by Shoichiro Sumi  , Sin-Yu Yang  , Priyadarshini Canning  and Kai-Chiang Yang

Received: 29 May 2019;  Published: 24 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903074

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) can be cured or greatly ameliorated by adequate insulin secretion from a relatively small volume of insulin-producing cells. Cell encapsulation enables allo- and even xeno-geneic cell therapy without immunosuppression. However, recent clinical trials show that micro-encapsulated islets are not fully retrievable after transplantation. By contrast, macro-encapsulated islets can be retrieved when necessary. As to the transplantation site, subcutaneous tissue can be promising, if new [...]

by Melania Formisano  and Giandomenico Corrado

Received: 11 June 2019;  Published: 23 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1903086

Background: DNA typing has revolutionized not only diagnostics and forensics but also how we can analyze food. A number of techniques have been successfully applied for DNA analysis of plant-derived food. However, unlike forensics, a universally employed method has not yet emerged. Methods: A keyword-based search was performed using the ISI-Web of Science database to look for research articles on DNA testing in agri-food chain. After screening and eligibility check, a Systematic Review was compiled focusing on the [...]

by Babkir Ali

Received: 23 May 2019;  Published: 23 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/jept.1903001

This paper is intended to evaluate the economic viability of producing solar photovoltaic modules in Sudan. The simple payback period and the net present value were used as economic indicators to study comparatively different annual production capacities. Initial and operating costs were developed and analyzed for the product lifecycle. The number of working shifts in the base case is doubled to achieve a production rate of 20 MW/year and double shift with double quantity of machines is executed to reach a producti [...]

by Hanane Merhmi  , Maria Zerkaoui  , Abdelhafid Natiq  , Aziza Sbiti  , Thonas Liehr  and Abdelaziz Sefiani

Received: 25 July 2018;  Published: 22 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1903085

Background: A report of two new Moroccan cases with polymalformative syndrome, in which we identified similar but not identical sSMCs derived from chromosome 14. Methods: Conventional karyotype and MULTI-FISH. Results: +del(14)(q21.1) in the first case and +del(14)(q21.2) in the second. Conclusions: Constitutional partial trisomy 14 has an expanded clinical spectrum as one case from the literature was associated with gonadal tumor development. Similar cases, including the ones reported here, need to be carefully fo [...]

by Georgia Kakourou  , Thalia Mamas  , Christina Vrettou  and Jan Traeger-Synodinos

Received: 03 June 2019;  Published: 22 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1903084

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for HLA-matching (PGT-HLA) has been one of the most controversial PGT applications, first reported in 2001. The procedure aims to identify an embryo that is not only healthy but also HLA-matched with a sibling in the family in need of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), considering that sibling HSCT stands the highest chance of success in comparison to alternative approaches. HLA-typing can be performed with or without PGT-M for the exclusion of a single-gene disorder. T [...]

by Jun Kohyama

Received: 21 February 2019;  Published: 22 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1903034

Background: Several recommendations on optimum sleep duration have been published for adolescents to secure a healthy life. This study aimed to compare the sleep duration of middle and high school pupils in Japan with the recommended values and determined the factors associated with the duration of sleep among them. Methods: A total of 1766 completed questionnaires were obtained from grades 7 to 12 pupils in Japan. The questionnaire addressed the following points: sleeping, eating, defecation, physical activity, sc [...]

by Daniel Hughes  , Alex Gordon-Weeks  and Michael A Silva

Received: 30 April 2019;  Published: 19 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903028

(1) Background: Hereditary Pancreatitis is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis. These patients usually present at a young age with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis that usually progresses to chronic pancreatitis with associated endocrine and exocrine failure. Hereditary pancreatitis also carries an increased lifetime risk of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. These high risk patients need early intervention where appropriate by specialist multidisciplinary teams and tailored long term management. (2) Methods [...]

by Ian Macreadie  and Sudip Dhakal

Received: 05 May 2019;  Published: 17 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903064

The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the model eukaryote, has provided much understanding of molecular and cellular biology, as well as insights into many human diseases. In this paper we review how yeast studies are contributing to knowledge about the role of oxidative damage to cell health, and how one of the key players in Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid beta (Aβ) is linked to the reactive oxygen species response involving AHP1, which encodes an alkyl hydroperoxidase, Ahp1p, a protein involved in protect [...]

by Srinivasan Periasamy  , Se-Ping Chien  , Bing-Fang Lee  , Dur-Zong Hsu  and Ming-Yie Liu

Received: 31 March 2019;  Published: 17 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1903033

Background: Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome is caused by an injury to the liver induced either by accidental ingestion of pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline or by chemotherapeutic drug oxaliplatin used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome is characterized by rounding and swelling of the sinusoidal endothelial cell, which leads to obstruction of blood vessels, leukocyte infiltration, and oxidative stress. Melatonin, a powerful antioxidant, prevents acute liver injury. We investig [...]

by Melissa Mortensen  , Christine Lundberg  and Simon Horslen

Received: 05 December 2018;  Published: 17 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903073

Background: Infants and children undergoing liver transplant require ongoing nutritional evaluation throughout the pre and post-transplant period. The pathophysiologic causes of chronic liver disease and acute liver failure are varied, and each present different and unique nutritional challenges. Methods: A review of the literature and Seattle Children's established guidelines for nutritional management of pediatric liver transplant patients was conducted. Results: We present guidelines of care to optimize nutritio [...]