Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire: a Chinese translation and validation study

INTRODUCTION

The Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-related Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire is a validated tool in English language to assess treatment outcomes for women with fibroids. We performed a Chinese (traditional) translation and cultural adaptation of it and evaluated its reliability, validity, and responsiveness.

METHODS

Overall, 223 Chinese women aged ≥18 years with uterine fibroids self-administered the UFS-QOL, Short-Form Health Survey-12, pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) on fibroid-related symptom severity. Demographics and haemoglobin levels were recorded; physical examination and ultrasound for size of fibroids were performed. Half of the women were followed up 6 months later for responsiveness.

RESULTS

Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.706 to 0.937, demonstrating high internal reliability. The intra-class correlation coefficients to measure test-retest reliability implied excellent stability of symptom scores (0.819, P<0.001), health-related quality of life scores (0.897, P<0.001), and all subscales (range 0.721-0.870, P<0.001). Convergent validity was demonstrated by positive correlations between the findings of various symptom severity assessment tools (PBAC, VAS on fibroid-related symptoms severity) and the symptom severity domain of Chinese UFS-QOL. In addition, there were positive correlations between health-related quality of life scores of Chinese UFS-QOL and the corresponding subscales of the Short-Form Health Survey-12. Responsiveness was shown by reduction of symptom severity scores and improvement of health-related quality of life scores after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese version of the UFS-QOL is valid, reliable, and responsive to changes after treatment.

Cigarette smoking and glaucoma in the United States population

PurposeTo evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and glaucoma in the United States population.Patients and methodsUS civilian, non-institutionalized population from 2005 to 2008 administrations of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that were ≥40 years of age with visual fields and optic disc photographs were included. Diagnosis of glaucoma was based on the Rotterdam criteria. Logistic regression modeling was performed to assess the association between glaucoma and smoking history, while controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, household income, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and hypertension.ResultsIn 3864 participants, 212 (5.5%) had glaucoma (corresponds to a population weighted glaucoma prevalence of 3.7% in a total of 83 570 127 subjects). Population weighted proportion of current smokers was 20.6% and ex-smokers was 28.3%. Participants with glaucoma were older (63.0±11.6 vs 56.1±11.2, P=0.002), likely to be male (57.1% vs 49.2%, P=0.03), to be Black (36.3% vs 20.7%, P<0.001), and to have diabetes (18.9% vs 12.4%, P=0.006) and hypertension (50.5% vs 39.7%, P=0.003). Current smokers had a lower odds of glaucoma compared to non-smokers (OR=0.61, 95% CI=0.41-0.88, P=0.009), and ex-smokers (OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.28-0.76, P=0.002). The effect estimates were similar in adjusted models, but not statistically significant. Among smokers, greater pack/day of smoking history was associated with statistically significantly higher odds of glaucoma (OR=1.70, 95% CI=1.08-2.67, P=0.02).ConclusionsAmong cigarette smokers, heavy smoking defined by greater number of pack of cigarettes smoked per day is associated with higher odds of glaucoma. Health care providers should include this association when counseling patients on their smoking habit.

Protein catalyzed capture agents with tailored performance for in vitro and in vivo applications

We report on peptide‐based ligands matured through the protein catalyzed capture (PCC) agent method to tailor molecular binders for in vitro sensing/diagnostics and in vivo pharmacokinetics parameters. A vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) binding peptide and a peptide against the protective antigen (PA) protein of Bacillus anthracis discovered through phage and bacterial display panning technologies, respectively, were modified with click handles and subjected to iterative in situ click chemistry screens using synthetic peptide libraries. Each azide‐alkyne cycloaddition iteration, promoted by the respective target proteins, yielded improvements in metrics for the application of interest. The anti‐VEGF PCC was explored as a stable in vivo imaging probe. It exhibited excellent stability against proteases and a mean elimination in vivo half‐life (T_1/2) of 36 min. Intraperitoneal injection of the reagent results in slow clearance from the peritoneal cavity and kidney retention at extended times, while intravenous injection translates to rapid renal clearance. The ligand competed with the commercial antibody for binding to VEGF in vivo. The anti‐PA ligand was developed for detection assays that perform in demanding physical environments. The matured anti‐PA PCC exhibited no solution aggregation, no fragmentation when heated to 100°C, and  > 81% binding activity for PA after heating at 90°C for 1 h. We discuss the potential of the PCC agent screening process for the discovery and enrichment of next generation antibody alternatives.

Invader technology for DNA and RNA analysis: principles and applications

Concomitant advances made by the Human Genome Project and in the development of nucleic acid screening technologies are driving the expansion of pharmacogenomic research and molecular diagnostics. However, most current technologies are restrictive due to their complexity and/or cost, limiting the potential of personalized medicine. The invader assay, which can be used for genotyping as well as for gene expression monitoring without the need for intervening target amplification steps, presents an immediate solution that is accurate, simple to use, scaleable and cost-effective.

