This is the RSS news feed of one of our preset news channels on LSIS - The Life Science Infromation Service. Please visit us to find a current view of this one and many more channels via our alerting push services: http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 http://www.lsis.com/goto/r70/rss 2012-05-21T11:10:46+01:00 text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Taxonomic assignment of sequence reads is a challenging task in metagenomic data analysis, for which the present methods mainly use either composition- or homology-based approaches. Though the homology-based methods are more sensitive and accurate, they suffer primarily due to the time needed to generate the Blast alignments. We developed the MetaBin program and web server for better homology-based taxonomic assignments using an ORF-based approach. By implementing Blat as the faster alignment (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Research in animal sciences, especially nutrition, increasingly requires processing and modeling of databases. In certain areas of research, the number of publications and results per publications is increasing, thus periodically requiring quantitative summarizations of literature data. In such instances, statistical methods dealing with the analysis of summary (literature) data, known as meta-analyses, must be used. The implementation of a meta-analysis is done in several phases. The first (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Tumor biomarkers increasingly provide information for predicting outcomes with chemotherapeutic regimens (personalized medicine). Topo2A is a DNA helicase targeted by anthracyclines, cytotoxic therapeutics used in both adjuvant and palliative treatments of breast cancer. TOP2A gene amplification/deletion is implicated in response to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. We describe an approach for analyzing formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast tumors on tissue microarrays with TOP2A (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) are noncultivable commensals inhabiting the gut of various vertebrate species and have been shown to induce Th17 cells in mice. We present the complete genome sequences of both rat and mouse SFB isolated from SFB-monocolonized hosts. The rat and mouse SFB genomes each harbor a single circular chromosome of 1.52 and 1.59 Mb encoding 1346 and 1420 protein-coding genes, respectively. The overall nucleotide identity between the two genomes is 86%, and the (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 The apparently paradoxical lack of correlation between the huge increase in the discovery of new potential drug targets made possible by the post-genomic sciences and new drugs development has stimulated many different interpretations. Here we illustrate the general principle of redundancy of biological pathways on hand of simplified mathematical approaches applied to different models of biological regulation. The simulation was based on the analysis of the 'degree of autonomy' of network (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 The HER2/neu gene (also known as ERBB2) is located on chromosome 17 (q11.2-q12) and encodes a glycoprotein known to be a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family. Clinically, the determination of its amplification status is of utmost importance, as 10-35% of invasive human breast carcinomas come along with HER2/neu overexpression, and treatment has to be adjusted accordingly. Here a method to analyze HER2 FISH samples with digital microscopy, using the slide scanning -platform (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 We previously demonstrated that in a metasystem consisting of Arabidopsis seedlings growing in liquid medium (in 96 well plates) even microbes considered to be innocuous such as laboratory strains of E. coli and B. subtilis can cause potent damage to the host. We further posited that such environment-induced adaptations are brought about by 'system status changes' (rewiring of pre-existing cellular signaling networks and components) of the host and the microbe, and that prolongation of such a (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Automated image analysis scoring of micronuclei (MN) in cells can facilitate the objective and rapid measurement of genetic damage in mammalian and human cells. This approach was repeatedly developed and tested over the past two decades but none of the systems were sufficiently robust for routine analysis of MN until recently. New methodological, hardware and software developments have now allowed more advanced systems to become available. This mini-review presents the current stage of (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 From the ENCODE project, it is realized that almost every base of the entire human genome is transcribed. One class of transcripts resulting from this arises from the conjoined gene, which is formed by combining the exons of two or more distinct (parent) genes lying on the same strand of a chromosome. Only a very limited number of such genes are known, and the definition and terminologies used for them are highly variable in the public databases. In this work, we have computationally (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Improving outcomes for children and adolescents with mental health needs demands a broad meta-systemic orientation to overcome persistent problems in current service systems. Improving outcomes necessitates