highest in those with severe disease, and correlated with markers of endothelial activation (angiopoietin-2, osteoprotegerin, ICAM-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and impaired microvascular reactivity. Syndecan-1 also correlated with endothelial activation (ICAM-1, angiopoietin-2) and ADMA in vivax malaria. In knowlesi malaria increased syndecan-1 was associated with acute kidney injury, after controlling for age and parasitemia. In knowlesi malaria, the difference in median syndecan-1 between severe and non-severe disease was more marked in females than males. Endothelial glycocalyx degradation is increased in knowlesi and vivax malaria, and associated with disease severity and acute kidney injury in knowlesi malaria. Agents that inhibit glycocalyx breakdown may represent adjunctive therapeutics for severe non-falciparum malaria.
  14. Fulltext Silencing the alarm: an insect salivary enzyme closes plant stomata and inhibits volatile release
    Lin PA, Chen Y, Chaverra-Rodriguez D, Heu CC, Zainuddin NB, Sidhu JS, et al.
    New Phytol, 2021 Apr;230(2):793-803.
    PMID: 33459359 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17214
    Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are widely recognized as an ecologically important defensive response of plants against herbivory. Although the induction of this 'cry for help' has been well documented, only a few studies have investigated the inhibition of HIPVs by herbivores and little is known about whether herbivores have evolved mechanisms to inhibit the release of HIPVs. To examine the role of herbivore effectors in modulating HIPVs and stomatal dynamics, we conducted series of experiments combining pharmacological, surgical, genetic (CRISPR-Cas9) and chemical (GC-MS analysis) approaches. We show that the salivary enzyme, glucose oxidase (GOX), secreted by the caterpillar Helicoverpa zea on leaves, causes stomatal closure in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) within 5 min, and in both tomato and soybean (Glycine max) for at least 48 h. GOX also inhibits the emission of several HIPVs during feeding by H. zea, including (Z)-3-hexenol, (Z)-jasmone and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, which are important airborne signals in plant defenses. Our findings highlight a potential adaptive strategy where an insect herbivore inhibits plant airborne defenses during feeding by exploiting the association between stomatal dynamics and HIPV emission.
  15. α-Sulfo alkyl ester surfactants: Impact of changing the alkyl chain length on the adsorption, mixing properties and response to electrolytes of the tetradecanoate
    Wang Z, Li P, Ma K, Chen Y, Yan Z, Penfold J, et al.
    J Colloid Interface Sci, 2021 Mar 15;586:876-890.
    PMID: 33309145 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.10.122
    HYPOTHESIS: The α-sulfo alkyl ester, AES, surfactants are a class of anionic surfactants which have potential for improved sustainable performance in a range of applications, and an important feature is their enhanced tolerance to precipitation in the presence of multivalent counterions. It is proposed that their adsorption properties can be adjusted substantially by changing the length of the shorter alkyl chain, that of the alkanol group in the ester.

    EXPERIMENTS: Surface tension and neutron reflectivity have been used to investigate the variation in the adsorption properties with the shorter alkyl chain length (methyl, ethyl and propyl), the impact of NaCl on the adsorption, the tendency to form surface multilayer structures in the presence of AlCl3, and the effects of mixing the methyl ester sulfonate with the ethyl and propyl ester sulfonates on the adsorption.

    FINDINGS: The variations in the critical micelle concentration, CMC, the adsorption isotherms, the saturation adsorption values, and the impact of NaCl illustrate the subtle influence of varying the shorter alkyl chain length of the surfactant. The non-ideal mixing of pairs of AES surfactants with different alkanol group lengths of the ester show that the extent of the non-ideality changes as the difference in the alkanol length increases. The surface multilayer formation observed in the presence of AlCl3 varies in a complex manner with the length of the short chain and for mixtures of surfactants with different chains lengths.

  16. Fulltext The Relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and Sexting Behaviors among Adolescents and Young Adults across 11 Countries
    Morelli M, Urbini F, Bianchi D, Baiocco R, Cattelino E, Laghi F, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 03 04;18(5).
    PMID: 33806314 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052526
    BACKGROUND: Sexting is an increasingly common phenomenon among adolescents and young adults. Some studies have investigated the role of personality traits in different sexting behaviors within mainstream personality taxonomies like Big Five and HEXACO. However, very few studies have investigated the role of maladaptive personality factors in sexting. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and experimental (i.e., sharing own sexts), risky (i.e., sexting under substance use and with strangers), and aggravated sexting (i.e., non-consensual sexting and sexting under pressure) across 11 countries.

    METHODS: An online survey was completed by 6093 participants (Mage = 20.35; SDage = 3.63) from 11 different countries which covered four continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, and America). Participants completed the Sexting Behaviors Questionnaire and the 12-item Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale.

    RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analyses showed that sharing own sexts was positively predicted by Machiavellianism and Narcissism. Both risky and aggravated sexting were positively predicted by Machiavellianism and Psychopathy.

    CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided empirical evidence that different sexting behaviors were predicted by Dark Triad Personality Traits, showing a relevant role of Machiavellianism in all kinds of investigated sexting behaviors. Research, clinical, and education implications for prevention programs are discussed.

  17. Graphene oxide-gold nanoparticle-aptamer complexed probe for detecting amyloid beta oligomer by ELISA-based immunoassay
    Zhao J, Chang W, Liu L, Xing X, Zhang C, Meng H, et al.
    J Immunol Methods, 2021 02;489:112942.
    PMID: 33333060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2020.112942
    Highly sensitive and easy detection method for Alzheimer's disease (AD) with a suitable biomarker is mandatory for preventing the factors resulting from AD. This research reports a modified ELISA with graphene for the detection of AD biomarker amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomer. Gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugated aptamer was used as the capture probe and attached on ELISA-graphene oxide surface through the amine linker. Antibody was used as the detection molecule to reach the maximum detection of Aβ oligomer. Suitable level of APTMS (2%), size of AuNP (30 nm) and aptamer concentration (2 μM) were optimized. This sandwich pattern of aptamer-Aβ oligomer-antibody helps to reach the detection at 50 pM on the optimized ELISA surface and the control experiments in the absence of Aβ oligomer or anti-Aβ oligomer antibody did not show the significant optical detection at 492 nm, indicting the specific detection. Further, Aβ oligomer spiked artificial cerebrospinal fluid did not interfere the detection of Aβ oligomer, confirming the selective detection. This new and modified ELISA surface helps to reach the lower detection of Aβ oligomer and diagnose AD.
  18. Identification of potential glycoprotein biomarkers in oral squamous cell carcinoma using sweet strategies
    Wong YL, Anand R, Yuen KM, Mustafa WMW, Abraham MT, Tay KK, et al.
    Glycoconj J, 2021 02;38(1):1-11.
    PMID: 33547992 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-021-09973-z
    The prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is high in South and Southeast Asia regions. Most OSCC patients are detected at advanced stages low 5-year survival rates. Aberrant expression of glycosylated proteins was found to be associated with malignant transformation and cancer progression. Hence, identification of cancer-associated glycoproteins could be used as potential biomarkers that are beneficial for diagnosis or clinical management of patients. This study aims to identify the differentially expressed glycoproteins using lectin-based glycoproteomics approaches. Serum samples of 40 patients with OSCC, 10 patients with oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD), and 10 healthy individuals as control group were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with lectin Concanavalin A and Jacalin that specifically bind to N- and O-glycosylated proteins, respectively. Five differentially expressed N- and O-glycoproteins with various potential glycosylation sites were identified, namely N-glycosylated α1-antitrypsin (AAT), α2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG), apolipoprotein A-I (APOA1), and haptoglobin (HP); as well as O-glycosylated AHSG and clusterin (CLU). Among them, AAT and APOA1 were further validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (n = 120). It was found that AAT and APOA1 are significantly upregulated in OSCC and these glycoproteins are independent risk factors of OSCC. The clinical utility of AAT and APOA1 as potential biomarkers of OSCC is needed for further evaluation.
  19. Impact of metabolic risk factors on the severity and outcome of patients with alcohol-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure
    Duseja A, De A, Taneja S, Choudhury AK, Devarbhavi H, Hu J, et al.
    Liver Int, 2021 01;41(1):150-157.
    PMID: 32970356 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14671
    BACKGROUND: Metabolic risk factors may impact the severity and outcome of alcoholic liver disease. The present study evaluated this effect in patients with alcohol-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

    METHODOLOGY: One thousand two hundred and sixteen prospectively enrolled patients with ACLF (males 98%, mean age 42.5 ± 9.4 years, mean CTP, MELD and AARC scores of 12 ± 1.4, 29.7 ± 7 and 9.8 ± 2 respectively) from the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) database were analysed retrospectively. Patients with or without metabolic risk factors were compared for severity (CTP, MELD, AARC scores) and day 30 and 90 mortality. Information on overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and dyslipidaemia were available in 1028 (85%), 1019 (84%), 1017 (84%) and 965 (79%) patients respectively.

    RESULTS: Overall, 392 (32%) patients died at day 30 and 528 (43%) at day 90. Overweight/obesity, T2DM, hypertension and dyslipidaemia were present in 154 (15%), 142 (14%), 66 (7%) and 141 (15%) patients, respectively, with no risk factors in 809 (67%) patients. Patients with overweight/obesity had higher MELD scores (30.6 ± 7.1 vs 29.2 ± 6.9, P = .007) and those with dyslipidaemia had higher AARC scores (10.4 ± 1.2 vs 9.8 ± 2, P = .014). Overweight/obesity was associated with increased day 30 mortality (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.06-2.24, P = .023). None of other metabolic risk factors, alone or in combination, had any impact on disease severity or mortality. On multivariate analysis, overweight or obesity was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (aHR 1.91, 95% CI 1.41-2.59, P 

  20. 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.
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