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[Validity of computer-generated MMPI reports in psychiatric patients (author's transl)].

Lachar's (1974) completely documented, automated MMPI interpretational system was transplated into German and analyzed regarding validity and generalizability in 1190 German psychiatric inpatients. The 114 paragraphs of the text library, each interpreting independent aspects of the MMPI profile, were rated for their accuracy in each individual report by the psychiatrist in charge for the respective patient. As an average, 83 of every 100 printed paragraphs were rated as 'accurate.' Further analysis revealed that the accuracy of paragraphs describing elevated MMPI profiles was substatially higher than in those describing profiles within the normal range. Accuracy rates of individual paragraphs correlated significantly (r = 0.61) with those reported by Lachar, thus confirming the specific accuracy of each paragraph. It is concluded that the present MMPI interpretational system offers descriptive clinical reports that have shown a high accuracy in culturally diverse psychiatric settings.

Adult↗

Advances in the use of computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with rapid scanning detection for clinical diagnosis.

A multi-component analytical system designed for the diagnosis of metabolic disorders is described. The urinary components are separated by a variety of chromatographic techniques, including automated amino acid analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with a computerized mass spectral library search for identification of organic acids. The complete system can be used to diagnose over 100 different metabolic diseases. The usefulness of the chromatographic system is exemplified by the pre- and postnatal diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type I, the diagnosis of lysinuric protein intolerance and of alkaptonuria. Drugs and diet may cause interfering metabolites, as exemplified by glycofurol, used as a solvent for intravenous drugs, and saccharin. It is predicted that chromatography and mass spectrometry will continue to be important diagnostic tools for many years ahead.

Acids↗

Vaidurya--a concept-based, context-sensitive search engine for clinical guidelines.

A major problem in the effective use of clinical guidelines is fast and accurate access at the point of care. Thus, we are developing a digital electronic guideline library (DeGeL) and a set of tools for incremental conversion of free-text guide-lines into increasingly machine-comprehensible representations, which support automated application. Even if guidelines are represented in electronic fashion, care providers need to be able to quickly retrieve the guidelines that best fit the clinical situation at hand. We describe Vaidurya, a search and retrieval engine that exploits the hybrid nature of guideline representation in the DeGeL architecture. Vaidurya can use not only free-text keywords, but also multiple semantic indices along which the guidelines are classified, and the mark up of guidelines in DeGeL, using the semantic roles of one or more guideline-representation languages. Preliminary evaluation of Vaidurya in a standard information task and a large guide-line repository is encouraging; formal evaluation is under way.

Algorithms↗

Search for epithelial-specific mRNAs in peripheral blood of patients with colon cancer by RT-PCR.

Research has widely supported the efficacy of screening for colorectal cancer in reducing mortality. A blood-based assay potentially represents a more accessible early detection tool for the identification of solid tumor cells originating from a primary tumor site in the body. We demonstrate a relatively easy and highly reproducible technique for the detection of mRNA expression of genes as markers of malignancy in blood samples of patients with colon cancer. The present study aims to identify a set of specific mRNAs expressed in epithelial cells but not in blood cells, which may be useful as markers for early detection of circulating colon cancer cells by a simple, qualitative RT-PCR assay following semi-automated RNA extraction from peripheral blood samples. Our approach includes a systematic search for candidate markers using digital differential display, search on UniGene colon EST libraries and analysis of published data on colon cancer gene expression. A final list included the following genes: bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), cyclin D (CycD), family with sequence similarity 3, member D (FAM3D), gastrin (GAS), glycoprotein A33 transmembrane (GPA33), glutathione peroxidase 2 gastrointestinal (GPX2), galactoside-binding, soluble, 4 (galectin 4) (LGALS4), non-SMC, structural maintenance of chromosomes, element 1 protein (NSE1), tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 1 (TACSTD1), telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), trefoil factor 3 intestinal (TFF3), transmembrane 4 superfamily member 3 (TM4SF3), UDP glycosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9 (UGT1A9), villin 1 (VIL1), and the novel gene FLJ20127. The mRNA expression of these genes was evaluated in a pool of 16 samples from subjects diagnosed with colon cancer and from 16 normal-controls. We observed expression in 13 of the 15 investigated genes from the blood samples of the vast majority of patients considered, but also in a certain percentage of the controls (from 14.3 to 100%). This finding confirms that the extreme sensitivity of RT-PCR is able to detect minimal amounts of mRNA expressed in a non tissue-specific manner ('illegitimate transcription'). On the contrary, NSE1 and GAS mRNAs were not detected either in patient or in control blood samples; however, they were abundantly expressed in normal and cancerous colon mucosa, encouraging further search for useful markers able to detect epithelial cells in peripheral blood.

Aged↗

Correlation between the measurement of posterior capsule opacification severity and visual function testing.

