Displaying publications 141 - 160 of 342 in total

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  1. Fulltext Transcriptional profiling of coaggregation interactions between Streptococcus gordonii and Veillonella parvula by Dual RNA-Seq
    Mutha NVR, Mohammed WK, Krasnogor N, Tan GYA, Wee WY, Li Y, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 05 21;9(1):7664.
    PMID: 31113978 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43979-w
    Many oral bacteria form macroscopic clumps known as coaggregates when mixed with a different species. It is thought that these cell-cell interactions are critical for the formation of mixed-species biofilms such as dental plaque. Here, we assessed the impact of coaggregation between two key initial colonizers of dental plaque, Streptococcus gordonii and Veillonella parvula, on gene expression in each partner. These species were shown to coaggregate in buffer or human saliva. To monitor gene regulation, coaggregates were formed in human saliva and, after 30 minutes, whole-transcriptomes were extracted for sequencing and Dual RNA-Seq analysis. In total, 272 genes were regulated in V. parvula, including 39 genes in oxidoreductase processes. In S. gordonii, there was a high degree of inter-sample variation. Nevertheless, 69 genes were identified as potentially regulated by coaggregation, including two phosphotransferase system transporters and several other genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Overall, these data indicate that responses of V. parvula to coaggregation with S. gordonii are dominated by oxidative stress-related processes, whereas S. gordonii responses are more focussed on carbohydrate metabolism. We hypothesize that these responses may reflect changes in the local microenvironment in biofilms when S. gordonii or V. parvula immigrate into the system.
  2. Species composition and toxicity of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia in Taiwan Strait, including P. chiniana sp. nov. and P. qiana sp. nov
    Huang CX, Dong HC, Lundholm N, Teng ST, Zheng GC, Tan ZJ, et al.
    Harmful Algae, 2019 Apr;84:195-209.
    PMID: 31128805 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2019.04.003
    In a field survey in the Taiwan Strait during April 2016, the species composition and the domoic acid production of the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia were investigated. A total of 80 strains of Pseudo-nitzschia were established, and species identification was determined based on a combination of morphological and molecular data. Fourteen taxa were recognized, i.e., P. americana, P. brasiliana, P. calliantha, P. cuspidata, P. galaxiae, P. lundholmiae, P. multiseries, P. multistriata, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. pungens var. aveirensis, P. pungenus var. pungens and P. sabit, as well as two novel species P. chiniana C.X. Huang & Yang Li and P. qiana C.X. Huang & Yang Li. Morphologically, P. chiniana is characterized by striae comprising one or two rows of poroids, and valve ends that are normally dominated by two rows of poroids within each stria. Whereas P. qiana is unique by having a narrow valve width (1.3-1.5 μm) and sharply pointed valve ends. Both taxa constitute their own monophyletic lineage in the phylogenetic analyses inferred from LSU and ITS2 rDNA, and are well differentiated from other Pseudo-nitzschia species. Pseudo-nitzschia chiniana forms a group with P. abrensis and P. batesiana in LSU and ITS trees, whereas P. qiana is sister to P. lineola. When comparing ITS2 secondary structure, five CBCs and seven HCBCs are recognized between P. chiniana and P. abrensis, and four CBCs and ten HCBCs between P. chiniana and P. batesiana. Two CBCs and eight HCBCs are found between P. qiana with P. lineola. The ability of the strains to produce domoic acid was assessed, including a potential toxin induction by the presence of brine shrimps. Results revealed production of domoic acid in six strains belonging to three species. Without presence of brine shrimps, cellular DA (pDA) was detected in four P. multiseries strains (1.6 ± 0.3, 26.6 ± 2.7, 68.3 ± 4.2 and 56.9 ± 4.7 fg cell-1, separately), one strain of P. pseudodelicatissima (0.8 ± 0.2 fg cell-1) and one strain of P. lundholmiae (2.5 ± 0.4 fg cell-1). In the presence of brine shrimps, pDA contents increased significantly (p 
