Comparative analysis reveals within-population genome size variation in a rotifer is driven by large genomic elements with highly abundant satellite DNA repeat elements.

BACKGROUND: Eukaryotic genomes are known to display an enormous variation in size, but the evolutionary causes of this phenomenon are still poorly understood. To obtain mechanistic insights into such variation, previous studies have often employed comparative genomics approaches involving closely related species or geographically isolated populations within a species. Genome comparisons among individuals of the same population remained so far understudied-despite their great potential in providing a microevolutionary perspective to genome size evolution. The rotifer Brachionus asplanchnoidis represents one of the most extreme cases of within-population genome size variation among eukaryotes, displaying almost twofold variation within a geographic population. RESULTS: Here, we used a whole-genome sequencing approach to identify the underlying DNA sequence differences by assembling a high-quality reference genome draft for one individual of the population and aligning short reads of 15 individuals from the same geographic population including the reference individual. We identified several large, contiguous copy number variable regions (CNVs), up to megabases in size, which exhibited striking coverage differences among individuals, and whose coverage overall scaled with genome size. CNVs were of remarkably low complexity, being mainly composed of tandemly repeated satellite DNA with only a few interspersed genes or other sequences, and were characterized by a significantly elevated GC-content. CNV patterns in offspring of two parents with divergent genome size and CNV patterns in several individuals from an inbred line differing in genome size demonstrated inheritance and accumulation of CNVs across generations. CONCLUSIONS: By identifying the exact genomic elements that cause within-population genome size variation, our study paves the way for studying genome size evolution in contemporary populations rather than inferring patterns and processes a posteriori from species comparisons.

Two binding proteins of the ABC transporter that confers growth of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis ATCC27673 on ß-mannan possess distinct manno-oligosaccharide-binding profiles.

Human gut bifidobacteria rely on ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters for oligosaccharide uptake. Multiple oligosaccharide-specific solute-binding protein (SBP) genes are occasionally associated with a single ABC transporter, but the significance of this multiplicity remains unclear. Here, we characterize BlMnBP1 and BlMnBP2, the two SBPs associated to the ß-manno-oligosaccharide (MnOS) ABC transporter in Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. Despite similar overall specificity and preference to mannotriose (Kd ≈80 nM), affinity of BlMnBP1 is up to 2570-fold higher for disaccharides than BlMnBP2. Structural analysis revealed a substitution of an asparagine that recognizes the mannosyl at position 2 in BlMnBP1, by a glycine in BlMnBP2, which affects substrate affinity. Both substitution types occur in bifidobacterial SBPs, but BlMnBP1-like variants prevail in human gut isolates. B. animalis subsp. lactis ATCC27673 showed growth on gluco and galactomannans and was able to outcompete a mannan-degrading Bacteroides ovatus strain in co-cultures, attesting the efficiency of this ABC uptake system. By contrast, a strain that lacks this transporter failed to grow on mannan. This study highlights SBP diversification as a possible strategy to modulate oligosaccharide uptake preferences of bifidobacterial ABC-transporters during adaptation to specific ecological niches. Efficient metabolism of galactomannan by distinct bifidobacteria, merits evaluating this plant glycan as a potential prebiotic.

Beyond the BRAFV600E hotspot: biology and clinical implications of rare BRAF gene mutations in melanoma patients.

BRAF gene mutations can be found in approximately 50% of melanomas, but the most common BRAF mutation leads to substitution at residue 600 of the protein, from valine to glutamic acid. BRAFV600E occurs in up to 95% of all melanoma cases and can be successfully blocked by using a combination of BRAF- and MEK inhibitors. The wider availability of next-generation sequencing is revealing more non-V600 BRAF mutations, and the clinical implications of these mutations are widely unknown. In this review, we will discuss the biology of the MAPK pathway and the different types of BRAF mutations as well as their effect on MEK activation. Current literature will be reviewed including in vitro data, case reports and case series.

MicroRNAs in cancer: from developmental genes in worms to their clinical application in patients.

