Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 280 in total

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  1. Fulltext Diabetic retinopathy in the community
    Yang YF, Chong HH, Yang YK
    Med J Malaysia, 2001 Mar;56(1):104-5.
    PMID: 11503288
  2. Fulltext Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) from China and Malaysia based on species-specific simple sequence repeat markers
    Zhou LX, Xiao Y, Xia W, Yang YD
    Genet. Mol. Res., 2015;14(4):16247-54.
    PMID: 26662418 DOI: 10.4238/2015.December.8.15
    Genetic diversity and patterns of population structure of the 94 oil palm lines were investigated using species-specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We designed primers for 63 SSR loci based on their flanking sequences and conducted amplification in 94 oil palm DNA samples. The amplification result showed that a relatively high level of genetic diversity was observed between oil palm individuals according a set of 21 polymorphic microsatellite loci. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.3683 and 0.4035, with an average of 0.3859. The Ho value was a reliable determinant of the discriminatory power of the SSR primer combinations. The principal component analysis and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averaging cluster analysis showed the 94 oil palm lines were grouped into one cluster. These results demonstrated that the oil palm in Hainan Province of China and the germplasm introduced from Malaysia may be from the same source. The SSR protocol was effective and reliable for assessing the genetic diversity of oil palm. Knowledge of the genetic diversity and population structure will be crucial for establishing appropriate management stocks for this species.
  3. Silica nanoparticle assists determining liver cancer gene sequence on interdigitated electrode surface
    Song F, Yang Y, Gopinath SCB
    Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2021 Jun;68(3):683-689.
    PMID: 32628799 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1980
    A high-performance interdigitated electrode (IDE) biosensing surface was reported here by utilizing self-assembled silica nanoparticle (SiNP). The modified surface was used to evaluate the complementation of hairpin forming region from Mitoxantrone resistance gene 7 (MXR7; liver cancer-related short gene). The conjugated SiNPs on 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane functionalization were captured with probe sequence on IDE biosensing surface. The physical and chemically modified surface was used to quantify MXR7 and an increment in the current response upon complementation was noticed. Limit of target DNA detection was calculated (1-10 fM) and this label-free detection is at the comparable level to the fluorescent-based sensing. A linear regression was calculated [y = 0.243x - 0.0773; R² = 0.9336] and the sensitivity was 1 fM on the linear range of 1 fM to 10 pM. With the strong attachment of capture DNA on IDE through SiNP, the surface clearly discriminates the specificity (complementary) versus nonspecificity (complete-, single-, and triple-mismatched sequences). This detection strategy helps to determine liver cancer progression and the similar strategy can be followed for other gene sequence complementation.
  4. Fulltext Teacher's Emotional Support and Math Performance: The Chain Mediating Effect of Academic Self-Efficacy and Math Behavioral Engagement
    Yang Y, Li G, Su Z, Yuan Y
    Front Psychol, 2021;12:651608.
    PMID: 34603116 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.651608
    Positive teacher-student interaction can exert a positive influence on student engagement and math performance. As an important part of teacher-student interaction, emotional support of a teacher plays an indispensable role in the math performance of junior middle school and elementary school students. This study aimed to explore the effects of teacher's emotional support on math performance, and examine the mediating role of academic self-efficacy and math behavioral engagement. A total of 1,294 students in grades 3-5 and 7-8 from 14 junior middle and primary schools in China took part in the web-based survey. Results showed the following: (1) academic self-efficacy mediated the relationship between teacher's emotional support and math performance of Chinese primary and middle school boys and girls; math behavioral engagement mediated the relationship between teacher's emotional support and math performance of Chinese primary and middle school boys and girls; (2) The relationship between teacher's emotional support and math performance of Chinese junior middle school boys and girls was mediated by the chain of academic self-efficacy and math behavioral engagement.