  3. Effects of Soil Amendments on Microbial Activities in a Typical Cd-Contaminated Purple Field Soil, Southwestern China
    Wang W, Zhou F, Chang Y, Cui J, He D, Du J, et al.
    Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 2020 Mar;104(3):380-385.
    PMID: 31932904 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-020-02786-0
    In this study, three soil amendments (inorganic, liming, or organic-inorganic materials) were used in a Cd-contaminated purple field soil to investigate their impacts on soil Cd availability, enzyme (urease, catalase, sucrase, and acid phosphatase) activities, microbial biomass (carbon/nitrogen) and type (bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) in mustard and corn trials. Results showed that soil amendments generally decreased soil exchangeable Cd, fungi and bacterial populations while increasing the activities of all the four soil enzymes tested, microbial biomass carbon and populations of actinomycetes (p  0.05) whereas stronger effects appeared in soil organic matter and available nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium; p 
  4. Genotyping and characterization of Toxoplasma gondii strain isolated from pigs in Hubei province, central China
    Xia NB, Lu Y, Zhao PF, Wang CF, Li YY, Tan L, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Jun 01;37(2):489-498.
    PMID: 33612818
    Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous pathogen that infects nearly all warm-blooded animals and humans, can cause severe complications to the infected people and animals as well as serious economic losses and social problems. Here, one local strain (TgPIG-WH1) was isolated from an aborted pig fetus, and the genotype of this strain was identified as ToxoDB #3 by the PCR RFLP typing method using 10 molecular markers (SAG1, SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, C22-8, C29-2 and Apico). A comparison of the virulence of this isolate with other strains in both mice and piglets showed that TgPIG-WH1 was less virulent than type 1 strain RH and type 2 strain ME49 in mice, and caused similar symptoms to those of ME49 such as fever in piglets. Additionally, in piglet infection with both strains, the TgPIG-WH1 caused a higher IgG response and more severe pathological damages than ME49. Furthermore, TgPIG-WH1 caused one death in the 5 infected piglets, whereas ME49 did not, suggesting the higher virulence of TgPIG-WH1 than ME49 during piglet infection. Experimental infections indicate that the virulence of TgPIG-WH1 relative to ME49 is weaker in mice, but higher in pigs. This is probably the first report regarding a ToxoDB #3 strain from pigs in Hubei, China. These data will facilitate the understanding of genetic diversity of Toxoplasma strains in China as well as the prevention and control of porcine toxoplasmosis in the local region.
  5. Fulltext Pre-existing chronic medical illnesses and follow up status among active pulmonary tuberculosis cases in a district population
    Thai LT, Li YL, Kig TY, Muhammad Afiq R, Shoen CC, Sing HC, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 05;75(3):204-208.
    PMID: 32467533
    INTRODUCTION: The knowledge of pre-existing medical illnesses and their follow up status among active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) subjects can help in tuberculosis (TB) control programme. The aims of our study were to examine: the prevalence of pre-existing chronic medical illnesses, the follow up status of known pre-existing co-morbid and to distinguish between diagnosed and undiagnosed preexisting tuberculosis related chronic medical illnesses among our active PTB subjects.

    METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of demographic and clinical data of active PTB subjects that were diagnosed between January 2015 and June 2017 in the district of Manjung, Perak, Malaysia. Among the 302 TB clinical notes reviewed, 253 patients were included. Subjects below the age of 18 years and whose follow up centres for their medical illnesses that were located outside of Manjung were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were collected using pre-tested data collection form by trained investigators. The data was analysed using SPSS Version 20.0.

    RESULTS: We identified diabetes mellitus as the most prevalent pre-existing co-morbid (77 cases) and almost 90% (68 cases) of these diabetic subjects were diagnosed prior to active PTB diagnosis. This was followed by Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C infection which accounted for 12.0% (30 cases) of the study populations. Among 132 subjects who had pre-existing chronic medical illnesses, only 74 subjects (29%) were under regular follow up at healthcare facilities in Manjung prior to PTB diagnosis.

    CONCLUSION: Overall, our research provides evidence on the existence of wide variation of clinical background among active PTB subjects.
  6. The impact of lifestyle guidance intervention on health outcomes among Japanese middle-aged population with metabolic syndrome: A regression discontinuity study
    Li Y, Babazono A, Jamal A, Liu N, Fujita T, Zhao R, et al.
    Soc Sci Med, 2022 Dec;314:115468.
    PMID: 36327638 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115468
    Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence has increased globally with considerable morbidity and economic burden at both individual and national levels. Japan is the first and only country that has introduced a nationwide lifestyle guidance intervention program to manage and control MetS. We conducted a quasi-experiment approach-regression discontinuity design-to evaluate the impact of this intervention on health outcomes at the population level. We retrospectively collected data of adults aged ≥35 years who participated in health checkups in 2015. Age in 2015 was used as the assignment variable, and an age of 40 years old was the threshold because those with MetS aged ≥40 were required to receive lifestyle guidance intervention. Among 26,772 MetS adults, those who received the intervention had significant reductions in obesity measurements (bodyweight, waist circumference, and body mass index [BMI]) after 1 year of this intervention. Blood pressure was also significantly reduced in men after 1 year of undertaking the intervention. The results were similar when including demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral covariates and using alternative functional forms to estimate the impact, or when bandwidths around intervention thresholds were changed. Our results showed that lifestyle guidance intervention for MetS has an important impact on weight loss and blood pressure reduction at the population level. This intervention could address the high burden of obesity and cardiovascular diseases in Japan and other countries with an unmet need for MetS prevention and management.
  7. Fulltext Saikosaponin A enhances Docetaxel efficacy by selectively inducing death of dormant prostate cancer cells through excessive autophagy
    Feng J, Xi Z, Jiang X, Li Y, Nik Nabil WN, Liu M, et al.
    Cancer Lett, 2023 Feb 01;554:216011.
    PMID: 36442771 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.216011
    Quiescent cancer cells (QCCs), also known as dormant cancer cells, resist and survive chemo- and radiotherapy, resulting in treatment failure and later cancer recurrence when QCCs resume cell cycle progression. However, drugs selectively targeting QCCs are lacking. Saikosaponin A (SSA) derived from Bupleurum DC., is highly potent in eradicating multidrug-resistant prostate QCCs compared with proliferative prostate cancer cells. By further exacerbating the already increased autophagy through inactivation of Akt-mTOR signaling, SSA triggered cell death in QCCs. Contrarily, inhibition of autophagy or activation of Akt signaling pathway prevented SSA-induced cell death. The multicycle of Docetaxel treatments increased the proportion of QCCs, whereas administering SSA at intervals of Docetaxel treatments aggravated cell death in vitro and led to tumor growth arrest and cell death in vivo. In conclusion, SSA is posed as a novel QCCs-eradicating agent by aggravating autophagy in QCCs. In combination with the current therapy, SSA has potential to improve treatment effectiveness and to prevent cancer recurrence.
  8. Analyzing and mapping the research status, hotspots, and frontiers of biological wound dressings: An in-depth data-driven assessment
    Shen S, Deng L, Du Y, Gao J, Zhang C, Wang Y, et al.
    Int J Pharm, 2022 Dec 15;629:122385.
    PMID: 36375685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122385
