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Fulltext Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau Ethanol Extract Inhibits Hepatoma in Mice through Upregulation of the Immune Response

Huang D, Guo W, Gao J, Chen J, Olatunji JO

Molecules, 2015;20(9):17405-28.
PMID: 26393569 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200917405

Clinacanthans nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau is a popular medicinal vegetable in Southern Asia, and its extracts have displayed significant anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells in vitro. However, the underlying mechanism for this effect has yet to be established. This study investigated the antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of C. nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau 30% ethanol extract (CN30) in vivo. CN30 was prepared and its main components were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). CN30 had a significant inhibitory effect on tumor volume and weight. Hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining and TUNEL assay revealed that hepatoma cells underwent significant apoptosis with CN30 treatment, while expression levels of proliferation markers PCNA and p-AKT were significantly decreased when treated with low or high doses of CN30 treatment. Western blot analysis of PAPR, caspase-3, BAX, and Bcl2 also showed that CN30 induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells. Furthermore, intracellular staining analysis showed that CN30 treatment increased the number of IFN-γ⁺ T cells and decreased the number of IL-4⁺ T cells. Serum IFN-γ and interleukin-2 levels also significantly improved. Our findings indicated that CN30 demonstrated antitumor properties by up-regulating the immune response, and warrants further evaluation as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of cancers.
Fulltext Modeling the intention and usage of medicine vending machine: Using partial least squares-structural equation modelling and necessary condition analysis

Yang Q, Al Mamun A, Gao J, Makhbul ZKM

Digit Health, 2023;9:20552076231194935.
PMID: 37599900 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231194935

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the intention to use and actual usage of medicine vending machines (MVMs) in China and to close the existing literature gap by examining the relationship between perceived convenience (PC), perceived trust, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence, on the intention to use MVM in a comprehensive manner. The impact of facilitating conditions on MVM adoption was also examined. Finally, customer age was tested as a moderator.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that used data collected through a self-administered questionnaire. A combination of partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and necessary condition analysis (NCA) technique was used to analyze and discuss the 308 valid questionnaires, test the hypotheses, and conduct an in-depth analysis.
RESULTS: The results showed that PC, perceived trust, and performance expectancy were significantly related to the intention to use MVM. Effort expectancy was a non-significant predictor of intention to use MVM. Social influence was a significant negative predictor of the intention to use MVM. More importantly, performance expectancy was found to be a necessary factor for MVM intention, providing new marketing ideas for MVM owners. Age had a significant moderating effect on the facilitating conditions and intention to use vending machines. The relatively young population is more conscious of the facilitating conditions.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study are of considerable importance as a guide for the main user group of vending machines. The combined analysis and discussion of PLS-SEM and NCA provide a sound theoretical basis for the practical implications of this study. In the future, we will attempt to use this technique in other areas of study. In terms of theoretical implications, this study provides technical references for future research.
GC-MS fingerprint of Pogostemon cablin in China

Hu LF, Li SP, Cao H, Liu JJ, Gao JL, Yang FQ, et al.

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2006 Sep 18;42(2):200-6.
PMID: 16242880

Pogostemon cablin, originating in Malaysia and India, is cultivated in southern China including Guangdong and Hainan Province, which was called GuangHuoXiang to differentiate it from the HuoXiang of the north, the species Agastache rugosa, that it resembles. Essential oil of P. cablin mainly contributes to the pharmacological activities and the therapeutic properties of the essential oils are directly correlated with their qualitative and quantitative composition. For controlling the quality, standard fingerprint of P. cablin collected from different regions was developed by using GC-MS. Nine compounds including beta-patchoulene, caryophyllene, alpha-guaiene, seychellene, beta-guaiene, delta-guaiene, spathulenol, patchouli alcohol and pogostone were identified among 10 main peaks in P. cablin. Hierarchical clustering analysis based on characteristics of 10 investigated peaks in GC profiles showed that 18 samples were divided into three main clusters, patchouliol-type, pogostone-type and an interim-type, which was the one between the two chemotypes. The simulative mean chromatogram for the three types P. cablin was generated using the Computer Aided Similarity Evaluation System. The fingerprint can help to distinguish the substitute or adulterant, and further assess the differences of P. cablin grown in various areas of China.
Evaluation of biophysical as well as biochemical potential of curcumin and resveratrol during prostate cancer

Guo W, Wu X, Li Y, Gao J, Wang F, Jin Y, et al.

