Lipoprotein lipase variants interact with polyunsaturated fatty acids for obesity traits in women: replication in two populations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a candidate gene for obesity based on its role in triglyceride hydrolysis and the partitioning of fatty acids towards storage or oxidation. Whether dietary fatty acids modify LPL associated obesity risk is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs320, rs2083637, rs17411031, rs13702, rs2197089) for potential interaction with dietary fatty acids for obesity traits in 1171 participants (333 men and 838 women, aged 45-75 y) of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS). In women, SNP rs320 interacted with dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.002) and waist circumference (WC) (P = 0.001) respectively. Higher intake of PUFA was associated with lower BMI and WC in homozygotes of the major allele (TT) (P = 0.01 and 0.005) but not in minor allele carriers (TG and GG). These interactions were replicated in an independent population, African American women of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study (n = 1334). CONCLUSION: Dietary PUFA modulated the association of LPL rs320 with obesity traits in two independent populations. These interactions may be relevant to the dietary management of obesity, particularly in women.

Comparison of the MK-801-induced increase in non-rewarded appetitive responding with dopamine agonists and locomotor activity in rats.

Systemic administration of the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)- receptor antagonist, MK-801, has been proposed to model cognitive deficits similar to those seen in patients with schizophrenia. Evidence has shown that MK-801 increases the probability of operant responding during extinction, possibly modeling perseveration, as would be seen in patients with schizophrenia. This MK-801-induced behavioral perseveration is reversed by dopamine receptor antagonism. To further explore the role of dopamine in this behavioral change, the current study sought to determine if the MK-801-induced increase in non-rewarded operant responding could be mimicked by dopamine agonism and determine how it was related to locomotor activity. Male Long Evans rats were treated systemically with MK-801, cocaine, GBR12909 or apomorphine (APO) and given a single trial operant extinction session, followed by a separate assessment of locomotor activity. Both MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg) and cocaine (10 mg/kg) significantly increased responding during the extinction session and both increased horizontal locomotor activity. No dose of GBR-12909 (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) was found to effect non-rewarded operant responding or locomotor activity. APO (0.05, 0.5, 2 or 5 mg/kg) treatment produced a dose-dependent decrease in both operant responding and locomotor activity. These results suggest the possibility that, rather than a primary influence of increased dopamine concentration on elevating bar-pressing responses during extinction, other neurotransmitter systems may be involved.

Genetic predisposition to coronary heart disease and stroke using an additive genetic risk score: a population-based study in Greece.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which the risk for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) increases in relation to a genetic risk score (GRS) that additively integrates the influence of high-risk alleles in nine documented single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for CHD, and to examine whether this GRS also predicts incident stroke. METHODS: Genotypes at nine CHD-relevant SNPs were determined in 494 cases of incident CHD, 320 cases of incident stroke and 1345 unaffected controls drawn from the population-based Greek component of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC) cohort. An additive GRS was calculated for each study participant by adding one unit for the presence of each high-risk allele multiplied by the estimated effect size of that allele in the discovery samples. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The GRS was significantly associated with the incidence of CHD where the odds of CHD incidence in the highest quintile of the GRS were 1.74 times higher (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.25-2.43, p for trend=0.0004), compared to the lowest quintile. With respect to stroke, a weaker and non-significant positive association with GRS was apparent as the odds of stroke incidence in the highest quintile of the GRS were 1.36 times higher (95% CI=0.90-2.06, p for trend=0.188), compared to the lowest quintile. CONCLUSION: A GRS relying on nine documented "CHD-specific" SNPs is significantly predictive of CHD but it was not found to be statistically significantly associated with incident stroke.

SIRT1 and CLOCK 3111T> C combined genotype is associated with evening preference and weight loss resistance in a behavioral therapy treatment for obesity.

