Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J G Watt

Publications and source records attributed to J G Watt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

A special-purpose processor for gene sequence analysis.

Advances in computational biology have occurred primarily in the areas of software and algorithm development; new designs of hardware to support biological computing are extremely scarce. This is due, we believe, to the presence of a non-trivial knowledge gap between molecular biologists and computer designers. The existence of this gap is unfortunate, as it has long been known that for certain problems, special-purpose computers can achieve significant cost/performance gains over general-purpose machines. We describe one such computer here: a custom accelerator for gene sequence analysis. The accelerator implements a version of the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm for nucleotide sequence alignment. Sequence lengths are constrained only by available memory; the product of sequence lengths in the current implementation can be up to 2(22). The machine is implemented as two NuBus boards connected to a Mac IIf/x, using a mixture of TTL and FPGA technology clocked at 10 MHz. The boards are completely functional, and yield a 15-fold performance improvement over an unassisted host.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1982

Control of large-scale plasma thawing for recovery of cryoprecipitate factor VIII.

Cryoprecipitation is commonly used as the primary step in the preparation of clinical factor VIII concentrates; yet recovery is usually very low. Much of this loss is due to poor temperature control and a process of continuous plasma thawing has been designed to overcome this. A substantial improvement has resulted, with an increase in both yield and purity of factor VIII:C of over 50% in comparison to a conventional batch thaw process.

Antigens↗
PubMed1979

Report of a working group for the European Pharmacopoeia. Collaborative assay on human albumin of different origin.

A collaborative assay was conducted by 9 laboratories on 31 samples of human albumin which were in clinical use. It was the object of the study to establish test systems which would differentiate between albumins of venous or placental origin. The properties examined for this purpose were: appearance, total protein, haem, polymers, alkaline phosphatase and blood group substances. Additional tests such as for beta-thromboglobulin and citrate were included; pyrogenicity, however, was excluded because this was under study for all plasma proteins at that time. Results obtained were in satisfactory agreement both between laboratories and between samples. They, therefore, enabled the verification of a number of correlations in the test systems. The evaluation did not allow, however, the differentiation of the samples in relation to their origin. The results were, therefore, regarded as a tool to define the upper limits of acceptance for human albumins corresponding to the quality prescribed by the European Pharmacopoeia.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1979

Experience of changing pyrogenicity in albumin solutions.

A number of production lots of an intravenous preparation of 4.3 g/dl of human albumin failed to EP pyrogen test when tested in three rabbits. Several lots were reprocessed and subsequently proved satisfactory but over thirty lots were placed in storage and monitored by both the EP test and by using the LAL test over a period up to 650 days. The majority of the lots showed a steady fall in the pyrogen response by both tests. These lots were removed from storage and reprocessed by sterile filtration and dispensing into new glass containers. Further examination of the product showed it to be satisfactory in all regards. The product of several lots was used in treatment episodes involving the use of cell separators and shown to be satisfactory in clinical use. The remaining lots were also issues for general clinical use without incident.

Animals↗