AIMS To evaluate different types of sample storage and DNA extraction techniques for the real-time PCR quantification of cyanobacteria in water. METHODS AND RESULTS Two different filter types for the cell harvest of Microcystis sp. and Planktothrix spp. that were either freeze-dried or stored frozen, and two different methods for DNA extraction were compared. DNA extraction was achieved by st...

OBJECTIVES To determine whether samples of dried venous blood (DVB) were an acceptable alternative to serum for detecting measles-specific IgG in a commercial enzyme immunoassay. METHODS Paired samples of serum and DVB were collected from 98 suspected cases of measles and 1153 schoolchildren in Victoria, Australia. All samples were tested using the Dade Behring Enzygnost Anti-Measles-Virus/Ig...

background: melanoma causes the greatest morbidity and mortality of all skin cancers. mucosal melanoma is a rare but highly aggressive neoplasm. according to previous studies the prevalence of kit mutations in acrallentiginous and mucosal melanomas is relatively low (less than 15–20%), but it can have profound therapeutic implications for localized high risk or metastatic diseases. our goal was...

A new coagglutination kit consisting of a plastic slide with dried antibody-coated staphylococci was evaluated for the grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococci of groups A, B, C, and G. The test was compared with the classical precipitation test, using hot formamide antigen extracts with 224 strains of groups A, B, C, and G streptococci. An agreement of 100% was found between the new coagglutina...

BACKGROUND Few studies comparing multiple methods for DNA extraction from dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper for PCR targeting the Plasmodium genome have been done. METHODS Frequently-used methods for DNA extraction from DBS using Chelex-100, InstaGene Matrix, QIAamp DNA Mini Kit and TE buffer were compared on a dilution series of a standardized Plasmodium falciparum positive sample. The...

The use of radiolabeled peptide ligands as diagnostics and therapeutics in nuclear oncology has increased recently. One of the most frequently used radiopharmaceutical is 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC, a somatostatin analog with affinity for certain types of somatostatin receptors, overexpressed in tumors of neuroendocrine origin. The radiopharmaceutical is not readily available; therefore we introduced...

Present study describes the results of an efficient protocol for the isolation of good quality DNA from human saliva. The protocol includes collection of saliva in sterile specimen tubes, followed by the cell lysis. After formation of cell lysate, proteins wereextracted by phenol chloroform treatment for purification of DNA. The purified DNA was precipitated by adding equal volume of isopropano...

We have developed a simple, labor-saving, inexpensive, and rapid single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping method that works directly on whole human blood. This single-tube genotyping method was used to successfully and reliably genotype ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms without DNA isolation using a 1.2-mm disc of dried blood and the KOD FX PCR enzyme kit. SNP genotyping was performed by a p...

The validity and feasibility of using DNA collection cards in the field for preservation and analysis of Cannabis sativa genotypes were investigated using a highly specific hexanucleotide marker. Collection cards were submitted to the National Marijuana Initiative, which selectively trained and managed the collection of specific types of samples from a variety of participating agencies. Samples...

The anti-tuberculosis Bacille de Calmette et Guérin (BCG) vaccine was developed between 1905 and 1921 at Pasteur Institutes of Lille in France, and was adopted by many countries. BCG strains comprise natural mutants of major virulence factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and that BCG sub-strains differ markedly in virulence levels. The tuberculosis became endemic in Korea after the Korean War ...