Evaluation of Confounders in Toxoplasmosis Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Assay

Background: The IFA test is one of the most usual methods for detecting anti-Toxoplasma antibod­ies, although it has not any unique standardization. It seems that the microscopic judg­ment of results is an important confounder in IFA test. Therefore, we conducted the present study to clarify the role of microscopic observer, and other confounders on the test.Methods: Eighty sera were collected from patients suspicious to toxoplasmosis for detection IgG anti-T. gondii by this test. Samples were examined against different series of antigens, IgG anti-human conjugates, and observers.Results: There were no significant differences between the two series of antigens and conjugates. For the observers groups the kappa coefficient of the test results in the experts group (0.97, 0.94-1.00) were significantly higher than the less experienced observers (0.77, 0.68-0.87).Conclusion: We recommend the IFA test to be performed only in reference laboratories and by laboratory technicians that have enough experience for this test. Otherwise, we suggest the substitution of this test with other tests like ELISA for the diagnosis and epidemiological studies

A comprehensive overview of radioguided surgery using gamma detection probe technology

The concept of radioguided surgery, which was first developed some 60 years ago, involves the use of a radiation detection probe system for the intraoperative detection of radionuclides. The use of gamma detection probe technology in radioguided surgery has tremendously expanded and has evolved into what is now considered an established discipline within the practice of surgery, revolutionizing the surgical management of many malignancies, including breast cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer, as well as the surgical management of parathyroid disease. The impact of radioguided surgery on the surgical management of cancer patients includes providing vital and real-time information to the surgeon regarding the location and extent of disease, as well as regarding the assessment of surgical resection margins. Additionally, it has allowed the surgeon to minimize the surgical invasiveness of many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, while still maintaining maximum benefit to the cancer patient. In the current review, we have attempted to comprehensively evaluate the history, technical aspects, and clinical applications of radioguided surgery using gamma detection probe technology

Comprehensive molecular characterization of the hippo signaling pathway in cancer

Hippo signaling has been recognized as a key tumor suppressor pathway. Here, we perform a comprehensive molecular characterization of 19 Hippo core genes in 9,125 tumor samples across 33 cancer types using multidimensional “omic” data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We identify somatic drivers among Hippo genes and the related microRNA (miRNA) regulators, and using functional genomic approaches, we experimentally characterize YAP and TAZ mutation effects and miR-590 and miR-200a regulation for TAZ. Hippo pathway activity is best characterized by a YAP/TAZ transcriptional target signature of 22 genes, which shows robust prognostic power across cancer types. Our elastic-net integrated modeling further reveals cancer-type-specific pathway regulators and associated cancer drivers. Our results highlight the importance of Hippo signaling in squamous cell cancers, characterized by frequent amplification of YAP/TAZ, high expression heterogeneity, and significant prognostic patterns. This study represents a systems-biology approach to characterizing key cancer signaling pathways in the post-genomic era

Evaluation of mRNA Expression Profile of ABCG2/BCRP in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Introduction: Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the main obstacle against treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). ATP-binding cassette transporters function is mentioned as one of the most effective factors on MDR development. Though, there are many evidences on interference of ABCG2/BCRP, one of the outstanding members of this superfamly, in MDR occurrence, the expression effect of this gene on blasts of ALL patients is unknown yet. Methods: In this study, we used Real-Time PCR technique in order to investigate the relative expression of ABCG2/BCRP mRNA in 1-17 year old children with ALL. Peripheral or bone marrow blood samples from 28 new case leukemic and 15 control children were investigated with cooperation of Seyyedo-Shohada hospital in Isfahan,. Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) was evaluated as quality of patient response to chemotherapy. Results: Profile of ABCG2/BCRP mRNA expression did not have any significant difference in new case ALL patients in comparison with control children. On the other hand, comparison of two groups of MRD+ and MRD- patients showed no difference in ABCG2/BCRP expression level. The level of ABCG2 expression was not associated with immunophenotype of ALL or known prognosis factors for this type of leukemia. Conclusion: Results of this study showed no effect of ABCG2/BCRP expression level on MDR development in ALL. Accordingly, clinical value of ABCG2/BCRP expression profile determination was rejected as the prognosis value for childhood ALL in our geographical area