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- Grønlund, H., et al.
(author)
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Microarray-based genotyping of Salmonella : Inter-laboratory evaluation of reproducibility and standardization potential
- 2011
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In: International Journal of Food Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-1605 .- 1879-3460. ; 145:SUPPL. 1, s. S79-S85
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bacterial food-borne infections in humans caused by Salmonella spp. are considered a crucial food safety issue. Therefore, it is important for the risk assessments of Salmonella to consider the genomic variation among different isolates in order to control pathogen-induced infections. Microarray technology is a promising diagnostic tool that provides genomic information on many genes simultaneously. However, standardization of DNA microarray analysis is needed before it can be used as a routine method for characterizing Salmonella isolates across borders and laboratories. A comparative study was designed in which the agreement of data from a DNA microarray assay used for typing Salmonella spp. between two different labs was assessed. The study was expected to reveal the possibility of obtaining the same results in different labs using different equipment in order to evaluate the reproducibility of the microarray technique as a first step towards standardization. The low-density array contains 281 57-60-mer oligonucleotide probes for detecting a wide range of specific genomic marker genes associated with antibiotic resistance, cell envelope structures, mobile genetic elements and pathogenicity. Several critical methodology parameters that differed between the two labs were identified. These related to printing facilities, choice of hybridization buffer, wash buffers used following the hybridization and choice of procedure for purifying genomic DNA. Critical parameters were randomized in a four-factorial experiment and statistical measures of inter-lab consistency and agreement were performed based on the kappa coefficient. A high level of agreement (kappa = 0.7-1.0) in microarray results was obtained even when employing different printing and hybridization facilities, different procedures for purifying genomic DNA and different wash buffers. However, less agreement (Kappa = 0.2-0.6) between microarray results were observed when using different hybridization buffers, indicating this parameter as being highly critical when transferring a standard microarray assay between laboratories. In conclusion, this study indicates that DNA microarray assays can be reproduced in at least two different facilities, which is a pre-requisite for the development of standard guidelines. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.
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| 6. |
- Burgess, D H, et al.
(author)
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Human skeletal muscle cytosols are refractory to cytochrome c-dependent activation of type-II caspases and lack APAF-1.
- 1999
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In: Cell Death and Differentiation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1350-9047 .- 1476-5403. ; 6:3, s. 256-61
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Apoptotic regulatory mechanisms in skeletal muscle have not been revealed. This is despite indications that remnant apoptotic events are detected following exercise, muscle injury and the progression of dystrophinopathies. The recent elicitation of a cytochrome c-mediated induction of caspases has led to speculation regarding a cytochrome c mechanism in muscle. We demonstrate that cytosols from skeletal muscle biopsies from healthy human volunteers lack the ability to activate type-II caspases by a cytochrome c-mediated pathway despite the confirmed presence of both procaspase-3 and -9. This was not due to the presence of an endogenous inhibitor, as the muscle cytosols enhanced caspase activity when added to a control cytosol, subsequently activated by cytochrome c and dATP. In addition, we demonstrate that muscle cytosols lack the apoptosis protease activator protein-1 (APAF-1), both at the protein and mRNA levels. These data indicate that human skeletal muscle cells will be refractory to mitochondrial-mediated events leading to apoptosis and thus can escape a major pro-apoptotic regulatory mechanism. This may reflect an evolutionary adaptation of cell survival in the presence of the profusion of mitochondria required for energy generation in motility.
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| 7. |
- Grønlund, H. A., et al.
(author)
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The use of infrared thermography as a novel approach for real-time validation of PCR thermocyclers
- 2010
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In: Food Analytical Methods. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1936-9751 .- 1936-976X. ; 3:2, s. 116-119
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Validation of PCR thermocycler performance is crucial to obtain reliable results. In this study, infrared (IR) thermography was evaluated as a novel validation tool. After stabilisation, no significant difference in the temperatures recorded using thermography and a reference block-based system was found. By employing IR thermography, information about the length of the time until temperature stabilisation in the sample could be obtained. This study shows the potential of using IR thermography for validation of thermocyclers. © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2009.
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| 10. |
- Hampton, DeeAndria, et al.
(author)
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Philanthropy during COVID‐19 : Learnings and recommendations for philanthropic organizations navigating crisis
- 2024
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In: Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing. - 2691-1361 .- 2691-1361. ; 29:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This practice paper articulates the key learnings for philanthropic organizations based on their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Which actions can philanthropic organizations take to best support community needs during times of crisis? To answer this question, we synthesize information about how philanthropic organizations responded during the early COVID-19 crisis (spring―fall 2020) across 11 countries: Australia, Austria, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Sweden, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America. Results indicate four key actions that we recommend philanthropic organizations take during times of crisis: (1) Assess community needs; (2) engage with volunteers and donors; (3) communicate effectively and strategically with volunteers, donors, and the public; and (4) focus on equity.
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