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PubMed2025

Correlation Between Infectivity and qRT-PCR Values for Murine Norovirus Recovered from Frozen Berries.

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis globally, with frozen berries frequently implicated in foodborne outbreaks. Current surveillance relies on quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), which cannot differentiate between infectious and non-infectious viral particles, complicating risk assessment. This study is aimed to establish the minimum viral load on frozen berries detectable by qRT-PCR that corresponds to infectious virus, using murine norovirus (MNV) as a surrogate for HuNoV. Frozen raspberries were artificially inoculated with serial dilutions of MNV (7.1-1.0 log PFU/25 g) and processed using the ISO 15216:2017 method. Infectious virus was quantified by plaque assay, and viral RNA was detected by qRT-PCR. The limit of detection (LOD) for cell culture was 3.1 log PFU/25 g, whereas qRT-PCR extended sensitivity to 1.0 log PFU/25 g (Ct value at 36.7 ± 0.6), representing a 2-log difference. Recovery rates for infectious virus exceeded the ISO 15,216 minimum threshold (1%), and PCR inhibition was negligible. We next examined the extraction efficiency for both infectious MNV and its genetic material from frozen strawberries at inoculation levels higher than the LOD, and observed that the viral recovery from frozen strawberries is very similar to viral recovery from frozen raspberries with no significant differences between them. The disparity between LODs indicates that a substantial proportion of MNV genomes detected by qRT-PCR do not represent infectious particles, aligning with previous findings that one PFU may correspond to multiple genome copies. Given that many surveillance studies report high Ct values (> 35), our data suggest that such detections may not indicate viable virus, underscoring the importance of contextualizing qRT-PCR results with epidemiological evidence. These findings highlight the need for cautious interpretation of surveillance data, particularly for public health decision-making.

Norovirus↗
PubMed2004

Gene expression profiling of the rat superior olivary complex using serial analysis of gene expression.

The superior olivary complex (SOC) is an auditory brainstem region that represents a favourable system to study rapid neurotransmission and the maturation of neuronal circuits. Here we performed serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) on the SOC in 60-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats to identify genes specifically important for its function and to create a transcriptome reference for the subsequent identification of age-related or disease-related changes. Sequencing of 31 035 tags identified 10 473 different transcripts. Fifty-seven per cent of the unique tags with a count greater than four were statistically more highly represented in the SOC than in the hippocampus. Among them were genes encoding proteins involved in energy supply, the glutamate/glutamine shuttle, and myelination. Approximately 80 plasma membrane transporters, receptors, channels, and vesicular transporters were identified, and 25% of them displayed a significantly higher expression level in the SOC than in the hippocampus. Some of the plasma membrane proteins were not previously characterized in the SOC, e.g. the purinergic receptor subunit P2X(6) and the metabotropic GABA receptor Gpr51. Differential gene expression between SOC and hippocampus was confirmed using RNA in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry. The extensive gene inventory presented here will alleviate the dissection of the molecular mechanisms underlying specific SOC functions and the comparison with other SAGE libraries from brain will ease the identification of promoters to generate region-specific transgenic animals. The analysis will be part of the publicly available database ID-GRAB.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The impact of childhood body mass index on timing of puberty, adult stature and obesity: a follow-up study based on adolescent anthropometry recorded at Christ's Hospital (1936-1964).

