scholarly journals Challenges in IBD Research: Environmental Triggers

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S13-S23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuk-Mei Ho ◽  
James D Lewis ◽  
Emeran A Mayer ◽  
Charles N Bernstein ◽  
Scott E Plevy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Disease Evolution ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Research Document

Abstract Environmental triggers is part of five focus areas of the Challenges in IBD research document, which also includes preclinical human IBD mechanisms, novel technologies, precision medicine and pragmatic clinical research. The Challenges in IBD research document provides a comprehensive overview of current gaps in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) research and delivers actionable approaches to address them. It is the result of a multidisciplinary input from scientists, clinicians, patients, and funders, and represents a valuable resource for patient centric research prioritization. In particular, the environmental triggers section is focused on the main research gaps in elucidating causality of environmental factors in IBD. Research gaps were identified in: 1) epidemiology of exposures; 2) identification of signatures of biological response to exposures; and 3) mechanisms of how environmental exposures drive IBD. To address these gaps, the implementation of longitudinal prospective studies to determine disease evolution and identify sub-clinical changes in response to exposures is proposed. This can help define critical windows of vulnerability and risk prediction. In addition, systems biology analysis and in silico modeling were proposed as approaches to integrate the IBD exposome for the identification of biological signatures of response to exposures, and to develop prediction models of the effects of environmental factors in driving disease activity and response to therapy. This research could lead to identification of biomarkers of exposures and new modalities for therapeutic intervention. Finally, hypothesis-driven mechanistic studies to understand gene-environment interactions and to validate causality of priority factors should be performed to determine how environment influences clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals Acrocomia spp.: neglected crop, ballyhooed multipurpose palm or fit for the bioeconomy? A review

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero ◽  
Thomas Hilger ◽  
Johannes Mössinger ◽  
Roney Fraga Souza ◽  
Juan Carlos Barroso Armas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elaeis Guineensis ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Commercial Cultivation ◽  
Planting Material ◽  
Genotype Environment Interaction ◽  
Sustainability Strategies

AbstractAcrocomia spp., a genus of wild-growing palms in the neotropics, is rapidly gaining interest as a promising multipurpose crop. Diverse products can be derived from various components of the palm, the oils being of highest interest. Acrocomia shows similar oil yield and fatty acid composition to the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). It is, however, able to cope with a wider range of environmental conditions, including temporary water scarcity and lower temperatures, thus potentially a more sustainable alternative to its tropical counterpart. Acrocomia’s research history is recent compared to other traditional crops and thus knowledge gaps, uncertainty, and challenges need to be addressed. This review attempts to assess the acrocomia’s preparedness for cultivation by highlighting the state-of-the-art in research and identifying research gaps. Based on a systematic literature search following a value web approach, it (a) provides a comprehensive overview of research topics, (b) shows the development of publication activities over time and the drivers of this development, and (c) compiles main findings to assess the acrocomia’s preparedness for commercial cultivation. Our results confirm its multipurpose characteristic as a potential feedstock for manifold sectors. Research has continued to increase over the last decade, especially on A. aculeata and is driven by the interest in bioenergy. Increasing knowledge on botany has contributed to understanding the genetic diversity and genus-specific biology. This has enabled applied research on seed germination and propagation toward domestication and initial plantation activities, mostly in Brazil. Main research gaps are associated with genotype–environment interaction, planting material, crop management, and sustainable cropping systems. Overall, we conclude that acrocomia is at an early phase of development as an alternative and multipurpose crop and its up-scaling requires the integration of sustainability strategies tailored to location-based social-ecological conditions.

scholarly journals Proceedings of the First Curing Coma Campaign NIH Symposium: Challenging the Future of Research for Coma and Disorders of Consciousness

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (S1) ◽  
pp. 4-23
Author(s):  
Jan Claassen ◽  
Yama Akbari ◽  
Sheila Alexander ◽  
Mary Kay Bader ◽  
Kathleen Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurocritical Care ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Large Datasets ◽  
Disorders Of Consciousness ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Main Research ◽  
The World