J Drug Target, 2020 01;28(1):41-45.
PMID: 30943812 DOI: 10.1080/1061186X.2019.1601199

Purpose: The present study evaluated biochemical as well as biophysical mechanisms behind the synergistic effects of curcumin and resveratrol during prostate carcinogenesis.Methods: The rats were segregated into five groups that included normal control, 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB)treated, DMAB + curcumin treated, DMAB + resveratrol-treated and DMAB + curcumin + resveratrol-treated.Results: The DMAB treatment resulted in a significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in DMAB treated rats. Also, significant changes were recorded in the enzyme activities of both drug metabolising enzyme and antioxidant enzymes after DMAB treatment. Further, radiorespirometric studies showed a significant increase in the 14C-glucose turnover as well as 14C-glucose uptake in the prostate slices of DMAB treated rats. Moreover, a significant rise in cell proliferation was confirmed indirectly by enhanced uptake of 3H-thymidine in the prostate slices of DMAB treated rats. Interestingly, combined treatment of curcumin and resveratrol to DMAB treated animals resulted in a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, 14C glucose uptakes/turnover and 3H-thymidine uptake in the DMAB treated rats. Besides this, curcumin and resveratrol in combination significantly modulated biochemical indices including drug-metabolising enzymes; antioxidant enzymes in DMBA treated rats.Conclusion: The study, therefore, concludes that the combination of curcumin and resveratrol holds strong modulatory potential against prostate carcinogenesis.
Tumor-responsive dynamic nanoassemblies for targeted imaging, therapy and microenvironment manipulation

Low LE, Wu J, Lee J, Tey BT, Goh BH, Gao J, et al.

J Control Release, 2020 Aug 10;324:69-103.
PMID: 32423874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.05.014

The recent designs of dynamic nanoassemblies exploiting the tumor-targeting properties have received increasing attention for tumor imaging and therapy due to their tumor-specific delivery and enhanced antitumor efficacy. However, these designs are mainly focused on the macroscopic tumor therapeutic effect, while the nano-bio interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain poorly understood. This review aims to provide an overview of the development of tumor-responsive nanoassemblies towards the imaging, therapy and TME modulation in the tumor site. The tumor biology leading to TME formation and the potential TME properties for the practicable design of tumor-targeting nanoassemblies has been outlined. Furthermore, the various approaches for TME modification and the realization via dynamic nanoassemblies for enhanced tumor therapy were reviewed. Lastly, the prospects of these methods were briefly discussed. These strategies may inspire the development of new combinational cancer therapeutics.
Effects of palm oil blended with oxidized fish oil on growth performances, hematology, and several immune parameters in juvenile Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicas

Han YZ, Ren TJ, Jiang ZQ, Jiang BQ, Gao J, Koshio S, et al.

Fish Physiol Biochem, 2012 Dec;38(6):1785-1794.
PMID: 22763698 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-012-9675-4

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of palm oil blended with oxidized and non-oxidized fish oil on growth performances, hematology, and non-specific immune response in juvenile Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicas. Japanese sea bass (1.73 ± 0.01 g) were fed seven experimental diets containing 100 g/kg of dietary lipid in forms of palm oil (10P), fish oil (10F), fish oil blended with palm oil at different ratios, 6:4 (6F4P) and 4:6 (4F6P), oxidized fish oil (10OF), and oxidized fish oil blended with palm oil at different ratios, 6:4 (6OF4P) and 4:6 (4OF6P). After the feeding trial, the following results were illustrated. No significant effects were observed in survival, feed conversion ratio, condition factor, and hematocrit after feeding with experimental diets for 60 days. The relatively higher specific growth rate and hematology were observed in 6F4P. Furthermore, both palm oil and oxidized fish oil acted as a negatively on serum lysozyme activity (P < 0.05). This study suggested that a ration of 6F4P is recommended as an innocuous ratio for Japanese sea bass. Furthermore, according to the present investigation, palm oil seems to have the ability to improve the protein efficiency when added to oxidized fish diets as well as a positive trend to the growth performance (P > 0.05).
Soil nutrient distribution and plant nutrient status in a mangrove stand adjacent to an aquaculture farm

Wei L, Bee MY, Poh SC, Garg A, Lin F, Gao J

Environ Monit Assess, 2022 Dec 27;195(1):231.
PMID: 36572829 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10822-1

