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1.
Background
Proteins play fundamental and crucial roles in nearly all biological processes, such as, enzymatic catalysis, signaling transduction, DNA and RNA synthesis, and embryonic development. It has been a long-standing goal in molecular biology to predict the tertiary structure of a protein from its primary amino acid sequence. From visual comparison, it was found that a 2D triangular lattice model can give a better structure modeling and prediction for proteins with short primary amino acid sequences.Methods
This paper proposes a hybrid of hill-climbing and genetic algorithm (HHGA) based on elite-based reproduction strategy for protein structure prediction on the 2D triangular lattice.Results
The simulation results show that the proposed HHGA can successfully deal with the protein structure prediction problems. Specifically, HHGA significantly outperforms conventional genetic algorithms and is comparable to the state-of-the-art method in terms of free energy.Conclusions
Thanks to the enhancement of local search on the global search, the proposed HHGA achieves promising results on the 2D triangular protein structure prediction problem. The satisfactory simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed HHGA and the utility of the 2D triangular lattice model for protein structure prediction.2.
Background
There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare professional students. Although recent studies show musculoskeletal disorders are a common problem among X-ray technologists, there are no data on these disorders among students of this healthcare profession. We have therefore estimated the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among a group of X-ray technology students.Methods
The students (n = 109) currently attending the 3-year X-ray technologist school at a large University in the Apulia region of Southern Italy were recruited for the study, with a 100% participation rate. A questionnaire collected data concerning personal characteristics, physical exposure during training activities, and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders, low back, hand/wrist and legs.Results
The prevalence of complaints in any body site over the previous 12 months was 37%. Low back pain was the most frequently reported symptom (27%), followed by neck (16%), shoulder (11%), leg (8%) and hand/wrist (5%) pain. Poor physical activity was associated with the complaints.Conclusions
Our study showed prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints among X-ray technology students to be somewhat high, representing about half of those found in Italian technologists. The most common musculoskeletal problem was low back pain, which had also been found in research conducted among nursing students. Our research also showed a significant association between poor physical activity and the presence of musculoskeletal disorders in young university students.3.
Nikolaos Thomakos Khandra Galaal Georgios Georgopoulos Lakshmi Nagaraju Dianne Hemming Raj Naik 《International Seminars in Surgical Oncology : ISSO》2009,6(1):3
Background
Choroidal metastases from gynaecological primary are extremely rare. There is no documented case in the literature of choroid metastasis in a patient with primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC).Methods & Results
We describe the first case of a 54-year-old woman with a history of borderline mucinous tumour who presented 17 months later with PPC and 21 months after with recurrent disease metastatic to the eye, and review pertinent literature.Conclusion
High index of suspicion is warranted when patients with history of primary peritoneal carcinoma present with visual complaints in order to treat and/or relieve symptomatology from metastatic eye disease.4.
N. Cesbron A.-L. Royer Y. Guitton A. Sydor B. Le Bizec G. Dervilly-Pinel 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2017,13(8):99
Introduction
Collecting feces is easy. It offers direct outcome to endogenous and microbial metabolites.Objectives
In a context of lack of consensus about fecal sample preparation, especially in animal species, we developed a robust protocol allowing untargeted LC-HRMS fingerprinting.Methods
The conditions of extraction (quantity, preparation, solvents, dilutions) were investigated in bovine feces.Results
A rapid and simple protocol involving feces extraction with methanol (1/3, M/V) followed by centrifugation and a step filtration (10 kDa) was developed.Conclusion
The workflow generated repeatable and informative fingerprints for robust metabolome characterization.5.
Background
Infertility is defined as inability of a couple to conceive naturally after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It remains a major clinical and social problem, affecting perhaps one couple in six. Evaluation usually starts after 12 months; however it may be indicated earlier. The most common causes of infertility are: male factor such as sperm abnormalities, female factor such as ovulation dysfunction and tubal pathology, combined male and female factors and unexplained infertility.Objectives
The aim of this study is to provide the healthcare professionals an evidence-based management protocol for infertile couples away from medical information overload.Methods
A comprehensive review where the literature was searched for "Management of infertility and/or infertile couples" at library website of University of Bristol (MetaLib) by using a cross-search of different medical databases besides the relevant printed medical journals and periodicals. Guidelines and recommendations were retrieved from the best evidence reviews such as that from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG), American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).Results
A simple guide for the clinicians to manage the infertile couples.Conclusions
The study deploys a new strategy to translate the research findings and evidence-base recommendations into a simplified focused guide to be applied on routine daily practice. It is an approach to disseminate the recommended medical care for infertile couple to the practicing clinicians.6.