BACKGROUND: A new negative feedback loop has been proposed, which suggests connections between the circadian clock and SIRTUIN1 (SIRT1)-dependent functions associated with cell survival, development and metabolism. OBJECTIVE: To develop a SIRT1 and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) combined genotype and to assess its associations with the chronotype of subjects and their potential resistance to weight loss in a behavioral treatment for obesity based on a Mediterranean diet. DESIGN: Overweight /obese subjects (n=1465), aged 20-65 years, who attended outpatient obesity clinics, were genotyped for SIRT1 (rs1467568) and CLOCK (3111T>C, rs1801260). Anthropometric, biochemical and dietary-intake variables were analyzed. Effectiveness of the program and weight loss progression during 30 weeks of treatment was assessed. RESULTS: We found highly consistent associations between the morning/evening questionnaires across the different genotype categories. Subjects carrying minor alleles at SIRT1 and CLOCK loci (R group) displayed a higher resistance to weight loss and a lower weekly weight loss rate as compared with homozygotes for both major alleles (P group). Significant differences were found across genotypes in weight loss progression during the 30 weeks of treatment (P=0.039). Dietary habits indicated that R carriers had a lower intake of total carbohydrates and monounsaturated fats, and a higher intake of saturated fats than those carrying the intermediate (M) and the P genotype (P=0.02). Plasma ghrelin concentrations were also significantly higher in subjects carrying the R genotype. CONCLUSION: Variants of both SIRT1 and CLOCK have an additive effect on resistance to weight loss that could be related to the chronotype of the subject, higher plasma levels of ghrelin and less adherence to Mediterranean diet patterns.

MAT1A variants modulate the effect of dietary fatty acids on plasma homocysteine concentrations.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with decreased plasma homocysteine (Hcy), an important biomarker for cardiovascular disease. The S-adenosylmethionine synthetase type-1 (MAT1A), an essential enzyme in the conversion of methionine to S-adenosylmethionine, plays a key role in homocysteine metabolism. This study investigated the interaction between dietary fatty acids and MAT1A genotypes on plasma Hcy concentrations among Boston Puerto Ricans. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma Hcy and MAT1A genotypes were determined in 994 subjects of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. Dietary fatty acid intakes were assessed by interviews using a questionnaire adapted from the NCI/Block food frequency form. RESULT: In the cross-sectional analysis, genetic variant MAT1A 3U1510 displayed a significant interaction with dietary n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio in determining plasma Hcy (p-value for interaction = 0.025). 3U1510G homozygotes had significantly lower plasma Hcy concentration than major allele homozygotes and heterozygotes (AA + AG) (p-value for trend = 0.019) when the n-3:n-6 ratio was >0.09. Two other MAT1A variants, d18777 and i15752, also showed significant interactions with different constituents of dietary fat influencing Hcy concentrations. Furthermore, haplotypes consisting of three variants displayed a strong interaction with n3:n6 ratio influencing Hcy concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that MAT1A genotypes appear to modulate effects of dietary fat on plasma Hcy.

Perilipin polymorphism interacts with saturated fat and carbohydrates to modulate insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Macronutrient intakes and genetic variants have been shown to interact to alter insulin resistance, but replications of gene-nutrient interactions across independent populations are rare, despite their critical importance in establishing credibility. We aimed to investigate a previously demonstrated saturated fat and carbohydrate interaction for insulin resistance for perilipin (PLIN1), a regulator of adipocyte metabolism. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the previously shown interaction for PLIN1 11482G > A (rs894160) on insulin resistance in US men (n = 462) and women (n = 508) (mean ± SD, 49 ± 16 years). In multivariable linear regression models, we found an interaction (P < 0.05) between the ratio of saturated fat to carbohydrate intake as a continuous variable and PLIN1 11482G > A for HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) in women. For carriers of the minor allele but not for non-carriers, as the ratio of saturated fat to carbohydrate intake increased, predicted HOMA-IR increased (P = 0.002). By dichotomizing the ratio of saturated fat to carbohydrate intake into high and low, we found significant interaction terms for insulin and HOMA-IR (P < 0.05). When the ratio of saturated fat to carbohydrate was high, insulin and HOMA-IR were higher in minor allele carriers (P = 0.004 and P = 0.003, respectively), but did not differ when the ratio was low. Similar patterns or trends were observed when saturated fat and carbohydrate were dichotomized into high and low as individual macronutrients. CONCLUSIONS: Replication of the previously reported interaction between macronutrient intakes and PLIN1 genotype for insulin resistance reinforces the potential usefulness of applying genotype information in the dietary management of insulin resistance.