PURPOSE: To develop software to measure the severity of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) using analysis of retroillumination images and to correlate the results with clinical evaluation of PCO severity and visual function. SETTING: Department of Physics, King's College, and Department of Ophthalmology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom. METHODS: A technique for calculating PCO severity was developed based on calculating the variance of intensity by transforming retroillumination images to a similar mean intensity. The computer-derived severity was compared to grading of clinical severity by 3 independent observers using a library of 100 retroillumination images ranging from clear posterior capsules to very severe PCO. The computer results were also compared with the following other current methods of measuring PCO: Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification (EPCO), POCOman, and Automated Quantification of After-Cataract. A further 35 images were used to compare the results of computer-derived severity with the results of visual function analysis (high-contrast acuity, 100%; low-contrast acuity, 9%) using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart, contrast sensitivity testing using the Pelli-Robson chart, and glare assessment using the van den Berg straylight meter. RESULTS: The severity scores showed a good correlation with clinical severity scores for the library of images (r=0.86) and with severity scores using POCOman and EPCO (r=0.85 and r=0.81, respectively). The correlations with visual function tests were also good, with low-contrast visual acuity (9%) showing the best correlation (r=0.87). CONCLUSION: Variance in intensity of PCO was successfully used to calculate the severity of PCO.

Aged↗

Identification of three novel Phyllomedusa sauvagei dermaseptins (sVI-sVIII) by cloning from a skin secretion-derived cDNA library.

The defensive skin secretions of many amphibians contain a wide spectrum of biologically active compounds, particularly antimicrobial peptides that act as a first line of defence against bacterial infection. Here we describe for the first time the identification of three novel dermaseptin-related peptides (dermaseptins sVI-sVIII) whose primary structures were deduced from cDNAs cloned from a library constructed from lyophilised skin secretion of the South American hylid frog, Phyllomedusa sauvagei. The molecular masses of each were subsequently confirmed by interrogation of archived LC/MS files of fractionated skin secretion followed by automated Edman degradation sequencing. The heterogeneity of primary structures encountered in amphibian skin antimicrobial peptides may in part be explained by individual variation-a factor essential for selective functional molecular evolution and perhaps, ultimately in speciation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enhanced access to rare brain cDNAs by prescreening libraries: 207 new mouse brain ESTs.

To use single-pass cDNA sequencing to characterize low-frequency cDNA clones from a region of the brain that includes the primary site of neurodegeneration in human Parkinson disease, we have developed a prescreening procedure using single brain region first-strand cDNA probes. Selection of cDNA clones giving low hybridization signals allowed the elimination of clones resulting from abundant messages and enrichment for clones corresponding to low-copy messages. Comparative sequencing of standard and prescreened cDNA libraries (191 and 124 clones, respectively) showed that this procedure raised the frequency of novel sequences encountered from 54 to 81%. The increased proportion of novel ESTs justifies the labor of prescreening. Automation of this procedure will accelerate the molecular description of genes expressed in any brain region, or any tissue, and represents a way to maximize access to cDNA sequences for human and mouse genome characterization. In total, the comparative sequencing experiments generated 207 new mouse and 11 new rat brain ESTs.

Animals↗

High-throughput antibody production.

Proteome-wide sets of antibodies would be an invaluable research resource for use in highly parallel assays such as microarrays. Such assays could provide deeper insights into biology and a wealth of information for clinical diagnostics. However, the rate of discovery of new proteins far exceeds the antibody supply currently produced from traditional animal-based systems. To address this problem, a variety of improvements in antibody production have been developed, including improved animal-based technologies, new antibody structures with superior performances, faster and more discriminating screening techniques, and rapid validation methods. Many of these technologies are amenable to automation, allowing antibody production throughput to significantly increase.

Animals↗

Automated bacterial genome analysis and annotation.

More than 300 bacterial genome sequences are publicly available, and many more are scheduled to be completed and released in the near future. Converting this raw sequence information into a better understanding of the biology of bacteria involves the identification and annotation of genes, proteins and pathways. This processing is typically done using sequence annotation pipelines comprised of a variety of software modules and, in some cases, human experts. The reference databases, computational methods and knowledge that form the basis of these pipelines are constantly evolving, and thus there is a need to reprocess genome annotations on a regular basis. The combined challenge of revising existing annotations and extracting useful information from the flood of new genome sequences will necessitate more reliance on completely automated systems.

Bacterial Proteins↗

A "double adaptor" method for improved shotgun library construction.

The efficiency of shotgun DNA sequencing depends to a great extent on the quality of the random-subclone libraries used. We here describe a novel "double adaptor" strategy for efficient construction of high-quality shotgun libraries. In this method, randomly sheared and end-repaired fragments are ligated to oligonucleotide adaptors creating 12-base overhangs. Nonphosphorylated oligonucleotides are used, which prevents formation of adaptor dimers and ensures efficient ligation of insert to adaptor. The vector is prepared from a modified M13 vector, by KpnI/PstI digestion followed by ligation to oligonucleotides with ends complementary to the overhangs created in the digest. These adaptors create 5'-overhangs complementary to those on the inserts. Following annealing of insert to vector, the DNA is directly used for transformation without a ligation step. This protocol is robust and shows three- to fivefold higher yield of clones compared to previous protocols. No chimeric clones can be detected and the background of clones without an insert is <1%. The procedure is rapid and shows potential for automation.