Several discoveries have paved the way to personalise cancer medicine and a tremendous gain of knowledge in genomics and molecular mechanisms of cancer progression cumulated over the last years. Big stories in biology commonly start in a simple model system. No wonder microRNAs have been identified as regulators of embryonic development in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. From the first identification in worms to the first-in-man microRNA-based clinical trial in humans, almost 20 years passed. In this review we follow the story of understanding microRNA alterations in cancer, describe recent developments in the microRNA field and critically discuss their potential as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutics factors in cancer medicine. We will explain the rationale behind the use of microRNAs in cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction, but also discuss the limitations and pitfalls associated with this. Novel developments of combined microRNA/siRNA pharmacological approaches will be discussed and most recently data about MXR34, the first-tested microRNA drug will be described.

LGR5 rs17109924 is a predictive genetic biomarker for time to recurrence in patients with colon cancer treated with 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy.

We recently found variants in cancer stem cell genes (CD44, ALCAM and LGR5) significantly associated with increased time to recurrence (TTR) in patients with stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. In this study, we validated these genetic biomarkers in a large and independent patient cohort (n=599). Patients who received 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy (n=391) carrying at least one C allele in LGR5 rs17109924 had a significantly increased TTR compared with patients carrying the homozygous T/T variant (HR 0.38, 95%CI 0.19-0.79; P=0.006). In patients treated with surgery alone (n=208), no association between LGR rs17109924 and TTR was found (P=0.728). In the multivariate Cox-analysis, LGR5 rs17109924 remained statistically significant (HR 0.38, 95%CI 0.18-0.78; P=0.008) for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. We confirmed in a large and independent study cohort that LGR5 rs17109924 is a predictive genetic biomarker for TTR in patients with colon cancer treated with 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy.

Premature newborns with fatal intrauterine herpes simplex virus-1 infection: first report of twins and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Neonates with blistering skin diseases are dermatologic emergencies. The pathologies involved can pose diagnostic difficulties and there exists a variety of potential life-threatening differential diagnoses. OBJECTIVE: description of the first case of intrauterine acquired herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 infection in twins. METHODS: We present the case of two premature bicordial biamniotic twins (27th week of gestation) whose intrauterine growth retardation, fetal anaemia and cardiotocography abnormalities led to a caesarean emergency delivery. RESULTS: Accurate medical history revealed a maternal febrile gingivostomatitis at the 23rd week of gestation, which was neglected by the treating gynaecologist. Respiratory distress was present at delivery and intubation was necessary in both children. The whole skin showed extensive erosions and ulcerations and the mucosa of the eyes and genitals was also involved. Intrauterine Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 infection was confirmed by immunohistochemistry of skin Tzanck smear (HSV 1 positive, HSV 2 negative), real-time polymerase chain reaction of both serum and skin (HSV 1 positive; HSV 2 negative) and maternal serology positive for HSV 1 IgM and IgG. Siblings were immediately treated with high-dose endovenous acyclovir. Anaemia thrombocytopenia and hepatorenal values markedly deteriorated and both developed consequential hepatorenal failure. The third day live supportive measures were terminated after parental informed consent and both siblings deceased shortly after on their mother's breast. DISCUSSION: Intrauterine HSV infection is rare and accounts only for 5% of neonatal HSV infections. Literature reports only 64 cases and 90% of those are related to HSV-2. Transplacental viral transmission is highest during the first 20 weeks of gestation and has been observed in pregnant women with disseminated HSV infection. Mortality and morbidity of intrauterine herpetic infection are extremely high. CONCLUSION: Despite transplacental HSV transmission remains a rare event, the potential devastating outcome justifies immediate adequate antiviral treatment in a pregnant woman affected by primary HSV infection.

Incidence of bleeding in 8172 percutaneous ultrasound-guided intraabdominal diagnostic and therapeutic interventions - results of the prospective multicenter DEGUM interventional ultrasound study (PIUS study).