ADAM17_i33708A>G polymorphism interacts with dietary n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids to modulate obesity risk in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The disintegrin and metalloproteinase ADAM17, also known as tumor necrosis factor alpha converting enzyme, is expressed in adipocytes. Importantly, elevated levels of ADAM17 expression have been linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of six ADAM17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (m1254A>G, i14121C>A, i33708A>G, i48827A>C, i53440C>T, and i62781G>T) with insulin-resistance phenotypes and obesity risk, and their potential interactions with dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). METHODS AND RESULTS: ADAM17 SNPs were genotyped in 936 subjects (448 men/488 women) who participated in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) study. Anthropometrical and biochemical measurements were determined by standard procedures. PUFA intake was estimated using a validated questionnaire. G allele carriers at the ADAM17_m1254A>G polymorphism exhibited significantly higher risk of obesity (P=0.003), were shorter (P=0.017), had higher insulin (P=0.016), and lower HDL-C concentrations (P=0.027) than AA subjects. For the ADAM17_i33708A>G SNP, homozygotes for the A allele displayed higher risk of obesity (P=0.001), were heavier (P=0.011), had higher BMI (P=0.005), and higher waist measurements (P=0.023) than GG subjects. A significant gene-diet interaction was found (P=0.030), in which the deleterious association of the i33708A allele with obesity was observed in subjects with low intakes from (n-6) PUFA (P<0.001), whereas no differences in obesity risk were seen among subjects with high (n-6) PUFA intake (P>0.5) CONCLUSION: These findings support that ADAM17 (m1254A>G and i33708A>G) SNPs may contribute to obesity risk. For the ADAM17_i33708A>G SNP, this risk may be further modulated by (n-6) PUFA intake.

The effects of ABCG5/G8 polymorphisms on HDL-cholesterol concentrations depend on ABCA1 genetic variants in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: ATP-binding cassette transporters G5/G8 (ABCG5/G8) are associated with HDL-C concentrations. To assess whether the effect of ABCG5/G8 genetic variants on HDL-C concentrations is dependent on ATP-binding cassette transporters A1 (ABCA1), we studied potential interactions between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at ABCG5/G8 (i7892T > C, 5U145A > C, T54CA > G, T400KC > A) and ABCA1 (i27943G > A, i48168G > A, K219RG > A, i125970G > C, 3U8995A > G) genes with HDL-C concentrations. METHODS AND RESULTS: ABCG5/G8 and ABCA1 SNPs were genotyped in 788 subjects (228 men and 560 women) who participated in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. Biochemical measurements were determined by standard procedures. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan assays according to routine laboratory protocols. Significant gene-gene interactions for HDL-C were found between ABCG8 (5U145A > C, T54CA > G, T400KC > A) SNPs and ABCA1_i48168G > A genetic variant (P = 0.009, P = 0.042 and P = 0.036, respectively), in which carriers of the 5U145C and 54C alleles, and homozygotes for the T400 allele at ABCG8 genetic variants displayed lower HDL-C concentrations than homozygotes for the 5U145A and T54 alleles, and heterozygotes for the 400K allele at ABCG8 SNPs, only if they were also homozygous for the minor allele (A) at the aforementioned ABCA1 SNP. CONCLUSIONS: The gene-gene interactions reported in the present study support the hypothesis that the effect of ABCG5/G8 genetic variants on HDL-C concentrations is dependent on ABCA1 expression. Replication of these analyses to further populations, particularly with low HDL-C, is clearly warranted.

