Search

: The diagnostic and therapeutic use of radiation modalities is an integral part of cancer care that is being used more frequently. Organization and planning for anesthesia out of the operating room poses many challenges that are addressed in this review.

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) complicates cardiac and respiratory diseases. Hemodynamic classification of PH broadly defines 2 subsets: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and PH of left heart disease (PH-LHD). In older patients, particularly with cardiovascular risk factors, clinical and hemodynamic characteristics of PAH and PH-LHD overlap. Thus clinicians face a therapeutic dilemma; PAH therapy may be underutilized in PAH patients to avoid inadvertent administration to PH-LHD patients. Our goal was to evaluate the utility of right heart catheterization(RHC) with exercise to support clinical decisions regarding use of PAH therapy in older adults suspected of having PH with risk factors for PH-LHD.

Tuberous breast deformity is a common congenital anomaly with varying degrees of constriction, hypoplasia, skin deficiency, areolar herniation, and asymmetry that poses challenges to consistency in aesthetic correction. In this study, the authors classify tuberous breast deformities, and evaluate their techniques used for treatment.

Random mixtures of phthalocyanines (Pcs) with fullerene C60are currently exploited as active layers in organic solar cells. Therefore, spatially regular Pc–C60heterostructures, not designed so far, are of great interest as molecularly mixed donor–acceptor phases for further improving the device performance. Here we investigate the prospects to create such heterostructures by fine intermixing of π-rich Pcs with fullerene C60. Specifically, this work reports on the mixing behavior of cobalt tetrakis(3-amino-5-tert-butyl)phthalocyanine (CoPc#) with fullerene C60. A composite film (CoPc#/C60= 1:2, mol) was prepared by the Langmuir–Schaefer technique from a floating layer with double-decker architecture, where the CoPc#monolayer was interlinked with the C60submonolayer by the clustered water. This film was structurally analyzed and compared with the CoPc#film used as a reference. The latter film is found to be constructed from the 2-stack dye aggregates, which are assembled in the χ-phase mode, randomly oriented, and loosely packed. In the composite film, the C60molecules tend to intercalate into the interaggregate voids, making the aggregates consolidate and align in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the delamination process, which freely occurs in the pristine dye film, is inhibited in the composite. All aggregative features of CoPc#indicate that both structure and arrangement of the dye aggregates are determined by water-assisted H bonding via the primary amine groups. This kind of interaction is of use for tailoring Pc-based frameworks capable to host the C60molecules.

To explore the psychosocial and behavioural responses of pregnant and postpartum individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to develop strategies for healthcare providers to support patients through a pandemic.

Foot ulcer with suspected infection is one of the most common reasons for hospitalization and a major factor contributing to morbidity and high healthcare-related expenses among diabetic patients. Many patients will require amputation; however, major amputation is associated with an alarmingly high 5-year mortality rate. In this study, we assess the diagnosis and management of suspected foot infection in diabetic patients using dual-isotope (DI) single-photon emission computed tomographycomputed tomography (SPECTCT) compared with conventional imaging.

While river deltas are one of the major repositories for sediments and carbon on Earth, there exists a paucity of field data on the formation of distributary mouth bars—one of their key features. Here we present results from an experiment that tested a model of mouth bar development using hydroacoustic, optical, sedimentary, and geochemical tools on a mouth bar in a crevasse splay near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Our results validate an existing model for mouth bar development, which we extend to explain mouth bar stratigraphy. We propose that changes across a hydrological cycle are important for mouth bar development, resulting in a stratigraphy that has alternating fine and coarse grain sediments. Results also indicate that sand is carried up to 6 km from the main stem of the Mississippi River, despite repeated channel bifurcations, which has important implications for our interpretation of the rock record, understanding of coastal sedimentary systems, and the restoration of large deltas. We show field data showing seasonal sedimentation and transport on a mouth barSedimentation in mouth bars occurs across the hydrographic cycleCrevasse splay channels can transport sand long distances

In this paper the stabilization of the well known inverted pendulum problem by visual control is presented. The pendulum is mounted on the flange of an articulated robot arm. It is observed by camera and its angle of inclination is computed by image processing on a PC. For stabilization a state space controller realized with the standard robot controller is used. In summary, this system can be seen as an example of a robot with visual control. The inverted pendulum is used because it is an adequate controlled system to demonstrate advanced control algorithms. Its implementation with a robot results in some more restrictions in comparison with the pendulum mounted on a linear drive, e.g. in lower acceleration, smaller traversing range and the relatively high cycle time of the commercial robot controller. Furthermore, the integration of the camera in the closed loop control instead of an angular transmitter makes the successful realization more difficult.

Since 1998, the bioinformatics, systems biology, genomics and medical communities have enjoyed a synergistic relationship with the GeneCards database of human genes (http://www.genecards.org). This human gene compendium was created to help to introduce order into the increasing chaos of information flow. As a consequence of viewing details and deep links related to specific genes, users have often requested enhanced capabilities, such that, over time, GeneCards has blossomed into a suite of tools (including GeneDecks, GeneALaCart, GeneLoc, GeneNote and GeneAnnot) for a variety of analyses of both single human genes and sets thereof. In this paper, we focus on inhouse and external research activities which have been enabled, enhanced, complemented and, in some cases, motivated by GeneCards. In turn, such interactions have often inspired and propelled improvements in GeneCards. We describe here the evolution and architecture of this project, including examples of synergistic applications in diverse areas such as synthetic lethality in cancer, the annotation of genetic variations in disease, omics integration in a systems biology approach to kidney disease, and bioinformatics tools.

Full text available.

The iron(III) complexes that were formed by coordination of the FeIIIion with the asymmetric tridentate liquid crystalline Schiff base ligand (L), the water molecules and the different counterions [PF6–(1), NO3–(2), and Cl–(3)] were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. EPR spectroscopy demonstrated that each of the complexes investigated consists of two types of iron centers: S= 1/2 low‐spin (LS) and S= 5/2 high‐spin (HS). LS iron complexes 2, 3and LS complex 1in the temperature range 4.2–250 K have a (dxz,dyz)4(dxy)1ground state. Interesting features werefound for the monocationic FeIIIcomplex 1, [Fe(L)X(H2O)2]+X–, with X = PF6–as the counterion. The LS and HS iron centers of 1are coupled together antiferromagnetically and form a dimer structure by means of the water molecules and the PF6–counterion. The second‐type of LS and HS centers that are visible by means of EPR spectroscopy were best observed in the liquid crystalline (387–405 K) phase. The monitoring and the simulation of the EPR spectra enabled us to trace the dynamics of changing the number of the second‐type of LS centers with respect to the first‐type of LS centers. The observed dynamic process is characterized by the enthalpy value ΔH= 27.9 kJ/mol, which was caused by reorientation of the PF6–counterion. Calculation of the observed gvalues for the second‐type of LS complex 1indicated that, in this case, the (dxy)2(dxz,dyz)3ground state is stabilized. The conversion between the electron (dxz,dyz)4(dxy)1/(dxy)2(dxz,dyz)3configurations was found to be temperature dependent and was detected in the same material for the first time in iron complexes.

Lithium selenoindate (LiInSe_2) is a new nonlinear chalcogenide biaxial crystal, related to LiInS_2 and transparent from 0.54 to 10 μm at the 50% level (10 mm thickness), which has been successfully grown in large sizes and with good optical quality. We report on what we believe to be new physical properties that are relevant for laser and nonlinear optical applications and summarize all relevant characteristics, both from the literature and as measured in the present work. With respect to AgGaS(e)_2 ternary chalcopyrite materials, LiInSe_2 displays a nearly isotropic thermal expansion behavior with three- to five-times-larger thermal conductivities associated with high optical damage thresholds, and low intensity-dependent absorption, allowing direct high-power downconversion from the near-infrared, especially 1064 nm, to the deep mid-infrared. Continuous-wave difference-frequency generation (5.9–8.1 μm) of Ti:sapphire laser sources is reported for the first time as well as nanosecond optical parametric oscillation with a Nd:YAG laser as the pump source at 100 Hz and idler tuning between 4.7 and 8.7 μm.

In a parametric oscillator of a special two-sectional design based on a lithium niobate periodic structure, a cascade frequency generation regime was observed in which a signal wave pumped a secondary parametric oscillator, producing secondary signal and idler waves. The secondary parametric oscillator can be tuned in a broad range of [?]200 nm with respect to a fixed wavelength of the primary idler wave.

The nonlinear optical frequency conversions of repetitively pulsed output of a 1941-nm Tm3+: YAP laser pumped by a cw 1670-nm fibre laser are studied experimentally. Both mid-IR optical parametric oscillation (OPO) and second harmonic generation (SHG) are obtained in the same periodically poled MgO : LiNbO3crystal with a fan-out domain design by tuning the grating period and temperature. The energy conversion efficiency of the degenerate OPO at 3820 – 3970 nm exceeds 43 % at a 0.5 kHz repetition rate, while the energy conversion efficiency of SHG at 970.5 nm reaches 34 %.

ABSTRACTPneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureusis a growing concern in the health care community. We hypothesized that characterization of the early innate immune response to bacteria in the lungs would provide insight into the mechanisms used by the host to protect itself from infection. An adult mouse model of Staphylococcus aureuspneumonia was utilized to define the early events in the innate immune response and to assess the changes in the airway proteome during the first 6 h of pneumonia. S. aureusactively replicated in the lungs of mice inoculated intranasally under anesthesia to cause significant morbidity and mortality. By 6 h postinoculation, the release of proinflammatory cytokines caused effective recruitment of neutrophils to the airway. Neutrophil influx, loss of alveolar architecture, and consolidated pneumonia were observed histologically 6 h postinoculation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from mice inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or S. aureuswere depleted of overabundant proteins and subjected to strong cation exchange fractionation followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry to identify the proteins present in the airway. No significant changes in response to PBS inoculation or 30 min following S. aureusinoculation were observed. However, a dramatic increase in extracellular proteins was observed 6 h postinoculation with S. aureus, with the increase dominated by inflammatory and coagulation proteins. The data presented here provide a comprehensive evaluation of the rapid and vigorous innate immune response mounted in the host airway during the earliest stages of S. aureuspneumonia.

Pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus is a growing concern in the health care community. We hypothesized that characterization of the early innate immune response to bacteria in the lungs would provide insight into the mechanisms used by the host to protect itself from infection. An adult mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia was utilized to define the early events in the innate immune response and to assess the changes in the airway proteome during the first 6 h of pneumonia. S. aureus actively replicated in the lungs of mice inoculated intranasally under anesthesia to cause significant morbidity and mortality. By 6 h postinoculation, the release of proinflammatory cytokines caused effective recruitment of neutrophils to the airway. Neutrophil influx, loss of alveolar architecture, and consolidated pneumonia were observed histologically 6 h postinoculation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from mice inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or S. aureus were depleted of overabundant proteins and subjected to strong cation exchange fractionation followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry to identify the proteins present in the airway. No significant changes in response to PBS inoculation or 30 min following S. aureus inoculation were observed. However, a dramatic increase in extracellular proteins was observed 6 h postinoculation with S. aureus, with the increase dominated by inflammatory and coagulation proteins. The data presented here provide a comprehensive evaluation of the rapid and vigorous innate immune response mounted in the host airway during the earliest stages of S. aureus pneumonia.

The authors conducted a study to test the hypothesis that high consumption of soft drinks, relative to milk and 100 percent fruit juice, is a risk factor for dental caries in low-income African-American children in Detroit.

