Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 25 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Ma X, Lakshmipriya T, Gopinath SCB
    J Anal Methods Chem, 2019;2019:5426974.
    PMID: 31583159 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5426974
    Cancer is the uncontrollable abnormal division of cell growth, caused due to the varied reasons. Cancer can be expressed in any part of the body, and it is one of the death-causing diseases. Human reproductive organs are commonly damaged by cancer. In particular, the women reproductive system is affected by various cancers including ovarian, cervical, endometrial, vaginal, fallopian tube, and vulvar cancers. Identifying these cancers at earlier stages prevents the damage to the organs. Aptamer is the potential probe that can identify these cancers. Aptamer is an artificial antibody selected from the randomized library of molecules and has a high binding affinity to the target biomarker. Targeting cancers in the reproductive organs using aptamers showed an excellent efficiency of detection compared to other probes. Different aptamers have been generated against the gynaecological cancer biomarkers, which include HE4, CA125, VEGF, OCCA (for ovarian cancer), EGFR, FGFR1, K-ras (for endometrial cancer), HPV E-16, HPV E-7, HPV E-6, tyrosine, and kinase (for cervical cancer), which help to identify the cancers in woman reproductive organs. In this overview, the biomarkers for gynecologic cancers and the relevant diagnosing systems generated using the specific aptamers are discussed. Furthermore, the therapeutic applications of aptamer with gynaecological cancers are narrated.
  2. Zheng Y, Qin H, Ma X
    Sci Rep, 2024 Mar 19;14(1):6562.
    PMID: 38503822 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56922-5
    Interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (IVq-ROFS) is a powerful tool for dealing with uncertainty. In this paper, we first propose a new method for aggregating multiple IVq-ROFSs, which is easier to understand and implement in the multi-attribute group decision making process compared to current aggregation operators. Secondly, this paper introduces a new fuzzy entropy with parameters based on IVq-ROFS, which is highly flexible due to its adjustable parameters. Based on this, the IVq-ROFS-based attribute weight calculation method is proposed to obtain the objective weights of the attributes, which is more reasonable and objective than the existing methods. Then, for the dimensional differences between the three compromise scores in the original Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method, the enhanced compromise scores are proposed. These scores are obtained by normalizing the three dependent compromise scores, ensuring that they fall within the same range. Finally, a novel CoCoSo mothed on IVq-ROFS using the proposed fuzzy entropy and enhanced compromise scores is presented. The proposed method is highly adaptable and scalable, not limited to IVq-ROFS. The excellent performance and robustness of the proposed method are verified in sepsis diagnosis applications.
  3. Ma XR, Edmund Sim UH, Pauline B, Patricia L, Rahman J
    Trop Biomed, 2008 Apr;25(1):46-57.
    PMID: 18600204 MyJurnal
    Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) arises as a result of mutational activation of oncogenes coupled with inactivation of tumour suppressor genes. Mutations in APC, K-ras and p53 have been commonly reported. In a previous study by our group, the tumour susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) were found to be persistently upregulated in CRC cases. TSG101 was reported to be closely related to cancers of the breast, brain and colon, and its overexpression in human papillary thyroid carcinomas and ovarian carcinomas had previously been reported. The wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2 (WNT2) is potentially important in the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and upregulation of WNT2 is not uncommon in human cancers. In this study, we report the investigation for mutation(s) and expression pattern(s) of WNT2 and TSG101, in an effort to further understand their role(s) in CRC tumourigenesis. Our results revealed no mutation in these genes, despite their persistent upregulation in CRC cases studied.
  4. Ma X, Cai L, Chen L, Fei B, Lu J, Xia C, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2021 May 15;286:112190.
    PMID: 33636623 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112190
    As an abundant and fast-growing biomass, bamboo can be used as construction materials owing to its desirable physical and mechanical properties, environmentally friendly features, and alternative to replace toxic and hazardous wastes in industrial processing. In this study, grid material made from bamboo (termed 'bamboo grid') was developed and compared to commercially used polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as packing material in cooling towers; PVC packing has drawbacks such as fouling, deposit buildup, low durability, and is harmful to environments. The cooling capacity, energy efficiency and environmental impact of bamboo grid packing were evaluated via life cycle assessment (LCA), particularly the cumulative energy demand (CED) and the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES). Although the thermal performance of the PVC packing was found higher than that of the bamboo grid packing, the bamboo grid packing showed improved resistance characteristic, recording a total saving of 529.2 tons of standard coal during a six-month field test in a real thermal power generation plant. LCA results revealed that the utilization of bamboo-grid packing to replace PVC packing in cooling towers reduced total CED from 3420 MJ to 561 MJ per functional unit, achieving 6 times reduction. A desirable reduction ranging from 1.5 to 10.5 times was also recorded for the BEES indices. This LCA comparison analysis confirmed the improvement of energy efficiency and reduction of environmental impact by using the bamboo grid to replace PVC as packing material in cooling towers. The major environmental impact (BEES) indices (e.g., the total Global warming potential, Acidification, Eutrophication and Smog) were reduced by 1.5-10.5 times via the use of bamboo grid. The results demonstrate that bamboo grid packing is a good alternative to replace existing grid packing materials such as concrete and PVC that are harmful to human health and environments.
  5. Xu Y, Li H, Wang B, Gu L, Gao Y, Fan Y, et al.
    Urol J, 2021 Oct 04;18(6):618-622.
    PMID: 34606083 DOI: 10.22037/uj.v18i.6629
    PURPOSE: To compare the treatment outcomes of robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) versus laparoscopic RPLND (L-RPLND) for clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell testicular tumors (NSGCTs).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with stage I NSGCTs who underwent robotic or laparoscopic RPLND between 2008 and 2017. Perioperative data and oncologic outcomes were reviewed and compared between the two groups. Progression-free survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and compared between two groups.

