Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 22 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. He S, Lai SL
    Geriatr Gerontol Int, 2023 Nov;23(11):817-829.
    PMID: 37822092 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14688
    AIM: Functional disability is a widespread challenge faced by the older population in China, where those with functional disabilities demand greater healthcare and geriatric services. This study performs a longitudinal analysis examining the effects of physiological conditions, intra-, and extra-individual factors, and life-course socioeconomic status risk factors on the disability levels and change rates of functional disability trajectories in old age.

    METHODS: Data for this study came from the four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. A latent growth model was used to analyze the functional disability of 5044 older adults aged 60 and over in 2011 who survived to 2018.

    RESULTS: Pathologies are closely associated with functional disability trajectories, and higher numbers of comorbidities relate to more disabilities. Risk factors and intra- and extra-individual factors affect functional disability trajectories and work through independent and shared mechanisms. The effects of risk factors can be traced to childhood conditions, and higher childhood and adulthood socioeconomic status is related to fewer functional disabilities.

    CONCLUSION: Functional disability trajectories are dynamic processes related to pathologies, intra-, and extra-individual factors, and life-course risk factors, and thus prevention and control measures should focus on both childhood and adulthood. Promoting working in later life and improving childhood socioeconomic status deserve prompt attention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 817-829.

  2. He S, He S, Gao X
    J Environ Public Health, 2022;2022:9440849.
    PMID: 35942144 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9440849
    Under the framework of disciplinary knowledge integrating technology, the multimedia teaching application of music performance attracts a major opportunity for reflection and reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to explore the laws and experiences of music performance teachers' multimedia teaching applications under the framework of subject teaching knowledge integrating technology. Through the research to understand the classroom multimedia teaching application of music performance teachers, according to the research results, relevant strategies are put forward for the application of music performance teachers' classroom multimedia teaching, in order to effectively improve the classroom teaching effect of music performance teachers. This research mainly uses the classroom observation method and data statistical analysis method and takes 100 music video lessons of the National Educational Resources Public Service Platform as the survey object. A total of 100 teachers were observed and scored in the classroom through the compiled multimedia teaching observation table for music performance teachers, and then the data was analyzed to draw conclusions. The conclusions of this study are as follows: The multimedia application behaviors of the teachers of the excellent courses are different from those of the teachers of the daily classes. The two types of teachers have differences in the effectiveness of multimedia teaching application of music performance, and the scores of the practical application of information technology are uneven. The overall score of multimedia teaching applications of excellent course teachers is higher than that of daily course teachers, and the classroom teaching effect is better. In this regard, based on the observation and assessment of the effectiveness of multimedia teaching applications by two types of teachers, this paper puts forward some suggestions for music performance teachers to improve the effectiveness of multimedia teaching applications in classrooms from the aspect of teachers themselves and educational functions. It is hoped that it can provide some theoretical basis and practical materials for the personal and professional development of music performance teachers.
  3. Kazemzadeh A, Ganesan P, Ibrahim F, He S, Madou MJ
    PLoS One, 2013;8(9):e73002.
    PMID: 24069169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073002