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of childhood body mass index (BMI) on timing of puberty, adult stature and obesity. DESIGN: A retrospective school-based cohort follow-up study. SUBJECTS: A total of 1520 men born between 1927 and 1956 with serial height and weight measurements from the age of 9 to 18, followed up in adulthood at a mean age of 63 years. MEASUREMENTS: Prepubertal (child) BMI; age at peak height velocity (APHV); adult leg length, waist and hip circumference (self-reported), and height and weight (measured). RESULTS: Boys with a higher childhood BMI tended to have an earlier puberty (per s.d. increase in child BMI: -0.31 years, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.23 to -0.39, P < 0.001). Childhood BMI correlated strongly and positively with adult adiposity, as measured by BMI (1.24 kg/m(2), 95% CI: 1.04-1.45, P < 0.001), waist (1.94 cm, 95% CI: 1.50-2.37, P < 0.001) and hip (1.91 cm, 95% CI: 1.55-2.28, P < 0.001). It correlated inversely with leg length (-0.40 cm, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.12, P = 0.005), but not significantly with height or trunk length. Boys with a later puberty tended to be taller (per s.d. increase in APHV: 0.57 cm, 95% CI: 0.17-0.97, P = 0.006) and less adipose as adults (-0.55 kg/m(2), 95% CI: -0.33 to -0.77, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The long-term consequences of childhood obesity into adulthood are well known, but the potential impact on early pubertal maturation is less well appreciated. The factors that contribute to the onset and persistence of childhood obesity require more public health focus.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perception of chemotherapy side effects cancer versus noncancer patients.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify and compare perceptions regarding the disruption in quality of life caused by chemotherapy side effects in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and in noncancer, chemotherapy-naive patients. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: One hundred forty-six patients with cancer and 224 patients without cancer completed two instruments to assess the perceived magnitude of 41 physical and psychosocial chemotherapy side effects. Instrument 1 used a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not at all; 2 = a little bit; 3 = somewhat; 4 = quite a bit; and 5 = very much) to summarize patient responses to the question, "How much did or would each of the following side effects of chemotherapy bother you?" Instrument 2 was a serial ranking questionnaire that asked patients to select the 10 most bothersome side effects to numerically rank the top five. An index of the relative magnitude of chemotherapy side effects was calculated for each instrument. RESULTS: For patients with cancer, loss of hair 50%), changes in taste (46%), constantly being tired (42%), affects work duties (39%), changes in smell perception (35%) were most frequently perceived as bothering them "quite a bit" or "very much." Nausea and vomiting were ranked 11th and 22nd, respectively. With instrument 2, the five side effects perceived as most troublesome were, in decreasing order: nausea, loss of hair, constantly tired, vomiting, and changes in the way things taste. For noncancer patients, those factors potentially bothersome "quite a bit" or "very much" were: financial hardship (82%), hardship on family (78%), vomiting (73%), shortness of breath (70%), and ability to perform work duties (69%). Via instrument 2, the top five side effects, in decreasing order were: vomiting, hardship on family, loss of hair, financial hardship, nausea, having to move close to a treatment center. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Noncancer, chemotherapy-naive patients perceived most chemotherapy-associated side effects as having greater impact on the quality of life than did cancer patients who had received chemotherapy. These findings can be used to direct patient education, education of the public, specific materials concerning cancer chemotherapy. The expertise of various members of the healthcare team can maximize the patient's comprehension of the adverse effects of the treatment options. The physician's knowledge of the overall treatment plan can assist in patient understanding; oncology pharmacists nurses are in a unique position to educate patients their families regarding potential chemotherapy side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Identification of a specific domain required for dimerization of activation-induced cytidine deaminase.

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is essential to all three genetic alterations required for generation of antigen-specific immunoglobulin: class switch recombination, somatic hypermutation, and gene conversion. Here we demonstrate that AID molecules form a homodimer autonomously in the absence of RNA, DNA, other cofactors, or post-translational modifications. Studies on serial deletion mutants revealed the minimum region between Thr27 and His56 responsible for dimerization. Analyses of point mutations within this region revealed that the residues between Gly47 and Gly54 are most important for the dimer formation. Functional analyses of these mutations indicate that all mutations impairing the dimer formation are inefficient for class switching, suggesting that dimer formation is required for class switching activity. Dimer formation and its requirement for the function of AID are features that AID shares with APOBEC-1, an RNA editing enzyme of apolipoprotein B100 mRNA.

