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  1. Zhang T, Dang M, Zhang W, Lin X
    J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol., 2020 Jan;202:111705.
    PMID: 31812087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111705
    The procurance of gold nanoparticles in the plant extracts is an excellent way to attain nanomaterials natural and eco-friendly nanomaterials. The Dehydrated roots of Chinese Euphorbia fischeriana flowering plant are called "Lang-Du". In this study, the retrieving of gold nanoparticles from Euphorbia fischeriana root was amalgamated by standard procedure. Fabricated gold nanoparticles were portrayed through the investigations of ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The UV-Vis and FTIR results explicated the obtained particles were sphere-shaped and the terpenoids of Euphorbia fischeriana had strong communications with gold surface. The HRTEM and XRD images exposed the produced gold nanoparticles had an extreme composition of crystal arrangement and excellent uniformed size of particles. In our study, the Isoprenaline induced myocardial damage established the elevation in TBARS, LOOH of heart tissues and notable decline in antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH. This biochemical result was additionally proved by histopathological assessment. Remarkably, the pretreatment with EF-AuNps(50 mg/kg b.w) illustrated stabilized levels of serum creatine and cardiotropins in myocardial infarcted animals. And further we understood the essential function of NF-ƙB, TNF-α, IL-6 signaling molecules and its way progression in the development of vascular tenderness.
  2. Lin X, Baskaran A, Zhang Y
    PMID: 36768047 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032679
    Green ecological development has become an inevitable choice to achieve sustainable urban development and carbon neutrality. This paper evaluates the level of green ecological city development in the Xin'an watershed as measured by green total factor productivity (GTFP), analyzes the direct and spatial effects of the Watershed Horizontal Ecological Compensation policy on GTFP, and further examines the moderating effect of the Research and Development (R&D) incentives, industrial structure, and income gap. This paper conducts difference-in-differences (DID) and spatial regression analysis on 27 cities from 2007 to 2019. The results show that GTFP progresses to varying degrees across cities over time, especially in the pilot cities. Crucially, the Watershed Horizontal Ecological Compensation policy significantly improved GTFP, although the effect was slight. Interestingly, the increase in GTFP in pilot cities that implemented the policy spatially suppressed the increase in GTFP in cities that did not implement the policy. Our evidence also shows that the positive effect of the policy is higher in regions with higher R&D incentives and industrial structure upgrading, which indicates that R&D incentives and industrial upgrading are crucial. In comparison, the income gap has not made the expected negative adjustment effect under the Chinese government's poverty alleviation policy. However, the positive policy effect is heterogeneous in the downstream and upstream pilot cities. The "forcing effect" of the policy on the downstream cities is more favorable than the "compensating effect" on the upstream cities. Therefore, policymakers should pay more attention to ensuring the effectiveness of the Watershed Horizontal Ecological Compensation policy in enhancing GTFP as a long-term strategy to guarantee the sustainability of green ecological development in Chinese cities.
  3. Lin X, Lin Y, Hu Z, Alias H, Wong LP
    Risk Manag Healthc Policy, 2021;14:3383-3393.
    PMID: 34429670 DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S320448
    Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of 'new normal' lifestyles, economic and social distribution, and individuals' well-being of people in China after the country ease the lockdown restriction.

    Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered online survey was carried out between 3 September and 15 October 2020.

    Results: A total of 8393 complete responses were received from a nationwide sample. Poor sustainability in the practice of "new norm" was reported. Noteworthy disparities were observed in willingness to carry out "new normal" practices by gender, urban-rural locality, non-Han and Han Chinese and educational attainment. There was evidence of economic and social disruption associated with COVID-19 or "new normal" practices. The current mean (±standard deviation [SD]) happiness score (110.45 ± 17.55) was slightly lower than the mean happiness score before (111.12 ± 17.83) the COVID-19 pandemic (t= -9.01, p<0.001). Lower socioeconomic status and greater economic and social disruptions were associated with lower current happiness scores. Moreover, greater willingness to adapt to "new normal" practices was associated with higher levels of happiness.

