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Biomedical subjects

Gary Williams

Publications and source records attributed to Gary Williams.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

WormBase: new content and better access.

WormBase (http://wormbase.org), a model organism database for Caenorhabditis elegans and other related nematodes, continues to evolve and expand. Over the past year WormBase has added new data on C.elegans, including data on classical genetics, cell biology and functional genomics; expanded the annotation of closely related nematodes with a new genome browser for Caenorhabditis remanei; and deployed new hardware for stronger performance. Several existing datasets including phenotype descriptions and RNAi experiments have seen a large increase in new content. New datasets such as the C.remanei draft assembly and annotations, the Vancouver Fosmid library and TEC-RED 5' end sites are now available as well. Access to and searching WormBase has become more dependable and flexible via multiple mirror sites and indexing through Google.

Animals↗

An open-access long oligonucleotide microarray resource for analysis of the human and mouse transcriptomes.

Two collections of oligonucleotides have been designed for preparing pangenomic human and mouse microarrays. A total of 148,993 and 121,703 oligonucleotides were designed against human and mouse transcripts. Quality scores were created in order to select 25,342 human and 24,109 mouse oligonucleotides. They correspond to: (i) a BLAST-specificity score; (ii) the number of expressed sequence tags matching each probe; (iii) the distance to the 3' end of the target mRNA. Scores were also used to compare in silico the two microarrays with commercial microarrays. The sets described here, called RNG/MRC collections, appear at least as specific and sensitive as those from the commercial platforms. The RNG/MRC collections have now been used by an Anglo-French consortium to distribute more than 3500 microarrays to the academic community. Ad hoc identification of tissue-specific transcripts and a approximately 80% correlation with hybridizations performed on Affymetrix GeneChiptrade mark suggest that the RNG/MRC microarrays perform well. This work provides a comprehensive open resource for investigators working on human and mouse transcriptomes, as well as a generic method to generate new microarray collections in other organisms. All information related to these probes, as well as additional information about commercial microarrays have been stored in a freely-accessible database called MEDIANTE.

Animals↗

A population-based study of congenital diaphragmatic hernia outcome in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 1992-2001.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to describe the incidence and survival of infants born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in the state of New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia. METHODS: A population-based cohort study of all infants inclusive up to 1 month of age diagnosed with CDH in NSW and the ACT between 1992 and 2001 was conducted. Data sources were the NSW and ACT Neonatal Intensive Care Data Collection (Neonatal Intensive Care Units Study), NSW Birth Defects Register, Population Health Research Centre of ACT Health, and NSW Midwives Data Collection. Individual risk factors for mortality were assessed using the chi(2) test with P < .05 being considered statistically significant. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression to adjust for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: From the databases used, the incidence of CDH in NSW and the ACT was 1 per 3800 births. Of 242 infants identified with CDH, 8% underwent termination of pregnancy, 10% were stillborn after 20 weeks' gestation, and 82% were liveborn. Most liveborn infants (70%) were delivered at term with a 64% survival, whereas 30% were preterm with a 35% survival. For liveborn infants, the overall preoperative mortality was 35% with 56% surviving to discharge. Logistic regression identified a low 5-minute Apgar score, prematurity, and air leak as independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study of CDH provides us with baseline data for our states. Mortality is high in preterm infants and in the preoperative period. Avoiding preterm delivery and improving preoperative stabilization are the measures most likely to improve survival.

Abortion, Induced↗

15-Fluoro prostaglandin FP agonists: a new class of topical ocular hypotensives.

A novel series of 15-fluoro prostaglandins with phenoxy termination of the omega-chain was synthesized and evaluated for binding and functional activation of the prostaglandin FP receptor in vitro and for side effect potential and topical ocular hypotensive efficacy in vivo. Compounds with the 15alpha-fluoride relative stereochemistry displayed EC50 values of <or=20 nM, comparable to the value for the endogenous ligand PGF2alpha. Evaluation of selected ester prodrugs of these 15-fluoro prostaglandins in vivo highlighted their generally low propensity to elicit hyperemia or ocular irritation in rabbits and efficacious intraocular pressure-lowering property in monkeys. In particular 13,14-dihydro-15-deoxy-15alpha-fluoro-16-aryloxy-omega-tetranor-cis-Delta4-PGF2alpha isopropyl ester (24) caused relatively little ocular irritation in rabbits while lowering intraocular pressure in conscious ocular hypertensive monkeys by 39% following a topical ocular dose of 3 microg.

Administration, Topical↗

Antisense transcripts in the human genome.

By a systematic search of vertebrate mRNA sequences, we have identified a surprisingly large number of human antisense transcripts. These data suggest that regulation of gene expression by antisense and double-stranded RNAs could be a common phenomenon in mammalian cells.

Algorithms↗

Compliance with prompt payment legislation: the initial experiences of New Jersey radiologists.

OBJECTIVE: Prompt payment has emerged as a dominant issue in managed care reform, with 47 states passing laws or regulations requiring prompt remuneration for medical services. The New Jersey Prompt-Pay Act, effective on December 28, 1999, requires payment within 30 days of electronic submission and within 40 days for nonelectronic submission. This study was undertaken to assess compliance with the New Jersey Prompt-Pay Act for radiology claims submitted 1 and 5 months after implementation (7-11 months after passage of the statute). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective prompt payment analysis was undertaken of all claims submitted in February and June 2000 to six major payers by a common third-party billing company on behalf of 11 radiology practices of various sizes, settings, and locations in New Jersey. A total of 33,537 claims were assigned to one of six time periods on the basis of timeliness of payment: less than or equal to 30 days, 31-40 days, 41-50 days, 51-60 days, 61-90 days, and greater than 90 days or a separate unpaid category after 170 days had elapsed. A detailed analysis of 3156 claims from one practice was performed to estimate a clean claims submission rate. RESULTS: The overall percentage of claims paid within 40 days was 70%. After 170 days, the overall percentage of paid claims was 93%. The annualized interest lost on delayed payments was $23,939 for the practice analyzed. CONCLUSION: Prompt payment for radiology services remains an elusive goal in New Jersey, despite passage and implementation of prompt payment legislation.

Guideline Adherence↗