Evaluation of a prenatal screening decision aid: A mixed methods pilot study.

Background: We developed a decision aid (DA) to help pregnant women and their partners make informed decisions about prenatal screening for trisomy. We aimed to determine its usefulness for preparing for decision-making and its acceptability among end-users.

Methods: In this mixed-methods pilot study, we recruited participants in three prenatal care settings in Quebec City.

Quantitative DNA methylation analysis of laser capture microdissected formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues.

We developed an assay to quantify DNA methylation in breast cancer cells isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM). The assay uses methylation sensitive restriction enzyme (MSRE) digestion and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). To assess the validity and precision of the assay, we prepared standard samples with expected methylation percentage (MP) for two gene promoters (PLAU (plasminogen inhibitor, urokinase) and TIMP3 (TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 3)) that we compared with measured MPs.