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Virtual 10-20 measurement on MR images for inter-modal linking of transcranial and tomographic neuroimaging methods.

It is important to create a link between stereotaxic coordinates and head-surface-based positioning systems in order to share data between tomographic and transcranial brain mapping studies. In our previous studies, we established the probabilistic correspondence of the international 10-20 positions to the standard stereotaxic coordinate systems and made a reference database. However, its expansion required the physical marking of the 10-20 positions and the subsequent acquisition of MR images. To avoid such tedious procedures, we developed a virtual 10-20 measurement algorithm that can be applied to re-analyze any structural MR image that covers the whole head. As in the physical 10-20 measurements, with the reference points given, the algorithm automatically determines each 10-20 position step by step. Using the virtual 10-20 measurement method, we re-analyzed the MR images of 17 healthy subjects for whom we had determined 10-20 positions by physical marking in our previous study. The acquired 10-20 positions were normalized to the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) stereotactic coordinates and compared with the positions previously determined by physical measurements. 10-20 positions determined using the virtual and physical methods were roughly consistent. Average standard deviations for virtual and physical methods were 7.7 mm and 9.0 mm, respectively. There was a systematic shift in the virtual method, likely due to the absence of hair interference. We corrected the shift with affine transformation. The virtual 10-20 measurement method proved to be an effective alternative to physical marking. This method will serve as an essential tool for expanding the reference database and will further strengthen the link between tomographic and transcranial brain mapping methods.

Adult↗

Hormonal profiles and biochemical indices of bone turnover in Indian women.

UNLABELLED: The study establishes Indian referent database for bone turnover markers. The levels of markers decreased across the four quartiles of BMD showing a negative correlation with BMD. The study depicts that levels of hormones and bone turnover makers can aid in identifying women at risk for osteoporosis. INTRODUCTION: Biochemical markers of bone turnover reflect changes in bone metabolism earlier and aid in the management of osteoporosis. Since a referent database for Indian women is lacking, the study was initiated to establish the same and suggest that hormonal profiles and markers of bone turnover can aid in identifying women at risk for osteoporosis. METHODS: Osteocalcin (OC), bone specific alkaline phosphatase ((BSAP), C-terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type-I collagen (CTX-I), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrone glucuronide (E(1)G) were measured in 365 Indian women (20-70 years) and correlated with BMD measurements by dual energy absorptiometry (DXA) using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: The mean levels of bone resorption markers; CTX-I and DPD increased significantly across the age showing a negative correlation with BMD. The increase in levels of CTX-I and DPD was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) as compared to the femoral and spinal BMD, which dropped only 30-36%. The levels of bone turnover markers and FSH decreased across the four quartiles of spinal and femoral BMD showing a negative correlation whereas E(1)G levels increased across the four quartiles. CONCLUSION: The bone turnover markers were comparatively low in cohort of Indian women studied.

Adult↗

A programmable fragmentation analysis of proteins by in-source decay in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Here we describe an algorithm for identifying peptides/ proteins of known sequence and unknown peptides from partial spectra generated by an in-source decay (ISD) technique coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The identification of protein fragments is processed with a software program called CMATCH, which generates candidate subsequences for both known peptides/proteins and unknown peptides for the major product ions in the spectral range m/z 400-5000 and then matches these to known protein sequences contained in a reference database for the known peptides/proteins. CMATCH, which is compiled for MSDOS or WINDOWS95/NT, has two main advantages: first, the candidate subsequences are generated automatically without the need for supplementary information concerning the distribution of either N-terminal or C-terminal ions in the spectra for both known peptides/proteins and unknown peptides; second, the highest coordinated homologous sequences are picked up automatically from the reference database as the best matches with known peptides/proteins. Examples from the ISD spectra of several test proteins demonstrate the efficacy of this protein identification software.

Algorithms↗

Quantitative evaluation of the CEEM soil sampling intercomparison.