Genotyping single-nucleotide polymorphisms by the invader assay with dual-color fluorescence polarization detection

BACKGROUND

The PCR-Invader assay is a robust, homogeneous assay that has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific in genotyping single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. In this study, we introduce two changes to improve the assay: (a) we streamline the PCR-Invader method by assaying both alleles for each SNP in one reaction; and (b) we reduce the cost of the method by adopting fluorescence polarization (FP) as the detection method.

METHODS

PCR product was incubated with Invader oligonucleotide and two primary probes at 93 degrees C for 5 min. Signal probes corresponding to the cleaved flaps of the primary probes [labeled with fluorescein and 6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) dye] and Cleavase VIII enzyme (a flap endonuclease) were then added to the mixture. This reaction mixture was incubated at 63 degrees C for 5 min. FP measurements were made with a fluorescence plate reader.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight individuals were genotyped across a panel of 10 SNPs, using PCR product as template, for a total of 880 genotypes. An average "no call" rate of 3.2% was observed after first round of experiments. PCR products were remade in those samples that failed to produce any genotype in the first round, and all gave clear-cut genotypes. When the genotypes determined by the PCR-Invader assay and template-directed dye-terminator incorporation assay with FP were compared, they were in 100% concordance for all SNP markers and experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

The improvements introduced in this study make PCR-Invader assay simpler and more cost-effective, and therefore more suitable for high-throughput genotyping.

Genotyping Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms by the Invader Assay with Dual-Color Fluorescence Polarization Detection

Background: The PCR-Invader® assay is a robust, homogeneous assay that has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific in genotyping single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. In this study, we introduce two changes to improve the assay: (a) we streamline the PCR-Invader method by assaying both alleles for each SNP in one reaction; and (b) we reduce the cost of the method by adopting fluorescence polarization (FP) as the detection method.

Methods: PCR product was incubated with Invader oligonucleotide and two primary probes at 93 °C for 5 min. Signal probes corresponding to the cleaved flaps of the primary probes [labeled with fluorescein and 6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) dye] and Cleavase® VIII enzyme (a flap endonuclease) were then added to the mixture. This reaction mixture was incubated at 63 °C for 5 min. FP measurements were made with a fluorescence plate reader.

Results: Eighty-eight individuals were genotyped across a panel of 10 SNPs, using PCR product as template, for a total of 880 genotypes. An average “no call” rate of 3.2% was observed after first round of experiments. PCR products were remade in those samples that failed to produce any genotype in the first round, and all gave clear-cut genotypes. When the genotypes determined by the PCR-Invader assay and template-directed dye-terminator incorporation assay with FP were compared, they were in 100% concordance for all SNP markers and experiments.

Conclusions: The improvements introduced in this study make PCR-Invader assay simpler and more cost-effective, and therefore more suitable for high-throughput genotyping.

Sensitive detection of DNA polymorphisms by the serial invasive signal amplification reaction

The invasive signal amplification reaction has been previously developed for quantitative detection of nucleic acids and discrimination of single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Here we describe a method that couples two invasive reactions into a serial isothermal homogeneous assay using fluorescence resonance energy transfer detection. The serial version of the assay generates more than 10(7) reporter molecules for each molecule of target DNA in a 4-h reaction; this sensitivity, coupled with the exquisite specificity of the reaction, is sufficient for direct detection of less than 1,000 target molecules with no prior target amplification. Here we present a kinetic analysis of the parameters affecting signal and background generation in the serial invasive signal amplification reaction and describe a simple kinetic model of the assay. We demonstrate the ability of the assay to detect as few as 600 copies of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene in samples of human genomic DNA. We also demonstrate the ability of the assay to discriminate single base differences in this gene by using 20 ng of human genomic DNA.

Spectroscopic and calorimetric characterizations of DNA duplexes containing 2-aminopurine

The base analog 2-aminopurine (AP) strongly promotes A.T to G.C and G.C to A.T transitions in bacteria and bacteriophage. During DNA replication, the primary mutagenic event involves formation of a heteroduplex with an AP.C site at a much higher frequency than formation of the corresponding heteroduplex with an A.C site. It is not known if AP-induced mutagenesis correlates with differences in the thermodynamic properties of an AP.C versus an A.C site, or whether interactions involving DNA polymerases are controlling. To address this specific question, and more generally to characterize AP-containing duplexes, we have used a combination of spectroscopic and calorimetric techniques to determine the thermodynamic properties of six 11-mer duplexes. The sequences of these duplexes are identical except for the identity of the variable central base pair which can be either A.T, A.C, AP.T, AP.C, AP.A, or AP.G, and which we use to designate each duplex. Analyses and interpretation of the optically and calorimetrically derived thermal and thermodynamic data on these six duplexes reveal the relative stabilizing influence of the central base pairs to be A.T > AP.T > AP.C > AP.A > AP.G > A.C, with the AP.C-containing duplex being significantly more stable than the A.C-containing duplex. In the aggregate, our results suggest that during incorporation, base pair discrimination by DNA polymerases is influenced, in part, by differences in the thermodynamic stabilities of the newly formed base pairs.