APOBEC-1 Deaminase↗
PubMed2002

Morphology of Gnathostoma spp. isolated from natural hosts in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Gnathostomosis is an emerging public health problem in Sinaloa, Mexico, where an increasing number of human cases have been diagnosed since 1989. The present study was carried out to determine the presence of the parasite in other natural hosts from the area. Birds, fish, opossums and raccoons were captured from local dams and lagoons. The flesh from bird and fish specimens was ground and examined under a 100 W light bulb. Larvae were processed for light and electron microscopy. A total of 368 advanced stage 3 (AL3) larvae were found in 300 ichthyophagous birds, with Egretta alba exhibiting the highest infection rate. A total of 4,156 fish were examined, of which six species were infected with AL3 larvae: Arius guatemalensis (blue sea catfish), Dormitator latifrons (Pacific fat sleeper), Gobiomorus sp. (fat sleeper), Oreochromis sp. (Nile tilapia), Cichlasoma beani (Sinaloan cichlid or green guapote) and Eleotris picta (spotted sleeper). Twenty larvae from birds were used to infect domestic cats and dogs. Young adult worms were recovered from the stomach of a cat with a 17 day infection and from a dog with a 35 day infection. Larvae exhibited four rows of hooklets on the head bulb, whereas the young adults had nine rows of hooklets. The cuticular spines of adult worms along the body evolved from single-pointed, bi- or trifurcated spines. Nuclei were counted in intestinal cells examined in serial sections of larvae recovered from a great heron and a fish, in which a mean of 1.6 nuclei/cell was found, corresponding to data published for Gnathostoma binucleatum. Although the external morphology of both larvae and adults are in agreement with previous descriptions of Gnathostoma spinigerum, the results indicate that natural host infections in Sinaloa may be caused by either G. spinigerum or G. binucleatum.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Neonatal lupus.

Neonatal lupus, albeit rare, affords an excellent opportunity to examine a disease from bedside to bench. Over the past year there have been numerous publications covering clinical aspects and basic research. The timing of heart block is not random; bradycardia is most often identified between 16 and 24 weeks of gestation. Investigations have focused on this apparently vulnerable period and examined the expression of known (SSA/Ro-SSB/La), novel (p57, endogenous retrovirus-3), and cross-reactive (laminin) autoantigens in fetal hearts of varied ages and in adult hearts. Clinical studies are accumulating, but a unique maternal autoantibody profile is yet to be identified. Anti-52-kD responses, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot, continue to be a nearly universal finding in mothers whose children have neonatal lupus. The presence of anti-U1RNP in the absence of anti-SSA/Ro-SSB/La antibodies occurs only in cases of isolated cutaneous disease and not (to date) in mothers of infants with cardiac manifestations. Immunogenetically, mothers with affected children appear to be more closely related to Sjögren's syndrome than systemic lupus erythematosus. Asymptomatic mothers do not invariably become ill, and if an asymptomatic mother does develop lupus it is not likely to be life threatening. Heart block is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Although treatment of affected fetuses with dexamethasone has successfully diminished associated effusions, this therapy has not reversed established third-degree block. Treatment with sympathomimetics may be beneficial in fetuses with hydropic changes. Prophylactic therapies, other than serial echocardiographic evaluation, are not supported by any published data. To further efforts at both the bench and bedside, research registries were recently established in the United States and Canada.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Influence of cognitive strategies on the pattern of cortical activation during mental subtraction. A functional imaging study in human subjects.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 1.5 T was used to investigate the influence of cognitive strategies on cortical activation during mental calculation. Twenty-nine right-handed subjects performed a serial subtraction of prime numbers. Even though a common corpus of brain areas was activated during this mental calculation, differences appeared between subjects in function of their spontaneous cognitive strategy. In subjects using a so called verbal strategy (n=15), the main activation was located in the whole left dorsolateral frontal cortex with a little activation of the inferior parietal cortex. In subjects using a so called visual strategy (n=14), a bilateral activation in the prefrontal cortex and a high activation in the left inferior parietal cortex were observed. These results demonstrate that numbers are processed through a distributed network of cortical areas, the lateralization of which is clearly influenced by subject strategy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sagging rope sign in achondroplasia is different from Perthes disease.