The aim of the CEEM soil project was to compare and to test the soil sampling and sample preparation guidelines used in the member states of the European Union and Switzerland for investigations of background and large-scale contamination of soils, soil monitoring and environmental risk assessments. The results of the comparative evaluation of the sampling guidelines demonstrated that, in soil contamination studies carried out with different sampling strategies and methods, comparable results can hardly be expected. Therefore, a reference database (RDB) was established by the organisers, which acted as a basis for the quantitative comparison of the participants' results. The detected deviations were related to the methodological details of the individual strategies. The comparative evaluation concept consisted of three steps: The first step was a comparison of the participants' samples (which were both centrally and individually analysed) between each other, as well as with the reference data base (RDB) and some given soil quality standards on the level of concentrations present. The comparison was made using the example of the metals cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. As a second step, the absolute and relative deviations between the reference database and the participants' results (both centrally analysed under repeatability conditions) were calculated. The comparability of the samples with the RDB was categorised on four levels. Methods of exploratory statistical analysis were applied to estimate the differential method bias among the participants. The levels of error caused by sampling and sample preparation were compared with those caused by the analytical procedures. As a third step, the methodological profiles of the participants were compiled to concisely describe the different procedures used. They were related to the results to find out the main factors leading to their incomparability. The outcome of this evaluation process was a list of strategies and methods, which are problematic with respect to comparability, and should be standardised and/or specified in order to arrive at representative and comparable results in soil contamination studies throughout Europe. Pre-normative recommendations for harmonising European soil sampling guidelines and standard operating procedures have been outlined in Wagner G, Desules A, Muntau H, Theocharopoulos S. Comparative Evaluation of European Methods for Sampling and Sample Preparation of Soils for Inorganic Analysis (CEEM Soil). Final Report of the Contract SMT4-CT96-2085, Sci Total Environ 2001;264:181-186. Wagner G, Desaules A, Munatu H. Theocharopolous S, Quevauvaller Ph. Suggestions for harmonising sampling and sample pre-treatment procedures and improving quality assurance in pre-analytical steps of soil contamination studies. Paper 1.7 Sci Total Environ 2001b;264:103-118.

Environmental Monitoring↗

Testing untyped alleles (TUNA)-applications to genome-wide association studies.

The large number of tests performed in analyzing data from genome-wide association studies has a large impact on the power of detecting risk variants, and analytic strategies specifying the optimal set of hypotheses to be tested are necessary. We propose a genome-wide strategy that is based on one degree of freedom tests for all the genotyped variants, and for all the untyped variants for which there is sufficient information in the observed data. The set of untyped variants to be tested is found using multi-locus measures of linkage disequilibrium and haplotype frequencies from a reference database such as HapMap (The International HapMap Consortium [2003] Nature 426:789-796). We introduce a novel statistic for testing differences in allele frequencies for untyped variation that is based on linear combinations of estimable haplotype frequencies. Algorithms for finding the sets of genotyped markers to be used in testing an untyped allele, and ways of incorporating haplotypes observed in the study data but not in the reference database are also described. The proposed testing strategy can be used as the first step in the analysis of genome-wide association data, and, because every performed test is directed to a marker, it can be used to specify the set of polymorphisms to genotype in follow-up studies. The described methodology provides also a tool for joint analysis of data from studies done on different platforms.

Algorithms↗

How the new Hologic hip normal reference values affect the densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis.