A composite scoring of genotypes discriminates coronary heart disease risk beyond conventional risk factors in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Using a genetic predisposition score (GPS), integrating the additive associations of a set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with CHD, we examined the consequences of the joint presence of a high GPS and conventional risk factors (CRFs). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 11 SNPs at eight loci in 197 participants with prior CHD and 524 CHD-free subjects from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. Each polymorphism contributed 1 unit (high-risk allele homozygous), 0.5 units (heterozygous) and 0 units (low-risk allele homozygous) to the GPS. Odds ratio (OR) of CHD for those at high risk because of GPS (>5) and simultaneous presence of CRFs were estimated, compared with subjects at low risk, for both measurements. The mean score was higher in participants with prior CHD than those CHD-free (P=0.015), and the OR for CHD with a GPS>5 was 2.90 (P<0.001).The joint presence of a high GPS and each CRF was associated with higher risk of CHD. Compared to participants with high GPS, those with low GPS (

The effect of a novel intergenic polymorphism (rs11774572) on HDL-cholesterol concentrations depends on TaqIB polymorphism in the cholesterol ester transfer protein gene.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Several genes have been shown to individually affect plasma lipoprotein metabolism in humans. Studies on gene-gene interactions could offer more insight into how genes affect lipid metabolism and may be useful in predicting lipid concentrations. We tested for gene-gene interactions between TaqIB SNP in the cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) and three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely rs11774572, rs7819412 and rs6995374 for their effect on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and related traits. METHODS AND RESULTS: The aforementioned SNPs were genotyped in 1002 subjects who participated in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) study. Lipids were measured by standard procedures and lipoprotein subfractions, by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Polymorphism rs11774572 was significantly associated with MetS (P=0.020), mainly driven by the association of the C allele with lower HDL-C (P=0.043) and higher triglycerides (P=0.049) and insulin (P=0.040) concentrations than TT subjects. A significant interaction between SNPs rs11774572 and CETP-TaqIB SNPs was found for HDL-C concentrations (P=0.006) and for HDL (P=0.008) and LDL particle sizes (P=0.009), small LDL (P=0.004), and VLDL concentrations (P=0.021), in which TT homozygotes displayed higher HDL-C concentrations and for HDL and LDL particle sizes, and lower small LDL and VLDL concentrations than C carriers, if they were CETP B2 allele carriers (P values ranging from <0.001 to 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The rs11774572 polymorphism may play a role in the dyslipidemia that characterizes MetS. The interaction between rs11774572 and CETP-TaqIB SNPs on HDL-C concentrations provides some insights into the underlying mechanisms.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Questionnaire for Pruritus Assessment for use in the French Canadian burn survivor population.

BACKGROUND: Severe pruritus after burn continues to be a clinical challenge. To address this challenge, thorough documentation of burn survivors' itch experience is required. A "Questionnaire for Pruritus Assessment" has been developed to capture the sensory and affective experiences associated with itch as well as its functional and quality of life implications, but to evaluate the Quebec burn survivor population, a Canadian French version is required. Thus, the purpose of this study was to generate a Canadian French cross-cultural adaptation of the questionnaire suitable for the burn survivor population. METHODS: Cross-cultural adaptation followed six steps: forward translation into Canadian French, back translations into English, resolution between the two versions, synthesis of the Canadian French versions, revision by a committee of experts, and testing of the pre-final version. RESULTS: The adaptation process resolved issues surrounding translation, content validity, burn survivor-specific modifications, and format, resulting in a Canadian French pre-final version that was pilot-tested among 32 burn survivors. Content validity of the Canadian French version was assessed by a committee of experts and the participants. The results showed good item completion and adequate distribution of scores without a ceiling or floor effect. CONCLUSIONS: This study resulted in a Canadian French version of the "Questionnaire for Pruritus Assessment" that can confidently be compared to other investigations utilizing the same tool. The adapted questionnaire also provides a valuable data collection means, enabling more thorough documentation of the burn survivor itch experience.

The homeobox gene BREVIPEDICELLUS is a key regulator of inflorescence architecture in Arabidopsis.

