Two prerequisites to test this hypothesis are the provision of test specimens containing a highly triaxial residual stress field and an accurate knowledge of how this residual stress field relaxes due to creep.
Provision of the specimens was approved by the ethical commission of Kantonsspital Basel.
An efficient study design includes provisions for processing of the original samples, such as cryopreservation, DNA isolation, and preparation of specimens for exposure assessment.
An efficient study design includes provisions for further processing of the original samples, such as cryopreservation of isolated cells, purification of DNA and RNA, and preparation of specimens for cytogenetic, immunological and biochemical analyses.
Participation required a baseline interview, completion of a daily diary, and provision of nonfasting blood specimens at baseline (preconception) and after a positive home pregnancy test result or after 12 unsuccessful menstrual cycles without pregnancy.
LMS participated in study design, ethical submission, consenting of patients for study, interpretation of immunohistochemical data, and writing of manuscript GIM- participated in study design, histopathological review of specimens, provision of tissue microarray, analysis and interpretation of immunohistochemical data, and writing of manuscript.
Moreover, because of the significant history of biliary disease in their child, the parents also consented to his enrollment in a gene modifier study of patients with CF liver disease, for which participation consisted of provision of a single blood specimen.
The ICRL was responsible for the laboratory trainings, including state of the art hands-on training at study initiation in each site, provision of control panels and repeated testing of a subset of specimens for quality assessment purposes.
This outbreak was the first influenza pandemic during which provision of real-time diagnostic virologic testing on large numbers of specimens had been a practical possibility.
We thank Andreas Segerer (ZSM Munich) for his major contribution of voucher specimens and for provision of the Bavarian database of scientific names.
