Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 57 in total

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  1. Choo SW, Chong JL, Gaubert P, Hughes AC, O'Brien S, Chaber AL, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2022 Feb 14.
    PMID: 35176378 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153666
  2. Aad G, Abbott B, Abeling K, Abicht NJ, Abidi SH, Aboulhorma A, et al.
    Phys Rev Lett, 2024 Jan 12;132(2):021803.
    PMID: 38277607 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.021803
    The first evidence for the Higgs boson decay to a Z boson and a photon is presented, with a statistical significance of 3.4 standard deviations. The result is derived from a combined analysis of the searches performed by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations with proton-proton collision datasets collected at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2015 to 2018. These correspond to integrated luminosities of around 140  fb^{-1} for each experiment, at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measured signal yield is 2.2±0.7 times the standard model prediction, and agrees with the theoretical expectation within 1.9 standard deviations.
  3. Chen Y, Liu Z, Wang Q, Gao F, Xu H, Ke L, et al.
    Crit Care, 2024 Jan 20;28(1):26.
    PMID: 38245768 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-024-04813-6
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EN) is often observed during the first week of ICU admission because of the extra costs and safety considerations for early parenteral nutrition. This study aimed to assess the association between nutrition intake and 28-day mortality in critically ill patients receiving exclusive EN.

    METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of a cluster-randomized clinical trial that assesses the effect of implementing a feeding protocol on mortality in critically ill patients. Patients who stayed in the ICUs for at least 7 days and received exclusive EN were included in this analysis. Multivariable Cox hazard regression models and restricted cubic spline models were used to assess the relationship between the different doses of EN delivery and 28-day mortality. Subgroups with varying lactate levels at enrollment were additionally analyzed to address the potential confounding effect brought in by the presence of shock-related hypoperfusion.

    RESULTS: Overall, 1322 patients were included in the analysis. The median (interquartile range) daily energy and protein delivery during the first week of enrollment were 14.6 (10.3-19.6) kcal/kg and 0.6 (0.4-0.8) g/kg, respectively. An increase of 5 kcal/kg energy delivery was associated with a significant reduction (approximately 14%) in 28-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.865, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.768-0.974, P = 0.016). For protein intake, a 0.2 g/kg increase was associated with a similar mortality reduction with an adjusted HR of 0.868 (95% CI 0.770-0.979). However, the benefits associated with enhanced nutrition delivery could be observed in patients with lactate concentration ≤ 2 mmol/L (adjusted HR = 0.804 (95% CI 0.674-0.960) for energy delivery and adjusted HR = 0.804 (95% CI 0.672-0.962) for protein delivery, respectively), but not in those > 2 mmol/L.

    CONCLUSIONS: During the first week of critical illness, enhanced nutrition delivery is associated with reduced mortality in critically ill patients receiving exclusive EN, only for those with lactate concentration ≤ 2 mmol/L.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN12233792, registered on November 24, 2017.

  4. Poh TY, Tiew PY, Lim AYH, Thng KX, Binte Mohamed Ali NA, Narayana JK, et al.
    Chest, 2020 08;158(2):512-522.
    PMID: 32184111 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.02.048
    BACKGROUND: Chitinase activity is an important innate immune defence mechanism against infection that includes fungi. The 2 human chitinases: chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and acidic mammalian chitinase are associated to allergy, asthma, and COPD; however, their role in bronchiectasis and bronchiectasis-COPD overlap (BCO) is unknown.

    RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the association between chitinase activity, airway fungi and clinical outcomes in bronchiectasis and bronchiectasis-COPD overlap?

    STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of 463 individuals were recruited across five hospital sites in three countries (Singapore, Malaysia, and Scotland) including individuals who were not diseased (n = 35) and who had severe asthma (n = 54), COPD (n = 90), bronchiectasis (n = 241) and BCO (n = 43). Systemic chitinase levels were assessed for bronchiectasis and BCO and related to clinical outcomes, airway Aspergillus status, and underlying pulmonary mycobiome profiles.

    RESULTS: Systemic chitinase activity is elevated significantly in bronchiectasis and BCO and exceed the activity in other airway diseases. CHIT1 activity strongly predicts bronchiectasis exacerbations and is associated with the presence of at least one Aspergillus species in the airway and frequent exacerbations (≥3 exacerbations/y). Subgroup analysis reveals an association between CHIT1 activity and the "frequent exacerbator" phenotype in South-East Asian patients whose airway mycobiome profiles indicate the presence of novel fungal taxa that include Macroventuria, Curvularia and Sarocladium. These taxa, enriched in frequently exacerbating South-East Asian patients with high CHIT1 may have potential roles in bronchiectasis exacerbations.