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusis a major cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia and is emerging as an important etiological agent of community-acquired pneumonia. Little is known about the specific host-pathogen interactions that occur when S. aureusfirst enters the airway. A shotgun proteomics approach was utilized to identify the airway proteins associated with S. aureusduring the first 6 h of infection. Host proteins eluted from bacteria recovered from the airways of mice 30 min or 6 h following intranasal inoculation under anesthesia were subjected to liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 513 host proteins were associated with S. aureus30 min and/or 6 h postinoculation. A majority of the identified proteins were host cytosolic proteins, suggesting that S. aureuswas rapidly internalized by phagocytes in the airway and that significant host cell lysis occurred during early infection. In addition, extracellular matrix and secreted proteins, including fibronectin, antimicrobial peptides, and complement components, were associated with S. aureusat both time points. The interaction of 12 host proteins shown to bind to S. aureusin vitro was demonstrated in vivo for the first time. The association of hemoglobin, which is thought to be the primary staphylococcal iron source during infection, with S. aureusin the airway was validated by immunoblotting. Thus, we used our recently developed S. aureuspneumonia model and shotgun proteomics to validate previous in vitro findings and to identify nearly 500 other proteins that interact with S. aureusin vivo. The data presented here provide novel insights into the host-pathogen interactions that occur when S. aureusenters the airway.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia and is emerging as an important etiological agent of community-acquired pneumonia. Little is known about the specific host-pathogen interactions that occur when S. aureus first enters the airway. A shotgun proteomics approach was utilized to identify the airway proteins associated with S. aureus during the first 6 h of infection. Host proteins eluted from bacteria recovered from the airways of mice 30 min or 6 h following intranasal inoculation under anesthesia were subjected to liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 513 host proteins were associated with S. aureus 30 min and/or 6 h postinoculation. A majority of the identified proteins were host cytosolic proteins, suggesting that S. aureus was rapidly internalized by phagocytes in the airway and that significant host cell lysis occurred during early infection. In addition, extracellular matrix and secreted proteins, including fibronectin, antimicrobial peptides, and complement components, were associated with S. aureus at both time points. The interaction of 12 host proteins shown to bind to S. aureus in vitro was demonstrated in vivo for the first time. The association of hemoglobin, which is thought to be the primary staphylococcal iron source during infection, with S. aureus in the airway was validated by immunoblotting. Thus, we used our recently developed S. aureus pneumonia model and shotgun proteomics to validate previous in vitro findings and to identify nearly 500 other proteins that interact with S. aureus in vivo. The data presented here provide novel insights into the host-pathogen interactions that occur when S. aureus enters the airway.

Purpose To describe progression and non-progression rates at individual mean intraocular pressure (IOP) levels for patients with primary open-angle and exfoliative glaucoma.Methods A meta-analysis of five previously published retrospective studies describing progression and non-progression rates at individual intraocular pressure levels over 5 or more years of follow-up. All patients had primary open-angle (four studies) or exfoliative glaucoma (one study).Results This meta-analysis included 822 patients of whom 655 (80%) had primary open-angle glaucoma and 167 (20%) had exfoliative glaucoma. In total, 220 patients progressed (27%), while 602 (73%) remained stable over 5 years. The mean IOP was 20.0 for progressed and 17.1 mmHg for stable patients (p=0.0004). The peak IOP was 29.1 for progressed and 23.6 mmHg for stable patients (p=0.0014). At an IOP level >18 mmHg, 49% of patients remained stable; at 18 mmHg, 78%; between 13 and 17 mmHg, 82%; and <13 mmHg, 96%. Additional factors associated with progression were older age (p=0.0004) and exfoliative glaucoma (p=0.0001). However, multivariant regression analysis identified only mean IOP as a risk factor for progression (p=0.039).Conclusions This study suggests that maintaining an IOP well within the normal range over 5 years in patients with primary open-angle or exfoliative glaucoma helps to prevent glaucomatous progression.