PURPOSE: To analyse the incidence of bleeding after percutaneous ultrasound guided diagnostic and therapeutic intraabdominal interventions in a prospective multicentre study (DEGUM percutaneous interventional ultrasound study). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within a time period of 2 years diagnostic and therapeutic intraabdominal interventions (with the exclusion of ascites paracentesis) performed percutaneously under continuous ultrasound (US) guidance were prospectively assessed using a pseudonymized standardized web site entry form. Number and type of intervention, operator experience, patient characteristics, medication, lab data as well as technical aspects of the procedure and bleeding complications were analysed according to the interventional radiology standards. RESULTS: 8172 US-guided intraabdominal interventions (liver n = 5903; pancreas n = 501, kidney n = 434, lymph node = 272, biliary system n = 153, spleen n = 63, other abdominal organs and extra-organic targets n = 999) were analysed in 30 hospitals. The majority were diagnostic biopsies including 1780 liver parenchyma, 3400 focal liver lesions and 404 pancreatic lesions. 7525 interventions (92.1 %) were performed in hospitalized patients (mean age 62.6 years). Most operators were highly experienced in US-guided interventions (> 500 interventions prior to the study n = 5729; 70.1 %). Sedation was administered in 1131 patients (13.8 %). Needle diameter was ≥ 1 mm in 7162 punctures (87.9 %) with main focus on core needle biopsies (18 G, n = 4185). Clinically relevant bleeding complications with need of transfusion (0.4 %), surgical bleeding control (0.1 %) and radiological coiling (0.05 %) were very rare. Bleeding complications with fatal outcome occurred in four patients (0.05 %). The frequency of major bleeding complications was significantly higher in patients with an INR > 1.5 (p < 0.001) and patients taking a medication potentially interfering with platelet function or plasmatic coagulation (p < 0.0333). CONCLUSION: This prospective multicentre study confirms the broad spectrum of percutaneous US-guided intraabdominal interventions. However diagnostic liver biopsies dominate with the use of core needle biopsies (18 G). Percutaneous US-guided interventions performed by experienced sonographers are associated with a low bleeding risk. Major bleeding complications are very rare. A pre-interventional INR < 1.5 and individual medication risk assessment are recommended.

The derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is an independent prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: With growing evidence on the role of inflammation in cancer biology, the systemic inflammatory response has been postulated as having prognostic significance in a wide range of different cancer types. Recently, the derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) has been proposed as an easily determinable prognostic factor in cancer patients. Nevertheless, its prognostic significance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients has never been explored. METHODS: Data from 290 consecutive DLBCL patients, diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 at a single Austrian centre, were evaluated retrospectively. The prognostic influence of the dNLR and other clinico-pathological factors including age, lactate dehydrogenase, cell of origin category and Ann Arbor stage on 5-year overall- (OS) and disease-free (DFS) survival was studied by Kaplan-Meier curves. To evaluate the independent prognostic relevance of dNLR, univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were applied. RESULTS: An independent significant association between high dNLR and poor clinical outcome in multivariate analysis for OS (HR=2.02, confidence interval (CI) 95%=1.17-3.50, P=0.011), as well as DFS (HR=2.15, CI 95%=1.04-4.47, P=0.038), was identified. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we showed that a high dNLR at diagnosis of DLBCL represents an independent poor prognostic factor for clinical outcome. Our data encourage the further validation of this easily available parameter in prospective studies and as a potential stratification tool in clinical trials.

The elevated preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts poor prognosis in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The elevation of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), an easily applicable blood test based on platelet and lymphocyte counts has been associated with poor prognosis in patients with different types of cancer. The present study was aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of the preoperative PLR in a large cohort of breast cancer patients. METHODS: Data from 793 consecutive non-metastatic breast cancer patients, treated between 1999 and 2004, were evaluated retrospectively. The optimal cutoff values for the PLR were calculated using receiver operating curve analysis. Cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS) as well as distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. To evaluate the independent prognostic significance of PLR, multivariable Cox regression models were applied for all three different end points. RESULTS: Univariable analysis revealed a significant association between the elevated preoperative PLR and CSS (hazard ratio (HR): 2.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57-4.83, P<0.001) that remained statistically significant in multivariable analysis (HR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.03-4.02, P=0.042). An increased PLR was also significantly associated with decreased OS in univariable (HR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.43-4.20, P=0.001) and in multivariable analysis (HR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.01-3.67, P=0.047). Furthermore, univariable analysis showed a significant impact of increased PLR on DMFS (HR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.18-3.44, P=0.010). Subgroup analysis revealed significant associations of the elevated PLR on the primary end point CSS for all breast cancer subtypes. This association retained its significance in multivariable analysis in patients with luminal B tumours (HR: 2.538, 95% CI: 1.043-6.177, P=0.040). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we identified the preoperative PLR as an independent prognostic marker for survival in breast cancer patients. Independent validation of our findings is needed.

