Displaying all 5 publications

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Xia N, Deng D, Wang Y, Fang C, Li SJ
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2018;13:2521-2530.
    PMID: 29731627 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S154046
    Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a serine protease, is a biomarker for preoperative diagnosis and screening of prostate cancer and monitoring of its posttreatment.

    Methods: In this work, we reported a colorimetric method for clinical detection of PSA using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as the reporters. The method is based on ascorbic acid (AA)-induced in situ formation of AuNPs and Cu2+-catalyzed oxidation of AA. Specifically, HAuCl4 can be reduced into AuNPs by AA; Cu2+ ion can catalyze the oxidation of AA by O2 to inhibit the formation of AuNPs. In the presence of the PSA-specific peptide (DAHSSKLQLAPP)-modified gold-coated magnetic microbeads (MMBs; denoted as DAHSSKLQLAPP-MMBs), complexation of Cu2+ by the MMBs through the DAH-Cu2+ interaction depressed the catalyzed oxidation of AA and thus allowed for the formation of red AuNPs. However, once the peptide immobilized on the MMB surface was cleaved by PSA, the DAHSSKLQ segment would be released. The resultant LAPP fragment remaining on the MMB surface could not sequestrate Cu2+ to depress its catalytic activity toward AA oxidation. Consequently, no or less AuNPs were generated.

    Results: The linear range for PSA detection was found to be 0~0.8 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.02 ng/mL. Because of the separation of cleavage step and measurement step, the interference of matrix components in biological samples was avoided.

    Conclusion: The high extinction coefficient of AuNPs facilitates the colorimetric analysis of PSA in serum samples. This work is helpful for designing of other protease biosensors by matching specific peptide substrates.

  2. Loh FK, Nathan S, Chow SC, Fang CM
    Lett Appl Microbiol, 2022 Feb 09.
    PMID: 35138654 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13669
    The genetic fusion of cytolysin A (clyA) to heterologous antigen expressed in live Salmonella vector demonstrated efficient translocation into periplasmic space and extracellular medium. Accumulating evidence has shown that clyA-mediated antigen delivery improved growth fitness and enhanced immunogenicity of live vector vaccine, but the factors influencing this protein exportation has not been investigated. In this study, Toxoplasma gondii antigen fused at C-terminal of clyA protein was expressed in live S. Typhi vector via both plasmid and chromosomal-based expressions. The bivalent strains showed comparable growth rates as monovalent strains, but in varies antigen exportation efficiency. ClyA-fusion antigen with positive charges was translocated to the extracellular spaces, whereas those with negative charges were retained in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, excessive cellular resources expenditure on antigen expression, especially antigen with larger size, could limit the clyA-fusion antigen exportation, resulting in undesirable metabolic burden that eventually affects the growth fitness. Altogether, the present work indicates potential linkage of factors mainly on antigen properties and expression platforms that may affect clyA-mediated antigen delivery to enhance the growth fitness of live vector strain.
  3. Fang C, Tang ZH, Yeoh CS, Tan GM
    Malays Orthop J, 2022 Nov;16(3):76-85.
    PMID: 36589382 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2211.013
    INTRODUCTION: Bosworth fracture dislocations of the ankle are rare injuries of the ankle caused by extreme external rotation of the supinated foot where the proximal fibula fracture fragment is posteriorly dislocated and entrapped behind the posterior-lateral ridge of the tibia. This case series aims to document three such cases treated in our institution over a nine year period. We also provide a review of 129 cases in the existing literature.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and relevant radiographs for each patient were analysed and collected from the time of presentation till the point of latest follow-up. During each clinic visit, all physical exam findings as well as all complications were recorded. The American Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot score was also tabulated for each patient at the point of latest review.

    RESULTS: Closed reduction was unsuccessful in all three patients, and all required open reduction. One patient had an uncomplicated recovery whilst the remaining two suffered significant soft tissue complications. One patient suffered severe soft tissue swelling preventing primary closure at the time of surgery, whilst another suffered post-operative wound dehiscence and infection. Eventually all fractures healed, and all three patients obtained satisfactory AOFAS scores.

    CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of Bosworth fracture dislocations of the ankle is often delayed or missed, due to its rare occurrence. Closed reduction is often unsuccessful, and early open reduction is required to avoid poor clinical outcomes due to severe soft tissue damage or even compartment syndrome.

  4. Chen JC, Fang C, Zheng RH, Hong FK, Jiang YL, Zhang M, et al.
    Mar Environ Res, 2021 May;167:105295.
    PMID: 33714106 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105295
    Marine biota, especially commercially important species, serves as a basis for human nutrition. However, millions of tons of plastic litter are produced and enter the marine environment every year, with potential adverse impacts on marine organisms. In the present study, we investigated the occurrence and characteristics of microplastic (MP) pollution in the digestive tracts of 13 species of wild nektons from 20 stations sampled in the South China Sea (SCS) and the Indian Ocean (IO), and assessed the human health risks of MPs. The detection rate of MPs ranged from 0.00% to 50.00% from the SCS, which was dramatically lower than that from the IO (10.00-80.00%). The average abundance of MP was 0.18 ± 0.06 items g wet weight-1 (ww-1) in the SCS, which was significantly lower than that in the IO with a concentration of 0.70 ± 0.16 items g ww-1. Most MPs were fibers in type, black in color, and polyester (PES) in polymer composition in both the SCS and IO. Interestingly, distinct profiles of MP pollution were found between the benthic and pelagic nektons: 1) The predominant MP composition was PES in the benthic nektons, whereas polyamide (PA) accounted for a larger part of the total MP count in the pelagic nektons within the SCS; 2) The abundance of MP in the benthic nektons (0.52 ± 0.24 items individual-1) was higher than that in the pelagic nektons (0.30 ± 0.11 items individual-1). Accordingly, the mean hazard score of MPs detected in the benthic nektons (220.66 ± 210.75) was higher than that in the pelagic nektons (49.53 ± 22.87); 3) The mean size of the MP in the pelagic nektons (0.84 ± 0.17 mm) was larger than that in the benthic nektons (0.49 ± 0.09 mm). Our findings highlight the need to further investigate the ecological impacts of MPs on wild nekton, especially commercially important species, and its potential implications for human health.
  5. Faezah SS, Zuraina FM, Farah JH, Khairul O, Hilwani NI, Iswadi MI, et al.
    Zygote, 2014 Aug;22(3):378-86.
    PMID: 23237064 DOI: 10.1017/S0967199412000597
    Cryopreservation is a technique used to preserve cells for long-time storage. It is widely used in agriculture to store male gametes in liquid nitrogen. The aim of this study was to determine the optimum thawing temperature and time for samples subjected to annexin V magnetic-activated cell sorting (AnMACS) as the sperm preparation technique. Pooled semen samples from three ejaculates were divided into two groups. The treatment group was subjected both to AnMACS and to being cryopreserved, whilst the control group was cryopreserved directly without MACS. Post-thaw analysis was carried out for samples thawed at either 20°C for 13 s, 37°C for 30 s, 40°C for 7 s, 60°C for 6 s or 80°C for 5 s. Sperm kinematics, viability and capacitation status were determined for samples subjected to all thawing temperatures described. Results showed that thawing at 37°C for 13 s for MACS-processed samples was a superior option compared with other thawing procedures; there was a significant difference in P < 0.05 values for curvilinear velocity (VCL μm/s) and sperm straightness (STR %) when samples were thawed at 40°C for 7 s, with fewer capacitated spermatozoa (P < 0.05) when samples were thawed at 37°C for 30 s, 40°C for 7 s or 60°C for 6 s. Hence, we can speculate that the use of AnMACS as the sperm preparation technique can somehow enhance sperm cryosurvival rate after cryopreservation, however the fertilization potential of these cells has yet to be determined.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links