Solvent-selective routing for centrifugally automated solid-phase purification of RNA

The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-014-1477-9.We present a disc-based module for rotationally controlled solid-phase purification of RNA from cell lysate. To this end, multi-stage routing of a sequence of aqueous and organic liquids into designated waste and elution reservoirs is implemented by a network of strategically placed, solvent-selective composite valves. Using a bead-based stationary phase at the entrance of the router, we show that total RNA is purified with high integrity from cultured MCF7 and T47D cell lines, human leucocytes and Haemophilus influenzae cell lysates. Furthermore, we demonstrate the broad applicability of the device through the in vitro amplification of RNA purified on-disc using RT-PCR and NASBA. Our novel router will be at the pivot of a forthcoming, fully integrated and automated sample preparation system for RNA-based analysis.Peer reviewe

Germ Cell Tumors in Undescended Testis-Prognostic Factors and Treatment Outcome

and the incidence has been increasing The purpose of this retrospective review of patients with germ cell tumor in undescended testis is to study the clinicopathological features and disease outcome for this relatively rare but intriguing problem. PATIENTS AND METHODS Over a 22-year period from January 1975 to December 1997, 270 patients with the histologic diagnosis of germ cell tumor of the testis (147 seminoma and 123 non-seminoma) were seen at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH & RC), which is a national tertiary care cancer centre in Saudi Arabia. Out of the 270 patients, 35 (13%) had germ cell tumor in undescended testis. All histologic materials were reviewed by pathologists at KFSH & RC at the time of initial referral. The pa- ABSTRACT The medical records of 270 patients with germ cell tumors of the testis (147 seminoma and 123 non-seminoma) seen at our institute between 1975-1997 were reviewed. Thirty-five (13%) patients had tumors in undescended testis, seminoma in 28 and 7 patients had non-seminoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 34 years. Orchiopexy was performed in only 4 patients. The involved testis was in the scrotum in the 4 patients who had orchiopexy, in the inguinal canal in 15 and in the lower abdomen in 16. Pain and palpable mass were the most common presenting symptoms. Using the modified Royal Marsden Hospital staging system, the stage at diagnosis was I in 14 patients, II in 18 and IV in 3. Orchiectomy was carried out in 26 patients, open biopsy in 3 and fine needle aspiration in 6. For patients with seminoma, 14 patients received external radiation (XRT) only, 7 chemotherapy, and combined XRT and chemotherapy in 6 patients. One patient had orchiectomy only. Patients with non-seminoma were treated with chemotherapy. Complete response was achieved in 84% of the seminoma cases. At a median follow up of 52 months (range 2 months-19.5 years), the 5-year overall actuarial survival rate for patients with seminoma was 85% compared to 68% in patients with non-seminoma. Univariate and multivariate analyses for survival were done for the 28 patients with seminoma. Early stage and complete response to treatment were associated with significant high survival rate in univariate analysis. None of the above were significant on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Patients with undescended testes have a higher risk for developing seminoma than non-seminoma. Treatment results of germ cell tumors in undescended testis are equivalent to those in normally located testis