Displaying all 11 publications

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  1. Gao Z, Zhao Y, Li L, Hao Y
    J Environ Manage, 2024 Apr 27;359:120976.
    PMID: 38678902 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120976
    Recent years have witnessed growing public concern over air pollution in China, posing a challenge to the government's environmental management efforts. Empirical evidence indicates that the digital economy contributes to mitigating environmental pollution. Given that national audits are a crucial part of the national oversight system and considering the significant role of digital technology in audit governance, it is relevant to explore how the digital economy can support national audits in enhancing China's environmental quality. This study investigates the environmental impact of national audit governance, utilizing a dataset from 1540 counties in China spanning from 2005 to 2018. The findings reveal that effective national audits contribute to reducing haze pollution (HP) levels, with the digital economy playing a moderating role. The results also demonstrate heterogeneity; national audits are particularly effective in regions characterized by high urbanization rates, severe HP, and stringent environmental regulations. The mechanism analysis suggests that industrial transformation and enhanced government governance are the key mechanisms through which national audits reduce regional HP. Additionally, reforming the audit management system can amplify the effects of national audits on reducing HP.
  2. Liu P, Yuan H, Lu Y, Gao Z
    Front Physiol, 2024;15:1424216.
    PMID: 39072216 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1424216
    INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varied resistance training modalities on physical fitness components, body composition, maximal strength assessed by one-repetition maximum (1RM), isokinetic muscle functions of the shoulder and knee joints, and biomechanical properties of core muscles.

    METHODS: Forty participants were randomly assigned to four groups: control group (CG, n = 10), compound set training group (CSG, n = 10), pyramid set training group (PSG, n = 10), and superset training group (SSG, n = 10). Excluding the CG, the other three groups underwent an 8-week resistance training program, three sessions per week, at 60%-80% of 1RM intensity for 60-90 min per session. Assessments included body composition, physical fitness components, 1RM, isokinetic muscle functions, and biomechanical properties (muscle frequency, stiffness, etc.) of the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles.

    RESULTS: The PSG demonstrated the most significant improvement in relative peak torque during isokinetic testing of the shoulder and knee joints. Compared to the CG, all exercise groups exhibited positive effects on back strength, sprint performance, 1RM, and core muscle biomechanics. Notably, the PSG showed superior enhancement in external oblique stiffness. However, no significant differences were observed among the exercise groups for rectus abdominis biomechanical properties.

    DISCUSSION: Structured resistance training effectively improved maximal strength, functional performance, and core muscle biomechanics. The pyramidal training modality conferred specific benefits for isokinetic muscle functions and external oblique stiffness, suggesting its efficacy in enhancing force production capabilities and core stability.

  3. Min X, Gao Z, Lin Y, Lu CH
    Animals (Basel), 2021 Jul 29;11(8).
    PMID: 34438694 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082237
    From 2018 to 2019, two Chinese Sparrowhawks (Bird 01, male; Bird 02, female), Accipiter soloensis, were captured and fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) loggers in order to identify summering and wintering sites, migration routes, and stop-over sites. The Chinese Sparrowhawks were first fitted with backpack solar GPS satellite trackers in China in order to explore their migration routes. The two Chinese Sparrowhawks successfully completed their migration from southern China, through Nanning city of Guangxi province, China, to Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore and finally arriving in Indonesia, where they stayed until the March of the following year. They then returned to China along the original route, arriving in Changsha city, Hunan province, China. The two individuals traveled more than 4000-5000 km. For the first time, telemetry data demonstrate, the linkages between their Indonesia wintering sites, their stop-over sites in Southeast Asia, and their breeding/summering sites near south Yangtze River in the south-central part of China. During this long-distance migration, 2653 bird satellite sites were received. The autumn migration durations for the two Chinese Sparrowhawks were 84 days and 50 days, respectively, compared to 83 days and 49 days in spring. The median stop-over duration was 12.7 and 9.3 days, respectively and the median speed of travel was 74.2 km/day during the autumn migration and 73.9 km/day during the spring migration. Furthermore, two and one stop-over sites and one and three stop-over sites were used during the autumn and spring migrations of Chinese Sparrowhawks 01 and 02, respectively. The Chinese Sparrowhawks migrated long distances and used stop-over sites during their migration. Based on the home range analysis, we can conclude that Chinese Sparrowhawks reach their maximum home range in the summer and have multiple nuclear domains.
  4. Farah AH, Lee SY, Gao Z, Yao TL, Madon M, Mohamed R
    Front Plant Sci, 2018;9:712.
    PMID: 29896211 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00712
    The tribe Aquilarieae of the family Thymelaeaceae consists of two genera, Aquilaria and Gyrinops, with a total of 30 species, distributed from northeast India, through southeast Asia and the south of China, to Papua New Guinea. They are an important botanical resource for fragrant agarwood, a prized product derived from injured or infected stems of these species. The aim of this study was to estimate the genome size of selected Aquilaria species and comprehend the evolutionary history of Aquilarieae speciation through molecular phylogeny. Five non-coding chloroplast DNA regions and a nuclear region were sequenced from 12 Aquilaria and three Gyrinops species. Phylogenetic trees constructed using combined chloroplast DNA sequences revealed relationships of the studied 15 members in Aquilarieae, while nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences showed a paraphyletic relationship between Aquilaria species from Indochina and Malesian. We exposed, for the first time, the estimated divergence time for Aquilarieae speciation, which was speculated to happen during the Miocene Epoch. The ancestral split and biogeographic pattern of studied species were discussed. Results showed no large variation in the 2C-values for the five Aquilaria species (1.35-2.23 pg). Further investigation into the genome size may provide additional information regarding ancestral traits and its evolution history.
  5. Gao Z, Chee CS, Norjali Wazir MRW, Wang J, Zheng X, Wang T
    Front Psychol, 2023;14:1291711.
    PMID: 38259527 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1291711
    OBJECTIVES: Parents are one of the main social agents that shape young athletes' experiences and participation in sports, but they are also the least explored group in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of research on the role of parents in the motivation of young athletes.

    METHOD: The systematic literature review consisted of four electronic databases from which 29 articles published in English and in full-text form in peer-reviewed journals between 1999 and 2023 were retrieved.

    RESULTS: A total of 29 studies met the eligibility criteria. These studies collectively surveyed 9,185 young athlete participants and 2,191 parent participants. The sample comprised 26 quantitative studies and 3 qualitative studies. The findings underscore that parents play both unique and synergistic multidimensional roles in motivating young athletes. Parents' positive goals and values, autonomy-supportive parenting styles, moderate parental involvement, positive parent-child relationships, and a parent-initiated task climate are identified as optimal parenting strategies.

    CONCLUSION: While parents undeniably play a crucial role in motivating young athletes, the manner and extent of their involvement are key.

  6. He Y, Ong KC, Gao Z, Zhao X, Anderson VM, McNutt MA, et al.
    Am J Pathol, 2014 Mar;184(3):714-20.
    PMID: 24378407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.11.009
    Enterovirus 71 (EV71; family Picornaviridae, species human Enterovirus A) usually causes hand, foot, and mouth disease, which may rarely be complicated by fatal encephalomyelitis. We investigated extra-central nervous system (extra-CNS) tissues capable of supporting EV71 infection and replication, and have correlated tissue infection with expression of putative viral entry receptors, scavenger receptor B2 (SCARB2), and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded CNS and extra-CNS tissues from seven autopsy cases were examined by IHC and in situ hybridization to evaluate viral antigens and RNA. Viral receptors were identified with IHC. In all seven cases, the CNS showed stereotypical distribution of inflammation and neuronal localization of viral antigens and RNA, confirming the clinical diagnosis of EV71 encephalomyelitis. In six cases in which tonsillar tissues were available, viral antigens and/or RNA were localized to squamous epithelium lining the tonsillar crypts. Tissues from the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, mesenteric nodes, spleen, and skin were all negative for viral antigens/RNA. Our novel findings strongly suggest that tonsillar crypt squamous epithelium supports active viral replication and represents an important source of viral shedding that facilitates person-to-person transmission by both the fecal-oral or oral-oral routes. It may also be a portal for viral entry. A correlation between viral infection and SCARB2 expression appears to be more significant than for PSGL-1 expression.
  7. Kuang G, Xu Z, Wang J, Gao Z, Yang W, Wu W, et al.
    Microbiol Spectr, 2023 Aug 17;11(4):e0512222.
    PMID: 37306586 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05122-22
    Nelson Bay reovirus (NBV) is an emerging zoonotic virus that can cause acute respiratory disease in humans. These viruses are mainly discovered in Oceania, Africa, and Asia, and bats have been identified as their main animal reservoir. However, despite recent expansion of diversity for NBVs, the transmission dynamics and evolutionary history of NBVs are still unclear. This study successfully isolated two NBV strains (MLBC1302 and MLBC1313) from blood-sucking bat fly specimens (Eucampsipoda sundaica) and one (WDBP1716) from the spleen specimen of a fruit bat (Rousettus leschenaultii), which were collected at the China-Myanmar border area of Yunnan Province. Syncytia cytopathic effects (CPE) were observed in BHK-21 and Vero E6 cells infected with the three strains at 48 h postinfection. Electron micrographs of ultrathin sections showed numerous spherical virions with a diameter of approximately 70 nm in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The complete genome nucleotide sequence of the viruses was determined by metatranscriptomic sequencing of infected cells. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the novel strains were closely related to Cangyuan orthoreovirus, Melaka orthoreovirus, and human-infecting Pteropine orthoreovirus HK23629/07. Simplot analysis revealed the strains originated from complex genomic reassortment among different NBVs, suggesting the viruses experienced a high reassortment rate. In addition, strains successfully isolated from bat flies also implied that blood-sucking arthropods might serve as potential transmission vectors. IMPORTANCE Bats are the reservoir of many viral pathogens with strong pathogenicity, including NBVs. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether arthropod vectors are involved in transmitting NBVs. In this study, we successfully isolated two NBV strains from bat flies collected from the body surface of bats, which implies that they may be vectors for virus transmission between bats. While the potential threat to humans remains to be determined, evolutionary analyses involving different segments revealed that the novel strains had complex reassortment histories, with S1, S2, and M1 segments highly similar to human pathogens. Further experiments are required to determine whether more NBVs are vectored by bat flies, their potential threat to humans, and transmission dynamics.
  8. Yang J, Gao Z, Yu Z, Hou Y, Tang D, Yan H, et al.
    PMID: 37599623 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2248244
    Aurones are a subclass of active flavonoids characterized with a scaffold of 2-benzylidene-3(2H)-benzofuranone. This type of chemicals are widely distributed in fruit, vegetable and flower, and contribute to human health. In this review, we summarize the natural aurones isolated from dietary plants. Their positive effects on immunomodulation, antioxidation, cancer prevention as well as maintaining the health status of cardiovascular, nervous system and liver organs are highlighted. The biosynthesis strategies of plant-derived aurones are elaborated to provide solutions for their limited natural abundance. The potential application of natural aurones in food coloration are also discussed. This paper combines the up-to-date information and gives a full image of dietary aurones.
  9. Zhao Z, Feng Y, Wang M, Wei J, Tan T, Li R, et al.
    Front Neuroinform, 2024;18:1392271.
    PMID: 39211912 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2024.1392271
    BACKGROUND: The above studies indicate that the SCZ animal model has abnormal gamma oscillations and abnormal functional coupling ability of brain regions at the cortical level. However, few researchers have focused on the correlation between brain complexity and connectivity at the cortical level. In order to provide a more accurate representation of brain activity, we studied the complexity of electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals and the information interaction between brain regions in schizophrenic rats, and explored the correlation between brain complexity and connectivity.

