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Fulltext Widespread ancient whole-genome duplications in Malpighiales coincide with Eocene global climatic upheaval

Cai L, Xi Z, Amorim AM, Sugumaran M, Rest JS, Liu L, et al.

New Phytol, 2019 Jan;221(1):565-576.
PMID: 30030969 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15357

Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) are widespread and prevalent in vascular plants and frequently coincide with major episodes of global and climatic upheaval, including the mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary (c. 65 Ma) and during more recent periods of global aridification in the Miocene (c. 10-5 Ma). Here, we explore WGDs in the diverse flowering plant clade Malpighiales. Using transcriptomes and complete genomes from 42 species, we applied a multipronged phylogenomic pipeline to identify, locate, and determine the age of WGDs in Malpighiales using three means of inference: distributions of synonymous substitutions per synonymous site (Ks ) among paralogs, phylogenomic (gene tree) reconciliation, and a likelihood-based gene-count method. We conservatively identify 22 ancient WGDs, widely distributed across Malpighiales subclades. Importantly, these events are clustered around the Eocene-Paleocene transition (c. 54 Ma), during which time the planet was warmer and wetter than any period in the Cenozoic. These results establish that the Eocene Climatic Optimum likely represents a previously unrecognized period of prolific WGDs in plants, and lends further support to the hypothesis that polyploidization promotes adaptation and enhances plant survival during episodes of global change, especially for tropical organisms like Malpighiales, which have tight thermal tolerances.
Ultrasound and enzyme assisted preparation of novel lactoferrin-cereal phenolic acid conjugates: structural, physicochemical and functional properties

Li Y, Dong L, Liu Y, Chen Q, Wu Z, Liu L, et al.

Food Chem, 2024 Mar 01;435:137572.
PMID: 37778268 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137572

The effects of covalent binding of protocatechuic acid (PA) and gallic acid (GA) to lactoferrin (LF) on the structure, functional, and antioxidant properties of the protein conjugate were investigated. These protein-phenolic conjugates were produced by laccase cross-linking and ultrasound-assisted free radical grafting, which were characterized using turbidity, particle size, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analyses. Structural changes in conjugates were monitored by endogenous fluorescence spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and circular dichroism (CD). The antioxidant capacities and pH stability were determined using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and potentiometric analysis. The enzymatic cross-linking and free radical grafting yielded LF-PA/GA conjugates with altered hydrodynamic diameter and zeta-potential. Spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses revealed that binding to PA/GA altered the molecular structure of LF, with a decrease in LF isoelectric point post binding to PA/GA, without affecting antioxidant activities. In conclusion, LF-PA/GA conjugates present potential applications in the food industry.
Tunability of Pickering particle features of whey protein isolate via remodeling partial unfolding during ultrasonication-assisted complexation with chitosan/chitooligosaccharide

Yu H, Zheng Y, Zhou C, Liu L, Wang L, Cao J, et al.

Carbohydr Polym, 2024 Feb 01;325:121583.
PMID: 38008470 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121583

The potential of ultrasonication-driven molecular self-assembly of whey protein isolate (WPI) with chitosan (CS)/chitooligosaccharide (COS) to stabilize Pickering emulsions was examined, based on CS/COS ligands-induced partial unfolding in remodeling the Pickering particles features. Multi-spectral analysis suggested obvious changes in conformational structures of WPI due to interaction with CS/COS, with significantly higher unfolding degrees of WPI induced by COS. Non-covalent interactions were identified as the major forces for WPI-CS/COS conjugates. Ultrasonication enhanced electrostatic interaction between CS's -NH3 groups and WPI's -COO- groups which improved emulsification activity and storability of WPI-COS stabilized Pickering emulsion. This was attributed to increased surface hydrophobicity and decreased particle size compared to WPI-CS associated with differential unfolding degrees induced by different saccharide ligands. CLSM and SEM consistently observed smaller emulsion droplets in WPI-COS complexes than WPI-CS/COS particles tightly adsorbed at the oil-water interface. The electrostatic self-assembly of WPI with CS/COS greatly enhanced the encapsulation efficiency of quercetin than those stabilized by WPI alone and ultrasound further improved encapsulation efficiency. This corresponded well with the quantitative affinity parameters between quercetin and WPI-CS/COS complexes. This investigation revealed the great potential of glycan ligands-induced conformational transitions of extrinsic physical disruption in tuning Pickering particle features.
Treatment of macular hole retinal detachment with macular plug in highly myopic eyes: three-year results

Wu AL, Ling KP, Chuang LH, Chen KJ, Chen YP, Yeung L, et al.