    INTERPRETATION: Systemic CHIT1 activity may represent a useful clinical tool for the identification of fungal-driven "frequent exacerbators" with bronchiectasis in South-East Asian populations.

  5. Tiew PY, Ko FWS, Narayana JK, Poh ME, Xu H, Neo HY, et al.
    Chest, 2020 07;158(1):145-156.
    PMID: 32092320 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.01.043
    BACKGROUND: COPD is a heterogeneous disease demonstrating inter-individual variation. A high COPD prevalence in Chinese populations is described, but little is known about disease clusters and prognostic outcomes in the Chinese population across Southeast Asia. We aim to determine if clusters of Chinese patients with COPD exist and their association with systemic inflammation and clinical outcomes.

    RESEARCH QUESTION: We aim to determine if clusters of Chinese patients with COPD exist and their association with clinical outcomes and inflammation.

    STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Chinese patients with stable COPD were prospectively recruited into two cohorts (derivation and validation) from six hospitals across three Southeast Asian countries (Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong; n = 1,480). Each patient was followed more than 2 years. Clinical data (including co-morbidities) were employed in unsupervised hierarchical clustering (followed by validation) to determine the existence of patient clusters and their prognostic outcome. Accompanying systemic cytokine assessments were performed in a subset (n = 336) of patients with COPD to determine if inflammatory patterns and associated networks characterized the derived clusters.

    RESULTS: Five patient clusters were identified including: (1) ex-TB, (2) diabetic, (3) low comorbidity: low-risk, (4) low comorbidity: high-risk, and (5) cardiovascular. The cardiovascular and ex-TB clusters demonstrate highest mortality (independent of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease assessment) and illustrate diverse cytokine patterns with complex inflammatory networks.

    INTERPRETATION: We describe clusters of Chinese patients with COPD, two of which represent high-risk clusters. The cardiovascular and ex-TB patient clusters exhibit high mortality, significant inflammation, and complex cytokine networks. Clinical and inflammatory risk stratification of Chinese patients with COPD should be considered for targeted intervention to improve disease outcomes.

  6. Tiew PY, Ko FWS, Pang SL, Matta SA, Sio YY, Poh ME, et al.
    Eur Respir J, 2020 08;56(2).
    PMID: 32341102 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00418-2020
    INTRODUCTION: Allergic sensitisation to fungi such as Aspergillus are associated to poor clinical outcomes in asthma, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis; however, clinical relevance in COPD remains unclear.

    METHODS: Patients with stable COPD (n=446) and nondiseased controls (n=51) were prospectively recruited across three countries (Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong) and screened against a comprehensive allergen panel including house dust mites, pollens, cockroach and fungi. For the first time, using a metagenomics approach, we assessed outdoor and indoor environmental allergen exposure in COPD. We identified key fungi in outdoor air and developed specific-IgE assays against the top culturable fungi, linking sensitisation responses to COPD outcomes. Indoor air and surface allergens were prospectively evaluated by metagenomics in the homes of 11 COPD patients and linked to clinical outcome.

    RESULTS: High frequencies of sensitisation to a broad range of allergens occur in COPD. Fungal sensitisation associates with frequent exacerbations, and unsupervised clustering reveals a "highly sensitised fungal predominant" subgroup demonstrating significant symptomatology, frequent exacerbations and poor lung function. Outdoor and indoor environments serve as important reservoirs of fungal allergen exposure in COPD and promote a sensitisation response to outdoor air fungi. Indoor (home) environments with high fungal allergens associate with greater COPD symptoms and poorer lung function, illustrating the importance of environmental exposures on clinical outcomes in COPD.

    CONCLUSION: Fungal sensitisation is prevalent in COPD and associates with frequent exacerbations representing a potential treatable trait. Outdoor and indoor (home) environments represent a key source of fungal allergen exposure, amenable to intervention, in "sensitised" COPD.

  7. Tiew PY, Lim AYH, Keir HR, Dicker AJ, Mac Aogáin M, Pang SL, et al.
    Chest, 2022 01;161(1):40-53.
    PMID: 34364870 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.07.2165
    BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is associated with frequent exacerbations and poor outcomes in chronic respiratory disease, but remains underdiagnosed. The role of fungal sensitization in bronchiectasis-COPD overlap (BCO) is unknown.

    RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the occurrence and clinical relevance of Aspergillus sensitization and ABPA in BCO when compared with individuals with COPD or bronchiectasis without overlap?

    STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, observational, cross-sectional study.

    METHODS: We prospectively recruited 280 patients during periods of clinical stability with bronchiectasis (n = 183), COPD (n = 50), and BCO (n = 47) from six hospitals across three countries (Singapore, Malaysia, and Scotland). We assessed sensitization responses (as specific IgE) to a panel of recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus allergens and the occurrence of ABPA in relationship to clinical outcomes.

    RESULTS: Individuals with BCO show an increased frequency and clinical severity of ABPA compared with those with COPD and bronchiectasis without overlap. BCO-associated ABPA is associated with more severe disease, higher exacerbation rates, and lower lung function when compared with ABPA occurring in the absence of overlap. BCO with a severe bronchiectasis severity index (BSI; > 9) is associated significantly with the occurrence of ABPA that is unrelated to underlying COPD severity.

    CONCLUSIONS: BCO demonstrates a high frequency of ABPA that is associated with a severe BSI (> 9) and poor clinical outcomes. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for the potential development of ABPA in patients with BCO with high BSI.

  8. Tiew PY, Narayana JK, Quek MSL, Ang YY, Ko FWS, Poh ME, et al.
    Eur Respir J, 2023 Jan;61(1).
    PMID: 35926878 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00507-2022
    BACKGROUND: Variable clinical outcomes are reported with fungal sensitisation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it remains unclear which fungi and what allergens associate with the poorest outcomes. The use of recombinant as opposed to crude allergens for such assessment is unknown.

    METHODS: A prospective multicentre assessment of stable COPD (n=614) was undertaken in five hospitals across three countries: Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Clinical and serological assessment was performed against a panel of 35 fungal allergens including crude and recombinant Aspergillus and non-Aspergillus allergens. Unsupervised clustering and topological data analysis (TDA) approaches were employed using the measured sensitisation responses to elucidate if sensitisation subgroups exist and their related clinical outcomes.

    RESULTS: Aspergillus fumigatus sensitisation was associated with increased exacerbations in COPD. Unsupervised cluster analyses revealed two "fungal sensitisation" groups. The first was characterised by Aspergillus sensitisation and increased exacerbations, poorer lung function and worse prognosis. Polysensitisation in this group conferred even poorer outcome. The second group, characterised by Cladosporium sensitisation, was more symptomatic. Significant numbers of individuals demonstrated sensitisation responses to only recombinant (as opposed to crude) A. fumigatus allergens f 1, 3, 5 and 6, and exhibited increased exacerbations, poorer lung function and an overall worse prognosis. TDA validated these findings and additionally identified a subgroup within Aspergillus-sensitised COPD of patients with frequent exacerbations.

    CONCLUSION: Aspergillus sensitisation is a treatable trait in COPD. Measuring sensitisation responses to recombinant Aspergillus allergens identifies an important patient subgroup with poor COPD outcomes that remains overlooked by assessment of only crude Aspergillus allergens.

  9. Tiew PY, Dicker AJ, Keir HR, Poh ME, Pang SL, Mac Aogáin M, et al.
    Eur Respir J, 2021 Mar;57(3).
    PMID: 32972986 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02050-2020
    INTRODUCTION: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) bacteriome associates with disease severity, exacerbations and mortality. While COPD patients are susceptible to fungal sensitisation, the role of the fungal mycobiome remains uncertain.

    METHODS: We report the largest multicentre evaluation of the COPD airway mycobiome to date, including participants from Asia (Singapore and Malaysia) and the UK (Scotland) when stable (n=337) and during exacerbations (n=66) as well as nondiseased (healthy) controls (n=47). Longitudinal mycobiome analysis was performed during and following COPD exacerbations (n=34), and examined in terms of exacerbation frequency, 2-year mortality and occurrence of serum specific IgE (sIgE) against selected fungi.

    RESULTS: A distinct mycobiome profile is observed in COPD compared with controls as evidenced by increased α-diversity (Shannon index; p<0.001). Significant airway mycobiome differences, including greater interfungal interaction (by co-occurrence), characterise very frequent COPD exacerbators (three or more exacerbations per year) (permutational multivariate ANOVA; adjusted p<0.001). Longitudinal analyses during exacerbations and following treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids did not reveal any significant change in airway mycobiome profile. Unsupervised clustering resulted in two clinically distinct COPD groups: one with increased symptoms (COPD Assessment Test score) and Saccharomyces dominance, and another with very frequent exacerbations and higher mortality characterised by Aspergillus, Curvularia and Penicillium with a concomitant increase in serum sIgE levels against the same fungi. During acute exacerbations of COPD, lower fungal diversity associates with higher 2-year mortality.

