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1.
Biomineralization Process of CaCO3 Precipitation Induced by Bacillus mucilaginous and Its Potential Application in Microbial Self-healing Concrete.
Li, Z, Liu, A, Sun, C, Li, H, Kong, Z, Zhai, H
Applied biochemistry and biotechnology. 2024;(4):1896-1920
Abstract
Microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is widely common in nature, which belongs to biomineralization and has been explored carefully in recent decades. The paper studied the effect of temperature, initial pH value and Ca2+ concentration on bacterial growth and carbonic anhydrase activity, and then revealed the biomineralization process through the changes of Ca2+ concentration and calcification rate in alkali environment. Meanwhile, microbial healing agent containing spores and calcium nitrate was prepared and used for the early age concrete cracks repair. The self-healing efficiency was assessed by crack closure rate and water permeability repair rate. The experimental results showed that when the optimal temperature was 30 °C, the pH was 8.0-11.0, and the optimal Ca2+ concentration was 0-90 mM, the bacteria could grow better and the carbonic anhydrase activity was higher. Compared with reference, the crack closure rate with the crack width up to 0.339 mm could reach 95.62% and the water permeability repair rate was 87.54% after 28 d healing time of dry-wet cycles. XRD analysis showed that the precipitates at the crack mouth were calcite CaCO3. Meanwhile, the self-healing mechanism of mortar cracks was discussed in detail. In particular, there is no other pollution in the whole mineralization process, and the self-healing system is environmentally friendly, which provides a novel idea and method for the application of microbial self-healing concrete.
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2.
CaCO3 nanoplatform for cancer treatment: drug delivery and combination therapy.
Yang, X, Sun, Y, Zhang, H, Liu, F, Chen, Q, Shen, Q, Kong, Z, Wei, Q, Shen, JW, Guo, Y
Nanoscale. 2024;(14):6876-6899
Abstract
The use of nanocarriers for drug delivery has opened up exciting new possibilities in cancer treatment. Among them, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanocarriers have emerged as a promising platform due to their exceptional biocompatibility, biosafety, cost-effectiveness, wide availability, and pH-responsiveness. These nanocarriers can efficiently encapsulate a variety of small-molecule drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids, as well as co-encapsulate multiple drugs, providing targeted and sustained drug release with minimal side effects. However, the effectiveness of single-drug therapy using CaCO3 nanocarriers is limited by factors such as multidrug resistance, tumor metastasis, and recurrence. Combination therapy, which integrates multiple treatment modalities, offers a promising approach for tackling these challenges by enhancing efficacy, leveraging synergistic effects, optimizing therapy utilization, tailoring treatment approaches, reducing drug resistance, and minimizing side effects. CaCO3 nanocarriers can be employed for combination therapy by integrating drug therapy with photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, sonodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, radiofrequency ablation therapy, and imaging. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in CaCO3 nanocarriers for drug delivery and combination therapy in cancer treatment over the past five years. Furthermore, insightful perspectives on future research directions and development of CaCO3 nanoparticles as nanocarriers in cancer treatment are discussed.
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Effects of ketone supplements on blood β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose and insulin: A systematic review and three-level meta-analysis.
Yu, Q, Falkenhain, K, Little, JP, Wong, KK, Nie, J, Shi, Q, Kong, Z
Complementary therapies in clinical practice. 2023;:101774
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effects of ketone supplements as well as relevant dose-response relationships and time effects on blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose and insulin are controversial. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to summarize the existing evidence and synthesize the results, and demonstrate underlying dose-response relationships as well as sustained time effects. METHODS Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant randomized crossover/parallel studies published until 25th November 2022. Three-level meta-analysis compared the acute effects of exogenous ketone supplementation and placebo in regulating blood parameters, with Hedge's g used as measure of effect size. Effects of potential moderators were explored through multilevel regression models. Dose-response and time-effect models were established via fractional polynomial regression. RESULTS The meta-analysis with 327 data points from 30 studies (408 participants) indicated that exogenous ketones led to a significant increase in blood BHB (Hedge's g = 1.4994, 95% CI [1.2648, 1.7340]), reduction in glucose (Hedge's g = -0.3796, 95% CI [-0.4550, -0.3041]), and elevation in insulin of non-athlete healthy population (Hedge's g = 0.1214, 95%CI [0.0582, 0.3011]), as well as insignificant change in insulin of obesity and prediabetes. Nonlinear dose-response relationship between ketone dosage and blood parameter change was observed in some time intervals for BHB (30-60 min; >120 min) and insulin (30-60 min; 90-120 min), with linear relationship observed for glucose (>120 min). Nonlinear associations between time and blood parameter change were found in BHB (>550 mg/kg) and glucose (450-550 mg/kg), with linear relationship observed in BHB (≤250 mg/kg) and insulin (350-550 mg/kg). CONCLUSION Dose-response relationships and sustained time effects were observed in BHB, glucose and insulin following ketone supplementation. Glucose-lowering effect without increasing insulin load among population of obesity and prediabetes was of remarkable clinical implication. REGISTRY AND REGISTRY NUMBER PROSPERO (CRD42022360620).
