N-RAS (neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog)

Review on N-RAS (neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

RAS family

Deep insight on RAS family

KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog)

Review on KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

HRAS (Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog)

Review on HRAS (Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

UAV-based sampling systems to analyse greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds encompassing compound-specific stable isotope analysis

The study herein reports on the development and testing of sampling systems (and subsequent analytical setups) that were deployed on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the purpose of analysing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the lower atmospheric boundary layer. Two sampling devices, both of which can be mounted to an UAV with a payload capability greater than 1 kg, were tested for respective sampling and analysis of specific GHGs (carbon dioxide, CO2, and methane, CH4) and VOCs (chlorinated ethenes, CEs). The gas analyses included measurements of the molar amounts and the respective stable carbon isotope ratios. In addition to compound calibration in the laboratory, the functionality of the samplers and the UAV-based sampling was tested in the field. Atmospheric air was either flushed through sorbent tubes for VOC sampling or collected and sampled in glass vials for GHG analysis. The measurement setup for the sorbent tubes achieved analyte mass recovery rates of 63 %–100 % (more favourable for lower chlorinated ethenes), when prepared from gaseous or liquid calibration standards, and reached a precision (2σ) better than 0.7 ‰ for δ13C values in the range of 0.35–4.45 nmol. The UAV-equipped samplers were tested over two field sampling campaigns designed to (1) compare manual and UAV-collected samples taken up a vertical profile at a forest site and (2) identify potential emissions of CO2, CH4 or VOC from a former domestic waste dump. The precision of CO2 measurements from whole air samples was ≤7.3 µmol mol−1 and ≤0.3 ‰ for δ13C values and ≤0.03 µmol mol−1 and ≤0.2 ‰ for CH4 working gas standards. The results of the whole air sample analyses for CO2 and CH4 were sufficiently accurate to detect and localise potential landfill gas emissions from a secured former domestic waste dump using level flight. Vertical CO2 profiles from a forest location showed a causally comprehensive pattern in the molar ratios and stable carbon isotope ratios but also the potential falsification of the positional accuracy of a UAV-assisted air sample due to the influence of the rotor downwash. The results demonstrate that the UAV sampling systems presented here represent a viable tool for atmospheric background monitoring, as well as for evaluating and identifying emission sources. By expanding the part of the lower atmosphere that can be practicably sampled over horizontal and vertical axes, the presented UAV-capable sampling systems, which also allow for compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA), may facilitate an improved understanding of surface–atmosphere fluxes of trace gas.</p

Rettungsdienststrukturen neu denken – Ergebnisse der Expertenworkshops „Logistik in der präklinischen Notfallversorgung“ [Rethinking emergency medical services (EMS)—results of an interdisciplinary expert panel on logistics in EMS]

Die rettungsdienstliche Struktur in Deutschland stellt eine Versorgung auf sehr hohem Niveau sicher. Dennoch ist es notwendig, die vorhandenen Strukturen zu überdenken und für die Zukunft zu härten. Nicht nur vor dem Hintergrund stetig steigender Einsatzzahlen, sondern auch wegen der Herausforderungen der Personalgewinnung und der Alterung der Bevölkerung sollten Reformen im Rettungsdienst dringend angegangen werden. Hier kann der Rettungsdienst viel von der Mathematik und gerade vom Bereich „operations research“ lernen. Dieser Fachbereich beschäftigt sich explizit mit der Verbesserung von logistischen Herausforderungen, die der Rettungsdienst ohne Frage ist. In der vorliegenden Arbeit berichten die Autorinnen und Autoren über die ersten Ergebnisse zweier Workshops zum Thema „Logistik in der präklinischen Versorgung“ und möchten damit die Diskussion im Rettungsdienst auf breiter Basis anregen sowie Verbesserungspotenziale und Herausforderungen für die verschiedenen Akteure in der präklinischen Behandlung herausarbeiten, aber auch erste Ideen zu Lösungsansätzen liefern

