Let's rise up to unite taxonomy and technology.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Bik HM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5562296 | biostudies-other | 2017 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:In the past three decades, China has become a major contributor to science and technology. China now employs an increasingly large labor force of scientists and engineers at relatively high earnings and produces more science and engineering degrees than the United States at all levels, particularly bachelor's. China's research and development expenditure has been rising. Research output in China has been sharply increasing since 2002, making China the second largest producer of scientific papers after the United States. The quality of research by Chinese scientists has also been improving steadily. However, China's rise in science also faces serious difficulties, partly attributable to its rigid, top-down administrative system, with allegations of scientific misconduct trending upward.
| S-EPMC4084436 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and aimsCrohn's disease [CD] is characterised by chronic intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis in the gut. Riboflavin [vitamin B2] has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and microbiome-modulatory properties. Here, we analysed the effect of riboflavin on oxidative stress, markers of inflammation, clinical symptoms, and faecal microbiome in patients with CD.MethodsIn this prospective clinical intervention study, patients received 100 mg riboflavin [DSM, Nutritional Products Ltd] daily for 3 weeks. Clinical disease activity [Harvey-Bradshaw Index: HBI], serum biomarkers of inflammation and redox status [plasma free thiols], and faecal microbiome taxonomical composition and functionality [fluorescent in situ hybridisation: FISH; and metagenomic shotgun sequencing: MGS], were analysed before and after riboflavin intervention.ResultsIn total, 70 patients with CD with varying disease activity were included. Riboflavin supplementation significantly decreased serum levels of inflammatory markers. In patients with low faecal calprotectin [FC] levels, IL-2 decreased, and in patients with high FC levels, C-reactive protein [CRP] was reduced and free thiols significantly increased after supplementation. Moreover, HBI was significantly decreased by riboflavin supplementation. Riboflavin supplementation led to decreased Enterobacteriaceae in patients with low FC levels as determined by FISH; however, MGS analysis showed no effects on diversity, taxonomy, or metabolic pathways of the faecal microbiome.ConclusionsThree weeks of riboflavin supplementation resulted in a reduction in systemic oxidative stress, mixed anti-inflammatory effects, and a reduction in clinical symptoms [HBI]. FISH analysis showed decreased Enterobacteriaceae in patients with CD with low FC levels, though this was not observed in MGS analysis. Our data demonstrate that riboflavin supplementation has a number of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in CD.
| S-EPMC7303596 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundA 2017 umbrella review defined the technology-enabled self-management (TES) feedback loop associated with a significant reduction in A1C. The purpose of this 2021 review was to develop a taxonomy of intervention attributes in technology-enabled interventions; review recent, high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses to determine if the TES framework was described and if elements contribute to improved diabetes outcomes; and to identify gaps in the literature.MethodsWe identified key technology attributes needed to describe the active ingredients of TES interventions. We searched multiple databases for English language reviews published between April 2017 and April 2020, focused on PwD (population) receiving diabetes care and education (intervention) using technology-enabled self-management (comparator) in a randomized controlled trial, that impact glycemic, behavioral/psychosocial, and other diabetes self-management outcomes. AMSTAR-2 guidelines were used to assess 50 studies for methodological quality including risk of bias.ResultsThe TES Taxonomy was developed to standardize the description of technology-enabled interventions; and ensure research uses the taxonomy for replication and evaluation. Of the 26 included reviews, most evaluated smartphones, mobile applications, texting, internet, and telehealth. Twenty-one meta-analyses with the TES feedback loop significantly lowered A1C.ConclusionsTechnology-enabled diabetes self-management interventions continue to be associated with improved clinical outcomes. The ongoing rapid adoption and engagement of technology makes it important to focus on uniform measures for behavioral/psychosocial outcomes to highlight healthy coping. Using the TES Taxonomy as a standard approach to describe technology-enabled interventions will support understanding of the impact technology has on diabetes outcomes.
| S-EPMC9264439 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPeople with cancer receive regular structured follow up after initial treatment, usually by a specialist in a cancer centre. Increasing numbers of cancer survivors prompts interest in alternative structured follow-up models. There is worldwide evidence of increasing interest in delivering cancer follow-up using technology. This review sough evidence supporting the use of technology in cancer follow-up from good quality randomised controlled trials.MethodA search strategy was developed to identify randomised controlled trials and reviews of randomised trials of interventions delivering some aspect of structured cancer follow-up using new technologies. Databases searched were: All EBM Reviews; Embase; Medline (No Revisions); Medline (Non-Indexed Citations), and CAB Abstracts. Included articles were published in English between 2000 and 2014. Key words were generated by the research question. Papers were read independently and appraised using a standardised checklist by two researchers, with differences being resolved by consensus [J Epidemiol Community Health, 52:377-384, 1998]. Information was collected on the purpose, process, results and limitations of each study. All outcomes were considered, but particular attention paid to areas under consideration in the review question.ResultsThe search strategy generated 22879 titles. Following removal of duplicates and abstract review 17 full papers pertaining to 13 randomised controlled studies were reviewed. Studies varied in technologies used and the elements of follow-up delivered, length of follow-up, tumour type and numbers participating. Most studies employed only standard telephone follow-up. Most studies involved women with breast cancer and included telephone follow-up. Together the results suggest that interventions comprising technology had not compromised patient satisfaction or safety, as measured by symptoms, health related quality of life or psychological distress. There was insufficient evidence to comment on the cost effectiveness of technological cancer follow-up interventions.ConclusionsModern technology could deliver cancer follow-up that is acceptable and safe. More research is required to develop cancer follow-up systems which exploit modern technology, which should be assessed using randomised trials, with consistent outcomes, so that evidence on the acceptability, safety, cost effectiveness and impact in quality of life of technological follow-up can accumulate and be made available to patients, professionals and policy makers.