Flowering plants display a remarkable range of inflorescence architecture, and pedicel characteristics are one of the key contributors to this diversity. However, very little is known about the genes or the pathways that regulate pedicel development. The brevipedicellus (bp) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana displays a unique phenotype with defects in pedicel development causing downward-pointing flowers and a compact inflorescence architecture. Cloning and molecular analysis of two independent mutant alleles revealed that BP encodes the homeodomain protein KNAT1, a member of the KNOX family. bp-1 is a null allele with deletion of the entire locus, whereas bp-2 has a point mutation that is predicted to result in a truncated protein. In both bp alleles, the pedicels and internodes were compact because of fewer cell divisions; in addition, defects in epidermal and cortical cell differentiation and elongation were found in the affected regions. The downward-pointing pedicels were produced by an asymmetric effect of the bp mutation on the abaxial vs. adaxial sides. Cell differentiation, elongation, and growth were affected more severely on the abaxial than adaxial side, causing the change in the pedicel growth angle. In addition, bp plants displayed defects in cell differentiation and radial growth of the style. Our results show that BP plays a key regulatory role in defining important aspects of the growth and cell differentiation of the inflorescence stem, pedicel, and style in Arabidopsis.

Comparing the well-being of post-caregivers and noncaregivers.

Researchers who study family caregiving have begun to recognize the need to broaden the realm of inquiry to include the exploration of the positive aspects of caregiving as well as conceptualizing caregiving on a continuum from the pre-caregiving phase through the post-caregiving phase. Additionally, researchers are urged to use control groups in research. This study complements the current trends by examining the positive aspects of caregiving among former caregivers. Specifically, the well-being of post-caregivers is compared to that of noncaregivers. Bivariate analyses examine the factors that are significantly different between former caregivers and noncaregivers. Results show that former caregivers have higher well-being than noncaregivers. In the multivariate model, only one subscale of well-being (basic needs) is different between the two groups. Implications of this research are discussed.

Contact dermatitis treated with new topical products: a case study.

Contact dermatitis, an inflammatory response of the skin to an irritant or an allergen, can affect hospital staff. Most clinicians are routinely exposed to irritants such as latex, detergents, and chemicals. Treatment with topical corticosteroids and avoidance of suspect irritants usually resolves the dermatitis. A case study is presented of a licensed practical nurse who developed persistent contact dermatitis. The dermatitis did not resolve with 15 months of traditional treatments. Only after 3 months of treatment with two investigational topical products, which are now available to the public, was the dermatitis resolved and complete healing achieved. This case study discusses the new products and traditional treatment products used and presents results of irritant specificity testing and a series of photographs documenting resolution and healing.

Integrated cytogenetic map of chromosome arm 4S of A. thaliana: structural organization of heterochromatic knob and centromere region.

We have constructed an integrated cytogenetic map of chromosome arm 4S of Arabidopsis thaliana. The map shows the detailed positions of various multicopy and unique sequences relative to euchromatin and heterochromatin segments. A quantitative analysis of the map positions at subsequent meiotic stages revealed a striking pattern of spatial and temporal variation in chromatin condensation for euchromatin and heterochromatin. For example, the centromere region consists of three domains with distinguishable structural, molecular, and functional properties. We also characterized a conspicuous heterochromatic knob of approximately 700 kb that accommodates a tandem repeat and several dispersed pericentromere-specific repeats. Moreover, our data provide evidence for an inversion event that relocated pericentromeric sequences to an interstitial position, resulting in the heterochromatic knob.

Differential methylation of genes and retrotransposons facilitates shotgun sequencing of the maize genome.

The genomes of higher plants and animals are highly differentiated, and are composed of a relatively small number of genes and a large fraction of repetitive DNA. The bulk of this repetitive DNA constitutes transposable, and especially retrotransposable, elements. It has been hypothesized that most of these elements are heavily methylated relative to genes, but the evidence for this is controversial. We show here that repeat sequences in maize are largely excluded from genomic shotgun libraries by the selection of an appropriate host strain because of their sensitivity to bacterial restriction-modification systems. In contrast, unmethylated genic regions are preserved in these genetically filtered libraries if the insert size is less than the average size of genes. The representation of unique maize sequences not found in plant reference genomes is also greatly enriched. This demonstrates that repeats, and not genes, are the primary targets of methylation in maize. The use of restrictive libraries in genome shotgun sequencing in plant genomes should allow significant representation of genes, reducing the number of reactions required.

zA map for sequence analysis of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome.