  5. Fulltext Cost and Resource Use of Managing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in China
    Low W, Azmi S, Yee SL, Abdat A, Yang Y, Milea D
    Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A768-9.
    PMID: 27202825 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.302
  6. Fulltext Electrospun Collagen Nanofibers and Their Applications in Skin Tissue Engineering
    Law JX, Liau LL, Saim A, Yang Y, Idrus R
    Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2017 Dec;14(6):699-718.
    PMID: 30603521 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-017-0075-9
    Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique to fabricate continuous fibers with diameter ranging from micrometers to a few nanometers. To date, the number of polymers that have been electrospun has exceeded 200. In recent years, electrospinning has become one of the most popular scaffold fabrication techniques to prepare nanofiber mesh for tissue engineering applications. Collagen, the most abundant extracellular matrix protein in the human body, has been electrospun to fabricate biomimetic scaffolds that imitate the architecture of native human tissues. As collagen nanofibers are mechanically weak in nature, it is commonly cross-linked or blended with synthetic polymers to improve the mechanical strength without compromising the biological activity. Electrospun collagen nanofiber mesh has high surface area to volume ratio, tunable diameter and porosity, and excellent biological activity to regulate cell function and tissue formation. Due to these advantages, collagen nanofibers have been tested for the regeneration of a myriad of tissues and organs. In this review, we gave an overview of electrospinning, encompassing the history, the instrument settings, the spinning process and the parameters that affect fiber formation, with emphasis given to collagen nanofibers' fabrication and application, especially the use of collagen nanofibers in skin tissue engineering.
  7. Comparing Modified Huddart-Bodenham Scoring System and GOSLON Yardstick to Assess Dental Arch Relationships in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients
    Yakob M, Hassan YR, Tse KL, Gu M, Yang Y
    Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 2018 Jan 01.
    PMID: 28092164 DOI: 10.1597/16-191
    Objective To test the reliability of the modified Huddart-Bodenham (MHB) numerical scoring system and its agreement with the GOSLON Yardstick categorization for assessing the dental arch relationships in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) cases. Design A retrospective study. Setting Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong. Patients Forty-one nonsyndromic UCLP consecutive patients attending the Joint Cleft Lip/Palate Clinic at Faculty of Dentistry in the University of Hong Kong were selected. Interventions Study models at 8 to 10 years old (T1) and 10 to 12 years old (T2) were obtained from each patient. Main Outcome Measures Models were rated with the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick index. The intra- and interexaminer reliabilities as well as correlation of both scoring systems were evaluated. Furthermore, to investigate the outcome measurements consistency, the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick were independently used to compare the dental arch relationships from T1 to T2, with the samples split into intervention and nonintervention groups. Results The MHB scoring system presented good intra- and interexaminer agreement, which were comparable to those of the GOSLON Yardstick. The correlation between the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick scores was good. Both scoring systems showed similar results when assessing the change in the dental arch relationships from T1 to T2. Conclusions The MHB scoring system can be used as an alternative method to the commonly used GOSLON Yardstick for assessing dental deformities in UCLP patients. Both scoring systems showed similar results in assessing the improvement in dental arch relationships.
  8. Fulltext Successful Treatment of Cerebral Aspergillosis in a Patient with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
    Luo J, Wang X, Yang Y, Lan T, Ashraf MA, Mao Q
    West Indian Med J, 2015 12;64(5):540-542.
    PMID: 27399315 DOI: 10.7727/wimj.2016.059
    We report a case of a patient with AIDS and a brain abscess caused by aspergillus, who underwent neurosurgical excision of the lesion and received subsequent therapy with voriconazole. The patient suffered from intracranial hypertension and visual disorders.
  9. Mapping the cumulative impacts of long-term mining disturbance and progressive rehabilitation on ecosystem services
    Wang Z, Lechner AM, Yang Y, Baumgartl T, Wu J
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 May 15;717:137214.