The "sagging rope" sign is a radiopaque line seen on radiographs of hips with Perthes disease. The main purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, cause, and importance of this sign in achondroplasia and to reveal how it differs from in Perthes disease. Serial radiograms, along with two- and three-dimensional CT images were studied in 42 patients with achondroplasia. The sign was observed bilaterally in all patients. Evaluation of CT images revealed spherical heads with the presence of circumferential overhang in all hips. This circumferential overhang seen on three-dimensional CT images corresponded to the sagging rope sign on plain radiographs. The presence of the sagging rope sign in bilateral hips is a characteristic feature of achondroplasia. It usually appears before epiphyseal closure. Its cause, incidence, and nature differ from in Perthes disease, and its presence does not carry a negative prognosis in achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia↗
PubMed2004

Frequency and clinical course of hepatitis E in tertiary care hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the frequency of hepatitis E virus as a cause of acute hepatitis and its clinical course in hospitalized patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional hospital-based study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was conducted in two tertiary care teaching hospitals i.e., Khyber Teaching Hospital and PGMI Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar (Pakistan) from January to December 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Amongst the total number of 1922 admitted patients, 148 had history of nausea, vomiting and jaundice and raised serum bilirubin with raised hepatic transaminases (ALT), were screened for HBV (hepatitis B virus), HCV (hepatitis C virus) and subsequently for HEV (hepatitis E virus). Acute hepatitis A, autoimmune hepatitis and Wilson's disease were excluded by doing appropriate test as and when required. The patients with hepatitis E were then monitored by checking their serial transaminases on day 1,4,8 and day 18 or until their transaminases dropped to normal. They were also clinically assessed and followed-up. RESULTS: Amongst the total admission of 1922 patients during one year period, 148 had acute hepatitis and out of these, 21 patients (14.189%) suffered from hepatitis E. Seventeen patients were below the age of 40. There were increased number of cases during the late summer and early winter seasons. Majority of the hepatitis E patients recovered during the short follow-up period of two weeks. Two patients had fulminant hepatitis. A four months pregnant young female died of her illness despite intensive treatment. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis E virus is fairly common cause of acute hepatitis in hospitalized patients. Most of the patients are having a benign self-limiting illness.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Different outcomes for different interventions with different focus!--A cross-country comparison of community interventions in rural Swedish and US populations.

OBJECTIVES: There is a need among healthcare providers to acquire more knowledge about small-scale and low budget community intervention programmes. This paper compares risk factor outcomes in Swedish and US intervention programmes for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim was to explore how different intervention programme profiles affect outcome. METHODS: Using a quasi-experimental design, trends in risk factors and estimated CVD risk in two intervention areas (Norsjö. Sweden and Otsego-Schoharie County, New York state) are compared with those in reference areas (Northern Sweden region and Herkimer County, New York state) using serial cross-sectional studies and panel studies. RESULTS: The programmes were able to achieve significant changes in CVD risk factors that the local communities recognized as major concerns: changing eating habits in the Swedish population and reducing smoking in the US population. For the Swedish cross-sectional follow-up study cholesterol reduction was 12%, compared to 5% in the reference population (p for trend differences <0.000). The significantly higher estimated CVD risk (as assessed by risk scores) at baseline in the intervention population was below that of the Swedish reference population after 5 years of intervention. The Swedish panel study provided the same results. In the US, both the serial cross-sectional and panel studies showed a > 10% decline in smoking prevalence in the intervention population, while it increased slightly in the reference population. When pooling the serial cross-sectional studies the estimated risk reduction (using the Framingham risk equation) was significantly greater in the intervention populations compared to the reference populations. CONCLUSIONS: The overall pattern of risk reduction is consistent and suggests that the two different models of rural county intervention can contribute to significant risk reduction. The Swedish programme had its greatest effect on reduction of serum cholesterol levels whereas the US programme had its greatest effect on smoking prevention and cessation. These outcomes are consistent with programmatic emphases. Socially less privileged groups in these rural areas benefited as much or more from the interventions as those with greater social resources.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Smoking scenes in popular Japanese serial television dramas: descriptive analysis during the same 3-month period in two consecutive years.