Arabidopsis thaliana has emerged as a model system for studies of plant genetics and development, and its genome has been targeted for sequencing by an international consortium (the Arabidopsis Genome Initiative; http://genome-www. stanford.edu/Arabidopsis/agi.html). To support the genome-sequencing effort, we fingerprinted more than 20,000 BACs (ref. 2) from two high-quality publicly available libraries, generating an estimated 17-fold redundant coverage of the genome, and used the fingerprints to nucleate assembly of the data by computer. Subsequent manual revision of the assemblies resulted in the incorporation of 19,661 fingerprinted BACs into 169 ordered sets of overlapping clones ('contigs'), each containing at least 3 clones. These contigs are ideal for parallel selection of BACs for large-scale sequencing and have supported the generation of more than 5.8 Mb of finished genome sequence submitted to GenBank; analysis of the sequence has confirmed the integrity of contigs constructed using this fingerprint data. Placement of contigs onto chromosomes can now be performed, and is being pursued by groups involved in both sequencing and positional cloning studies. To our knowledge, these data provide the first example of whole-genome random BAC fingerprint analysis of a eucaryote, and have provided a model essential to efforts aimed at generating similar databases of fingerprint contigs to support sequencing of other complex genomes, including that of human.

Genetic definition and sequence analysis of Arabidopsis centromeres.

High-precision genetic mapping was used to define the regions that contain centromere functions on each natural chromosome in Arabidopsis thaliana. These regions exhibited dramatic recombinational repression and contained complex DNA surrounding large arrays of 180-base pair repeats. Unexpectedly, the DNA within the centromeres was not merely structural but also encoded several expressed genes. The regions flanking the centromeres were densely populated by repetitive elements yet experienced normal levels of recombination. The genetically defined centromeres were well conserved among Arabidopsis ecotypes but displayed limited sequence homology between different chromosomes, excluding repetitive DNA. This investigation provides a platform for dissecting the role of individual sequences in centromeres in higher eukaryotes.

A comparison of an opaque foam dressing versus a transparent film dressing in the management of skin tears in institutionalized subjects.

Epidemiological studies suggest that at least 1.5 million skin tears occur each year in institutionalized adults. Despite this incidence, very little is known about the management of skin tears in elderly persons. Studies related to wound dressings and healing rates for these skin tears have rarely been reported in the medical literature. A randomized, prospective trial of 37 subjects compared the treatment of skin tears using either an opaque foam dressing or a transparent film dressing. Subjects had either a modified Payne-Martin Category II (25%-75% epidermal loss) or Category III (100% epidermal loss) skin tear. Category I skin tears (linear with no tissue loss) and skin tears greater than 48 hours old were excluded. Mean subject age was 85.1 +/- 9.7 years. Subjects were followed weekly until healed or for up to 21 days. Subjects in the comparison groups did not differ at baseline in age, sex, wound severity score, presence of diabetes, nutrition score, ambulation and mobility score, or mental status score. Complete healing occurred in 94% (16/17) of subjects treated with the foam dressing as opposed to 65% (11/17) of subjects treated with the film dressing (P < 0.05). Complete healing correlated only with dressing type (P < 0.05) and age (P < 0.01). No other factor was associated with the healing outcome. The number of dressing changes was similar in each group, 3.1 +/- 1.2 versus 3.4 +/- 1.1. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that this opaque foam dressing is a superior wound dressing for skin tears.

Rapid isolation of cDNA by hybridization.

The isolation of genes from a given genomic region can be a rate-limiting step in the discovery of disease genes. We describe an approach to the isolation of cDNAs that have sequences in common with large genomic clones such as bacterial artificial chromosomes. We applied this method to loci both amplified and deleted in cancer, illustrating its usage in the identification of both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, respectively. The method, called rapid isolation of cDNAs by hybridization (RICH), depends on solution hybridization, enzymatic modification, and amplification/selection of sequences present in both cDNA populations and the genomic clones. The method should facilitate the development of transcription maps for large genomic clones, possibly even yeast artificial chromosomes.