| S-EPMC4101828 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Sea-level rise is a major factor in wetland loss worldwide, and in much of Chesapeake Bay (USA) the rate of sea-level rise is higher than the current global rate of 3.2 mm yr-1 due to regional subsidence. Marshes along estuarine salinity gradients differ in vegetation composition, productivity, decomposition pathways, and sediment dynamics, and may exhibit different responses to sea-level rise. Coastal marshes persist by building vertically at rates at or exceeding regional sea-level rise. In one of the first studies to examine elevation dynamics across an estuarine salinity gradient, we installed 15 surface elevation tables (SET) and accretion marker-horizon plots (MH) in tidal freshwater, oligohaline, and brackish marshes across a Chesapeake Bay subestuary. Over the course of four years, wetlands across the subestuary decreased 1.8 ± 2.7 mm yr-1 in elevation on average, at least 5 mm yr-1 below that needed to keep pace with global sea-level rise. Elevation change rates did not significantly differ among the marshes studied, and ranged from -9.8 ± 6.9 to 4.5 ± 4.3 mm yr-1. Surface accretion of deposited mineral and organic matter was uniformly high across the estuary (~9-15 mm yr-1), indicating that elevation loss was not due to lack of accretionary input. Position in the estuary and associated salinity regime were not related to elevation change or surface matter accretion. Previous studies have focused on surface elevation change in marshes of uniform salinity (e.g., salt marshes); however, our findings highlight the need for elevation studies in marshes of all salinity regimes and different geomorphic positions, and warn that brackish, oligohaline, and freshwater tidal wetlands may be at similarly high risk of submergence in some estuaries.
| S-EPMC4965100 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Even though urothelial cancer (UC) is the fourth common tumor type among males, progress in treatment development has been deficient. Pathological assessment provides the urologists with only a broad classification, complicated by frequent disagreement among pathologist and the co-existence of different grading systems. Consequently, there is a great need for an objective, reproducible and biologically relevant classification system to make treatment more efficient. In the present investigation we present a molecular taxonomy for UC stratification based on integrated genomics. We used gene expression profiles from 308 UC to define seven molecular subtypes using step-by-step partitions and a bootstrap approach. Results were validated in three independent and publically available data sets. The subtypes differ significantly with respect to expression of cell cycle genes, of receptor tyrosine kinases particularity FGFR3, ERBB2 (HER2), and EGFR, of an FGFR3 associated gene expression signature, of cytokaratins, and of cell adhesion genes. The subtypes also differ significantly with respect to FGFR3, PIK3CA, and TP53 mutations. The expression of key proteins was validated by IHC on TMA. A further inspection indicated that the subtypes could be reduced to four major types of UC; Urobasal/D-driven, Genomically unstable/E-driven, Evolved urobasal, and Basal/SCC like, with characteristic and highly divergent molecular phenotypes. We show that the molecular subtypes cut across pathological classification and that tumors classified as one subtype maintain their characteristic molecular phenotype irrespective of pathological stage and grade. Available data from the Drugbank database and the Cochrane central registry of controlled trials indicate that susceptibility to specific drugs is more likely to be associated with the molecular stratification than with pathological classification. The presented molecular taxonomy stratifies UC into subtypes with distinct molecular phenotypes and biological properties. We anticipate that the molecular taxonomy will be a useful tool in future clinical investigations. Total RNA from fresh-frozen resection samples of 308 urothelial carcinomas was hybridized to the Illumina HumanHT-12 V3.0 expression beadchip arrays (Illumina Inc) at the SCIBLU Genomics Centre at Lund University Sweden (http://www.lth.se/sciblu). Supplementary files: GSE32894_non-normalized_308UCsamples.txt file = Raw intensity values for 308 UC (urothelial tumor) samples subjected only to background correction. GSE32894_reps_normals_preprocess*.txt files = Descriptive details and non-normalized data for technical replicates and normal samples that were used only in the preprocessing of the data. This dataset partly overlaps with Series GSE32549. Names of the overlapping sample names are the same, but the title of each sample is unique to the hybridization.