Proteome analysis, utilizing high-throughput proteomics approaches, involves studying proteins that a whole organism (or specific tissue or cellular compartment) expresses under certain conditions. Intrinsic difficulties of these studies, as well as the enormous volumes of data they typically produce, make the proteome analysis and interpretation very difficult. As with any highthroughput approach, proteomics experiments should be carefully designed, analyzed, and verified. In addition to computational standards,experimentalstandards—simple and complex mixtures of known proteins—for high-throughput proteomics have to be developed and utilized. This article discusses such experimental standards and their implementations. This paper is part of the special issue of OMICS on data standards.

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) combined with database searching is currently the most widely used method for high-throughput peptide and protein identification. Many different algorithms, scoring criteria, and statistical models have been used to identify peptides and proteins in complex biological samples, and many studies, including our own, describe the accuracy of these identifications, using at best generic terms such as "high confidence." False positive identification rates for these criteria can vary substantially with changing organisms under study, growth conditions, sequence databases, experimental protocols, and instrumentation; therefore, study-specific methods are needed to estimate the accuracy (false positive rates) of these peptide and protein identifications. We present and evaluate methods for estimating false positive identification rates based on searches of randomized databases (reversed and reshuffled). We examine the use of separate searches of a forward then a randomized database and combined searches of a randomized database appended to a forward sequence database. Estimated error rates from randomized database searches are first compared against actual error rates from MS/MS runs of known protein standards. These methods are then applied to biological samples of the model microorganism Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1. Based on the results obtained in this study, we recommend the use of use of combined searches of a reshuffled database appended to a forward sequence database as a means providing quantitative estimates of false positive identification rates of peptides and proteins. This will allow researchers to set criteria and thresholds to achieve a desired error rate and provide the scientific community with direct and quantifiable measures of peptide and protein identification accuracy as opposed to vague assessments such as "high confidence."

Objectives:We sought to determine the developmental anatomy and EYA1 protein distribution in the inner ear of Xenopus laevis.Methods:Xenopus laevis embryos were stained with monoclonal antibodies and imaged with confocal microscopy.Results:At stage 27, the otocyst fully forms, with strong tubulin staining of early sensory cells at its ventromedial aspect. Neuronal ingrowth follows at stage 33/34. At stage 50, the semicircular canals are complete. EYA1 localizes to the anterior aspect of the otocyst from stages 37 to 44. By stage 50, EYA1 distribution is localized primarily to the sensory maculae and the endolymphatic duct of the developing inner ear.Conclusions:Whole mount confocal imaging of the developing Xenopus inner ear delineates the exact timing of otic development, sensory cell differentiation, and innervation. EYA1 protein expression has a distinct distribution pattern at the anterior aspect of the developing otocyst in stages 41 and 44. Later stages have a more localized pattern, in which EYA1 is detected only in the sensory epithelium and endolymphatic duct. This specific pattern of expression indicates a possible role in the determination of the anterior-posterior orientation of the inner ear, as well as a later role in sensory cell differentiation.

The authors evaluated the factors associated with the receipt of subsequent treatment by teeth restored with a large amalgam restoration or a large amalgam restoration and crown restoration after 10 years.

Comments on the complexities of urban wetland management exemplified by the case of the wetlands of Jamaica Bay, New York City. Reasons why statutory protection has not prevented the marshes from degrading; Identification of a wide variety of human stressors that are at fault; Significance of studying the case to prevent further marsh losses.

Background: Outcomes after talectomy combined with tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis are variable, and there have been few reports of results for tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis after total talectomy using an external fixator as the sole stabilizing modality. Methods: Three adult patients with chronic talar infections secondary to complex fracture-dislocations of the talus are reported. Each patient was treated with staged radical debridement and total talectomy followed by tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using interpositional autologous cancellous bone graft and multiplanar external fixation. Results: Solid union was achieved for all patients at an average of 14 weeks (range 10 to 16 weeks). Outcome results, standardized according to the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale and the Modified Mazur Ankle Arthrodesis questionnaire, were good for all patients at a mean followup of 31 months (range 20 to 48 months). One patient had a leg-length discrepancy of 1.5 cm. Conclusion: The presented technique for tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis is an option for salvage of infection or complex injuries of the talus.

