Draft genome sequence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 35150 and a nalidixic acid-resistant mutant derivative

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains, occasionally isolated from food, are of public health importance. Here, we report on the 5.30-Mbp draft genome sequence of E. coli O157:H7 EDL931 (strain ATCC 35150) and the 5.32-Mbp draft genome sequence of a nalidixic acid-resistant mutant derivative used as a distinguishable control strain in food-testing laboratories

An association of candidate gene haplotypes and bleeding severity in von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 1 pedigrees

von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 1 is difficult to diagnose because of bleeding variability and low heritability of von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels. We compared a bleeding severity score and bleeding times to candidate gene haplotypes within pedigrees of 14 index cases, using a covariance components model for multivariate traits (Mendel: QTL Association). These pedigrees included 13 affected and 40 unaffected relatives, as defined by plasma ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo) levels. The bleeding severity score was derived from a detailed history. Donors were genotyped using a primer extension method, and 9 candidate genes were selected for analysis. VWF:RCo levels had the strongest influence on bleeding severity score and bleeding time. ITGA2 haplotype 2 (807C) and ITGA2B haplotype 1 (Ile843) were each associated with increased bleeding severity scores (P < .01 and P < .01, respectively). GP6 haplotype b (Pro219) was also associated with increased scores (P = .03) after adjustment for donor age. No association was observed with 6 other candidate genes, GP1BA, ITGB3, VWF, FGB, IL6, or TXA2R. Increased plasma VWF:Ag levels were associated with VWF haplotype 1 (\u20131793G; P = .02). These results establish that genetic differences in the adhesion receptor subunits \u3b12, \u3b1IIb, and GPVI can influence the phenotype of VWD type 1

Reliability of the adult myopathy assessment tool in individuals with myositis

Objective The Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool (AMAT) is a 13-item performance-based battery developed to assess functional status and muscle endurance. The purpose of this study was to determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of the AMAT in adults with myositis. Methods Nineteen raters (13 physical therapists and 6 physicians) scored videotaped recordings of patients with myositis performing the AMAT for a total of 114 tests and 1,482 item observations per session. Raters rescored the AMAT test and item observations during a followup session (mean ± SD 19 ± 6 days between scoring sessions). All raters completed a single, self-directed, electronic training module prior to the initial scoring session. Results Intrarater and interrater reliability correlation coefficients were ≥0.94 for the AMAT functional subscale, endurance subscale, and total score (all P &amp;lt; 0.02 for Ho, ρ ≤0.75). All AMAT items had satisfactory intrarater agreement (kappa statistics with Fleiss-Cohen weights, with values κw = 0.57-1.00). Interrater agreement was acceptable for each AMAT item (κ = 0.56-0.89) except the sit up (κ = 0.16). The standard error of measurement and 95% confidence interval range for the AMAT total scores did not exceed 2 points across all observations (AMAT total score range 0-45). Conclusion The AMAT is a reliable, domain-specific assessment of functional status and muscle endurance for adult subjects with myositis. Results of this study suggest that physicians and physical therapists may reliably score the AMAT following a single training session. The AMAT functional subscale, endurance subscale, and total score exhibit interrater and intrarater reliability suitable for clinical and research use. © 2015 by the American College of Rheumatology

Invariant tests for multivariate normality: a critical review

Tests for multivariate normality, affine invariance, consistency, multivariate skewness, multivariate kurtosis, Roy’s union-intersection principle, empirical characteristic function, angles and radii, projection pursuit, locally best invariant test, 62G10, 62F05,