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Acute effect of high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on appetite perception: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hu, M, Nie, J, Lei, OK, Shi, Q, Kong, Z
Appetite. 2023;:106427
Abstract
Interval training protocols have gained popularity over the years, but their impact on appetite sensation compared to officially recommended training method, moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) is not well understood. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare a single session of high intensity interval training (HIIT) including sprint interval training (SIT) with MICT on appetite perception measured by the visual analog scale (VAS). After searching up articles published up to September 2021, 13 randomized controlled studies were included in the meta-analysis. Outcomes of meta-analysis demonstrated that both acute sessions of HIIT/SIT and MICT suppressed appetite compared to no-exercise control groups immediately post exercise but there were no significant effects 30-90 min post exercise or in AUC values, indicating a transient effect of exercise on appetite sensations. Moreover, differences in appetite sensations between HIIT/SIT and MICT were negligible immediately post exercise, but HIIT/SIT suppressed hunger (MD = -6.347 [-12.054, -0.639], p = 0.029) to a greater extent than MICT 30- to 90-min post exercise, while there was a lack of consistency other VAS subscales of appetite. More studies that address the impact of exercising timing, nutrient compositions of energy intake (energy intake (EI)) and differences in participants' characteristics and long-term studies analyzing chronic effects are needed to comprehensively examine the differences between HIIT/SIT and MICT on appetite and EI. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO], Identifier [CRD42021284898].
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Establishment and validation of a clinical model for predicting diabetic ketosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Qi, M, Shao, X, Li, D, Zhou, Y, Yang, L, Chi, J, Che, K, Wang, Y, Xiao, M, Zhao, Y, et al
Frontiers in endocrinology. 2022;:967929
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic ketosis (DK) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization among patients with diabetes. Failure to recognize DK symptoms may lead to complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, severe neurological morbidity, and death. PURPOSE This study aimed to develop and validate a model to predict DK in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on both clinical and biochemical characteristics. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted by evaluating the records of 3,126 patients with T2DM, with or without DK, at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2015 to May 2022. The patients were divided randomly into the model development (70%) or validation (30%) cohorts. A risk prediction model was constructed using a stepwise logistic regression analysis to assess the risk of DK in the model development cohort. This model was then validated using a second cohort of patients. RESULTS The stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for DK in patients with T2DM were the 2-h postprandial C-peptide (2hCP) level, age, free fatty acids (FFA), and HbA1c. Based on these factors, we constructed a risk prediction model. The final risk prediction model was L= (0.472a - 0.202b - 0.078c + 0.005d - 4.299), where a = HbA1c level, b = 2hCP, c = age, and d = FFA. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.917 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.899-0.934; p<0.001). The discriminatory ability of the model was equivalent in the validation cohort (AUC, 0.922; 95% CI, 0.898-0.946; p<0.001). CONCLUSION This study identified independent risk factors for DK in patients with T2DM and constructed a prediction model based on these factors. The present findings provide an easy-to-use, easily interpretable, and accessible clinical tool for predicting DK in patients with T2DM.
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6.
Modification of Rhizosphere Microbial Communities: A Possible Mechanism of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Enhancing Plant Growth and Fitness.
Kong, Z, Liu, H
Frontiers in plant science. 2022;:920813
Abstract
Plant beneficial bacteria, defined as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), play a crucial role in plants' growth, stress tolerance and disease prevention. In association with the rhizosphere of plants, PGPR facilitate plant growth and development either directly or indirectly through multiple mechanisms, including increasing available mineral nutrients, moderating phytohormone levels and acting as biocontrol agents of phytopathogens. It is generally accepted that the effectiveness of PGPR inoculants is associated with their ability to colonize, survive and persist, as well as the complex network of interactions in the rhizosphere. Despite the promising plant growth promotion results commonly reported and mostly attributed to phytohormones or other organic compounds produced by PGPR inoculants, little information is available on the potential mechanisms underlying such positive effects via modifying rhizosphere microbial community and soil functionality. In this review, we overviewed the effects of PGPR inoculants on rhizosphere microbial ecology and soil function, hypothesizing that PGPR may indirectly promote plant growth and health via modifying the composition and functioning of rhizosphere microbial community, and highlighting the further directions for investigating the role of PGPR in rhizosphere from an ecological perspective.
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Mental health problems among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19: The importance of nutrition and physical activity.