Acta Ophthalmol, 2020 Nov;98(7):e839-e847.
PMID: 32243725 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14418

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term surgical outcomes of macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) following vitrectomy with macular plug in highly myopic eyes.
METHODS: Thirty-five cases of highly myopic eyes with MHRD in 35 patients who underwent an initially successful vitrectomy with macular plug and were followed up for at least 3 years were reviewed. The anatomical outcomes were evaluated by fundus examination, fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Myopic features after the surgery were differentiated according to recommendations of the Meta-analysis of Pathologic Myopia (META-PM) Study Group. The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) before and after surgery were analysed as the functional outcome. Main outcome measures time-course changes in BCVA and complications.
RESULTS: The mean patient age was 61.0 ± 11.4 years. The follow-up was 45.2 ± 8.6 months (ranged from 36 to 71 months). The mean axial length was 29.3 ± 1.2 mm. All eyes demonstrated attached retina, but 2 eyes (5.7%) developed reopened macular holes until the last follow-up. Complications of postoperative rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were detected in 2 eyes (5.7%) within 1 year and retina reattached after the secondary vitrectomy. Three cases (8.6%) of prolonged subretinal fluid lasting more than 1 year were detected but finally absorbed completely. Comparing 1-3 years postoperatively, myopic features showed significant progression of myopic maculopathy category (p = 0.035). Functionally, significantly improved BCVA could be maintained postoperatively between 6 months and 3 years. However, vision of 14 eyes (40.0%) worsened within 1-3 years postoperatively, and visual deterioration was associated with progression of myopic maculopathy (p = 0.004) and pre-existing disease of glaucoma (p = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS: A vitrectomy combined with macular plug provided favourable outcomes in the long term, over the ≥3-year follow-up period.
Fulltext Treatment of intracerebral haemorrhage with tranexamic acid - A review of current evidence and ongoing trials

Law ZK, Meretoja A, Engelter ST, Christensen H, Muresan EM, Glad SB, et al.

Eur Stroke J, 2017 Mar;2(1):13-22.
PMID: 31008298 DOI: 10.1177/2396987316676610

Purpose: Haematoma expansion is a devastating complication of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) with no established treatment. Tranexamic acid had been an effective haemostatic agent in reducing post-operative and traumatic bleeding. We review current evidence examining the efficacy of tranexamic acid in improving clinical outcome after ICH.
Method: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and clinical trial registers for studies using search strategies incorporating the terms 'intracerebral haemorrhage', 'tranexamic acid' and 'antifibrinolytic'. Authors of ongoing clinical trials were contacted for further details.
Findings: We screened 268 publications and retrieved 17 articles after screening. Unpublished information from three ongoing clinical trials was obtained. We found five completed studies. Of these, two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intravenous tranexamic acid to placebo (n = 54) reported no significant difference in death or dependency. Three observational studies (n = 281) suggested less haematoma growth with rapid tranexamic acid infusion. There are six ongoing RCTs (n = 3089) with different clinical exclusions, imaging selection criteria (spot sign and haematoma volume), time window for recruitment and dosing of tranexamic acid.
Discussion: Despite their heterogeneity, the ongoing trials will provide key evidence on the effects of tranexamic acid on ICH. There are uncertainties of whether patients with negative spot sign, large haematoma, intraventricular haemorrhage, or poor Glasgow Coma Scale should be recruited. The time window for optimal effect of haemostatic therapy in ICH is yet to be established.
Conclusion: Tranexamic acid is a promising haemostatic agent for ICH. We await the results of the trials before definite conclusions can be drawn.
Fulltext Tobacco use and risk of acute stroke in 32 countries in the INTERSTROKE study: a case-control study

Wang X, Liu X, O'Donnell MJ, McQueen M, Sniderman A, Pare G, et al.