We reviewed, retrospectively, 13 patients who had undergone open anterograde autologous bone grafting of the talus for symptomatic osteochondral defects of the dome of the talus. The mean age of the seven men and six women was 38.4 years. The defects included the full thickness of articular cartilage, extended through the subchondral plate and were associated with subchondral cysts. Six patients (46%) were clinical failures requiring further surgery. Of the remaining seven, functional outcome results were obtained at a mean of 51.9 months after surgery. The mean outcome scores for the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System foot and ankle questionnaire and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale were 87.0 and 84.3, respectively. There was an overall 46.2% patient satisfaction rate.We believe that the technique of autologous bone grafting presented should be used with extreme caution, when considered as the primary treatment for the adult patient with a symptomatic advanced osteochondral defect of the talus.

Mixtures of moderate complexity were formed from 23 peptides and 12 proteins digested with trypsin, all individually characterized. These mixtures were analyzed with replicates in full and windowed m/z ranges using online high-performance reverse phase liquid chromatography coupled via electrospray ionization to an ion trap mass spectrometer. The resulting spectra were searched using SEQUEST against databases of different sizes and contents and confidences of the observed identifications were evaluated by our earlier statistical model. These data were then combined with biologically derived spectral data, searched, and further evaluated. All peptides but one and all proteins were identified with high confidence. Additionally, the presence and behavior of quadruply charged peptides was analyzed. The properties of the proposed peptide and protein mixtures as well as the performance of the statistical model were carefully investigated. These mixtures mimic the complexity seen in large-scale proteomics experiments, and are proposed to serve as quality assessment standards for future proteome studies.

The intermediary metabolism of Haemophilus influenzae strain Rd KW20 was studied by a combination of protein expression analysis using a recently developed direct proteomics approach, mutational analysis, and mathematical modeling. Special emphasis was placed on carbon utilization, sugar fermentation, TCA cycle, and electron transport of H. influenzae cells grown microaerobically and anaerobically in a rich medium. The data indicate that several H. influenzae metabolic proteins similar to Escherichia coli proteins, known to be regulated by low concentrations of oxygen, were well expressed in both growth conditions in H. influenzae. An in silico model of the H. influenzae metabolic network was used to study the effects of selective deletion of certain enzymatic steps. This allowed us to define proteins predicted to be essential or non-essential for cell growth and to address numerous unresolved questions about intermediary metabolism of H. influenzae. Comparison of data from in vivo protein expression with the protein list associated with a genome-scale metabolic model showed significant coverage of the known metabolic proteome. This study demonstrates the significance of an integrated approach to the characterization of H. influenzae metabolism.

Provides information on the First Wednesday Reading Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Background on the female members of the club; Significance of the club to interracial relations in the city; History of the club.

The theory of periodic walk-off compensation in monolithic structures is tested with type II second-harmonic generation experiments in the YZ plane of KTiOPO_4 by use of 2N optically contacted, walk-off-compensating (OCWOC) structures with numbers of plates 2N=10 and 2N=4. The results confirm the theoretical prediction that such structures behave as harmonic birefringence filters whose N-dependent transfer functions select ranges of wavelengths for maximum conversion at normal incidence and extinguish others within the tuning bandwidth curve of nominal birefringence phase matching. The residual plate orientation mismatches that alter the periodicity of the phase-mismatch gratings were found to be responsible both for the reduced second-harmonic enhancement compared with that of a reference bulk crystal of the same total length and for broadening of the tuning bandwidth. The shapes of the tuning curves depend critically on the pump wavelength, displaying a variety of modulated patterns that were previously attributed to plate orientation mismatches. The tuning filter response was found to change with periodicity defects. An enhancement factor of 15 (scalable to 22) compared with a reference bulk crystal was measured with a 10-OCWOC structure of length L_C=10 mm.