    This paper employs the volume of fluid (VOF) method to numerically investigate the effect of the width, height, and contact angles on burst frequencies of super hydrophilic and hydrophilic capillary valves in centrifugal microfluidic systems. Existing experimental results in the literature have been used to validate the implementation of the numerical method. The performance of capillary valves in the rectangular and the circular microfluidic structures on super hydrophilic centrifugal microfluidic platforms is studied. The numerical results are also compared with the existing theoretical models and the differences are discussed. Our experimental and computed results show a minimum burst frequency occurring at square capillaries and this result is useful for designing and developing more sophisticated networks of capillary valves. It also predicts that in super hydrophilic microfluidics, the fluid leaks consistently from the capillary valve at low pressures which can disrupt the biomedical procedures in centrifugal microfluidic platforms.
  4. Ren H, Yang G, Qing-Kang F, He S, Huang Q
    Plant Dis, 2023 Mar 01.
    PMID: 36856643 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-11-22-2537-PDN
    Elaeagnus conferta Roxb. is a perennial evergreen climbing shrub and is mainly native to India, Vietnam, Malaysia, and South China (Gupta & Singh, 2021). Various parts of this plant are used to treat multiple diseases(Gupta et al., 2021). Between during the months of March and April of 2021, in Kunming city of grower fields, Yunnan Province (N 25°02'; E 102°42'), southwest China. Some postharvest E. conferta fruits showed brown spots of decay with a greyish mycelium, which symptom only appears on fruit, and did not find it on this plant. The incidence of this disease in postharvest E. conferta fruits ranges from 45 % to 65 % in natural conditions. This pathogen is harmful and causes many plant diseases. Such as rice, oriental persimmon, pear, panicles of mango, and so on (Cho & Shin, 2004; Guillén-Sánchez et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2009). The infected fruit samples surface was disinfected with 75 % ethanol and 0.3 % NaClO for 30 s and 2 min respectively, then aseptic water washing three times. The fruit tissue is rich in carbohydrates and water content, which aid the growth of fungal species. Putting these diseased tissues on a potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, cultured at 25 ± 1 ℃ for 7 days. The colonies grow on the PDA medium, then separated and puried again. Three pure cultures (YNGH01, YNGH03, YNGH05) were obtained, which were stored in 15 % glycerol at -80 ℃ refrigerator in the State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Yunnan Agricultural University. After 7 days of cultivation, the colonies were round and the diameter attained up to 38 mm, the surface of the colony showed tiled, fluffy, with a velvet-like texture, greyish-green to smoke-gray, slightly raised in the middle, the edges were radial hollow and wrinkle (Fig. 1A). Conidiophores were solitary, erect, unbranched or rarely branched, slightly flexuous at the apex, septate, dark brown, 254 to 680 µm long, 3.6 to 4.5 µm wide, top of the conidiophores or the rostral were slightly swollen (Fig. 1B). Conidia were light gray or grey, solitary or bispora, irregular in shape and size (Fig. 1C), nearly circular (3.21 × 3.31 µm), oval to lemon-shaped (6.59 × 3.21 µm) or elliptical (8.35 × 4.65 µm). The CTAB method extracts 3 isolates (YNGH01, YNGH03, YNGH05) genomic DNA (Aboul-Maaty & Oraby, 2019). To confirm identity with molecular identification, performed by three different genomic DNA regions, fragments of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial translation elongation factor-1 alpha (TEF-1α), and actin (ACT) genomic regions. These genomic DNA were amplified with primers ITS1/4, EF1-728F/986R, and ACT-512F/783R, respectively (Carbone & Kohn, 1999). The sequences of these isolates were uploaded to GenBank (YNGH01: ON753810, ON868696, ON912090 YNGH03: ON753812, ON868698, ON912092, and YNGH05: ON753814, ON868700, ON912094). NCBI's BLASTn search of those ITS sequences showed 99.81% similar to C. tenuissimum (MG873077.1), and sequences TEF-1α and ACT were 100% identical to several isolates of C. tenuissimum (OM256526.1 and MT154171.1). Combined the ITS region, TEF-1α, and actin (ACT) genomic regions of isolates YNGH01, YNGH03 and YNGH05 to construct a phylogenetic tree with MEGA11. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses further confirmed the results (Fig. 2)(Santos et al., 2020). Healthy and mature E. conferta fruits were used for pathogenicity test. Pathogens were washed with sterilized water at a final concentration of 2× 106 spores/mL (Jo et al., 2018). The test was divided into A and B groups (A: The surface of fruits was pierced with a sterilized needle that carried pathogenic fungus of final concentration at 2×106 spores/mL B: Sprayed at the concentration of 2×106 spores/mL on fruits). The control fruits were treated with sterilized water and stored at 25 ± 1 ℃ with a relative humidity of 80 %, average group with 10 fruits in this test, which was repeated three times. After 7 days, the fruits of group A were initially