Validation of the pretreatment derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic factor in a European cohort of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The value of a combined index of neutrophil and white cell counts, named derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), has recently been proposed as a prognosticator of survival in various cancer types. We investigated the prognostic role of the dNLR in a large European cohort of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). METHODS: Data from 171 non-metastatic UTUC patients, operated between 1990 and 2012 at a single tertiary academic centre, were evaluated retrospectively. Cancer-specific- (CSS) as well as overall survival (OS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. To evaluate the independent prognostic significance of the dNLR, multivariate proportional Cox-regression models were applied. Additionally, the influence of the dNLR on the predictive accuracy of the multivariate model was further determined by Harrell's concordance index (c-index). RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 31 months. An increased dNLR was statistically significantly associated with shorter CSS (log-rank P=0.004), as well as with shorter OS (log-rank P=0.002). Multivariate analysis identified dNLR as an independent predictor for CSS (hazard ratio, HR=1.16, 95% confidence interval, CI=1.01-1.35, P=0.045), as well as for OS (HR=1.21, 95% CI=1.09-1.34, P<0.001). The estimated c-index of the multivariate model for OS was 0.68 without dNLR and 0.73 when dNLR was added. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a high pretreatment dNLR could be predicted to show subsequently higher cancer-specific- as well as overall mortality after surgery for UTUC compared with those with a low pretreatment dNLR. Thus, this combined index should be considered as a potential prognostic biomarker in future.

The preoperative lymphocyte to monocyte ratio predicts clinical outcome in patients with stage III colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation has a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. The lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) could be shown to be prognostic in haematologic neoplasia. In this study, we analysed the LMR with clinical outcome in stage II and III colon cancer patients. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy-two patients with stage II and III colon cancer were included in this retrospective study. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox-regression analyses were calculated for time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Including all patients, the elevated preoperative LMR was significantly associated with increased TTR and OS in multivariate analysis (HR: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.29-0.76, P=0.002; HR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.31-0.83, P=0.007; respectively). In subanalyses, the association was limited to patients with stage III (HR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.22-0.72, P=0.002), in contrast to patients with stage II (HR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.28-1.66, P=0.397). When the subgroup of patients with 'high-risk' LMR≤2.83 was analysed, no benefit of adjuvant 5-FU-based chemotherapy could be found (HR: 0.99; 95%CI: 0.60-1.63; P=0.953). CONCLUSION: The LMR might be an independent prognostic marker for TTR in stage III colon cancer patients. Our results further suggest that high-risk patients based on the LMR do not benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Independent validation of our findings is warranted.

Validation of C-reactive protein levels as a prognostic indicator for survival in a large cohort of pancreatic cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates that the host inflammatory response has an important role in the tumour progression. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been previously associated with poor prognosis in several cancer types including small-scale studies in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. The purpose of the present study was to validate the prognostic impact of plasma CRP levels at date of diagnosis on cancer-specific survival (CSS) in a large cohort of PC patients. METHODS: Data from 474 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, treated between 2004 and 2012 at a single centre, were evaluated retrospectively. CSS was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. To evaluate the prognostic significance of plasma CRP levels, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were applied. RESULTS: High plasma CRP levels at diagnosis were significantly associated with well-established prognostic factors, including high tumour stage and tumour grade and the administration of chemotherapy (P<0.05). In univariate analysis, we observed that a high plasma CRP level was a consistent factor for poor CSS in PC patients (hazard ratio (HR)=2.21; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.68-2.92, P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, tumour stage, grade, administration of chemotherapy, a high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and the highest quartile of CRP levels (HR=1.60, 95% CI=1.16-2.21; P=0.005) were identified as independent prognostic factors in PC patients. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we confirmed a significant association of elevated CRP levels with poor clinical outcome in PC patients. Our results indicate that the plasma CRP level might represent a useful marker for patient stratification in PC management.

