A systematic review on relationship between stress and problematic smartphone use

This study systematically reviewed the existing research on relationship between stress and problematic smartphone use. It aimed to provide an aggregative view of the existing research findings on relationship between stress and problematic smartphone use and how these researches are conducted (i.e., research designs, sampling techniques, sample characteristics, measurement scales, data analysis techniques). A thorough literature research in five bibliographic databases (Taylor & Francis, Wiley, SAGE, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect), Google Scholars, and previous review papers has resulted in 35 studies being included in this review. This review has found that the existing empirical evidence generally demonstrated that i) stress can cause problematic smartphone use; ii) the effect of stress on problematic smartphone use is not straightforward but transmitted by other variables (i.e., mediator), and iii) the effect of stress on problematic smartphone use varies as a function of context or individual differences (i.e., moderator). Finally, following a thorough review of their methodological information, this review has also identified the strengths and limitations of the existing studies on relationship between stress and problematic smartphone use, as well as potential directions of research

Detailed characterization of the mouse embryonic stem cell transcriptome reveals novel genes and intergenic splicing associated with pluripotency

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Transcriptional control of embryonic stem (ES) cell pluripotency has been a subject of intense study. Transcriptional regulators including Oct4 (Oct3/4 index), Sox2 and Nanog are fundamental for maintaining the undifferentiated state. However, the ES cell transcriptome is not limited to their targets, and exhibits considerable complexity when assayed with microarray, MPSS, cDNA/EST sequencing, and SAGE technologies. To identify novel genes associated with pluripotency, we globally searched for ES transcripts not corresponding to known genes, validated their sequences, determined their expression profiles, and employed RNAi to test their function.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Gene Identification Signature (GIS) analysis, a SAGE derivative distinguished by paired 5' and 3' transcript end tags, identified 153 candidate novel transcriptional units (TUs) distinct from known genes in a mouse E14 ES mRNA library. We focused on 16 TUs free of artefacts and mapping discrepancies, five of which were validated by RTPCR product sequencing. Two of the TUs were revealed by annotation to represent novel protein-coding genes: a PRY-domain cluster member and a KRAB-domain zinc finger. The other three TUs represented intergenic splicing events involving adjacent, functionally unrelated protein-coding genes transcribed in the same orientation, with one event potentially encoding a fusion protein containing domains from both component genes (Clk2 and Scamp3). Expression profiling using embryonic samples and adult tissue panels confirmed that three of the TUs were unique to or most highly expressed in ES cells. Expression levels of all five TUs dropped dramatically during three distinct chemically induced differentiation treatments of ES cells in culture. However, siRNA knockdowns of the TUs did not alter mRNA levels of pluripotency or differentiation markers, and did not affect cell morphology.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Transcriptome libraries retain considerable potential for novel gene discovery despite massive recent cDNA and EST sequencing efforts; cDNA and EST evidence for these ES cell TUs had been limited or absent. RTPCR and full-length sequencing remain essential in resolving the bottleneck between numerous candidate novel transcripts inferred from high-throughput sequencing and the small fraction that can be validated. RNAi results indicate that, despite their strong association with pluripotency, these five transcriptomic novelties may not be required for maintaining it.</p

A systematic review on relationship between stress and problematic smartphone use

This study systematically reviewed the existing research on relationship between stress and problematic smartphone use. It aimed to provide an aggregative view of the existing research findings on relationship between stress and problematic smartphone use and how these researches are conducted (i.e., research designs, sampling techniques, sample characteristics, measurement scales, data analysis techniques). A thorough literature research in five bibliographic databases (Taylor & Francis, Wiley, SAGE, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect), Google Scholars, and previous review papers has resulted in 35 studies being included in this review. This review has found that the existing empirical evidence generally demonstrated that i) stress can cause problematic smartphone use; ii) the effect of stress on problematic smartphone use is not straightforward but transmitted by other variables (i.e., mediator), and iii) the effect of stress on problematic smartphone use varies as a function of context or individual differences (i.e., moderator). Finally, following a thorough review of their methodological information, this review has also identified the strengths and limitations of the existing studies on relationship between stress and problematic smartphone use, as well as potential directions of research

Implementation of The Future of Drug Discovery: QuantumBased Machine Learning Simulation (QMLS)

The Research & Development (R&D) phase of drug development is a lengthy and costly process. To revolutionize this process, we introduce our new concept QMLS to shorten the whole R&D phase to three to six months and decrease the cost to merely fifty to eighty thousand USD. For Hit Generation, Machine Learning Molecule Generation (MLMG) generates possible hits according to the molecular structure of the target protein while the Quantum Simulation (QS) filters molecules from the primary essay based on the reaction and binding effectiveness with the target protein. Then, For Lead Optimization, the resultant molecules generated and filtered from MLMG and QS are compared, and molecules that appear as a result of both processes will be made into dozens of molecular variations through Machine Learning Molecule Variation (MLMV), while others will only be made into a few variations. Lastly, all optimized molecules would undergo multiple rounds of QS filtering with a high standard for reaction effectiveness and safety, creating a few dozen pre-clinical-trail-ready drugs. This paper is based on our first paper, where we pitched the concept of machine learning combined with quantum simulations. In this paper we will go over the detailed design and framework of QMLS, including MLMG, MLMV, and QS.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Preliminary assessment of Polytrichum commune extract as an antimicrobial soap ingredient