sesame seed size of the disease spots, nearly round, irregular, with grayish-brown spots, and slightly depressed. Later, the lesion gradually turns dark brown (Fig. 1D). And group B began with small patches of brown fungal growth on the pericarp, with the development of the disease, the necrotic spots enlarged and developed irregular and coalesced, the color of spots became gray or black gradually (Fig. 1E). The symptoms were similar to previously observed and the pathogen was reisolated and identified as C. tenuissimum. Control fruits were healthy (Fig. 1F). The pathogens test fulfilled Koch's postulates. According to morphology (Bensch et al., 2012), rDNA-ITS, TEF-1α, and ACT sequence analysis, phylogenetic analysis, and pathogenicity test, the pathogen was identified as C. tenuissimum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. tenuissimum occurring on E. conferta fruits in China.
  5. He S, Zhao K, Ma L, Yang J, Chang Y, Ashraf MA
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2016 Mar;23(2):198-204.
    PMID: 26981000 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.10.007
    To discuss the cold resistance performance of different Herba Rhodiolae and successfully transplant Herba Rhodiolae to the Gansu plateau area for nursing, domestication and planting, this paper systematically studies six physiological and biochemical features of Rhodiola kirilowii, Rhodiola algida, Rhodiola crenulata and Herba Rhodiolae that are closely associated with cold resistance features and concludes with the cold resistance capability of Rhodiola kirilowii. In the selected six main indexes of the Herba Rhodiolae, the POD, SOD and CAT activity and MDA and Pro content in the leaf are the main physiological and biochemical indexes to indicate the cold resistance performance of four Herba Rhodiolae seedlings and can be regarded as the preliminary indexes to assess the winter performance of Herba Rhodiolae. The research work will provide the theoretical basis for the wild variants of Herba Rhodiolae and GAPJ base construction.
  6. Chen RP, Chen Z, Chew KH, Li PG, Yu Z, Ding J, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2015;5:10628.
    PMID: 26024434 DOI: 10.1038/srep10628
    A caustic vector vortex optical field is experimentally generated and demonstrated by a caustic-based approach. The desired caustic with arbitrary acceleration trajectories, as well as the structured states of polarization (SoP) and vortex orders located in different positions in the field cross-section, is generated by imposing the corresponding spatial phase function in a vector vortex optical field. Our study reveals that different spin and orbital angular momentum flux distributions (including opposite directions) in different positions in the cross-section of a caustic vector vortex optical field can be dynamically managed during propagation by intentionally choosing the initial polarization and vortex topological charges, as a result of the modulation of the caustic phase. We find that the SoP in the field cross-section rotates during propagation due to the existence of the vortex. The unique structured feature of the caustic vector vortex optical field opens the possibility of multi-manipulation of optical angular momentum fluxes and SoP, leading to more complex manipulation of the optical field scenarios. Thus this approach further expands the functionality of an optical system.
  7. Luo W, Zhou Y, Liu Z, Kang W, He S, Zhu R, et al.
    Health Place, 2023 Mar 13;81:103000.
    PMID: 37011444 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103000
    BACKGROUND: In response to COVID-19, Southeast Asian (SEA) countries had imposed stringent lockdowns and restrictions to mitigate the pandemic ever since 2019. Because of a gradually boosting vaccination rate along with a strong demand for economic recovery, many governments have shifted the intervention strategy from restrictions to "Living with COVID-19" where people gradually resumed their normal activities since the second half of the year 2021. Noticeably, timelines for enacting the loosened strategy varied across Southeast Asian countries, which resulted in different patterns of human mobility across space and time. This thus presents an opportunity to study the relationship between mobility and the number of infection cases across regions, which could provide support for ongoing interventions in terms of effectiveness.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between human mobility and COVID-19 infections across space and time during the transition period of shifting strategies from restrictions to normal living in Southeast Asia. Our research results have significant implications for evidence-based policymaking at the present of the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health issues.