The marine aquaculture industry has caused a suite of adverse environmental consequences, including offshore eutrophication. However, little is known about the extent to which aquaculture effluents affect nearby wetland ecosystems. We carried out a field experiment in a mangrove stand located between two effluent-receiving creeks to estimate the extent to which marine aquaculture affects the soil nutrient distribution and plant nutrient status of adjacent mangroves. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) contents and C isotopic signatures were determined seasonally in creeks, pore water, surface soils, and in the leaves of the dominant mangrove species Kandelia obovata. The creeks exhibited nutrient enrichment (2.44 mg N L-1 and 0.09 mg P L-1 on average). The soils had N (from 1.40 to 2.70 g kg-1) and P (from 0.58 to 2.76 g kg-1) much greater than those of pristine mangrove forests. Combined analyses of the N:P ratio, nutrient resorption efficiency, and proficiency indicated that soil P met plant demands, but plants in most plots showed N limitation, suggesting that soil nutrient accumulation did not fundamentally impact the plant nutrient status. Collectively, this case study shows that marine aquaculture farms can affect adjacent mangrove stands even though their effluents are not directly discharged into the mangrove stands, but mangrove forests may have substantial buffering capabilities for long-term nutrient loading.
Fulltext Modeling the significance of dynamic capability on the performance of microfinance institutions

The HV, Yang M, Fazal SA, Maran, Gao J, Yang Q, et al.

PLoS One, 2023;18(5):e0285814.
PMID: 37220166 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285814

According to strategic management theory, dynamic capability plays a significant role in enhancing organizational performance. Using a cross-sectional research design, the current study quantitatively assesses the mediating effect of dynamic capability on the relationships of total quality management, customer intellectual capital, and human resource management practice with the performance of microfinance institutions. An online survey involving 120 members of Induk Koperasi Kredit, a credit union association in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, is conducted. All the data are subjected to variance-based partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis. The obtained results demonstrate the significant and positive influence of total quality management and human resource management practice on dynamic capability. Furthermore, dynamic capability is found to mediate the relationship between total quality management and human resource management practice on the performance of microfinance institutions. However, this study is unable to conclude that total quality management and human resource management practice have any significant impact on the performance of microfinance institutions. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates the crucial need for microfinance institutions to enhance their management activities via dynamic capability to enhance performance. This is one of the earliest studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic to examine the capabilities and performance of microfinance institutions in Indonesia. Notably, the performance of microfinance institutions can be further sustained by improving customers' intellectual and dynamic capabilities.
Fulltext Modeling the intention and donation of second-hand clothing in the context of an emerging economy

Wu M, Al Mamun A, Yang Q, Gao J, Rahman MK, Al Shami SSA

Sci Rep, 2023 Sep 13;13(1):15106.
PMID: 37704693 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42437-y

The culture of fast fashion accelerates the consumption rate of individuals but at the expense of significant environmental stress. With a large amount of discarded clothing accumulating in landfills, it is crucial to encourage people to dispose of second-hand clothing (SHC) as sustainably as possible, especially in an emerging economy with large volume consumption. Through a survey of 619 respondents from China, this study explored the factors affecting people's intentions and actual donation behaviors toward SHC. It extends the theory of interpersonal behavior (TIB) with environmental factors to construct a research framework, which included cognitive factors (attitude towards sustainable consumption), social factors (sense of community) and personal factors (perceived hedonic benefit) under TIB and the environment factors refers to problem awareness and ascription responsibility. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that attitudes toward sustainable consumption, problem awareness, ascription of responsibility, sense of community, and perceived hedonic benefit significantly and positively influenced people's intentions and practices of SHC donation. This study will aid governments and relevant green environmental protection organizations in formulating more precise strategies for sustainable development, and promote relevant research on the sustainable disposal of SHC.
Fulltext Modelling the significance of organizational conditions on quiet quitting intention among Gen Z workforce in an emerging economy

Xueyun Z, Al Mamun A, Masukujjaman M, Rahman MK, Gao J, Yang Q

Sci Rep, 2023 Sep 18;13(1):15438.
PMID: 37723179 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42591-3

