Detection of sequences inAutographa californica Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus DNA,that act as autonomous replicating sequences (ARS) in yeast

Summary At least two regions ofAutographa californica Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (AcMNPV) DNA contain nucleotide sequences that allowed the autonomous replication of chimaeric plasmids inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. These sequences were located around position 26 and 37 per cent on the physical map of AcNPV DNA.With 2 Figures     

How to perform a comprehensive search for FDG-PET literature

In this study, a comprehensive, unbiassed search strategy for identifying literature on fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in Medline, Embase and Current Contents was developed, with specific search strategies for each database, using MeSH terms as well as free text words for PET and FDG. To examine which text words apply to FDG, we evaluated the ways of spelling FDG in a random sample of FDG-PET articles (n=100). These words were used as free text words in the two databases and overlap was determined. PET publications were identified using the text words ”positron emission tomography” and ”pet$” combined with the respective MeSH terms for each database. To compare the yield of the combined FDG-PET strategy in each database, the retrieved citations were downloaded to Pro-Cite 4.0. Finally, we added search terms for lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer and lymphoma to our strategy and to a short strategy (consisting of the text words ”positron emission tomography” and ”fdg”). In order to measure the yield and precision (positive predictive value, PPV) of our search strategy and compare it with the short one, we screened the title and abstract of the retrieved citations. Reviewing a random sample of the FDG-PET literature yielded 56 different ways of spelling FDG. We confined the list to 11 text words, without missing articles. Of the publications retrieved by these text words, only 4% were indexed by the MeSH term ”Fludeoxyglucose F18” in Medline and 29% by the MeSH-term ”Fluorodeoxyglucose F18” in Embase. Only 51% of PET articles were indexed by the MeSH term ”Tomography, emission-computed” in Medline and 40% by the MeSH term ”Positron emission tomography” in Embase. The combined search strategy for identifying studies on FDG and PET resulted in 2865 publications in Medline and 2646 in Embase. Medline identified 1662 publications not found by Embase; Embase identified 1422 publications not found by Medline. Compared with the short strategy, our search strategy yielded on average 52% more publications (94%, 41% and 20% more in Medline, Embase and Current Contents, respectively). The PPV of our strategy (percent of publications that were really on PET, FDG and the specified subject) was 70%, compared with 76% using the short strategy. Regardless of the strategy used, Embase yielded more publications and was also slightly more specific than Medline. With the recommended strategy, FDG-PET publications can be identified more efficiently. We have shown the importance of searching more than one database and emphasize the use of both MeSH terms and text words in a search strategy. Standardization of the spelling of FDG and indexing of articles on FDG would substantially simplify searching. Received 5 July and in revised form 25 September 1999     

Tooth loss and dental caries in Dutch adults

As part of a nationwide dental survey in 1986 a caries study was executed in 3526 adults, aged 15-74 yr, living in 40 residential areas in The Netherlands. Marked differences were found between the social classes distinguished (more edentates in the lower classes) and between the different regions. It is supposed that these differences reflect the lack of dental manpower in the past.     

Effect of simvastatin on the apparent size of LDL particles in patients with type IIB hyperlipoproteinemia.

After 15 weeks of simvastatin therapy (20 mg/day), low density lipoprotein particle size in sera of 16 patients with type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia increased significantly from 233 +/- 5.0 A to 237 +/- 7.0 A (P less than 0.05), analyzed by 2-16% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. Under simvastatin therapy the concentrations of total cholesterol, total triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B in serum fell significantly by 30%, 30%, 43%, 28%, 36% and 26%, respectively, and the concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol rose significantly by 14%. The changes of low density lipoprotein particle size induced by simvastatin therapy were correlated best with the changes of very low density lipoprotein triglyceride concentration (r2 = 0.438, P less than 0.01). Our results suggest that simvastatin therapy, additionally to a reduction of the serum cholesterol concentration, increases low density lipoprotein particle size which may contribute to reduction of the risk of coronary heart disease in patients with type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia.     

Objective and subjective need for cosmetic dentistry in the Dutch adult population

In order to assess the objective and subjective need for cosmetic dentistry in the Dutch adult population in 1986 a stratified sample of 2784 dentate persons, aged 15-74 yr, participated in the study. The aesthetics of anterior teeth and first premolars in the maxillary mandibular arch were determined by dental examiners as well as by the examinees. According to the dental examiners 16-63% of the people in the age range from 15 to 74 yr were in need of cosmetic dental care. Based on the patient's opinion (subjective need) these percentages varied between 18 and 40% in the different age groups. The discrepancy between the objective and subjective assessment in the percentage of people in need of cosmetic dental care increased with age.     

Possible mechanisms of valproate in migraine prophylaxis

Valproate has been shown to be an effective prophylactic treatment in migraine. Investigation of the mechanism of its antimigraine action is difficult due to the broad range of its biochemical effects and the complex nature of migraine pathophysiology. Valproate increases brain GABA levels and, in doing so, may suppress migraine-related events in the cortex, perivascular parasympathetics or trigeminal nucleus caudalis. There is experimental evidence that it suppresses neurogenic inflammation and directly attenuates nociceptive neurotransmission. In addition, valproate reportedly alters levels of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters and exerts direct effects on neuronal membranes in vitro. Valproate's observed effect may ultimately result from a combination of actions at different loci.     

Improved survival of children with sepsis and purpura: effects of age,gender, and era

Background  

To gain insight into factors that might affect results of future case-control studies, we performed an analysis of children with sepsis and purpura admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital (Rotterdam, The Netherlands).