Diagnostic plasma miRNA-profiles for ovarian cancer in patients with pelvic mass

BackgroundOvarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women worldwide. Moreover, there are no reliable minimal invasive tests to secure the diagnosis of malignant pelvic masses. Cell-free, circulating microRNAs have the potential as diagnostic biomarkers in cancer. Here, we performed and validated a miRNA panel with the potential to distinguish OC from benign pelvic masses.MethodsThe profile of plasma microRNA was determined with a panel of 46 candidates in a discovery group and a validation group, each consisting of 190 pre-surgery plasma samples from age-matched patients with malignant (n = 95) and benign pelvic mass (n = 95), by real time RT-qPCR.ResultsFour up-regulated (miR-200c-3p, miR-221-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-484) and two down-regulated (miR-195-5p and miR-451a) microRNAs were discovered. From those, miR-200c-3p and miR-221-3p were further confirmed in a validation cohort. A combination of these 2 microRNAs together with CA-125 yielded an overall diagnostic accuracy of AUC = 0.96.ConclusionsWe showed consistent plasma microRNA profiles that provide independent diagnostic information of late stage OC

Interim 2017/18 influenza seasonal vaccine effectiveness: Combined results from five European studies

Between September 2017 and February 2018, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B viruses (mainly B/Yamagata, not included in 2017/18 trivalent vaccines) co-circulated in Europe. Interim results from five European studies indicate that, in all age groups, 2017/18 influenza vaccine effectiveness was 25 to 52% against any influenza, 55 to 68% against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, -42 to 7% against influenza A(H3N2) and 36 to 54% against influenza B. 2017/18 influenza vaccine should be promoted where influenza still circulates

GrippeWeb-Wochenbericht KW 19

Nachdem die für die Bevölkerung in Deutschland geschätzte Gesamt-ARE-Rate von der 9. Kalenderwoche (KW) bis zur 16. KW gesunken war, stieg die Rate in der 17. KW 2023 wieder an und ist seitdem relativ stabil. Im Vergleich zur Vorwoche ist die Gesamt-ARE-Rate in der 19. KW leicht gesunken (5,7 %; Vorwoche: 6,0 %). Dabei ist die ARE-Rate bei den Kleinkindern bis 4 Jahren leicht gestiegen, in den anderen Altersgruppen ab 5 Jahren ist die ARE-Rate stabil geblieben oder gesunken. Die Gesamt-ILI-Rate ist mit 1,1 % in der 19. KW im Vergleich zur Vorwoche stabil geblieben. Die Gesamt-ARE-Rate lag in der 19. KW 2023 über dem Wertebereich der vorpandemischen Jahre zu dieser Zeit, die Gesamt-ILI-Rate lag im oberen Wertebereich. Die für die Bevölkerung in Deutschland geschätzten Raten für die 19. KW 2023 beruhen auf den Angaben von 6.004 GrippeWeb-Teilnehmenden, von diesen meldeten 345 eine ARE und 73 eine ILI (Datenstand: 16.5.2023, 0:00 Uhr). Durch Nachmeldungen, die bis zu vier Wochen lang möglich sind, können sich noch Änderungen ergeben

GrippeWeb-Wochenbericht KW 22

Die für die Bevölkerung in Deutschland geschätzte Gesamt-ARE-Rate befand sich von der 17. Kalenderwoche (KW) bis zur 20. KW auf einem relativ stabilen Niveau. In der 21. KW ist die ARE-Rate auf 4,8 % gesunken und blieb in der 22. KW stabil zur Vorwoche. Dabei ist die ARE-Rate bei den 5- bis 14-Jährigen und den 35- bis 59- Jährigen gesunken und in den anderen Altersgruppen gestiegen. Die Gesamt-ILI-Rate ist mit 0,8 % in der 22. KW im Vergleich zur Vorwoche gesunken. Die Gesamt-ARE-Rate lag in der 22. KW 2023 im oberen und die Gesamt-ILI-Rate im mittleren Wertebereich der vorpandemischen Jahre zu dieser Zeit. Die für die Bevölkerung in Deutschland geschätzten Raten für die 22. KW 2023 beruhen auf den Angaben von 5.742 GrippeWeb-Teilnehmenden, von diesen meldeten 270 eine ARE und 48 eine ILI (Datenstand: 6.6.2023, 0:00 Uhr). Durch Nachmeldungen, die bis zu vier Wochen lang möglich sind, können sich noch Änderungen ergeben

Direct Current Electrical Fields Improve Experimental Wound Healing by Activation of Cytokine Secretion and Erk1/2 Pathway Stimulation

There is growing evidence that cell behaviors can be influenced by the direct current electric fields (EFs). Some behaviors may influence wound healing directly. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EF (200 mV/mm) on immortalized nontumorigenic human epidermal (HaCaT) cells. We established a setup that can transmit an EF and maintain a stable cell culture environment. An EF was applied to HaCaT cells, and scratch-assays were performed as a model of wound healing to observe cell migration. Proliferation was evaluated by mitochondrial activity, total protein, and DNA content. Secretion of healing-associated cytokines was evaluated via cytokine arrays, and Western blot was applied to investigate signaling pathway alterations. Compared with the control group, the migration of cells exposed to EFs significantly increased (p < 0.01). After 7 days, the changes in proliferation also increased significantly (p < 0.05). The cytokine arrays revealed that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was the most abundant factor secreted by HaCaT following EF exposure. The signals for phospho-Erk1/2 showed a significant (p < 0.0001) increase following EF exposure. The results demonstrate that exposure of HaCaT cells to EFs has positive effects on migration, proliferation, and cytokine secretion—three important steps in wound healing—and these effects may be partially mediated by activation of the Erk1/2 signaling pathway

Microcurrent Reverses Cigarette Smoke-Induced Angiogenesis Impairment in Human Keratinocytes In Vitro

Cigarette smoking (CS) leads to several adverse health effects, including diseases, disabilities, and even death. Post-operative and trauma patients who smoke have an increased risk for complications, such as delayed bone or wound healing. In clinical trials, microcurrent (MC) has been shown to be a safe, non-invasive, and effective way to accelerate wound healing. Our study aimed to investigate if MC with the strength of 100 μA may be beneficial in treating CS-related healing impairment, especially in regard to angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effect of human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) on angiogenesis after 72 h of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure in the presence or absence of 100 μA MC. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated by resazurin conversion, Sulforhodamine B, and Calcein-AM/Hoechst 33342 staining; the pro-angiogenic potential of HaCaT cells was evaluated by tube formation assay and angiogenesis array assay; signaling pathway alterations were investigated using Western blot. Constant exposure for 72 h to a 100 μA MC enhanced the angiogenic ability of HaCaT cells, which was mediated through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In conclusion, the current data indicate that 100 μA MC may support wound healing in smoking patients by enhancing angiogenesis