Molecular signatures that can be transferred across different omics platforms.

MOTIVATION: Molecular signatures for treatment recommendations are well researched. Still it is challenging to apply them to data generated by different protocols or technical platforms. RESULTS: We analyzed paired data for the same tumors (Burkitt lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) and features that had been generated by different experimental protocols and analytical platforms including the nanoString nCounter and Affymetrix Gene Chip transcriptomics as well as the SWATH and SRM proteomics platforms. A statistical model that assumes independent sample and feature effects accounted for 69-94% of technical variability. We analyzed how variability is propagated through linear signatures possibly affecting predictions and treatment recommendations. Linear signatures with feature weights adding to zero were substantially more robust than unbalanced signatures. They yielded consistent predictions across data from different platforms, both for transcriptomics and proteomics data. Similarly stable were their predictions across data from fresh frozen and matching formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human tumor tissue. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The R-package 'zeroSum' can be downloaded at https://github.com/rehbergT/zeroSum . Complete data and R codes necessary to reproduce all our results can be received from the authors upon request. CONTACT: rainer.spang@ur.de.

Cluster-oriented discriminant analysis; taxonomic classification of the thyroid function.

A computer assisted procedure for the diagnosis of thyroid diseases, based on seven clinical chemical parameters, is proposed. The population studied consisted of 592 consecutive outpatients with a tentative diagnosis of thyroid disease. Thyroxine, triiodothyronine, T3 uptake test, TSH before and after TRH application, its difference and thyroxine binding globulin have been determined. The patients were clinically examined and in each case a Tc-scintigram was obtained. As a first step, 20 biochemical patterns were defined by cluster analysis (pattern cognition). T check how good in grouping process was, linear discriminant analysis was applied after which the reclassification rates were very satisfactory. The clusters found corresponded well to the pathophysiological situations with some exceptions. As a second step, patients were assigned to these patterns by use of the derived discriminant functions (pattern recognition). The proposed method seems to have some advantages over other diagnostic models published hitherto.

[Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism in the aged. 2. Pathomechanism, differential diagnosis and therapy problems]. / Jod-induzierte Hyperthyreose im Alter. Teil 2: Pathomechanismus, differentialdiagnostische und therapeutische Probleme.

The occurrence of multiple processes in elderly patients brings a high risk for diagnostic or therapeutic induced iodine-hyperthyroidism. Often an atypical form of hyperthyroidism without classical symptoms is induced. The cause of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism exists mostly in autonomous tissue beyond a "critical volume" in localized or disseminated form. If the deficiency of iodine in endemic goitre areas is substituted by iodine-application, hypermetabolism of autonomous tissue causes hyperthyroidism. The pathomechanism of autonomy and iodine-induced hyperthyroidism is not completely known. General iodine salt prophylaxis will bring less amounts of autonomous goitres. Some differential diagnostic possibilities for avoiding iodine-contamination in the elderly patients and therapeutic consequences after unavoidable iodine-application are described.

[Oncocytoma of the thyroid gland]. / Das Onkozytom der Schilddrüse.

The Huerthle cell tumor is quite frequent in southern Germany; this is shown by examinations of patients from our field hospital for nuclear medicine. Our findings conclude with data presented by Galvan (Salzburg). The certainly quite short observation period shows that Huerthle cell adenomas occur much more frequent than carcinomas, when a Huerthle cell neoplasm is diagnosed cytologically. Our investigations show, that Huerthle cell tumors of the thyroid gland are a not wellknown and rare disease, which necessitates a clear decision as result of the cytological finding as far as necessary surgical measures are concerned. This is probably the only way to improve the efficiency of measures for early diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the thyroid gland. Considering the want of clearness which still exists referring to the dignity of Huerthle cell tumors in our opinion even cases which had been diagnosed as adenomas histologically should be controlled regularly once a year during an observation period of ten years.