    Conclusion: There is a need to encourage sustainable practice of new norm post-pandemic. Segments of the public continue to experience significant economic and social effects and the post-pandemic 'new norms' remain at risk of leading to psychological consequences.

  4. Wang S, Lin X, Li Q, Liu C, Li Y, Wang X
    Sci Total Environ, 2022 Feb 09;823:153794.
    PMID: 35150692 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153794
    In the atmosphere, the photodegradation of neutral per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (n-PFASs) is a source of ionizable PFASs (i-PFASs). However, they are not frequently simultaneously analyzed to study their transport and sources. In this study, n-PFASs and i-PFASs were simultaneously analyzed in the atmosphere of China, Japan and Malaysia to investigate the occurrence, seasonal variations, sources and transport. Results showed that n-PFASs ranged from 4.8 to 1400 pg m-3, with an average value of 170 pg m-3, and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8:2 FTOH) was the most abundant compound. i-PFASs ranged from 3.7 to 330 pg m-3, with an average value of 49 pg m-3, and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) had the highest concentration. Generally, airborne PFASs had a decreasing gradient from cities with high population density toward less industrialized sites. i-PFASs exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) seasonal variations, which were higher in the summer. 8:2 FTOH and 10:2 FTOH had significant (P < 0.05) positive correlations with perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorodecanoic acid, suggesting that they had same sources, such as co-emission and photodegradation of FTOHs. Urumqi and Selangor were far away from industry, and high percentages (>95%) but low concentrations of PFBA were found in these cities, indicating the long-range atmospheric transport of PFBA due to its high volatility. The Summer Monsoon may promote the transport of high concentrations of PFAS from coastal cities to inland cities.
  5. Lin X, Mamun AA, Yang Q, Masukujjaman M
    PLoS One, 2023;18(5):e0286382.
    PMID: 37256860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286382
    For logistics service providers (LSPs), improving customer satisfaction and obtaining customer re-use intention are key to gaining sustainable competitive advantages and success. Logistics service quality (LSQ) is a concern for logistics service providers, retailers, and customers. The proposed model, which is based on the stimuli-organism-response theory and the logistics service quality framework, integrates operational quality, resource quality, information quality, personal contact quality, customization quality, and customer satisfaction to study logistics service re-use intentions. The data were obtained from an online survey using a structured questionnaire given to those with experience in logistics service. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling on 810 respondents who were adult Chinese customers, this study discovered that operational, resource, information, personal contact, and customization qualities positively affect the satisfaction of logistics service customers, while customer satisfaction positively affects re-use intention. Moreover, the results of the mediation analysis revealed that customer satisfaction mediated the connection between the five components of LSQ and the re-use intention of logistics services. The originality of the study lies in its comprehensive examination of the direct and indirect effects of service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction and logistics service re-use intention in the context of logistics services. This study provides valuable insights into the importance of customer satisfaction in the logistics industry and highlights the need for logistics companies to prioritize customer satisfaction and improve their overall performance and competitiveness.
  6. Wang C, Lin X, Zhang X, Show PL
    Environ Pollut, 2024 May 01;348:123860.
    PMID: 38537803 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123860
    Algae, comprising microalgae and macroalgae, have emerged as a promising feedstock for the production of functional biochar. Recently, the application of algal biochar in environmental remediation gains increasing attention. This review summarizes research advancements in the synthesis and application of algal biochar, a versatile and sustainable material for environmental remediation ranging from wastewater treatment to soil improvement. Algal biochar can be prepared by pyrolysis, microwave-assisted pyrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization. Physical and chemical modifications have proven to be effective for improving biochar properties. Algal biochar is promising for removing diverse pollutants including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and microplastics. The role in soil improvement signifies a sustainable approach to enhancing soil structure, nutrient retention, and microbial activity. Research gaps are identified based on current understanding, necessitating further exploration into variations in biochar characteristics, the performance improvement, large-scale applications, and the long-term evaluation for environmental application. This review provides a better understanding of algal biochar as a sustainable and effective tool in environmental remediation.
