The investigation of optimal bombardment parameters for transient and stable transgene expression in sorghum

This report outlines the development of optimized particle inflow gun (PIG) parameters for producing transgenic sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Both transient and stable expression were examined when determining these parameters. The uidA reporter gene (GUS) encoding beta -glucuronidase was used in transient experiments and the green fluorescent protein (GFP) used to monitor stable expression. Initially, optimization was conducted using leaf segments, as the generation of sorghum callus in sufficiently large quantities is time-consuming. Following leaf optimization, experiments were conducted using callus, identifying a high similarity between the two tissue types (r(s) = 0.83). High levels of GUS expression were observed in both leaf and callus material when most distant from the DNA expulsion point, and using a pressure greater than 1800 kPa. A higher level of expression was also observed when the aperture of the helium inlet valve was constricted. Using the optimized conditions (pressure of 2200 kPa, distance to target tissue of 15 cm from the expulsion point, and the aperture of the helium inlet valve at one full turn), three promoters (Ubiquitin, Actin1 and CaMV 35S) were evaluated over a 72-h period using GUS as the reporter gene. A significantly higher number of GUS foci were counted with the Ubiquitin construct over this period, compared to the Actin1 and CaMV 35S constructs. Stable callus sectors (on 2 mg l(-1) bialaphos) with GFP expression were visualized for as long as 6 wk post-bombardment. Using this optimized protocol, several plants were regenerated after having been bombarded with the pAHC20 construct (containing the bar gene), with molecular evidence confirming integration.

Associations involving delays (particularly long delays) between certain weather parameters and geomagnetic activity

Four sunspot-minimum periods (1963-1966, 1971-1977, 1983-1987 and 1992-1997) have been examined for the results which are presented. Using several different weather parameters, tropospheric gravity waves, enhanced cold fronts and two rainfall data sets in Eastern Australia, associations at reasonably high levels of significance have been found with enhanced geomagnetic activity (EGA). Statistically this EGA involved either short delays of several days or long delays of about 20 days. The geomagnetic parameters used were (a) the AE index (b) the hourly H component for a number of stations and (c) the daily K-P-sum value. The K-P-sum analyses have shown that the EGA associated with the delays form part of four or five cycles of recurrent geomagnetic activity for 27-day periodicities. Furthermore statistically two recurrent cycles are found to exist concurrently, one apparently related to the short delays and the other to the long delays. Periodicities of 13.5 days are created because the two sets are displaced from each other by approximately this interval. A brief reference is made to the 13.5 periodicity known to exist for geomagnetic activity and the evidence in the literature for active regions on the sun to be displaced by 180 degrees of solar longitude.

Some vocabulary and grammar for the analysis of multi-environment trials, as applied to the analysis of FPB and PPB trials

For the improvement of genetic material suitable for on farm use under low-input conditions, participatory and formal plant breeding strategies are frequently presented as competing options. A common frame of reference to phrase mechanisms and purposes related to breeding strategies will facilitate clearer descriptions of similarities and differences between participatory plant breeding and formal plant breeding. In this paper an attempt is made to develop such a common framework by means of a statistically inspired language that acknowledges the importance of both on farm trials and research centre trials as sources of information for on farm genetic improvement. Key concepts are the genetic correlation between environments, and the heterogeneity of phenotypic and genetic variance over environments. Classic selection response theory is taken as the starting point for the comparison of selection trials (on farm and research centre) with respect to the expected genetic improvement in a target environment (low-input farms). The variance-covariance parameters that form the input for selection response comparisons traditionally come from a mixed model fit to multi-environment trial data. In this paper we propose a recently developed class of mixed models, namely multiplicative mixed models, also called factor-analytic models, for modelling genetic variances and covariances (correlations). Mixed multiplicative models allow genetic variances and covariances to be dependent on quantitative descriptors of the environment, and confer a high flexibility in the choice of variance-covariance structure, without requiring the estimation of a prohibitively high number of parameters. As a result detailed considerations regarding selection response comparisons are facilitated. ne statistical machinery involved is illustrated on an example data set consisting of barley trials from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Analysis of the example data showed that participatory plant breeding and formal plant breeding are better interpreted as providing complementary rather than competing information.