In February 1997, Hologic supplied new software to all QDR dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machines replacing the previous femoral normative reference database with the NHANES III normative data. In addition to changing the normative database (and therefore T-scores) for all regions of the hip, the new software has changed the primary region of interest from the femoral neck to the total hip. In the present study we examined how these changes influence the densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis in a large clinical referral population (n = 2311, mean age 62.7 years). The patients had spine and hip DXA performed at either of two centers using a Hologic QDR-2000 over a 4-year period. T-scores were derived for each patient using both previous and current young normal reference databases. Intraindividual differences in T-scores were calculated. The prevalence of osteoporosis based on the two normative databases and the difference between the prevalence was calculated for each skeletal site. The average paired difference between current and previous T-scores at femoral neck is 0.64, the difference increasing with age. Using the new normative database, the percentage of osteoporotic patients decreases from 49% of all patients at the femoral neck to 28% at the femoral neck and 20% at the total hip. In conclusion, the densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis will be affected in a significant proportion of women as a result of the implementation of the new hip normative database supplied by Hologic. Whether this will translate into fewer patients being treated remains to be seen.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Autofluorescence characteristics of healthy oral mucosa at different anatomical sites.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Autofluorescence spectroscopy is a promising tool for oral cancer detection. Its reliability might be improved by using a reference database of spectra from healthy mucosa. We investigated the influence of anatomical location on healthy mucosa autofluorescence. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spectra were recorded from 97 volunteers using seven excitation wavelengths (350-450 nm), 455-867 nm emission. We studied intensity and applied principal component analysis (PCA) with classification algorithms. Class overlap estimates were calculated. RESULTS: We observed differences in fluorescence intensity between locations. These were significant but small compared to standard deviations (SD). Normalized spectra looked similar for locations, except for the dorsal side of the tongue (DST) and the vermilion border (VB). Porphyrin-like fluorescence was observed frequently, especially at DST. PCA and classification confirmed VB and DST to be spectrally distinct. The remaining locations showed large class overlaps. CONCLUSIONS: No relevant systematic spectral differences have been observed between most locations, allowing the use of one large reference database. For DST and VB separate databases are required.

Adolescent↗

Validation analysis of probabilistic models of dietary exposure to food additives.

The validity of a range of simple conceptual models designed specifically for the estimation of food additive intakes using probabilistic analysis was assessed. Modelled intake estimates that fell below traditional conservative point estimates of intake and above 'true' additive intakes (calculated from a reference database at brand level) were considered to be in a valid region. Models were developed for 10 food additives by combining food intake data, the probability of an additive being present in a food group and additive concentration data. Food intake and additive concentration data were entered as raw data or as a lognormal distribution, and the probability of an additive being present was entered based on the per cent brands or the per cent eating occasions within a food group that contained an additive. Since the three model components assumed two possible modes of input, the validity of eight (2(3)) model combinations was assessed. All model inputs were derived from the reference database. An iterative approach was employed in which the validity of individual model components was assessed first, followed by validation of full conceptual models. While the distribution of intake estimates from models fell below conservative intakes, which assume that the additive is present at maximum permitted levels (MPLs) in all foods in which it is permitted, intake estimates were not consistently above 'true' intakes. These analyses indicate the need for more complex models for the estimation of food additive intakes using probabilistic analysis. Such models should incorporate information on market share and/or brand loyalty.

Databases, Factual↗

Bone mineral density measurements using the Hologic QD2000 in 175 Singaporean women aged 20-80.

AIMS: The first aim is to obtain a reference database of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements for Singaporean women across different age groups and to compare this with an American database using the same machine. The second is to study the lifestyle factors that may influence bone mass in these women. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from hospital staff and their relatives. They needed to fulfil inclusion criteria and those with confounding factors such as being on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were excluded. A lifestyle questionnaire was administered. RESULTS: Across every five-year age band, the mean BMD measurements of the Singaporean women were 3%-8% lower than their American counterparts at the AP spine and 6%-11% lower at the femoral neck. 40.6% either drank milk, ate cheese or took calcium supplements everyday. 16.6% did some form of weight bearing exercise at least once a week. CONCLUSION: A local reference database is needed for the accurate interpretation of BMD measurements as there is significant variation compared to Caucasian values.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

