Genome-wide analysis to predict protein sequence variations that change phosphorylation sites or their corresponding kinases

We define phosphovariants as genetic variations that change phosphorylation sites or their interacting kinases. Considering the essential role of phosphorylation in protein functions, it is highly likely that phosphovariants change protein functions and may constitute a proportion of the mechanisms by which genetic variations cause individual differences or diseases. We categorized phosphovariants into three subtypes and developed a system that predicts them. Our method can be used to screen important polymorphisms and help to identify the mechanisms of genetic diseases

Integrated Information System for Sustainable Urban Regeneration

Information systems are widely used in urban planning process for communication between different side actors. However, most of them have been implemented without providing possibilities for decision makers to participate together with urban planners in the process. This research aims to outline a framework where an interactive model for decision making plays a key role in creating a collaborative environment. The proposal regards the information representation as the main instrument for encouraging a constructive dialog between different actors. The focus is on the relationship between three elements of information representation: level of detail, type of visualization and interaction. Combining these elements, information can be provided in a dynamic way enabling more effective exploration and understanding. The proposed strategy implements a digital model that operates on different scales and levels in order to support the key stages of the planning process for sustainable urban regeneration in Bulgaria. Positional approach is used to define the functionality and decision making operation for the selected process. As a result research ideas about the use of the digital model are presented

Trends in Avoidable Death over 20 Years in Korea

To evaluate the achievement of health care services in Korea independent of other socioeconomic factors, we observed the time trend of avoidable death between 1983 and 2004. A list of avoidable causes of death was constructed based on the European Community Atlas of "Avoidable Death". We calculated sex- and age-standardized mortality rates of Korean aged 1-64 yr using data of the Korea National Statistical Office. The avoidable mortality rate (per 100,000 persons) decreased from 225 to 84 in men and from 122 to 41 in women. Accordingly, the proportion of avoidable deaths among all classifiable deaths was reduced by 8.1% in men and 6.4% in women. However, mortality rates from some preventable causes such as ischemic heart disease and malignant neoplasms of lung, breast, cervix, and colorectum have been on the rise. Mortality preventable by appropriate medical care showed the greatest reduction (by 77.8%), while the mortality preventable by primary prevention showed the least reduction (by 50.0%). These findings suggest that health care service has significantly contributed to the improvement of health in Korea. However, more effective intervention programs would be needed given the less reduction in mortality avoidable by primary or secondary prevention than expected and unexpectedly increasing mortality from several preventable causes

New Tubulocentric Insights for Diabetic Nephropathy: From Pathophysiology to Treatment

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide, and one of the most important complications, diabetic nephropathy, constitutes a significant global health care and socioeconomic burden. Glomerular dysfunction is a major factor in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. However, emerging evidence suggests that tubular damage also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. This tubulocentric view shifts the focus markedly from glomeruli to proximal tubules, which might have an important role as a trigger or a driver in the early development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Accordingly, numerous studies have focused on several different tubular damage markers that are clinically indicated as potential biomarkers for the early detection of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, these findings are relevant for identifying therapeutics for diabetic nephropathy that target the proximal tubules. This review outlines new tubulocentric insights into diabetic nephropathy, from pathophysiological mechanisms to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches

Effect of modified fasting therapy on body weight, fat and muscle mass, and blood chemistry in patients with obesity

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects and safety of modified fasting therapy using fermented medicinal herbs and exercise on body weight, fat and muscle mass, and blood chemistry in obese subjects.MethodsTwenty-six patients participated in a 14-day fast, during which they ingested a supplement made from fermented medicinal herbs and carbohydrates (intake: 400-600 kcal/d). The schedule included 7 prefasting relief days and 14 days of stepwise reintroduction of food. The patients also took part in an exercise program that incorporated Qigong, weight training, and walking exercises. The efficacy of treatments was observed by assessing body fat mass and muscle mass, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, and triglycerides in each study period. Specific symptoms or side effects were reported.ResultsBody weight and body fat mass both decreased significantly by (5.16 ± 0.95) and (3.89 ± 0.79) kg (both P < 0.05), while muscle mass decreased by an average of (0.26 ± 0.22) kg, without statistical significance. ALT levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while AST levels decreased without statistical significance (P = 0.052). The levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were also significantly decreased (both P < 0.05). There were few adverse events except for mild dizziness, which did not affect everyday living.ConclusionThese results suggest that modified fasting therapy using fermented medicinal herbs and exercise could be effective and safe on obese patients

Smart Learning Services Based on Smart Cloud Computing

Context-aware technologies can make e-learning services smarter and more efficient since context-aware services are based on the user’s behavior. To add those technologies into existing e-learning services, a service architecture model is needed to transform the existing e-learning environment, which is situation-aware, into the environment that understands context as well. The context-awareness in e-learning may include the awareness of user profile and terminal context. In this paper, we propose a new notion of service that provides context-awareness to smart learning content in a cloud computing environment. We suggest the elastic four smarts (E4S)—smart pull, smart prospect, smart content, and smart push—concept to the cloud services so smart learning services are possible. The E4S focuses on meeting the users’ needs by collecting and analyzing users’ behavior, prospecting future services, building corresponding contents, and delivering the contents through cloud computing environment. Users’ behavior can be collected through mobile devices such as smart phones that have built-in sensors. As results, the proposed smart e-learning model in cloud computing environment provides personalized and customized learning services to its users

Exploring the Determinants of e-Commerce by Integrating a Technology–Organization–Environment Framework and an Expectation–Confirmation Model

An increasing number of lodging businesses utilize online third-party intermediaries (OTPIs) for distribution services on the internet. The purpose of the study was to investigate the decision-making processes of lodging firms in the adoption of OTPIs. The study developed and tested a conceptual model by strategically combining a technology–organization–environment framework (TOE) and an expectation–confirmation model (ECM). The results showed that, with regard to TOE, technology and organization have significant impacts on confirmation in ECM. Furthermore, the environment aspect of TOE significantly influences satisfaction in ECM, and both confirmation and satisfaction are antecedents of continuance intention. The study contributes to the knowledge body of TOE and ECM, and provides industry practitioners with strategies for the communications and decision-making processes of lodging businesses and OTPIs