  7. Teng H, Chen Y, Lin X, Lv Q, Chai TT, Wong FC, et al.
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2019 Jul;129:138-143.
    PMID: 31034934 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.04.043
    The aim of this study was to assess the inhibitory effects of Sonchus olearleu extract on the generation of heterocyclic amines in roasted pork patties cooked by pan-frying. All samples were cooked for two different durations (45 min and 105 min) under 200 °C and 230 °C. 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-ami- no-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinox-aline (4,8-DiMeIQx), harman, and norharman were detected and quantified. In patties cooked at 230 °C for 105 min, S. olearleu extract (0.5%) significantly inhibited the formation of IQ, harman, and norharman by 39%, 67%, and 63%, respectively. In contrast to IQ, the levels of harman and norharman were significantly reduced by the extracts tested. However, no such effects were observed for MeIQx and 4, 8-DiMeIQx. Notably, the inhibitory effect on heterocyclic amines is significantly correlated with the antioxidant potential and total phenolic content of S. olearleu extract.
  8. Liu C, Zhang F, Jim CY, Johnson VC, Tan ML, Shi J, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2023 Mar 29;878:163127.
    PMID: 37001663 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163127
    Suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the brackish Ebinur Lake of arid northwest China profoundly affect its water quality and watershed habitat quality. However, the actual driving mechanisms of the Lake's SPM changes remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the controlling factors driving the variability of SPM in the Ebinur Lake. This study constructed month-by-month SPM maps of Ebinur Lake based on time-series remote-sensing imageries and SPM inversion model. Thirty-four factors that might influence SPM changes were extracted, and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), suitable for complex relationships and factor interactions, was applied to identify the relative influence of each factor quantitatively. The results showed: (1) a clear increasing trend of SPM concentration in Ebinur Lake from 2011 to 2020; (2) that SPM changes were influenced by external and internal factors, explaining 48.2 % and 46.9 % of the changes, respectively; (3) that, to the external factors, meteorological factors exerted the greatest influence on SPM (relative contribution of 38.9 %); that, to the internal factors, water salinity imposed the greatest influence on SPM (relative contribution of 43.3 %); (4) that, among the meteorological factors, the measured variable Alashankou wind speed expressed the most significant positive effect on SPM (weighting coefficient of 0.894), and sulfate generated the strongest positive effect on SPM (weighting coefficient of 0.791) among the water salinity factors. Hence, the quantitative identification of drivers of SPM changes in Ebinur Lake could provide a new perspective to investigate the driving mechanisms of lake water quality in arid areas and inform their sustainable restoration and management.
  9. Tan XQ, Mo W, Lin X, Loh JY, Mohamed AR, Ong WJ
    Nanoscale, 2023 Apr 06;15(14):6536-6562.
    PMID: 36942445 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05718b
    The electro/photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a long-term avenue toward synthesizing renewable fuels and value-added chemicals, as well as addressing the global energy crisis and environmental challenges. As a result, current research studies have focused on investigating new materials and implementing numerous fabrication approaches to increase the catalytic performances of electro/photocatalysts toward the CO2RR. MXenes, also known as 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, are intriguing materials with outstanding traits. Since their discovery in 2011, there has been a flurry of interest in MXenes in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, owing to their several benefits, including high mechanical strength, tunable structure, surface