inclusion of current and emerging evidence about effective practices for the diverse population of youth and their families. Key components of the meta-system for children with emotional or behavioral needs include families, cultural norms and values, and service sectors such as schools, (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Karyotyping is currently the "gold standard" test for the detection of human chromosome abnormalities. Over the past 40 years, changes in techniques have improved the band definition of chromosomes; however, very little has changed with respect to improvements through automation. In this study, we compare chromosome analysis by traditional microscopy with semi-automatic karyotyping using robotic equipment from MetaSystems (Altlussheim, Germany). Analysis using MetaSystems was significantly (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 PURPOSE: In case of a large-scale radiation accident when hundreds of people may be exposed, it is important to distinguish the severely exposed individuals ( or =1 gray), who require early medical treatment, from those less exposed. The aim of our study was to develop a quick population triage method based on automated micronucleus (MN) scoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the MN software module developed by MetaSystems specifically for the Metafer4 platform, about 60 blood samples can be (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Microbial enzymes have many known applications as biocatalysts in biotechnology, agriculture, medical and other industries. However, only a few enzymes are currently employed for such commercial applications. In this scenario, the current onslaught of metagenomic data provides a new unexplored treasure trove of genomic wealth that can not only enhance the enzyme repertoire by the discovery of novel commercially useful enzymes (CUEs) but can also reveal better functional variants for existing (…) text/html http://www.businesswire.com Business Wire http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 HEIDELBERG, Germany-(BUSINESS WIRE)-mtm laboratories, a privately held diagnostics company developing, manufacturing and globally commercializing in vitro diagnostics for cervical cancer early detection and diagnosis, and MetaSystems, a leading manufacturer of microscopic imaging systems worldwide, today announced the signing of an agreement to co-develop a customized automated imaging system for use in conjunction with mtms CINtec Cytology products. mtms CINtec Cytology kit is a (…) text/html http://www.biospace.com BioSpace http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 HEIDELBERG, Germany-(BUSINESS WIRE)-mtm laboratories, a privately held diagnostics company developing, manufacturing and globally commercializing in vitro diagnostics for cervical cancer early detection and diagnosis, and MetaSystems, a leading manufacturer of microscopic imaging systems worldwide, today announced the signing of an agreement to co-develop a customized automated imaging system for use in conjunction with mtm s CINtec Cytology products. text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Mammalian tissue- and/or time-specific transcription is primarily regulated in a combinatorial fashion through interactions between a specific set of transcriptional regulatory factors (TRFs) and their cognate cis-regulatory elements located in the regulatory regions. In exploring the DNA regions and TRFs involved in combinatorial transcriptional regulation, we noted that individual knockdown of a set of human liver-enriched TRFs such as HNF1A, HNF3A, HNF3B, HNF3G and HNF4A resulted in (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine meta-systems of cognition and their development,and the pattern of relationships between types of information processing, executive functions, mental ability, and level of cognitive development in children. METHOD: The sample consisted of 80 healthy children (39 female and 41 male). Meta-cognition was measured with the Word List and Evaluation of the Degree of Correctness of Knowledge, Feeling of Knowing, and Criterion Test. Executive functions (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Interoperability of systems and implementation of network enabled capabilities are at the heart of defense transformation. By providing extensive capabilities for data gathering, processing and presentations, they achieve a greater tactical advantage through superior knowledge of and use of the operational environment. Within the framework of the deployment of the new French Navy information system SIC21, a system of systems is being developed in order to support the implementation of the NATO (…) text/html http://www.clinicaltrials.gov ClinicalTrials.gov http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 AsthmaCare Study Covering Adherence, Drug Use, Will to Take Part in Shared Decisioning in Asthma Outpatients |-| Heidelberg Metasystems GmbH |-| Please refer to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00557141 Thomas - Froehlich, Dr.rer.nat. Dr.med. +496223-95220 dr.thomas.froehlich@t-online.de Germany, Baden-Wuerttemberg Heidelberg Metasystems GmbH, Heidelberg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, 69115, Germany Thomas - Froehlich, Dr. Dr. +496223-95220 dr.thomas.froehlich@t-online.de Thomas - (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Background: Fetal cell detection in maternal tissue requires an accurate, efficient, and reproducible microscopy