    RESULTS: A total of 31 and 28 patients underwent R-RPLND and L-RPLND respectively. The preoperative characteristics of the patients were comparable in the two groups. Patients in R-RPLND group had significantly shorter median operative time (140 vs. 175 minutes, P < .001), a shorter median duration to surgical drain removal (2 vs. 4 days, P = .002) and a shorter median postoperative hospital stay (5 vs. 6 days, P = .001). There were no statistical differences in intra- and post-operative complication rate between the groups and the oncologic outcomes were similar in the two groups.

    CONCLUSION: In expert hands, R-RPLND and L-RPLND were comparable in oncological parameter and morbidity rate; R-RPLND showed superiority in operation duration, median days to surgical drain removal and postoperative hospital stay for stage I NSGCTs. Multicenter and randomized studies with good power of study and sufficient follow-up duration are required to validate our result.

  6. Liu J, Zhu F, Yang J, Wang Y, Ma X, Lou Y, et al.
    Food Chem, 2023 Jun 15;411:135499.
    PMID: 36696717 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135499
    Shrimp meat is prone to autolysis and decay due to the abundance of endogenous enzymes and contamination from microorganisms. HVEF freezing can slow the spoilage of shrimp, producing small and uniform ice crystals, resulting in less damage to muscle tissue. In this study, HVEF technique was used to freeze the shrimp (Solenocera melantho), and the UPLC-MS metabolic technique was used to investigate the metabolites of frozen shrimp meat. Compared with the control group, 367 differential metabolites were identified in the HVEF group. Mapping them to the KEGG database, there were 108 with KEGG ID. Purine metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism were the most enriched pathways. In addition, phosphatidylcholines (PCs), inosine (HxR), and l-valine were identified as potential biomarkers associated with lipid, nucleotide, and organic acid metabolism, respectively. Overall, HVEF can improve freezing quality of shrimp meat by slowing down the metabolism of substances in the muscle of S. melantho.
  7. Ma X, Tao S, Fu S, Yang H, Lin B, Lou Y, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2023 Mar 31;16(7).
    PMID: 37049096 DOI: 10.3390/ma16072802
    Pyrethroids are common contaminants in water bodies. In this study, an efficient mussel shell-based adsorbent was prepared, the effects of factors (calcination temperature, calcination time, and sieved particle size) on the pyrethroid adsorption capacity from calcined shell powder were investigated via Box-Behnken design, and the prediction results of the model were verified. By characterizing (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements) the adsorbent before and after the optimized preparation process, the results showed that calcined shell powder had a loose and porous structure, and the main component of the shell powder under optimized condition was calcium oxide. The adsorption mechanism was also investigated, and the analysis of adsorption data showed that the Langmuir, pseudo second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models were more suitable for describing the adsorption process. The adsorbent had good adsorption potential for pyrethroids, the adsorption capacity of the two pesticides was 1.05 and 1.79 mg/g, and the removal efficiency was over 40 and 70% at the maximum initial concentration, respectively.
  8. Zhang Z, Pishro AA, Zhang L, Ma X, Matlan SJ, Taha NA, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2023 Sep 26;13(1):16077.
    PMID: 37752276 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43197-5
    This study investigated attapulgite-modified loess as an efficient and cost-effective method for creating an impermeable liner for landfills in regions with scarce clay resources. Laboratory permeability tests were conducted using a flexible wall permeameter to determine the permeability of compacted loess and attapulgite mixtures under varying osmotic conditions. The relationship between the permeability coefficient, attapulgite dosage, radial pressure, and osmotic pressure was analyzed. Nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy were also used to observe the microstructure of the modified loess. The results showed that attapulgite dosage significantly reduced the permeability coefficient, but the effect became limited when the content surpassed 10%. The decrease of the permeability coefficient of the modified loess is mainly due to the filling of pores between the loess by attapulgite, which makes the pore size and throat size of the modified loess smaller. The modified loess displayed a sheet structure that contributed to an increased permeability coefficient due to increased radial pressure. This study provides valuable insights into using attapulgite-modified loess as a material for landfill lining in regions with scarce clay resources.
  9. Jia J, Ma Y, Xu S, Zheng J, Ma X, Zhang Y, et al.
    Psychol Res Behav Manag, 2023;16:2417-2424.
    PMID: 37426390 DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S413382
    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of academic self-efficacy on test anxiety among higher vocational students, as well as the role of sense of life meaning, fear of failure, and gender difference in mediating this relationship.

    METHODS: A total of 2231 higher vocational students from Shandong Province were surveyed by means of Academic Self-efficacy Questionnaire, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Test Anxiety Scale.

    RESULTS: There were significant negative correlations among academic self-efficacy, sense of life meaning, and test anxiety. Fear of failure was positively correlated with test anxiety. Sense of life meaning and fear of failure played a mediating role in the relationship between academic self-efficacy and test anxiety. The chain mediating effect was significant only in the female group, not in the male group. In contrast, academic self-efficacy indirectly predicted test anxiety by the independent mediating effect of sense of life meaning or fear of failure in the male group.

    CONCLUSION: Academic self-efficacy may influence test anxiety through the independent mediating effect of sense of life meaning, fear of failure, and the chain mediating effect, and there is a gender difference in these effects.

