PECAM-Independent Thioglycollate Peritonitis Is Associated With a Locus on Murine Chromosome 2

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that knockout or inhibition of Platelet/Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (PECAM, CD31) in a number of murine strains results in impaired inflammatory responses, but that no such phenotype is seen in the C57BL/6 (B6) murine background. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have undertaken a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping effort between FVB/n (FVB) and B6 mice deficient for PECAM to identify the gene or genes responsible for this unique feature of B6 mice. We have identified a locus on murine chromosome 2 at approximately 35.8 Mb that is strongly associated (LOD score = 9.0) with inflammatory responses in the absence of PECAM. Conclusions/Significance: These data potentiate further study of the diapedesis machinery, as well as potential identification of new components of this machinery. As such, this study is an important step to better understanding the processes of inflammation

The potential role of three-dimensional surface imaging as a tool to evaluate aesthetic outcome after Breast Conserving Therapy (BCT)

To establish whether objective measurements of symmetry of volume and shape using three-dimensional surface imaging (3D-SI) can be used as surrogate markers of aesthetic outcome in patients who have undergone breast conserving therapy (BCT). Women who had undergone unilateral BCT in the preceding 1-6 years were invited to participate. Participants completed a satisfaction questionnaire (BREAST-Q) and underwent 3D-SI. Volume and surface symmetry were measured on the images. Assessment of aesthetic outcome was undertaken by a panel of clinicians. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess the relationship between volume and shape symmetry measurements with the panel score. Spearman's rho correlations were used to assess the relationship between the measurements and patient satisfaction. 200 women participated. Median volume symmetry was 87% (IQR 78-93) and shape symmetry was 5.9 mm (IQR 4.2-8.0). The participants were grouped according to panel assessment of aesthetic outcome (poor, fair, good, excellent) and the median volume and shape symmetry was calculated for each group. Volume symmetry significantly differed between the groups. Post hoc pairwise comparisons demonstrated that these differences existed between panel scores of fair versus good and good versus excellent. Median shape symmetry also differed according to patient panel groups with four significant pairwise comparisons between poor versus good, poor versus excellent, fair versus good and fair versus excellent. There was a significant but weak correlation of both volume symmetry and surface asymmetry with BREAST-Q scores (correlation coefficients 0.187 and -0.229, respectively). Breast volume and shape symmetry are both associated with panel assessment scores and patient satisfaction. The objective volume and shape symmetry measures were strongly associated with panel assessment scores, such that a 3D-SI tool could replace panel assessment as a faster and more objective method of evaluating aesthetic outcomes

Radiotherapie bei gynäkologischen Tumoren

Die Radiotherapie wird bei gynäkologischen Erkrankungen seit vielen Jahren erfolgreich angewendet. Mit modernen Radiotherapietechniken konnten die Nebenwirkungen deutlich reduziert werden. Die postoperative Radiotherapie beim brusterhaltend operierten Mammakarzinom ist fester Bestandteil der kurativen Therapie, neben Chemotherapie, Antikörpertherapie und/oder antihormoneller Therapie je nach Rezeptorstatus des Tumors. Hypofraktionierte (verkürzte) Schemata werden dabei zunehmend verwendet, was die Therapiedauer für die Patientinnen deutlich verkürzt – ohne Verlust an lokaler Kontrolle und mit sehr zufriedenstellender Kosmetik. Bei der Behandlung von Endometriumkarzinomen wird vor allem in der mittleren Risikogruppe die intravaginale Brachytherapie empfohlen, in der Hochrisikosituation die Kombination verschiedener Therapiemodalitäten. Die Brachytherapie hat auch in der kurativen Behandlung des fortgeschrittenen Zervixkarzinoms in Kombination mit perkutaner Bestrahlung und strahlensensibilisierender Chemotherapie seit vielen Jahren einen etablierten Platz