Japanese serial television dramas are becoming very popular overseas, particularly in other Asian countries. Exposure to smoking scenes in movies and television dramas has been known to trigger initiation of habitual smoking in young people. Smoking scenes in Japanese dramas may affect the smoking behavior of many young Asians. We examined smoking scenes and smoking-related items in serial television dramas targeting young audiences in Japan during the same season in two consecutive years. Fourteen television dramas targeting the young audience broadcast between July and September in 2001 and 2002 were analyzed. A total of 136 h 42 min of television programs were divided into unit scenes of 3 min (a total of 2734 unit scenes). All the unit scenes were reviewed for smoking scenes and smoking-related items. Of the 2734 3-min unit scenes, 205 (7.5%) were actual smoking scenes and 387 (14.2%) depicted smoking environments with the presence of smoking-related items, such as ash trays. In 185 unit scenes (90.2% of total smoking scenes), actors were shown smoking. Actresses were less frequently shown smoking (9.8% of total smoking scenes). Smoking characters in dramas were in the 20-49 age group in 193 unit scenes (94.1% of total smoking scenes). In 96 unit scenes (46.8% of total smoking scenes), at least one non-smoker was present in the smoking scenes. The smoking locations were mainly indoors, including offices, restaurants and homes (122 unit scenes, 59.6%). The most common smoking-related items shown were ash trays (in 45.5% of smoking-item-related scenes) and cigarettes (in 30.2% of smoking-item-related scenes). Only 3 unit scenes (0.1 % of all scenes) promoted smoking prohibition. This was a descriptive study to examine the nature of smoking scenes observed in Japanese television dramas from a public health perspective.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Delayed postanoxic encephalopathy after strangulation. Serial neuroradiological and neurochemical studies.

A 13-year-old boy was the victim of attempted strangulation. His condition had returned to normal by the sixth day after the assault; however, from the seventh day, choreoathetosis, dystonia, and marked pseudobulbar paralysis developed in the boy. The computed tomographic scans and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images that were obtained at this time revealed low-density and high-signal intensities in the region of the bilateral putamen and caudate nucleus. These symptoms and the changes in his computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance images subsided gradually during a 2-month period. Sequential analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid for gamma-aminobutyric acid and dopamine concentrations during his illness revealed reciprocal changes with normal recovery. Because of the delayed onset of neurological changes and the cerebrospinal fluid showing reversible symptoms, the delayed encephalopathy after strangulation had been related to the biochemical alterations that followed anoxia in the vulnerable basal ganglia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Transcriptomes for serial analysis of gene expression].

