Quantitative analysis of extracapsular extension of metastatic lymph nodes and its significance in radiotherapy planning in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

We performed a histopathologic analysis to assess the extent of the extracapsular extension (ECE) beyond the capsule of metastatic lymph nodes (LN) in head and neck cancer to determine appropriate clinical target volume (CTV) expansions.

Quantitative 1-Step DNA Methylation Analysis with Native Genomic DNA as Template

DNA methylation analysis currently requires complex multistep procedures based on bisulfite conversion of unmethylated cytosines or on methylation-sensitive endonucleases. To facilitate DNA methylation analysis, we have developed a quantitative 1-step assay for DNA methylation analysis.

Primer extension based quantitative polymerase chain reaction reveals consistent differences in the methylation status of the MGMT promoter in diffusely infiltrating gliomas (WHO grade II-IV) of adults

Diffusely infiltrating gliomas (WHO grade II-IV) are the most common primary brain tumours in adults. These tumours are not amenable to cure by surgery alone, so suitable biomarkers for adjuvant modalities are required to guide therapeutic decision-making. Epigenetic silencing of the O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene by promoter methylation has been associated with longer survival of patients with high-grade gliomas who receive alkylating chemotherapy; and molecular testing for the methylation status of the MGMT promoter sequence is regarded as among the most relevant of such markers. We have developed a primer extension-based assay adapted to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues that enables quantitative assessment of the methylation status of the MGMT promoter. The assay is very sensitive, highly reproducible, and provides valid test results in nearly 100% of cases. Our results indicate that oligodendrogliomas, empirically known to have a relatively favourable prognosis, are also the most homogeneous entities in terms of MGMT promoter methylation. Conversely, astrocytomas, which are more prone to spontaneous progression to higher grade malignancy, are significantly more heterogeneous. In addition, we show that the degree of promoter methylation correlates with the prevalence of loss of heterozygosity on chromosome arm 1p in the oligodendroglioma group, but not the astrocytoma group. Our results may have potentially important implications for clinical molecular diagnosis.

Lumbar intervertebral disc abnormalities: comparison of quantitative T2 mapping with conventional MR at 3.0 T

To assess the relationship of morphologically defined lumbar disc abnormalities with quantitative T2 mapping.

Quantitative T2 mapping of knee cartilage: differentiation of healthy control cartilage and cartilage repair tissue in the knee with unloading - initial results

Purpose: To prospectively determine on T2 cartilage maps the effect of unloading during a clinical magnetic resonance (MR) examination in the postoperative follow-up of patients after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) of the knee joint. Materials and Methods: Ethical approval for this study was provided by the local ethics commission, and written informed consent was obtained. Thirty patients (mean age, 35.4 years +/- 10.5) with a mean postoperative follow-up period of 29.1 months +/- 24.4 were enrolled. A multiecho spin-echo T2-weighted sequence was performed at the beginning (early unloading) and end (late unloading) of the MR examination, with an interval of 45 minutes. Mean and zonal region of interest T2 measurements were obtained in control cartilage and cartilage repair tissue. Statistical analysis of variance was performed. Results: The change in T2 values of control cartilage (early unloading, 50.2 msec +/- 8.4; late unloading, 51.3 msec +/- 8.5) was less pronounced than the change in T2 values of cartilage repair tissue (early unloading, 51.8 msec +/- 11.7; late unloading, 56.1 msec +/- 14.4) (P = .024). The difference between control cartilage and cartilage repair tissue was not significant for early unloading (P = .314) but was significant for late unloading (P = .036). Zonal T2 measurements revealed a higher dependency on unloading for the superficial cartilage layer. Conclusion: Our results suggest that T2 relaxation can be used to assess early and late unloading values of articular cartilage in a clinical setting and that the time point of the quantitative T2 measurement affects the differentiation between native and abnormal articular cartilage. (c) RSNA, 2010.

Detection of degenerative cartilage disease: comparison of high-resolution morphological MR and quantitative T2 mapping at 3.0 Tesla

The aim of the study was to investigate the association of T2 relaxation times of the knee with early degenerative cartilage changes. Furthermore the impact of unloading the knee on T2 values was evaluated.