Chi, X, Liang, K, Chen, ST, Huang, Q, Huang, L, Yu, Q, Jiao, C, Guo, T, Stubbs, B, Hossain, MM, et al
International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP. 2021;21(3):100218
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Plain language summary
Recent research has showed that the prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese middle school students was 21.90%, 43.70% and 37.40%, respectively, during the COVID-19 period. The aims of this study were: (1) to explore the prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak; (2) to investigate associations of socio-demographic factors and COVID-fear with insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms; (3) to investigate associations of nutrition and physical activity with insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms after adjusting socio-demographic factors and COVID-fear. This study included 1,794 students (males n= 56.20% and females n= 43.80%) aged 15 and 18 years. Results indicate that prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms was high in the participating cohort. The highest prevalence was among female participants, left behind children and students with higher COVID-fear. Both better nutritional status, moderately and highly active physical activity levels were protective factors for depression and anxiety, while highly active physical activity level was significantly associated with lower level of insomnia symptoms. Authors conclude by emphasising on the important role of psychology counsellors in schools, health authorities and educators to carry out early psychological interventions.
Abstract
Mental health problems are common among adolescents and greatly influenced by stressful events. This study sought to assess the prevalence and correlates of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19. METHOD Cross-sectional study (N = 1,794 adolescents, mean age = 15.26) was conducted in May 2020. An online survey was used to collect socio-demographic data, COVID-related fear (COVID-fear), nutrition, physical activity (PA) level and the symptoms of insomnia, depression and anxiety. RESULTS The prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms was 37.80%, 48.20% and 36.70%, respectively, among Chinese adolescents during the pandemic. Generalized linear models revealed that female, left behind children, and students with greater COVID-fear tended to report symptoms of insomnia, depression and anxiety concurrently. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors and COVID-fear, better nutritional status and moderately active PA were both associated with lower levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, while highly active PA was associated with lower levels of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that more attention should be paid to psychological health among adolescents while combating COVID-19. To promote adolescents' mental health, educators should help adolescents develop a healthy lifestyle with balanced diet and regular exercise. Los problemas de salud mental son comunes en adolescentes y están influenciados por eventos estresantes. Se evaluó prevalencia y correlatos de síntomas de insomnio, depresión y ansiedad en adolescentes chinos durante el COVID-19. Método: En mayo de 2020 se realizó un estudio transversal (N = 1.794 adolescentes, edad media = 15,26) mediante una encuesta en línea para recopilar datos sociodemográficos, miedo relacionado con COVID-19, nutrición, actividad física (AF) y síntomas de insomnio, depresión y ansiedad. Resultados: La prevalencia de síntomas de insomnio, depresión y ansiedad fue del 37,80%, 48,20% y 36,70%, respectivamente. Modelos lineales generalizados revelaron que mujeres, niños abandonados y estudiantes con más miedo al COVID-19 tendían a informar síntomas de insomnio, depresión y ansiedad simultaneamente. Después de ajustar los factores sociodemográficos y el miedo al COVID-19, mejor estado nutricional y AF moderadamente activa se asociaron con niveles más bajos de síntomas de depresión y ansiedad, mientras que AF muy activa se asoció con niveles más bajos de insomnio, síntomas depresivos y de ansiedad. Conclusiones: Se debe prestar más atención a la salud psicológica de los adolescentes mientras se combate el COVID-19. Para promover su salud mental, los educadores deben ayudarles a desarrollar un estilo de vida saludable con una dieta equilibrada y ejercicio regular.
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Exercise training-induced visceral fat loss in obese women: The role of training intensity and modality.
Zhang, H, Tong, TK, Kong, Z, Shi, Q, Liu, Y, Nie, J
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2021;(1):30-43
Abstract
Visceral fat loss in response to four-cycle ergometer training regimens with explicit differences in exercise intensity and modality was compared. Fifty-nine obese young women (body fat percentage ≥ 30%) were randomized to a 12-week intervention consisting of either all-out sprint interval training (SITall-out , n = 11); supramaximal SIT (SIT120 , 120% V˙ O2peak , n = 12); high-intensity interval training (HIIT90 , 90% V˙ O2peak , n = 12), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT, 60% V˙ O2peak , n = 11), or no training (CON, n = 13). The total work done per training session in SIT120 , HIIT90 , and MICT was confined to 200 kJ, while it was deliberately lower in SITall-out . The abdominal visceral fat area (AVFA) was measured through computed tomography scans. The whole-body and regional fat mass were assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pre-, post-, and 3-hour post-exercise serum growth hormone (GH), and epinephrine (EPI) were measured during selected training sessions. Following the intervention, similar reductions in whole-body and regional fat mass were found in all intervention groups, while the reductions in AVFA resulting from SITall-out , SIT120 , and HIIT90 (>15 cm2 ) were greater in comparison with MICT (<3.5 cm2 , P < .05). The AVFA reductions among the SITs and HIIT groups were similar, and it was concomitant with the similar exercise-induced releases of serum GH and EPI. CON variables were unchanged. These findings suggest that visceral fat loss induced by interval training at or above 90% V˙ O2peak appeared unresponsive to the change in training intensity. Nonetheless, SITall-out is still the most time-efficient strategy among the four exercise-training regimes for controlling visceral obesity.