  10. Hai T, Ma X, Singh Chauhan B, Mahmoud S, Al-Kouz W, Tong J, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2023 Oct;338:139398.
    PMID: 37406939 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139398
    A newly developed waste-to-energy system using a biomass combined energy system designed and taken into account for electricity generation, cooling, and freshwater production has been investigated and modeled in this project. The investigated system incorporates several different cycles, such as a biomass waste integrated gasifier-gas turbine cycle, a high-temperature fuel cell, a Rankine cycle, an absorption refrigeration system, and a flash distillation system for seawater desalination. The EES software is employed to perform a basic analysis of the system. They are then transferred to MATLAB software to optimize and evaluate the impact of operational factors. Artificial intelligence is employed to evaluate and model the EES software's analysis output for this purpose. By enhancing the flow rate of fuel from 4 to 6.5 kg/s, the cost rate and energy efficiency are reduced by 51% and increased by 6.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum increment in exergetic efficiency takes place whenever the inlet temperature of the gas turbine rises. According to an analysis of three types of biomasses, Solid Waste possesses the maximum efficiency rate, work output, and expense. Rice Husk, in contrast, has the minimum efficiency, work output, and expense. Additionally, with the change in fuel discharge and gas turbine inlet temperature, the system behavior for all three types of biomasses will be nearly identical. The Pareto front optimization findings demonstrate that the best mode for system performance is an output power of 53,512 kW, a cost of 0.643 dollars per second, and a first law efficiency of 42%. This optimal value occurs for fuel discharge of 5.125 and the maximum inlet temperature for a gas turbine. The rates of water desalination and cooling in this condition are 18.818 kg/s and 2356 kW, respectively.
  11. Meng Z, Han J, Lin Y, Zhao Y, Lin Q, Ma X, et al.
    Theor Appl Genet, 2020 Jan;133(1):187-199.
    PMID: 31587087 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-019-03450-w
    KEY MESSAGE: A novel tetraploid S. spontaneum with basic chromosome x = 10 was discovered, providing us insights in the origin and evolution in Saccharum species. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp., Poaceae) is a leading crop for sugar production providing 80% of the world's sugar. However, the genetic and genomic complexities of this crop such as its high polyploidy level and highly variable chromosome numbers have significantly hindered the studies in deciphering the genomic structure and evolution of sugarcane. Here, we developed the first set of oligonucleotide (oligo)-based probes based on the S. spontaneum genome (x = 8), which can be used to simultaneously distinguish each of the 64 chromosomes of octaploid S. spontaneum SES208 (2n = 8x = 64) through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). By comparative FISH assay, we confirmed the chromosomal rearrangements of S. spontaneum (x = 8) and S. officinarum (2n = 8x = 80), the main contributors of modern sugarcane cultivars. In addition, we examined a S. spontaneum accession, Np-X, with 2n = 40 chromosomes, and we found that it was a tetraploid with the unusual basic chromosome number of x = 10. Assays at the cytological and DNA levels demonstrated its close relationship with S. spontaneum with basic chromosome number x = 8 (the most common accessions in S. spontaneum), confirming its S. spontaneum identity. Population genetic structure and phylogenetic relationship analyses between Np-X and 64 S. spontaneum accessions revealed that Np-X belongs to the ancient Pan-Malaysia group, indicating a close relationship to S. spontaneum with basic chromosome number of x = 8. This finding of a tetraploid S. spontaneum with basic chromosome number of x = 10 suggested a parallel evolution path of genomes and polyploid series in S. spontaneum with different basic chromosome numbers.
  12. Zhang P, Shi T, Fam X, Gu L, Xuan Y, Yang L, et al.
    Transl Androl Urol, 2020 Jun;9(3):1278-1285.
    PMID: 32676411 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2020.03.25
    Background: To analyze the perioperative parameters and outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) for recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and compare them with our series of RALP for primary UPJO. Secondary pyeloplasty can be a challenging procedure because of ureteral devascularization, fibrosis and dense stricture formation. Robotic approach could be adjunct to these repairs.

    Methods: Between August 2015 to March 2019, 96 patients in our hospital underwent RALP, with 32 patients as secondary intervention for recurrent UPJO. We compared the perioperative parameters of RALP for both primary UPJO and recurrent UPJO. Patient demographics, perioperative parameters, postoperative outcomes and complications from both groups were analyzed and compared.

    Results: RALP was successfully performed for all cases in both groups. The median operating time was longer for secondary RALP than for primary RALP [125 (108.5-155) vs. 151 (120-190) minutes, P=0.004]. There were no conversions to open surgery or significant perioperative complications. No difference in blood loss, transfusion rate and perioperative complication rates was noted between the two groups. The success rates were 98.44% (63/64) and 96.88% (31/32) at a median follow up of 32 and 20 months (P=0.001) for the primary and secondary groups, respectively.

    Conclusions: Secondary RALP is associated with significantly longer operative time as compared to primary RALP, especially during the exposure of the UPJO, however it is a safe surgical modality for recurrent UPJO with durable outcome. RALP should be an alternative treatment modality for recurrent UPJO whenever the facility and expert are available.