The availability of the sequences for whole genomes is changing our understanding of cell biology. Functional genomics refers to the comprehensive analysis, at the protein level (proteome) and at the mRNA level (transcriptome) of all events associated with the expression of whole sets of genes. New methods have been developed for transcriptome analysis. Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) is based on the massive sequential analysis of short cDNA sequence tags. Each tag is derived from a defined position within a transcript. Its size (14 bp) is sufficient to identify the corresponding gene and the number of times each tag is observed provides an accurate measurement of its expression level. Since tag populations can be widely amplified without altering their relative proportions, SAGE may be performed with minute amounts of biological extract. Dealing with the mass of data generated by SAGE necessitates computer analysis. A software is required to automatically detect and count tags from sequence files. Criterias allowing to assess the quality of experimental data can be included at this stage. To identify the corresponding genes, a database is created registering all virtual tags susceptible to be observed, based on the present status of the genome knowledge. By using currently available database functions, it is easy to match experimental and virtual tags, thus generating a new database registering identified tags, together with their expression levels. As an open system, SAGE is able to reveal new, yet unknown, transcripts. Their identification will become increasingly easier with the progress of genome annotation. However, their direct characterization can be attempted, since tag information may be sufficient to design primers allowing to extend unknown sequences. A major advantage of SAGE is that, by measuring expression levels without reference to an arbitrary standard, data are definitively acquired and cumulative. All publicly available data can thus be stored in a unique database, facilitating whole-genome analysis of differential expression between cell types, normal and diseased samples, or samples with and without drug treatment. SAGE data are readily amenable to statistical comparisons, allowing to determine the level of confidence of the observed variations. A major limitation of SAGE is that, because each analysis is obligatory performed on the whole set of expressed genes, it can hardly be performed on multiple samples, for example in kinetics studies or to compare the effects of large numbers of drugs. To overcome this limitation, high-throughput detection of a subset of mRNAs is more rapidly performed by parallel hybridization of mRNAs on arrays of nucleic acids immobilized on solid supports. From this point of view, a SAGE platform is a powerful instrument for selecting the most informative subset of genes, assembling them to design microarrays dedicated to a specific problem and calibrating measurement by comparison with a standard cell model for which SAGE data are available. This approach is an attractive alternative to strategies based exclusively on pangenomic arrays. A very large amount of SAGE data are already available and the problem is now to extract their biological meaning. Knowledge on metabolic pathways is already organized so that its successful integration in a SAGE platform can be undertaken. For other cell components and pathways, the problem lies on the lack of controlled vocabulary to describe gene activities, starting form a clear definition of the concept of biological function itself. Progress in gene and cell ontology is expected to facilitate computer-based extraction of biological knowledge from existing and forthcoming SAGE data.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

An overview of research advances in road traffic trauma in China.

With rapid development of social economies, road traffic accidents (RTAs) have continued to increase, and have become the "primary public hazard" to humans. Road traffic trauma (RTT) is a major cause of death in young people of all motorized countries. This article reviews the current advances in RTT research, in order to find some approaches to improving traffic administration and reducing RTAs and RTT. All available data were collected from government, literature, our own research, and conference proceedings. Statistical analysis from every country showed that human factors were still the main cause of RTAs, accounting for more than 90%. Vehicle and road factors caused 3-5% and less than 2% of the total RTAs, respectively. Approximately 85% of RTAs were caused by 21 to 45-year-olds. About 50% of deaths due to RTAs in the United States were related to drinking. In China, RTAs due to driver drinking accounted for 0.29-1.48%. About 6-8% of drivers were prone to RTA, causing 30-40% of RTAs. Seat belts are an effective way to prevent casualties, reducing mortality and morbidity by 13-50%. In China, about 70% of RTAs were related to bicycles. Prehospital emergency treatment is very important. About 35% of deaths may be avoided if the injured receive early and effective treatment. From 1983 to 1992 the mortality of RTT increased by 13% in 18 developing countries, while it decreased by 18% in 13 developed countries, indicating the importance of comprehensive treatment of traffic administration. In addition many advances have been made in basic scientific research of RTT, such as development of serial bioimpact machines and investigation of biomechanical and biochemical mechanisms of impact injuries. In this century, RTAs and RTT are predicted to continue to increase in many countries, especially in developing ones. Full cooperation and comprehensive treatment should be performed in order to improve traffic safety.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1976

[The possibility of a standardization of clinical trials concerning materials for root canal obturation].