The phenomenon of "quiet quitting" has gained significant attention globally through various platforms, raising concerns about the impact of workplace stress on individuals' personal lives and sparking social movements and investigations. As the number of Generation Z individuals is projected to surpass millennials by 2050, understanding and addressing the quiet quitting behaviour of this generation becomes crucial, considering their negative experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and their preference for a work-life balance, which has led to a rejection of intense competition and a desire for a more relaxed lifestyle. Thus, this study investigated the factors (work conditions, job security, perceived career development opportunities, affective organizational commitment, and perceived organizational support on job burnout and employee well-being) determining the quiet quitting intention among Chinese Gen Z employees. It used an online survey to obtain cross-sectional data from 683 respondents, which were then tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results showed that work conditions, job security, perceived career progression opportunities, affective organizational commitment, and perceived organizational support had a significant positive effect on employee well-being and that job burnout had a major negative effect. Furthermore, employee well-being had a significant negative impact on China's Gen Z employees' quit quiting decision and job burnout had a significant positive influence on China's Gen Z employees' quit quiting decision. The findings provide valuable insights for organizations and practitioners, enabling them to address these factors and effectively reduce quiet quitting intentions. Moreover, this study aligns with the Social Exchange Theory (SET), which explains how the interactions between employees and their organizations influence expectations and outcomes. By considering the SET framework, organizations can understand the motivations behind employees' behaviours and make informed decisions to foster a positive work environment and enhance employee well-being.
Fulltext Modelling the mass adoption of mobile payment for e-hailing services using SEM-MGA

Long S, Al Mamun A, Yang Q, Gao J, Hussain WMHW, Shami SSAA

PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0287300.
PMID: 37831669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287300

Secured financial transactions can now be conveniently made via mobile devices for various products and services, such as e-hailing. However, limited research exists on the factors influencing the adoption of mobile payments specifically for e-hailing services, despite the growing interest in mobile payments in China. This cross-sectional study quantitatively assessed the influence of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived security, and lifestyle compatibility on the intention to adopt and the actual adoption of mobile payment for e-hailing services. An online self-administered survey was conducted, involving 413 respondents from China. The results revealed a significant positive influence of perceived ease of use, social influence, facilitating conditions, and perceived security on the intention to adopt mobile payment. Additionally, the study found that the intention to adopt mobile payment positively influenced the actual adoption of mobile payments. Meanwhile, perceived usefulness and lifestyle compatibility demonstrated an insignificant influence on the intention to adopt mobile payments. Subgroup analysis further revealed gender-based differences, indicating that the influence of the intention to adopt mobile payment on the adoption of mobile payment for e-hailing services varied significantly between male and female respondents. Furthermore, the influence of facilitating conditions on the intention to adopt mobile payment for e-hailing services also differed significantly among respondents of different age groups. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of mobile payment for e-hailing services and provide insights for service providers and policymakers in promoting its adoption.
Fulltext Predicting m-health acceptance from the perspective of unified theory of acceptance and use of technology

Yang M, Al Mamun A, Gao J, Rahman MK, Salameh AA, Alam SS

Sci Rep, 2024 Jan 03;14(1):339.
PMID: 38172184 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50436-2

Addressing the growing popularity of mobile health (m-Health) technology in the health industry, the current study examined consumers' intention and behaviour related to the usage of digital applications based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). In particular, this study quantitatively assessed the moderating role of perceived product value and mediating role of intention to use m-Health application among Indonesians. This study adopted a cross-sectional design and collected quantitative data from conveniently selected respondents through an online survey, which involved 2068 Telegram users in Indonesia. All data were subjected to the analysis of partial least square- structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The obtained results demonstrated the moderating effect of perceived product value on the relationship between intention to use m-Health application (m-health app) and actual usage of m-Health app and the mediating effects of intention to use m-Health app on the relationships of perceived critical mass, perceived usefulness, perceived convenience, perceived technology accuracy, and perceived privacy protection on actual usage of m-Health app. However, the intention to use m-Health app did not mediate the influence of health consciousness and health motivation on the actual usage of m-Health app. Overall, this study's findings on the significance of intention to use m-Health app and perceived product value based on the UTAUT framework serve as insightful guideline to expand the usage of m-Health app among consumers.
Fulltext Environmental and health values, beliefs, norms and compatibility on intention to adopt hydroponic farming among unemployed youth

Gao J, Al Mamun A, Yang Q, Rahman MK, Masud MM

Sci Rep, 2024 Jan 18;14(1):1592.
PMID: 38238468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52064-w