AbstractComa and disorders of consciousness (DoC) are highly prevalent and constitute a burden for patients, families, and society worldwide. As part of the Curing Coma Campaign, the Neurocritical Care Society partnered with the National Institutes of Health to organize a symposium bringing together experts from all over the world to develop research targets for DoC. The conference was structured along six domains: (1) defining endotype/phenotypes, (2) biomarkers, (3) proof-of-concept clinical trials, (4) neuroprognostication, (5) long-term recovery, and (6) large datasets. This proceedings paper presents actionable research targets based on the presentations and discussions that occurred at the conference. We summarize the background, main research gaps, overall goals, the panel discussion of the approach, limitations and challenges, and deliverables that were identified.

scholarly journals GPS Coordinates for Modelling Correlated Herd Effects in Genomic Prediction Models Applied to Hanwoo Beef Cattle

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2050
Author(s):  
Beatriz Castro Dias Cuyabano ◽  
Gabriel Rovere ◽  
Dajeong Lim ◽  
Tae Hun Kim ◽  
Hak Kyo Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Genomic Prediction ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Phenotypic Expression ◽  
Genetic Evaluation ◽  
Genomic Breeding ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Korean Cattle ◽  
Evaluation Programs ◽  
The Impact

It is widely known that the environment influences phenotypic expression and that its effects must be accounted for in genetic evaluation programs. The most used method to account for environmental effects is to add herd and contemporary group to the model. Although generally informative, the herd effect treats different farms as independent units. However, if two farms are located physically close to each other, they potentially share correlated environmental factors. We introduce a method to model herd effects that uses the physical distances between farms based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates as a proxy for the correlation matrix of these effects that aims to account for similarities and differences between farms due to environmental factors. A population of Hanwoo Korean cattle was used to evaluate the impact of modelling herd effects as correlated, in comparison to assuming the farms as completely independent units, on the variance components and genomic prediction. The main result was an increase in the reliabilities of the predicted genomic breeding values compared to reliabilities obtained with traditional models (across four traits evaluated, reliabilities of prediction presented increases that ranged from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 0.33 ± 0.03), suggesting that these models may overestimate heritabilities. Although little to no significant gain was obtained in phenotypic prediction, the increased reliability of the predicted genomic breeding values is of practical relevance for genetic evaluation programs.

scholarly journals The variability of urban safety performance functions for different road elements: an Italian case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Intini ◽  
Nicola Berloco ◽  
Gabriele Cavalluzzi ◽  
Dominique Lord ◽  
Vittorio Ranieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Safety Performance ◽  
Common Trends ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Pavement Markings ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Sight Distance ◽  
Safety Performance Functions ◽  
Urban Safety

Abstract Background Urban safety performance functions are used to predict crash frequencies, mostly based on Negative Binomial (NB) count models. They could be differentiated for considering homogeneous subsets of segments/intersections and different predictors. Materials and methods The main research questions concerned: a) finding the best possible subsets for segments and intersections for safety modelling, by discussing the related problems and inquiring into the variability of predictors within the subsets; b) comparing the modelling results with the existing literature to highlight common trends and/or main differences; c) assessing the importance of additional crash predictors, besides traditional variables. In the context of a National research project, traffic volumes, geometric, control and additional variables were collected for road segments and intersections in the City of Bari, Italy, with 1500 fatal+injury related crashes (2012–2016). Six NB models were developed for: one/two-way homogeneous segments, three/four-legged, signalized/unsignalized intersections. Results Crash predictors greatly vary within the different subsets considered. The effect of vertical signs on minor roads/driveways, critical sight distance, cycle crossings, pavement/markings maintenance was specifically discussed. Some common trends but also differences in both types and effect of crash predictors were found by comparing results with literature. Conclusion The disaggregation of urban crash prediction models by considering different subsets of segments and intersections helps in revealing the specific influence of some predictors. Local characteristics may influence the relationships between well-established crash predictors and crash frequencies. A significant part of the urban crash frequency variability remains unexplained, thus encouraging research on this topic.

