DNA profiling of cattle using micro- and minisatellite core probes

We have evaluated 15 different micro- and minisatellite core probes for use in identity and paternity testing in cattle, based on Southern blot hybridization analysis. The core probes were tested in animals of different breeds and by analysis of seven two-generation pedigrees. Of the 15 core probes tested, seven were able to detect on average seven variant bands per individual animal. Segregation analysis showed that on average two out of 3 6 variant bands scored per core probe were genetically linked while two out of 12 variant bands correspond to the same allelic pair. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of multilocus core probes for determining identity and paternity in cattle.     

Effects of amiprilose hydrochloride on the components of human skin equivalents

Summary Amiprilose hydrochloride has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of a number of hyperproliferative cell types including psoriatic skin cells. In the present study, the effects of amiprilose hydrochloride on human tissue equivalents were examined by incubating a) dermal equivalents, b) skin equivalents in the process of epidermalization, and c) mature skin equivalents, with varying concentrations of the drug. In all three models amiprilose hydrochloride concentrations of 0.1% (wt/vol) and lower were not toxic to fibroblasts and keratinocytes and did not interfere with the differentiation of the skin equivalent and the developing skin equivalent. When tested in dermal equivalents, concentrations of amiprilose hydrochloride between 0.1 and 0.5% resulted in changes in fibroblast morphology with development of large intracellular vacuoles, and concentrations greater than 5% were toxic. In mature skin equivalents, in addition to changes in fibroblast morphology, amiprilose hydrochloride in concentrations of 1 to 10% affected the epidermis. When 0.5% amiprilose hydrochloride was present in the developing skin equivalent during differentiation, the epidermal keratinocytes were also affected. Thus the morphology of basal keratinocytes was modified, the differentiation was incomplete, and the dermalepidermal attachment was compromised. These studies suggest the possibility of an extracellular mechanism of action of amiprilose hydrochloride and delineate acceptable dosage ranges for the potential drug. Supported in part by research grant AG01274 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, The R. A. Welch Foundation (B0502), The Texas Advanced Technology and Research Program (Wound Healing and Aging no. 2147), and Greenwich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. R. W. G. is the recipient of a MERIT award from the National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD.     

Elbow joint biomechanics for preclinical evaluation of total elbow prostheses

Total elbow arthroplasty is a clinically successful procedure, yet long-term implant survival rates have historically lagged behind those reported for total hips and knees. Clinical complications associated with implant wear, osteolysis, stem loosening and device fracture have been implicated as reasons for limited long-term survivorship. Unfortunately, there is little published information on the biomechanics and method(s) for preclinical evaluation of total elbow prostheses that could provide insight into the mechanisms of failure. Additionally, there are no consensus testing standards or summaries of loading profiles of the humero-ulnar joint associated with a range of activities of daily living. Such data would facilitate the standardized preclinical assessment of total elbow devices such is commonplace for other large joints. The objective of the work here is therefore to provide a comprehensive review of elbow joint biomechanics as it relates to preclinical evaluation of total elbow implants. This summary includes a review of elbow joint forces, kinematics, the types and frequency of humero-ulnar joint motions associated with activities of daily living and clinical outcomes, as well as proposing a methodology for deriving humero-ulnar joint reaction force magnitudes and vector orientations as a function of a known mass/force at the hand. From these data, a scalable, bi-axial loading profile is proposed as a foundation for the development of clinically relevant, laboratory simulations for assessment of total elbow prostheses performance.     

Porcine growth hormone gene expression from viral promoters in transgenic swine

Abstract

The production of porcine growth hormone (pGH) from novel expression vectors containing the promoter/enhancer elements of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) LTR or the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early gene was examined in transgenic swine. Both fusion genes resulted in elevated levels of serum pGH, elevation of insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), and a pronounced decrease in carcass fat deposition. The two viral promoter/enhancer elements were constitutively active in the transgenic swine throughout the life of the animals. In individual swine, the CMV‐pGH transgene was expressed predominantly in the pancreas while the MLV‐pGH transgene was expressed in a wide variety of tissues. These swine were infertile, had insulin resistance, and demonstrated an accelerated form of osteochondritis dissicans. Our results show that excess pGH produces a phenotype identical to that seen in swine expressing heterologous growth hormones, and provides a baseline for assessing the overall efficiency of producing transgenic swine. Furthermore, our data suggests that unregulated pGH production, even at 15 times normal levels and independent of the tissue source, has adverse effects that outweigh the desired reduction in carcass fat deposition in transgenic swine.     

Genomics,ICT and the formation of R&D networks

Research in genomics is an example of changes induced by information and communication technologies (ICT). The emergence of interconnected ICT support for scientific work and the handling of information have changed the challenges in genomics as well as other scientific fields. The promises are significant but a large degree of uncertainty remains. While the information space is opened up, R&D cooperation essential to reaping the benefits for companies is still difficult. Moreover, in order to benefit in full from the possibility to combine knowledge on a larger scale, knowledge repositories and places of knowledge creation need to be combined. This paper discusses the new strategies of information networking between companies that emerges in response to this challenge. It concludes with an outline of a research agenda for genomics and society.     

Reference values for feeding parameters of isopods (Porcellio scaber,Isopoda, Crustacea)

The advantage of using terrestrial isopods in toxicity studies is that a battery of parameters can be tested at different levels of biological complexity. Feeding parameters for example link organism level response to potential ecological consequences but a problem with using feeding parameters in toxicity tests with terrestrial isopods is their high variability. The aim of our study was to set benchmark values for feeding parameters for isopod Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea) in laboratory-controlled experiments. In the work presented here, the daily feeding rate of the central 50% of the control population of Porcellio scaber and a correlation between feeding rate and isopod weight were set. Values outside these ranges need additional evaluation to increase the relevance of test outcomes. We suggest using benchmark values for feeding parameters as well as the coefficient of variation (a) to identify animals with altered feeding parameters with respect to controls, and (b) to assess the data quality in each experiment.     

News from the Biological Stain Commission No. 12

Abstract

In this 12^th issue of News from the Biological Stain Commission (BSC) under the heading of Regulatory affairs, the Biological Stain Commission’s International Affairs Committee presents information from the meetings of ISO/TC 212/WG 1 Quality and competence in the medical laboratory and ISO/TC 212/WG 3 In vitro diagnostic products both held on 2 – 3 June 2010, plus information on the second plenary meeting of ISO/TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems held on 4 June 2010. All meetings took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Finally, information is provided concerning the 25^th meeting of CEN/TC 140 In vitro diagnostic medical devices held on 23 June 2010 in Berlin, Germany.     

MAGI: Methylation analysis using genome information

By incorporating annotation information into the analysis of next-generation sequencing DNA methylation data, we provide an improvement in performance over current testing procedures. Methylation analysis using genome information (MAGI) is applicable for both unreplicated and replicated data, and provides an effective analysis for studies with low sequencing depth. When compared with current tests, the annotation-informed tests provide an increase in statistical power and offer a significance-based interpretation of differential methylation.     

Robust Selection of the Most Discriminative Variables in the Dichotomous Problem with Application to Some Respiratory Disease Data

A robust method for selection of variables with the greatest discriminatory power is presented in the paper. The method deals with the two groups of data problem. An application of the method to some respiratory disease data and comparisons with classical procedures are given, also.