    METHODS: We collected ECoG signal from SCZ rats. The frequency domain and time domain functional connectivity of SCZ rats were evaluated by magnitude square coherence and mutual information (MI). Permutation entropy (PE) and permutation Lempel-Ziv complexity (PLZC) were used to analyze the complexity of ECoG, and the relationship between them was evaluated. In addition, in order to further understand the causal structure of directional information flow among brain regions, we used phase transfer entropy (PTE) to analyze the effective connectivity of the brain.

    RESULTS: Firstly, in the high gamma band, the complexity of brain regions in SCZ rats is higher than that in normal rats, and the neuronal activity is irregularity. Secondly, the information integration ability of SCZ rats decreased and the communication of brain network information was hindered at the cortical level. Finally, compared with normal rats, the causal relationship between brain regions of SCZ rats was closer, but the information interaction center was not clear.

    CONCLUSION: The above findings suggest that at the cortical level, complexity and connectivity are valid biomarkers for identifying SCZ. This bridges the gap between peak potentials and EEG. This may help to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms at the cortical level in schizophrenics.

  10. Cheng J, Wang Y, Hou J, Luo D, Xie Q, Ning Q, et al.
    J Clin Virol, 2014 Dec;61(4):509-16.
    PMID: 25200354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.08.008
    In mainland China, peginterferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2b 1.0μg/kg/wk for 24 weeks is the approved treatment for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.
  11. Zhao H, Zhao S, International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, Fei B, Liu H, Yang H, et al.
    Gigascience, 2017 07 01;6(7):1-7.
    PMID: 28637269 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/gix046
    Bamboo and rattan are widely grown for manufacturing, horticulture, and agroforestry. Bamboo and rattan production might help reduce poverty, boost economic growth, mitigate climate change, and protect the natural environment. Despite progress in research, sufficient molecular and genomic resources to study these species are lacking. We launched the Genome Atlas of Bamboo and Rattan (GABR) project, a comprehensive, coordinated international effort to accelerate understanding of bamboo and rattan genetics through genome analysis. GABR includes 2 core subprojects: Bamboo-T1K (Transcriptomes of 1000 Bamboos) and Rattan-G5 (Genomes of 5 Rattans), and several other subprojects. Here we describe the organization, directions, and status of GABR.
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