    CONCLUSION: The airway mycobiome in COPD is characterised by specific fungal genera associated with exacerbations and increased mortality.

  10. Idros N, Ho MY, Pivnenko M, Qasim MM, Xu H, Gu Z, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2015;15(6):12891-905.
    PMID: 26046595 DOI: 10.3390/s150612891
    This proof-of-concept study proposes a novel sensing mechanism for selective and label-free detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). It is realized by surface chemistry functionalization of silica nanoparticles (NPs) with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES). The primary amine anchored to the surface of the silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NH2) acts as a capturing probe for TNT target binding to form Meisenheimer amine-TNT complexes. A colorimetric change of the self-assembled (SAM) NP samples from the initial green of a SiO2-NH2 nanoparticle film towards red was observed after successful attachment of TNT, which was confirmed as a result of the increased separation between the nanoparticles. The shift in the peak wavelength of the reflected light normal to the film surface and the associated change of the peak width were measured, and a merit function taking into account their combined effect was proposed for the detection of TNT concentrations from 10-12 to 10-4 molar. The selectivity of our sensing approach is confirmed by using TNT-bound nanoparticles incubated in AptamerX, with 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) and toluene used as control and baseline, respectively. Our results show the repeatable systematic color change with the TNT concentration and the possibility to develop a robust, easy-to-use, and low-cost TNT detection method for performing a sensitive, reliable, and semi-quantitative detection in a wide detection range.
  11. da Silva CFA, Virgüez E, Eker S, Zdenek CN, Bergh C, Gerarduzzi C, et al.
    Science, 2023 Apr 07;380(6640):30-32.
    PMID: 37023192 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh8182
  12. Cheng T, Shuang W, Ye D, Zhang W, Yang Z, Fang W, et al.
    Cell Signal, 2021 08;84:110013.
    PMID: 33901578 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110013
    Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and causes many deaths. Numerous medical studies have suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert their biological functions on ccRCC. Herein, functions of lncRNA SNHG16 in ccRCC cells and the mechanism mediated by SNHG16 were investigated. The expression levels of SNHG16 and its downstream genes in ccRCC cells and RCC tissues were examined utilizing reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. Cell counting kit-8 and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays were performed to evaluate the proliferation of ccRCC cells, and flow cytometry analyses were employed to determine the apoptosis of ccRCC cells. Western blot analysis was applied to examine protein levels associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. The combination between SNHG16 and miRNA as well as miRNA and its target gene were explored by luciferase reporter, RNA pull down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. The significant upregulation of SNHG16 was observed in RCC tissues and ccRCC cells. SNHG16 downregulation inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of ccRCC cells. In addition, SNHG16 served as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-1301-3p, and STARD9 was a target gene of miR-1301-3p in ccRCC cells. SNHG16 upregulated STARD9 expression by binding with miR-1301-3p in ccRCC cells. Rescue assays validated that SNHG16 promoted ccRCC cell promotion and induced ccRCC cell apoptosis by upregulating STARD9 expression. In conclusions, SNHG16 promotes ccRCC cell proliferation and suppresses ccRCC cell apoptosis via interaction with miR-1301-3p to upregulate STARD9 expression in ccRCC cells.
  13. Chu C, Lutz JA, Král K, Vrška T, Yin X, Myers JA, et al.
    Ecol Lett, 2019 Feb;22(2):245-255.
    PMID: 30548766 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13175
    Climate is widely recognised as an important determinant of the latitudinal diversity gradient. However, most existing studies make no distinction between direct and indirect effects of climate, which substantially hinders our understanding of how climate constrains biodiversity globally. Using data from 35 large forest plots, we test hypothesised relationships amongst climate, topography, forest structural attributes (stem abundance, tree size variation and stand basal area) and tree species richness to better understand drivers of latitudinal tree diversity patterns. Climate influences tree richness both directly, with more species in warm, moist, aseasonal climates and indirectly, with more species at higher stem abundance. These results imply direct limitation of species diversity by climatic stress and more rapid (co-)evolution and narrower niche partitioning in warm climates. They also support the idea that increased numbers of individuals associated with high primary productivity are partitioned to support a greater number of species.
  14. Gurr GM, Lu Z, Zheng X, Xu H, Zhu P, Chen G, et al.
    Nat Plants, 2016 02 22;2:16014.
    PMID: 27249349 DOI: 10.1038/nplants.2016.14
    Global food security requires increased crop productivity to meet escalating demand(1-3). Current food production systems are heavily dependent on synthetic inputs that threaten the environment and human well-being(2,4,5). Biodiversity, for instance, is key to the provision of ecosystem services such as pest control(6,7), but is eroded in conventional agricultural systems. Yet the conservation and reinstatement of biodiversity is challenging(5,8,9), and it remains unclear whether the promotion of biodiversity can reduce reliance on inputs without penalizing yields on a regional scale. Here we present results from multi-site field studies replicated in Thailand, China and Vietnam over a period of four years, in which we grew nectar-producing plants around rice fields, and monitored levels of pest infestation, insecticide use and yields. Compiling the data from all sites, we report that this inexpensive intervention significantly reduced populations of two key pests, reduced insecticide applications by 70%, increased grain yields by 5% and delivered an economic advantage of 7.5%. Additional field studies showed that predators and parasitoids of the main rice pests, together with detritivores, were more abundant in the presence of nectar-producing plants. We conclude that a simple diversification approach, in this case the growth of nectar-producing plants, can contribute to the ecological intensification of agricultural systems.
