Biomedical subjects

Kerry Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to Kerry Robinson.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The pseudo-mitochondrial genome influences mistakes in heteroplasmy interpretation.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (numts) are a potential source of contamination during mitochondrial DNA PCR amplification. This possibility warrants careful experimental design and cautious interpretation of heteroplasmic results. RESULTS: Here we report the cloning and sequencing of numts loci, amplified from human tissue and rho-zero (rho0) cells (control) with primers known to amplify the mitochondrial genome. This paper is the first to fully sequence 46 paralogous nuclear DNA fragments that represent the entire mitochondrial genome. This is a surprisingly small number due primarily to the primer sets used in this study, because prior to this, BLAST searches have suggested that nuclear DNA harbors between 400 to 1,500 paralogous mitochondrial DNA fragments. Our results indicate that multiple numts were amplified simultaneously with the mitochondrial genome and increased the load of pseudogene signal in PCR reactions. Further, the entire mitochondrial genome was represented by multiple copies of paralogous nuclear sequences. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that mitochondrial genome disease-associated biomarkers must be rigorously authenticated to preclude any affiliation with paralogous nuclear pseudogenes. Importantly, the common perception that mitochondrial template "swamps" numts loci precluding detectable amplification, depends on the region of the mitochondrial genome targeted by the PCR reaction and the number of pseudogene loci that may co-amplify. Cloning and relevant sequencing data will facilitate the correct interpretation. This is the first complete, wet-lab characterization of numts that represent the entire mitochondrial genome.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Developing and implementing a triangulation protocol for qualitative health research.

In this article, the authors present an empirical example of triangulation in qualitative health research. The Canadian Heart Health Dissemination Project (CHHDP) involves a national examination of capacity building and dissemination undertaken within a series of provincial dissemination projects. The Project's focus is on the context, processes, and impacts of health promotion capacity building and dissemination. The authors collected qualitative data within a parallel-case study design using key informant interviews as well as document analysis. Given the range of qualitative data sets used, it is essential to triangulate the data to address completeness, convergence, and dissonance of key themes. Although one finds no shortage of admonitions in the literature that it must be done, there is little guidance with respect to operationalizing a triangulation process. Consequently, the authors are feeling their way through the process, using this opportunity to develop, implement, and reflect on a triangulation protocol.

Canada↗

PubMed2006

Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in prostate cancer and normal appearing adjacent glands in comparison to age-matched prostate samples without malignant histology.

Studies of somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations have become an important aspect of cancer research because these mutations might have functional significance and/or serve as a biosensor for tumor detection. Here we report somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations from three specific tissue types (tumor, adjacent benign, and distant benign) recovered from 24 prostatectomy samples. Needle biopsy tissue from 12 individuals referred for prostate biopsy, yet histologically benign (symptomatic benign), were used as among individual control samples. We also sampled blood (germplasm tissue) from each patient to serve as within individual controls relative to the somatic tissues sampled (malignant, adjacent, and distant benign). Complete mitochondrial genome sequencing was attempted on each sample. In contrast to both control groups [within patient (blood) and among patient (symptomatic benign)], all of the tissue types recovered from the malignant group harbored significantly different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. We conclude that mitochondrial genome mutations are an early indicator of malignant transformation in prostate tissue. These mutations occur well before changes in tissue histo-pathology, indicative of prostate cancer, are evident to the pathologist.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Using linking systems to build capacity and enhance dissemination in heart health promotion: a Canadian multiple-case study.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the utility of linking systems between public health resource and user organizations for health promotion dissemination and capacity building, and to identify factors related to the success of linking systems. The design is a parallel-case study using key informant interviews and content analysis of project reports (synthesized qualitative and quantitative data) of three provincial dissemination projects of the Canadian Heart Health Initiative-Dissemination Phase. Each provincial project used linking activities with public health user groups including meetings, skill building, resources, collaboration, networking and research feedback to facilitate capacity building for and implementation of heart health promotion activities. This paper presents empirical examples of linking system designs, activities, and qualitative and quantitative changes in the public health user groups' health promotion capacity, program delivery and sustainability. The findings indicate enhanced health promotion skills, partnerships, resources, infrastructure, and increased programming and sustainability in the targeted public health organizations of all three provincial projects. Identified barriers to the success of linking systems included lack of appropriately skilled personnel, funds, buy-in and leadership. We conclude that linking systems can be flexibly used to build capacity and disseminate health promotion innovations, and suggest conditions for success.

Canada↗