    Wound dressings can be applied over the wound sites to provide long-lasting wound management and improve wound healing. Biological wound dressings are superior to synthetic materials due to biodegradability and biocompatibility. These biomaterials have demonstrated huge potential in the field of wound dressings. Applying bibliometric analysis combined with results-based descriptions to characterize the research status, hotspots, and cutting-edge topics, this study is the first in-depth qualitative, quantitative, data-driven overview of biological wound dressings research in recent decades. Filtered data were used to construct co-citation, heatmaps, bi-clustering, strategy maps, and other analyses and visualization. The results show that research on biological wound dressings has progressed considerably in the last 5 years with extensive global collaboration. A clear knowledge base has been developed. Chitosan hydrogels, bacterial cellulose, active agents (silver nanoparticles, growth factors, curcumin, etc.), and electrospinning fibers stand out as research hotspots. The research frontiers include novel starting materials, precise and controlled release systems, and clinical and regenerative medicine applications. We interpreted an overview of the excavated topics and expected the findings here to provide a guide and inspire innovations for developing the next generation wound dressings.
  9. Fulltext A cryptic species of the Tylonycteris pachypus complex (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and its population genetic structure in southern China and nearby regions
    Huang C, Yu W, Xu Z, Qiu Y, Chen M, Qiu B, et al.
    Int J Biol Sci, 2014;10(2):200-11.
    PMID: 24550688 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7301
    Three distinct bamboo bat species (Tylonycteris) are known to inhabit tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, i.e., T. pachypus, T. robustula, and T. pygmaeus. This study performed karyotypic examinations of 4 specimens from southern Chinese T. p. fulvidus populations and one specimen from Thai T. p. fulvidus population, which detected distinct karyotypes (2n=30) compared with previous karyotypic descriptions of T. p. pachypus (2n=46) and T. robustula (2n=32) from Malaysia. This finding suggested a cryptic Tylonycteris species within T. pachypus complex in China and Thailand. Morphometric studies indicated the difficulty in distinguishing the cryptic species and T. p. pachypus from Indonesia apart from the external measurements, which might be the reason for their historical misidentification. Based on 623 bp mtDNA COI segments, a phylogeographic examination including T. pachypus individuals from China and nearby regions, i.e., Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, was conducted to examine the population genetic structure. Genealogical and phylogeographical results indicated that at least two diverged lineages existed in these regions (average 3.4 % of Kimura 2-parameter distances) and their population structure did not match the geographic pattern. These results suggested that at least two historical colonizations have occurred by the cryptic species. Furthermore, through integration of traditional and geometric morphological results, morphological differences on zygomatic arches, toothrows and bullae were detected between two lineages in China. Given the similarity of vegetation and climate of Guangdong and Guangxi regions, we suggested that such differences might be derived from their historical adaptation or distinct evolutionary history rather than the differences of habitats they occurred currently.
  10. Research advances of advanced glycation end products in milk and dairy products: Formation, determination, control strategy and immunometabolism via gut microbiota
    Dong L, Li Y, Chen Q, Liu Y, Qiao Z, Sang S, et al.
    Food Chem, 2023 Aug 15;417:135861.
    PMID: 36906946 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135861
    Advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) are a series of complex compounds which generate in the advanced phase of Maillard reaction, which can pose a non-negligible risk to human health. This article systematically encompasses AGEs in milk and dairy products under different processing conditions, influencing factors, inhibition mechanism and levels among the different categories of dairy products. In particular, it describes the effects of various sterilization techniques on the Maillard reaction. Different processing techniques have a significant effect on AGEs content. In addition, it clearly articulates the determination methods of AGEs and even discusses its immunometabolism via gut microbiota. It is observed that the metabolism of AGEs can affect the composition of the gut microbiota, which further has an impact on intestinal function and the gut-brain axis. This research also provides a suggestion for AGEs mitigation strategies, which are beneficial to optimize the dairy production, especially innovative processing technology application.
  11. Anti-influenza virus activity of tricin, 4',5,7-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone
    Yazawa K, Kurokawa M, Obuchi M, Li Y, Yamada R, Sadanari H, et al.
    Antivir Chem Chemother, 2011;22(1):1-11.
    PMID: 21860068 DOI: 10.3851/IMP1782
    We examined the anti-influenza virus activity of tricin, 4',5,7-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone, against five viruses: A/Solomon islands/3/2006 (H1N1), A/Hiroshima/52/2005 (H3N2), A/California/07/2009 (H1N1pdm), A/Narita/1/2009 (H1N1pdm) and B/Malaysia/2506/2004 strains in vitro and against A/PR/8/34 virus in vivo.
  12. Fulltext Synthesis of Low-Cost and High-Performance Dual-Atom Doped Carbon-Based Materials with a Simple Green Route as Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries
    Lu B, Zhang C, Deng DR, Weng JC, Song JX, Fan XH, et al.
    Molecules, 2023 Oct 28;28(21).
    PMID: 37959733 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217314
    Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising alternatives to replace lithium-ion batteries as future energy storage batteries because of their abundant sodium resources, low cost, and high charging efficiency. In order to match the high energy capacity and density, designing an atomically doped carbonous material as the anode is presently one of the important strategies to commercialize SIBs. In this work, we report the preparation of high-performance dual-atom-doped carbon (C) materials using low-cost corn starch and thiourea (CH4N2S) as the precursors. The electronegativity and radii of the doped atoms and C are different, which can vary the embedding properties of sodium ions (Na+) into/on C. As sulfur (S) can effectively expand the layer spacing, it provides more channels for embedding and de-embedding Na+. The synergistic effect of N and S co-doping can remarkably boost the performance of SIBs. The capacity is preserved at 400 mAh g -1 after 200 cycles at 500 mA g-1; more notably, the initial Coulombic efficiency is 81%. Even at a high rate of high current of 10 A g-1, the cell capacity can still reach 170 mAh g-1. More importantly, after 3000 cycles at 1 A g-1, the capacity decay is less than 0.003% per cycle, which demonstrates its excellent electrochemical performance. These results indicate that high-performance carbon materials can be prepared using low-cost corn starch and thiourea.
  13. Research advances in citrus polyphenols: green extraction technologies, gut homeostasis regulation, and nano-targeted delivery system application
    Liu Y, Yan N, Chen Q, Dong L, Li Y, Weng P, et al.
    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2023 Aug 08.
    PMID: 37552798 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2239350
    Citrus polyphenols can modulate gut microbiota and such bi-directional interaction that can yield metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to aid in gut homeostasis. Such interaction provides citrus polyphenols with powerful prebiotic potential, contributing to guts' health status and metabolic regulation. Citrus polyphenols encompass unique polymethoxy flavonoids imparting non-polar nature that improve their bioactivities and ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Green extraction technology targeting recovery of these polyphenols has received increasing attention due to its advantages of high extraction yield, short extraction time, low solvent consumption, and environmental friendliness. However, the low bioavailability of citrus polyphenols limits their applications in extraction from citrus by-products. Meanwhile, nano-encapsulation technology may serve as a promising approach to improve citrus polyphenols' bioavailability. As citrus polyphenols encompass multiple hydroxyl groups, they are potential to interact with bio-macromolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides in nano-encapsulated systems that can improve their bioavailability. This multifaceted review provides a research basis for the green and efficient extraction techniques of citrus polyphenols, as well as integrated mechanisms for its anti-inflammation, alleviating metabolic syndrome, and regulating gut homeostasis, which is more capitalized upon using nano-delivery systems as discussed in that review to maximize their health and food applications.
  14. The beer component hordenine inhibits alcohol addiction-associated behaviours in mice
    Li Y, Vogel C, Kalinichenko LS, Hübner H, Weikert D, Schaefer N, et al.
    Addict Biol, 2023 Aug;28(8):e13305.
    PMID: 37500485 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13305
    Alcohol consumption is a widespread behaviour that may eventually result in the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol, however, is rarely consumed in pure form but in fruit- or corn-derived preparations, like beer. These preparations add other compounds to the consumption, which may critically modify alcohol intake and AUD risk. We investigated the effects of hordenine, a barley-derived beer compound on alcohol use-related behaviours. We found that the dopamine D2 receptor agonist hordenine (50 mg/kg) limited ongoing alcohol consumption and prophylactically diminished relapse drinking after withdrawal in mice. Although not having reinforcing effects on its own, hordenine blocked the establishment of alcohol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). However, it independently enhanced alcohol CPP retrieval. Hordenine had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on locomotor activity. Chronic hordenine exposure enhanced monoamine tissue levels in many brain regions. Further characterization revealed monoaminergic binding sites of hordenine and found a strong binding on the serotonin and dopamine transporters, and dopamine D3 , and adrenergic α1A and α2A receptor activation but no effects on GABAA receptor or glycinergic signalling. These findings suggest that natural ingredients of beer, like hordenine, may work as an inhibitory and use-regulating factor by their modulation of monoaminergic signalling in the brain.
  15. Fulltext miR-96-5p is involved in alcohol-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells via negatively regulating TAp73
    Yang B, Wang Q, Li Y, Li L, Zhang Y, Leong Bin Abdullah MFI, et al.
    PLoS One, 2023;18(4):e0282488.
    PMID: 37099528 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282488
    OBJECTIVE: The present study opted for the adrenal phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cell line to frame a neuronal injury model induced by alcohol exposure in vitro, aiming to probe whether TAp73 and miR-96-5p are involved in the neuronal injury process induced by alcohol and elucidate the regulatory relationship between miR-96-5p and TAp73.

