A novel use of random priming-based single-strand library preparation for whole genome sequencing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

The desire to analyse limited amounts of biological material, historic samples and rare cell populations has collectively driven the need for efficient methods for whole genome sequencing (WGS) of limited amounts of poor quality DNA. Most protocols are designed to recover double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) by ligating sequencing adaptors to dsDNA with or without subsequent polymerase chain reaction amplification of the library. While this is sufficient for many applications, limited DNA requires a method that can recover both single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and dsDNA. Here, we present a WGS library preparation method, called 'degraded DNA adaptor tagging' (DDAT), adapted from a protocol designed for whole genome bisulfite sequencing. This method uses two rounds of random primer extension to recover both ssDNA and dsDNA. We show that by using DDAT we can generate WGS data from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples using as little as 2 ng of highly degraded DNA input. Furthermore, DDAT WGS data quality was higher for all FFPE samples tested compared to data produced using a standard WGS library preparation method. Therefore, the DDAT method has potential to unlock WGS data from DNA previously considered impossible to sequence, broadening opportunities to understand the role of genetics in health and disease

Thigh-length compression stockings and DVT after stroke

Controversy exists as to whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with invasive bladder cancer, despite randomised controlled trials of more than 3000 patients. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of such treatment on survival in patients with this disease

Sex- And age-specific normal values for automated quantitative pixel-wise myocardial perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Aims Recently developed in-line automated cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion mapping has been shown to be reproducible and comparable with positron emission tomography (PET), and can be easily integrated into clinical workflows. Bringing quantitative myocardial perfusion CMR into routine clinical care requires knowledge of sex- and age-specific normal values in order to define thresholds for disease detection. This study aimed to establish sex- and age-specific normal values for stress and rest CMR myocardial blood flow (MBF) in healthy volunteers. Methods and results A total of 151 healthy volunteers recruited from two centres underwent adenosine stress and rest myocardial perfusion CMR. In-line automatic reconstruction and post processing of perfusion data were implemented within the Gadgetron software framework, creating pixel-wise perfusion maps. Rest and stress MBF were measured, deriving myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) and were subdivided by sex and age. Mean MBF in all subjects was 0.62 ± 0.13 mL/g/min at rest and 2.24 ± 0.53 mL/g/min during stress. Mean MPR was 3.74 ± 1.00. Compared with males, females had higher rest (0.69 ± 0.13 vs. 0.58 ± 0.12 mL/g/min, P < 0.01) and stress MBF (2.41 ± 0.47 vs. 2.13 ± 0.54 mL/g/min, P = 0.001). Stress MBF and MPR showed significant negative correlations with increasing age (r = −0.43, P < 0.001 and r = −0.34, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion Fully automated in-line CMR myocardial perfusion mapping produces similar normal values to the published CMR and PET literature. There is a significant increase in rest and stress MBF, but not MPR, in females and a reduction of stress MBF and MPR with advancing age, advocating the use of sex- and age-specific reference ranges for diagnostic use