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Raymond Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Raymond Lee.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

WormBase: new content and better access.

WormBase (http://wormbase.org), a model organism database for Caenorhabditis elegans and other related nematodes, continues to evolve and expand. Over the past year WormBase has added new data on C.elegans, including data on classical genetics, cell biology and functional genomics; expanded the annotation of closely related nematodes with a new genome browser for Caenorhabditis remanei; and deployed new hardware for stronger performance. Several existing datasets including phenotype descriptions and RNAi experiments have seen a large increase in new content. New datasets such as the C.remanei draft assembly and annotations, the Vancouver Fosmid library and TEC-RED 5' end sites are now available as well. Access to and searching WormBase has become more dependable and flexible via multiple mirror sites and indexing through Google.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The 6-minute walk test predicts clinical outcome in Asian patients with chronic congestive heart failure on contemporary medical therapy: a study of the multiracial population in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: We sought the value of the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in predicting morbidity and mortality in Asian patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: 668 patients (Age 66+/-12 years, Ejection fraction 29+/-13%, NYHA I to IV) were prospectively followed up for 36+/-12 months. 386 patients (58%) took the 6MWT. Cardiac events, defined as the composite end-point of death or CHF readmission were documented. RESULTS: 188 patients (28%) reached the composite end-point (63 deaths, 125 readmissions). 6MWT distance was an independent predictor of cardiac events (quartile 1 vs quartile 4)(p=0.041), as were beta-blocker or spironolactone use (p=0.008 for both), diabetes (p=0.042), monthly income less than SGD$1000 (p=0.030), and NYHA class (class III vs class I)(p=0.003). A 6MWT distance <340 m predicted occurrence of cardiac events with a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 48%. CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWT is a safe and simple clinical tool, which could predict both morbidity and mortality in a large population of Asian patients with CHF of differing etiology and severity (169 words).

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

WormBase: better software, richer content.

WormBase (http://wormbase.org), the public database for genomics and biology of Caenorhabditis elegans, has been restructured for stronger performance and expanded for richer biological content. Performance was improved by accelerating the loading of central data pages such as the omnibus Gene page, by rationalizing internal data structures and software for greater portability, and by making the Genome Browser highly customizable in how it views and exports genomic subsequences. Arbitrarily complex, user-specified queries are now possible through Textpresso (for all available literature) and through WormMart (for most genomic data). Biological content was enriched by reconciling all available cDNA and expressed sequence tag data with gene predictions, clarifying single nucleotide polymorphism and RNAi sites, and summarizing known functions for most genes studied in this organism.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

WormBase: a comprehensive data resource for Caenorhabditis biology and genomics.

WormBase (http://www.wormbase.org), the model organism database for information about Caenorhabditis elegans and related nematodes, continues to expand in breadth and depth. Over the past year, WormBase has added multiple large-scale datasets including SAGE, interactome, 3D protein structure datasets and NCBI KOGs. To accommodate this growth, the International WormBase Consortium has improved the user interface by adding new features to aid in navigation, visualization of large-scale datasets, advanced searching and data mining. Internally, we have restructured the database models to rationalize the representation of genes and to prepare the system to accept the genome sequences of three additional Caenorhabditis species over the coming year.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Real-time measurement of patellofemoral kinematics in asymptomatic subjects.

The aims of this study were to determine whether patellofemoral kinematics in the anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML) and proximal-distal (PD) directions could be measured in real time with high repeatability using a three-dimensional magnetic tracking system, and to evaluate the symmetry between sides. Data was collected from both knees of 40 asymptomatic subjects while performing knee flexion from 0 degrees to 60 degrees . Measurement of patellar displacement along the three anatomical axes (AP, ML, and PD) with respect to an anatomical coordinate system was collected using the Fastrak system. Data from three trials of each knee was plotted against knee angle and the repeatability of the data determined by examining the similarity of the movement-time curves. Symmetry was determined for maximal displacement and kinematic pattern, and a paired t-test performed to evaluate differences between sides. The data was found to be highly repeatable with mean r values for the three directions over 0.85 for both sides. The pattern of patellar displacement and maximal displacement was comparable to that reported in the literature. Results of paired t-test revealed no significant differences between the knees when comparing maximal displacement in any direction (p>0.05). Overall, there was a highly symmetrical kinematic pattern for ML and PD displacement and a small degree of asymmetry for AP displacement. However, wide variations among the subjects were noted between the left and right patellae in all directions. The results of this study have demonstrated that the use of magnetic tracking sensors provides repeatable and relevant three-dimensional kinematic data of in vivo patella tracking from 0 degrees to 60 degrees of knee flexion.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Prediction of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction with strain rate imaging in patients with asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation.