    PMID: 32062237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137214
    Open-cut coal mining can seriously disturb and reshape natural landscapes which results in a range of impacts on local ecosystems and the services they provide. To address the negative impacts of disturbance, progressive rehabilitation is commonly advocated. However, there is little research focusing on how these impacts affect ecosystem services within mine sites and changes over time. The aim of this study was to assess the cumulative impacts of mining disturbance and rehabilitation on ecosystem services through mapping and quantifying changes at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Four ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, air quality regulation, soil conservation and water yield were assessed in 1989, 1997, 2005 and 2013. Disturbance and rehabilitation was mapped using LandTrendr algorithm with Landsat. We mapped spatial patterns and pixel values for each ecosystem service with corresponding model and the landscape changes were analyzed with landscape metrics. In addition, we assessed synergies and trade-offs using Spearman's correlation coefficient for different landscape classes and scales. The results showed that carbon sequestration, air quality regulation and water yield services were both positively and negatively affected by vegetation cover changes due to mined land disturbance and rehabilitation, while soil conservation service were mainly influenced by topographic changes. There were strong interactions between carbon sequestration, air quality regulation and water yield, which were steady among different spatial scales and landscape types. Soil conservation correlations were weak and changed substantially due to differences of spatial scales and landscape types. Although there are limitations associated with data accessibility, this study provides a new research method for mapping impacts of mining on ecosystem services, which offer spatially explicit information for decision-makers and environmental regulators to carry out feasible policies, balancing mining development with ecosystem services provision.
  10. Spontaneous Perforation in Crohn's Disease: A Report of Two Cases
    Yu B, Lin C, Yang Y, Yang YF, Nie B
    Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2021 Nov 09.
    PMID: 34751771 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izab264
  11. Fulltext Financial impact of cost of capital on tourism-based SMEs in COVID-19: implications for tourism disruption mitigation
    Song Y, Yan J, Yu Z, Li T, Yang Y
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Mar;30(13):36439-36449.
    PMID: 36547845 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24851-3
    Opportunities for funding Tourism SMEs are emerging globally due to the expansion of tourism sector. However, it is still being determined how these financial arrangements will be controlled at more significant sizes equitably. In the contemporary period, E7 economy is deficient in producing the financial resources to ensure the availability of funds for the acquisition of funds for tourism-based SMEs. However, this research tested the empirical position of cost of debt in E-7 economies during COVID-19 crises. Study findings have shown significant outcomes between the constructs. The variation of conditions, structural uncertainty, transection systems, and variation in support by the financial institution for tourism-based SMEs are the main reasons that lessen borrowing and lending system of funds, from banks to SMEs. However, theorists must revisit the transaction system of debt financing for SMEs. Policymakers are suggested to develop viable and SME system-friendly policies to finance through debt capital from the banks in the time of structural imposed crises, like COVID-19.
  12. Case Report: Cord blood-derived natural killer cells as new potential immunotherapy drug for solid tumor: a case study for endometrial cancer
    Mu Y, Tong J, Wang Y, Yang Y, Wu X
    Front Immunol, 2023;14:1213161.
    PMID: 37457710 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213161
    Adoptive transfer of natural killer (NK) cells represents a viable treatment method for patients with advanced malignancies. Our team previously developed a simple, safe, and cost-effective method for obtaining high yields of pure and functional NK cells from cord blood (CB) without the need for cell sorting, feeder cells, or multiple cytokines. We present the case of a 52-year-old female patient diagnosed with poorly differentiated stage IVB (T3N2M1) endometrial cancer, who exhibited leukemoid reaction and pretreatment thrombocytosis as paraneoplastic syndromes. The patient received two courses of CB-derived NK (CB-NK) cell immunotherapy between March and September 2022, due to her extremely low NK cell activity. Two available CB units matched at 8/10 HLA with KIR-mismatch were chosen, and we were able to produce NK cells with high yield (>1.0×1010 NK cells), purity (>90%), and function (>80%) from CB without cell sorting, feeder cells, or multiple cytokines. These cells were then adoptively transferred to the patient. No adverse effects or graft-versus-host disease were observed after infusion of CB-NK cells. Our clinical experience supports the efficacy of CB-NK cell treatment in increasing NK cell activity, depleting tumor activity, improving quality of life, and reducing the size of abdominal and pelvic masses with the disappearance of multiple lymph node metastases through the regulation of systemic antitumor immunity. Remarkably, the white blood cell and platelet counts decreased to normal levels after CB-NK cell immunotherapy. This clinical work suggests that CB-NK cell immunotherapy holds promise as a therapeutic approach for endometrial cancer.