  13. Tan K, Waiho K, Tan K, Qiao Y, Lim LS, Yang X, et al.
    Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2023 Oct 30;679:66-74.
    PMID: 37673004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.08.066
    Vitellogenin (Vtg) serves as the precursor of yolk protein and exhibits widespread distribution in tissues, including in the ovary of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Vtg plays a critical role in facilitating oocyte maturation and embryonic development following oviposition. In this study, we have successfully elucidated the complete transcript sequence of TtVtg6-like from an ancient chelicerate Tachypleus tridentatus. The TtVtg6-like transcript encompassed a length of 4887 bp and encoded 1629 amino acids residues. Notably, TtVtg6-like was found to contain 25 exons. Furthermore, the molecular weight and isoelectric point of TtVtg6-like were determined to be 191.6 KDa and 6.73, respectively. Subsequent mRNA expression analysis demonstrated the specific expression of TtVtg6-like in ovary and yellow connective tissue. In addition, TtVtg6-like was located and distributed in both ovary and yellow connective tissue. Intriguingly, employing an siRNA approach to silence TtVtg6-like resulted in a decrease in TtVtg6-like transcription levels. Concomitantly, TtVtg6-like silencing led to increase production of ROS, ultimately resulting in DNA damage and cell apoptosis within the ovarian primary cell. The induction of apoptosis ovarian primary cells due to TtVtg6-like silencing was further corroborated through TUNEL assay and flow cytometry analysis. Overall, our findings underscore the significance of TtVtg6-like in ovarian cell development, revealing its potential association with ovarian cell apoptosis. Consequently, the insights gained from this study contribute to the future exploration of vitellogenesis and ovarian development in T. tridentatus.
  14. Huang M, Ma Y, Qian J, Sokolova IM, Zhang C, Waiho K, et al.
    J Hazard Mater, 2024 Apr 15;468:133801.
    PMID: 38377908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133801
    Pollution with anthropogenic contaminants including antibiotics and nanoplastics leads to gradual deterioration of the marine environment, which threatens endangered species such as the horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus. We assessed the potential toxic mechanisms of an antibiotic (norfloxacin, 0, 0.5, 5 μg/L) and polystyrene nanoparticles (104 particles/L) in T. tridentatus using biomarkers of tissue redox status, molting, and gut microbiota. Exposure to single and combined pollutants led to disturbance of redox balance during short-term (7 days) exposure indicated by elevated level of a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA). After prolonged (14-21 days) exposure, compensatory upregulation of antioxidants (catalase and glutathione but not superoxide dismutase) was observed, and MDA levels returned to the baseline in most experimental exposures. Transcript levels of molting-related genes (ecdysone receptor, retinoic acid X alpha receptor and calmodulin A) and a molecular chaperone (cognate heat shock protein 70) showed weak evidence of response to polystyrene nanoparticles and norfloxacin. The gut microbiota T. tridentatus was altered by exposures to norfloxacin and polystyrene nanoparticles shown by elevated relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. At the functional level, evidence of suppression by norfloxacin and polystyrene nanoparticles was found in multiple intestinal microbiome pathways related to the genetic information processing, metabolism, organismal systems, and environmental information processing. Future studies are needed to assess the physiological and health consequences of microbiome dysbiosis caused by norfloxacin and polystyrene nanoparticles and assist the environmental risk assessment of these pollutants in the wild populations of the horseshoe crabs.
  15. Huang Q, Gu L, Zhu J, Peng C, Du S, Liu Q, et al.
    Cancer, 2020 May 01;126 Suppl 9:2062-2072.
    PMID: 32293724 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32748
    BACKGROUND: A quantitative nephrometry scoring system specifically for renal sinus tumors will assist in classifying surgical complexity and treatment planning.

    METHODS: By using preoperative computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and 3-dimensional image reconstruction, 5 critical components were assessed: the ratio of the sinus area occupied by the tumor in relation to the whole sinus area (R), the compression of the renal segmental vessels or collection system by the tumor (O), the anteroposterior relation of the tumor relative to the segmental vessels or collection system (A), the tumor diameter (D), and whether the tumor affects a solitary kidney (S) ("ROADS"). The ROADS score, indicating low, moderate, or high surgical complexity, was then used to guide surgical strategy planning, including cooling techniques, surgical approaches, and parenchyma incision techniques. A cohort of 134 patients with renal sinus tumors was treated based on their ROADS score and was retrospectively analyzed.

