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“Conventional and innovative strategies can be exploited to identify and characterize new allergenic proteins. With the aim of obtaining suggestions for

future improvements, this article describes our attempt to understand and describe some of the advantages and pitfalls of the methodologies and procedures often used in this field. The analysis includes the protein extract preparation, starting from the allergenic source, the separation of the proteins contained in a mixture and the detection, identification and characterization of IgE-binding molecules. Classic and emerging proteomic technologies, including mass spectrometry-based methodologies, Edman degradation procedure, microarray-based techniques and bioinformatics search strategies, have been explored. A comparative analysis of biochemistry-based proteomics and molecular Small molecule library biology strategies has also been given.”
“Guidelines ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 aim to improve the quality-assurance scheme of laboratories. Reliable analytical results are of central importance due to the critical decisions that are taken with them. ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 therefore require that analytical methods be validated and that laboratories can routinely provide the measurement uncertainty BAY 63-2521 mouse of the results of measurements. To evaluate

the fitness of purpose of analytical methods, total error is increasingly applied to assess the reliability of results generated by analytical methods. However, the ISO requirement to estimate measurement uncertainty seems opposed to the concept of total error, leading to delays in Cell Cycle inhibitor laboratories implementing ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 and confusion for the analysts. This article therefore aims to clarify the divergences between total error and measurement uncertainty, but also to discuss their main similarities and emphasize their implementation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“To evaluate the role of the functional Asn40Asp polymorphism in the mu-opioid receptor gene on drinking behavior and naltrexone’s ability to attenuate drinking, we used a daily diary method in a 12-week, randomized clinical trial of naltrexone to reduce drinking. Participants (n?=?158 problem drinkers)

were assigned to receive either daily or targeted naltrexone 50?mg (n?=?81) or matching placebo (n?=?77). Patients reported by telephone each evening their current desire to drink and their drinking during the previous night and during the reporting day. We examined genotype, medication, desire to drink and their interactions as predictors of nighttime drinks consumed, controlling for drinking earlier in the day. Asp40 carriers showed a stronger positive association between evening desire (deviations from their mean levels) and later night drinking levels than Asn40 homozygotes (P?=?0.019). The desire?x?genotype?x?medication condition interaction was also significant (P?=?0.009), with a significant desire?x?genotype interaction for the placebo group ( P?=?0.