EClinicalMedicine, 2024 Apr;70:102515.
PMID: 38516107 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102515

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a major risk factor for the global burden of stroke. We have previously reported a global population attributable risk (PAR) of stroke of 12.4% associated with current smoking. In this study we aimed to explore the association of current tobacco use with different types of tobacco exposure and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on the risk of stroke and stroke subtypes, and by regions and country income levels.
METHODS: The INTERSTROKE study is a case-control study of acute first stroke and was undertaken with 13,462 stroke cases and 13,488 controls recruited between January 11, 2007 and August 8, 2015 in 32 countries worldwide. Association of risk of tobacco use and ETS exposure were analysed with overall stroke, ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and with TOAST etiological stroke subtypes (large vessel, small vessel, cardioembolism, and undetermined).
FINDINGS: Current smoking was associated with an increased risk of all stroke (odds ratio [OR] 1.64, 95% CI 1.46-1.84), and had a stronger association with ischemic stroke (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.61-2.11) than ICH (OR 1.19 95% CI 1.00-1.41). The OR and PAR of stroke among current smokers varied significantly between regions and income levels with high income countries (HIC) having the highest odds (OR 3.02 95% CI 2.24-4.10) and PAR (18.6%, 15.1-22.8%). Among etiological subtypes of ischemic stroke, the strongest association of current smoking was seen for large vessel stroke (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.63-2.87) and undetermined cause (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.55-2.50). Both filtered (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.50-1.99) and non-filtered (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.79-3.77) cigarettes were associated with stroke risk. ETS exposure increased the risk of stroke in a dose-dependent manner, exposure for more than 10 h per week increased risk for all stroke (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.69-2.27), ischemic stroke (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.59-2.24) and ICH (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.60-2.50).
INTERPRETATION: There are significant variations in the magnitude of risk and PAR of stroke according to the types of tobacco used, active and ETS exposure, and countries with different income levels. Specific strategies to discourage tobacco use by any form and to build a smoke free environment should be implemented to ease the global burden of stroke.
FUNDING: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Stroke Network, Swedish Research Council, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, The Health & Medical Care Committee of the Regional Executive Board, Region Västra Götaland, and through unrestricted grants from several pharmaceutical companies with major contributions from Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada), Pfizer (Canada), MERCK, Sharp and Dohme, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, UK Chest, and UK Heart and Stroke.
The research advance of resistant starch: structural characteristics, modification method, immunomodulatory function, and its delivery systems application

Jiali L, Wu Z, Liu L, Yang J, Wang L, Li Z, et al.

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2023 Jul 06.
PMID: 37409451 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2230287

Resistant starch, also known as anti-digestion enzymatic starch, which cannot be digested or absorbed in the human small intestine. It can be fermented in the large intestine into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and metabolites, which are advantageous to the human body. Starches can classify as rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and resistant starch (RS), which possess high thermal stability, low water holding capacity, and emulsification characteristics. Resistant starch has excellent physiological functions such as stabilizing postprandial blood glucose levels, preventing type II diabetes, preventing intestinal inflammation, and regulating gut microbiota phenotype. It is extensively utilized in food processing, delivery system construction, and Pickering emulsion due to its processing properties. The resistant starches, with their higher resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis, support their suitability as a potential drug carrier. Therefore, this review focuses on resistant starch with structural features, modification characteristics, immunomodulatory functions, and delivery system applications. The objective was to provide theoretical guidance for applying of resistant starch to food health related industries.
The development of tone discrimination in infancy: Evidence from a cross-linguistic, multi-lab report

Kalashnikova M, Singh L, Tsui A, Altuntas E, Burnham D, Cannistraci R, et al.

