For detection of CMV DNA, two commercially available assays, the CMV HHV6,7,8 R-gene (TM) (ARGENE), and the artus (R) CMV LC PCR Kit (QIAGEN), were employed. The linearity of both assays was determined by using a clinical EDTA whole blood sample with high CMV DNA load. With the CMV HHV6,7,8 R-gene (TM) test, CMV DNA was detected in 40 EDTA whole blood and in selleck compound 19 EDTA plasma samples, while the artus
(R) CMV LC PCR Kit test detected CMV DNA in 27 EDTA whole blood and in 30 EDTA plasma samples. In conclusion, EDTA whole blood samples were found to be the superior material when using the CMV HHV6.7,8 R-gene (TM) test. However, this benefit may not exist when employing alternative assays. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Extensive practice involving sustained attention can lead to changes in brain structure. Here, we report evidence of structural differences in the lower brainstem of participants selleck chemical engaged in the long-term practice of meditation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we observed higher gray matter density in lower brain
stem regions of experienced meditators compared with age-matched nonmeditators. Our findings show that long-term practitioners of meditation have structural differences in brainstem regions concerned with cardiorespiratory control. This could account for some of the cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects and traits, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and immunoreactive impact reported in several studies of different meditation practices. NeuroReport 20:170-174 (C) 2009 Wolters
Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.”
“The performance of H5 Dot ELISA, a rapid test for detection of avian H5N1 influenza virus, was evaluated using 30 H5N1 strains belonging to 10 major genetic groups of H5N1 influenza virus, 14 strains of non-H5N1 influenza virus and 652 field samples collected from healthy and diseased chickens from markets and poultry farms. The detection DNA ligase limit of the test for all 30 strains of H5N1 virus was <= 0.1 hemagglutinin (HA) units and the test yielded a negative result when tested against 100 HA units of the non-H5N1 viruses. The test gave a positive result for 87 of the 106 poultry samples from which H5N1 virus was isolated by culture and 3 of 546 culture-negative poultry samples. Compared with virus culture, the overall prediction rate of the test was determined to be 96.6%; the positive prediction rate was 96.7% and negative prediction rate, 96.6%. The false positive rate was 0.5% and false negative rate 17.9%. Considering that the test is also convenient to use, it was concluded that H5 Dot ELISA is suitable for field use in the investigation of H5N1 influenza outbreaks and surveillance in poultry. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.