2012-05-23 | E-GEOD-32894 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Monolithic strong magnetic induction at the mtesla to tesla level provides essential functionalities to physical, chemical, and medical systems. Current design options are constrained by existing capabilities in three-dimensional (3D) structure construction, current handling, and magnetic material integration. We report here geometric transformation of large-area and relatively thick (~100 to 250 nm) 2D nanomembranes into multiturn 3D air-core microtubes by a vapor-phase self-rolled-up membrane (S-RuM) nanotechnology, combined with postrolling integration of ferrofluid magnetic materials by capillary force. Hundreds of S-RuM power inductors on sapphire are designed and tested, with maximum operating frequency exceeding 500 MHz. An inductance of 1.24 μH at 10 kHz has been achieved for a single microtube inductor, with corresponding areal and volumetric inductance densities of 3 μH/mm2 and 23 μH/mm3, respectively. The simulated intensity of the magnetic induction reaches tens of mtesla in fabricated devices at 10 MHz.
| S-EPMC6968933 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The convergence of nanoparticles and stem cell therapy holds great promise for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers aim to harness the power of nanoparticles to regulate cellular microenvironment, improve the efficiency of cell and drug delivery to the brain, and enhance the survival of stem cell transplants. Understanding the various properties of different nanoparticles is key to applying them to clinical therapies; the many distinct types of nanoparticles offer unique capacities for medical imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of neurodegeneration disorders. In this review we introduce the biology of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and discuss the potentials and shortcomings of metal, silica, lipid-based, polymeric, and hydrogel nanoparticles for diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. We then provide an overview of current strategies in stem cell therapies and how they can be combined with nanotechnology to improve clinical outcomes.
| S-EPMC6703981 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Purpose:Non-specific low back pain (NLBP) causes an enormous burden to patients and tremendous costs for health care systems worldwide. Frequently, treatments are not oriented to existing guidelines. In the future, digital elements may be promising tools to support guideline-oriented treatment in a broader range of patients. The cluster-randomized controlled "Rise-uP" trial aims to support a General Practitioner (GP)-centered back pain treatment (Registration No: DRKS00015048) and includes the following digital elements: 1) electronic case report form (eCRF), 2) a treatment algorithm for guideline-based clinical decision making of GPs, 3) teleconsultation between GPs and pain specialists for patients at risk for development of chronic back pain, and 4) a multidisciplinary mobile back pain app for all patients (Kaia App). Methods:In the Rise-uP trial, 111 GPs throughout Bavaria (southern Germany) were randomized either to the Rise-uP intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). Rise-uP patients were treated according to the guideline-oriented Rise-uP treatment algorithm. Standard of care was applied to the CG patients with consideration given to the "National guideline for the treatment of non-specific back pain". Pain rating on the numeric rating scale was the primary outcome measure. Psychological measures (anxiety, depression, stress), functional ability, as well as physical and mental wellbeing, served as secondary outcomes. All values were assessed at the beginning of the treatment and at 3-month follow-ups. Results:In total, 1245 patients (IG: 933; CG: 312) with NLBP were included in the study. The Rise-uP group showed a significantly stronger pain reduction compared to the control group after 3 months (IG: M=-33.3% vs CG: M=-14.3%). The Rise-uP group was also superior in secondary outcomes. Furthermore, high-risk patients who received a teleconsultation showed a larger decrease in pain intensity (-43.5%) than CG patients (-14.3%). ANCOVA analysis showed that the impact of teleconsultation was mediated by an increased training activity in the Kaia App. Conclusion:Our results show the superiority of the innovative digital treatment algorithm realized in Rise-uP, even though the CG also received relevant active treatment by their GPs. This provides clear evidence that digital treatment may be a promising tool to improve the quality of treatment of non-specific back pain. In 2021, analyses of routine data from statutory health insurances will enable us to investigate the cost-effectiveness of digital treatment.
| S-EPMC7381830 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Coral reefs protect islands from tropical storm waves and provide goods and services for millions of islanders worldwide. Yet it is unknown how coral reefs in general, and carbonate production in particular, will respond to sea-level rise and thermal stress associated with climate change. This study compared the reef-building capacity of different shallow-water habitats at twenty-four sites on each of two islands, Palau and Yap, in the western Pacific Ocean. We were particularly interested in estimating the inverse problem of calculating the value of live coral cover at which net carbonate production becomes negative, and whether that value varied across habitats. Net carbonate production varied among habitats, averaging 10.2 kg CaCO3 m-2 y-1 for outer reefs, 12.7 kg CaCO3 m-2 y-1 for patch reefs, and 7.2 kg CaCO3 m-2 y-1 for inner reefs. The value of live coral cover at which net carbonate production became negative varied across habitats, with highest values on inner reefs. These results suggest that some inner reefs tend to produce less carbonate, and therefore need higher coral cover to produce enough carbonate to keep up with sea-level rise than outer and patch reefs. These results also suggest that inner reefs are more vulnerable to sea-level rise than other habitats, which stresses the need for effective land-use practices as the climate continues to change. Averaging across all reef habitats, the rate of carbonate production was 9.7 kg CaCO3 m-2 y-1, or approximately 7.9 mm y-1 of potential vertical accretion. Such rates of vertical accretion are higher than projected averages of sea-level rise for the representative concentration pathway (RCP) climate-change scenarios 2.6, 4.5, and 6, but lower than for the RCP scenario 8.5.
| S-EPMC5940225 | biostudies-literature