18F-FDG PET studies in patients with extratemporal and temporal epilepsy: evaluation of an observer-independent analysis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate an observer-independent analysis of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET studies in patients with temporal or extratemporal epilepsy. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with temporal epilepsy and 22 patients with extratemporal epilepsy were included in the study. All patients with temporal epilepsy and 7 patients with extratemporal epilepsy underwent surgical treatment. In patients who showed significant postoperative improvement (temporal, n = 23; extratemporal, n = 6), the epileptogenic focus was assumed to be located in the area of surgical resection. In extratemporal epilepsy patients who did not undergo surgery, the focus localization was determined using a combination of semiology, ictal and interictal electroencephalography, [99mTc]ethyl cysteinate dimer SPECT, MRI and [11C]flumazenil PET. Visual analysis was performed by two experienced and two less experienced blinded observers using sagittal, axial and coronal images. In the automated analysis after anatomic standardization and generation of three-dimensional stereotactic surface projections (SSPs), a pixelwise comparison of 18F-FDG uptake with an age-matched reference database (n = 20) was performed, resulting in z score images. Pixels with the maximum deviation were detected, summarized and attached to one of 20 predefined surface regions of interest. For comparison with 18F-FDG PET and MR images, three-dimensional overlay images were generated. RESULTS: In patients with temporal epilepsy, the sensitivity was comparable for visual and observer-independent analysis (three-dimensional SSP 86%, experienced observers 86%-90%, less experienced observers 77%-86%). In patients with extratemporal epilepsy, three-dimensional SSP showed a significantly higher sensitivity in detecting the epileptogenic focus (67%) than did visual analysis (experienced 33%-38%, each less experienced 19%). In temporal lobe epilepsy, there was moderate to good agreement between the localization found with three-dimensional SSP and the different observers. In patients with extratemporal epilepsy, there was a high interobserver variability and only a weak agreement between the localization found with three-dimensional SSP and the different observers. Although three-dimensional SSP detected multiple lesions more often than visual analysis, the determination of the highest deviation from the reference database allowed the identification of the epileptogenic focus with a higher accuracy than subjective criteria, especially in extratemporal epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional SSP increases sensitivity and reduces observer variability of the analysis of 18F-FDG PET images in patients with extratemporal epilepsy and is, therefore, a useful tool in the evaluation of this patient group. The benefit of this analytical approach in patients with temporal epilepsy is less apparent.

Adolescent↗

Palliative radiotherapy regimens for non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Palliative radiotherapy (RT) to the chest is often used in patients with lung cancer, but RT regimens are more often based on tradition than research results. OBJECTIVES: To discover the most effective and least toxic regimens of palliative RT, and whether higher doses increase survival. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic databases, reference lists, handsearching of journals and conference proceedings, and discussion with experts were used to identify potentially eligible trials, published and unpublished. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled clinical trials comparing different regimens of palliative RT in patients with non-small lung cancer. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Ten randomised trials were reviewed. There were important differences in the doses of RT investigated, the patient characteristics and the outcome measures. Because of this heterogeneity no meta-analysis was attempted. MAIN RESULTS: There is no strong evidence that any regimen gives greater palliation. Higher dose regimens give more acute toxicity. There is evidence for a modest increase in survival (6% at 1 year and 3% at 2 years) in patients with better performance status (PS) given higher dose RT. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients should be treated with short courses of palliative RT, of 1 or 2 fractions. Care should be taken with the dose to the spinal cord. The use of high dose palliative regimens should be considered for and discussed with selected patients with good PS. More research is needed into reducing the acute toxicity of large fraction regimens and into the role of radical compared to high dose palliative RT and more homogeneous studies are needed.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Age-related variation in quantitative ultrasound at the tibia and prevalence of osteoporosis in native Chinese women.

