Identification and validation of novel biomarkers and therapeutics for pulpitis using connectivity mapping

International audienceAim To create an irreversible pulpitis gene signature from microarray data of healthy and inflamed dental pulps, followed by a bioinformatics approach using connectivity mapping to identify therapeutic compounds that could potentially treat pulpitis. Methodology The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, an international public repositor

Unexpected antimicrobial effect of statins

Objectives: Epidemiological studies of statins have suggested a link between statin therapy and a decreased risk of sepsis. It has been proposed that the mechanism underlying this apparent protective effect of statins relates to their known immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to explore the antimicrobial effect of statins. Methods: Simvastatin (Merck) and fluvastatin (Novartis) were both tested against six of each of methicillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA + MRSA), and vancomycin-sensitive and -resistant enterococci (VSE + VRE) using a microtitre dilution method. The test was repeated five times for both statins against all 24 isolates. Vancomycin, linezolid and propranolol were used as controls, as appropriate. Results and discussion: Simvastatin showed a significant antimicrobial effect against MSSA (mean MIC 29.2 mg/L) and to a lesser extent against MRSA (mean MIC 74.9 mg/L). Fluvastatin had a significantly less marked antimicrobial effect. Propranolol showed no antimicrobial effect. Simvastatin has a considerable antimicrobial effect in vitro and further testing of it is warranted

Retailing, and prediction of price patterns in urban form using curvilinear regression analysis

This paper examines the complex chain of interrelationships in the retail patterns of urban areas, with particular reference to the examination of low-order goods and the patterns derived therefrom in terms of both space and price. In the search for endogenous factors it is suggested that use of multivariate linear regression models might be of limited value in this particular context and that it is both conceptually appealing, and possibly more rewarding, to utilize curvilinear regression analysis on a single variable. The family chosen here is that of the generalised gamma curves and this is related to empirical evidence from Bedford and Durham to give a predictive model for the price structure/distribution in the urban system.

A regression meta-analysis with application to the cyvadic treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7673.051(SOR 92-48) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo