Quantitative biomarker analysis of synovial gene expression by real-time PCR

Synovial biomarker analysis in rheumatoid arthritis can be used to evaluate drug effect in clinical trials of novel therapeutic agents. Previous studies of synovial gene expression for these studies have mainly relied on histological methods including immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. To increase the reliability of mRNA measurements on small synovial tissue samples, we developed and validated real time quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) methods on biopsy specimens. RNA was isolated from synovial tissue and cDNA was prepared. Cell-based standards were prepared from mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Real time PCR was performed using TaqMan chemistry to quantify gene expression relative to the cell-based standard. Application of the cellular standard curve method markedly reduced intra- and inter-assay variability and corrected amplification efficiency errors compared with the C(t) method. The inter-assay coefficient of variation was less than 25% over time. Q-PCR methods were validated by demonstrating increased expression of IL-1β and IL-6 expression in rheumatoid arthritis synovial samples compared with osteoarthritis synovium. Based on determinations of sampling error and coefficient of variation, twofold differences in gene expression in serial biopsies can be detected by assaying approximately six synovial tissue biopsies from 8 to 10 patients. These data indicate that Q-PCR is a reliable method for determining relative gene expression in small synovial tissue specimens. The technique can potentially be used in serial biopsy studies to provide insights into mechanism of action and therapeutic effect of new anti-inflammatory agents

The Utility of Cancer-Related Cultural Constructs to Understand Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African Americans

Data suggest that colorectal cancer could be cut by approximately 60% if all people aged 50 years or older received regular screening. Studies have identified socio-cultural attitudes that might inform cancer education and screening promotion campaigns. This article applies item response theory (IRT) to a set of survey items selected to assess sociocultural attitudes in order to determine how current measures may affect what we know about how these attitudes affect colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). Design and Methods. A survey of colorectal cancer screening, screening attitudes and cultural beliefs was administered to 1021 African Americans - 683 women and 338 men, ages 50 to 75. Eligibility criteria for participation included being born in the United States, selfidentified African American male or female, age 50 to 75 years. The IRT analysis was performed on 655 individuals with complete data for the 43 observed variables. Results. Twenty-nine items comprise the Multi-construct African American Cultural Survey (MAACS) that addresses seven cultural constructs: mistrust/distrust, privacy, ethnic identity, collectivism, empowerment, and male gender roles. The items provide adequate information about the attitudes of the population across most levels of the constructs assessed. Among the sociocultural variables considered, empowerment (OR=1.078; 95% CI: 1.008, 1.151) had the strongest association with CRCS adherence and privacy showed promise. Conclusions. The MAACS provides a fixed length questionnaire to assess African American CRCS attitudes, two new constructs that might assist in CRCS promotion, and a suggested focus for identification of additional constructs of interest

Earth Observation Data for All: NASA and Google Earth Engine's Public-Private Partnership

No abstract availabl

Advantages of venous bypass during orthotopic transplantation of the liver.

Venous bypass restores normal hemodynamic physiology during the critical anhepatic phase of orthotopic transplantation of the liver. Its routine use in adults undergoing transplantation in Pittsburgh has resulted in lower operative blood losses, a lower frequency of postoperative renal failure, and a greater probability of survival for all but the highest risk patients. Because it allows for a longer anhepatic phase, the surgeon has the option of tailoring the native hepatectomy to the needs of the individual case, even to the point, in difficult cases, of obtaining most of the hemostasis after removal of the native liver, but before sewing in the donor organ. Selective use of bypass in children may offer similar advantages

\u27USU-Apogee\u27 Wheat - Registration

\u27USU-Apogee\u27 is a full-dwarf hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (NSSL Reg. no. 331390.01; PI 592742) cultivar developed for high yields in controlled environments. USU-Apogee was developed by the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and released in April 1996. NASA is interested in improved food crops for bioregenerative life support systems in space. Apogee is the point in an orbit farthest from the earth. USU-Apogee is a shorter, higher yielding alternative to \u27Yecora Rojo\u27 and \u27Veery-10\u27, the short field cultivars previously selected for use in controlled environments (Bugbee and Salisbury, 1988). USU-Apogee (45-50 cm tall, depending on temperature) is 10 to 15 cm shorter than Yecora Rojo and 2 to 5 cm shorter than Veery-10. USU-Apogee was also selected for resistance to the calcium-induced leaf tip necrosis that occurs in controlled-environments