This study sought the ability of strain rate imaging to detect subclinical left ventricular dysfunction, as evidenced by reduced contractile reserve (CR) in 32 asymptomatic patients with isolated severe mitral regurgitation. Compared with CR- patients (n = 10), CR+ patients (n = 22) had significantly higher end-systolic strain and peak systolic strain rate, but these parameters were not significantly different between CR+ patients and matched normal controls.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

WormBase: a multi-species resource for nematode biology and genomics.

WormBase (http://www.wormbase.org/) is the central data repository for information about Caenorhabditis elegans and related nematodes. As a model organism database, WormBase extends beyond the genomic sequence, integrating experimental results with extensively annotated views of the genome. The WormBase Consortium continues to expand the biological scope and utility of WormBase with the inclusion of large-scale genomic analyses, through active data and literature curation, through new analysis and visualization tools, and through refinement of the user interface. Over the past year, the nearly complete genomic sequence and comparative analyses of the closely related species Caenorhabditis briggsae have been integrated into WormBase, including gene predictions, ortholog assignments and a new synteny viewer to display the relationships between the two species. Extensive site-wide refinement of the user interface now provides quick access to the most frequently accessed resources and a consistent browsing experience across the site. Unified single-page views now provide complete summaries of commonly accessed entries like genes. These advances continue to increase the utility of WormBase for C.elegans researchers, as well as for those researchers exploring problems in functional and comparative genomics in the context of a powerful genetic system.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

WormBase: a cross-species database for comparative genomics.

WormBase (http://www.wormbase.org/) is a web-accessible central data repository for information about Caenorhabditis elegans and related nematodes. The past two years have seen a significant expansion in the biological scope of WormBase, including the integration of large-scale, genome-wide data sets, the inclusion of genome sequence and gene predictions from related species and active literature curation. This expansion of data has also driven the development and refinement of user interfaces and operability, including a new Genome Browser, new searches and facilities for data access and the inclusion of extensive documentation. These advances have expanded WormBase beyond the obvious target audience of C. elegans researchers, to include researchers wishing to explore problems in functional and comparative genomics within the context of a powerful genetic system.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Clinical outcomes for permanent incisor luxations in a pediatric population. II. Extrusions.

A longitudinal outcome study was undertaken to identify variables that significantly influenced outcomes for extruded permanent maxillary incisors of children and adolescents. Clinical and radiographic data was available for 35 patients (18 males, 17 females) representing 55 incisors. Mean age at the time of injury was 10.6 years (range: 7.1-17.8 years). Mean time elapsed to follow up was 1320 days (range: 423-2887 days). Survival analysis was used to identify variables significantly related to the prognosis of these teeth. The loss of an incisor following extrusion was uncommon as only one tooth (1/55) required extraction. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between severely extruded teeth and avulsions that had been stored in physiological media (P > 0.10). Pulp necrosis (PN) was the most common complication following injury (43%) and it most often occurred during the first year. Although not statistically significant, a trend towards increased PN was found with more severely extruded teeth (P = 0.20, relative risk = 2.08). Pulp canal obliteration (PCO) was the second most common outcome (35%). The degree of extrusion was proven to be significantly associated with the development of PCO (P = 0.03, relative risk = 0.33). Root resorption was an uncommon outcome (3/55). This study represents the first outcome data on extrusions to permanent maxillary incisors in an exclusively pediatric population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Extrapulmonary presentation of asymptomatic pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare parenchymal lung disease, which affects young women of childbearing age and is characterized pathologically by proliferation of interstitial smooth muscle and formation of cysts in the lung. While LAM is usually predominantly a respiratory disorder, it can also initially involve other extrapulmonary organs. We report the case of a 35-year-old Chinese woman, who presented with a 4-week history of left thigh swelling which was found to be secondary to compression of pelvic veins by a mass lesion. The latter was found histologically to show LAM. Despite the patient being asymptomatic and displaying normal lung function, a thoracic high resolution CT scan showed typical features of early LAM. This case further illustrates that LAM can have multisystem involvement, and demonstrates the importance of being aware of the diagnosis in cases presenting with extrapulmonary manifestation, in order that patients are diagnosed and managed appropriately.