This study investigated the variations in age-related speed of sound (SOS) at the tibia and prevalence of osteoporosis in native Chinese women, and establishment of a reference database by quantitative ultrasound. SOS at the right midtibia was measured using a quantitative ultrasound device (SoundScan 2000, Myriad Ultrasound Systems, Israel) in 1596 healthy Chinese women ranging from 12 years to 96 years of age. Healthy women were selected on the basis of (1). a detailed questionnaire about their medical history, (2). face to face questioning about their medical history, and (3). a physical examination. Women with a medical condition that required medication that affected bone metabolism or those who had had a pathologic or moderate traumatic fracture were excluded. We followed the diagnostic criteria provided by the instrument's manufacturer and equivalent to the WHO criteria (using the T-score cut-off that diagnoses 30% of the post-menopausal women aged >or =50 years with osteoporosis) as the diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis in this group of women. Data were analyzed in age groups divided by intervals of 5 years. The peak SOS at the tibia of 3991+/-68 m s(-1) (mean+/-SD) occurred in the 35-39 year age group and the T-score precision was 0.99 T-score units. The SOS value increased with age up to 34 years of age and then declined with age after 40 years of age with the rate of decrease at 9.68 m s(-1) per year. The curve representing the SOS change according to age is best fitted by the regression analysis of cubic model, and the cubic equation for SOS=3383+39.9 (age)-0.78 (age)(2)+0.0039 (age)(3) (R(2)=0.505, p=0.000). The T-score cut-off that diagnoses 30% of the post-menopausal women (n=559, mean age 63.2+/-8.97 years) aged >or=50 years with osteoporosis was SOS or=80 years, the prevalences of osteoporosis detected using equivalent to the WHO criteria were 0.39%, 9.27%, 30.3%, 58.4% and 69.0%, respectively. The prevalences detected following the manufacturer's diagnostic criteria (cut-off value: SOS<or=3800 m s(-1), T-score<or=-2.0) were 3.14%, 20.5%, 53.2%, 78.8% and 89.7%, respectively. There were significant differences in the prevalence between the diagnostic criteria in the various age groups (p=0.000-0.002). In 769 women from 40 years to 59 years of age, the mean SOS was significantly higher in pre-menopausal women (n=500) than in post-menopausal women (n=269) (3977+/-89 vs 3881+/-118 m s(-1), p=0.000). The prevalence of osteoporosis in these women was 0.40% in pre-menopausal women, 8.92% in post-menopausal women, respectively. There were significant differences in prevalence of osteoporosis between the two groups of pre- and post-menopausal women (p=0.000). In conclusion, SOS at tibia can provided useful information about bone status in the normative population of native Chinese women for determination of osteoporosis. The reference database based on these data will be appropriate for the diagnosis of osteoporosis by tibial quantitative ultrasound in native Chinese women.

Adolescent↗

Intralaboratory timeliness of surgical pathology reports. Results of two College of American Pathologists Q-Probes studies of biopsies and complex specimens.

OBJECTIVE: To develop multi-institutional reference databases for intralaboratory timeliness of surgical pathology routine biopsies and complex specimens from the time of specimen accessioning to report completion, and to examine the influence of laboratory characteristics and practices on turnaround time (TAT). DESIGN: Participants in the Q-Probes quality improvement program of the College of American Pathologists took part in two separate studies, the first conducted in 1992 and 1993 and the second in 1993 and 1994. Each participant tracked the number of days from specimen accessioning to report completion for 30 routine biopsies and 30 complex specimens in each study. Based on this intralaboratory time interval, performance was compared with the College of American Pathologists' laboratory accreditation standard of 2 working days. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred twenty-five surgical pathology laboratories responded to the study of routine biopsies, and 489 laboratories responded to the study of complex specimens. Participants were mainly located in the United States, but there were respondents from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong as well. RESULTS: In the first study, evaluation of 15 725 biopsy cases showed that the cumulative aggregate percentage of routine biopsy cases processed from the time of specimen accessioning to report completion was 79% by 1 working day, 95% by 2 working days, and 98% by 3 working days. Individual participant's data revealed that all reports were completed by the second working day in 90% of the laboratories and by the third working day in 95% of laboratories. Factors that significantly contributed to increased report TAT included larger institutional size, a greater number of surgical pathologists, greater annual surgical pathology volume processed, technical processing resulting in delayed slide availability, pathology practices that integrated residency training, and reduced staffing levels of histotechnologists/technicians and transcriptionists. Shorter TATs were achieved in those institutions that had previously established a TAT goal for routine biopsy specimens. In the second study of 14 298 aggregate complex specimen cases, 68% required routine processing and 32% required special handling. Overall, 56% of all complex specimen reports were processed and completed in 1 working day, 81% in 2 working days, 91% in 3 working days, and 95% in 4 working days. On average, the percentage of cases processed and reports signed out in 2 working days or less was 80% for all complex specimen cases, 90% for routine cases, and 60% for special-handling cases. The mean of all participants' median TATs was 1.5 days (range 0-5 days) for complex specimens, 1.3 days (range 0-5 days) for cases requiring routine handling, and 2.6 days (range 0-13.5 days) for cases requiring special handling. Several factors were associated with increased report TAT: institutional occupied bedsize greater than 450, routine responsibility for gross dissection assigned to residents only, earliest availability of slides after 12 pm, resident involvement in sign-out, interposing a day between availability of slides and final slide sign-out for resident education purposes, and a greater number of surgical pathologists. CONCLUSIONS: We have documented that for the majority of routine cases, the College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Program's TAT standard of report completion time within 2 working days for the intralaboratory component of TAT is a reasonable goal. This standard was successfully met by participants in 95% of routine biopsy cases and 91% of routine complex specimens. Special-handling procedures for complex specimens contributed, on average, an additional delay of 1.3 days. To our knowledge these are the first systematic studies to describe timeliness from the time of specimen accessioning to report completion for surgical pathology specimens, and they may serve as reference databases for benchm

