Accuracy of Ultrasound-Guided versus Landmark-Guided Intra-articular Injection for Rat Knee Joints.

Our aim was to test the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided intra-articular (IA) injection into the knee joint of rodents by an inexperienced operator compared with standard landmark-guided IA injections by a trained injector. Fifty landmark-guided and 46 ultrasound-guided IA injections in 49 rats were analyzed. Animal positioning and injection protocol were designed for use with the ultrasound system.

Overeating, caloric restriction and breast cancer risk by pathologic subtype: the EPIGEICAM study.

This study analyzes the association of excessive energy intake and caloric restriction with breast cancer (BC) risk taking into account the individual energy needs of Spanish women. We conducted a multicenter matched case-control study where 973 pairs completed lifestyle and food frequency questionnaires. Expected caloric intake was predicted from a linear regression model in controls, including calories consumed as dependent variable, basal metabolic rate as an offset and physical activity as explanatory.

Re-interpretation of PAM50 gene expression as quantitative tumor dimensions shows utility for clinical trials: application to prognosis and response to paclitaxel in breast cancer.

Background: We recently showed PAM50 gene expression data can be represented by five quantitative, orthogonal, multi-gene breast tumor traits. These novel tumor 'dimensions' were superior to categorical intrinsic subtypes for clustering in high-risk breast cancer pedigrees, indicating potential to represent underlying genetic susceptibilities and biological pathways. Here we explore the prognostic and predictive utility of these dimensions in a sub-study of GEICAM/9906, a Phase III randomized prospective clinical trial of paclitaxel in breast cancer.

Diffusion tensor imaging of articular cartilage using a navigated radial imaging spin-echo diffusion (RAISED) sequence.

Objective: To validate a radial imaging spin-echo diffusion tensor (RAISED) sequence for high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of articular cartilage at 3 T.

Methods: The RAISED sequence implementation is described, including the used non-linear motion correction algorithm. The robustness to eddy currents was tested on phantoms, and accuracy of measurement was assessed with measurements of temperature-dependent diffusion of free water.

Frequency of breast cancer with hereditary risk features in Spain: Analysis from GEICAM "El Álamo III" retrospective study.

Purpose: To determine the frequency of breast cancer (BC) patients with hereditary risk features in a wide retrospective cohort of patients in Spain.

Methods: a retrospective analysis was conducted from 10,638 BC patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2001 in the GEICAM registry "El Álamo III", dividing them into four groups according to modified ESMO and SEOM hereditary cancer risk criteria: Sporadic breast cancer group (R0); Individual risk group (IR); Familial risk group (FR); Individual and familial risk group (IFR) with both individual and familial risk criteria.

Results: 7,641 patients were evaluable.

A robust diffusion tensor model for clinical applications of MRI to cartilage.

Purpose: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of articular cartilage is a promising technique for the early diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA). However, in vivo diffusion tensor (DT) measurements suffer from low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that can result in bias when estimating the six parameters of the full DT, thus reducing sensitivity. This study seeks to validate a simplified four-parameter DT model (zeppelin) for obtaining more robust and sensitive in vivo DTI biomarkers of cartilage.

CD19 CD56 myeloma arising in a patient who failed two courses of immunosupressive therapy for aplastic anaemia.

Patients diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia and without a compatible bone marrow transplant donor are treated with immunosuppressive therapy. These patients are found with time to develop a clonal disease such as myelodysplasia or paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. However, the development of plasma cell dyscrasias is rare.

Physical activity and breast cancer risk by pathological subtype.

Objective: To examine the influence of physical activity on breast cancer risk and evaluate whether adherence to international recommendations is associated with a decreased risk.

Methods: This is a multicenter matched case-control study where 698 pairs completed a physical activity questionnaire. Recreational physical activity during the last year was quantified in metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-h/week) and categorized in activities of moderate (3.

Evaluating the Applicability of Data-Driven Dietary Patterns to Independent Samples with a Focus on Measurement Tools for Pattern Similarity.

Background: Diet is a key modifiable risk for many chronic diseases, but it remains unclear whether dietary patterns from one study sample are generalizable to other independent populations.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess whether data-driven dietary patterns from one study sample are applicable to other populations. The secondary objective was to assess the validity of two criteria of pattern similarity.

Prognostic ability of EndoPredict compared to research-based versions of the PAM50 risk of recurrence (ROR) scores in node-positive, estrogen receptor-positive, and HER2-negative breast cancer. A GEICAM/9906 sub-study.

There are several prognostic multigene-based tests for managing breast cancer (BC), but limited data comparing them in the same cohort. We compared the prognostic performance of the EndoPredict (EP) test (standardized for pathology laboratory) with the research-based PAM50 non-standardized qRT-PCR assay in node-positive estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and HER2-negative (HER2-) BC patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy followed by endocrine therapy (ET) in the GEICAM/9906 trial. EP and PAM50 risk of recurrence (ROR) scores [based on subtype (ROR-S) and on subtype and proliferation (ROR-P)] were compared in 536 ER+/HER2- patients.