Rachel A. Spicer Christoph Steinbeck 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2018,14(1):16
Introduction
Data sharing is being increasingly required by journals and has been heralded as a solution to the ‘replication crisis’.Objectives
(i) Review data sharing policies of journals publishing the most metabolomics papers associated with open data and (ii) compare these journals’ policies to those that publish the most metabolomics papers.Methods
A PubMed search was used to identify metabolomics papers. Metabolomics data repositories were manually searched for linked publications.Results
Journals that support data sharing are not necessarily those with the most papers associated to open metabolomics data.Conclusion
Further efforts are required to improve data sharing in metabolomics.7.
Korey J. Brownstein Mahmoud Gargouri William R. Folk David R. Gang 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2017,13(11):133
Introduction
Botanicals containing iridoid and phenylethanoid/phenylpropanoid glycosides are used worldwide for the treatment of inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions that are primary causes of human years lived with disability, such as arthritis and lower back pain.Objectives
We report the analysis of candidate anti-inflammatory metabolites of several endemic Scrophularia species and Verbascum thapsus used medicinally by peoples of North America.Methods
Leaves, stems, and roots were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed in MetaboAnalyst 3.0 after processing the datasets in Progenesis QI.Results
Comparison of the datasets revealed significant and differential accumulation of iridoid and phenylethanoid/phenylpropanoid glycosides in the tissues of the endemic Scrophularia species and Verbascum thapsus.Conclusions
Our investigation identified several species of pharmacological interest as good sources for harpagoside and other important anti-inflammatory metabolites.8.
Background
Blood Pressure related disease affected 118 million people in India in the year 2000; this figure will double by 2025. Around one in four adults in rural India have hypertension, and of those, only a minority are accessing appropriate care. Health systems in India face substantial challenges to meet these gaps in care, and innovative solutions are needed.Methods
We hypothesise that a multifaceted intervention involving capacity strengthening of primary healthcare doctors and non-physician healthcare workers through use of a mobile device-based clinical decision support system will result in improved blood pressure control for individuals at high risk of a cardiovascular disease event when compared with usual healthcare. This intervention will be implemented as a stepped wedge, cluster randomised controlled trial in 18 primary health centres and 54 villages in rural Andhra Pradesh involving adults aged ≥40 years at high cardiovascular disease event risk (approximately 15,000 people). Cardiovascular disease event risk will be calculated based on World Health Organisation/International Society of Hypertension’s region-specific risk charts. Cluster randomisation will occur at the level of the primary health centres. Outcome analyses will be conducted blinded to intervention allocation.Expected outcomes
The primary study outcome is the difference in the proportion of people meeting guideline-recommended blood pressure targets in the intervention period vs. the control period. Secondary outcomes include mean reduction in blood pressure levels; change in other cardiovascular disease risk factors, including body mass index, current smoking, reported healthy eating habits, and reported physical activity levels; self-reported use of blood pressure and other cardiovascular medicines; quality of life (using the EQ-5D); and cardiovascular disease events (using hospitalisation data). Trial outcomes will be accompanied by detailed process and economic evaluations.Significance
The findings are likely to inform policy on a scalable strategy to overcome entrenched inequities in access to effective healthcare for under-served populations in low and middle income country settings.Trial registration
Clinical Trial Registry India CTRI/2013/06/003753.9.
Background
One of the recent challenges of computational biology is development of new algorithms, tools and software to facilitate predictive modeling of big data generated by high-throughput technologies in biomedical research.Results
To meet these demands we developed PROPER - a package for visual evaluation of ranking classifiers for biological big data mining studies in the MATLAB environment.Conclusion
PROPER is an efficient tool for optimization and comparison of ranking classifiers, providing over 20 different two- and three-dimensional performance curves.10.
11.
