Publications by authors named "D Hickok"

Article Synopsis
  • * Recent advancements in genome sequencing and assembly techniques allow for the creation of high-quality reference genomes, which can now include various genetic variations through pan-genome development.
  • * By analyzing these pan-genomes, researchers aim to pinpoint the genetic factors behind desirable traits, paving the way for more efficient breeding and the production of innovative cultivars with enhanced qualities.
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Objective: To validate a serum biomarker developed in the USA for preterm birth (PTB) risk stratification in Viet Nam.

Methods: Women with singleton pregnancies ( = 5000) were recruited between 19-23 weeks' gestation at Tu Du Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Maternal serum was collected from 19-22 weeks' gestation and participants followed to neonatal discharge.

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Objectives: To address the disproportionate burden of preterm birth (PTB) in low- and middle-income countries, this study aimed to (1) verify the performance of the United States-validated spontaneous PTB (sPTB) predictor, comprised of the IBP4/SHBG protein ratio, in subjects from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Tanzania enrolled in the Alliance for Maternal and Newborn Health Improvement (AMANHI) biorepository study, and (2) discover biomarkers that improve performance of IBP4/SHBG in the AMANHI cohort.

Study Design: The performance of the IBP4/SHBG biomarker was first evaluated in a nested case control validation study, then utilized in a follow-on discovery study performed on the same samples. Levels of serum proteins were measured by targeted mass spectrometry.

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Development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for pre-eclampsia is limited by the lack of accurate methods for identification of at-risk pregnancies. We performed small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of maternal serum extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) to discover and verify microRNAs (miRNAs) differentially expressed in patients who later developed pre-eclampsia. Sera collected from 73 pre-eclampsia cases and 139 controls between 17 and 28 weeks gestational age (GA), divided into separate discovery and verification cohorts, are analyzed by small RNA-seq.

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