  13. Fulltext An evaluation of dose equivalence between synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy and conventional broad beam radiation using clonogenic and cell impedance assays
    Ibahim MJ, Crosbie JC, Yang Y, Zaitseva M, Stevenson AW, Rogers PA, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(6):e100547.
    PMID: 24945301 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100547
    High-dose synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) has shown the potential to deliver improved outcomes over conventional broadbeam (BB) radiation therapy. To implement synchrotron MRT clinically for cancer treatment, it is necessary to undertake dose equivalence studies to identify MRT doses that give similar outcomes to BB treatments.
  14. Electronic Transport and Possible Superconductivity at Van Hove Singularities in Carbon Nanotubes
    Yang Y, Fedorov G, Shafranjuk SE, Klapwijk TM, Cooper BK, Lewis RM, et al.
    Nano Lett., 2015 Dec 09;15(12):7859-66.
    PMID: 26506109 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02564
    Van Hove singularities (VHSs) are a hallmark of reduced dimensionality, leading to a divergent density of states in one and two dimensions and predictions of new electronic properties when the Fermi energy is close to these divergences. In carbon nanotubes, VHSs mark the onset of new subbands. They are elusive in standard electronic transport characterization measurements because they do not typically appear as notable features and therefore their effect on the nanotube conductance is largely unexplored. Here we report conductance measurements of carbon nanotubes where VHSs are clearly revealed by interference patterns of the electronic wave functions, showing both a sharp increase of quantum capacitance, and a sharp reduction of energy level spacing, consistent with an upsurge of density of states. At VHSs, we also measure an anomalous increase of conductance below a temperature of about 30 K. We argue that this transport feature is consistent with the formation of Cooper pairs in the nanotube.
  15. An evaluation of novel real-time technology as a tool for measurement of radiobiological and radiation-induced bystander effects
    Ibahim MJ, Crosbie JC, Paiva P, Yang Y, Zaitseva M, Rogers PA
    Radiat Environ Biophys, 2016 May;55(2):185-94.
    PMID: 26994995 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-016-0641-x
    The xCELLigence real-time cell impedance system uses a non-invasive and label-free method to create a cell index that is a composite measure of cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate xCELLigence against clonogenic assay (gold standard) for measuring radiobiological effects and radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE). A radiobiological study was conducted by irradiating EMT6.5, 4T1.2 and NMUMG cell lines with different radiation doses, while a RIBE study was done using transfer of conditioned media (CM) harvested from donor to the same type of recipient cell (EMT6.5, 4T1.2, NMUMG, HACAT and SW48). CM was harvested using two protocols which differed in the dose chosen and the exposure to the recipient cells. Results showed that xCELLigence measured a radiobiological effect which correlated with the clonogenic assay. For the RIBE study, no statistically significant differences were observed between xCELLigence or clonogenic survival in control or recipient cells incubated with CM in protocol one. However, there was a significant increase in cell index slope using CM from EMT-6.5 cells irradiated at 7.5 Gy compared with the control group under the second protocol. No other evidence of RIBE was detected by either xCELLigence or clonogenic assay. In conclusion, xCELLigence methods can measure radiobiological effects and the results correlate with clonogenic assay. We observed a lack of RIBE in all tested cell lines with the clonogenic assay; however, we observed a RIBE effect in EMT6.5 cells under one particular protocol that showed RIBE is cell type dependent, is not universally observed and can be detected in different assays.