    METHODS: We aggregated weekly average human mobility data derived from the Facebook origin and destination Movement dataset. and weekly average new cases of COVID-19 at the district level from 01-Jun-2021 to 26-Dec-2021 (a total of 30 weeks). We mapped the spatiotemporal dynamics of human mobility and COVID-19 cases across countries in SEA. We further adopted the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression model to identify the spatiotemporal variations of the association between human mobility and COVID-19 infections over 30 weeks. Our model also controls for socioeconomic status, vaccination, and stringency of intervention to better identify the impact of human mobility on COVID-19 spread.

    RESULTS: The percentage of districts that presented a statistically significant association between human mobility and COVID-19 infections generally decreased from 96.15% in week 1 to 90.38% in week 30, indicating a gradual disconnection between human mobility and COVID-19 spread. Over the study period, the average coefficients in 7 SEA countries increased, decreased, and finally kept stable. The association between human mobility and COVID-19 spread also presents spatial heterogeneity where higher coefficients were mainly concentrated in districts of Indonesia from week 1 to week 10 (ranging from 0.336 to 0.826), while lower coefficients were mainly located in districts of Vietnam (ranging from 0.044 to 0.130). From week 10 to week 25, higher coefficients were mainly observed in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, north Indonesia, and several districts of the Philippines. Despite the association showing a general weakening trend over time, significant positive coefficients were observed in Singapore, Malaysia, western Indonesia, and the Philippines, with the relatively highest coefficients observed in the Philippines in week 30 (ranging from 0.101 to 0.139).

    CONCLUSIONS: The loosening interventions in response to COVID-19 in SEA countries during the second half of 2021 led to diverse changes in human mobility over time, which may result in the COVID-19 infection dynamics. This study investigated the association between mobility and infections at the regional level during the special transitional period. Our study has important implications for public policy interventions, especially at the later stage of a public health crisis.

  8. Qi F, Soh KG, Nasiruddin NJM, Leong OS, He S, Liu H
    Complement Ther Med, 2023 Oct;77:102971.
    PMID: 37586435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102971
    PURPOSE: Taichi Chuan was previously shown to benefit physical health, but the results were inconsistent. The main reason is that the mechanism is not clear and may be interpreted differently. In this systematic review, we analyzed the data obtained from various randomized controlled trials to identify the effectiveness of Taichi Chuan and the mechanism by which it improves the physical health of adults.

    METHODS: We systematically searched various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, CNKI, Wan-Fang, and VPCS, and obtained 1448 articles for review. The articles were selected following the PICO eligibility criteria. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to interpret the results of the different studies.

    RESULTS: We included 16 studies in the systematic review. Six of them were of very high quality, ten were of acceptable quality. Overall, the results showed that Taichi Chuan is beneficial to physical fitness, but not all indices supported this statement. Specifically, the effects were significant on Balance (ES = - 0.33; P = 0.02), BMI (ES = - 0.83; P 

  9. He S, Li M, Sun Y, Pan D, Zhou C, Lan H
    Food Chem, 2024 Jan 01;430:137053.
    PMID: 37549626 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137053
    This study aimed to investigate the role of hydrolysis and guar gum (GG) participation on the emulsification of the duck myofibrillar protein (MP) and the related stability of oil-in-water emulsion in low-salt condition. Emulsions were prepared using one of each or both treatments, and that prepared with trypsin hydrolysis and GG (T-GG) exhibited the highest stability. FTIR analysis confirmed the hydrogen bond interactions between the system components. T-GG treatment improved emulsion properties and decreased oil droplet size. Moreover, CLSM indicated that aggregation of T-GG oil droplets was prevented. Physical stability was assessed such as Turbiscan stability index, creaming index, and rheological properties. The adsorbed percentage for T-GG was the lowest. However, interfacial tension, droplet size, stability, and peroxide value analyses indicated that a denser interfacial membrane structure is formed with T-GG. Thus, T-GG treatment could be applied in the food industry, such as in nutrient delivery systems and fat mimetics.
  10. He S, Choong EKM, Duangthip D, Chu CH, Lo ECM
    Int J Paediatr Dent, 2023 Sep;33(5):507-520.
    PMID: 36718540 DOI: 10.1111/ipd.13055
    BACKGROUND: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases among preschool children globally. Different preventive agents and combinations have been studied. However, the rank of the effectiveness of clinical interventions is equivocal.

    AIM: To summarize and rank the effectiveness of clinical interventions using different agents for primary prevention of early childhood caries (ECC).

    DESIGN: Two reviewers independently searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify randomized controlled trials with at least 12-month follow-up. The network meta-analysis (NMA) on different agents was based on a random-effects model and frequentist approach. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% CI of the caries increment were calculated in terms of either dmft or dmfs and used in the NMA. Caries incidences at the child level were compared using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI. The effectiveness of the agents was ranked using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA).