High Proliferation Predicts Pathological Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Early Breast Cancer.

Background: In the neoadjuvant setting, changes in the proliferation marker Ki67 are associated with primary endocrine treatment efficacy, but its value as a predictor of response to chemotherapy is still controversial.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed 262 patients with centralized basal Ki67 immunohistochemical evaluation derived from 4 GEICAM (Spanish Breast Cancer Group) clinical trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. The objective was to identify the optimal threshold for Ki67 using the receiver-operating characteristic curve method to maximize its predictive value for chemotherapy benefit.

Comprehensive carrier genetic test using next-generation deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing in infertile couples wishing to conceive through assisted reproductive technology.

Objective: To develop an expanded pan-ethnic preconception carrier genetic screening test for use in assisted reproductive technology (ART) patients and donors.

Design: Retrospective analysis of results obtained from 2,570 analyses.

Setting: Reproductive genetic laboratory.

Secondary Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) but not Primary CTCs are Associated with the Clinico-Pathological Parameters in Chilean Patients With Colo-Rectal Cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) using anti-CEA pre and post surgery in Chilean patients with colo-rectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: The presence of CTCs was evaluated in 80 colorectal cancer patients pre and post surgery using standard immunocytochemistry and the results were compared with findings for standard clinico-pathological parameters.

Results: In patients pre- surgery CEA (+) CTCs were frequently found, with no relation to tumor size or nodal status.

Lower Breast Cancer Risk among Women following the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research Lifestyle Recommendations: EpiGEICAM Case-Control Study.

Background: According to the "World Cancer Research Fund" and the "American Institute of Cancer Research" (WCRF/AICR) one in four cancer cases could be prevented through a healthy diet, weight control and physical activity.

Objective: To explore the association between the WCRF/AICR recommendations and risk of breast cancer.

Methods: During the period 2006 to 2011 we recruited 973 incident cases of breast cancer and 973 controls from 17 Spanish Regions.

Defining breast cancer intrinsic subtypes by quantitative receptor expression.

Purpose: To determine intrinsic breast cancer subtypes represented within categories defined by quantitative hormone receptor (HR) and HER2 expression.

Methods: We merged 1,557 cases from three randomized phase III trials into a single data set. These breast tumors were centrally reviewed in each trial for quantitative ER, PR, and HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) stain and by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), with intrinsic subtyping by research-based PAM50 RT-qPCR assay.

Diagnostic yield of primary circulating tumor cells in women suspected of breast cancer: the BEST (Breast Early Screening Test) study.

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic yield of primary circulating tumor cells in women with suspicion of breast cancer, detected as a result of an abnormal mammography.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive women presenting for breast biopsy as a result of a mammogram BiRADs of 3 or more, had an 8 ml blood sample taken for primary circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection. Mononuclear cells were obtained using differential gel centrifugation and CTCs identified using standard immunocytochemistry using anti-mammoglobin.

Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with concurrent liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin, paclitaxel and trastuzumab for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer in clinical practice.

Background: Based on previous results obtained with non-pegylated liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin (TLC-D99) together with paclitaxel and trastuzumab in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (BC), a similar regimen was evaluated in the neoadjuvant setting in a prospectively selected series of consecutive patients with clinical stage II-III BC. Primary and secondary objectives included the rate of pathologic complete response (pCR), safety, and predictive factors of pCR.

Methods: Patients received six cycles of TLC-D99 (50 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks), paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2) weekly) and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg initial dose and 2 mg/kg weekly).

Effect of ischemic postconditioning on microvascular obstruction in reperfused myocardial infarction. Results of a randomized study in patients and of an experimental model in swine.

Background: Ischemic postconditioning (PCON) appears as a potentially beneficial tool in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the effect of PCON on microvascular obstruction (MVO) in STEMI patients and in an experimental swine model.

Methods: A prospective randomized study in patients and an experimental study in swine were carried out in two university hospitals in Spain.

Clinical validation of the EndoPredict test in node-positive, chemotherapy-treated ER+/HER2- breast cancer patients: results from the GEICAM 9906 trial.

Introduction: EndoPredict (EP) is an RNA-based multigene test that predicts the likelihood of distant recurrence in patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer (BC) who are being treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy. Herein we report the prospective-retrospective clinical validation of EP in the node-positive, chemotherapy-treated, ER+/HER2- BC patients in the GEICAM 9906 trial.

Methods: The patients (N = 1,246) were treated either with six cycles of fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) or with four cycles of FEC followed by eight weekly courses of paclitaxel (FEC-P), as well as with endocrine therapy if they had hormone receptor-positive disease.

Protocols for tracking and witnessing samples and patients in assisted reproductive technology.

In view of the increasing emphasis being placed on patient safety and quality health care, it is extremely important to develop fail-safe mechanisms to prevent assisted reproductive technology (ART) mix-ups. Sample mismatch is the most undesirable event that can occur in an IVF laboratory as it may have catastrophic consequences for both patients and health care professionals. Many strategies can be adopted to reduce laboratory errors, such as improved quality control and quality assessment, certification, educational programs, and external quality assessment.