    METHODS: Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the structural features of PC12 cells after culturing in medium with nerve growth factor (NGF). After different doses and different durations of alcohol treatment, CCK-8 assay was performed to detect the viability of PC12 cells, flow cytometry assay was carried out to detect the apoptosis rate of PC12 cells, dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to definitude the regulatory relationship between miR-96-5p and Tp73, and western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TAp73.

    RESULTS: The result of immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that PC12 cells abundantly expressed Map2, CCK-8 assay illustrated alcohol exposure significantly downregulated the cell viability of PC12 cells, Treatment with miR-96-5p inhibitor induced apoptosis and upregulated the expression of TAp73 in PC12 cells. Contrastingly, miR-96-5p mimic reversed the above effects and downregulation of TAp73 inhibited the apoptosis of PC12 cells.

    CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that miR-96-5p participates in alcohol-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells via negatively regulating TAp73.

  16. Correction of Lying Ear and Aesthetic Modification of Helix and Ear Lobule with Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection: Experience in Chinese Patients
    Li Y, Dong W, Zhang L, Yang Y, Song Y, Shi N, et al.
    Aesthet Surg J, 2024 Jan 25.
    PMID: 38271268 DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjae010
    BACKGROUND: Large and long ears are regarded as symbols of wealth and health in eastern Asian culture, patients with lying ears wish their ears to be more exposed and prominent. Surgeries correcting lying ears have been documented.

    OBJECTIVES: We report correction of lying ears and aesthetic modification of helix and ear lobule with HA injections.

    METHODS: We performed HA injections at auriculocephalic sulcus (AS) to increase cranioauricular angle (CA) and correct lying ears. The injections at helix and lobule were case-specific. The CA was measured and photographs were taken at baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-, and 10-month follow-ups. Efficacy was assessed using a 5-point global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS). Adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

    RESULTS: Forty-six patients (92 ears) received HA injections and completed follow-ups. Instant correction outcomes were observed. Sixteen (34.8%) patients received one touch-up injection, whose clinical efficacy persisted for 1 to 1.5 years. The GAIS for over 90% of cases with touch-up treatment was "very much improved" or "much improved" at all follow-ups. The GAIS for over 70% of cases without touch-up treatment was "very much improved" or "much improved" at 1, 3, and 6-month follow-ups. CA increased significantly compared with the baseline. Patients also reported "more V-shaped face shape" and "lifted jawline" effects. No serious AEs occurred.

    CONCLUSIONS: As an alternative technique to surgeries, HA filler injections at AS effectively corrected lying ears. This technique produced immediate, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing results. The side effects and downtime were minimal.

