The authors thank Mr. Joseph Andrews for his expert assistance in the analysis of the gene microarray data and preparation of corresponding figures.
There are many potential sources of technical variation in microarray data such as preparation of samples, labeling, hybridization, and other steps of microarray experiment.
It is noteworthy that five UCRs (uc.322, uc.323, uc.421, uc.423, and uc.452) up-regulated in long-survivors are located within three genes (SOX6, ZNF521, TSHZ3) that we found significantly (at a false discovery rate of 0.01) over-expressed in long-surviving subjects of an unrelated cohort of 76 high-risk NBs (personal microarray data, manuscript in preparation).
The authors would like to thank Zak Razak from the Canadian Drosophila Microarray Centre for his assistance in the microarray data analysis and figure preparation.
JAL performed sample preparation, microarray data collection, and data analysis.
WTB participated in the statistical design of the study, microarray data analysis and manuscript preparation.
YG conceived of the study, participated in its design, carried out the material preparation, microarray data analysis and drafted the manuscript, participated in QRT-PCR.
EBM participated in the diagnosis and recruitment of the training cohort; clinical data analysis; microarray data analysis; statistics; conceptualization, planning and design of the study; and manuscript preparation, including preparation of the initial draft.
JZL participated in sample preparation and microarray data acquisition and analysis.