Developments in high-throughput analysis tools coupled with integrative computational techniques have enabled biological studies to reach new levels. The ability to correlate large volumes of diverse data types into cohesive models of organism function has spawned a new systematic approach to biological investigation. The creation of a new consortium has been proposed to investigate a single organism utilizing these comprehensive approaches. The Haemophilus influenzae Consortium (HIC) would be comprised of five laboratories, each providing separate and complementary areas of expertise in the study of Haemophilus influenzae (HI). The 5-year study proposes to develop coherent models of HI, both as a stand-alone organism, and more importantly, as a human pathogen. Studies in growth condition specificity followed by genomic, metabolic, and proteomic experimentation will be combined and integrated through computational and experimental analyses to form dynamic and predictive models of HI and its responses. Data from the HIC will allow greater understanding of cellular behavior, pathogen-host interactions, bacterial infection, and provide future scientific endeavors with a template for studies of other pathogens.

Microarrays traditionally have been used to assay the transcript expression of coding regions of genes. Here, we use Escherichia coli oligonucleotide microarrays to assay transcript expression of both open reading frames (ORFs) and intergenic regions. We then use hidden Markov models to analyse this expression data and estimate transcription boundaries of genes. This approach allows us to identify 5′ untranslated regions (5′ UTRs) of transcripts as well as genes that are likely to be operon members. The operon elements we identify correspond to documented operons with 99% specificity and 63% sensitivity. Similarly we find that our 5′ UTR results accurately coincide with experimentally verified promoter regions for most genes.
Contact: tjaden@cs.washington.edu
Keywords: untranslated regions; operons; intergenic; microarrays; Escherichia coli.

Microarrays traditionally have been used to assay the transcript expression of coding regions of genes. Here, we use Escherichia colioligonucleotide microarrays to assay transcript expression of both open reading frames (ORFs) and intergenic regions. We then use hidden Markov models to analyse this expression data and estimate transcription boundaries of genes. This approach allows us to identify 5′ untranslated regions (5′ UTRs) of transcripts as well as genes that are likely to be operon members. The operon elements we identify correspond to documented operons with 99% specificity and 63% sensitivity. Similarly we find that our 5′ UTR results accurately coincide with experimentally verified promoter regions for most genes.Contact: tjaden@cs.washington.eduKeywords: untranslated regions; operons; intergenic; microarrays; Escherichia coli.*To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Several methods have been used to identify peptides that correspond to tandem mass spectra. In this work, we describe a data set of low energy tandem mass spectra generated from a control mixture of known protein components that can be used to evaluate the accuracy of these methods. As an example, these spectra were searched by the SEQUEST application against a human peptide sequence database. The numbers of resulting correct and incorrect peptide assignments were then determined. We show how the sensitivity and error rate are affected by the use of various filtering criteria based upon SEQUEST scores and the number of tryptic termini of assigned peptides.

We reviewed retrospectively 11 patients who had been treated surgically by open autologous osteochondral grafting for symptomatic chondral or osteochondral defects of the dome of the talus between 1996 and 1999. The mean ages of the eight men and three women were 34.2 and 25.9 years, respectively, with a mean time to follow-up of 24 months. The results of functional outcome were prospectively obtained using the MODEMS AAOS foot and ankle follow-up questionnaire, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale and the Hannover scores for the ankle.The grafts were harvested from the ipsilateral knee. Good to excellent results were obtained for the ankle without adverse effects on the knee. We believe that autologous osteochondral grafting should be considered for the patient with a symptomatic osteochondral defect of the talus.

The case of a 44-year-old male with a traumatic pericuboid fracture-dislocation consisting of disruption of the midtarsal, tarsometatarsal and pericuboid articulations is presented. The cuboid was partially dislocated without cuboid fracture. Treatment consisted of open reduction with stable internal fixation followed by early range of motion and protected weight-bearing for 12 weeks. Functional outcome results were excellent at final follow-up.