Assessment of MYC and TERT copy number variations in lung cancer using digital PCR.

Objective: Lung cancer is the second most frequent cancer type and the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Alteration of gene copy numbers are associated with lung cancer and the determination of copy number variations (CNV) is appropriate for the discrimination between tumor and non-tumor tissue in lung cancer. As telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (MYC) play a role in lung cancer the aims of this study were the verification of our recent results analyzing MYC CNV in tumor and non-tumor tissue of lung cancer patients using an independent study group and the assessment of TERT CNV as an additional marker.

Component-resolved diagnosis of baker's allergy based on specific IgE to recombinant wheat flour proteins.

Background: Sensitization to wheat flour plays an important role in the development and diagnosis of baker's asthma.

Objectives: We evaluated wheat allergen components as sensitizers for bakers with work-related complaints, with consideration of cross-reactivity to grass pollen.

Methods: Nineteen recombinant wheat flour proteins and 2 cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants were tested by using CAP-FEIA in sera of 101 bakers with wheat flour allergy (40 German, 37 Dutch, and 24 Spanish) and 29 pollen-sensitized control subjects with wheat-specific IgE but without occupational exposure.

Analyses in human urothelial cells identify methylation of miR-152, miR-200b and miR-10a genes as candidate bladder cancer biomarkers.

Urinary miRNAs are discussed as potential biomarkers for bladder cancer. The majority of miRNAs, however, are downregulated, making it difficult to utilize reduced miRNA signals as reliable diagnostic tools. Because the downregulation of miRNAs is frequently associated with hypermethylation of the respective regulative sequences, we studied whether DNA hypermethylation might serve as an improved diagnostic tool compared to measuring downregulated miRNAs.

Cross-contamination of a UROtsa stock with T24 cells--molecular comparison of different cell lines and stocks.

Background: UROtsa is an authentic, immortalized human urothelial cell line that is used to study the effects of metals and other toxic substances, mostly in the context of bladder cancer carcinogenesis. Unusual properties on the molecular level of a provided UROtsa cell line stock prompted us to verify its identity.

Methods: UROtsa cell line stocks from different sources were tested on several molecular levels and compared with other cell lines.

Assessment of mRNA and microRNA Stabilization in Peripheral Human Blood for Multicenter Studies and Biobanks.

In this study we evaluate the suitability of two methods of RNA conservation in blood samples, PAXgene and RNAlater, in combination with variable shipping conditions for their application in multicenter studies and biobanking. RNA yield, integrity, and purity as well as levels of selected mRNA and microRNA species were analyzed in peripheral human blood samples stabilized by PAXgene or RNAlater and shipped on dry ice or at ambient temperatures from the study centers to the central analysis laboratory. Both examined systems were clearly appropriate for RNA stabilization in human blood independently of the shipping conditions.

Relevance of the recombinant lipid transfer protein of Hevea brasiliensis: IgE-binding reactivity in fruit-allergic adults.

Background: Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are relevant allergens in certain plants. The role of the LTP of Hevea brasiliensis in the latex-fruit syndrome is widely unknown.

Objective: To study IgE reactivity with recombinant Hevea LTP in sera of fruit-allergic adults with and without natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy.

Quality test of the MicroSeq D2 LSU Fungal Sequencing Kit for the identification of fungi.

Fungal contaminants may be health risk factors in general indoor and occupational environments. The identification of microfungi by macro- and micro-morphological characters is known to be very difficult and time consuming. An alternative method for identification of fungi using a molecular biological method based on a commercially available kit is described.