Development and evaluation of a real-time one step Reverse-Transcriptase PCR for quantitation of Chandipura Virus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chandipura virus (CHPV), a member of family <it>Rhabdoviridae </it>was attributed to an explosive outbreak of acute encephalitis in children in Andhra Pradesh, India in 2003 and a small outbreak among tribal children from Gujarat, Western India in 2004. The case-fatality rate ranged from 55–75%. Considering the rapid progression of the disease and high mortality, a highly sensitive method for quantifying CHPV RNA by real-time one step reverse transcriptase PCR (real-time one step RT-PCR) using TaqMan technology was developed for rapid diagnosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Primers and probe for P gene were designed and used to standardize real-time one step RT-PCR assay for CHPV RNA quantitation. Standard RNA was prepared by PCR amplification, TA cloning and run off transcription. The optimized real-time one step RT-PCR assay was compared with the diagnostic nested RT-PCR and different virus isolation systems [<it>in vivo </it>(mice) <it>in ovo </it>(eggs), <it>in vitro </it>(Vero E6, PS, RD and Sand fly cell line)] for the detection of CHPV. Sensitivity and specificity of real-time one step RT-PCR assay was evaluated with diagnostic nested RT-PCR, which is considered as a gold standard.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Real-time one step RT-PCR was optimized using <it>in vitro </it>transcribed (IVT) RNA. Standard curve showed linear relationship for wide range of 10²-10¹⁰(r²= 0.99) with maximum Coefficient of variation (CV = 5.91%) for IVT RNA. The newly developed real-time RT-PCR was at par with nested RT-PCR in sensitivity and superior to cell lines and other living systems (embryonated eggs and infant mice) used for the isolation of the virus. Detection limit of real-time one step RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR was found to be 1.2 × 10⁰PFU/ml. RD cells, sand fly cells, infant mice, and embryonated eggs showed almost equal sensitivity (1.2 × 10²PFU/ml). Vero and PS cell-lines (1.2 × 10³PFU/ml) were least sensitive to CHPV infection. Specificity of the assay was found to be 100% when RNA from other viruses or healthy individual was used.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>On account of the high sensitivity, reproducibility and specificity, the assay can be used for the rapid detection and quantitation of CHPV RNA from clinical samples during epidemics and from endemic areas. The assay may also find application in screening of antiviral compounds, understanding of pathogenesis as well as evaluation of vaccine.</p

Sinus lifting before Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy: a suitable method for oral rehabilitation of edentulous patients with skelettal class-III conditions: review of the literature and report of a case

BACKGROUND: Functional rehabilitation of patients afflicted with severe mandibular and maxillary alveolar atrophy might be challenging especially in malformed patients. METHODS: Treatment planning using sinus lifting and implant placement before Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy in a patient with severe mandibular and posterior maxillary alveolar atrophy and skelettal class-III conditions due to cleft palate are described. RESULTS: A full functional and esthetic rehabilitation of the patient was achieved by a stepwise surgical approach performed through sinus lifting as the primary approach followed by implant placement and subsequent Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy to correct the maxillo-mandibular relation. CONCLUSION: Stabilisation of the maxillary complex by a sinus lifting procedure in combination with computer aided implant placement as preorthodontic planning procedure before Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy seems to be suitable in order to allow ideal oral rehabilitation especially in malformed patients

Development of a Flow-Trough Microarray based Reverse Transcriptase Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification Assay for the Detection of European Bunyaviruses

It is suspected that apart from tick-borne encephalitis virus several additional European Arboviruses such as the sandfly borne Toscana virus, sandfly fever Sicilian virus and sandfly fever Naples virus, mosquito-borne Tahyna virus, Inkoo virus, Batai virus and tick-borne Uukuniemi virus cause aseptic meningo-encephalitis or febrile disease in Europe. Currently, the microarray technology is developing rapidly and there are many efforts to apply it to infectious diseases diagnostics. In order to arrive at an assay system useful for high throughput analysis of samples from aseptic meningo-encephalitis cases the authors developed a combined multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and flow-through microarray assay for the detection of European Bunyaviruses. These results show that this combined assay indeed is highly sensitive, and specific for the accurate detection of multiple viruses

Taqman Real-Time PCR Detects Avipoxvirus DNA in Blood of Hawaìi `Amakihi (Hemignathus virens)

Margaret E. M. Farias et al...Background Avipoxvirus sp. is a significant threat to endemic bird populations on several groups of islands worldwide, including Hawaìi, the Galapagos Islands, and the Canary Islands. Accurate identification and genotyping of Avipoxvirus is critical to the study of this disease and how it interacts with other pathogens, but currently available methods rely on invasive sampling of pox-like lesions and may be especially harmful in smaller birds. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we present a nested TaqMan Real-Time PCR for the detection of the Avipoxvirus 4b core protein gene in archived blood samples from Hawaiian birds. The method was successful in amplifying Avipoxvirus DNA from packed blood cells of one of seven Hawaiian honeycreepers with confirmed Avipoxvirus infections and 13 of 28 Hawaìi `amakihi (Hemignathus virens) with suspected Avipoxvirus infections based on the presence of pox-like lesions. Mixed genotype infections have not previously been documented in Hawaìi but were observed in two individuals in this study. Conclusions/Significance We anticipate that this method will be applicable to other closely related strains of Avipoxvirus and will become an important and useful tool in global studies of the epidemiology of Avipoxvirus.Funding for this study was provided by: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (biology.usgs.gov/pierc/); U.S. Geological Survey Wildlife (biology.usgs.gov/wter/) and Invasive Species (biology.usgs.gov/invasive/) Programs; National Science Foundation (DEB0083944, www.nsf.gov); NIH/NCRR IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), P20RR016467 (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/research_infrast​ructure/institutional_development_award/​idea_networks_of_biomedical_research_exc​ellence/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewe