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Mark Weber

Publications and source records attributed to Mark Weber.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Performance characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genotyping systems in sequence-based analysis of subtypes other than HIV-1 subtype B.

Given the diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes and the emergence of subtypes other than HIV-1 subtype B in the United States, genotypic assays must be capable of delivering sequence data on diverse HIV-1 subtypes. We evaluated the performance of Visible Genetics TRUGENE HIV-1 genotyping kit and Applied Biosystems ViroSeq HIV-1 genotyping system on a panel of 34 well-characterized HIV-1 viral stocks (subtypes A through H). Both assays perform well on diverse HIV-1 subtypes despite being designed for HIV-1 subtype B. The TRUGENE assay produced sequence data for 31 isolates but not for one C and two G isolates. The TRUGENE assay using prototype 1.5 RT-PCR primers and the ViroSeq assay were both successful for all variants tested, although five isolates lacked double-strand sequence coverage in the ViroSeq assay. The availability of standardized HIV-1 genotyping kits that perform reliably with all HIV subtypes will facilitate broad implementation of HIV-1 resistance testing.

Genotype↗

Neural network scheme for the retrieval of total ozone from Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment data.

A novel approach to retrieving total ozone columns from the ERS2 GOME (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment) spectral data has been developed. With selected GOME wavelength regions, from clear and cloudy pixels alike plus orbital and instrument data as input, a feed-forward neural network was trained to determine total ozone in a one-step inverse retrieval procedure. To achieve this training, ground-based total ozone measurements from the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Data Center (WOUDC) for the years 1996-2000, supplemented with Dobson-corrected Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data to provide global coverage, were collocated with GOME ground pixels into a training data set. Validation of the neural-network-retrieved ozone values relative to independent ground stations yielded a rms error of better than 11 Dobson units. Comparisons performed on the basis of operationally available TOMS and GOME level-3 maps exhibit good agreement in general, with a latitude-dependent offset.

Journal Article↗

Successful long-term therapy following saphenous vein-covered stent deployment for atherosclerotic coronary aneurysm.

We describe a case of atherosclerotic aneurysm involving the left main coronary artery in a patient with prior coronary artery bypass surgery. A saphenous vein-covered stent was used to seal the aneurysm in conjunction with conventional stenting of an associated native vessel coronary stenosis. Focal late restenosis involving the stent graft was successfully treated with repeat angioplasty and brachytherapy. Autologous vein-covered stent deployment should be considered in the treatment of symptomatic or progressively enlarging coronary aneurysms.

Coronary Aneurysm↗

Heterogeneity of health disparities among African American, Hispanic, and Asian American women: unrecognized influences of sexual orientation.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared health indicators among self-identified lesbians/bisexual women and heterosexual women residing in Los Angeles County. METHODS: Respondents were English-speaking Hispanic, African American, and Asian American women. Health status, behavioral risks, access barriers, and indicators of health care were assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of chronic health conditions were similar among women in the 3 racial/ethnic groups. However, lesbians and bisexual women evidenced higher behavioral risks and lower rates of preventive care than heterosexual women. CONCLUSIONS: Among racial/ethnic minority women, minority sexual orientation is associated with increased health risks. The effects of sexual minority status need to be considered in addressing health disparities affecting this population.

Adolescent↗