    RESULTS: The authors successfully performed 113 nephron-sparing surgeries and 21 radical nephrectomies with a complication rate of 7.9%. During follow-up, 3 cases were classified according to surgical margin status because they lacked an intact tumor capsule. There was only 1 case of local recurrence, and there were no cases of metastasis. A high ROADS score was correlated with greater operative complexity, such as longer operation and ischemia times and higher estimated blood loss and complication rates. However, renal function and short-term oncologic outcomes were not related to the score.

    CONCLUSIONS: The ROADS scoring system provides a standardized, quantitative, 3-dimensional anatomic classification to guide surgical strategy in renal sinus tumors.

  16. Wang P, Ma X, Zhang R, Zhao Y, Hu R, Luo C, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2022;13:1022481.
    PMID: 36338035 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1022481
    The widespread and endemic circulation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) cause persistent financial losses to the swine industry worldwide. In 2017, NADC34-like PRRSV-2 emerged in northeastern China and spread rapidly. The dynamics analysis of immune perturbations associated with novel PRRSV lineage is still incomplete. This study performed a time-course transcriptome sequencing of NADC34-like PRRSV strain YC-2020-infected porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) and compared them with JXA1-infected PAMs. The results illustrated dramatic changes in the host's differentially expressed genes (DEGs) presented at different timepoints after PRRSV infection, and the expression profile of YC-2020 group is distinct from that of JXA1 group. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the expression of many inflammatory cytokines was up-regulated following YC-2020 infection but at a significantly lower magnitude than JXA1 group, in line with the trends for most interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and their regulators. Meanwhile, numerous components of histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and phagosome presented a stronger transcription suppression after the YC-2020 infection. All results imply that YC-2020 may induce milder inflammatory responses, weaker antiviral processes, and more severe disturbance of antigen processing and presentation compared with HP-PRRSV. Additionally, LAPTM4A, GLMP, and LITAF, which were selected from weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), could significantly inhibit PRRSV proliferation. This study provides fundamental data for understanding the biological characteristics of NADC34-like PRRSV and new insights into PRRSV evolution and prevention.
  17. Shao YM, Ma X, Paira P, Tan A, Herr DR, Lim KL, et al.
    PLoS One, 2018;13(1):e0188212.
    PMID: 29304113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188212
    Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the human brain, leading to depletion of dopamine production. Dopamine replacement therapy remains the mainstay for attenuation of PD symptoms. Nonetheless, the potential benefit of current pharmacotherapies is mostly limited by adverse side effects, such as drug-induced dyskinesia, motor fluctuations and psychosis. Non-dopaminergic receptors, such as human A2A adenosine receptors, have emerged as important therapeutic targets in potentiating therapeutic effects and reducing the unwanted side effects. In this study, new chemical entities targeting both human A2A adenosine receptor and dopamine D2 receptor were designed and evaluated. Two computational methods, namely support vector machine (SVM) models and Tanimoto similarity-based clustering analysis, were integrated for the identification of compounds containing indole-piperazine-pyrimidine (IPP) scaffold. Subsequent synthesis and testing resulted in compounds 5 and 6, which acted as human A2A adenosine receptor binders in the radioligand competition assay (Ki = 8.7-11.2 μM) as well as human dopamine D2 receptor binders in the artificial cell membrane assay (EC50 = 22.5-40.2 μM). Moreover, compound 5 showed improvement in movement and mitigation of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in Drosophila models of PD. Furthermore, in vitro toxicity studies on compounds 5 and 6 did not reveal any mutagenicity (up to 100 μM), hepatotoxicity (up to 30 μM) or cardiotoxicity (up to 30 μM).
  18. Luo C, Wang Q, Guo R, Zhang J, Zhang J, Zhang R, et al.
    Virus Res, 2022 Dec;322:198937.
    PMID: 36174845 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198937