Dev Sci, 2024 May;27(3):e13459.
PMID: 37987377 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13459

We report the findings of a multi-language and multi-lab investigation of young infants' ability to discriminate lexical tones as a function of their native language, age and language experience, as well as of tone properties. Given the high prevalence of lexical tones across human languages, understanding lexical tone acquisition is fundamental for comprehensive theories of language learning. While there are some similarities between the developmental course of lexical tone perception and that of vowels and consonants, findings for lexical tones tend to vary greatly across different laboratories. To reconcile these differences and to assess the developmental trajectory of native and non-native perception of tone contrasts, this study employed a single experimental paradigm with the same two pairs of Cantonese tone contrasts (perceptually similar vs. distinct) across 13 laboratories in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North-America testing 5-, 10- and 17-month-old monolingual (tone, pitch-accent, non-tone) and bilingual (tone/non-tone, non-tone/non-tone) infants. Across the age range and language backgrounds, infants who were not exposed to Cantonese showed robust discrimination of the two non-native lexical tone contrasts. Contrary to this overall finding, the statistical model assessing native discrimination by Cantonese-learning infants failed to yield significant effects. These findings indicate that lexical tone sensitivity is maintained from 5 to 17 months in infants acquiring tone and non-tone languages, challenging the generalisability of the existing theoretical accounts of perceptual narrowing in the first months of life. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This is a multi-language and multi-lab investigation of young infants' ability to discriminate lexical tones. This study included data from 13 laboratories testing 5-, 10-, and 17-month-old monolingual (tone, pitch-accent, non-tone) and bilingual (tone/non-tone, non-tone/non-tone) infants. Overall, infants discriminated a perceptually similar and a distinct non-native tone contrast, although there was no evidence of a native tone-language advantage in discrimination. These results demonstrate maintenance of tone discrimination throughout development.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Bactrocera diaphora (Diptera: Tephtitidae)

Zhang KJ, Liu L, Rong X, Zhang GH, Liu H, Liu YH

Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal, 2016 11;27(6):4314-4315.
PMID: 26462416

We sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Bactrocera diaphora (Diptera: Tephtitidae), which is an economically important pest in the southwest area of China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Malaysia. This mitogenome is 15 890 bp in length with an A + T content of 74.103%, and contains 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes that are arranged in the same order as that of the inferred ancestral insects. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) start with a typical ATN codon, except cox1 that begins with TCG. Ten PCGs stop with termination codon TAA or TAG, whereas cox1, nad1 and nad5 have single T-- as the incomplete stop codon. All of the transfer RNA genes present the typical clover leaf secondary structure except trnS1 (AGN) with a looping D-arm. The A + T-rich region is located between rrnS and trnI with a length of 946 bp, and contains a 20 bp poly-T stretch and 22 bp poly-A stretch. Except the control region, the longest intergenic spacer is located between trnR and trnN that is 94 bp long with an excessive high A + T content (95.74%) and a microsatellite-like region (TA)13.
The binding mechanism of oat phenolic acid to whey protein and its inhibition mechanism against AGEs as revealed using spectroscopy, chromatography and molecular docking

Dong L, Zhang Y, Li Y, Liu Y, Chen Q, Liu L, et al.

Food Funct, 2023 Nov 13;14(22):10221-10231.
PMID: 37916290 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo02474a

Heat sterilization of dairy products can promote the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), protein oxidation products (POPs) and α-dicarbonyl compounds, which have a significant influence on health due to the close association of these products with diabetes complications. In this study, eight oat phenolic acids were first analyzed for their inhibitory effect against AGEs formation. Due to their strong inhibitory effects and structural differences, caffeic acid (CA) and gallic acid (GA) were further selected to assess their anti-glycosylation mechanisms using spectroscopy, chromatography and molecular docking. CA/GA reduced the production of total AGEs and POPs in various bovine milk simulation models and protected whey proteins from structural modifications, oxidation, and cross-linking. Comparative analyses showed a structure-effect relationship between CA/GA and AGEs inhibition. Oat phenolic acids against AGEs and POPs might be related to the unique bonding of key amino acid residues in whey proteins, the inhibitory role of early fructosamine and the trapping of reactive α-dicarbonyl groups to form adducts. In conclusion, oat phenolic acids might present a promising dietary strategy to alleviate AGEs production and glycation of proteins in dairy products upon storage.
Fulltext The Influence of Entrepreneurial Characteristics on the Performance of Tourism Vlogger Entrepreneurs