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Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation applied in lower limbs decreases the incidence of paralytic ileus after colorectal surgery: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.
Gao, W, Li, W, Yan, Y, Yang, R, Zhang, Y, Jin, M, Luo, Z, Xie, L, Ma, Y, Xu, X, et al
Surgery. 2021;(6):1618-1626
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postoperative paralytic ileus prolongs hospitalization duration, increases medical expenses, and is even associated with postoperative mortality; however, effective prevention of postoperative paralytic ileus is not yet available. This trial aimed to assess the preventative effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation applied in the lower limbs on postoperative paralytic ileus incidence after colorectal surgery. METHODS After ethics approval and written informed consent, 610 patients from 10 hospitals who were scheduled for colorectal surgery between May 2018 and September 2019 were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated into the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (stimulated on bilateral Zusanli, Shangjuxu, and Sanyinjiao acupoints in lower limbs for 30 minutes each time, total 4 times) or sham (without currents delivered) group with 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was postoperative paralytic ileus incidence, defined as no flatus for >72 hours after surgery. RESULTS Compared to the sham treatment, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation lowered the postoperative paralytic ileus incidence by 8.7% (32.3% vs 41.0%, P = .026) and decreased the risk of postoperative paralytic ileus by 32% (OR, 0.68; P = .029). Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation also shortened the recovery time to flatus, defecation, normal diet, and bowel sounds. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation treatment significantly increased median serum acetylcholine by 55% (P = .007) and interleukin-10 by 88% (P < .001), but decreased interleukin-6 by 47% (P < .001) and inducible nitric oxide synthase by 42% (P = .002) at 72 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSION Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation attenuated the postoperative paralytic ileus incidence and enhanced gastrointestinal functional recovery, which may be associated with increasing parasympathetic nerve tone and its anti-inflammatory actions.
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10.
18F-Boramino acid PET/CT in healthy volunteers and glioma patients.
Li, Z, Kong, Z, Chen, J, Li, J, Li, N, Yang, Z, Wang, Y, Liu, Z
European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. 2021;(10):3113-3121
Abstract
PURPOSE In this work, the safety, biodistribution, and radiation dosimetry of large neutral amino acid transporter type-1 (LAT-1) targeting PET tracer 18F-trifluorobborate-derived tyrosine (denoted as 18F-FBY) has been investigated. It is designed as a first-in-human study in healthy volunteers and to assay LAT-1 expression level in glioma patients. METHODS Six healthy volunteers (3 M, 3 F) underwent whole-body PET acquisitions at multiple time points after bolus injection of 18F-FBY. Regions of interest (ROIs) were mapped manually on major organs, and then the time-activity curves (TACs) were obtained. Dosimetry was calculated with the OLINDA/EXM software. Thirteen patients who were suspected of glioma were scanned with PET/CT at 30 min after 18F-FBY injection. Within 7 days after PET/CT, the tumor was removed surgically, and LAT-1 immunohistochemical staining for LAT-1 was performed on tumor samples and correlated with 18F-FBY PET imaging. RESULTS 18F-FBY was well tolerated by all healthy volunteers, and no adverse symptoms were observed or reported. 18F-FBY is rapidly cleared from the blood circulation and excreted mainly through the kidneys and urinary tract. The effective dose (ED) was 0.0039 ± 0.0006 mSv/MBq. In 14 surgical confirmed gliomas (one of the patiens had two gliomas), 18F-FBY uptake increased consistently with tumor grade, with maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) of 0.28 ± 0.14 and 2.84 ± 0.46 and tumor-to-normal contralateral activity (T/N) ratio of 2.30 ± 1.26 and 24.56 ± 6.32 in low- and high-grade tumors, respectively. In addition to the significant difference in the uptakes between low- and high-grade gliomas (P < 0.001), the immunohistochemical staining confirmed the positive correlations between the SUVmax, LAT-1 expression (r2 = 0.80, P < 0.001), and Ki-67 labeling index (r2 = 0.79, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION 18F-FBY is a PET tracer with favorable dosimetry profile and pharmacokinetics. It has the potential to assay LAT-1 expression in glioma patients and may provide imaging guidance for further boron neutron capture therapy of gliomas. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03980431).