Clinical trials constitute epidemiologic experiments, in comparable groups of human populations designed to assess the preventive of curative effects of agents or measures. International organizations (FDI, WHO, CIOMS, ISO) have been instrumental in creating uniform methods, so that the findings from different sources can be validly compared. The need for a standardization of clinical trials in dentistry is particularly felt: - by the dental profession in order to make the choice of materials with the best clinically proven qualities - by the manufacturers in order to develop materials of improved clinical quality - by the public health administrators (or social security agencies), in order to either evaluate the benefit of instituted preventive and curative measure or to ascertain the best possible services A centennial history of efforts is shown to have resulted today in a broad international understanding (Table III). 1. The first chapter of this paper presents a review of the principal requirements for controlled clinical trails [8] such as officially adopted by FDI (Table V). 2. The second chapter offers a first-hand apercu of impending recommendations proposed by COMIET in two protocols [11] for the uniform conduct and evaluation of clinical trials of restorative techniques and materials. 2.1 Three standardized forms (A, B: Table IX, and C) serve to uniformly record data of the operative procedures. 2.2 The proposed standardized criteria (Tables X, XI) for the clinical appraisal of distinct materials give the advantage of having been tested already very extensively. 3. A critical review of the proposed protocols [11] reveals the necessity of: 3.1 referring to and coordinating with the already adopted principal requirements for controlled clinical trials. 3.2 generally adopting the excellent guidelines for the conduct of the study and the evaluation of observations (Tables X, XI) 3.3 taking advantage of the possibilities for reducing the recommended sample of 100 paired restorations (200 cavities)--difficult to implement in many countries--by certain measure such as preliminary in-vitro experiments, consideration of results already reported in the literature and a more systematic use of a standardized photographic serial documentation, a topic which will be the object of an ensuing paper.

International Cooperation↗
PubMed2002

Gene expression markers for Caenorhabditis elegans vulval cells.

The analysis of cell fate patterning during the vulval development of Caenorhabditis elegans has relied mostly on the direct observation of cell divisions and cell movements (cell lineage analysis). However, reconstruction of the developing vulva from EM serial sections has suggested seven different cell types (vulA, vulB1, vulB2, vulC, vulD, vulE, and vulF), many of which cannot be distinguished based on such observations. Here we report the vulval expression of seven genes, egl-17, cdh-3, ceh-2, zmp-1, B0034.1, T04B2.6 and F47B8.6 based on gfp, cfp and yfp (green fluorescent protein and color variants) reporter fusions. Each gene expresses in a specific subset of vulval cells, and is therefore useful as a marker for vulval cell fates. Together, expressions of markers distinguish six cell types, and reveal a strict temporal control of gene expression in the developing vulva.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of the severity of chronic lung disease in premature infants by pulse oximeter.

Three parameters obtained by pulse oximeter were tested to assess the severity of chronic lung disease (CLD) in premature infants. The FiO2 required to keep oxygen saturation of 90% on pulse oximeter at rest condition was defined as FiO2Sp90. The value of oxygen saturation with a FiO2 of 0.21 at rest was defined as room air saturation. The percentage of the time duration that oxygen saturation exceeded 90% during the measurement with the FiO2Sp90 was defined as time-percentage of SpO2 > or = 90% with FiO2Sp90. These parameters were monitored for 60 minutes once weekly in very low birth weight infants for at least 4 weeks beginning at 34 weeks of postconceptional age. Thirty-four infants were enrolled; 13 of them had CLD. There were totally 57 measurements in 13 infants with CLD, and 84 measurements in 21 infants with no CLD. Values of each parameter significantly correlated with the FiO2 used during the measurement; the FiO2Sp90 had positive correlation with FiO2 (r = 0.991, p < 0.001), the room air saturation and time percentage of SpO2 > 90% with FiO2Sp90 had negative correlation (r = -0.975, p < 0.001 and r = -0.668, p < 0.05, respectively). In the serial measurements, room air saturation improved even after the FiO2Sp90 reached 0.21. Time-percentage of SpO2 > or = 90% with FiO2Sp90 showed increase with age even after the room air saturation reached over 90%. Therefore, room air saturation was more sensitive than FiO2Sp90, and the time-percentage of SpO2 > or = 90% with FiO2Sp90 was more sensitive than room air saturation in estimating the severity of CLD. For clinical use, FiO2Sp90 may be used as a guide for oxygen concentration required. Room air saturation may offer a criterion in deciding the need of further oxygen therapy, and time-percentage of Sp02 > or = 90% with FiO2Sp90 could be used to follow up the improvement of lung function, even after the oxygen therapy was discontinued.

Biomarkers↗