Vignette-Based Utilities: Usefulness, Limitations, and Methodological Recommendations

Polymerase Chain Reaction: Types, Utilities and Limitations

Bronchial challenge tests: usefulness, availability and limitations

Indirect challenges to assess bronchial hyperresponsiveness are being increasingly used both for research and for assessment in the routine pulmonary function laboratory. ‘‘Indirect challenges act by causing the release of endogenous mediators that cause the airway smooth muscle to contract with or without inducing microvascular leakage. Because the responses to these challenges are modified or...

New Climate Economics: Methodological choices and recommendations

Projections of future impacts, benefits and costs of climate mitigation and adaptation policies are based on both detailed empirical research, and modelling choices and assumptions that frame the analysis. For instance, assumptions about the expected growth of population and incomes drive the projections of greenhouse gas emissions. Assumptions about the pace and nature of innovation, the econo...

Methodological Limitations in Determining Astrocytic Gene Expression

Traditionally, astrocytic mRNA and protein expression are studied by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemically. This led to the concept that astrocytes lack aralar, a component of the malate-aspartate-shuttle. At least similar aralar mRNA and protein expression in astrocytes and neurons isolated by fluorescence-assisted cell sorting (FACS) reversed this opinion. Demonstration of exp...

Neuroimaging and ADHD: fMRI, PET, DTI findings, and methodological limitations.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by pervasive and developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. There is no conclusive cause of ADHD although a number of etiologic theories have been advanced. Research across neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and genetic disciplines collectively support a physiolo...