functionality, high specific surface area, and remarkable electrical conductivity. Herein, this review serves as a milestone for the most recent development of MXene-based catalysts for the electrocatalytic and photocatalytic CO2RR. The overall structure of MXenes is described, followed by a summary of several synthesis pathways classified as top-down and bottom-up approaches, including HF-etching, in situ HF-formation, electrochemical etching, and halogen etching. Additionally, the state-of-the-art development in the field of both the electrocatalytic and photocatalytic CO2RR is systematically reviewed. Surface termination modulation and heterostructure engineering of MXene-based electro/photocatalysts, and insights into the reaction mechanism for the comprehension of the structure-performance relationship from the CO2RR via density functional theory (DFT) have been underlined toward activity enhancement. Finally, imperative issues together with future perspectives associated with MXene-based electro/photocatalysts are proposed.
  10. Lin X, Lee SY, Ni J, Zhang X, Hu X, Zou P, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Oct 13;24(20).
    PMID: 37894819 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015138
    Bougainvillea is popular in ornamental horticulture for its colorful bracts and excellent adaptability, but the complex genetic relationship among this genus is fuzzy due to limited genomic data. To reveal more genomic resources of Bougainvillea, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences of Bougainvillea spectabilis 'Splendens'. The cp genome size was 154,869 bp in length, containing 86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNAs, and eight rRNAs. Cp genome comparison across 12 Bougainvillea species (B. spectabilis, B. glabra, B. peruviana, B. arborea, B. praecox, B. stipitata, B. campanulata, B. berberidifolia, B. infesta, B. modesta, B. spinosa, and B. pachyphylla) revealed five mutational hotspots. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that B. spectabilis published previously and B. glabra clustered into one subclade as two distinct groups, sister to the subclade of B. spectabilis 'Splendens'. We considered the phylogeny relationships between B. spectabilis and B. glabra to be controversial. Based on two hypervariable regions and three common plastid regions, we developed five molecular markers for species identification in Bougainvillea and applied them to classify 53 ornamental Bougainvillea cultivars. This study provides a valuable genetic resource for Bougainvillea breeding and offers effective molecular markers to distinguish the representative ornamental species of Bougainvillea.
  11. Wang HQ, Xu J, Lin X, Li Y, Kang J, Zheng JC
    Light Sci Appl, 2021 Jul 27;10(1):153.
    PMID: 34315859 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-021-00592-9
    The fabrication of small-scale electronics usually involves the integration of different functional materials. The electronic states at the nanoscale interface plays an important role in the device performance and the exotic interface physics. Photoemission spectroscopy is a powerful technique to probe electronic structures of valence band. However, this is a surface-sensitive technique that is usually considered not suitable for the probing of buried interface states, due to the limitation of electron-mean-free path. This article reviews several approaches that have been used to extend the surface-sensitive techniques to investigate the buried interface states, which include hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, resonant soft X-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and thickness-dependent photoemission spectroscopy. Especially, a quantitative modeling method is introduced to extract the buried interface states based on the film thickness-dependent photoemission spectra obtained from an integrated experimental system equipped with in-situ growth and photoemission techniques. This quantitative modeling method shall be helpful to further understand the interfacial electronic states between functional materials and determine the interface layers.
  12. Xu J, Lin X, Cheng KK, Zhong H, Liu M, Zhang G, et al.
    PMID: 31186665 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6947471
