Differential expression of miR‐21, miR‐125b and miR‐191 in breast cancer tissue

Aims: To develop new biomarkers for early detection and to inform effective clinical management of breast cancer. Methods: Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to profile microRNA (miRNA) in tumor tissue from 50 breast cancer patients using non‐tumor breast tissue from each patient as a control. We have focussed on three miRNA; miR‐21, miR‐125b and miR‐191, all of which have been implicated in breast cancer with either proven or predicted target genes involved in critical cancer‐associated cellular pathways. Results: Upregulation of miR‐21 and miR‐191 and downregulation of miR‐125b, was found in breast cancer tissue. Combined expression analysis of miR‐125b/miR‐191 increased sensitivity to 100% and specificity to 94% while miR‐21/miR‐191 increased to 92% and 100%, respectively. Therefore, combination of two miRNA gives a better prediction than individual miRNA. Conclusions: We could differentiate between breast cancer and adjacent non‐tumor breast tissue as a control with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity in the Mexican population using a combined expression analysis of only two miRNA. These observations, although a proof of principle finding at this time, show that a combined expression profile of two miRNA (miR‐125b/miR‐191 and miR‐21/miR‐191) can discriminate between breast cancer and non‐tumor tissue with high specificity and sensitivity.     

ANGEBOHRT

Der Freie Zahnarzt -     

Neonatal outcome following new assisted reproductive technology regulations in Turkey – a nationwide multicenter point prevalence study

Objective: In March 2010, a new legislation about assisted reproductive technology (ART) activities, favoring single embryo transfer, was introduced in Turkey. Consequences of new regulations on neonatal outcome have not been evaluated in multicenter studies yet. In this study, our aim was to evaluate neonatal outcome of infants from medically assisted reproduction (MAR) pregnancies in the post-legislation era.

Methods: A point prevalence study was conducted at 51 centers in Turkey on 1 April 2013. Data about fertility treatments and neonatal characteristics were evaluated for “live births” (Group 1) and “patients being cared in the NICU” (Group 2).

Results: Seventeen (4%) of 420 infants in group 1, and 89 (8.1%) of 1094 infants in group 2 were born after MAR pregnancies. The ratio of multiple births in MAR pregnancies was still very high as 47.1% for group 1, 69.1% for group 2 infants. MAR babies constituted 9.9% of infants in Level 3 NICUs and 7.6% infants in Level 2 NICUs. MAR was associated with increased risk of multiple births and prematurity.

Conclusions: After the new legislation, multiple birth rates are still high in MAR pregnancies, resulting in unfavorable neonatal outcomes. Efforts to decrease multiple birth rates should be encouraged.