Analytical validity of DecisionDx-SCC, a gene expression profile test to identify risk of metastasis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients.

Background: To improve identification of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at high risk for metastatic disease, the DecisionDx-SCC assay, a prognostic 40-gene expression profile (40-GEP) test, was developed and validated. The 40-GEP assay utilizes RT-PCR gene expression analysis on primary tumor biopsy tissue to evaluate the expression of 34 signature gene targets and 6 normalization genes. The test provides classifications of low risk (Class 1), moderate risk (Class 2A), and high risk (Class 2B) of metastasis within 3 years of diagnosis.

Analytic validity of DecisionDx-Melanoma, a gene expression profile test for determining metastatic risk in melanoma patients.

Background: The DecisionDx-Melanoma test provides prognostic information for patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM). Using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissue, the RT-PCR-based test classifies patients into a low- (Class 1) or high-risk (Class 2) category for recurrence based on expression of 31 genes. The current study was designed to assess the analytical validity of this test.

Gene expression profiling in uveal melanoma: technical reliability and correlation of molecular class with pathologic characteristics.

Background: A 15-gene expression profile test has been clinically validated and is widely utilized in newly diagnosed uveal melanoma (UM) patients to assess metastatic potential of the tumor. As most patients are treated with eye-sparing radiotherapy, there is limited tumor tissue available for testing, and technical reliability and success of prognostic testing are critical. This study assessed the analytical performance of the 15-gene expression test for UM and the correlation of molecular class with pathologic characteristics.

Temporal Dilation of Animal Cardiac Recordings Registered to Human Torso Geometries.

Recordings of cardiac surface potentials from animal hearts can be mapped into human torso and used as source potentials for torso simulation. However, geometric registration of the heart can introduce changes in the effective conduction velocity due to change in relative positions of the recording sites. We developed a time dilation technique to ensure that adjusted cardiac potential recordings had physiological timing similar to human recordings after registration and corrected for conduction velocity.

Validation of a Gene Expression Test for Mesothelioma Prognosis in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues.

A molecular test performed using fresh-frozen tissue was proposed for use in the prognosis of patients with pleural mesothelioma. The accuracy of the test and its properties was assessed under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-approved guidelines using FFPE tissue from an independent multicenter patient cohort. Concordance studies were performed using matched frozen and FFPE mesothelioma samples.

Clinical Performance and Management Outcomes with the DecisionDx-UM Gene Expression Profile Test in a Prospective Multicenter Study.

Uveal melanoma management is challenging due to its metastatic propensity. DecisionDx-UM is a prospectively validated molecular test that interrogates primary tumor biology to provide objective information about metastatic potential that can be used in determining appropriate patient care. To evaluate the continued clinical validity and utility of DecisionDx-UM, beginning March 2010, 70 patients were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter, IRB-approved study to document patient management differences and clinical outcomes associated with low-risk Class 1 and high-risk Class 2 results indicated by DecisionDx-UM testing.

Gene expression profiling for molecular staging of cutaneous melanoma in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Background: A gene expression profile (GEP) test able to accurately identify risk of metastasis for patients with cutaneous melanoma has been clinically validated.

Objective: We aimed for assessment of the prognostic accuracy of GEP and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) tests, independently and in combination, in a multicenter cohort of 217 patients.

Methods: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to assess the expression of 31 genes from primary melanoma tumors, and SLNB outcome was determined from clinical data.

Development of a prognostic genetic signature to predict the metastatic risk associated with cutaneous melanoma.

Purpose: The development of a genetic signature for the identification of high-risk cutaneous melanoma tumors would provide a valuable prognostic tool with value for stage I and II patients who represent a remarkably heterogeneous group with a 3% to 55% chance of disease progression and death 5 years from diagnosis.

Experimental Design: A prognostic 28-gene signature was identified by analysis of microarray expression data. Primary cutaneous melanoma tumor tissue was evaluated by RT-PCR for expression of the signature, and radial basis machine (RBM) modeling was performed to predict risk of metastasis.

A gene signature to determine metastatic behavior in thymomas.

Purpose: Thymoma represents one of the rarest of all malignancies. Stage and completeness of resection have been used to ascertain postoperative therapeutic strategies albeit with limited prognostic accuracy. A molecular classifier would be useful to improve the assessment of metastatic behaviour and optimize patient management.

Emergency obstetrics knowledge and practical skills retention among medical students in Rwanda following a short training course.

Objective: To describe rates of improved knowledge following a structured 2-day emergency obstetrics training course.

Methods: Quantitative assessments to evaluate emergency obstetrics knowledge and practical skills were administered before, immediately after, and 3-9 months following the training course for 65 final-year medical students at the National University of Rwanda. A survey was administered during the final assessment.

Proton dose perturbations caused by high-voltage leads from implanted cardioverter defibrillators.

An increasing number of patients undergoing proton radiotherapy have cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs). We recently encountered a situation in which a high-voltage coil on a lead from an implanted cardiac defibrillator was located within the clinical treatment volume for a patient receiving proton radiotherapy for esophageal cancer. To study the effects of the lead on the dose delivery, we placed a high-Z CIED lead at both the center and the distal edge of a clinical spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) in a water phantom, in both a stationary position and with the lead moving in a periodic pattern to simulate cardiorespiratory movement.

Sling procedures after repair of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula in Niamey, Niger.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the results of sling procedures for stress incontinence after repair of vesicovaginal fistulae at the National Hospital in Niamey, Niger.

Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of 701 women surgically treated for vesicovaginal fistulae. One hundred forty women subsequently underwent a sling procedure for stress incontinence after fistula repair.

Plants on constant alert: elevated levels of jasmonic acid and jasmonate-induced transcripts in caterpillar-resistant maize.

This study was conducted to determine if constitutive levels of jasmonic acid (JA) and other octadecanoid compounds were elevated prior to herbivory in a maize genotype with documented resistance to fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and other lepidopteran pests. The resistant inbred Mp708 had approximately 3-fold higher levels of jasmonic acid (JA) prior to herbivore feeding than the susceptible inbred Tx601. Constitutive levels of cis-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) also were higher in Mp708 than Tx601.

Hepatitis C virus quasi-species dynamics predict progression of fibrosis after liver transplantation.

Background: The dynamics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasi species in the E2 region may correlate with the course of infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods: Thirty-four patients who underwent transplantation for HCV-related cirrhosis were studied. Serum and liver samples were available before OLT and at 1 week, 4 months, and 1 year after OLT.

Detection of hepatitis C virus sequences in brain tissue obtained in recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C frequently report tiredness, easy fatigability, and depression. The aim of this study is to determine whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication could be found in brain tissue in patients with hepatitis C and depression. We report two patients with recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation who also developed severe depression.