    Electroacupuncture and moxibustion are traditional Chinese medicine practices that exert therapeutic effects through stimulation of specific meridian acupoints. However, the biological basis of the therapies has been difficult to establish; thus the current practices still rely on ancient TCM references. Here, we used a rat model to study perturbations in cortex, liver, and stomach metabolome and plasma hormones following electroacupuncture or moxibustion treatment on either stomach meridian or gallbladder meridian acupoints. All treatment groups, regardless of meridian and mode of treatment, showed perturbation in cortex metabolome and increased phenylalanine, tyrosine, and branched-chain amino acids in liver. In addition, electroacupuncture was found to increase ATP in cortex, creatine, and dimethylglycine in stomach and GABA in liver. On the other hand, moxibustion increased plasma enkephalin concentration, as well as betaine and fumarate concentrations in stomach. Furthermore, we had observed meridian-specific changes including increased N-acetyl-aspartate in liver and 3-hydroxybutyrate in stomach for gallbladder meridian stimulation and increased noradrenaline concentration in blood plasma following stimulation on stomach meridian. In summary, the current findings may provide insight into the metabolic basis of electroacupuncture and moxibustion, which may contribute towards new application of acupoint stimulation.
  13. Du Y, Lin X, Shao X, Zhao J, Xu H, de Cruz CR, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2024;15:1319698.
    PMID: 38646543 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1319698
    This study explored the impacts of supplementation of different levels of coated methionine (Met) in a high-plant protein diet on growth, blood biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, digestive enzymes activity and expression of genes related to TOR signaling pathway in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibeilo). A high-plant protein diet was formulated and used as a basal diet and supplemented with five different levels of coated Met at 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60 and 0.75%, corresponding to final analyzed Met levels of 0.34, 0.49, 0.64, 0.76, 0.92 and 1.06%. Three replicate groups of fish (initial mean weight, 11.37 ± 0.02 g) (20 fish per replicate) were fed the test diets over a 10-week feeding period. The results indicated that with the increase of coated Met level, the final weight, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate initially boosted and then suppressed, peaking at 0.76% Met level (P< 0.05). Increasing dietary Met level led to significantly increased muscle crude protein content (P< 0.05) and reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activity (P< 0.05). Using appropriate dietary Met level led to reduced malondialdehyde concentration in hepatopancreas (P< 0.05), improved superoxide dismutase activity (P< 0.05), and enhanced intestinal amylase and protease activities (P< 0.05). The expression levels of genes associated with muscle protein synthesis such as insulin-like growth factor-1, protein kinase B, target of rapamycin and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein-1 mRNA were significantly regulated, peaking at Met level of 0.76% (P< 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing optimal level of coated Met improved on fish growth, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of TOR pathway related genes in muscle. The optimal dietary Met level was determined to be 0.71% of the diet based on quadratic regression analysis of WG.
  14. Yunus MA, Lin X, Bailey D, Karakasiliotis I, Chaudhry Y, Vashist S, et al.
    J Virol, 2015 Jan 15;89(2):1218-29.
    PMID: 25392209 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02432-14
    All members of the Caliciviridae family of viruses produce a subgenomic RNA during infection. The subgenomic RNA typically encodes only the major and minor capsid proteins, but in murine norovirus (MNV), the subgenomic RNA also encodes the VF1 protein, which functions to suppress host innate immune responses. To date, the mechanism of norovirus subgenomic RNA synthesis has not been characterized. We have previously described the presence of an evolutionarily conserved RNA stem-loop structure on the negative-sense RNA, the complementary sequence of which codes for the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS7). The conserved stem-loop is positioned 6 nucleotides 3' of the start site of the subgenomic RNA in all caliciviruses. We demonstrate that the conserved stem-loop is essential for MNV viability. Mutant MNV RNAs with substitutions in the stem-loop replicated poorly until they accumulated mutations that revert to restore the stem-loop sequence and/or structure. The stem-loop sequence functions in a noncoding context, as it was possible to restore the replication of an MNV mutant by introducing an additional copy of the stem-loop between the NS7- and VP1-coding regions. Finally, in vitro biochemical data suggest that the stem-loop sequence is sufficient for the initiation of viral RNA synthesis by the recombinant MNV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, confirming that the stem-loop forms the core of the norovirus subgenomic promoter.

