Princess Margaret Hospital for Children

About: Princess Margaret Hospital for Children is a healthcare organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 1501 authors who have published 2068 publications receiving 75773 citations. The organization is also known as: Perth Children's Hospital & PMH.

DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours

Abstract: Accurate pathological diagnosis is crucial for optimal management of patients with cancer. For the approximately 100 known tumour types of the central nervous system, standardization of the diagnostic process has been shown to be particularly challenging-with substantial inter-observer variability in the histopathological diagnosis of many tumour types. Here we present a comprehensive approach for the DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours across all entities and age groups, and demonstrate its application in a routine diagnostic setting. We show that the availability of this method may have a substantial impact on diagnostic precision compared to standard methods, resulting in a change of diagnosis in up to 12% of prospective cases. For broader accessibility, we have designed a free online classifier tool, the use of which does not require any additional onsite data processing. Our results provide a blueprint for the generation of machine-learning-based tumour classifiers across other cancer entities, with the potential to fundamentally transform tumour pathology.

International Consensus on Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Abstract: Measurement of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) has been the traditional method for assessing glycemic control. However, it does not reflect intra- and interday glycemic excursions that may lead to acute events (such as hypoglycemia) or postprandial hyperglycemia, which have been linked to both microvascular and macrovascular complications. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), either from real-time use (rtCGM) or intermittently viewed (iCGM), addresses many of the limitations inherent in HbA1c testing and self-monitoring of blood glucose. Although both provide the means to move beyond the HbA1c measurement as the sole marker of glycemic control, standardized metrics for analyzing CGM data are lacking. Moreover, clear criteria for matching people with diabetes to the most appropriate glucose monitoring methodologies, as well as standardized advice about how best to use the new information they provide, have yet to be established. In February 2017, the Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) Congress convened an international panel of physicians, researchers, and individuals with diabetes who are expert in CGM technologies to address these issues. This article summarizes the ATTD consensus recommendations and represents the current understanding of how CGM results can affect outcomes.

The rapid intermixing of cell surface antigens after formation of mouse-human heterokaryons.

Abstract: Cells from established tissue culture lines of mouse ( cIID ) and human ( VA-2 ) origin were fused together with Sendai virus, producing heterokaryons bearing both mouse and human surface antigens which were then followed by the indirect fluorescent antibody method. Within 40 mm following fusion, total mixing of both parental antigens occurred in over 90% of the heterokaryons. Mouse H-2 (histocompatibility) and human surface antigens were visualized by successive treatment of the heterokaryons with a mixture of mouse alloantiserum and rabbit anti- VA-2 antiserum, followed by a mixture of fluorescein-labelled goat anti-mouse IgG and tetramethyl-rhodamine-labelled goat anti-rabbit IgG(Fc). The cIID x VA-2 fusions were carried Out in suspension and maintained at 37°C in a shaking water bath; aliquots were removed at various intervals and stained with the above reagents. The heterokaryon population was observed to change from an initial one (5-min post-fusion) of non-mosaics (unmixed cell surfaces of red and green fluorescence) to one of over 90% mosaics (total intermixing of the 2 fluorochromes) by 40 min after fusion. Mouse-human hybrid lines, derived from similar fusions, gave fluorescence patterns identical to those of the mosaic heterokaryons. Four possible mechanisms would yield such results: (i) a very rapid metabolic turnover of the antigens; (ii) integration of units into the membrane from a cytoplasmic precursor pool; (iii) movement, or ‘diffusion’of antigen in the plane of the membrane; or (iv) movement of existing antigen from one membrane site into the cytoplasm and its emergence at a new position on the membrane. In an effort to distinguish among these possibilities, the following inhibitor treatments were carried out: (1) both short- and long-term (6-h pre-treatment) inhibition of protein synthesis by puromycin, cycloheximide, and chloramphenicol; (2) short-term inhibition of ATP formation by dinitrophenol (DNP) and NaF; (3) short- and long-term inhibition of glutamine dependent pathways with the glutamine analogue 6-diazo-5-oxonorleucine; and (4) general metabolic suppression by lowered temperature. The only treatment found effective in preventing the mosaicism was lowered temperature, from which resulted a sigmoidal curve for per cent mosaics versus incubation temperature. These results would be consistent with mechanisms iii and/or iv but appear to rule out i and ii. From the speed with which the antigen markers can be seen to propagate across the cell membrane, and from the fact that the treatment of parent cells with a variety of metabolic inhibitors does not inhibit antigen spreading, it appears that the cell surface of heterokaryons is not a rigid structure, but is ‘fluid’ enough to allow free ‘diffusion’ of surface antigens resulting in their intermingling within minutes after the initiation of fusion.