Xie Q, Liu L, Malik H, Chupradit S, Chupradit PW

Front Psychol, 2021;12:725545.
PMID: 34434154 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.725545

The current Internet revolution has changed the entrepreneurial opportunities and trends. This study explores the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics (e.g., innovation, leadership, planning, and sociability) and the performance of entrepreneurial vloggers in India. In addition, this study considers the mediating effect of entrepreneurial intentions. This study is cross-sectional, and it considered 128 entrepreneurial vloggers for the analysis. The SmartPLS application was used to estimate the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis for the estimation of reliability and validity along with the path relationship. The findings are more important as the entrepreneurial characteristics can meaningfully predict the performance of entrepreneurial vloggers in a positive direction. Moreover, the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and the performance of entrepreneurs is partially mediated by entrepreneurial intentions. These findings have important implications for vloggers in Indian or other countries with similar nature. This study has also put some future research directions at the end.
Fulltext Synthesis of gold nanoparticles with Solanum xanthocarpum extract and their in vitro anticancer potential on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Zhang P, Wang P, Yan L, Liu L

Int J Nanomedicine, 2018;13:7047-7059.
PMID: 30464458 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S180138

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is one of the subtypes of head and neck cancers. It occurs rarely, and its prevalence depends mainly on geographical location. Modern-day research is focused on coupling nanotechnology and traditional medicine for combating cancers. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized from Solanum xanthocarpum (Sx) leaf extract using reduction method.
METHODS: Characterization of the synthesized AuNPs was done by different techniques such as ultraviolet-visible spectrum absorption, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis.
RESULTS: All the results showed the successful green synthesis of AuNPs from Sx, which induced apoptosis of C666-1 cell line (NPC cell line). There was a decline in both cell viability and colony formation in C666-1 cells upon treatment with Sx-AuNPs. The cell death was proved to be caused by autophagy and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway.
CONCLUSION: Thus, due to their anticancer potential, these nanoparticles coupled with Sx can be used for in vivo applications and clinical research in future.
Fulltext Sub-perfluoro-n-octane injection of ocular viscoelastic device assisted inverted internal limiting membrane flap for macular hole retinal detachment surgery: a novel technique

Lai CC, Wu AL, Chou HD, Teh WM, Chen KJ, Chen YP, et al.

BMC Ophthalmol, 2020 Mar 21;20(1):116.
PMID: 32199465 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-020-01393-1

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility of a surgical technique using a sub-perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) injection of ocular viscoelastic device (OVD) to stabilize inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap for the treatment of macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD).
METHODS: This study was a retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series. Patients who underwent MHRD surgery with sub-PFO injection of OVD to stabilize inverted ILM flap onto the macular hole (MH) were reviewed. The color fundus and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were collected and evaluated. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery were compared as the functional outcome.
RESULTS: The study included 8 eyes of 8 consecutive patients (mean age: 61.8 ± 7.1 years; mean follow-up period: 9.0 ± 2.5 months). All eyes (100%) achieved successful MH closure; 7 eyes (87.5%) demonstrated complete retinal reattachment, and 1 eye (12.5%) had minimal residual subretinal fluid parafoveally. Of the 8 patients, 7 patients (87.5%) had achieved improvement in BCVA after the primary surgery, whereas 1 eye remained stable. The average BCVA before and after the surgery at the last visit improved from 20/843 (1.63 ± 0.48 logMAR) to 20/200 (1.00 ± 0.39 logMAR) (P = 0.016). Anatomically, near-normal foveal contour was noted in five (62.5%) eyes at the final follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of sub-PFO injection of OVD in MHRD surgery could stabilize inverted ILM flaps, achieve good anatomical results and improve postoperative BCVA.
Structural, rheological, and gelling characteristics of starch-based materials in context to 3D food printing applications in precision nutrition

Wu H, Sang S, Weng P, Pan D, Wu Z, Yang J, et al.

Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 2023 Nov;22(6):4217-4241.
PMID: 37583298 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13217

Starch-based materials have viscoelasticity, viscous film-forming, dough pseudoplasticity, and rheological properties, which possess the structural characteristics (crystal structure, double helix structure, and layered structure) suitable for three-dimensional (3D) food printing inks. 3D food printing technology has significant advantages in customizing personalized and precise nutrition, expanding the range of ingredients, designing unique food appearances, and simplifying the food supply chain. Precision nutrition aims to consider individual nutritional needs and individual differences, which include special food product design and personalized precise nutrition, thus expanding future food resources, then simplifying the food supply chain, and attracting extensive attention in food industry. Different types of starch-based materials with different structures and rheological properties meet different 3D food printing technology requirements. Starch-based materials suitable for 3D food printing technology can accurately deliver and release active substances or drugs. These active substances or drugs have certain regulatory effects on the gut microbiome and diabetes, so as to maintain personalized and accurate nutrition.
Fulltext Streptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis: clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes

Chen KJ, Chong YJ, Sun MH, Chen HC, Liu L, Chen YP, et al.

Sci Rep, 2021 03 18;11(1):6195.
PMID: 33737573 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85456-3

Streptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis is clinically more severe, more difficult to treat, and carry a higher risk of vision loss, evisceration, or enucleation. This study is to investigate the clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes of S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan. S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis was diagnosed in 38 eyes of 38 patients. The main clinical features were postcataract endophthalmitis (n = 13, 34%) and endophthalmitis associated with corneal ulcer (n = 12, 32%), trauma (n = 6, 16%), endogenous etiology (n = 4, 11%), trabeculectomy (n = 2, 5%), and pterygium excision-related scleral ulcer (n = 1, 3%). Presenting visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to no light perception. Pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics was performed in 17 eyes (39%) in primary or secondary treatments. S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (38/38, 100%), penicillin (37/38, 97%), ceftriaxone (37/38, 97%), cefuroxime (12/15, 80%), levofloxacin (13/15 ,87%), and moxifloxacin (15/17, 88%). Final visual acuity was better than 20/400 in 3 of 38 eyes (8%), 5/200 to hand motions in 3 eyes (8%), and light perception to no light perception in 32 eyes (84%). Ten eyes (26%) underwent evisceration or enucleation. Although S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis had a very poor visual prognosis.
Robust molecular bowl-based metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites: size modulation to increase the catalytic activity

Liu L, Han ZB, Wang SM, Yuan DQ, Ng SW

Inorg Chem, 2015 Apr 20;54(8):3719-21.
PMID: 25849722 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b00185

Herein, two stable lead(II) molecular-bowl-based metal-organic frameworks and their micro- and nanosized forms with open metal sites were presented. These materials could act as Lewis acid catalysts to cyanosilylation reaction. Moreover, the catalytic performances are size-dependent, with the catalyst with nanosized form being 1 order of magnitude more efficient than those with micro- and millisized forms.
Fulltext Retaining nurses via organizational support and pay during COVID-19 pandemic: The moderating effect between intrinsic and extrinsic incentives

Pahlevan Sharif S, She L, Liu L, Naghavi N, Lola GK, Sharif Nia H, et al.

Nurs Open, 2023 Jan;10(1):123-134.
PMID: 35906871 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1286

AIM: There has been growing concern about the nurses' turnover intention as well as life satisfaction during COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. The past research has provided evidence on the effect of organizational support on nurses' job satisfaction and turnover intention. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism behind these associations.
DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken.
METHODS: An online survey was conducted in Iran from May to June 2020 through Google Docs Forms. In total, 305 nurses were participated and completed the online survey. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling through (AMOS). This study was checked with the STROBE checklist.
RESULT: The results showed that nurses' perception of organizational support was positively related to their job satisfaction which in turn decreases the turnover intention. Likewise, the job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between organizational support and nurses' life satisfaction.
Research advances of advanced glycation end products in milk and dairy products: Formation, determination, control strategy and immunometabolism via gut microbiota

Dong L, Li Y, Chen Q, Liu Y, Qiao Z, Sang S, et al.

