RSCA genotyping of MHC for high-throughput evolutionary studies in the model organism three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus.

Background: In all jawed vertebrates, highly polymorphic genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encode antigen presenting molecules that play a key role in the adaptive immune response. Their polymorphism is composed of multiple copies of recently duplicated genes, each possessing many alleles within populations, as well as high nucleotide divergence between alleles of the same species. Experimental evidence is accumulating that MHC polymorphism is a result of balancing selection by parasites and pathogens.

Speciation accelerated and stabilized by pleiotropic major histocompatibility complex immunogenes.

Speciation and the maintenance of recently diverged species has been subject of intense research in evolutionary biology for decades. Although the concept of ecological speciation has been accepted, its mechanisms and genetic bases are still under investigation. Here, we present a mechanism for speciation that is orchestrated and strengthened by parasite communities acting on polymorphic genes of the immune system.

Autonomic nervous system function in infants and adolescents: impact of autonomic tests on heart rate variability.

Measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) shows information on the functional state of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In adults there are standardized autonomic tests and well-established ranges of normal values, which is not the case in children. The aim of the present study was (1) to introduce an ANS test battery, especially for children and adolescents; (2) to establish normative HRV parameters; and (3) to determine the impact of ANS tests on HRV parameters compared with baseline measurements.

Simple approach to reduce PCR artefact formation leads to reliable genotyping of MHC and other highly polymorphic loci--implications for evolutionary analysis.

Genetic variation in coding regions is of strong interest for biologists as it represents an important factor that drives evolution. To analyse polymorphic loci, researchers usually rely on commonly used typing techniques such as cloning, SSCP, DGGE or RSCA. However, there are potential pitfalls in screening multi-allelic templates, which are mainly the formation of sequence chimeras during PCR amplification, and mosaic sequences during cloning.

Lifestyle modifications for patients with hypertension.

Objectives: To review the lifestyle modification components listed in the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and discuss how the guidelines can be used by pharmacists in the treatment of patients with hypertension.

Data Sources: Published guidelines and abstracts identified through PubMed (May 1987 to April 2007) and Medline (January 1966 to April 2007) using the search terms hypertension, prehypertension, lifestyle modification, nutrition, physical activity, weight loss, weight control, behavior modification, smoking cessation, guidelines, and prevention, as well as the JNC 7 guidelines, NHLBI Obesity Guidelines, and Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005.

Data Synthesis: Lifestyle modification strategies are recommended in the JNC 7 guidelines for the treatment and prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Treatment of reduced bone density with ibandronate in dialysis patients.

Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and are widely used to treat osteolytic metastases and osteoporosis. Renal osteodystrophy patients have continuous bone loss due to chronically elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH). In this open-label study, ibandronate was evaluated for the treatment of reduced bone density in renal osteodystrophy.

Effect of surface roughness, porosity, and a resorbable calcium phosphate coating on osseointegration of titanium in a minipig model.

The aim of this study was to compare the osseointegration of four different implant surfaces in the Göttingen minipig femur model. They were prepared by glasspearlblasting (A), sandblasting (B) and titaniumplasma spraying (C and D). Surface D received additionally an electrochemically deposited layer of a resorbable calcium phosphate (CaP) layer, made mainly of brushite.

Autonomic function in children and adolescents with neurocardiogenic syncope.

Background: This study aimed to clarify whether children with neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) differ from healthy control subjects in baseline heart rate variability (HRV) and in their response to orthostatic stress induced by active standing and tilt table.

Methods: This study analyzed the difference between 55 children with a history of NCS or presyncopal symptoms (PS) and healthy control subjects. Measurements included short-term HRV during resting position, tilt table testing, and active standing.

Use of a multidisciplinary tool to achieve target outcomes in Native American patients with diabetes: Treat-to-target.

Purpose: Our purpose was to test a communication tool used in a multidisciplinary setting to more effectively achieve the recommended goals for glucose, blood pressure, lipids, and prophylactic aspirin use in a Native American population with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: One hundred randomly selected patients were included in this observational, pre-intervention, post-intervention study design. The team began with a chart audit documenting hemoglobin A(1c) (Hgb A(1c)), blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and aspirin use.

Cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation and the implications for COPD.

The cost burden of COPD is substantial for patients and families, payers, and society as a whole. Smoking has been known for decades to be the leading cause of the disease. Numerous studies have been completed to address the cost-effectiveness of programs created to aid smokers in their efforts to quit.