  16. Functional identification of the prnABCD operon and its regulation in Serratia plymuthica
    Liu X, Yu X, Yang Y, Heeb S, Gao S, Chan KG, et al.
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2018 Apr;102(8):3711-3721.
    PMID: 29511844 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8857-0
    The antibiotic pyrrolnitrin (PRN) is a tryptophan-derived secondary metabolite that plays an important role in the biocontrol of plant diseases due to its broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activities. The PRN biosynthetic gene cluster remains to be characterised in Serratia plymuthica, though it is highly conserved in PRN-producing bacteria. To better understand PRN biosynthesis and its regulation in Serratia, the prnABCD operon from S. plymuthica G3 was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α. Furthermore, an engineered strain prnind which is a conditional mutant of G3 prnABCD under the control of the Ptac promoter was constructed. This mutant was able to overproduce PRN with isopropylthiogalactoside (IPTG) induction by overexpressing prnABCD, whilst behaving as a conditional mutant of G3 prnABCD in the absence of IPTG. These results confirmed that prnABCD is responsible for PRN biosynthesis in strain G3. Further experiments involving lux-/dsRed-based promoter fusions, combined with site-directed mutagenesis of the putative σS extended -10 region in the prnA promoter, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis extended our previous knowledge about G3, revealing that quorum sensing (QS) regulates PRN biosynthesis through cross talk with RpoS, which may directly activated prnABCD transcription. These findings suggest that PRN in S. plymuthica G3 is produced in a tightly controlled manner, and has diverse functions, such as modulation of cell motility, in addition to antimicrobial activities. Meanwhile, the construction of inducible mutants could be a powerful tool to improve PRN production, beyond its potential use for the investigation of the biological function of PRN.
  17. Fulltext Surgical Treatment and Proposed Modified Classification for Harrington Class III Periacetabular Metastases
    Wei R, Lim CY, Yang Y, Tang XD, Yan TQ, Yang RL, et al.
    Orthop Surg, 2021 Apr;13(2):553-562.
    PMID: 33665985 DOI: 10.1111/os.12918
    OBJECTIVES: This study aims to: (i) evaluate the outcome of patients with Harrington class III lesions who were treated according to Harrington classification; (ii) propose a modified surgical classification for Harrington class III lesions; and (iii) assess the efficiency of the proposed modified classification.

    METHODS: This study composes two phases. During phase 1 (2006 to 2011), the clinical data of 16 patients with Harrington class III lesions who were treated by intralesional excision followed by reconstruction of antegrade/retrograde Steinmann pins/screws with cemented total hip arthroplasty (Harrington/modified Harrington procedure) were retrospectively reviewed and further analyzed synthetically to design a modified surgical classification system. In phase 2 (2013 to 2019), 62 patients with Harrington class III lesions were classified and surgically treated according to our modified classification. Functional outcome was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 93 scoring system. The outcome of local control was described using 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS). Owing to the limited sample size, we considered P 

  18. Risk factors for lower extremity amputation among patients with diabetes in Singapore
    Yang Y, Østbye T, Tan SB, Abdul Salam ZH, Ong BC, Yang KS
    J Diabetes Complications, 2011 Nov-Dec;25(6):382-6.
    PMID: 21983153 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2011.08.002
    BACKGROUND:
    Among other risk factors, renal disease and ethnicity have been associated with diabetic lower extremity amputation (LEA) in Western populations. However, little is known about risk factors for LEA among Asian patients.

    OBJECTIVE:
    The objective was to assess the proportion of hospitalized patients with diabetes who have a LEA among all hospital patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and to investigate risk factors for diabetic LEA (especially renal disease and ethnicity) using hospital discharge database.