scholarly journals Australia IBD Microbiome (AIM) Study: protocol for a multicentre longitudinal prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e042493
Author(s):  
Astrid-Jane Williams ◽  
Ramesh Paramsothy ◽  
Nan Wu ◽  
Simon Ghaly ◽  
Steven Leach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Patient Reported

IntroductionCrohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are common chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which cause considerable morbidity. Although the precise mechanisms of disease remain unclear, evidence implicates a strong multidirectional interplay between diet, environmental factors, genetic determinants/immune perturbations and the gut microbiota. IBD can be brought into remission using a number of medications, which act by suppressing the immune response. However, none of the available medications address any of the underlying potential mechanisms. As we understand more about how the microbiota drives inflammation, much interest has focused on identifying microbial signals/triggers in the search for effective therapeutic targets. We describe the establishment of the Australian IBD Microbiota (AIM) Study, Australia’s first longitudinal IBD bioresource, which will identify and correlate longitudinal microbial and metagenomics signals to disease activity as evaluated by validated clinical instruments, patient-reported surveys, as well as biomarkers. The AIM Study will also gather extensive demographic, clinical, lifestyle and dietary data known to influence microbial composition in order to generate a more complete understanding of the interplay between patients with IBD and their microbiota.MethodsThe AIM Study is an Australian multicentre longitudinal prospective cohort study, which will enrol 1000 participants; 500 patients with IBD and 500 healthy controls over a 5-year period. Assessment occurs at 3 monthly intervals over a 24-month period. At each assessment oral and faecal samples are self-collected along with patient-reported outcome measures, with clinical data also collected at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Intestinal tissue will be sampled whenever a colonoscopy is performed. Dietary intake, general health and psychological state will be assessed using validated self-report questionnaires. Samples will undergo metagenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and culturomic analyses. Omics data will be integrated with clinical data to identify predictive biomarkers of response to therapy, disease behaviour and environmental factors in patients with IBD.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval for this study has been obtained from the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Research Ethics Committee (HREC 2019/ETH11443). Findings will be reported at national and international gastroenterology meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberACTRN12619000911190.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Approach to PTSD: In the Aspects of Rat Models

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asli Aykac ◽  
Rasime Kalkan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-related mental disorder and develops after exposure to life-threatening traumatic experiences. The risk factors of PTSD included genetic factors; alterations in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis; neurotrophic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and catecholaminergic systems; and a variety of environmental factors, such as war, accident, natural disaster, pandemic, physical, or sexual abuse, that cause stress or trauma in individuals. To be able to understand the molecular background of PTSD, rodent animal models are widely used by researchers. When looking for a solution for PTSD, it is important to consider preexisting genetic risk factors and physiological, molecular, and biochemical processes caused by trauma that may cause susceptibility to this disorder. In studies, it is reported that epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in the biological response affected by environmental factors, as well as the task of programming cell identity. In this article, we provided an overview of the role of epigenetic modifications in understanding the biology of PTSD. We also summarized the data from animal studies and their importance during the investigation of PTSD. This study shed light on the epigenetic background of stress and PTSD.

scholarly journals Eye movements in vocabulary research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Pellicer-Sánchez ◽  
Anna Siyanova
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Auditory Input ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Formulaic Sequences ◽  
Online Processing ◽  
Research Findings

Abstract The field of vocabulary research is witnessing a growing interest in the use of eye-tracking to investigate topics that have traditionally been examined using offline measures, providing new insights into the processing and learning of vocabulary. During an eye-tracking experiment, participants’ eye movements are recorded while they attend to written or auditory input, resulting in a rich record of online processing behaviour. Because of its many benefits, eye-tracking is becoming a major research technique in vocabulary research. However, before this emerging trend of eye-tracking based vocabulary research continues to proliferate, it is important to step back and reflect on what current studies have shown about the processing and learning of vocabulary, and the ways in which we can use the technique in future research. To this aim, the present paper provides a comprehensive overview of current eye-tracking research findings, both in terms of the processing and learning of single words and formulaic sequences. Current research gaps and potential avenues for future research are also discussed.

An Open Innovation Lens on the Digital Transformation Frontiers

2020 ◽  
pp. 83-104
Author(s):  
Maryia Zaitsava ◽  
Elona Marku ◽  
Manuel Castriotta
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Intellectual Structure ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Research Findings

The aim of the present study is to explore Digital Transformation frontiers using the lens of Open Innovation. By implementing bibliographic coupling method, the authors bring together segmental publications from different research fields and provide a comprehensive overview of the combined Open Innovation and Digital Transformation field's intellectual structure, revealing the different groups of thoughts, influential authors, and pressing topics. The research findings illustrate, the research area has polycentric composition with absence of overlaps between articles. Five main research groups are identified: Co-evolution of Digital Technologies and Open Innovation; Digital Peer-communities; Digital Ecosystems; Knowledge Management in the Open and Digital Era; and Open Innovation, Digital Technologies, and Businesses Performance. The current research contributes both Open Innovation and Digital Transformation fields by cross-exploring each phenomenon and revealing how Digital Transformation shapes the nature of innovation as a collaborative activity as part of an independent research area.

scholarly journals Comprehensive overview of computer-based health information tailoring: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e019215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azadeh Kamel Ghalibaf ◽  
Elham Nazari ◽  
Mahdi Gholian-Aval ◽  
Hamed Tabesh ◽  
Mahmood Tara
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Computer Tailoring ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Information Tailoring

IntroductionTailoring health information to the needs of individuals has become an important part of modern health communications. Tailoring has been addressed by researchers from different disciplines leading to the emergence of a wide range of approaches, making the newcomers confused. In order to address this, a comprehensive overview of the field with the indications of research gaps, tendencies and trends will be helpful. As a result, a systematic protocol was outlined to conduct a scoping review within the field of computer-based health information tailoring.Methods and analysisThis protocol is based on the York’s five-stage framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley. A field-specific structure was defined as a basis for undertaking each stage. The structure comprised three main aspects:system design,information communicationandevaluation. Five leading databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, EBSCO and IEEE and a broad search strategy was used with less strict inclusion criteria to cover the breadth of evidence. Theoretical frameworks were used to develop the data extraction form and a rigorous approach was introduced to identify the categories from data. Several explanatory-descriptive methods were considered to analyse the data, from which some were proposed to be employed for the first time in scoping studies.Ethics and disseminationThis study investigates the breadth and depth of existing literature on computer-tailoring and as a secondary analysis, does not require ethics approval. We anticipate that the results will identify research gaps and novel ideas for future studies and provide direction to combine methods from different disciplines. The research findings will be submitted for publication to relevant peer-reviewed journals and conferences targeting health promotion and patient education.

scholarly journals Environmental Factors Causing the Development of Microorganisms on the Surfaces of National Cultural Monuments Made of Mineral Building Materials—Review

Coatings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1203
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Stanaszek-Tomal
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Hydrogen Ion Concentration ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Stone Concrete ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cultural Monuments

The ability of microorganisms to degrade building materials depends on several factors. Biological corrosion occurs in close dependence with chemical and physical factors affecting microorganisms. The growth and development of microorganisms is stimulated by external stimuli, i.e., environmental factors. Microorganisms have a relatively large tolerance range for changes in environmental conditions. Under the right conditions, microorganisms thrive very well. The adverse effects may cause the inhibition of cell growth, damage, or lead to the death of the microorganism. Considering the impact of environmental factors on microorganisms, it is not possible to identify the most important of them. The result effect of overlapping factors determines the possibility of the growth of certain microorganisms. The main factors affecting the growth are temperature, humidity, hydrogen ion concentration in the environment, oxidoreductive potential, water activity in the environment, and hydrostatic pressure. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the factors causing biodeterioration. The influence of external/internal environment on the surface of cultural monuments made of mineral building materials, i.e., stone, concrete, mortar, etc., is presented.

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