An elective course on lifestyle modifications in pharmacotherapy.

Objectives: Develop and implement a pharmacy course explaining basic lifestyle modification components and assess changes in student knowledge, skills, beliefs, and confidence after completing the course.

Design: A 2-credit hour elective course was offered to pharmacy students in which basic lifestyle modification components were applied to case-based patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in the pharmacy practice setting through comprehensive wellness programs. Knowledge, skills, beliefs, and confidence assessments were embedded into the course.

Therapeutic lifestyle strategies taught in U.S. Pharmacy Schools.

Introduction: Several organizations representing pharmacy and other health professions stress the importance of teaching public health topics as part of training future practitioners. The objective of our study was to assess the number of U.S.

2-Aminopurine flipped into the active site of the adenine-specific DNA methyltransferase M.TaqI: crystal structures and time-resolved fluorescence.

We report the crystal structure of the DNA adenine-N6 methyltransferase, M.TaqI, complexed with DNA, showing the fluorescent adenine analog, 2-aminopurine, flipped out of the DNA helix and occupying virtually the same position in the active site as the natural target adenine. Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of the crystalline complex faithfully reports this state: base flipping is accompanied by the loss of the very short ( approximately 50 ps) lifetime component associated with fully base-stacked 2-aminopurine in DNA, and 2-aminopurine is subject to considerable quenching by pi-stacking interactions with Tyr108 in the catalytic motif IV (NPPY).

Randomized, comparative trial on the sustained efficacy of topical imiquimod 5% cream versus conventional ablative methods in external anogenital warts.

Conventional ablative treatments for external anogenital warts are affected by high recurrence rates. This study compared sustained clearance after ablation vs. treatment with imiquimod 5% cream vs.

Using performance-based assessments to evaluate parity between a campus and distance education pathway.

Objectives: To compare the performance of campus-based students with that of distance students during the first 2 years of a doctor of pharmacy program to evaluate parity between the pathways.

Methods: Twelve cases were created for each year of the program along with performance criteria. The cases were converted into computer-based simulations for programmatic assessment at the end of the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 school years.

Prospective, randomized controlled trial on Lactobacillus rhamnosus in infants with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Background: A reduction of symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in small infants by the administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus has been reported in a few studies. One study with older children and adolescents failed to show any effect.

Objectives: We conducted a prospective study to reassess the efficacy of orally administered L.

Multicenter study on the diagnostic value of a new RIA for the detection of free plasma metanephrines in the work-up for pheochromocytoma.

Available laboratory test methods for the detection of elevated concentrations of catecholamines and their metabolites in urine and/or plasma are not always sensitive enough for the detection of pheochromocytoma. High-quality immunoassays for these compounds appear to be as accurate as high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Therefore, the current project aims to establish a new sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the measurement of free metanephrines in the plasma of patients in the work-up for pheochromocytoma.

Maturation of the autonomic nervous system: differences in heart rate variability in premature vs. term infants.

Aims: Heart rate variability (HRV) reveals information on the functional state of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This study was initiated to assess the physiological- and maturational development of the ANS by comparing HRV data of healthy prematures with term infants.

Methods: Short-term recordings of HRV in 39 premature healthy infants (29-35 weeks' gestation) were performed and compared with normative data of term infants.

Lack of clarity: changing roles and responsibilities in the German food system.

In spite of a food system which in many ways appear to be functioning very well, lower levels of consumer trust in food are found in Germany than in similar countries. The paper argues that this reflects the German food system in transition. An unclear division of responsibilities between state institutions from local to European level as well as between the state and the food industry made it possible for all actors to blame each other for food safety problems.

Proteinuria in diabetic patients--is it always diabetic nephropathy?

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (dNP) is a consequence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, typically occurring between 5 and 15 years after diabetes has been diagnosed. The coincidence of dNP and diabetic retinopathy (dRP) is well known. In this study we correlated the histological findings of the kidney biopsy with the clinically expected diagnosis of dNP.

Osteoporosis in long-term care residents with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To assess the fracture risk of long-term care residents with multiple sclerosis (MS) using ultrasound heel-scan technology and identification of risk factors and areas where intervention by a pharmacist might affect patient outcomes.

Design: Bilateral-heel scans were performed on all patients who consented to take part in the study. A retrospective review of each subject's medical records was performed to identify known risk factors for osteoporosis.