A comparative transcriptome analysis of the novel obligate methanotroph Methylomonas sp. DH-1 reveals key differences in transcriptional responses in C1 and secondary metabolite pathways during growth on methane and methanol

Background: Methanotrophs play an important role in biotechnological applications, with their ability to utilize single carbon (C1) feedstock such as methane and methanol to produce a range of high-value compounds. A newly isolated obligate methanotroph strain, Methylomonas sp. DH-1, became a platform strain for biotechnological applications because it has proven capable of producing chemicals, fuels, and secondary metabolites from methane and methanol. In this study, transcriptome analysis with RNA-seq was used to investigate the transcriptional change of Methylomonas sp. DH-1 on methane and methanol. This was done to improve knowledge about C1 assimilation and secondary metabolite pathways in this promising, but under-characterized, methane-bioconversion strain. Results: We integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis of the newly isolated Methylomonas sp. DH-1 grown on methane and methanol. Detailed transcriptomic analysis indicated that (i) Methylomonas sp. DH-1 possesses the ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) cycle and the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, which can serve as main pathways for C1 assimilation, (ii) the existence and the expression of a complete serine cycle and a complete tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle might contribute to methane conversion and energy production, and (iii) the highly active endogenous plasmid pDH1 may code for essential metabolic processes. Comparative transcriptomic analysis on methane and methanol as a sole carbon source revealed different transcriptional responses of Methylomonas sp. DH-1, especially in C1 assimilation, secondary metabolite pathways, and oxidative stress. Especially, these results suggest a shift of central metabolism when substrate changed from methane to methanol in which formaldehyde oxidation pathway and serine cycle carried more flux to produce acetyl-coA and NADH. Meanwhile, downregulation of TCA cycle when grown on methanol may suggest a shift of its main function is to provide de novo biosynthesis, but not produce NADH. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the transcriptomic profile of Methylomonas sp. DH-1 grown on major carbon sources for C1 assimilation, providing in-depth knowledge on the metabolic pathways of this strain. These observations and analyses can contribute to future metabolic engineering with the newly isolated, yet under-characterized, Methylomonas sp. DH-1 to enhance its biochemical application in relevant industries

Toward Data-Driven Digital Therapeutics Analytics: Literature Review and Research Directions

With the advent of Digital Therapeutics (DTx), the development of software as a medical device (SaMD) for mobile and wearable devices has gained significant attention in recent years. Existing DTx evaluations, such as randomized clinical trials, mostly focus on verifying the effectiveness of DTx products. To acquire a deeper understanding of DTx engagement and behavioral adherence, beyond efficacy, a large amount of contextual and interaction data from mobile and wearable devices during field deployment would be required for analysis. In this work, the overall flow of the data-driven DTx analytics is reviewed to help researchers and practitioners to explore DTx datasets, to investigate contextual patterns associated with DTx usage, and to establish the (causal) relationship of DTx engagement and behavioral adherence. This review of the key components of data-driven analytics provides novel research directions in the analysis of mobile sensor and interaction datasets, which helps to iteratively improve the receptivity of existing DTx.Comment: This paper has been accepted by the IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinic

Clinical disease characteristics according to karyotype in Turner syndrome

Purpose : Turner syndrome (TS) is a disorder in which various anomalies can be accompanied, especially cardiovascular, renal, thyroid and auditory problems. The aim of this study is to identify the incidence of these disorders in patients with TS according to karyotype. Methods : We reviewed medical records of 90 patients with TS diagnosed by chromosomal analysis in 4 hospitals from Jan 1998 to Dec 2007. We evaluated these cases by prepared protocol of 4 medical problems. Results : The distribution of karyotype was 45,X (47.8%), mosaic pattern (34.4%) and structural aberration group (17.8 %). Renal anomalies, cardiovascular anomalies, thyroid disorders and auditory problems are accompanied in 4.4%, 10.0 %, 11.1% and 5.6%, respectively. 45,X group had renal anomalies (7.0%), cardiovascular anomalies (18.6%), thyroid disorders (9.3%) and auditory problems (11.6%). Mosaic group had renal anomalies (3.2%), thyroid disorders (12.9%), no cardiovascular anomalies and auditory problems. Structural aberration group had cardiovascular anomalies (6.3%), thyroid disorders (12.5%) and no other 2 problems. Patients with 45,X group had a significant higher incidence of cardiovascular anomalies (P=0.025). Conclusion : Our results indicate that there are differences clinically according to karyotype of TS, especially in incidence of cardiovascular anomalies

Effect of co-administration of atelocollagen and hyaluronic acid on rotator cuff healing

Background This study aimed to evaluate the co-administration effect of atelocollagen combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT). Methods Eighty patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for full-thickness RCT from March 2018 to November 2019 were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to the following groups: combined atelocollagen and HA injection (group I, n=28), only HA injection (group II, n=26), and no injection (group III, n=26). Clinical outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale pain score , functional scores (pain visual analog scale, function visual analog score), and range of motion. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 12 months after surgery to evaluate rotator cuff integrity. Results Preoperative demographic data and postoperative clinical outcomes did not differ significantly among the three groups (p>0.05). However, in group I, the number of steroid injections after surgery was significantly lower than that in the other groups (p=0.011). The retear rate on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was significantly higher in group II (9.5%, n=2) and group III (13.6%, n=3) than in group I (0%) (p=0.021). Conclusions Co-administration of atelocollagen and HA improves healing of the rotator cuff and increases the integrity of the rotator cuff repair site. This study provides encouraging evidence for use of combined atelocollagen-HA injections to treat patients with full-thickness RCT

Current Researches on the Methods of Diagnosing Sasang Constitution: An Overview

Sasang constitution diagnosis has traditionally been conducted by a Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) doctor who examines the external appearance, temperament and various symptoms of an individual and then collectively analyzes this information to determine their own constitutions. However, because this process is subjective and not quantitative, many researchers have been attempting to develop objective and reasonable methods of determining constitutions. In Korea, even though a wide range of research regarding SCM has been conducted, most of the work has not been revealed internationally. So in this review, the authors have searched the Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, as well as other Korean domestic journal databases and Pubmed for research regarding modernized constitution diagnosis methods so to provide the understanding of current research state and outlook for future research