Using the longest significance run to estimate region-specific p-values in genetic association mapping studies

Background  

Association testing is a powerful tool for identifying disease susceptibility genes underlying complex diseases. Technological advances have yielded a dramatic increase in the density of available genetic markers, necessitating an increase in the number of association tests required for the analysis of disease susceptibility genes. As such, multiple-tests corrections have become a critical issue. However the conventional statistical corrections on locus-specific multiple tests usually result in lower power as the number of markers increases. Alternatively, we propose here the application of the longest significant run (LSR) method to estimate a region-specific p-value to provide an index for the most likely candidate region.     

Selective inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by gold salts and phenylbutazone

Gold salts and phenylbutazone selectively inhibit the synthesis of PGF_2α and PGE₂ respectively. Lowered production of one prostaglandin species is accompanied by an increased production of the other. Selective inhibition by these drugs was observed in the presence of adrenaline, reduced glutathione and copper sulphate under conditions when most anti-inflammatory compounds inhibited PGE₂ and PGF_2α syntheses equally. It is postulated that selective inhibitors may have a different mode of action and beneficial effects may be related to the endogenous ratio of PGE to PGF required for normal function.     

A simple two-step approach for introducing a protected diaminedithiol chelator during solid-phase assembly of peptides

A simple synthetic strategy is described to incorporate a protected diaminedithiol (N(2)S(2)) chelator during Fmoc solid-phase synthesis of short peptides. The resulting constructs could be efficiently labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc). The chelator was assembled at the N-terminus of peptides in a two-step procedure where the deprotected terminal amino group was first reacted with di-Fmoc-diaminopropionic acid (Fmoc-DAP-[Fmoc]-OH). The two protected amino groups were then simultaneously deprotected and subsequently reacted with S-benzoylthiolglycolic acid (TGA) to generate a protected N(2)S(2) chelator. This metal binding site was introduced into di- and tripeptides. Each peptide construct was composed of a C-terminal lysine residue and an N-terminal diaminopropionic moiety modified to create the chelator site. The epsilon-amino group at the C-terminal lysine was further derivatized with a nitroimidazole group to facilitate cellular retention. The resulting constructs were then cleaved from the resin support, purified, and labeled with [99mTc]pertechnetate. Six constructs were prepared differing by a single amino acid inserted between the diaminopropionic acid and lysine residues. Optimal labeling yields of >70% were achieved around neutral pH and heating at 75 degrees C for 10 min. Purified 99mTc-labeled constructs were found to accumulate in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro as a function of charge and hydrophobicity.     

MPDA: Microarray pooled DNA analyzer

Background  

Microarray-based pooled DNA experiments that combine the merits of DNA pooling and gene chip technology constitute a pivotal advance in biotechnology. This new technique uses pooled DNA, thereby reducing costs associated with the typing of DNA from numerous individuals. Moreover, use of an oligonucleotide gene chip reduces costs related to processing various DNA segments (e.g., primers, reagents). Thus, the technique provides an overall cost-effective solution for large-scale genomic/genetic research. However, few publicly shared tools are available to systematically analyze the rapidly accumulating volume of whole-genome pooled DNA data.     

Development of a technology for automation and miniaturization of protein crystallization

The usage of standard 96 well microplates for the screening of crystallization conditions of recombinant proteins offers several advantages when compared to commonly used crystallization plate formats. The adoption of robotic technology for plate and glass slide preparation within a "hanging drop" vapour diffusion crystallization experiment enables to work with an increased throughput at reduced costs. In addition to commercial pipetting devices with a 96-channel aspirator/dispenser, solenoid ink-jet technology was applied to form 250 nl droplets with a diameter of approximately 1 mm. This allows miniaturization of crystallization screening set-ups with an estimated ten-fold cost reduction when compared to commonly used 24 well plates.     

Synthesis and evaluation of two technetium-99m-labeled peptidic 2-nitroimidazoles for imaging hypoxia.

The presence of hypoxic cells in solid tumors is a marker for therapy-resistant, aggressive disease. The noninvasive detection of hypoxic cells in tumors by radiolabeled 2-nitroimidazoles is a diagnostic technique under current evaluation. Two peptidic agents, dimethylglycyl-L-seryl-L-cysteinyl-lysyl{N(epsilon)-[1-(2-nitro-1H -im idazolyl)acetamido]}glycine (RP435) and dimethylglycyl-tert-butylglycyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine-[2-(2-ni tro-1H-im idazolyl)ethyl]amide (RP535) have been synthesized. Both agents contain an N(3)S class chelator for (99m)Tc and Re and a 2-nitroimidazole group which can be enzymatically reduced and selectively trapped in cells under hypoxic conditions. Two isomers of (99m)TcO-RP435, which are assumed to be syn and anti conformations, were observed on HPLC analysis. The interconversion of the two isomers in aqueous solution was investigated. In contrast, RP535 chelated (99m)Tc to form a single isomer and no conversion to its counterpart has been observed on HPLC analysis. The tert-butyl group on the chelator may inhibit the formation and interconversion of the syn and anti isomers of (99m)TcO-RP535. Both tracers showed a significant degree of hypoxia-specific accumulation in an in vitro assay, with (99m)TcO-RP535 showing higher selectivity for hypoxic cells than (99m)TcO-RP435. These results suggest that (99m)TcO-RP535 represents a lead compound worthy of further investigation as an agent for imaging hypoxia in tumors.     

“Unblocking” Serum Activity <Emphasis Type=\"Italic\">in vitro</Emphasis> in the Polyoma System may Correlate with Antitumour Effects of Antiserum <Emphasis Type=\"Italic\">in vivo</Emphasis>

In a variety of tumour systems, individuals carrying progressively growing neoplasms have lymphoid cells with a specific cytotoxic effect on cultured tumour cells from the same individual^1–4. Since the sera of tumour-bearing individuals have been shown to prevent tumour cell destruction by immune lymphocytes in vitro^2,5–8 and since this serum blocking activity appears early in primary and transplant tumour development^5,7, it has been suggested that the appearance of this serum blocking activity might be responsible for the progressive growth of tumours in individuals having cytotoxic lymphocytes. Counteraction of this blocking activity would thus be of primary importance in facilitating the function of an already existing or bolstered cell-mediated immunity. The serum blocking activity might be inhibited in various ways, by preventing the formation of blocking antibody or by interfering with its action (“unblocking”), as demonstrated in Moloney sarcoma regressor sera⁹. This type of serum also has a therapeutic effect on Moloney sarcomas in vivo^10,11, which has been tentatively attributed to its unblocking activity^8,9 or, possibly, to a complement-dependent cytotoxicity¹⁰. Tumour growth in the Moloney sarcoma system, however, might be due in part to continuous recruitment of neoplastic cells by virus-induced transformation and so the therapeutic effect could be due to a virus-neutralizing serum activity^9,10.