Biopsy↗

The forensic significance of various reference population databases for estimating the rarity of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci profiles.

The likelihood of occurrence of 1,964-HaeIII-generated target DNA profiles was estimated using fixed bin VNTR frequencies from various Caucasian, Black, and Hispanic databases and the product rule. The data in this study demonstrate that for forensic purposes there are smaller differences in statistical estimates of DNA profile frequencies among subgroup databases than among estimates across major population databases. This observation does not support the premise asserted by the NCR Report (1992) that the differences among subgroups within a race would be greater than between races (at least for forensic purposes). Therefore, the data do not support the need for alternative procedures, such as the ceiling principle approach (NRC Reports, 1992), for deriving statistical estimates of DNA profile frequencies. Comparisons across major population groups provide reasonable, reliable, and meaningful estimates of DNA profile frequencies without forensically significant consequences.

Black People↗

Expressed sequence tags for the chicken genome from a normalized, ten-day-old white leghorn whole embryo cDNA library. 2. Comparative DNA sequence analysis of guinea fowl, quail, and turkey genomes.

Accelerated efforts to develop a high-utility chicken genome map have resulted in the development of resources that may be useful for genetic analysis in other economically important poultry species. Here we describe a total of 26 comparative genomic DNA sequences (CGS) for the guinea fowl, Japanese quail, and domestic turkey developed using 10 primer pairs specific for 10 previously reported, unique, chicken expressed sequence tags (EST). The total length of CGS developed for each of the three species was 4,193, 4,597, and 6,057 bp in quail, turkey, and guinea fowl, respectively. About 70% of the CGS showed significant sequence similarity to reference database sequences, including the reference chicken EST and other avian and nonavian genes. A majority of the between-species comparisons of the CGS from all but two primer pairs were significant and ranged from 81 to 99%. The percentage similarity of the CGS appears to be a function of phylogenetic relatedness and was generally higher for comparisons between the chicken, quail, and turkey and lower between the guinea fowl and chicken, quail, or turkey. Maximum likelihood estimation of the phylogenetic relationships using CGS from two primer pairs also showed a closer relationship, as expected, among chicken, quail, and turkey than between guinea fowl and either chicken, quail, or turkey. Within the guinea fowl, quail, and turkey CGS developed, the total number of single nucleotide polymorphisms detected was 28, 17, and 14, respectively. Together, these resources represent tools that will facilitate genetic analysis of species that have been studied very little and our understanding of their genomes and genome evolution.

Animals↗

The Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database and NASA Protein Crystal Growth Archive.

The NIST/NASA/CARB Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database (BMCD), NIST Standard Reference Database 21, contains crystal data and crystallization conditions for biological macromolecules. The database entries include data abstracted from published crystallographic reports. Each entry consists of information describing the biological macromolecule crystallized and crystal data and the crystallization conditions for each crystal form. The BMCD serves as the NASA Protein Crystal Growth Archive in that it contains protocols and results of crystallization experiments undertaken in microgravity (space). These database entries report the results, whether successful or not, from NASA-sponsored protein crystal growth experiments in microgravity and from microgravity crystallization studies sponsored by other international organizations. The BMCD was designed as a tool to assist x-ray crystallographers in the development of protocols to crystallize biological macromolecules, those that have previously been crystallized, and those that have not been crystallized.

Crystallization↗