A single synthetic lipid antigen for improved serological diagnosis of Buruli ulcer.

Setting: The diagnosis of Buruli ulcer (BU) is frequently made by experienced health workers in rural regions. This leads to long turnaround times to confirm the diagnosis as it requires specialised laboratory infrastructure to perform confirmatory testing.

Background: Given the lack of success with protein antigens to detect BU in human sera, the aim of this study was to evaluate a range of single synthetic lipid antigens using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Deriving a continuum score for group 3 and 4 medulloblastoma tumor samples analyzed via RNA-sequencing or DNA methylation microarray.

Here, we present a protocol for deriving a continuum score for group 3 and 4 medulloblastoma tumor samples analyzed via RNA-sequencing or DNA methylation microarray. We describe steps for utilizing NMF-defined group 3/group 4 metagenes to calculate a continuum score between 0 and 1 that can be projected onto new sample data analyzed via RNA-sequencing. We then detail procedures for reverse engineering a continuum score for samples analyzed via DNA methylation microarray using a random forest classifier.

Medulloblastoma group 3 and 4 tumors comprise a clinically and biologically significant expression continuum reflecting human cerebellar development.

Medulloblastoma is currently subclassified into distinct DNA methylation subgroups/subtypes with particular clinico-molecular features. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in large, well-annotated cohorts of medulloblastoma, we show that transcriptionally group 3 and group 4 medulloblastomas exist as intermediates on a bipolar continuum between archetypal group 3 and group 4 entities. Continuum position is prognostic, reflecting a propensity for specific DNA copy-number changes, and specific switches in isoform/enhancer usage and RNA editing.

Specific MHC class I supertype associated with parasite infection and color morph in a wild lizard population.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a large gene family that plays a central role in the immune system of all jawed vertebrates. Nonavian reptiles are underrepresented within the MHC literature and little is understood regarding the mechanisms maintaining MHC diversity in this vertebrate group. Here, we examined the relative roles of parasite-mediated selection and sexual selection in maintaining MHC class I diversity of a color polymorphic lizard.

Characterisation of major histocompatibility complex class I transcripts in an Australian dragon lizard.

Characterisation of squamate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes has lagged behind other taxonomic groups. MHC genes encode cell-surface glycoproteins that present self- and pathogen-derived peptides to T cells and play a critical role in pathogen recognition. Here we characterise MHC class I transcripts for an agamid lizard (Ctenophorus decresii) and investigate the evolution of MHC class I in Iguanian lizards.

Trends in mortality from 1965 to 2008 across the English north-south divide: comparative observational study.

Objective: To compare all cause mortality between the north and south of England over four decades.

Design: Population wide comparative observational study of mortality.

Setting: Five northernmost and four southernmost English government office regions.

Medical research. Fools' gold.

London, Oxford and Cambridge receive an unequal share of research and development funds. Eight other cities are working with the government to raise their own status generally. New regional centres of excellence would reduce the disparities.

PCT funding. Beggars belief.

At the pace of change set for implementing the new PCT funding formula over the next three years, it will take more than 20 years to achieve equity. If the minimum increases were set lower it would largely be achieved within five years. The current state of affairs perpetuates the north-south health divide.

Changes in the male voice at puberty: vocal fold length and its relationship to the fundamental frequency of the voice.

Ultrasound measurements of the vocal folds were taken for a number of boys passing through puberty. The boys were grouped according to their pubertal stage as defined by Tanner and there was a gradual increase in the length of the vocal folds as puberty progressed. The fundamental frequency of the boys' speaking voice was recorded via laryngography and a good correlation between the length of the vocal folds and the frequency of the voice was seen.

Short communication: proximal tibial stress lines--appearances on magnetic resonance imaging of the knee.

Trabecular lines through the proximal tibia in line with the direction of the anterior cruciate ligament are visible in around two-thirds of standard knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. We describe their appearances and postulate that these lines may develop in response to stresses transmitted via the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Causes and investigation of increasing dyspnoea in rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibrosing alveolitis and bronchiolitis obliterans are two of the many pulmonary manifestations of the connective tissue disorders. When shortness of breath is the main complaint, it is often difficult to diagnose the individual causative lesion from the clinical examination, lung function tests, and chest radiographic findings. In such cases high resolution computed tomography, with its increased sensitivity and specificity for analysis of the pulmonary parenchyma, provides an excellent diagnostic tool for determining the presence and type of pulmonary abnormality.

Sacral edema: computed tomographic and anatomical observations.

Sacral edema is a widely recognized clinical sign. Hitherto there has been no method of radiological confirmation, nor has the anatomy of this sign been well described. In a prospective study of 100 patients referred for abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT), 17 showed radiological evidence of sacral edema.

Requirement of the hyaluronan receptor RHAMM in neurite extension and motility as demonstrated in primary neurons and neuronal cell lines.

The recently cloned and characterized hyaluronan (HA) receptor RHAMM (receptor for HA-mediated motility) has been shown to play a critical role in mechanisms underlying the motile capacity of a variety of peripheral cell types. Similarities in molecular processes that govern cell locomotion and growth cone migration prompted us to investigate whether RHAMM also contributes to neurite migration in vitro. In immunohistochemical studies of PC12 cells, NG108-15 cells and a neuroblastoma/spinal cord neuronal hybrid cell line (NSC-34 cells) as well as rat and human primary neurons, a punctiform RHAMM labeling pattern was detected in cell bodies, along processes, and at growth cones.

Radiologically-guided cutting needle biopsy for suspected malignancy in childhood.

Twenty-seven cutting needle biopsies were performed on 25 children with suspected malignancy using computed tomographic (CT, 22) or ultrasound (US, 5) guidance. Anatomical sites were: retroperitoneum 6, liver 4, kidney 4, abdomen/pelvis 4, thorax 4, bowel 2, neck 1. Sixteen patients (64%) underwent subsequent open biopsy (5), marrow biopsy (2) or resection (9).

Fat necrosis. An unusual cause of polyarthritis.

Metastatic fat necrosis is a form of lobular panniculitis which together with synovitis is an unusual complication of pancreatic disease. It can precede an attack of pancreatitis. Pancreatic disease should therefore be remembered as a cause of panniculitis.

Spiral versus conventional CT in soft tissue diagnosis.

Spiral volumetric computed tomography (SVCT) has been predicted to improve vascular and organ enhancement with little effect on image quality. To see if this was the case, we studied 100 patients referred for computed tomography where we would normally have performed dynamic incremental computed tomography (DICT). Patients were randomly allocated to undergo either standard DICT or SVCT.