  17. HS-SPME-GC-MS Combined with Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Identification to Analyze the Effect of LPL on Yak Milk's Flavor under Different Storage Temperatures and Times
    Zhang J, Zhong L, Wang P, Song J, Shi C, Li Y, et al.
    Foods, 2024 Jan 22;13(2).
    PMID: 38275709 DOI: 10.3390/foods13020342
    Flavor is a crucial parameter for assessing the sensory quality of yak milk. However, there is limited information regarding the factors influencing its taste. In this study, the effects of endogenous lipoprotein lipase (LPL) on the volatile flavor components of yak milk under storage conditions of 4 °C, 18 °C and 65 °C were analyzed via headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with orthogonal partial least-squares (OPSL) discrimination, and the reasons for the changes in yak milk flavors were investigated. Combined with the difference in the changes in volatile flavor substance before and after the action of LPL, LPL was found to have a significant effect on the flavor of fresh yak milk. Fresh milk was best kept at 4 °C for 24 h and pasteurized for more than 24 h. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed to characterize the volatile components in yak milk under various treatment conditions. Twelve substances with significant influence on yak milk flavor were identified by measuring their VIP values. Notably, 2-nonanone, heptanal, and ethyl caprylate exhibited OAV values greater than 1, indicating their significant contribution to the flavor of yak milk. Conversely, 4-octanone and 2-heptanone displayed OAV values between 0.1 and 1, showing their important role in modifying the flavor of yak milk. These findings can serve as monitoring indicators for assessing the freshness of yak milk.
  18. Fulltext Potentially toxic elements in human scalp hair around China's largest polymetallic rare earth ore mining and smelting area
    Dai L, Deng L, Wang W, Li Y, Wang L, Liang T, et al.
    Environ Int, 2023 Feb;172:107775.
    PMID: 36739854 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107775
    There is a growing concern about human health of residents living in areas where mining and smelting occur. In order to understand the exposure to the potentially toxic elements (PTEs), we here identify and examine the cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in scalp hair of residents living in the mining area (Bayan Obo, n = 76), smelting area (Baotou, n = 57) and a reference area (Hohhot, n = 61). In total, 194 hair samples were collected from the volunteers (men = 87, women = 107) aged 5-77 years old in the three areas. Comparing median PTEs levels between the young and adults, Ni levels were significantly higher in adults living in the smelting area while Cr was highest in adults from the mining area, no significant difference was found for any of the elements in the reference area. From the linear regression model, no significant relationship between PTEs concentration, log10(PTEs), and age was found. The concentrations of Ni, Cd, and Pb in hair were significantly lower in the reference area when compared to both mining and smelting areas. In addition, Cu was significantly higher in the mining area when compared to the smelting area. Factor analysis (FA) indicated that men and women from the smelting area (Baotou) and mining area (Bayan Obo), respectively, had different underlying communality of log10(PTEs), suggesting different sources of these PTEs. Multiple factor analysis quantilized the importance of gender and location when combined with PTEs levels in human hair. The results of this study indicate that people living in mining and/or smelting areas have significantly higher PTEs (Cu, Ni, Cd, and Pb) hair levels compared to reference areas, which may cause adverse health effects. Remediation should therefore be implemented to improve the health of local residents in the mining and smelting areas.
  19. Fulltext Best practices for managing malodorous and infected wounds in advanced cervical cancer
    Hamid HA, Lin X, Qin YK, Akim AM, Zhang L, Wang J, et al.
    Int Wound J, 2024 Feb;21(2):e14574.
    PMID: 38379231 DOI: 10.1111/iwj.14574
    This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the most effective strategies for managing malodorous and infected wounds in patients who have been diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. The research was conducted in Liupanshui, China. The study specifically examined demographic profiles, wound characteristics and effectiveness of wound management approaches. The study incorporated the heterogeneous sample of 289 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data collection was conducted via structured questionnaires and medical record evaluations. Descriptive statistics and statistical analyses, such as regression analysis, were utilized to evaluate demographic attributes, wound profiles and effects of different approaches to wound management. The findings unveiled the heterogeneous demographic composition of patients, encompassing differences in socioeconomic standing, educational attainment and age. A wide range of wound characteristics were observed, as 65.7% of lesions during the acute phase with diameter between 2 and 5 centimetres, while 41.5% of lesions had this range. The most prevalent types of infections were those caused by fungi (48.4%), followed by bacterial infections lacking resistance (38.1%). A moderate degree of odour intensity was prevalent, affecting 45.0% of the cases. With maximal odour reduction of 80%, a mean healing time of 25 days and patient satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy demonstrated itself to be the most efficacious treatment method. Additional approaches, such as photodynamic therapy and topical antibiotic therapy, demonstrated significant effectiveness, as evidenced by odour reductions of 70% and 75%, respectively, and patient satisfaction ratings of 4.3 and 4.2. Thus, the study determined challenges associated with management of malodorous and infected lesions among patients with advanced cervical cancer. The results underscored the significance of individualized care approaches, drew attention to efficacious wound management techniques and identified critical determinants that impacted patient recuperation. The findings of this study hold potential for advancing palliative care for individuals diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer.
  20. Fulltext Reversible structure manipulation by tuning carrier concentration in metastable Cu2S
    Tao J, Chen J, Li J, Mathurin L, Zheng JC, Li Y, et al.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2017 09 12;114(37):9832-9837.
    PMID: 28855335 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1709163114
    The optimal functionalities of materials often appear at phase transitions involving simultaneous changes in the electronic structure and the symmetry of the underlying lattice. It is experimentally challenging to disentangle which of the two effects--electronic or structural--is the driving force for the phase transition and to use the mechanism to control material properties. Here we report the concurrent pumping and probing of Cu2S nanoplates using an electron beam to directly manipulate the transition between two phases with distinctly different crystal symmetries and charge-carrier concentrations, and show that the transition is the result of charge generation for one phase and charge depletion for the other. We demonstrate that this manipulation is fully reversible and nonthermal in nature. Our observations reveal a phase-transition pathway in materials, where electron-induced changes in the electronic structure can lead to a macroscopic reconstruction of the crystal structure.
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