C-reactive protein level is a prognostic indicator for survival and improves the predictive ability of the R-IPI score in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients.

BACKGROUND: High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase protein, proofed being associated with decreased clinical outcome in small-scale studies in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of pretreatment CRP levels on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in a large bicentre study of DLBCL patients. METHODS: Data from 477 DLBCL patients, diagnosed and treated between 2004 and 2013 at two Austrian centres, were evaluated retrospectively. The prognostic influence of CRP and other factors, including age, tumour stage, and revised International Prognostic Index (R-IPI) on 5-year OS and 5-year DFS, were studied by Kaplan-Meier curves as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Influence of CRP on the predictive accuracy of the R-IPI score was determined by the Harrell concordance index. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier curves revealed elevated CRP as a factor for decreased 5-year OS and DFS in DLBCL patients (P<0.001, log-rank test). An independent significant association between high CRP levels and poor clinical outcome in multivariate analysis for 5-year OS (HR=1.51, CI 95%=1.04-2.20, P=0.031) and for DFS (HR=1.91, CI 95%=1.28-2.85, P=0.002) was found. The estimated concordance index was 0.75 using the original R-IPI score and 0.79 when CRP was added. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we demonstrated high CRP levels at diagnosis of DLBCL as an independent poor prognostic factor for clinical outcome. Adding CRP to the well-established prognostic models such as the R-IPI score might improve their predictive ability.

MiR-200a regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition-related gene expression and determines prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the biological properties of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and might serve as potential prognostic factors and therapeutic targets. In this study, we therefore globally profiled miRNAs associated with E-cadherin expression in CRC cells in an attempt to identify miRNAs that are associated with aggressive clinical course in CRC patients. METHODS: Two CRC cell lines (Caco-2 and HRT-18) with different E-cadherin expression pattern were profiled for differences in abundance for more than 1000 human miRNAs using microarray technology. One of the most differentially expressed miRNAs, miR-200a was evaluated for its prognostic role in a cohort of 111 patients and independently validated in 217 patients of the Cancer Genome Atlas data set. To further characterise the biological role of miR-200a expression in CRC, in vitro miR-200a inhibition and overexpression were performed and the effects on cellular growth, apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene expression were explored. RESULTS: In situ hybridisation specifically localised miR-200a in CRC cells. In both cohorts, a low miR-200a expression was associated with poor survival (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified low levels of miR-200a expression as an independent prognostic factor with respect to cancer-specific survival (HR=2.04, CI=1.28-3.25, P<0.002). Gain and loss of function assays for miR-200a in vitro led to a significantly differential and converse expression of EMT-related genes (P<0.001.) A low expression of miR-200a was also observed in cancer stem cell-enriched spheroid growth conditions (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data suggest that low miR-200a expression is associated with poor prognosis in CRC patients. MiR-200a has a regulatory effect on EMT and is associated with cancer stem cell properties in CRC.

The cyclin D1 (CCND1) rs9344 G>A polymorphism predicts clinical outcome in colon cancer patients treated with adjuvant 5-FU-based chemotherapy.

Recent evidence indicates a potential prognostic and predictive value for germline polymorphisms in genes involved in cell cycle control. We investigated the effect of cyclin D1 (CCND1) rs9344 G>A in stage II/III colon cancer patients and validated the findings in an independent study cohort. For evaluation and validation set, a total of 264 and 234 patients were included. Patients treated with 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, carrying the CCND1 rs9344 A/A genotype had significantly decreased time-to-tumor recurrence (TTR) in univariate analysis and multivariate analysis (hazard ratio (HR) 2.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-5.29; P=0.019). There was no significant association between CCND1 rs9344 G>A and TTR in patients with curative surgery alone. In the validation set, the A allele of CCND1 rs9344 G>A remained significantly associated with decreased TTR in univariate and multivariate analyses (HR 1.94; 95% CI 1.05-3.58; P=0.035). CCND1 rs9344 G>A may be a predictive and/or prognostic biomarker in stage II/III colon cancer patients, however, prospective trials are warranted to confirm our findings.

Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio: a novel marker for critical limb ischemia in PAOD patients.

BACKGROUND: The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is easily determined from the white blood cell count. Lymphocytes were previously investigated as a part of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with atherosclerotic disease and an elevated NLR was negatively associated with cardiovascular endpoints. As monocytes play a leading role in the progression of atherosclerosis, especially in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), we investigated LMR and its association with critical limb ischemia and other vascular endpoints in PAOD patients. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We evaluated 2121 PAOD patients treated at our institution from 2005 to 2010. LMR was calculated and the cohort was divided into tertiles according to the LMR. An optimal cut-off value for the continuous LMR was calculated by applying a receiver operating curve analysis to discriminate between CLI and non-CLI. In our cohort occurrence of CLI decreased significantly with an increase in LMR. An LMR of 3.1 was identified as an optimal cut-off. Two groups were categorized, one with 1021 patients (LMR < 3.1) and a second one with 1100 patients (LMR ≥ 3.1). CLI was more frequent in LMR < 3.1 patients [426 (41.7%)] than in LMR ≥ 3.1 patients [254 (23.1%)] (p < 0.001), as was also the case with prior myocardial infarction [60 (9.5%) vs. 35 (3.2%), p = 0.003] and congestive heart failure [136 (13.3%) vs. 66 (6.0%), p < 0.001). As to inflammatory parameters, C-reactive protein [median 9.0 mg/l (4.0-30.0) vs. median 4.0 mg/l (2.0-8.0)] and fibrinogen (median 438 mg/dl (350-563) vs. 372 mg/dl (316-459.5)] also differed significantly in the two patient groups (both p < 0.001). A LMR < 3.1 was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.0 (95% CI 1.8-2.2, p < 0.001) for CLI, even after adjustment for other vascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: A decreased LMR is significantly associated with a high risk for CLI and other vascular endpoints. The LMR is an easily determinable, broadly available and inexpensive marker that could be used to identify patients at high risk for vascular endpoints.

Thresholds of whole-blood ß-hydroxybutyrate and glucose concentrations measured with an electronic hand-held device to identify ovine hyperketonemia.

Metabolic disorders, especially hyperketonemia, are very common in dairy sheep. The whole-blood concentrations of ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and glucose can be determined by commercially available electronic hand-held devices, which are used in human medicine and for the detection of ketosis in dairy cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the hand-held device Precision Xceed (PX; Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Park, IL) to detect hyperketonemia in ewes. An additional objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement between samples obtained by minimal invasive venipuncture of an ear vein and measurements of whole-blood samples from the jugular vein (vena jugularis, v. jug.). Blood samples taken from the v. jug. were collected from 358 ewes on 4 different farms. These samples and a blood drop obtained from an ear vein were analyzed simultaneously on farm with the PX. For method comparison, the samples obtained from the v. jug. were also analyzed by standard methods, which served as the gold standard at the Central Laboratory of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria. The correlation coefficients between the serum BHBA concentration and the concentrations measured with the hand-held meter in the whole blood from an ear vein and the v. jug. were 0.94 and 0.96, respectively. The correlation coefficients of plasma and whole-blood glucose concentration were 0.68 for the v. jug. and 0.47 for the ear vein. The mean glucose concentration was significantly lower in animals classified as hyperketonemic (BHBA ≥ 1.6 mmol/L) compared with healthy ewes. Whole-blood concentrations of BHBA and glucose measured with the PX from v. jug. showed a constant negative bias of 0.15 mmol/L and 8.4 mg/dL, respectively. Hence, a receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine thresholds for the PX to detect hyperketonemia in ewes. This resulted in thresholds for moderate ketosis of BHBA concentrations of 0.7 mmol/L in blood from an ear vein and the v. jug. Cutoffs of 1.0 mmol/L (ear vein) and 1.1 mmol/L (v. jug.) BHBA were determined to detect animals at greater risk to develop severe hyperketonemia. Applying these thresholds, excellent test characteristics, with sensitivities of 1.00 for both samples and specificities of 0.98 for the ear vein and 0.97 for the v. jug. were determined. These results demonstrate that the PX is a useful tool for detection of hyperketonemia in ewes.

