In bacteria, transformation is conducted by the uptake of DNA followed by homologous recombination. The purpose of these sequences are to uptake exogenous DNA of closely related family members to keep the homology of alleles and protect themselves against hazardous DNA. (Frye et al. 2013) Not all bacteria have a DNA sequence that can be classified as a DNA uptake sequence, in order for a DUS to...

OBJECTIVE Endovenous methods are increasingly used to treat varicose veins. We evaluated the outcome of patients treated with the new radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-ClosureFast catheter in an outpatient setting. METHOD Retrospective analysis of postinterventional duplex ultrasound (DUS), complication rate and quality of life of patients treated for incompetent saphenous veins. RESULTS Betwee...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Carotid endarterectomy has been shown to be beneficial in symptomatic patients with a severe stenosis (70% to 99%) of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the standard of reference in the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis but has a relatively high complication rate. In a diagnostic study we investigated the accuracy of noninvasive...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the accuracy of routinely available non-invasive tests (spiral computed tomographic angiography (CTA), time of flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and colour Doppler ultrasound (DUS)), individually and together, compared with intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in patients with symptomatic tight carotid stenosis; and to assess the effect of subst...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate in SSc, the frequency of digital lesions and the morphology, characteristics, natural course and time to healing of 1614 digital ulcers (DUs). METHODS One hundred SSc patients were followed up for 4 years. In the first step, the digital lesions were observed and classified at the time of presentation [digital pitting scar (DPS); DU; calcinosis; gangrene]. In the second s...

exposure and protection of exposed skin during cold weather, although helpful, are often inadequate in protection. Pharmacological therapy with vasodilators such as calcium channel blockers or angiotensin II receptor antagonists have variable and moderate efficacy at best. Prostacyclins such as iloprost and its analog epoprostenol have been shown to result in good control of RP episodes, as wel...

The concept of the designatable unit (DU) affords a practical approach to identifying diversity below the species level for conservation prioritization. However, its suitability for defining conservation units in ecologically diverse, geographically widespread and taxonomically challenging species complexes has not been broadly evaluated. The lake whitefish species complex (Coregonus spp.) is g...

PURPOSE To evaluate the role of Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) in diagnosing pediatric testicular torsion (TT), and its diagnostic accuracy, and helping clinicians increase specificity and decrease negative exploration rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective study of all consecutive patients with acute testicular symptoms referring to our pediatric emergency department (ED) f...

The objective of this article is to provide scientists, engineers and clinicians with an up-to-date overview on the current state of development in the area of three-dimensional ultrasound (3-DUS) and to serve as a reference for individuals who wish to learn more about 3-DUS imaging. The sections will review the state of the art with respect to 3-DUS imaging, methods of data acquisition, analys...

M e t h o d s Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE/ Excerpta Medica, BIOSIS Previews, Science Citation Index, NTIS Database, LILACS, SIGLE, Dissertation Abstracts Online, Inside Conferences, Pascal (to April 2005); Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (issue 3, 2005); journals on imaging and vascular disease; and bibliographies of relevant studies. Study selection and assessment: Cohort or case–con...