    IMPORTANCE: Noroviruses are a significant cause of viral gastroenteritis, and it is important to understand the mechanism of norovirus RNA synthesis. Here we describe the identification of an RNA stem-loop structure that functions as the core of the norovirus subgenomic RNA promoter in cells and in vitro. This work provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of norovirus RNA synthesis and the sequences that determine the recognition of viral RNA by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

  15. Lin X, Liu X, Xu J, Cheng KK, Cao J, Liu T, et al.
    Chin Med, 2019;14:18.
    PMID: 31080495 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-019-0240-2
    Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, which is commonly treated with antidiarrhoeal, antispasmodics, serotonergic agents or laxative agents. These treatments provide relief for IBS symptoms but may also lead to undesired side effects. Previously, herb-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) treatment has been demonstrated to be effective in ameliorating symptoms of IBS. However, the underlying mechanism of this beneficial treatment is yet to be established. The aim of the current study was to systematically assess the metabolic alterations in response to diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and therapeutic effect of HPM.

    Methods: Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR)-based metabolomics approach was used to investigate fecal and serum metabolome of rat model of IBS-D with and without HPM treatment.

    Results: The current results showed that IBS-induced metabolic alterations in fecal and serum sample include higher level of threonine and UDP-glucose together with lower levels of aspartate, ornithine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, 2-hydroxy butyrate, valine, lactate, ethanol, arginine, 2-oxoisovalerate and bile acids. These altered metabolites potentially involve in impaired gut secretory immune system and intestinal inflammation, malabsorption of nutrients, and disordered metabolism of bile acids. Notably, the HPM treatment was found able to normalize the Bristol stool forms scale scores, fecal water content, plasma endotoxin level, and a number of IBS-induced metabolic changes.

    Conclusions: These findings may provide useful insight into the molecular basis of IBS and mechanism of the HPM intervention.

  16. 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.

  17. Nit B, Samy AL, Tan SL, Vory S, Lim Y, Nugraha RR, et al.
    Public Health Pract (Oxf), 2021 Nov;2:100073.
    PMID: 33521738 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100073
    COVID-19 has resulted in large number of mortalities across the globe. However, Cambodia has recorded low number of COVID-19 cases with no death. A number of factors buttress the accuracy of this phenomenon such as significant support from international health partners, culture of wearing a face mask when sick, timely response of Cambodia's neighbouring countries, and the compliance of the general public to the restrictions. Cambodia started to take stringent measures and augmented efforts to initiate policies and plans to curb the spread of the virus, including but not limited to: closure of inbound and outbound borders, shutting down of schools, and banning religious activities, gatherings and meetings, with more than 50 people. Another source of success of Cambodia is extensive mass testing, complemented with contact tracing. A strategy called "box in" the virus was introduced. Healthcare workers were trained to help in contact tracing and detection at the community level. Measures enacted so far has helped Cambodia control the pandemic. Other countries could adopt and adapt to the policies and best practices of Cambodia. However, possibilities of new waves of the pandemic may affect the country, thus, the Cambodian government needs to be cautious when lifting restrictions to avoid explosion of new cases.
  18. Hamid HA, Lin X, Qin YK, Akim AM, Zhang L, Wang J, et al.
    Int Wound J, 2024 Feb;21(2):e14574.
    PMID: 38379231 DOI: 10.1111/iwj.14574
    This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the most effective strategies for managing malodorous and infected wounds in patients who have been diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. The research was conducted in Liupanshui, China. The study specifically examined demographic profiles, wound characteristics and effectiveness of wound management approaches. The study incorporated the heterogeneous sample of 289 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data collection was conducted via structured questionnaires and medical record evaluations. Descriptive statistics and statistical analyses, such as regression analysis, were utilized to evaluate demographic attributes, wound profiles and effects of different approaches to wound management. The findings unveiled the heterogeneous demographic composition of patients, encompassing differences in socioeconomic standing, educational attainment and age. A wide range of wound characteristics were observed, as 65.7% of lesions during the acute phase with diameter between 2 and 5 centimetres, while 41.5% of lesions had this range. The most prevalent types of infections were those caused by fungi (48.4%), followed by bacterial infections lacking resistance (38.1%). A moderate degree of odour intensity was prevalent, affecting 45.0% of the cases. With maximal odour reduction of 80%, a mean healing time of 25 days and patient satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy demonstrated itself to be the most efficacious treatment method. Additional approaches, such as photodynamic therapy and topical antibiotic therapy, demonstrated significant effectiveness, as evidenced by odour reductions of 70% and 75%, respectively, and patient satisfaction ratings of 4.3 and 4.2. Thus, the study determined challenges associated with management of malodorous and infected lesions among patients with advanced cervical cancer. The results underscored the significance of individualized care approaches, drew attention to efficacious wound management techniques and identified critical determinants that impacted patient recuperation. The findings of this study hold potential for advancing palliative care for individuals diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer.
  19. Huang L, Luo X, Shao J, Yan H, Qiu Y, Ke P, et al.
    Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 2016 Feb;35(2):269-77.
    PMID: 26700953 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-015-2540-5
    Dengue is a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV) and has emerged as a severe public health problem around the world. Guangdong, one of the southern Chinese provinces, experienced a serious outbreak of dengue in 2014, which was believed to be the worst dengue epidemic in China over the last 20 years. To better understand the epidemic, we collected the epidemiological data of the outbreak and analyzed 14,594 clinically suspected dengue patients from 25 hospitals in Guangdong. Dengue cases were then laboratory-confirmed by the detection of DENV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) antigen and/or DENV RNA. Afterwards, clinical manifestations of dengue patients were analyzed and 93 laboratory-positive serum specimens were chosen for the DENV serotyping and molecular analysis. Our data showed that the 2014 dengue outbreak in Guangdong had spread to 20 cities and more than 45 thousand people suffered from dengue fever. Of 14,594 participants, 11,387 were definitively diagnosed. Most manifested with a typical non-severe clinical course, and 1.96 % developed to severe dengue. The strains isolated successfully from the serum samples were identified as DENV-1. Genetic analyses revealed that the strains were classified into genotypes I and V of DENV-1, and the dengue epidemic of Guangdong in 2014 was caused by indigenous cases and imported cases from the neighboring Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia and Singapore. Overall, our study is informative and significant to the 2014 dengue outbreak in Guangdong and will provide crucial implications for dengue prevention and control in China and elsewhere.
  20. Ong MEH, Shin SD, Ko PC, Lin X, Ma MH, Ryoo HW, et al.
    Resuscitation, 2022 Feb;171:80-89.
    PMID: 34974143 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.12.032
    BACKGROUND: Dispatcher-assisted CPR (DA-CPR) has the potential to deliver early bystander CPR (BCPR) and improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival. This study in the Asia-Pacific evaluated the impact of a DA-CPR program on BCPR rates and survival.