Evaluation of 2 electronic handheld devices for diagnosis of ketonemia and glycemia in dairy goats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the electronic handheld devices FreeStyle Precision (FSP; Abbott Germany, Wiesbaden, Germany) and GlucoMen LX Plus (GML; A. Menarini GmbH, Vienna, Austria) for the measurement of ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) in whole blood in dairy goats. Additionally, glucose concentration was analyzed with the FSP device. For method comparison, the samples were also analyzed in the laboratory by standard methods, which served as the gold standard in our study. A further objective was to evaluate the agreement between samples obtained by minimal invasive venipuncture of an ear vein and measurements of whole blood samples from the jugular vein (vena jugularis). In total, 173 blood sample pairs collected from 28 goats were obtained from an ear vein and from the jugular vein. The Spearman correlation coefficients (rsp) for BHBA concentrations determined with the FSP or GML and the gold standard were 0.95 and 0.85 for the ear vein and 0.98 and 0.88 for the jugular vein, respectively. Bland-Altman plots of differences showed a positive bias of 0.12 (ear vein) and 0.21 (jugular vein) when determination was performed with the FSP and a negative bias of 0.21 (ear vein) and 0.24 (jugular vein) when using the GML. For the FSP, applying the adjusted thresholds determined by ROC analysis of 0.9 (ear vein) and 1.0 mmol/L (jugular vein) allowed to distinguish between healthy goats and animals with hyperketonemia with sensitivities (Se) and specificities (Sp) for samples from the ear vein of 0.98 and 0.85, and from the jugular vein of 0.99 and 0.94, respectively. For the GML, adjusted thresholds were 0.5 mmol/L for the ear vein (Se=0.94, Sp=0.75) and 0.6 mmol/L for the jugular vein (Se=0.88, Sp=0.91). Repeated analyses of defined whole blood samples showed average inter- and intraassay coefficients of variation of 6.6 and 7.3% for FSP, and of 35.6 and 35.4% for GML, respectively. Test characteristics for determining glucose concentration with the FSP compared with the gold standard were poor (ear vein: rsp=0.41; jugular vein: rsp=0.51), with low validity to distinguish between hypo- and normoglycemia (Se=0.71, Sp=0.66). The present study showed good test characteristics for the FSP and moderate for the GML device for determining BHBA concentrations in whole blood. Additionally the results demonstrate the suitability of testing BHBA concentration in a blood drop obtained from an ear vein. Based on the results of this study, the FSP device is not suitable to differentiate normo- from hypoglycemia in goats.

High plasma fibrinogen level represents an independent negative prognostic factor regarding cancer-specific, metastasis-free, as well as overall survival in a European cohort of non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, plasma fibrinogen has been ascribed an important role in the pathophysiology of tumour cell invasion and metastases. A relatively small-scale study has indicated that plasma fibrinogen levels may serve as a prognostic factor for predicting clinical outcomes in non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. METHODS: Data from 994 consecutive non-metastatic RCC patients, operated between 2000 and 2010 at a single, tertiary academic centre, were evaluated. Analyses of plasma fibrinogen levels were performed one day before the surgical interventions. Patients were categorised using a cut-off value of 466 mg dl⁻¹ according to a calculation by receiver-operating curve analysis. Cancer-specific (CSS), metastasis-free (MFS), as well as overall survival (OS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. To evaluate the independent prognostic impact of plasma fibrinogen level, a multivariable Cox regression model was performed for all three different endpoints. RESULTS: High plasma fibrinogen levels were associated with various well-established prognostic factors, including age, advanced tumour stage, tumour grade and histologic tumour necrosis (all P<0.05). Furthermore, in multivariable analysis, a high plasma fibrinogen level was statistically significantly associated with a poor outcome for patients' CSS (hazard ratio (HR): 2.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49-4.11, P<0.001), MFS (HR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.44-3.22, P<0.001) and OS (HR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.80-3.40, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: A high plasma fibrinogen level seems to represent a strong and independent negative prognostic factor regarding CSS, MFS and OS in non-metastatic RCC patients. Thus, this easily determinable laboratory value should be considered as an additional prognostic factor for RCC patients' individual risk assessment.