A simulation-based assessment of the efficiency of QTL mapping under environment and genotype x environment interaction effects.

The objective of this simulation-based study was to assess how genes, environments, and genotype x environment (GxE) interaction affect the quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping efficiency. The simulation software performed 50 samplings of 300 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a F2, which were assessed in six environments. The RILs were genotyped for 977 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and phenotyped for grain yield.

Predicting potential global and future distributions of the African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) using species distribution models.

Invasive species have historically been a problem derived from global trade and transport. To aid in the control and management of these species, species distribution models (SDMs) have been used to help predict possible areas of expansion. Our focal organism, the African Armyworm (AAW), has historically been known as an important pest species in Africa, occurring at high larval densities and causing outbreaks that can cause enormous economic damage to staple crops.

Photograph registration of petri dishes in high quality and image editing of microbiological assays.

Science is based on evidence that can be measured or observed through methodical techniques which are expressed in several ways, either quantitatively or qualitatively. Technical photograph becomes one of the most important key tools to disclose experimental results. In microbiological research, several pieces of evidence can be indicated with parameters that are deeply related to culture media; pH and color variation, halo formation, overlay of structures, culture shape, among others.

Pilot Study of [F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET)/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Staging of Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC).

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) has limited diagnostic accuracy for staging of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). [F] Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a novel imaging modality incorporating functional imaging with improved soft tissue characterization. This pilot study evaluated the use of preoperative FDG-PET/MRI for staging of MIBC.

Antimicrobial Compounds from Drypetes staudtii.

Antimicrobial-directed phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of Drypetes staudtii afforded two new compounds, 4,5-(methylenedioxy)-o-coumaroylputrescine (1), 4,5-(methylenedioxy)-o-coumaroyl-4'-N-methylputrescine (2), along with seven known natural products 4α-hydroxyeremophila-1,9-diene-3,8-dione (3), drypemolundein B (4), friedelan-3β-ol (5), erythrodiol (6), ursolic acid (7), p-coumaric acid (8), and β-sitosterol (9). Structures of compounds 1 - 9 were elucidated with the aid of extensive NMR and mass spectral studies. All of the isolates exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range of 8 - 128 μg/ml.

The influence of polysorbate 80 on the radiochemical synthesis of a PET tracer in the FASTlab.

Purpose: The aim of current study was to investigate the influence of a common non-ionic surfactant, polysorbate 80 (PS80), on radioactive labelling process of a novel PET tracer, [(18)F]Flutemetamol.

Methods: Ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) assay, in addition to UV/VIS and (1)H NMR spectroscopies were applied to characterise the composition of the PS80 solution after storage. Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR) and PLS analysis was used to establish correlation between quality of the PS80 solution and the RCP obtained after labelling.

Characterization of polysorbate 80 with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: specific determination of oxidation products of thermally oxidized polysorbate 80.

The polysorbate species in polysorbate 80 (PS 80) have been characterized with (1)H NMR, LC-UV/MS and MS/MS. The MS was operated with both negative and positive electrospray ionization (ESI). PS 80 was found to contain mono- and di-fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan, POE isosorbide and of POE.

One step radiosynthesis of 6-[(18)F]fluoronicotinic acid 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl ester ([(18)F]F-Py-TFP): a new prosthetic group for efficient labeling of biomolecules with fluorine-18.

The labeling of biomolecules for positron emission tomography (PET) with no-carrier-added fluorine-18 is almost exclusively accomplished using prosthetic groups in a two step procedure. The inherent complexity of the process renders full automation a challenge and leads to protracted synthesis times. Here we describe a new (18)F-labeled prosthetic group based on nicotinic acid tetrafluorophenyl ester.

Clinical outcomes and length of stay of a co-located psychogeriatric and geriatric unit.

To examine the effect of co-location of psychogeriatric and geriatric services on length of stay and changes in patients' psychosocial characteristics. A retrospective analysis of the performance indices of psychogeriatric patients aged > or =50 years admitted to a co-located psychogeriatric and geriatric unit at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, New South Wales (NSW), Australia from April 2004 to June 2006. Comparisons were made between the performance of the Bankstown-Lidcombe's unit and the NSW state average (consisting of traditional solitary models of care) with respect to patients' length of stay (LOS) and changes in psychosocial indices.

A case of Kabuki (Niikawa-Kuroki) syndrome associated with manifestations resembling C-trigonocephaly syndrome.

We report a 2-year-old boy with overlapping manifestations of the Kabuki (Niikawa-Kuroki) and Opitz trigonocephaly syndromes. The proband was initially diagnosed with Opitz trigonocephaly syndrome on the basis of metopic craniosynostosis, upslanting palpebral fissures, high arched palate, redundant skin folds at the back of the neck, ventricular septal defect, broad flat thumbs, bilateral single palmar creases, left talipes equinovarus, eventration of right hemidiaphragm, and bilateral inguinal hernia. However, as he grew older, his facial profile changed to that typical of Kabuki syndrome.