Association of maternal Vitamin D status with glucose tolerance and caesarean section in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort: the growing up in Singapore towards healthy outcomes study

10.1371/journal.pone.0142239PLoS ONE10111-16GUSTO (Growing up towards Healthy Outcomes

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

pH-Responsive Hybrid Nanoparticles for Imaging Spatiotemporal pH Changes in Biofilm-Dentin Microenvironments

10.1021/acsami.1c11162ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES133946247-4625

Epi-detected quadruple-modal nonlinear optical microscopy for label-free imaging of the tooth

10.1063/1.4906447Applied Physics Letters106

Visualization 1: Optical diagnosis and characterization of dental caries with polarization-resolved hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

3-D colocalized multimodal nonlinear microscopic images of DEJ in the tooth Originally published in Biomedical Optics Express on 01 April 2016 (boe-7-4-1284

Visualization 2: Optical diagnosis and characterization of dental caries with polarization-resolved hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

3-D colocalized multimodal nonlinear microscopic images of dental caries Originally published in Biomedical Optics Express on 01 April 2016 (boe-7-4-1284

Genetic/protein association of atopic dermatitis and tooth agenesis

Atopic dermatitis and abnormalities in tooth development (including hypomineralization, hypodontia and microdontia) have been observed to co-occur in some patients. A common pathogenesis pathway that involves genes and protein interactions has been hypothesized. This review aims to first provide a description of the key gene mutations and signaling pathways associated with atopic dermatitis and tooth agenesis (i.e., the absence of teeth due to developmental failure) and identify the possible association between the two diseases. Second, utilizing a list of genes most commonly associated with the two diseases, we conducted a protein-protein network interaction analysis using the STRING database and identified a novel association between the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (major pathway responsible for TA) and desmosomal proteins (component of skin barrier that affect the pathogenesis of AD). Further investigation into the mechanisms that may drive their co-occurrence and underlie the development of the two diseases is warranted.Ministry of Education (MOE)Published versionThis project was partially supported by the Academic Research Funds of Singapore Ministry of Education via the National University of Singapore (A-0002960-00-00) and the Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore (A-0002960-01-00)

Identifying Positive Adaptive Pathways in Low-Income Families in Singapore: Protocol for Sequential, Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Design

Background: This study aims to examine the adaptive process of children and mothers from multistressed low-income families in Singapore. It aims to bridge the knowledge gap left by existing poverty studies, which are predominately risk focused. Through a sequential longitudinal mixed-methods design, we will differentiate children and mothers who demonstrate varied social, developmental, and mental health trajectories of outcomes. Through utilizing the Latent Growth Curve Model (LGCM), we aim to detect the development and changes of the positive Family Agency and adaptive capacities of these families over time. The construct of Family Agency is underpinned by the theoretical guidance from the Social Relational Theory, which examines child agency, parent agency, relational agency, and the interactions among these members. It is hypothesized that positive Family Agency within low-income families may lead to better outcomes. The key research questions include whether the extent of positive Family Agency mediates the relationship among financial stress, resource utilization, home environment, and parental stress. Objective: The study elucidates the Family Agency construct through interviews with mother-child dyads. It also aims to understand how financial stress and resources are differentially related to home environment, parent stress, and parent and child outcomes. Methods: In phase 1, 60 mother-child dyads from families receiving government financial assistance and with children aged between 7 and 12 years will be recruited. In-depth interviews will be conducted separately with mothers and children. On the basis of 120 interviews, a measurement for the construct of Family Agency will be developed and will be pilot tested. In phase 2a, a longitudinal survey will be conducted over 3 time points from 800 mother-child dyads. The 3 waves of survey results will be analyzed by LGCM to identify the trajectories of adaptation pathways of these low-income families. In addition, 10 focus groups with up to 15 participants in each will be conducted to validate the LGCM results. Results: This project is funded by the Social Science Research Thematic Grant (Singapore). The recruitment of 60 mother-child dyads has been achieved. Data collection will commence once the amendment to the protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board. Analysis of phase 1 data will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2019, and the first set of results is expected to be submitted for publication by the second quarter of 2019. Phase 2 implementation will commence in the second quarter of 2019, and the project end date is in May 2021. Conclusions: Findings from this study can potentially inform social policy and programs as it refines the understanding of low-income families by distinguishing trajectories of adaptive capacities so that policies and interventions can be targeted in enhancing the adaptive pathways of low-income families with children

Identifying Positive Adaptive Pathways in Low-Income Families in Singapore: Protocol for Sequential, Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Design (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.11629JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS8