Project description:Whole-genome array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) of human ependymoma tumors. DOP-PCR products were spotted in triplicate onto NexterionTM Slide E epoxysilane-coated slides (PEQLAB, Erlangen, Germany) using a spotting robot (VersArray ChipWriterTM Pro system,BioRad, Munich, Germany) at 20C and 40% humidity. After spotting, slides were cross-linked,baked for 1 hr at 80C, and cross-linked again. Fresh frozen tumor material was collected during tumor resection. Copy number aberrations represent the status at diagnosis.
Project description:Whole-genome array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) of human ependymoma tumors. DOP-PCR products were spotted in triplicate onto NexterionTM Slide E epoxysilane-coated slides (PEQLAB, Erlangen, Germany) using a spotting robot (VersArray ChipWriterTM Pro system,BioRad, Munich, Germany) at 20C and 40% humidity. After spotting, slides were cross-linked,baked for 1 hr at 80C, and cross-linked again.
Project description:BackgroundLumps and soft tissue tumors (STT) are frequent reasons for consulting a physician. Most STT are benign, and lumps are not always associated with a tumor. MRI is the most advanced imaging modality to assist a provisional diagnosis of STT. Only a small fraction of STT is malignant, these soft tissue sarcomas are known for their aggressive growth. The study aims to analyze the influence of the MRI report on the speed of treatment of patients with suspected STT.MethodsThis was a retrospective, longitudinal, single-center study from 2011-2020. We included adult patients who had biopsies or resections of masses suspicious for STT in MRI exams. MRI reports were classified as benign (I), intermediate/unclear (II), or malignant (III). For these cohorts, time was statistically analyzed from MRI scan to first contact with the University cancer center (UCC) and surgery. Furthermore, distance in kilometers from the patients´ home to the UCC was examined and compared to age and suspected malignancy.ResultsThree hundred two patients (♀130; ♂172) were included. Histologic analyses revealed 286 tumors. The average age of the patients was 54.7(SD: 16.2) years. Malignant tumors were more often suspected in older patients (p = 0.0098). Patients with a benign diagnosed tumor in MRI contacted the UCC after an average of 31.3 (SD: 47.8) days. In contrast, patients with suspicion of a malignant tumor contacted the UCC significantly earlier, after 14.1 days (SD: 17.1); p = 0.0098. Likewise, the time between first contact and biopsy/resection was 32.8 days (SD: 35.7) for suspiciously benign tumors, and potentially malignant tumors were treated significantly faster 14.8 (SD: 16.0) days; (p = 0.028). Patients traveled on average 47.5 km (range: 0.5-483) to contact a specialized physician at the UCC. Suspected degree of malignancy or patient´s age had no statistical influence on traveled distance.DiscussionThe treatment speed depended to a great extent on the suspected malignancy of the STT in the MRI report. The provisional diagnoses from the radiologist highly influenced the time delay between MRI scan and first contact to the UCC and surgical treatment. No discrimination of age or distance to the UCC was observed in this study.
Project description:The Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN) Data Access Committee was established in June 2007 to provide prompt and fair access to data from six genome-wide association studies through the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP). Of 945 project requests received through 2011, 749 (79%) have been approved; median receipt-to-approval time decreased from 14 days in 2007 to 8 days in 2011. Over half (54%) of the proposed research uses were for GAIN-specific phenotypes; other uses were for method development (26%) and adding controls to other studies (17%). Eight data-management incidents, defined as compromises of any of the data-use conditions, occurred among nine approved users; most were procedural violations, and none violated participant confidentiality. Over 5 years of experience with GAIN data access has demonstrated substantial use of GAIN data by investigators from academic, nonprofit, and for-profit institutions with relatively few and contained policy violations. The availability of GAIN data has allowed for advances in both the understanding of the genetic underpinnings of mental-health disorders, diabetes, and psoriasis and the development and refinement of statistical methods for identifying genetic and environmental factors related to complex common diseases.
Project description:BackgroundStudy publication bias and outcome reporting bias have been recognised as two threats to the validity of systematic reviews. The purpose of this research was to estimate the proportion of missing participant outcome data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) due to lack of publication of whole studies and due to outcome data missing within study publications.Methods and findingsData were extracted from protocols of clinical research projects submitted to the research ethics committee of the University of Freiburg (Germany) between 2000 and 2002 and associated fully published articles. The total amount of published and unpublished outcome data from all trial participants was calculated for each trial and the overall proportion of missing data from both unpublished and published trials computed. Full and partially reported outcome data was also taken into consideration. The impact of funding source on missingness was also considered at the trial level. From 308 parallel group trials in the study cohort, 167 were published and 141 were unpublished. Overall, 260,563 participants contributed to a total of 2,618,116 participant outcome data across all trials. About half (47%) of the participant outcome data from the 308 trials was reported in full but at least 81% were partially reported. Of the 19% of participant data that were missing, 4% was attributable to missing data from published trials and 15% from unpublished trials. Commercially funded trials had a higher probability of publication (relative risk 1.20, 95% confidence interval 0.86, 1.67; p = 0.27) but were less likely to fully report all outcomes than non-commercially funded trials (relative risk 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.30, 1.38; p = 0.26).ConclusionsMissing participant outcome data from both published and unpublished trials is frequent. Clinical trial registration including outcome information not only identifies that clinical trials exist but the systematic examination and monitoring of trial information within a registry can help detect selective reporting of entire studies and of outcome data within studies and possibly prevent it.