    METHOD:
    A retrospective study of hospital discharge database (2004-2009) was performed to identify patients with DM, LEA and renal disease using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Ninth Revision, Australian Modification codes.

    RESULTS:
    Of 44 917 hospitalized patients with DM during the 6 years, 7312 (16.3%) patients had renal disease, and 1457 (3.2%) patients had LEA. DM patients with renal disease had significant higher rates of LEA (7.1%) compared to DM patients without renal disease (2.5%, P < .001). The differences were present for foot (2.7% vs. 1.2%), ankle or leg (2.8% vs. 0.9%), and knee or above amputation (1.6% vs. 0.4%, all P
  19. Aptamer-antibody dual probes on single-walled carbon nanotube bridged dielectrode: Comparative analysis on human blood clotting factor
    Yao J, Li S, Zhang L, Yang Y, Gopinath SCB, Lakshmipriya T, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2020 May 15;151:1133-1138.
    PMID: 31743722 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.156
    Haemophilia is a blood clotting disorder known as 'Christmas disease' caused when the blood has defect with the clotting factor(s). Bleeding leads various issues, such as chronic pain, arthritis and a serious complication during the surgery. Identifying this disease is mandatory to take the necessary treatment and maintains the normal clotting. It has been proved that the level of factor IX (FIX) is lesser with haemophilia patient and the attempt here is focused to quantify FIX level by interdigitated electrode (IDE) sensor. Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) was utilized to modify IDE sensing surface. On this surface, dual probing was evaluated with aptamer and antibody to bring the possible advantages. The detection limit with antibody was found to be 1 pM, while aptamer shows 100 fM. Further, a fine-tuning was attempted with sandwich pattern of aptamer-FIX-antibody and antibody-FIX-aptamer and compared. Specific elevation of detection with 10 folds was noticed and displayed the detection at 100 f. in both sandwich patterns. In addition, FIX was detected in the diluted human serum by aptamer-FIX-antibody sandwich, it was found that FIX detected from the dilution factor 1:640. A novel demonstration is with higher discrimination against other clotting factors, XI and VII.
  20. Dental Arch Relationships and Reverse Headgear Effects in Southern Chinese Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Retrospective Study
    Hassan YR, Tse KL, Khambay B, Wong RWK, Gu M, Yang Y
    Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 2018 Jan 01.
    PMID: 28094563 DOI: 10.1597/15-155
    Objective To evaluate the severity of the dental arch relationships and the treatment outcomes of reverse headgear (RHG) in southern Chinese patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Design A retrospective study. Setting Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong. Patients Thirty-eight UCLP patients with complete records. Among them, 14 were later treated with RHG (RHG group) and 24 were under review (non-RHG group) before definitive orthodontic or in conjunction with orthognathic surgery. Interventions Study models at T1 (aged 9.4 ± 0.4 years old), prebone grafting and before any orthodontic treatment started; T2 (aged 11.3 ± 0.6 years old), after bone grafting, and RHG treatment (RHG group) or under review (non-RHG group); and T3 (aged 15.3 ± 3.2 years old), pretreatment of definitive orthodontic or in conjunction with orthognathic surgery. Main Outcome Measures With satisfactory intra- and interexaminer agreement proven by the kappa value, the dental arch relationships of the study models at T1, T2, and T3 were assessed by a solo calibrated examiner using the GOSLON Yardstick. Results The median GOSLON score for southern Chinese patients with UCLP at T1 was 4.0. Sixty percent of the patients were categorized as "poor" at T1. RHG significantly improved dental arch relationships from T1 to T2, and the improvement was maintained until T3 assessed by the GOSLON Yardstick. Conclusions The dental arch relationships in southern Chinese UCLP patients at 8 to 10 years old are unfavorable. RHG treatment shows positive effects in improving the dental arch relationships in UCLP patients, as assessed by the GOSLON Yardstick.
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