    METHODS: This was a three-arm, prospective, multi-national, population-based, community-level, implementation trial. Cases between January 2009 and June 2018 from the Pan-Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study were included. Sites either implemented a comprehensive (with quality improvement tool) or a basic DA-CPR package, or served as controls. Primary outcome was survival-to-discharge/30th day post-arrest. Secondary outcomes were BCPR and favorable neurological outcome. A before-after comparison was made within each country; this before-after change was then compared across the three groups using logistic regression.

    RESULTS: 170,687 cases were analyzed. Before-after comparison showed that survival to discharge was higher in the 'implementation' period in all three groups: comprehensive odds ratio (OR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI; [1.0-1.19]); basic OR 1.14, 95% CI (1.08-1.2); and control OR 1.25, 95% CI (1.02-1.53). Comparing between groups, the comprehensive group had significantly higher change in BCPR (comprehensive vs control ratio of OR 1.86, 95% CI [1.66-2.09]; basic vs control ratio of OR 0.94, 95% CI [0.85-1.05]; and comprehensive vs basic ratio of OR 1.97, 95% CI [1.87-2.08]) and survival with favorable neurological outcome (comprehensive vs basic ratio of OR 1.2, 95% CI [1.04-1.39]).

    CONCLUSION: We evaluated the impact of a DA-CPR program across heterogeneous EMS systems and demonstrated that a comprehensive DA-CPR program had the most impact on BCPR and favorable neurological outcome.

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