The influence of posture on perineal ultrasound imaging parameters

A prospective clinical study was carried out to evaluate the influence of posture on perineal ultrasound imaging parameters. One hundred and thirty-two consecutive women presenting with symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction were examined by multichannel videourodynamics and perineal ultrasound, both supine and standing. Ultrasound included color Doppler imaging when available, i.e. in a subgroup of 99 patients. The position of the bladder neck at rest was higher in the supine position (P

The application of statistical process control charts to the detection and monitoring of hospital-acquired infections

The monitoring of infection control indicators including hospital-acquired infections is an established part of quality maintenance programmes in many health-care facilities. However, surveillance data use can be frustrated by the infrequent nature of many infections. Traditional methods of analysis often provide delayed identification of increasing infection occurrence, placing patients at preventable risk. The application of Shewhart, Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) and Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) statistical process control charts to the monitoring of indicator infections allows continuous real-time assessment. The Shewhart chart will detect large changes, while CUSUM and EWMA methods are more suited to recognition of small to moderate sustained change. When used together, Shewhart and EWMA methods are ideal for monitoring bacteraemia and multiresistant organism rates. Shewhart and CUSUM charts are suitable for surgical infection surveillance.

Safety and efficacy of low anterior en bloc resection as part of cytoreductive surgery for patients with ovarian cancer

Objective. To examine the feasibility and safety of a low anterior resection of the rectosigmoid plus adjacent pelvic tumour as part of primary cytoreduction for ovarian cancer. Methods. This study included 65 consecutive patients with primary ovarian cancer who had debulking surgery from 1996 through 2000. All patients underwent an en bloc resection of ovarian cancer and a rectosigmoid resection followed by an end-to-end anastomosis. Parameters for safety and efficacy were considered as primary statistical endpoints for the aim of this analysis. Results. Postoperative residual tumour was nil, 1 cm in 14, 34, and 14 patients, respectively. The median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (range, 6 to 50 days). Intraoperative complications included an injury to the urinary bladder in one patient. Postoperative complications included wound complications (n=14, 21.5%), septicemia (n=9, 13.8%), cardiac complications (n=7, 10.8%), thromboembolic complications (n=5, 7.7%) ileus (n=2, 3.1%) anastomotic leak (n=2, 3.1%) and fistula (n=1, 1.5%). Reasons for a reoperation during the same admission included repair of an anastomotic leak (n=1), postoperative hemorrhage (n=1), and wound debridement (n=1). Wound complications, septicemia, and anastomotic leak formation were more frequent in patients who had a serum albumin level of less than or equal to 30 g/L preoperatively. There was one surgically related mortality in a patient who died from a cerebral vascular accident 2 days postoperatively. Conclusions. An en bloc resection as part of primary cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer is effective and its morbidity is acceptably low. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

Handedness effects in transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in school children

Handedness, as a potentially influencing, nonpathologic factor, has not been investigated in relation to transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). The present study aimed to examine the effects of handedness on the TEOAE spectrum in entry-level schoolchildren, with attention also to possible ear asymmetry. A total of 228 subjects (114 males, 114 females, mean age = 6.3 years) were tested using the ILO292 Otodynamics Analyzer (Quickscreen mode) in quiet rooms in 22 schools. For statistical analysis, subjects were matched for factors such as handedness, gender, age, and history of recent ear infection. The results from subjects with passing TEOAE, pure-tone screening, and tympanometry revealed no significant handedness effect overall, although a significant ear asymmetry effect on the measurement parameters of AB difference, noise level, response level, whole-wave reproducibility, band reproducibility, and signal-to-noise ratios was found.

Influence of synthesis parameters on the formation of mesoporous SAPOs

The synthesis and characterization of high-quality mesoporous silicoaluminophosphates (SAPOs) with a hexagonally arranged pore structure and a good thermal stability are described. The influence of some important synthesis parameters including temperature, time, and Si content in the synthesis gel was examined. The local environments of Al, P, and Si were investigated using MAS NMR spectroscopy. The acidity of the mesoporous SAPOs was studied and compared with those of aluminosilicate MCM-41 and SAPO-5. Results show that both the synthesis temperature and time have a significant impact on the formation of mesoporous SAPOs, whereas the presence of Si in the synthesis gel has a direct influence on the structure type and the quality of the resulting mesoporous SAPO materials. High-quality mesoporous SAPOs can be synthesized from the synthesis gels with Si/Al ratio smaller than 0.5 in the presence of cationic surfactants in a weakly basic aqueous solution. The mesoporous SAPO materials show interesting acidity properties, possessing both strong and mild sites. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of two population pharmacokinetic programs, NONMEM and P-PHARM, for tacrolimus

Objectives: To compare the population modelling programs NONMEM and P-PHARM during investigation of the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in paediatric liver-transplant recipients. Methods: Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using NONMEM and P-PHARM on retrospective data from 35 paediatric liver-transplant patients receiving tacrolimus therapy. The same data were presented to both programs. Maximum likelihood estimates were sought for apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent volume of distribution (V/F). Covariates screened for influence on these parameters were weight, age, gender, post-operative day, days of tacrolimus therapy, transplant type, biliary reconstructive procedure, liver function tests, creatinine clearance, haematocrit, corticosteroid dose, and potential interacting drugs. Results: A satisfactory model was developed in both programs with a single categorical covariate - transplant type - providing stable parameter estimates and small, normally distributed (weighted) residuals. In NONMEM, the continuous covariates - age and liver function tests - improved modelling further. Mean parameter estimates were CL/F (whole liver) = 16.3 1/h, CL/F (cut-down liver) = 8.5 1/h and V/F = 565 1 in NONMEM, and CL/F = 8.3 1/h and V/F = 155 1 in P-PHARM. Individual Bayesian parameter estimates were CL/F (whole liver) = 17.9 +/- 8.8 1/h, CL/F (cutdown liver) = 11.6 +/- 18.8 1/h and V/F = 712 792 1 in NONMEM, and CL/F (whole liver) = 12.8 +/- 3.5 1/h, CL/F (cut-down liver) = 8.2 +/- 3.4 1/h and V/F = 221 1641 in P-PHARM. Marked interindividual kinetic variability (38-108%) and residual random error (approximately 3 ng/ml) were observed. P-PHARM was more user friendly and readily provided informative graphical presentation of results. NONMEM allowed a wider choice of errors for statistical modelling and coped better with complex covariate data sets. Conclusion: Results from parametric modelling programs can vary due to different algorithms employed to estimate parameters, alternative methods of covariate analysis and variations and limitations in the software itself.

Evaluation of various pre-treatments for the dehydration of banana and selection of suitable drying models

The thin-layer drying behaviour of bananas in a beat pump dehumidifier dryer was examined. Four pre-treatments (blanching, chilling, freezing and combined blanching and freezing) were applied to the bananas, which were dried at 50 degreesC with an air velocity of 3.1 m s(-1) and with the relative humidity of the inlet air of 10-35%. Three drying models, the simple model, the two-term exponential model and the Page model were examined. All models were evaluated using three statistical measures, correlation coefficient, root means square error, and mean absolute percent error. Moisture diffusivity was calculated based on the diffusion equation for an infinite cylindrical shape using the slope method. The rate of drying was higher for the pre-treatments involving freezing. The sample which was blanched only did not show any improvement in drying rate. In fact, a longer drying time resulted due to water absorption during blanching. There was no change in the rate for the chilled sample compared with the control. While all models closely fitted the drying data, the simple model showed greatest deviation from the experimental results. The two-term exponential model was found to be the best model for describing the drying curves of bananas because its parameters represent better the physical characteristics of the drying process. Moisture diffusivities of bananas were in the range 4.3-13.2 x 10(-10) m(2)s(-1). (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.