Mechanobiologically optimized 3D titanium-mesh scaffolds enhance bone regeneration in critical segmental defects in sheep.

Three-dimensional (3D) titanium-mesh scaffolds offer many advantages over autologous bone grafting for the regeneration of challenging large segmental bone defects. Our study supports the hypothesis that endogenous bone defect regeneration can be promoted by mechanobiologically optimized Ti-mesh scaffolds. Using finite element techniques, two mechanically distinct Ti-mesh scaffolds were designed in a honeycomb-like configuration to minimize stress shielding while ensuring resistance against mechanical failure.

Decentral gene expression analysis: analytical validation of the Endopredict genomic multianalyte breast cancer prognosis test.

Background: EndoPredict (EP) is a clinically validated multianalyte gene expression test to predict distant metastasis in ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy alone. The test is based on the combined analysis of 12 genes in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue by reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Recently, it was shown that EP is feasible for reliable decentralized assessment of gene expression.

Botulinum toxin type A treatment to the upper face: retrospective analysis of daily practice.

Background: Botulinum toxin type A treatment has been used for over 20 years to enhance the appearance of the face. There are several commercially available botulinum toxin type A products used in aesthetic clinical practice. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare the clinical efficacy of the most commonly used botulinum toxin type A preparations in daily practice.

Quantitative determination of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 mRNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue--a new option for predictive biomarker assessment in breast cancer.

The development of optimized therapy strategies against malignant tumors is critically dependent on the assessment of tissue-based biomarkers in routine diagnostic tissue samples. We investigated a novel, fully automated, and xylene-free method for RNA isolation and biomarker determination using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. The aim was to show that this approach is feasible and gives results that are comparable to the current gold standards.

Comparison of microarray-based RNA expression with ELISA-based protein determination of HER2, uPA and PAI-1 in tumour tissue of patients with breast cancer and relation to outcome.

Purpose: Prognostic and predictive markers in breast cancer are currently determined by single analysis of protein amounts. If RNA-based multi-gene analyses enter clinical practice, simultaneous determination of currently established markers like human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1) would represent an elegant simplification. To investigate the correlation between RNA and protein levels, we assessed HER2, uPA and PAI-1 in patients with breast cancer.