  15. Ling W, Liew G, Li Y, Hao Y, Pan H, Wang H, et al.
    Adv Mater, 2018 Jun;30(23):e1800917.
    PMID: 29633379 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201800917
    The combination of novel materials with flexible electronic technology may yield new concepts of flexible electronic devices that effectively detect various biological chemicals to facilitate understanding of biological processes and conduct health monitoring. This paper demonstrates single- or multichannel implantable flexible sensors that are surface modified with conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) such as copper-MOF and cobalt-MOF with large surface area, high porosity, and tunable catalysis capability. The sensors can monitor important nutriments such as ascorbicacid, glycine, l-tryptophan (l-Trp), and glucose with detection resolutions of 14.97, 0.71, 4.14, and 54.60 × 10-6 m, respectively. In addition, they offer sensing capability even under extreme deformation and complex surrounding environment with continuous monitoring capability for 20 d due to minimized use of biological active chemicals. Experiments using live cells and animals indicate that the MOF-modified sensors are biologically safe to cells, and can detect l-Trp in blood and interstitial fluid. This work represents the first effort in integrating MOFs with flexible sensors to achieve highly specific and sensitive implantable electrochemical detection and may inspire appearance of more flexible electronic devices with enhanced capability in sensing, energy storage, and catalysis using various properties of MOFs.
  16. Trautmann A, Vivarelli M, Samuel S, Gipson D, Sinha A, Schaefer F, et al.
    Pediatr Nephrol, 2020 Aug;35(8):1529-1561.
    PMID: 32382828 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-020-04519-1
    Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome newly affects 1-3 per 100,000 children per year. Approximately 85% of cases show complete remission of proteinuria following glucocorticoid treatment. Patients who do not achieve complete remission within 4-6 weeks of glucocorticoid treatment have steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). In 10-30% of steroid-resistant patients, mutations in podocyte-associated genes can be detected, whereas an undefined circulating factor of immune origin is assumed in the remaining ones. Diagnosis and management of SRNS is a great challenge due to its heterogeneous etiology, frequent lack of remission by further immunosuppressive treatment, and severe complications including the development of end-stage kidney disease and recurrence after renal transplantation. A team of experts including pediatric nephrologists and renal geneticists from the International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA), a renal pathologist, and an adult nephrologist have now developed comprehensive clinical practice recommendations on the diagnosis and management of SRNS in children. The team performed a systematic literature review on 9 clinically relevant PICO (Patient or Population covered, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) questions, formulated recommendations and formally graded them at a consensus meeting, with input from patient representatives and a dietician acting as external advisors and a voting panel of pediatric nephrologists. Research recommendations are also given.
  17. Xu H, Li P, Ma K, Welbourn RJL, Doutch J, Penfold J, et al.
    J Colloid Interface Sci, 2018 Apr 15;516:456-465.
    PMID: 29408135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.01.086
    The α-methyl ester sulfonate, MES, anionic surfactants are a potentially important class of sustainable surfactants for a wide range of applications. The eutectic-like Kraft point minimum in the C16 and C18-MES mixtures is an important feature of that potential. Understanding their individual adsorption properties and the surface mixing of the eutectic mixtures are key to their wider exploitation. Neutron reflectivity has been used to investigate the adsorption at the air-water interface of the C16 and C18-MES surfactants and the eutectic mixture of C16 and C18-MES, in aqueous solution and in electrolyte. The micelle mixing of the eutectic mixture is investigated using small angle neutron scattering. The adsorption isotherms for C14 to C18-MES are found to scale with their critical micelle concentration value. The surface and micelle compositions of the C16 and C18-MES eutectic mixture differ from the eutectic composition; with compositions in the limit of high concentrations richer in C16-MES. The mixing properties are described by the pseudo phase approximation with a repulsive interaction between the two surfactants. The impact of the multivalent ions Al3+ on the adsorption at the air-water interface results in a transition from monolayer to multilayer adsorption.
  18. Sreekar R, Katabuchi M, Nakamura A, Corlett RT, Slik JWF, Fletcher C, et al.
    R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Sep;5(9):181168.
    PMID: 30839691 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181168
    The relationship between β-diversity and latitude still remains to be a core question in ecology because of the lack of consensus between studies. One hypothesis for the lack of consensus between studies is that spatial scale changes the relationship between latitude and β-diversity. Here, we test this hypothesis using tree data from 15 large-scale forest plots (greater than or equal to 15 ha, diameter at breast height ≥ 1 cm) across a latitudinal gradient (3-30o) in the Asia-Pacific region. We found that the observed β-diversity decreased with increasing latitude when sampling local tree communities at small spatial scale (grain size ≤0.1 ha), but the observed β-diversity did not change with latitude when sampling at large spatial scales (greater than or equal to 0.25 ha). Differences in latitudinal β-diversity gradients across spatial scales were caused by pooled species richness (γ-diversity), which influenced observed β-diversity values at small spatial scales, but not at large spatial scales. Therefore, spatial scale changes the relationship between β-diversity, γ-diversity and latitude, and improving sample representativeness avoids the γ-dependence of β-diversity.
  19. Carrero JJ, Thomas F, Nagy K, Arogundade F, Avesani CM, Chan M, et al.
    J Ren Nutr, 2018 11;28(6):380-392.
    PMID: 30348259 DOI: 10.1053/j.jrn.2018.08.006
    OBJECTIVE: To better define the prevalence of protein-energy wasting (PEW) in kidney disease is poorly defined.

    METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of PEW prevalence from contemporary studies including more than 50 subjects with kidney disease, published during 2000-2014 and reporting on PEW prevalence by subjective global assessment or malnutrition-inflammation score. Data were reviewed throughout different strata: (1) acute kidney injury (AKI), (2) pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD), (3) nondialyzed CKD 3-5, (4) maintenance dialysis, and (5) subjects undergoing kidney transplantation (Tx). Sample size, period of publication, reporting quality, methods, dialysis technique, country, geographical region, and gross national income were a priori considered factors influencing between-study variability.

    RESULTS: Two studies including 189 AKI patients reported a PEW prevalence of 60% and 82%. Five studies including 1776 patients with CKD stages 3-5 reported PEW prevalence ranging from 11% to 54%. Finally, 90 studies from 34 countries including 16,434 patients on maintenance dialysis were identified. The 25th-75th percentiles range in PEW prevalence among dialysis studies was 28-54%. Large variation in PEW prevalence across studies remained even when accounting for moderators. Mixed-effects meta-regression identified geographical region as the only significant moderator explaining 23% of the observed data heterogeneity. Finally, two studies including 1067 Tx patients reported a PEW prevalence of 28% and 52%, and no studies recruiting pediatric CKD patients were identified.

    CONCLUSION: By providing evidence-based ranges of PEW prevalence, we conclude that PEW is a common phenomenon across the spectrum of AKI and CKD. This, together with the well-documented impact of PEW on patient outcomes, justifies the need for increased medical attention.

  20. Teo BW, Toh QC, Chan XW, Xu H, Li JL, Lee EJ
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2014;23(4):619-25.
    PMID: 25516320 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.2014.23.4.01
    Clinical practice guidelines recommend objective nutritional assessments in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients but were developed while referencing to a North-American population. Specific recommendations for assessing muscle mass were suggested (mid-arm circumference, MAC; corrected mid-arm muscle area, cAMA; mid-arm muscle circumference, MAMC). This study aimed to assess correlation and association of these assessments with dietary protein intake in a multi-ethnic Asian population of healthy and CKD patients.
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