    Outbreaks of Pseudorabies (PR) by numerous highly virulent and antigenic variant Pseudorabies virus (PRV) strains have been causing severe economic losses to the pig industry in China since 2011. However, current commercial vaccines are often unable to induce thorough protective immunity. In this study, a TK/gI/gE deleted recombinant PRV expressing GM-CSF was developed by using the HDR-CRISPR/Cas9 system. Here, a four-sgRNA along with the Cas9D10A targeting system was utilized for TK/gI/gE gene deletion and GM-CSF insertion. Our study showed that the four-sgRNA targeting system appeared to have higher knock-in efficiency for PRVs editing. The replication of the recombinant PRVs were slightly lower than that of the parental strain, but they appeared to have similar properties in terms of growth curves and plaque morphology. The mice vaccinated with the recombinant PRV expressing GM-CSF via intramuscular injection showed no obvious clinical symptoms, milder pathological lesions, and were completely protected against wild-type PRV challenge. When compared to the triple gene-deleted PRV, the gB antibodies and neutralizing antibody titers were improved and the immunized mice appeared to have lower viral load and higher mRNA levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ in spleens. Our study offers a novel approach for recombinant PRV construction, and the triple gene-deleted PRV expressing GM-CSF could serve as a promising vaccine candidate for PR control.
  19. Liu J, Ma X, Zhuo Y, Xu S, Hua L, Li J, et al.
    J Anim Sci, 2023 Jan 03;101.
    PMID: 37583344 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad257
    We investigated the effects of different Bacillus subtilis QST713 doses and a B. subtilis QST713 and β-mannanase mix on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets. In total, 320 healthy piglets were randomly assigned to four groups: 1) control group (basal diet), 2) BS100 group (basal diet plus 100 mg/kg B. subtilis QST713), 3) BS200 group (basal diet plus 200 mg/kg B. subtilis QST713), and 4) a BS100XT group (basal diet plus 100 mg/kg B. subtilis QST713 and 150 mg/kg β-mannanase). The study duration was 42 d. We showed that feed intake in weaned piglets on days 1 to 21 was increased in group BS100 (P < 0.05), and that the feed conversion ratio in group BS100XT animals decreased throughout the study (P < 0.05). In terms of microbial counts, the BS100XT group showed reduced Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens numbers on day 21 (P < 0.05). Moreover, no significant α-diversity differences were observed across all groups during the study (P > 0.05). However, principal coordinates analysis indicated clear separations in bacterial community structures across groups (analysis of similarities: P < 0.05) on days 21 and 42. Additionally, E-cadherin, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression in piglet feces increased (P < 0.05) by adding B. subtilis QST713 and β-mannanase to diets. Notably, this addition decreased short-chain fatty acid concentrations. In conclusion, B. subtilis QST713 addition or combined B. subtilis QST713 plus β-mannanase effectively improved growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and microbial balance in weaned piglets.
  20. Huang Q, Zhao G, Chen Y, Wu P, Li S, Peng C, et al.
    J Urol, 2023 Jan;209(1):99-110.
    PMID: 36194169 DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000002952
    PURPOSE: We introduce an intrapericardial control technique using a robotic approach in the surgical treatment of renal tumor with level IV inferior vena cava thrombus to decrease the severe complications associated with cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with level IV inferior vena cava thrombi not extending into the atrium underwent transabdominal-transdiaphragmatic robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy obviating cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (cardiopulmonary bypass-free group) by an expert team comprising urological, hepatobiliary, and cardiovascular surgeons. The central diaphragm tendon and pericardium were transabdominally dissected until the intrapericardial inferior vena cava were exposed and looped proximal to the cranial end of the thrombi under intraoperative ultrasound guidance. As controls, 14 patients who underwent robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass (cardiopulmonary bypass group) and 25 patients who underwent open thrombectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest group) were included. Clinicopathological, operative, and survival outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.

    RESULTS: Eight robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomies were successfully performed without cardiopulmonary bypass, with 1 open conversion. The median operation time and first porta hepatis occlusion time were shorter, and estimated blood loss was lower in the cardiopulmonary bypass-free group as compared to the cardiopulmonary bypass group (540 vs 586.5 minutes, 16.5 vs 38.5. minutes, and 2,050 vs 3,500 mL, respectively). Severe complications (level IV-V) were also lower in the cardiopulmonary bypass-free group than in cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest groups (25% vs 50% vs 40%). Oncologic outcomes were comparable among the 3 groups in short-term follow-up.

    CONCLUSIONS: Pure transabdominal-transdiaphragmatic robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest represents as an alternative minimally invasive approach for selected level IV inferior vena cava thrombi.

Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links