Proteome analyses of Butyrate-treated HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Directed evolution and predictive modelling of galactose oxidase towards bulky benzylic and unactivated secondary alcohols

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Determinants of audit fees

Audit fee-setting is a subjective process in which different audit firms employ different criteria in billing clients. As such, it will be beneficial to remove uncertainties surrounding the fee-setting process. Our study hopes to achieve this by identifying the determinants of audit fees, and from there, develop a model of audit fee determinants.ACCOUNTANC

An investigation into the parameters affecting total harmonic distortion in low-voltage low-power class-D amplifiers

We investigate the influence of two important practical design parameters on total harmonic distortion (THD) for the design of low-voltage (0.9–1.4 V) low-power analog Class-D amplifiers: the linearity of the carrier waveform and the impedance of the output stage. We show that the carrier nonlinearity results in THD and propose a novel mathematical analysis method to model the nonlinearity. We recommend a range of the parameter that describes the carrier nonlinearity and that results in a good compromise to the dynamic range of the pulsewidth modulator of the Class-D amplifier. We show that the impedance of the output stage has little effect on THD. We verify our analyses by means of MATLAB and HSPICE computer simulations, and on the basis of practical measurements.Published versio

Proteomic analysis of colorectal cancer metastasis:stathmin-1 revealed as a player in cancer cell migration and prognostic marker

10.1021/pr2010956Journal of Proteome Research1121433-1445JPRO

Novel Proteomic Biomarker Panel for Prediction of Aggressive Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Relapse in Surgically Resectable Patients

The natural course of early HCC is unknown, and its progression to intermediate and advanced HCC can be diverse. Some early stage HCC patients enjoy prolonged disease-free survival, whereas others suffer aggressive relapse to stage IV metastatic cancer within a year. Comparative proteomics of HCC tumor tissues was carried out using 2D-DIGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS to identify proteins that can distinguish these two groups of stage I HCC patients. Twelve out of 148 differentially regulated protein spots were found to differ by approximately 2-fold for the relapse versus nonrelapse patient tissues. Four proteins, namely, heat shock 70 kDa protein 1, argininosuccinate synthase, isoform 2 of UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, and transketolase, were shown to have the potential to differentiate metastatic relapse (MR) from nonrelapse (NR) HCC patients after validation by western blotting and immunohistochemical assays. Subsequent TMA analysis revealed a three marker panel of HSP70, ASS1, and UGP2 to be statistically significant in stratifying the two groups of HCC patients. This combination panel achieved high levels of sensitivity and specificity, which has potential for clinical use in identifying HCC tumors prone to MR. This stratification will allow development of clinical management, including close follow-up and possibly treatment options, in the near future

Novel Proteomic Biomarker Panel for Prediction of Aggressive Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Relapse in Surgically Resectable Patients

The natural course of early HCC is unknown, and its progression to intermediate and advanced HCC can be diverse. Some early stage HCC patients enjoy prolonged disease-free survival, whereas others suffer aggressive relapse to stage IV metastatic cancer within a year. Comparative proteomics of HCC tumor tissues was carried out using 2D-DIGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS to identify proteins that can distinguish these two groups of stage I HCC patients. Twelve out of 148 differentially regulated protein spots were found to differ by approximately 2-fold for the relapse versus nonrelapse patient tissues. Four proteins, namely, heat shock 70 kDa protein 1, argininosuccinate synthase, isoform 2 of UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, and transketolase, were shown to have the potential to differentiate metastatic relapse (MR) from nonrelapse (NR) HCC patients after validation by western blotting and immunohistochemical assays. Subsequent TMA analysis revealed a three marker panel of HSP70, ASS1, and UGP2 to be statistically significant in stratifying the two groups of HCC patients. This combination panel achieved high levels of sensitivity and specificity, which has potential for clinical use in identifying HCC tumors prone to MR. This stratification will allow development of clinical management, including close follow-up and possibly treatment options, in the near future

PACE-D Training: Coaching healthcare professionals to partner patients in diabetes through Care and Support Planning conversations

7th Asia Pacific Primary Care Research Conference 201

Heat and Acupuncture to Manage Osteoarthritis of the Knee (HARMOKnee): Protocol for an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of most prevalent and fastest-growing causes of pain, impaired mobility, and poor quality of life in the rapidly aging population worldwide. There is a lack of high-quality evidence on the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly acupuncture, and a lack of KOA practice guidelines that are tailored to unique population demographics and tropical climates. ObjectiveOur HARMOKnee (Heat and Acupuncture to Manage Osteoarthritis of the Knee) trial aims to address these gaps by evaluating the short- and medium-term clinical and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture with heat therapy in addition to standard care, compared to standard care alone. Through a robust process and economic evaluation, we aim to inform evidence-based practice for patients with KOA to facilitate the large-scale implementation of a comprehensive and holistic model of care that harmonizes elements of Western medicine and TCM. We hypothesize that acupuncture with heat therapy as an adjunct to standard care is clinically more effective than standard care alone. MethodsA multicenter, pragmatic, parallel-arm, single-blinded, effectiveness-implementation hybrid randomized controlled trial will be conducted. We intend to recruit 100 patients with KOA randomized to either the control arm (standard care only) or intervention arm (acupuncture with heat therapy, in addition to standard care). The inclusion criteria are being a community ambulator and having primary KOA, excluding patients with secondary arthritis or previous knee replacements. The primary outcome measure is the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score at 6 weeks. Secondary outcome measures include psychological, physical, quality of life, satisfaction, and global outcome measures at 6, 12, and 26 weeks. A mixed method approach through an embedded process evaluation will facilitate large-scale implementation. An economic evaluation will be performed to assess financial sustainability. ResultsPatient enrollment has been ongoing since August 2022. The recruitment process is anticipated to conclude by July 2024, and the findings will be analyzed and publicized as they are obtained. As of November 6, 2023, our patient enrollment stands at 65 individuals. ConclusionsThe findings of our HARMOKnee study will contribute substantial evidence to the current body of literature regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for KOA. Additionally, we aim to facilitate the creation of standardized national guidelines for evidence-based practice that are specifically tailored to our unique population demographics. Furthermore, we seek to promote the adoption and integration of acupuncture and heat therapy into existing treatment models. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05507619; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05507619 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/5435

Interim treatment guidelines for COVID-19 (version 1.0), Singapore.

Interim treatment guidelines for COVID-19 (version 1.0), Singapore