    RESULTS: After screening 3807 publications and selection, the NMA finally included 33 trials. These trials used either a single or combination of agents such as fluorides, chlorhexidine, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, probiotics, xylitol, and triclosan. Compared with control, fluoride foam (FF; SMD -0.69, 95% CI: -1.06, -0.32) and fluoride salt (F salt; SMD -0.66, 95% CI: -1.20, -0.13) were effective in preventing caries increment. Probiotic milk plus low fluoride toothpaste (PMLFTP; OR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.77), FF (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.63), fluoride varnish (FV; OR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.81), and fluoride varnish plus high fluoride toothpaste (FVHFTP; OR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.93) were effectively preventing caries incidence. According to the SUCRA, FF ranked first in preventing caries increment, whereas PMLFTP ranked first in preventing caries incidence.

    CONCLUSION: Fluoride foam, F salt, PMLFTP, FV, and FVHFTP all effectively reduce caries increment or caries incidence in preschool children, but the evidence indicates low degree of certainty. Considering the relatively small number of studies, confidence in the findings, and limitations in the study, clinical practitioners and readers should exercise caution when interpreting the NMA results.

  11. He S, Lunnen JC, Puvanachandra P, Amar-Singh, Zia N, Hyder AA
    Am J Public Health, 2014 Mar;104(3):e79-84.
    PMID: 24432924 DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301607
    We aimed to analyze the epidemiology of childhood unintentional injuries presenting to hospitals in 5 select sites in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Malaysia, and Pakistan).
  12. Lin Y, Su Z, Chen F, Zhao Q, Zimet GD, Alias H, et al.
    Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2021 01 02;17(1):304-315.
    PMID: 32401617 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1756152
    Little is known regarding Chinese mothers' intention to vaccinate their daughters against human papillomavirus (HPV) since the HPV vaccine was approved for use in China in 2016. The aim was to explore maternal HPV vaccination acceptance, preference for 2-, 4- or 9-valent HPV vaccine and acceptance of domestically manufactured HPV vaccines. Study participants were mothers of primary school children in Southeastern region of Fujian. An online cross-sectional survey was undertaken between June and August 2019. Among the total of 3,586 completed responses (response rate 28.5%), the intention to vaccinate daughter against HPV was high (83.3%). Higher maternal education and perceived benefit and barriers were associated with greater intention to vaccinate. Among mothers who did not intend to vaccinate their daughters, the three most common reasons were daughter being too young to receive HPV vaccination (40.6%), fear of side effects (31.9%) and vaccine price is too high (16.0%). The largest proportion (41.4%) preferred their daughter to be vaccinated with the 9-valent HPV vaccine (9vHPV). Greater preference for 9vHPVwas strongly associated with higher maternal education level and annual household income. The majority of mothers expressed a preference for imported HPV vaccine (56.3%). Our result indicates that lower intentions to vaccinate daughters against HPV among less educated and lower-income mothers may lead to significant social inequalities in HPV vaccine uptake in the country.
  13. Lin Y, Lin Z, He F, Chen H, Lin X, Zimet GD, et al.
    Vaccine, 2020 03 23;38(14):3021-3030.
    PMID: 32127227 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.02.042
    OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate acceptance and willingness to pay for HPV vaccination among adult women in China.

    METHODS: An online survey was sent to mothers aged 27-45 years of primary school pupils in the Fujian province, China. Participants completed questions about HPV related knowledge and health beliefs, intention to take the HPV vaccine and the willingness to pay for bivalent vaccine (2vHPV), quadrivalent vaccine (4vHPV), and 9-valent HPV vaccine (9vHPV).

    RESULTS: Of a total of 2339 complete responses, 58.3% reported intent to obtain HPV vaccine. Mothers who were younger in age, residing in urban, working in managerial or professional occupations, who knew someone with cervical cancer and who were able to make independent decisions about the HPV vaccine (vs. joint decision with spouse) were more likely to express intent to have HPV vaccination. Perceived barriers, cues to action and self-efficacy were three of the constructs in the health belief model that significantly influenced HPV vaccination intent. A higher proportion of participants expressed willingness to pay for 2vHPV (81.2%) and 4vHPV (75.9%), as compared to 9vHPV (67.7%).

    CONCLUSION: Adults women expressed moderate intention to receive the HPV vaccine. Intervention to address barriers to uptake of the HPV vaccine among adult women in China is warranted.