Food Chem, 2023 Aug 15;417:135861.
PMID: 36906946 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135861

Advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) are a series of complex compounds which generate in the advanced phase of Maillard reaction, which can pose a non-negligible risk to human health. This article systematically encompasses AGEs in milk and dairy products under different processing conditions, influencing factors, inhibition mechanism and levels among the different categories of dairy products. In particular, it describes the effects of various sterilization techniques on the Maillard reaction. Different processing techniques have a significant effect on AGEs content. In addition, it clearly articulates the determination methods of AGEs and even discusses its immunometabolism via gut microbiota. It is observed that the metabolism of AGEs can affect the composition of the gut microbiota, which further has an impact on intestinal function and the gut-brain axis. This research also provides a suggestion for AGEs mitigation strategies, which are beneficial to optimize the dairy production, especially innovative processing technology application.
Research advances in citrus polyphenols: green extraction technologies, gut homeostasis regulation, and nano-targeted delivery system application

Liu Y, Yan N, Chen Q, Dong L, Li Y, Weng P, et al.

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2023 Aug 08.
PMID: 37552798 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2239350

Citrus polyphenols can modulate gut microbiota and such bi-directional interaction that can yield metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to aid in gut homeostasis. Such interaction provides citrus polyphenols with powerful prebiotic potential, contributing to guts' health status and metabolic regulation. Citrus polyphenols encompass unique polymethoxy flavonoids imparting non-polar nature that improve their bioactivities and ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Green extraction technology targeting recovery of these polyphenols has received increasing attention due to its advantages of high extraction yield, short extraction time, low solvent consumption, and environmental friendliness. However, the low bioavailability of citrus polyphenols limits their applications in extraction from citrus by-products. Meanwhile, nano-encapsulation technology may serve as a promising approach to improve citrus polyphenols' bioavailability. As citrus polyphenols encompass multiple hydroxyl groups, they are potential to interact with bio-macromolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides in nano-encapsulated systems that can improve their bioavailability. This multifaceted review provides a research basis for the green and efficient extraction techniques of citrus polyphenols, as well as integrated mechanisms for its anti-inflammation, alleviating metabolic syndrome, and regulating gut homeostasis, which is more capitalized upon using nano-delivery systems as discussed in that review to maximize their health and food applications.
Research advance of non-thermal processing technologies on ovalbumin properties: The gelation, foaming, emulsification, allergenicity, immunoregulation and its delivery system application

Chen Q, Dong L, Li Y, Liu Y, Xia Q, Sang S, et al.

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2023 Feb 20.
PMID: 36803106 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2179969

Ovalbumin (OVA) is the most abundant protein in egg white, with excellent functional properties (e.g., gelling, foaming, emulsifying properties). Nevertheless, OVA has strong allergenicity, which is usually mediated by specific IgE thus results in gut microbiota dysbiosis and causes atopic dermatitis, asthma, and other inflammation actions. Processing technologies and the interactions with other active ingredients can influence the functional properties and allergic epitopes of OVA. This review focuses on the non-thermal processing technologies effects on the functional properties and allergenicity of OVA. Moreover, the research advance about immunomodulatory mechanisms of OVA-mediated food allergy and the role of gut microbiota in OVA allergy was summarized. Finally, the interactions between OVA and active ingredients (such as polyphenols and polysaccharides) and OVA-based delivery systems construction are summarized. Compared with traditional thermal processing technologies, novel non-thermal processing techniques have less damage to OVA nutritional value, which also improve OVA properties. OVA can interact with various active ingredients by covalent and non-covalent interactions during processing, which can alter the structure or allergic epitopes to affect OVA/active components properties. The interactions can promote OVA-based delivery systems construction, such as emulsions, hydrogels, microencapsulation, nanoparticles to encapsulate bioactive components and monitor freshness for improving foods quality and safety.

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