The genetic diversity of UK, US and Australian cultivars of Triticum aestivum measured by DArT markers and considered by genome.

The genetic diversity of UK, US and Australian wheat varieties over the period of modern plant breeding is estimated using diversity array technology markers. Diversity is assessed by both genetic distance between varieties, by AMOVA and as the volumes of multi-dimensional convex hulls estimated from principal co-ordinate analysis. At the whole genome level the three populations are genetically distinct; this is also true of the B genome.

Reliability and validity of MR image lung volume measurement in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and in vitro lung models.

Purpose: To prospectively assess the reliability of magnetic resonance (MR) image volume measurement in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and the reliability and validity of measurements in in vitro lung models.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained. MR fetal lung volume (FLV) was measured in 40 consecutive fetuses with CDH by using half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin-echo MR imaging and true fast imaging with steady-state precession at 24-36 weeks gestation (mean gestational age, 30.

Prediction of mortality and need for neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: logistic regression analysis based on MRI fetal lung volume measurements.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to use logistic regression analysis of prenatal MRI fetal lung volume measurements to calculate mortality and the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy among fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Subjects And Methods: The fetal lung volume measurements of 65 fetuses with CDH were obtained between 32 and 34 weeks' gestation by means of MRI performed with multiplanar T2-weighted HASTE and true fast imaging with steady-state precession sequences. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the prognostic value of the fetal lung volume measurements for prenatal prediction of fetal survival and need for neonatal ECMO.

Selective p38MAPK isoform expression and activation in antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibody-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis: role of p38MAPKalpha.

Objective: Crescentic glomerulonephritis (crGN) is a frequent and life-threatening manifestation of antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibody-associated vasculitis. Up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines contributes to renal damage by activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). However, it is unclear which of the four p38MAPK isoforms are expressed, activated and hence of major importance in crGN.

A DArT platform for quantitative bulked segregant analysis.

Background: Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) identifies molecular markers associated with a phenotype by screening two DNA pools of phenotypically distinct plants for markers with skewed allele frequencies. In contrast to gel-based markers, hybridization-based markers such as SFP, DArT or SNP generate quantitative allele-frequency estimates. Only DArT, however, combines this advantage with low development and assay costs and the ability to be deployed for any plant species irrespective of its ploidy level.

Extension of indoor residual spraying for malaria control into high transmission settings in Africa.

Contrary to previous consensus, a recent WHO statement recommends a more dominant role for indoor residual spraying (IRS) in malaria control in high transmission settings of sub-Saharan Africa and re-emphasises the role of DDT. We review the issues related to this change in recommendation. In high transmission settings, IRS must be implemented indefinitely and at high quality to achieve control.

Trends in HIV infection: prevention-related attitudes and behaviors among secondary school students in western Uganda.

Objective: To monitor trends in the attitudes and behaviors of youth in western Uganda with respect to prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Design: Annual data collection in a group of sentinel secondary schools in 3 districts using a short, self-administered, and anonymous questionnaire.

Methods: Fifteen secondary schools were randomly selected, and a cross-sectional survey of students was carried out each year between 1995 and 2001.

Diversity arrays technology (DArT) for high-throughput profiling of the hexaploid wheat genome.

Despite a substantial investment in the development of panels of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, the simple sequence repeat (SSR) technology with a limited multiplexing capability remains a standard, even for applications requiring whole-genome information. Diversity arrays technology (DArT) types hundreds to thousands of genomic loci in parallel, as previously demonstrated in a number diploid plant species. Here we show that DArT performs similarly well for the hexaploid genome of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

Diagnostic microbial microarrays in soil ecology.

Soil microbial communities are responsible for important physiological and metabolic processes. In the last decade soil microorganisms have been frequently analysed by cultivation-independent techniques because only a minority of the natural microbial communities are accessible by cultivation. Cultivation-independent community analyses have revolutionized our understanding of soil microbial diversity and population dynamics.

A high-density consensus map of barley linking DArT markers to SSR, RFLP and STS loci and agricultural traits.

Background: Molecular marker technologies are undergoing a transition from largely serial assays measuring DNA fragment sizes to hybridization-based technologies with high multiplexing levels. Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) is a hybridization-based technology that is increasingly being adopted by barley researchers. There is a need to integrate the information generated by DArT with previous data produced with gel-based marker technologies.

Low level of genetic diversity in cultivated Pigeonpea compared to its wild relatives is revealed by diversity arrays technology.

Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity among individuals, populations and gene pools is crucial for the efficient management of germplasm collections and breeding programs. Diversity analysis is routinely carried out using sequencing of selected gene(s) or molecular marker technologies. Here we report on the development of Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) for pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and its wild relatives.

Battered women who kill their abusers: an examination of commonsense notions, cognitions, and judgments.

It has been argued that battered women who kill their abusers represent a special class of defendants being unfairly treated in the legal system. As a result, commentators have argued for reforms to permit the judicial system to respond more fairly. Researchers have investigated the influences of these prescribed legal modifications and the possible influence of various demographic and psychological factors on legal reforms.

Establishment of a patterned GAL4-VP16 transactivation system for discovering gene function in rice.

A binary GAL4-VP16-UAS transactivation system has been established in rice (Oryza sativa L.) in this study for the discovery of gene functions. This binary system consists of two types of transgenic lines, pattern lines and target lines.

[Fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnostics in cases of congenital cystadenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAM)].

Despite advancing therapeutic strategies, congenital cystadenomatoid malformation of the fetal lung is still a potentially life-threatening anomaly. Antenatally, the development of hydrops as well as the natural history of the malformation is of particular therapeutic and prognostic importance. Postnatally, respiratory distress due to pulmonary hypoplasia counts as a crucial limiting factor.

[Fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnostics in congenital diaphragmatic hernia].

Ultrasonography is the primary imaging modality for the evaluation of fetal or maternal anomalies. This method is safe, relatively inexpensive, easily accessible, and allows real-time imaging. Continuous technical improvements in ultrasonography in the last 10-15 years have led to improved diagnostic accuracy for fetal malformations.

Artemisinin versus nonartemisinin combination therapy for uncomplicated malaria: randomized clinical trials from four sites in Uganda.

Background: Drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum poses a major threat to malaria control. Combination antimalarial therapy including artemisinins has been advocated recently to improve efficacy and limit the spread of resistance, but artemisinins are expensive and relatively untested in highly endemic areas. We compared artemisinin-based and other combination therapies in four districts in Uganda with varying transmission intensity.

[Correlation of duplex sonographic stenosis grading by means of cross-sectional analysis and MR-tomographic blood volume flow quantification in unilateral stenosis of the internal carotid artery].

Purpose: Correlation of duplex ultrasonographic grading of unilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and ICA blood volume flow (BVF) quantification.

Materials And Methods: Using a 2D cine phase-contrast MR technique, 62 patients with unilateral ICA stenosis at the level of the bifurcation between 50 % and 98 % and 20 age-matched normal controls were examined. BVF was measured in the stenosed ICA.

Validation of the high-throughput marker technology DArT using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) is a microarray-based DNA marker technique for genome-wide discovery and genotyping of genetic variation. DArT allows simultaneous scoring of hundreds of restriction site based polymorphisms between genotypes and does not require DNA sequence information or site-specific oligonucleotides. This paper demonstrates the potential of DArT for genetic mapping by validating the quality and molecular basis of the markers, using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus chloroquine or amodiaquine for uncomplicated falciparum malaria: a randomized, multisite trial to guide national policy in Uganda.

The use of combinations of inexpensive drugs for the treatment of malaria in Africa has been proposed as an interim policy while awaiting the widespread availability of more effective regimens. We compared sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus chloroquine or amodiaquine in three districts in Uganda. Patients aged 6 months or greater with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were enrolled and randomized to therapy.

DArT for high-throughput genotyping of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) and its wild relatives.

Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity within and among individuals, populations, species and gene pools is crucial for the efficient management of germplasm collections. Molecular markers are playing an increasing role in germplasm characterization, yet their broad application is limited by the availability of markers, the costs and the low throughput of existing technologies. This is particularly true for crops of resource-poor farmers such as cassava, Manihot esculenta.

Left hemispheric advantage for numerical abilities in the bottlenose dolphin.

In a two-choice discrimination paradigm, a bottlenose dolphin discriminated relational dimensions between visual numerosity stimuli under monocular viewing conditions. After prior binocular acquisition of the task, two monocular test series with different number stimuli were conducted. In accordance with recent studies on visual lateralization in the bottlenose dolphin, our results revealed an overall advantage of the right visual field.

Microarray TRAP--a high-throughput assay to quantitate telomerase activity.

Telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP)--a sensitive, PCR-based assay to detect telomerase activity was quintessential to the evaluation of telomerase role in telomere maintenance, cell proliferation, tumour development, and cell immortalization. The assay, however, suffers from many limitations. The most significant are: lack of telomerase activity quantification, changes of the enzyme activity product size and/or ratio, and complex post-amplification procedures which limit the assay throughput.

Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) for whole-genome profiling of barley.

Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) can detect and type DNA variation at several hundred genomic loci in parallel without relying on sequence information. Here we show that it can be effectively applied to genetic mapping and diversity analyses of barley, a species with a 5,000-Mbp genome. We tested several complexity reduction methods and selected two that generated the most polymorphic genomic representations.