Adnexal Diseases↗
PubMed2003

Transvaginal tape lysis for urinary obstruction after tension-free vaginal tape placement.

PURPOSE: We examine the outcome of tape lysis in subjects with obstructive urinary retention after initial tension-free vaginal tape placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Charts from 109 consecutive subjects who underwent tension-free vaginal tape placement from 1998 to 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Of the subjects 78 (72%) consented to participation and completion of a questionnaire. All subjects underwent a routine preoperative evaluation before surgery and followup was implemented through 2002. Tape lysis using a standard technique was performed in 5 patients with documented obstructive urinary retention. Subjective assessment by the validated Bristol Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire and a postoperative survey characterized perceptions of incontinence, results of initial tension-free vaginal tape placement and outcome of subsequent tape lysis. RESULTS: The objective incontinence cure rate was 89%. Of the 78 patients 17 (22%) and 21 (27%) experienced transience in either dysuria or incomplete bladder emptying, respectively. Transection for obstructive urinary retention was successfully accomplished in 5 subjects with 4 (80%) remaining continent. CONCLUSIONS: Tape lysis is simple and effective for relieving obstruction, and is not associated with a high rate of recurrent stress urinary incontinence.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

An ergonomic evaluation comparing desktop, notebook, and subnotebook computers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the postures and movements of the cervical and upper thoracic spine, the typing performance, and workstation ergonomic factors when using a desktop, notebook, and subnotebook computers. DESIGN: Repeated-measures design. SETTING: A motion analysis laboratory with an electromagnetic tracking device. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 21 university students between ages 20 and 24 years with no history of neck or shoulder discomfort. INTERVENTION: Each subject performed a standardized typing task by using each of the 3 computers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements during the typing task were taken at set intervals. RESULTS: Cervical and thoracic spines adopted a more flexed posture in using the smaller-sized computers. There were significantly greater neck movements in using desktop computers when compared with the notebook and subnotebook computers. The viewing distances adopted by the subjects decreased as the computer size decreased. Typing performance and subjective rating of difficulty in using the keyboards were also significantly different among the 3 types of computers. CONCLUSIONS: Computer users need to consider the posture of the spine and potential risk of developing musculoskeletal discomfort in choosing computers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

An in vivo study of the intervertebral movements produced by posteroanterior mobilization.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the intervertebral movements of the lumbosacral spine when it was subjected to posteroanterior mobilization. DESIGN: An in vivo radiographic study. BACKGROUND: Posteroanterior mobilization is frequently employed in the examination and treatment of low back pain, but its mechanical and therapeutic effects are uncertain. METHODS: Lateral radiographs were taken of 12 healthy male subjects who were in prone lying. This was repeated while a static mobilization force of 150 N was applied vertically to their L4 spinous processes. The radiographic images of the vertebrae were traced and digitized. The sagittal rotation and translations of the motion segments, and the displacements of the spinous processes were then computed. RESULTS: Under the application of the mobilization loads, the lumbar motion segments were found to extend, whereas the L5/S1 segment tended to flex. It was also shown that the upper lumbar segments (L1/2-L3/4) translated posteriorly and the L5/S1 segment anteriorly. The L4/5 segment did not exhibit translation in a consistent direction. In addition, all the spinous processes were found to be displaced anteriorly. CONCLUSIONS: The movement pattern observed in this study strongly suggests that the spine is subjected to three-point bending under the application of mobilization loads. RELEVANCE: The intervertebral movements produced by posteroanterior mobilization were small in magnitude, and it is unlikely that the therapist can assess these movements manually with reasonable reliability. Mobilization should be interpreted as a passive test of the whole lumbar spine in three-point bending.

Journal Article↗