Assessing Population Level Genetic Instability via Moving Average.

Tumoral tissues tend to generally exhibit aberrations in DNA copy number that are associated with the development and progression of cancer. Genotyping methods such as array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) provide means to identify copy number variation across the entire genome. To address some of the shortfalls of existing methods of DNA copy number data analysis, including strong model assumptions, lack of accounting for sampling variability of estimators, and the assumption that clones are independent, we propose a simple graphical approach to assess population-level genetic alterations over the entire genome based on moving average.

The changing faces of diabetes, hypertension and arthritis in a Caribbean population.

Background: Globally, chronic illnesses are the leading cause of mortality, and this is no different in developing countries, particularly in the Caribbean. Little information emerged in the literature on the changing faces of particular self-reported chronic diseases.

Aims: This study examines the transitions in the demographic characteristics of those with diabetes, hypertension and arthritis, as we hypothesized that there are changing faces of those with these illnesses.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

This study examined the prevalence of the use of different types of conventional, complementary and alternative therapies by children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Of 112 families surveyed, 74% were using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for their child with ASD. CAM use was most strongly associated with parent report of child's diagnosis.

A novel pattern of transaminase elevation associated with autologous transplant for neuroblastoma.

To determine the pattern and degree of hepatic transaminitis experienced by children undergoing autologous transplantation for neuroblastoma. Sixty-four children with high-risk neuroblastoma received an autologous transplant with cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and carboplatin conditioning. Forty-eight went on to receive a second transplant with M and TBI conditioning.

The effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke on pulmonary function in children undergoing anesthesia for minor surgery.

Background: The objectives of this study were to assess whether children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) present for surgery with poorer pulmonary function, and experience a more pronounced deterioration in pulmonary function following anesthesia and surgery, than non-ETS-exposed children.

Methods: Fifty-four children aged 5-15 years with a history of ETS exposure from one or both parents and 54 children with no such ETS history were included in the study. All participants were presenting for ambulatory surgery and were judged to conform to American Society of Anesthesiology class I or II.

Financial disclosures of scientific papers presented at the 2003 RSNA Annual Meeting: association with reporting of non-Food and Drug Administration-approved uses of industry products.

Purpose: To retrospectively characterize the extent and nature of financial relationships with industry that are disclosed in the abstracts of scientific papers presented at the 2003 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting and to retrospectively assess whether the presence of relationships between researchers and industry was associated with a discussion on the use of products or devices that are not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).