Binding of a hairpin polyamide in the minor groove of DNA: sequence-specific enthalpic discrimination

Hairpin polyamides are synthetic ligands for sequence-specific recognition in the minor groove of double-helical DNA. A thermodynamic characterization of the DNA-binding properties exhibited by a six-ring hairpin polyamide, ImPyPy-gamma-PyPyPy-beta-Dp (where Im = imidazole, Py = pyrrole, gamma = gamma-aminobutyric acid, beta = beta-alanine, and Dp = dimethylaminopropylamide), reveals an approximately 1-2 kcal/mol greater affinity for the designated match site, 5'-TGTTA-3', relative to the single base pair mismatch sites, 5'-TGGTA-3' and 5'-TATTA-3'. The enthalpy and entropy data at 20 degrees C reveal this sequence specificity to be entirely enthalpic in origin. Correlations between the thermodynamic driving forces underlying the sequence specificity exhibited by ImPyPy-gamma-PyPyPy-beta-Dp and the structural properties of the heterodimeric complex of PyPyPy and ImPyPy bound to the minor groove of DNA provide insight into the molecular forces that govern the affinity and specificity of pyrrole-imidazole polyamides.

In vivo thermodynamic analysis of repression with and without looping in lac constructs. Estimates of free and local lac repressor concentrations and of physical properties of a region of supercoiled plasmid DNA in vivo

A strong-binding primary (O1) lac operator located 100 to 200 base-pairs (bp) upstream from a lac promoter control region reduces expression from a lac promoter controlled by a weaker-binding (Oc) lac operator between 3 and 20-fold on a multicopy plasmid in E. coli. We attribute this effect to loop formation in which a thermodynamically stable complex is formed between bidentate lac repressor tetramers and the O1 and Oc operators. A thermodynamic model for repression is developed to interpret these data in terms of the composite effects of free lac repressor concentration and of local repressor concentration (from looping) at the Oc site. The local repressor concentration is found to vary periodically with the distance in base-pairs between the O1 and the Oc operators, ranging from 2 to 20-fold larger than the free concentration (i.e. the bulk thermodynamic activity) of repressor in this F'Iq overproducing strain (estimated to be approximately less than 0.5 microM). The amplitude of the periodic variation in expression and in local concentration appears to decrease with increasing interoperator distance in the range examined. Quantitative analysis of the looping data provides estimates of the physical properties of the intervening DNA region in vivo. For distances in the range 127 to 197 bp, the periodicity of modulation is uniformly 11.28(+/- 0.04) bp, which we interpret as the helical repeat of this region of supercoiled plasmid DNA in vivo. Possible origins of this altered helical repeat include the global linking deficit of the supercoiled DNA and any local linking deficit induced by divergent transcription from promoters bracketing the interoperator region. DNA cyclization analysis yields an apparent in vivo persistence length of this interoperator region of 64(+/- 26) A (which is approximately 15% of the in vivo result) and an in vivo torsional rigidity constant of 1.1(+/- 0.1) x 10(-19) erg cm, which is at the lower end of the range of values found in vitro.

The effect of extraction solvent on the mutagenicity of airborne particles

Two different solvents (acetone and dichloromethane) were compared for their efficacy in extraction of mutagenic compounds from airborne particulate samples. Their mutagenicity was examined with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 in presence or absence of S9 mix. The total mutagenic activity of the acetone extract was 1.8-7.0-fold that of the dichloromethane extract. The content of 1-nitropyrene, 1,6-dinitropyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and indo[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene in acetone extracts of airborne particulate samples was 3.8-, 3.6-, 6.6- and 1135-fold that of dichloromethane extracts, respectively. 1,8-Dinitropyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, benzo[a]fluoranthene, benzo [a] anthracene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene were found in the acetone extract, but were negative in the dichloromethane extract under the same conditions. However, the amount of pyrene in the dichloromethane extract was much higher than in the acetone extract. These results indicate that the extraction efficacy of 1-nitropyrene, dinitropyrenes and benzo[a]pyrene is higher with acetone than with dichloromethane. This may be the reason why acetone is the most effective solvent in extraction of mutagens from airborne particulate samples.

Detection of group B streptococcal antigen in necropsy specimens using monoclonal antibody and immunoperoxidase staining

A murine monoclonal antibody, which recognises various serotypes of group B Streptococcus in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue, was used to show the organism in necropsy specimens of newborn infant lung by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The method seemed to be complementary to that of Gram staining, and may be successfully used to identify group B Streptococcus antigen in histopathological material.