Base Sequence↗

Construction of a deletion library using a mixture of 5'-truncated primers for inverse PCR (IPCR).

A quick in vitro mutagenesis method for the construction of nested deletion libraries was developed. Many deletions can be obtained in a single inverse PCR (IPCR) by replacing one of the two primers with a mixture of 5'-truncated oligodeoxynucleotides. Since chemical DNA synthesis proceeds from the 3'to the 5'end, such a mixture of 5'-truncated oligodeoxynucleotides can easily be obtained in a single automated DNA synthesis under reduced coupling efficiency. This deletion mutagenesis method yields many different deletions in a defined short DNA segment and is, therefore, best suited for a deletion analysis at base pair level. Applications might include functional analysis of regulatory DNA segments and protein engineering work that requires libraries for the expression of N-terminal, C-terminal or internal truncated proteins as well as fusion proteins having different splice sites.

Base Sequence↗

Sequence determination of the mumps virus HN gene.

The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein (HN) of mumps virus was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography and fragmented by the combined action of CNBr and trypsin. The resulting peptides were separated by HPLC and sequenced by automated Edman degradation. Using this HN-specific amino acid sequence data, a degenerate oligonucleotide was produced and subsequently used to screen a mumps virus cDNA library to isolate HN-specific clones. The complete nucleotide sequence of the HN gene was determined. The monocistronic HN mRNA is approximately 1900 nucleotides long and encodes a single open reading frame of 582 amino acids. The HN protein has a unique hydrophobic stretch of 19 amino acids at its N-terminus that apparently anchors the protein in the viral envelope. A comparison of the mumps virus HN protein sequence with the sequences of the other known paramyxovirus HNs indicates that mumps virus is most closely related to SV-5, followed in decreasing order by NDV, parainfluenza virus 3, and Sendai virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Implementation of a rapid microbial screening procedure for biotransformation activities.

A rapid and efficient microbial screening procedure was developed utilizing a 24-well plate format in conjunction with an automated liquid handling system and an HPLC. For the evaluation of this miniaturized and automated screening system, we selected the bioreduction of 6-bromo-beta-tetralone to 6-bromo-beta-tetralol. This procedure employed both yeast and rhodococci libraries, representing a culture collection comprised of several hundred strains, from which to screen for desirable bioconversion activity. Most of these strains had demonstrated bioreducing activity during previous screens to insure a "hit rate" as high as possible. The cultivation of microbes in the plate format was facile, time saving, and efficient compared to the standard method of screening utilizing larger volumes, such as test tubes or shake flasks. This improved method of screening for bioconversion activity, employing pre-selected microbial libraries based on microtiter plates and a fully roboticized analytical system, proved to rapidly yield valuable leads which compared advantageously with a more classical approach. A total of 192 yeast strains and 48 rhodococci strains were screened using this procedure. Analytical data revealed that 78% of the strains tested bioconverted the tetralone to the desired alcohol.

Journal Article↗

MedlineR: an open source library in R for Medline literature data mining.

SUMMARY: We describe an open source library written in the R programming language for Medline literature data mining. This MedlineR library includes programs to query Medline through the NCBI PubMed database; to construct the co-occurrence matrix; and to visualize the network topology of query terms. The open source nature of this library allows users to extend it freely in the statistical programming language of R. To demonstrate its utility, we have built an application to analyze term-association by using only 10 lines of code. We provide MedlineR as a library foundation for bioinformaticians and statisticians to build more sophisticated literature data mining applications. AVAILABILITY: The library is available from http://dbsr.duke.edu/pub/MedlineR.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Hidden Markov models-based system (HMMSPECTR) for detecting structural homologies on the basis of sequential information.

HMMSPECTR is a tool for finding putative structural homologs for proteins with known primary sequences. HMMSPECTR contains four major components: a data warehouse with the hidden Markov models (HMM) and alignment libraries; a search program which compares the initial protein sequences with the libraries of HMMs; a secondary structure prediction and comparison program; and a dominant protein selection program that prepares the set of 10-15 "best" proteins from the chosen HMMs. The data warehouse contains four libraries of HMMs. The first two libraries were constructed using different HHM preparation options of the HAMMER program. The third library contains parts ("partial HMM") of initial alignments. The fourth library contains trained HMMs. We tested our program against all of the protein targets proposed in the CASP4 competition. The data warehouse included libraries of structural alignments and HMMs constructed on the basis of proteins publicly available in the Protein Data Bank before the CASP4 meeting. The newest fully automated versions of HMMSPECTR 1.02 and 1.02ss produced better results than the best result reported at CASP4 either by r.m.s.d. or by length (or both) in 64% (HMMSPECTR 1.02) and 79% (HMMSPECTR 1.02ss) of the cases. The improvement is most notable for the targets with complexity 4 (difficult fold recognition cases).

Markov Chains↗