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Gene expression in labor; and more -- press release from PLoS Medicine

Press release from PLoS Medicine

Peer-Reviewed Publication

PLOS

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Gene expression in labor

A Research Article, Perspective and e-Letter all published today discuss the use of microarrays to discover genes involved in childbirth. The three papers highlight the complexity of such gene expression analyses but also how crucial it is to make original data available for reanalysis.

In the Research Article (Labor-Associated Gene Expression in the Human Uterine Fundus, Lower Segment, and Cervix), Radek Bukowski and colleagues from the University of Texas, Galveston used microarrays to assess labor-associated gene expression profiles in the top, lower part and cervix of the uterus and describe networks of co-regulated and co-expressed genes. In an accompanying Perspective (Insights into the Physiology of Childbirth Using Transcriptomics), Roberto Romero from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development -- one of the peer reviewers of the paper -- and colleagues discuss the study further and reanalyze the data of Bukowski and colleagues, using different statistical methods and coming to some different conclusions about the changes in gene expression. Finally, in an e-Letter Bukowski and colleagues respond to Romero and colleagues, acknowledging that "Such discussion is mandatory if results of scientific techniques such as gene array are to be correctly interpreted and used as the basis for future improvements in patient care"

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Citation: Bukowski R, Hankins GDV, Saade GR, Anderson GD, Thornton S (2006) Labor-associated gene expression in the human uterine fundus, lower segment, and cervix. PLoS Med 3(6): e169.

PLEASE ADD THE LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0030169

PRESS-ONLY PREVIEW OF THE ARTICLE: http://www.plos.org/press/plme-03-06-bukowski.pdf

CONTACT:
Radek Bukowski
University of Texas Medical Branch
Obstetrics and Gynecology
301 University Blvd
Galveston, TX 77555 United States of America
1-409-747-4923
rkbukows@utmb.edu

Related PLoS Medicine Perspectives article:

Citation: Romero R, Tarca AL, Tromp G (2006) Insights into the physiology of childbirth using transcriptomics. PLoS Med 3(6): e276.

PLEASE ADD THE LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0030276

PRESS-ONLY PREVIEW OF THE ARTICLE: http://www.plos.org/press/plme-03-06-romero.pdf

CONTACT:
Robert Romero
NICHD/NIH/DHHS
Perinatology Research Branch, Intramural Division
Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
romeror@mail.nih.gov

The e-Letter by Radek Bukowski and colleagues in response to Robert Romero will be published on the 13th June and will be linked to the Romero perspective. Please also visit the e-Letters section of www.plosmedicine.org


Anti-Interferon Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Syndrome Type 1

Almost all of nearly 100 APS1 patients studied made large amounts of auto-antibodies that blocked the function of IFN-a and IFN-w. The antibodies appeared early during development of the disease and may play a role in its etiology.

Citation: Meager A, Visvalingam K, Peterson P, Möll K, Murumägi A, et al. (2006) Anti-interferon autoantibodies in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 1. PLoS Med 3(7): e289.

PLEASE ADD THE LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0030289

PRESS-ONLY PREVIEW OF THE ARTICLE: http://www.plos.org/press/plme-03-07-meager.pdf

CONTACT:
Anthony Meager
Nat. Inst. for Biol. Standards and Control
Immunology & Endocrinology
Blanche Lane
South Mimms
Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG United Kingdom
44-1707-641273
44-1707-650223 (fax)
ameager@nibsc.ac.uk

Related PLoS Medicine Perspectives article:

Citation: Levin M (2006) Anti-interferon auto-antibodies in Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Syndrome Type 1. PLoS Med 3(7): e292.

PLEASE ADD THE LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0030292

PRESS-ONLY PREVIEW OF THE ARTICLE: http://www.plos.org/press/plme-03-07-levin.pdf

CONTACT:
Michael Levin
Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Brighton, United Kingdom
44-1273-877-889
m.levin@bsms.ac.uk

About PLoS Medicine

PLoS Medicine is an open access, freely available international medical journal. It publishes original research that enhances our understanding of human health and disease, together with commentary and analysis of important global health issues. For more information, visit http://www.plosmedicine.org.

About the Public Library of Science

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a non-profit organization of scientists and physicians committed to making the world's scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource. For more information, visit http://www.plos.org.


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