A highly variable STR at the D12S391 locus

A total of 103 fragments in the STR D12S391 locus were sequenced. 24 different alleles were found which can be grouped into 12 allelic classes based on the total number of repeats. The structure of this compund STR consists of blocks of (AGAT) and (AGAC) repeats with a consensus structure (AGAT)_8–l7 (AGAC)_6–10 (AGAT)_0–1. Whereas shorter alleles only have (AGAT) repeats, > 225 bp alleles are more complex, having two motifs (AGAT) and (AGAC). Population data showed that this to be a highly polymorphic STR with a heterozygosity of 0.9. This fact together with its simple structure make this STR very suitable for forensic and genetic purposes.     

Meta-analysis using individual patient data from randomised trials to assess the effectiveness of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain: a proposed protocol

Background  Currently, there are a number of clinical trials, but no international collaboration for collating research on effectiveness of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) for alleviating chronic pelvic pain.
Objective  Meta-analysis was used by collecting individual patient data (IPD) from the existing trials, to provide a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of LUNA that will be generalisable in various clinical contexts.
Methods  IPD will be sought and collected from all relevant (both already finished and continuing) randomised trials identified through previous systematic reviews. After obtaining raw data and cleaning the database, analysis will be of all patients ever randomised based on the intention-to-treat principle using endpoints measured at 12 months following randomisation.
Proposal  We will update searches, contact all authors, obtain data in whatever form it can be provided, build a single database, produce results for individual studies, have them verified by original authors, explore of any heterogeneity and reasons behind it and finally pool all raw data in to a meta-analysis using appropriate statistical methods. The project will test the effectiveness of LUNA for women with chronic pelvic pain. It will also motivate collaborating primary investigators to undertake new primary studies to corroborate or improve upon the conclusions derived from the retrospective analysis.     

基于实验均方误差F值的基因表达数据最佳聚类评判方法研究

目的 近年来产生了一些用于分析基因表达数据的聚类算法，却很少有关于评价聚类算法方法的研究。本研究的目的是尝试建立一个定量的评价基因表达数据聚类结果的方法。方法 本研究提供了一个系统的评价聚类结果的方法，利用我们提出的实验均方误差F值对几个常见的聚类算法进行比较。结果 利用F值对类质量的评价和利用已有的生物学知识对类进行分析的结果一致。结论 实验均方误差F值可以定量地评判用于基因表达数据的聚类算法。     

Labman and Linkman: A data management system specifically designed for genome searches of complex diseases

Two programs have been developed to manage linkage analysis data. The first program, LABMAN, is a comprehensive laboratory data management system organizing pedigrees, blood DNA samples, DNA markers, Southern blot or polyacrylamide gels, autoradiographs, and marker-allele typings generated from these samples. Output includes mendelization checks for genetic incompatibilities in typings and formatted files ready for linkage analysis. LABMAN can also compress highly polymorphic allele systems into smaller allele systems facilitating analysis of large systems. The second program, LINKMAN, provides data management for lod score output from linkage analyses. It reads linkage analysis output files, calculates lod scores by family, associates lod scores with specific marker and family identifiers, and stores these data in a database where they can be combined with lod scores from previous analyses. LINKMAN easily incorporates any of a wide variety of genetic models. It produces formatted output of lod scores by user-specified criteria for reports or as ASCII files for input to other programs. If desired, tests of homogeneity of linkage across families can be run via the HOMOG program [Ott, 1991] and their output included in reports. The programs include features critical for conducting genome searches of complex diseases: They are easy-to-use, well-tested, and reliable. Data from multi-center investigations can be easily combined for analysis. Moreover, they include extensive error-checking capabilities, and they are specifically set up to protect blindness between laboratory workers and data analysts. LABMAN and LINKMAN are currently available free of charge under DOS. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The uses of a patient-based dietetic data-collection systern

The F.I.P. (Financial Information Project) dietetic package allows the collection of basic patient data, which then can be processed to give valuable clinical and management information for use by all dietitians in a dietetic department. The advent of the Korner Reports (DHSS, 1984a) and their implementation highlighted the need to computerize certain aspects of data collection in dietetic departments. Within the West Midlands Regional Health Authority a group of dietitians worked with the Regional Management Services Department to adapt a community nursing system, F.I.P., for use by dietitians. The system was piloted for all paramedical services in 1987 with one health district (North Warwickshire) piloting the dietetic package. It is now used by a range of dietetic and paramedical departments. This paper outlines the system and its uses.     

Interpretation of functional series expansions

While much research has been devoted to the implementation and application of Volterra and Wiener functional series expansions in the identification and characterization of biological systems, little effort has been focused on the fundamental problem of interpreting the resulting kernels. This paper describes the application of the series to the components of a known model of the human pupil control system. As more complicated elements are put together, insight into kernel interpretation is built up incrementally until the total system is identified. Practical limitations and methods are also discussed.     

老年髋部骨折术后患者康复需求程度与康复状况调查

目的了解老年髋部骨折术后患者康复需求程度、需求满足度与康复状况的关系.方法上门随访82例老年髋部骨折术后患者家庭康复现状和康复需求情况.结果康复需求10个维度中他人支持、康复信息及功能训练指导位居前3位;需求程度与生理功能、躯体功能和社会功能有关(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);与髋关节功能评分中的疼痛程度、上楼梯、穿鞋袜和行走距离4个方面有关(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论出院后定期给予针对性的康复训练指导和健康教育是患者迫切的需求;康复需求程度高者,相应需求满足率低,其生活质量及髋关节功能恢复应成为干预的重点.