Genetic and immunological biomarkers predict metastatic disease recurrence in stage III colon cancer.

Background: Even though the post-operative outcome varies greatly among patients with nodal positive colon cancer (UICC stage III), personalized prediction of systemic disease recurrence is currently insufficient. We investigated in a retrospective setting whether genetic and immunological biomarkers can be applied for stratification of distant metastasis occurrence risk.

Methods: Eighty four patients with complete resection (R0) of stage III colon cancer from two clinical centres were analysed for genetic biomarkers: microsatellite instability, oncogenic mutations in KRAS exon2 and BRAF exon15, expression of osteopontin and the metastasis-associated genes SASH1 and MACC1.

Should every patient with pancreatic cancer receive perioperative/neoadjuvant therapy?

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly aggressive disease, and medical as well as surgical therapeutic options are limited. This article reviews stage dependent treatment options, with a special focus on the current controversy of perioperative treatment regimens in initially borderline resectable or locally advanced patients. Neoadjuvant treatment can potentially increase the rate of complete tumor resection and may be more effective than adjuvant systemic therapy.

Non-contaminating camouflage: multifunctional skin microornamentation in the West African Gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros).

The West African Gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros) has an extraordinary coloration of pale brown and velvety black markings. The velvety black appearance is caused by a unique hierarchical surface structures which was not found on the pale brown scales. In the present study we examined the wettability of the vipeŕs scales by measuring contact angles of water droplets.

Vortex formation with a snapping shrimp claw.

Snapping shrimp use one oversized claw to generate a cavitating high speed water jet for hunting, defence and communication. This work is an experimental investigation about the jet generation. Snapping shrimp (Alpheus-bellulus) were investigated by using an enlarged transparent model reproducing the closure of the snapper claw.

3D flow in the venom channel of a spitting cobra: do the ridges in the fangs act as fluid guide vanes?

The spitting cobra Naja pallida can eject its venom towards an offender from a distance of up to two meters. The aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms responsible for the relatively large distance covered by the venom jet although the venom channel is only of micro-scale. Therefore, we analysed factors that influence secondary flow and pressure drop in the venom channel, which include the physical-chemical properties of venom liquid and the morphology of the venom channel.

Integrative marker analysis allows risk assessment for metastasis in stage II colon cancer.

Objectives: Individualized risk assessment in patients with UICC stage II colon cancer based on a panel of molecular genetic alterations.

Background: Risk assessment in patients with colon cancer and localized disease (UICC stage II) is not sufficiently reliable. Development of metachronous metastasis is assumed to be governed largely by individual tumor genetics.

Dry under water: comparative morphology and functional aspects of air-retaining insect surfaces.

Superhydrophobic surfaces prevent certain body parts of semiaquatic and aquatic insects from getting wet while submerged in water. The air layer on these surfaces can serve the insects as a physical gill. Using scanning electron microscopy, we investigated the morphology of air-retaining surfaces in five insect species with different levels of adaptation to aquatic habitats.