Christoph Koffler Matthias Finkbeiner 《The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment》2018,23(1):181-190
Purpose
End-of-life (EoL) recycling poses a challenge to many practitioners today due to the availability of different calculation approaches and the lack of scientific consensus, which is fueled by academic research and vested industry interests alike. One of the main challenges in EoL modeling is the credible calculation of the appropriate recycling credit in open-loop and closed-loop situations.Methods
We believe that part of the challenge is caused by a lack of understanding of the underlying recycling paradigm, which refers to the meaning that is assigned to the recycling credit. Referred to as “system expansion through substitution” and “future displacement of primary production,” the two predominant paradigms are delineated from each other followed by a discussion of their remaining challenges.Results and discussion
Based on these considerations, we propose a revised paradigm based on embodied burdens that is able to alleviate many of the most pressing issues associated with material recycling in attributional life cycle assessment.Conclusions
With this discussion paper, we look forward to a productive and lively debate on the matter.12.
Tomas Ekvall Adisa Azapagic Göran Finnveden Tomas Rydberg Bo P. Weidema Alessandra Zamagni 《The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment》2016,21(3):293-296
Purpose
This discussion article aims to highlight two problematic aspects in the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook: its guidance to the choice between attributional and consequential modeling and to the choice between average and marginal data as input to the life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis.Methods
We analyze the ILCD guidance by comparing different statements in the handbook with each other and with previous research in this area.Results and discussion
We find that the ILCD handbook is internally inconsistent when it comes to recommendations on how to choose between attributional and consequential modeling. We also find that the handbook is inconsistent with much of previous research in this matter, and also in the recommendations on how to choose between average and marginal data in the LCI.Conclusions
Because of the inconsistencies in the ILCD handbook, we recommend that the handbook be revised.13.
14.
Background
The primary human bone-derived cell culture technique is used as a model to study human osteogenesis. Compared to cell line cultures, primary osteoprogenitor and osteoblast cultures provide more complex information about osteogenesis, bone remodeling and regeneration than cell line cultures.Methods
In this study, we isolated human bone-derived cells (HBDCs) and promoted their differentiation into osteoblasts. The following parameters were evaluated: cell number and viability, total protein expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagenous matrix production and osteogenic genes expression, i.e., gene coding for type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase.Results
It was proved the results show that HBDCs intensively proliferate during the first 7 days of culture followed by differentiation accompanied by an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity. Moreover, it was observed that during the differentiation of HBDCs, the expression of integrin β1 increased.Conclusions
The process was also accompanied by changes in cell shape and rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and focal contacts containing FAK and the integrin β1 subunit. We suggest that the β1 integrin subunit may be a suitable new target in studies of the differentiation of primary human osteoblasts in culture.15.
Nadine Strehmel David Strunk Veronika Strehmel 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2017,13(11):135
Introduction
Aqueous–methanol mixtures have successfully been applied to extract a broad range of metabolites from plant tissue. However, a certain amount of material remains insoluble.Objectives
To enlarge the metabolic compendium, two ionic liquids were selected to extract the methanol insoluble part of trunk from Betula pendula.Methods
The extracted compounds were analyzed by LC/MS and GC/MS.Results
The results show that 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (IL-Ac) predominantly resulted in fatty acids, whereas 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tosylate (IL-Tos) mostly yielded phenolic structures. Interestingly, bark yielded more ionic liquid soluble metabolites compared to interior wood.Conclusion
From this one can conclude that the application of ionic liquids may expand the metabolic snapshot.16.
Background
An understanding of the needs and behaviors of asthma patients is important in developing an asthma-related healthcare policy. The primary goal of the present review was to assess patient perspectives on key issues in asthma and its management, as captured in patient surveys.Methods
Local, national, and multinational asthma surveys were reviewed to assess patient perspectives, and where possible healthcare provider (HCP) perspectives, on key issues, including diagnosis, treatment, control, quality of life, and other patient-centered outcomes. Twenty-four surveys, conducted or published between 1997 and 2003 in Europe and North America, were included in this review. Substantial differences among studies prevented a formal meta-analysis; instead, data were pooled to allow for general comparisons and qualitative analysis.Results
The results indicate that patients' knowledge of the underlying causes of asthma and treatment options remains inadequate. Moreover, patients often tolerate poor symptom control, possess meager knowledge of correct drug usage, and display insufficient adherence to therapy. Many patients have a low expectation of receiving an appropriate therapy or of having a positive encounter with the HCP. Among HCPs, there is evidence of inadequate understanding of disease etiology and poor or unstructured communication with patients, resulting often in inaccurate assessment of disease severity. Moreover, patients often underreport their symptoms and severity, which in turn could lead to misclassification and undertreatment.Conclusion
Improving patient education about the importance of achieving optimal asthma control, along with improved communication between patients and HCPs, emphasizing treatment options and optimal treatment of inflammation, may lead to better outcomes and improved asthma management in daily practice.17.