method. Our objective was to compare manual scoring to a commercially available automated scanning system for the detection of chromosome signals by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Methods: X and Y chromosome FISH signals were detected on slides of calibrated mixtures of blood, paraffin-embedded liver sections, and post-termination blood. For manual scoring (400x (…) text/html http://www.medicalnewstoday.com Medical News Today http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 The ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting is an outstanding educational opportunity relevant to professionals in medical and clinical genetics who are providing comprehensive diagnostic, management and genetic counseling services for patients with, or at risk for, genetically influenced health problems; laboratory directors and technicians providing genetic testing; researchers involved in the discovery of genetic disorders and treatments; and any other healthcare and public health (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Implementation of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays in the clinical laboratory requires validation against established methods. Validation tools in common use include exchange of consecutive sections with another institution that has already established the FISH assay, comparison with conventional banded metaphase cytogenetics, confirmation of specificity using probed normal metaphases, consecutive paraffin sections of a validation set tested by a reference (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Objective: The nervous, endocrine and immune systems are functionally interconnected so that they may form a complex metasystem. Abnormalities within the neuroendocrine compartment can thus affect immune mechanisms and vice versa. The Lurcher-type mutation in mice has a profound impact on brain development in both homozygous and heterozygous individuals, which is followed by immune system changes. We investigated whether macroscopic changes in the thymus size were associated with an altered (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Molecular genetic analyses have demonstrated that combined losses in 1p36 and 19q13 were associated with a good response to treatment and a higher survival rates in oligodendrogliomas (O). The presence of such deletions in a subset of mixed oligoastrocytomas (OA) also suggests that 1p-19q status may assist the histological classification of gliomas. Representative frozen fragments of 25 patients with a primary grade II or III glioma [2 O, 8 astrocytic tumours (A), 15 OA] were selected and a (…) text/html http://www.medicalnewstoday.com Medical News Today http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared for marketing Abbotts Vysis AutoVysion™ System for use with the Vysis PathVysion HER-2 DNA Probe Kit as an aid in determining HER-2 gene status in women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. AutoVysion, developed in collaboration with MetaSystems GmbH, is designed to be used with Abbotts proprietary fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology and utilizes an automated scanning microscope and computer-assisted imaging system to aid (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 The micronucleus assay (MNT) in human lymphocytes is frequently used to assess chromosomal damage as a consequence of environmental mutagen exposure, to assess the effect of mutagens or to search for reduced DNA repair capacity after a mutagenic challenge. We have established an automated scoring procedure for the cytokinesis blocked MNT based on computerized image analysis (Metasystems Metafer 4 version 2.12). To evaluate the results we used the reproducibility of counts, established a (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 BACKGROUND: The reliable detection and quantification of gene amplifications is crucial to clinical practice. Although there are different detection techniques, the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method has become highly accepted over past years because it is a reliable, robust, and quick method. Unfortunately, automatic quantification of gene amplification based on fluorescence intensities has not been possible thus far. Because current spot counting methods are reliable only when (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 The quantification of DNA damage, both in vivo and in vitro, can be very time consuming, since large amounts of samples need to be scored. Additional uncertainties may arise due to the lack of documentation or by scoring biases. Image analysis automation is a possible strategy to cope with these difficulties and to generate a new quality of reproducibility. In this communication we collected some recent results obtained with the automated scanning platform Metafer, covering applications that (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Precise breakpoint definition of chromosomal rearrangements using conventional banding techniques often fails, especially when more than two breakpoints are involved. The classic banding procedure results in a pattern of alternating light and dark bands. Hence, in banded chromosomes a specific chromosomal band is rather identified by the surrounding banding pattern than by its own specific morphology. In chromosomal rearrangements the original pattern is altered and therefore the unequivocal (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 This article reports on a