Genomewide association analysis of coronary artery disease

Background - Modern genotyping platforms permit a systematic search for inherited components of complex diseases. We performed a joint analysis of two genomewide association studies of coronary artery disease. Methods - We first identified chromosomal loci that were strongly associated with coronary artery disease in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) study (which involved 1926 case subjects with coronary artery disease and 2938 controls) and looked for replication in the German MI [Myocardial Infarction] Family Study (which involved 875 case subjects with myocardial infarction and 1644 controls). Data on other single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were significantly associated with coronary artery disease in either study (P<0.001) were then combined to identify additional loci with a high probability of true association. Genotyping in both studies was performed with the use of the GeneChip Human Mapping 500K Array Set (Affymetrix). Results - Of thousands of chromosomal loci studied, the same locus had the strongest association with coronary artery disease in both the WTCCC and the German studies: chromosome 9p21.3 (SNP, rs1333049) (P=1.80x10–14 and P=3.40x10–6, respectively). Overall, the WTCCC study revealed nine loci that were strongly associated with coronary artery disease (P80%) of a true association: chromosomes 1p13.3 (rs599839), 1q41 (rs17465637), 10q11.21 (rs501120), and 15q22.33 (rs17228212). Conclusions - We identified several genetic loci that, individually and in aggregate, substantially affect the risk of development of coronary artery disease

Czech serial "Velmi křehké vztahy" characters with regard to their property estate and social class

The thesis titled "Czech serial Velmi křehké vztahy characters with regard to their property estate and social class" is linked to specialised publications which originated in the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Charles University in Prague mapping how the 'after the velvet revolution' series made by the Czech TV portray the topic of wealth and affluence. The theory part consist of findings from two socio-scientific fields, i.e. sociology and media studies, the outcomes of which will consequently meet in the research part of this thesis. The subject matter of the research part of this thesis is the episodes of the third season of the Velmi křehké vztahy soap opera which was broadcast by the Prima Czech TV channel between 2008 and 2009. This research sample was achieved by using a qualitative research technique, specifically the grounded theory method. The thesis focuses predominantly on how a class hierarchy and wealth determine their character. The attention is also paid to listing various social classes which appear in the series, and to the outline of the areas of a social life in which the social mobility is possible. The research part of the thesis also focuses on which professions are represented mostly in the series and how characters are portrayed when working. There is also a part dedicated to..

Citizens' perceptions of justice in international climate policy: an empirical analysis

<div><p>Relying on a recent survey of more than 3400 participants from China, Germany, and the US, this article empirically analyses citizens' perceptions of key guiding principles for sharing mitigation costs across countries, justification of climate policy and trust in climate policy. Our findings suggest that the ranking of the main principles for burden-sharing is identical in China, Germany, and the US: accountability followed by capability, egalitarianism, and sovereignty. Thus, on a general level, citizens across these countries seem to have a common (normative) understanding of fairness. We therefore find no evidence that citizens' (stated) fairness preferences are detrimental to future burden-sharing agreements. In all three countries a majority of citizens considers international climate policy to be justified, but citizens' perceptions differ across specific items and countries. Finally, a substantial portion of citizens in all countries exhibit a lack of trust in international climate agreements.</p></div

Selected region after second step of analysis for chromosome 4 (a), chromosome 8 (b), chromosome 16 (c), and chromosome 20 (d)

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Haplotype-sharing analysis for alcohol dependence based on quantitative traits and the Mantel statistic"</p><p></p><p>BMC Genetics 2005;6(Suppl 1):S75-S75.</p><p>Published online 30 Dec 2005</p><p>PMCID:PMC1866706.</p><p></p

Equilateral triangle as illustration of the metric space of IBD distributions

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Haseman-Elston weighted by marker informativity"</p><p></p><p>BMC Genetics 2005;6(Suppl 1):S50-S50.</p><p>Published online 30 Dec 2005</p><p>PMCID:PMC1866733.</p><p></p

Single Bacteria Movement Tracking by Online Microscopy – A Proof of Concept Study

<div><p>In this technical report we demonstrate a low-cost online unit allowing movement tracking of flagellated bacteria on a single-cell level during fermentation processes. The system’s ability to distinguish different metabolic states (viability) of bacteria by movement velocity was investigated. A flow-through cuvette with automatically adjustable layer thickness was developed. The cuvette can be used with most commercially available laboratory microscopes equipped with 40× amplification and a digital camera. In addition, an automated sample preparation unit and a software module was developed measuring size, moved distance, and speed of bacteria. In a proof of principle study the movement velocities of <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> FZB42 during three batch fermentation processes were investigated. In this process the bacteria went through different metabolic states, vegetative growth, diauxic shift, vegetative growth after diauxic shift, and sporulation. It was shown that the movement velocities during the different metabolic states significantly differ from each other. Therefore, the described setup has the potential to be used as a bacteria viability monitoring tool. In contrast to some other techniques, such as electro-optical techniques, this method can even be used in turbid production media.</p></div

Validation of automatic image analysis.

<p>The validation of automatic image analysis by manual analysis of the image series on the four significant sampling points of interest (before diauxic shift, diauxic shift, after diauxic shift, start of sporulation) during fermentation 1. The error bars represent the Standard Error of the Mean of the bacterial velocity. The number of determined velocity vectors per sample are 232: n_man = 354, n_aut = 210; 292: n_man = 1150, n_aut = 673; 352: n_352man = 3818, n_aut = 2820; 382: n_man = 2600, n_aut = 1624.</p

Simplified process flow diagram of the sample preparation and image acquisition.

<p>The sample mixed with demineralized water is pumped through the flow cell. After evacuation the image acquisition can start. Before the next sampling aeration and disposal is necessary.</p

Simplified flow chart of the sample preparation, image acquisition, vacuum and waste treatment.

<p>The measurement of OD at 600 nm (QIRC 2.02) regulates the dilution of the sample (stream 1). The degree of sample dilution is registered using weight control (WIR 2.03). In the flow cell, the image acquisition (AIR 2.01) can start after evacuating the system.</p

Comparison of current viability measurement techniques.

<p>Comparison of current viability measurement techniques.</p