Emily G. Armitage Andrew D. Southam 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2016,12(9):146
Introduction
Cellular metabolism is altered during cancer initiation and progression, which allows cancer cells to increase anabolic synthesis, avoid apoptosis and adapt to low nutrient and oxygen availability. The metabolic nature of cancer enables patient cancer status to be monitored by metabolomics and lipidomics. Additionally, monitoring metabolic status of patients or biological models can be used to greater understand the action of anticancer therapeutics.Objectives
Discuss how metabolomics and lipidomics can be used to (i) identify metabolic biomarkers of cancer and (ii) understand the mechanism-of-action of anticancer therapies. Discuss considerations that can maximize the clinical value of metabolic cancer biomarkers including case–control, prognostic and longitudinal study designs.Methods
A literature search of the current relevant primary research was performed.Results
Metabolomics and lipidomics can identify metabolic signatures that associate with cancer diagnosis, prognosis and disease progression. Discriminatory metabolites were most commonly linked to lipid or energy metabolism. Case–control studies outnumbered prognostic and longitudinal approaches. Prognostic studies were able to correlate metabolic features with future cancer risk, whereas longitudinal studies were most effective for studying cancer progression. Metabolomics and lipidomics can help to understand the mechanism-of-action of anticancer therapeutics and mechanisms of drug resistance.Conclusion
Metabolomics and lipidomics can be used to identify biomarkers associated with cancer and to better understand anticancer therapies.18.
Yi Zhao Xiaoqing Yan Bo Li Ming Ke Sijia Chen Zhiling Xu Shaoxi Cai 《Biotechnology letters》2017,39(9):1425-1432
Objectives
To build a three-dimensional co-culture model in a microfluidic device for cancer research and evaluate its feasibility by investigating cancer stem-like cells (SCs) induced migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs).Results
The microfluidic device provided two-dimensional and three-dimensional (2D/3D) culture and co-culture environments without affecting cell viability. The device also provided an effective concentration for the chemiotaxis of cells, and to support real-time monitoring of cell behavior. In this model, SCs significantly increased the migration area of ECs with a hepatocarcinoma cell line (MHCC97H; MCs). The presence of ECs also induced both MCs and SCs invasion into Matrigel. The migration area of MCs and SCs significantly increased when co-cultured with ECs.Conclusions
This 3D co-culture microfluidic model is a suitable model in cancer research. Compared with MCs, SCs had greater potential in inducing EC migration and interacting with ECs.19.
Polona Žigon Katjuša Mrak-Poljšak Katja Lakota Matic Terčelj Saša Čučnik Matija Tomsic Snezna Sodin-Semrl 《Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society》2016,12(5):92
Introduction
Human primary cells originating from different locations within the body could differ greatly in their metabolic phenotypes, influencing both how they act during physiological/pathological processes and how susceptible/resistant they are to a variety of disease risk factors. A novel way to monitor cellular metabolism is through cell energetics assays, so we explored this approach with human primary cell types, as models of sclerotic disorders.Objectives
In order to better understand pathophysiological processes at the cellular level, our goals were to measure metabolic pathway activities of endothelial cells and fibroblasts, and determine their metabolic phenotype profiles.Methods
Biolog Phenotype MicroArray? technology was used for the first time to characterize metabolic phenotypes of diverse primary cells. These colorimetric assays enable detection of utilization of 367 specific biochemical substrates by human endothelial cells from the coronary artery (HCAEC), umbilical vein (HUVEC) and normal, healthy lung fibroblasts (NHLF).Results
Adenosine, inosine, d-mannose and dextrin were strongly utilized by all three cell types, comparable to glucose. Substrates metabolized solely by HCAEC were mannan, pectin, gelatin and prevalently tricarballylic acid. HUVEC did not show any uniquely metabolized substrates whereas NHLF exhibited strong utilization of sugars and carboxylic acids along with amino acids and peptides.Conclusion
Taken together, we show for the first time that this simple energetics assay platform enables metabolic characterization of primary cells and that each of the three human cell types examined gives a unique and distinguishable profile.20.