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships among environmental and health values, ecological worldview, perception of consequences, the ascription of responsibility, and personal norms in the context of the value-belief-norm (VBN) model and how compatibility influences the intentions and behaviors of Chinese youth regarding the use of hydroponic farming technology. The study employed a survey questionnaire to collect data from the target population. The sample size was determined through a power analysis to ensure sufficient statistical power for the analysis. A total of 727 potential respondents' responses were analyzed using SmartPLS (4.0) to perform structural equation modeling. The results confirmed that environmental, emotional, and health values significantly associated with individuals' ecological worldviews. There was an interconnection between ecological worldview, awareness of consequences, and ascription of responsibility, and all three significantly influenced personal norms. The key determinants of the intentions and behaviors to adopt hydroponic farming technology are personal norms and technology compatibility. Therefore, to promote and motivate the interest and intention to use hydroponics among unemployed youth, government agencies, and related companies should focus on providing technology-related and pro-environmental information and training. This is expected to increase the acceptance and awareness of hydroponics among this group, thus increasing the adoption rate of hydroponics.
Envisaging the intention and adoption of electronic health applications among middle-aged and older adults: Evidence from an emerging economy

Hayat N, Al Mamun A, Gao J, Yang Q, Hussain WMHW

Digit Health, 2024;10:20552076241237499.
PMID: 38449679 DOI: 10.1177/20552076241237499

Technology plays a substantial role in our daily lives, and the spread of COVID-19 paves the way for the use of healthcare technologies to manage health in the comfort of our homes. Middle-aged and older adults face health issues and require instant healthcare advice and support. Electronic healthcare (EH) applications have emerged to facilitate middle-aged and older adults receiving healthcare support instantly while remaining in their homes. The present study empirically evaluates the intention and adoption of electronic health applications with the technological attributes of perceived compatibility, cost, product value, technology accuracy, privacy issues and health motivation among middle-aged and older adults from Malaysia. Moreover, this research examines the mediating effect of the intention to adopt EH applications between technology attributes and the adoption of EH applications. This study uses a cross-sectional method and employs an online survey to assemble quantitative data from 298 middle-aged and older Malaysian adults. It utilizes partial least squares structural equation modelling for data analysis. The data analysis reveals that perceived compatibility, cost, privacy, product value and health motivation significantly influenced the intention to use EH apps. Furthermore, the analysis shows that the intention to adopt EH apps significantly mediates the relationship between the perception of cost, personal privacy, product value, health motivation and adoption of EH apps. However, the intention to use EH apps insignificantly instigates their adoption. Finally, the study presents its implications, limitations and future research directions.
Fulltext Modelling the significance of food delivery service quality on customer satisfaction and reuse intention

Wu M, Gao J, Hayat N, Long S, Yang Q, Al Mamun A

PLoS One, 2024;19(2):e0293914.
PMID: 38359026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293914

The millions-worth revenue derived from large-scale food delivery characterises the service as a relatively established phenomenon with potential growth. The current cross-sectional research examined online food delivery service quality on consumer satisfaction and reuse intention. Service quality was divided into seven categories (i.e., reliability, assurance, security, maintaining food quality, system operation, traceability, and perceived service value). Perceived service value offer the unique understanding of the online food delivery consumer satisfaction. Empirical data were elicited from 1352 valid respondents and subsequently assessed through the partial least square structural equation modelling. Findings revealed that reliability, assurance, maintaining food quality, system operation, traceability, and perceived service value could elevate customer satisfaction and optimize the intention to reuse food delivery services. Specific measures to improve service quality, including staff training, improved after-sales service, and system optimisation, were proposed to increase users' satisfaction and intention to reuse optimally.
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.
Fulltext De novo transcriptional analysis of the response to starvation stress in the white ridgetail prawn, Exopalaemon carinicauda

Liu X, Gao J, Zhang P, Shi T, Yan B, Azra MN, et al.