  14. Zhou Y, He S, Zhou K, Kuan G, Chin MK, Kueh YC, et al.
    PMID: 34501842 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179253
    Background: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Attitude toward Physical Activity Scale (APAS) using a cross-sectional design. Methods: The sample consisted of 692 primary students in China (boy 52.6%, girl 47.4%). The mean age of the participants was 9.4 years (SD = 0.92). Psychometric properties of the 57-item APAS was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The hypothesized seven factors model was supported by CFA (CFI = 0.912, TLI = 0.901, SRMR = 0.041, RMSEA = 0.029) after 22 items were removed and the inclusion of seven residual covariance for items loaded on the same factor. Cronbach's alphas of the scales ranged between 0.50 and 0.76. The composite reliability (CR) was between 0.50 and 0.75. All inter-factor correlation coefficient was less than 0.85. Conclusions: Findings provided empirical evidence that the Chinese version of the APAS has adequate psychometric properties for assessing attitudes of primary school children in China toward physical activity.
  15. He S, Ding L, He K, Zheng B, Liu D, Zhang M, et al.
    BMC Psychiatry, 2022 Dec 29;22(1):834.
    PMID: 36581864 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04487-w
    BACKGROUND: Although disturbances in biological rhythms are closely related to the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD), they are not commonly assessed in Chinese clinical practice. The Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) has been used to evaluate disturbances in biological rhythms in MDD. We aimed to assess and confirm the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the BRIAN (C-BRIAN) in patients with MDD.

    METHODS: A total of 120 patients with MDD and 40 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited consecutively. Reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha, the split-half coefficient, and the test-retest coefficient; test-retest reliability was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the construct validity of the scale. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) were used to check concurrent validity by evaluating the correlation between the C-BRIAN, PSQI, and MEQ.

    RESULTS: The overall Cronbach's α value was 0.898, indicating good internal consistency. The Guttman split-half coefficient was 0.792, indicating good split-half reliability. Moreover, the test-retest reliability for both the total and individual item score was excellent. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that construct validity was acceptable (χ2/df = 2.117, GFI = 0.80, AGFI = 0.87, CFI = 0.848, and RMSEA = 0.097). Furthermore, total BRIAN scores were found to be negatively correlated with MEQ (r = - 0.517, P 

  16. Wu R, Zou P, Tan G, Hu Z, Wang Y, Ning Z, et al.
    Ecol Evol, 2019 May;9(10):5766-5776.
    PMID: 31160997 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5160
    Hybridization is very common in flowering plants and it plays a significant role in plant evolution and adaptation. Melastoma L. (Melastomataceae) comprises about 80-90 species in tropical Asia and Oceania, among which 41 species occur in Borneo. Natural hybridization is frequently reported in Melastoma in China, but so far there have been no confirmed cases of hybridization in Southeast Asia (including Borneo), where most species occur. Here, we identified a case of natural hybridization between Melastoma malabathricum L. and Melastoma beccarianum Cogn. in Sarawak, Malaysia, by using sequence data of three nuclear genes and one chloroplast intergenic spacer. Melastoma malabathricum is the most widespread species of this genus, occurring in almost the whole range of this genus, while M. beccarianum is a local species endemic to northern Borneo. Our results showed that natural hybridization and introgression occur between M. malabathricum and M. beccarianum, and the introgression was asymmetrical, mainly from M. malabathricum to M. beccarianum. As adaptive traits can be transferred by introgression, our study suggests that natural hybridization should be a significant mechanism for the evolution and adaptation of Melastoma in Southeast Asia. However, introgression from the common species M. malabathricum to the relatively rare species M. beccarianum may cause the decline of M. beccarianum, incurring conservation concern. With a large number of species of Melastoma and almost year-around flowering in Southeast Asia, more cases of natural hybridization are expected to be found and identified in near future.
  17. Wang YH, Bychkov A, Chakrabarti I, Jain D, Liu Z, He S, et al.
    Cancer Cytopathol, 2020 Dec;128(12):895-904.
    PMID: 32931161 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22354
    BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on various aspects of cytology practice in the Asia-Pacific region.

    METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to cytopathology laboratories in 24 Asia-Pacific countries to explore the impact of restrictive measures on access to health care, use of general and personal protective equipment (PPE), and changes in cytology workflow and workload from February to April 2020.