Data Ecosystem for the Joint ESA-NASA Multimission Algorithm and Analysis Platform

No abstract availabl

Optimizing Nitrogen Fixation and Recycling for Food Production in Regenerative Life Support Systems

Nitrogen (N) recycling is essential for efficient food production in regenerative life support systems. Crew members with a high workload need 90–100 g of protein per person per day, which is about 14 g of N, or 1 mole of N, per person per day. Most of this N is excreted through urine with 85% as urea. Plants take up N predominantly as nitrate and ammonium, but direct uptake as urea is possible in small amounts. Efficient N recycling requires maintenance of pH of waste streams below about 7 to minimize the volatilization of N to ammonia. In aerobic reactors, continuous aerobic conditions are needed to minimize production and volatilization of nitrous oxide. N is not well recycled on Earth. The energy intensive Haber–Bosh process supplies most of the N for crop production in terrestrial agriculture. Bacterial fixation of dinitrogen to ammonium is also energy intensive. Recycling of N from plant and human waste streams is necessary to minimize the need for N fixation. Here we review approaches and potential for N fixation and recycling in regenerative life support systems. Initial estimates indicate that nearly all the N from human and plant waste streams can be recovered in forms usable for plants

Genetic basis of the very short life cycle of ‘Apogee’ wheat

Background: ‘Apogee’ has a very short life cycle among wheat cultivars (flowering 25 days after planting under a long day and without vernalization), and it is a unique genetic material that can be used to accelerate cycling breeding lines. However, little is known about the genetic basis of the super-short life of Apogee wheat. Results: In this study, Apogee was crossed with a strong winter wheat cultivar ‘Overland’, and 858 F2 plants were generated and tested in a greenhouse under constant warm temperature and long days. Apogee wheat was found to have the early alleles for four flowering time genes, which were ranked in the order of vrn-A1 \u3e VRN-B1 \u3e vrn- D3 \u3e PPD-D1 according to their effect intensity. All these Apogee alleles for early flowering showed complete or partial dominance effects in the F2 population. Surprisingly, Apogee was found to have the same alleles at vrn-A1a and vrn-D3a for early flowering as observed in winter wheat cultivar ‘Jagger.’ It was also found that the vrn-A1a gene was epistatic to VRN-B1 and vrn-D3. The dominant vrn-D3a alone was not sufficient to cause the transition from vegetative to reproductive development in winter plants without vernalization but was able to accelerate flowering in those plants that carry the vrn-A1a or Vrn-B1 alleles. The genetic effects of the vernalization and photoperiod genes were validated in Apogee x Overland F3 populations. Conclusion: VRN-A1, VRN-B1, VRN-D3, and PPD-D1 are the major genes that enabled Apogee to produce the very short life cycle. This study greatly advanced the molecular understanding of the multiple flowering genes under different genetic backgrounds and provided useful molecular tools that can be used to accelerate winter wheat breeding schemes

Polyethylene thickness is a risk factor for wear necessitating insert exchange

PURPOSE: The aim of this observational study was to investigate the optimal minimal polyethylene (PE) thickness in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and identify other risk factors associated with revision of the insert due to wear. METHODS: A total of 84 TKA were followed for 11-16 years. All patients received the same prosthesis design (Interax; Howmedica/ Stryker) with halfbearings: separate PE-inserts medially and laterally. Statistical analysis comprised Cox-regression to correct for confounding. RESULTS: Eight knees (9.5%) had been revised due to thinning inserts and an additional patient is scheduled for revision. PE thickness, diagnosis, BMI and weight are risk factors for insert exchange. For each millimetre decrease in PE thickness, the risk of insert exchange increases 3.0 times, which remains after correction for age, gender, weight, diagnosis and femoral-tibial angle. Insert exchange was 4.73 times more likely in OA-patients compared to RA-patients. For every unit increase in BMI and weight the risk for insert exchange increases 1.40 times and 1.14 times, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion we therefore advise against the use of thin PE inserts in modular TKA and recommend PE inserts with a minimal 8-mm thickness.Optimising joint reconstruction management in arthritis and bone tumour patient