Quantitative analysis of O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation in patients with low-grade gliomas

Methylation of the MGMT promoter is supposed to be a predictive and prognostic factor in glioblastoma. Whether MGMT promoter methylation correlates with tumor response to temozolomide in low-grade gliomas is less clear. Therefore, we analyzed MGMT promoter methylation by a quantitative methylation-specific PCR in 22 patients with histologically verified low-grade gliomas (WHO grade II) who were treated with temozolomide (TMZ) for tumor progression. Objective tumor response, toxicity, and LOH of microsatellite markers on chromosomes 1p and 19q were analyzed. Histological classification revealed ten oligodendrogliomas, seven oligoastrocytomas, and five astrocytomas. All patients were treated with TMZ 200 mg/m2 on days 1-5 in a 4 week cycle. The median progression-free survival was 32 months. Combined LOH 1p and 19q was found in 14 patients; one patient had LOH 1p alone and one patient LOH 19q alone. The LOH status could not be determined in two patients and was normal in the remaining four. LOH 1p and/or 19q correlated with longer time to progression but not with radiological response to TMZ. MGMT promoter methylation was detectable in 20 patients by conventional PCR and quantitative analysis revealed the methylation status was between 12 and 100%. The volumetric response to chemotherapy analyzed by MRI and time to progression correlated with the level of MGMT promoter methylation. Therefore, our retrospective case series suggests that quantitative methylation-specific PCR of the MGMT promoter predicts radiological response to chemotherapy with TMZ in WHO grade II gliomas.

Quantitative multiparameter assays to measure the effect of adjuvants on human antigen-specific CD8 T-cell responses

Large numbers and functionally competent T cells are required to protect from diseases for which antibody-based vaccines have consistently failed (1), which is the case for many chronic viral infections and solid tumors. Therefore, therapeutic vaccines aim at the induction of strong antigen-specific T-cell responses. Novel adjuvants have considerably improved the capacity of synthetic vaccines to activate T cells, but more research is necessary to identify optimal compositions of potent vaccine formulations. Consequently, there is a great need to develop accurate methods for the efficient identification of antigen-specific T cells and the assessment of their functional characteristics directly ex vivo. In this regard, hundreds of clinical vaccination trials have been implemented during the last 15 years, and monitoring techniques become more and more standardized.

Quantitative evaluation of cellular uptake and trafficking of plain and polyethylene glycol-coated gold nanoparticles

This study addresses the cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of 15-nm gold nanoparticles (NPs), either plain (i.e., stabilized with citrate) or coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG), exposed to human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) at the air-liquid interface for 1, 4, and 24 h. Quantitative analysis by stereology on transmission electron microscopy images reveals a significant, nonrandom intracellular distribution for both NP types. No particles are observed in the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or golgi. The cytosol is not a preferred cellular compartment for both NP types, although significantly more PEG-coated than citrate-stabilized NPs are present there. The preferred particle localizations are vesicles of different sizes (<150, 150-1000, >1000 nm). This is observed for both NP types and indicates a predominant uptake by endocytosis. Subsequent inhibition of caveolin- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD) results in a significant reduction of intracellular NPs. The inhibition, however, is more pronounced for PEG-coated than citrate-stabilized NPs. The latter are mostly found in larger vesicles; therefore, they are potentially taken up by macropinocytosis, which is not inhibited by MbetaCD. With prolonged exposure times, both NPs are preferentially localized in larger-sized intracellular vesicles such as lysosomes, thus indicating intracellular particle trafficking. This quantitative evaluation reveals that NP surface coatings modulate endocytotic uptake pathways and cellular NP trafficking. Other nonendocytotic entry mechanisms are found to be involved as well, as indicated by localization of a minority of PEG-coated NPs in the cytosol.

Quantitative repeated open application testing with a rinse-off product in methyldibromo glutaronitrile-sensitive patients: results of the IVDK

While the use of methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) in leave-on products is clearly associated with high sensitization or elicitation risk, such a clear-cut relation could be questioned with regard to rinse-off products.

On the way to light the dark: a retrospective inquiry into the registered cases of domestic violence towards women over a six year period with a semi-quantitative analysis of the corresponding forensic documentation

Domestic violence victims are increasingly identified at emergency departments (ED). Studies report a prevalence of 6-30%; women are more frequently affected and to a more serious extent than men. Studies have shown that without screening domestic violence victims are often not recognised. The primary aim of the study is to collect data descriptive of domestic violence victims and to show whether medical documentation meets the requirements of forensic medicine.