Mosses have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine due to the presence of secondary metabolites which have shown high biological activities. In particular, these secondary metabolites have demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the influence of different extraction solvents on the antibacterial activities of the Polytrichum commune was carried out using the disc diffusion method. Results showed that both 12.5 mg/mL of methanol moss extract and 6.25 mg/mL of ethanol moss extract were the most effective concentrations against Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, the P. commune extracts were included as an added ingredient in soap bases to produce antibacterial soap prototypes where the effectiveness of the soaps containing the extracts in removing microorganisms from actual test individuals was carried out. Results of the thumb impression test of test individuals showed that the growth of microbial reduced after washing hands with the usage of both liquid and solid soap with the addition of P. commune extracts. Moreover, the antibacterial soaps performed better in eliminating microorganisms in comparison to control soaps without P. commune extracts. Taken together, P. commune extract could be a good candidate as a value-added ingredient utilized to produce antibacterial soaps due to its antibacterial properties

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) conversion to hydrogen (H2) and value-added chemicals : Progress, challenges and outlook

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas released from natural occurrences (such as volcanoes, hot springs, municipal waste decomposition) and human economic activities (such as natural gas treatment and biogas production). Even at very low concentrations, H2S can cause adverse health impacts and fatality. As such, the containment and proper management of H2S is of paramount importance. The recovered H2S can then be transformed into hydrogen (H2) and various value-added products as a major step towards sustainability and circular economy. In this review, the state-of-the-art technologies for H2S conversion and utilization are reviewed and discussed. Claus process is an industrially established and matured technology used in converting H2S to sulfur and sulfuric acid. However, the process is energy intensive and emits CO2 and SO2. This calls for more sustainable and energy-efficient H2S conversion technologies. In particular, recent technologies for H2S conversion via thermal, biological, plasma (thermal and non-thermal), electrochemical and photocatalytic routes, are critically reviewed with respect to their strengths and limitations. Besides, the potential of diversified value-added products derived from H2S, such as H2, syngas, carbon disulfide (CS2), ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4), ammonium thiosulfate ((NH4)2S2O3), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) and ethylene (C2H4) are elucidated in detail with respect to the technology readiness level, market demand of products, technical requirements and environmental impacts. Lastly, the technological gaps and way forward for each technology are also outlined

Assessing risk of breast cancer in an ethnically South-East Asia population (results of a multiple ethnic groups study)

10.1186/1471-2407-12-529BMC Cancer12-BCMA

REST Regulates Distinct Transcriptional Networks in Embryonic and Neural Stem Cells

The maintenance of pluripotency and specification of cellular lineages during embryonic development are controlled by transcriptional regulatory networks, which coordinate specific sets of genes through both activation and repression. The transcriptional repressor RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) plays important but distinct regulatory roles in embryonic (ESC) and neural (NSC) stem cells. We investigated how these distinct biological roles are effected at a genomic level. We present integrated, comparative genome- and transcriptome-wide analyses of transcriptional networks governed by REST in mouse ESC and NSC. The REST recruitment profile has dual components: a developmentally independent core that is common to ESC, NSC, and differentiated cells; and a large, ESC-specific set of target genes. In ESC, the REST regulatory network is highly integrated into that of pluripotency factors Oct4-Sox2-Nanog. We propose that an extensive, pluripotency-specific recruitment profile lends REST a key role in the maintenance of the ESC phenotype

The neurogenic potential of astrocytes is regulated by inflammatory signals

Although the adult brain contains neural stem cells (NSCs) that generate new neurons throughout life, these astrocyte-like populations are restricted to two discrete niches. Despite their terminally differentiated phenotype, adult parenchymal astrocytes can re-acquire NSC-like characteristics following injury, and as such, these 'reactive' astrocytes offer an alternative source of cells for central nervous system (CNS) repair following injury or disease. At present, the mechanisms that regulate the potential of different types of astrocytes are poorly understood. We used in vitro and ex vivo astrocytes to identify candidate pathways important for regulation of astrocyte potential. Using in vitro neural progenitor cell (NPC)-derived astrocytes, we found that exposure of more lineage-restricted astrocytes to either tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (via nuclear factor-κB (NFκB)) or the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor, noggin, led to re-acquisition of NPC properties accompanied by transcriptomic and epigenetic changes consistent with a more neurogenic, NPC-like state. Comparative analyses of microarray data from in vitro-derived and ex vivo postnatal parenchymal astrocytes identified several common pathways and upstream regulators associated with inflammation (including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)) and cell cycle control (including TP53) as candidate regulators of astrocyte phenotype and potential. We propose that inflammatory signalling may control the normal, progressive restriction in potential of differentiating astrocytes as well as under reactive conditions and represent future targets for therapies to harness the latent neurogenic capacity of parenchymal astrocytes

PRICE LEADERSHIP IN SINGAPORE DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL BANK LENDING

Bachelor'sBACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (HONOURS