Current insights into genome-based personalized nutrition technology: a patent review

Unlike general nutritional ranges that meet the nutritional needs essential for maintaining the life of an entire population, personalized nutrition is characterised by maintaining health through providing customized nutrition according to individuals’ lifestyles or genetic characteristics. The development of technology and services for personalized nutrition is increasing, owing to the acquisition of knowledge about the differences in nutritional requirements according to the diversity of individuals and an increase in health interest. Regarding genetics, technology is being developed to distinguish the various characteristics of individuals and provide customized nutrition. Therefore, to understand the current state of personalized nutrition technology, understanding genomics is necessary to acquire information on nutrition research based on genomics. We reviewed patents related to personalized nutrition-targeting genomics and examined their mechanisms of action. Using the patent database, we searched 694 patents on nutritional genomics and extracted 561 highly relevant valid data points. Furthermore, an in-depth review was conducted by selecting core patents related to genome-based personalized nutrition technology. A marked increase was observed in personalized nutrition technologies using methods such as genetic scoring and disease-specific dietary recommendations

Radiological Significance of Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy in the Occurrence of Redundant Nerve Roots of Central Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Objective: There were previous reports of redundant nerve roots (RNRs) focused on their clinical significance and pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the significant radiologic findings that correlate with RNRs occurrence. These relations would provide an advanced clue for clinical significance and pathogenesis of RNRs. Methods: Retrospective research was performed with data from 126 patients who underwent surgery for central lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Finally, 106 patients with common denominators (inter-observer accuracy : 84%) were included on this study. We divided the patients into two groups by MRI, patients with RNRs and those with no RNRs (NRNRs). Comparative analyses were performed with clinical and radiologic parameters. Results: RNRs were found in 45 patients (42%) with central LSS. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in severity of symptoms. On the other hand, we found statistically significant differences in duration of symptom and number of level included (p<0.05). In the maximal stenotic level, ligamentum flavum (LF) thickness, LF cross-sectional area (CSA), dural sac CSA, and segmental angulation are significantly different in RNRs group compared to NRNRs group (p<0.05). Conclusion: RNRs patients showed clinically longer duration of symptoms and multiple levels included. We also confirmed that wide segmental angulation and LF hypertrophy play a major role of the development of RNRs in central LSS. Together, our results suggest that wide motion in long period contribute to LF hypertrophy, and it might be the key factor of RNRs formation in central LSS

Sepsis-Like Systemic Inflammation Induced by Nano-Sized Extracellular Vesicles From Feces

Nano-sized extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, microvesicles, and other types of vesicles, are released by most mammalian cells and bacteria. We here ask whether feces contain EVs of mammalian and/or bacterial origin, and whether these EVs induce systemic inflammation. Fecal extracellular vesicles (fEVs) were isolated from mice and humans. The presence of EVs from Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using anti-lipid A and anti-lipoteichoic acid antibodies, whereas Western blot using anti-beta-actin antibody was employed to detect host-derived EVs in the fEVs. Further, fEVs were administered into mice by intraperitoneal injection, and inflammatory responses were investigated in the peritoneum, blood, and lungs. The role of TLR2 and TLR4 were studied using knockout mice. Significant quantities of EVs were present in feces from mice as well as humans, and derived from Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as the host. Bacteria-free fEVs introduced into the peritoneum induced local and systemic inflammation (including in the lungs), but fEVs from germ-free animals had weaker effects. This pronounced local and systemic inflammatory responses seemed to be induced by EVs from both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and was attenuated in mice lacking TLR2 or TLR4. Our findings show that fEVs cause sepsis-like systemic inflammation, when introduced intraperitoneally, a process regulated by TLR2 and TLR4.11Ysciescopu

C-1 Root Schwannoma with Aggressive Lateral Mass Invasion

Schwannomas are relatively common, benign tumors that are thought to arise from the nerve sheath cell. Schwannomas of the C1 root are extremely rare and seldom invade lateral masses because they gradually increase in size and can extend through the wide space behind the lateral mass instead of the intervertebral foramen. We present here an unusual case of a benign schwannoma that aggressively invaded the lateral mass of C-1

A study on the development of a cost model based on the owner's decision making at the early stages of a construction project

Decision making at the early stages of a construction project has a significant impact on the project, and various scenarios created based on the owner's requirements should be considered for the decision making. At the early stages of a construction project, the information regarding the project is usually limited and uncertain. As such, it is difficult to plan and manage the project (especially cost planning). Thus, a cost model that could be varied according to the owner's requirements was developed. The cost model that was developed in this study is based on the case‐based reasoning (CBR) methodology. The model suggests cost estimation with the most similar historical case as a basis for the estimation. In this study, the optimization process was also conducted, using genetic algorithms that reflect the changes in the number of project characteristics and in the database of the model according to the owner's decision making. Two optimization parameters were established: (1) the minimum criteria for scoring attribute similarity (MCAS); and (2) the range of attribute weights (RAW). The cost model proposed in this study can help building owners and managers estimate the project budget at the business planning stage. Santruka Sprendimu priemimas ankstyvuoju statybos projekto etapu turi didele itaka projektui ir ivairiems scenarijams, remiantis savininko reikalavimais, kuriu turi būti laikomasi priimant sprendimus. Ankstyvaisiais statybos projekto etapais informacijos apie projekta paprastai yra nedaug ir ji nera patikima. Del to sudetinga planuoti ir taisyti projekta (ypač išlaidu planavima). Todel šio tyrimo metu buvo sukurtas kainos modelis, kuris galetu būti keičiamas atsižvelgiant i savininko poreikius. Kainos modelis, kuris buvo sukurtas šio tyrimo metu, remiasi atveju analize, pagrista argumentu metodika (angl. CBR). Modelis siūlo samatinius skaičiavimus su panašiausiais ankstesniais atvejais, kurie yra skaičiavimo pagrindas. Šio tyrimo metu procesas buvo optimizuotas naudojant genetinius algoritmus, rodančius projektu skaičiaus kitima tam tikro modelio duomenu bazeje pagal savininko priimamus sprendimus. Buvo nustatyti du optimizavimo parametrai: 1) minimalūs kriterijai veiksniu panašumui ivertinti (angl. MCAS); 2) veiksniu svoriu vertinimo intervalas (angl. RAW). Kainos modelis, pasiūlytas šiame tyrime, gali padeti pastatu savininkams ir valdytojams ivertinti projekto biudžeta verslo planavimo etape. First Published Online: 18 Oct 201