Podoplanin expressing cancer associated fibroblasts are associated with unfavourable prognosis in adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Overexpression of the mucin-type sialoglycoprotein podoplanin in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) was recently shown to be associated with tumor progression, metastasis and poor prognosis in lung and breast cancer. Here we investigate the role of podoplanin expressing CAFs in esophagal adenocarcinoma (AC), its precursor lesions and metastases. Podoplanin expression was investigated immunohistochemically in 200 formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded specimens of invasive esophagal ACs, their corresponding metastases and 35 precursor lesions.

Interleukin-1 beta gene polymorphisms and preterm birth.

Objective: To investigate the association between two genetic variations in the Interleukin-1 beta (IL1B) gene and preterm birth.

Study Design: In this case-control study we tested the allelic distribution of two of its common polymorphisms (IL1B +3953C>T [rs1143634], IL1B -511C>T [rs16944]) in one hundred women with preterm birth and one hundred healthy women with at least one uncomplicated full term pregnancy and no history of preterm birth.

Results: A significant association was found between the presence of the IL1B +3953C>T polymorphism and preterm birth (p=0.

Influence of the American ODAC statement on Austrian bevacizumab prescribing practice for metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Results of trial E2100 led to the accelerated approval of bevacizumab as first-line therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in the U.S. in February 2008.

Bone matters in lung cancer.

Background: Bone metastases are a significant and undertreated clinical problem in patients with advanced lung cancer.

Design: We reviewed the incidence of bone metastases and skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with lung cancer and examined the burden on patients' lives and on health care systems. Available therapies to improve survival and lessen the impact of SREs on quality of life (QoL) were also investigated.

Carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin versus carboplatin and paclitaxel in partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer patients: results from a subset analysis of the CALYPSO phase III trial.

Background: To perform a subset analysis of patients with partially platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) who received either CD [carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD)] or CP (carboplatin-paclitaxel) in the CALYPSO trial.

Patients And Methods: CALYPSO, an international phase III, non-inferiority trial, enrolled women with ROC that relapsed >6 months following first- or second-line therapy. Patients were randomized to CD or CP.

Maternal smoking and fetal lung volume-an in utero MRI investigation.

Objective: To investigate whether fetal lung volume and fetal lung volume growth over gestation are different in mothers who reported smoking during pregnancy compared to non-smoking controls.

Method: Cross-sectional retrospective study of the data of 200 consecutive singleton pregnancies that underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fetal lung volumes of 32 fetuses of mothers who reported smoking during pregnancy were compared to 168 fetuses of non-smoking controls.

Endobronchial intubation detected by insertion depth of endotracheal tube, bilateral auscultation, or observation of chest movements: randomised trial.

Objective: To determine which bedside method of detecting inadvertent endobronchial intubation in adults has the highest sensitivity and specificity.

Design: Prospective randomised blinded study.

Setting: Department of anaesthesia in tertiary academic hospital.

A polymorphism of the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) and preterm birth.

Our aim was to investigate whether a genetic variation in the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 gene might be associated with preterm birth. In this case-control study we evaluated the G/A polymorphism (rs2267717) in intron 2 of the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 gene in one hundred women with preterm birth and one hundred healthy women with at least one uncomplicated full term pregnancy and no history of preterm birth. No significant correlation was found between the presence of the investigated polymorphism and preterm birth (p=0.

A critical cross-validation of high throughput structural binding prediction methods for pMHC.

T-cells recognize antigens via their T-cell receptors. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binds antigens in a specific way, transports them to the surface and presents the peptides to the TCR. Many in silico approaches have been developed to predict the binding characteristics of potential T-cell epitopes (peptides), with most of them being based solely on the amino acid sequence.

Timing of referral for prenatal genetic counselling.

Objective: To evaluate the timing of referrals for prenatal genetic counselling.

Method: The data of 406 consecutive patients referred because of a family history of genetic disease or a suspected risk factor for genetic disease other than an unfavourable first trimester screening outcome were retrospectively analysed.

Results: In 37.

MR imaging of the gastro-intestinal tract in children.

MR imaging (MRI) is an established method for the evaluation of particularly inflammatory bowel disease in adults, as well as for acute abdominal pain in pregnant women. Despite the fact that MRI is ideally suited for the evaluation of children the method is still not established in these patients. The value of MRI in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and appendicitis as well as intestinal tumors and malformations has been documented in children.