    RESULTS: A total of 167 cytopathology laboratories from 24 countries responded to the survey; the majority reported that restrictive measures that limited the accessibility of health care services had been implemented in their cities and/or countries (80.8%) and their hospitals (83.8%). The respondents noted that COVID-19 had an impact on the cytologic workflow as well as the workload. Approximately one-half of the participants reported the implementation of new biosafety protocols (54.5%) as well as improvements in laboratory facilities (47.3%). Rearrangement or redeployment of the workforce was reported in 53.3% and 34.1% of laboratories, respectively. The majority of the respondents reported a significant reduction (>10%) in caseload associated with both gynecological (82.0%) and nongynecological specimens (78.4%). Most laboratories reported no significant change in the malignancy rates of both gynecological (67.7%) and nongynecological specimens (58.7%) compared with the same period in 2019.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results of the survey demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant reduction in the number of cytology specimens examined along with the need to implement new biosafety protocols. These findings underscore the need for the worldwide standardization of biosafety protocols and cytology practice.

  18. Zhou K, He S, Zhou Y, Popeska B, Kuan G, Chen L, et al.
    PMID: 33401384 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010272
    This study aimed to examine the effects of three-months of classroom-based Brain Breaks Physical Activity Solution (Brain Breaks®) on attitudes toward physical activity levels of primary school children in Henan Province, China. The participants were 704 children enrolled in grades 3-5 who were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group participated in Brain Breaks® video intervention for 3-5 min daily, at low-to-moderate intensity for three consecutive months. The control group resumed their normal routine. The children's attitudes in both groups towards physical activity (PA) were evaluated using the self-reported Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale (APAS), before and after the intervention. The effects of the intervention on APAS scores were analyzed using mixed model analysis of variance with Time as within-subject, and Group as between-subject factors. The analysis revealed evidence in support of the positive effect of classroom video interventions such as Brain Break on children's attitudes toward importance, fun, and trying to do their personal best in physical activity. Also revealed was the important role the teacher plays in this process.
  19. Hardenstine RS, He S, Cochran JEM, Braun CD, Cagua EF, Pierce SJ, et al.
    Ecol Evol, 2022 Jan;12(1):e8492.
    PMID: 35127024 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8492
    The whale shark Rhincodon typus is found throughout the world's tropical and warm-temperate ocean basins. Despite their broad physical distribution, research on the species has been concentrated at a few aggregation sites. Comparing DNA sequences from sharks at different sites can provide a demographically neutral understanding of the whale shark's global ecology. Here, we created genetic profiles for 84 whale sharks from the Saudi Arabian Red Sea and 72 individuals from the coast of Tanzania using a combination of microsatellite and mitochondrial sequences. These two sites, separated by approximately 4500 km (shortest over-water distance), exhibit markedly different population demographics and behavioral ecologies. Eleven microsatellite DNA markers revealed that the two aggregation sites have similar levels of allelic richness and appear to be derived from the same source population. We sequenced the mitochondrial control region to produce multiple global haplotype networks (based on different alignment methodologies) that were broadly similar to each other in terms of population structure but suggested different demographic histories. Data from both microsatellite and mitochondrial markers demonstrated the stability of genetic diversity within the Saudi Arabian aggregation site throughout the sampling period. These results contrast previously measured declines in diversity at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Mapping the geographic distribution of whale shark lineages provides insight into the species' connectivity and can be used to direct management efforts at both local and global scales. Similarly, understanding historical fluctuations in whale shark abundance provides a baseline by which to assess current trends. Continued development of new sequencing methods and the incorporation of genomic data could lead to considerable advances in the scientific understanding of whale shark population ecology and corresponding improvements to conservation policy.
  20. Li G, Wong TW, Shih B, Guo C, Wang L, Liu J, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2023 Nov 04;14(1):7097.
    PMID: 37925504 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42882-3
    The deep ocean, Earth's untouched expanse, presents immense challenges for exploration due to its extreme pressure, temperature, and darkness. Unlike traditional marine robots that require specialized metallic vessels for protection, deep-sea species thrive without such cumbersome pressure-resistant designs. Their pressure-adaptive forms, unique propulsion methods, and advanced senses have inspired innovation in designing lightweight, compact soft machines. This perspective addresses challenges, recent strides, and design strategies for bioinspired deep-sea soft robots. Drawing from abyssal life, it explores the actuation, sensing, power, and pressure resilience of multifunctional deep-sea soft robots, offering game-changing solutions for profound exploration and operation in harsh conditions.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links