retrospective examination of all candidates for ordained ministry in Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church from September 1995 to 1998. The results showed, contrary to expectations, that clergy in this annual conference are significantly more likely than the general population to become physically ill when placed under stress. One of the major stressors identified in this study was the likelihood that the clergy persons will not receive (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 A 7-year-old female was referred to the Genetics Clinic because of developmental delay and attentional difficulty. The patient was adopted and there was a nonspecific prenatal history of drug and alcohol abuse. The patient had clinical signs that were not compatible with typical fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), although there was a history of alcohol exposure in utero, neurodevelopmental difficulties with learning and behavioral problems, and mild dysmorphisms. Cytogenetic analysis revealed an (…) text/html http://www.uspto.gov/ USPTO http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 United States Patent: 6861218 |-| Title: Method for the targeted application of reagents onto immobilized biological material |-| Inventors: Haas; Oskar A. (Kloster Neuburg, AT), Lorch; Thomas (Reilingen, DE), Plesch; Andreas (Schwetzingen, DE) |-| Assignee: MetaSystems Hard and Software GmbH (Altlussheim, DE) |-| The present invention is relative to a method for the purposeful application of at least one reagent onto immobilized biological material as well as to a diagnostic kit containing (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Several systems for 24-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) have been developed and applied to karyotyping and detection of chromosomal abnormalities. We have developed a 42-color multicolor FISH (mFISH) technique (armFISH), which permits the detection of chromosomal aberrations at the resolution of chromosome arms. The armFISH uses a commercially available mFISH reagent kit (24XCyte, MetaSystems GmbH) supplemented with a set of differentially labeled chromosome arm-specific (…) text/html http://www.uspto.gov/ USPTO http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 United States Patent: 6365353 |-| Title: Method for comparing the number of replications of nucleic acid sequences |-| Inventors: Lorch; Thomas (Reilingen, DE), Plesch; Andreas (Schwetzingen, DE), Isola; Jorma (Tampere, FI) |-| Assignee: Metasystems Hard and Software GmbH (Altlussheim, DE) |-| A method is provided for comparing the relative copy number of nucleic sequences of two or more nucleic acid sequence collectives which includes hybridizing differentially labeled i) nucleic acid (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 A new multicolor-banding technique has been developed which allows the differentiation of chromosome region specific areas at the band level. This technique is based on the use of differently labeled overlapping microdissection libraries. The changing fluorescence intensity ratios along the chromosomes are used to assign different pseudo-colors to specific chromosome regions. The multicolor banding of human chromosome 5 is presented as an example. |-| Cytogenet Cell Genet. 1999;84(3-4):156-60. (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Based on the technical configuration of the Metafer2 metaphase finder (Metasystems, Altlussheim, Germany), an automated system was developed that is able to discriminate first/M1 or second cycle/M2 metaphases. For an evaluation of the system in fluorescence plus Giemsa stained preparations of human lymphocytes, a learning sample and an independent test sample was used. Between 8 and 14 separated chromosomes per metaphase were sufficient to achieve correct classification rates between 95 and (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 This article makes a comparison among three types of evaluation systems based on a set of data composed of heavy alcoholics and light alcoholics. The three systems are: 1) a system based on genetic algorithms called BEAGLE; b) seven different types of Artificial Neural Networks; c) a metasystem called MetaNet. The technical aim was to compare the classification capability of these three systems in terms of two classes (heavy alcoholics and light alcoholics). From the results obtained, the (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 We studied the relation between central-autonomic adaptability (largest Lyapunov exponent of heart rate dynamics) and visual learning capability (total net score in Kimura s Recurring-Figures-Test) in 15 healthy subjects and 35 patients with cerebral white matter diseases (12 with optic neuritis and 23 with multiple sclerosis), aged between 18 and 39 years. In optic neuritis patients and in those with very early, clinically asymptomatic multiple sclerosis, we found high correlations between (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=70 Harmful effects of environmental pollution to the health status of population is well-known to ecologists and experts on health sciences. However, prevention and protection against such direct environmental hazards to save, or, in a worse case, re-establish the ecological balance are anything but successful. It is true, even if modern monitoring and measuring technology, adequate information systems, and related data bases are available. Precision of measurements and surveys, assessment and (…)