Genomics, 2023 Nov;115(6):110746.
PMID: 37977333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110746

To study the mechanism of the biomolecular response in Exopalaemon carinicauda to starvation stress, we subjected muscle tissue RNA samples from four stress points, including 0 d(control group), 10 d, 20 d, and 30 d, to starvation stress on white ridgetail prawn with a body weight of 1.41 + 0.42 g, aquaculture water temperature of 23-25 °C, salinity of 26, dissolved oxygen ≥5 mg/L, and pH 8-8.5, Then performed de novo transcriptome assembly and gene expression analysis using BGISEQ-500 with a tag-based digital gene expression (DGE) system. By de novo assembling at the four times, we obtained 28,167, 21,115, 24,497, and 27,080 reads, respectively. The results showed that the stress at 10 d led to no significant difference in the expressed genes, while the stress at 20 d and 30 d showed a significant increase (or decrease) in the expression of 97 (276) and 143 (410) genes, respectively, which were involved in 8 different metabolic pathways. In addition, we detected 2647 unigene transcription factors. Eleven upregulated and sixteen downregulated genes from the different starvation stress groups were choose to verify the reliability of the transcriptome data, and the results showed that the expression trends of these genes were consistent with the results shown by the transcriptome. The analysis of the experimental data and our discussion of the response mechanism of white ridgetail prawn under starvation stress provides a foundation for further screening of the key genes of starvation stress and may help to elucidate their functions.
Fulltext Wolbachia infection in field-collected Aedes aegypti in Yunnan Province, southwestern China

Zhang H, Gao J, Ma Z, Liu Y, Wang G, Liu Q, et al.

Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 2022;12:1082809.
PMID: 36530420 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1082809

BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is gram-negative and common intracellular bacteria, which is maternally inherited endosymbionts and could expand their propagation in host populations by means of various manipulations. Recent reports reveal the natural infection of Wolbachia in Aedes Aegypti in Malaysia, India, Philippines, Thailand and the United States. At present, none of Wolbachia natural infection in Ae. aegypti has been reported in China.
METHODS: A total of 480 Ae. aegypti adult mosquitoes were collected from October and November 2018 based on the results of previous investigations and the distribution of Ae. aegypti in Yunnan. Each individual sample was processed and screened for the presence of Wolbachia by PCR with wsp primers. Phylogenetic trees for the wsp gene was constructed using the neighbour-joining method with 1,000 bootstrap replicates, and the p-distance distribution model of molecular evolution was applied.
RESULTS: 24 individual adult mosquito samples and 10 sample sites were positive for Wolbachia infection. The Wolbachia infection rate (IR) of each population ranged from 0 - 41.7%. The infection rate of group A alone was 0%-10%, the infection rate of group B alone was 0%-7.7%, and the infection rate of co-infection with A and B was 0-33.3%.
CONCLUSIONS: Wolbachia infection in wild Ae. aegypti in China is the first report based on PCR amplification of the Wolbachia wsp gene. The Wolbachia infection is 5%, and the wAlbA and wAlbB strains were found to be prevalent in the natural population of Ae. aegypti in Yunnan Province.
Fulltext Data Descriptor: Daily observations of stable isotope ratios of rainfall in the tropics

Munksgaard NC, Kurita N, Sánchez-Murillo R, Ahmed N, Araguas L, Balachew DL, et al.

Sci Rep, 2019 10 08;9(1):14419.
PMID: 31595004 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50973-9

We present precipitation isotope data (δ2H and δ18O values) from 19 stations across the tropics collected from 2012 to 2017 under the Coordinated Research Project F31004 sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Rainfall samples were collected daily and analysed for stable isotopic ratios of oxygen and hydrogen by participating laboratories following a common analytical framework. We also calculated daily mean stratiform rainfall area fractions around each station over an area of 5° x 5° longitude/latitude based on TRMM/GPM satellite data. Isotope time series, along with information on rainfall amount and stratiform/convective proportions provide a valuable tool for rainfall characterisation and to improve the ability of isotope-enabled Global Circulation Models to predict variability and availability of inputs to fresh water resources across the tropics.
Evidence for the Higgs Boson Decay to a Z Boson and a Photon at the LHC

Aad G, Abbott B, Abeling K, Abicht NJ, Abidi SH, Aboulhorma A, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2024 Jan 12;132(2):021803.
PMID: 38277607 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.021803

The first evidence for the Higgs boson decay to a Z boson and a photon is presented, with a statistical significance of 3.4 standard deviations. The result is derived from a combined analysis of the searches performed by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations with proton-proton collision datasets collected at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2015 to 2018. These correspond to integrated luminosities of around 140 fb^{-1} for each experiment, at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measured signal yield is 2.2±0.7 times the standard model prediction, and agrees with the theoretical expectation within 1.9 standard deviations.

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