[Evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of total and free sialic acid levels for the diagnosis of bladder cancer and its relation to the stage and grade of tumor malignancy]

Background: Bladder cancer is the second most common urological malignancy. Cystoscopy is the "gold standard" for the detection of bladder cancer, but is invasive and relatively expensive. This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of serum levels of free and total sialic acids as tumor markers in the diagnosis of bladder cancer

Materials and Methods: In this study, the diagnostic value of blood samples collected from 58 patients with bladder cancer and 60 normal subjects were evaluated. The spectrophotometrical Aminoff's method was used for measuring serum levels of free and total sialic acids. After comparing the mean values for the mentioned parameters, ROC curve was used to calculate the sensitivity and specificity and other diagnostic values of markers

Results: The mean values for total sialic acid and free sialic acid were higher in cancer patients than in normal healthy controls [P<0.001]. The sensitivity and specificity of total sialic acid at the cut-off point of 48.75 mg/dL were 91% and 82%, respectively and also the sensitivity and specificity of free sialic acid at the cut-off point of 0.708 mg/dL were 81% and 80%, respectively. Moreover, a positive correlation was seen between the serum levels of total, free sialic acids and stage or grade of the tumor

Conclusion: Our results revealed that the measurement of serum levels of these parameters using some simple, non-invasive, inexpensive, and reproducible tests can diagnose the bladder cancer and provide important clinical findings on the extent of the malignancy and also reduce the number of cyctoscopies

Haemolymph components of infected and none infected lymnaea snails with xiphidiocercariae

In this study the haemolymph components of infected and none infected Lymnaea gedrosiana with xiphidiocercaria larvae was compared. Five hundred Fifty Lymnaea snails were collected from Ilam and Mazandaran provinces, Iran, during 2008-2009. The snails were transported to the lab at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and their cercarial sheddings were studied. Haemolmyphs of snails were extracted and cells were counted using haemocytometer and cell-surface carbohydrate were recognized by conjugated lectin [Lentil]. Haemolymph protein concentrations were measured by Bradford protein assay method and soluble protein compositions were determined on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE]. From the 550 examined Lymnaea snails for cercariae, 27 snails were infected with xiphidiocercariae. Mean of haemolymph cells [haemocyte] number were obtained 93480 +/- 2.43 [cells/ml] for none infected snails [25 snail] and 124560 +/- 2800 [cells/ml] for infected snails [25 snail]. Mannose carbohydrate was recognized on haemocyte of none infected and infected snails. Mean of protein concentration of haemolymph plasma was obtained as 1354 +/- 160 micro g/ml [1.4 mg/ml] for none infected snails [25 snails] and 1802 +/- 138 micro g/ml [1.8 mg/ml] for infected snail [25 snails]. Comparing to none infected snails, the SDS-PAGE results of haemolymph plasma of infected snails, showed an extra protein band [70 kDa]. The results showed a significant difference between the amounts and the kinds of proteins in haemolymph of infected and none infected snails. This information might be useful to understand of parasite detection, adhesion, engulfment and antigen agglutination by snail

[Serum visfatin concentration in patients with metabolic syndrome]

Recent studies indicate that Visfatin, a newly identified adipocytokine, may have potential proinflammatory effects. Since, the relationship between serum visfatin levels and metabolic syndrome [MetS] has not been established, the aim of this study was to explore the association between serum visfatin levels and anthropometric variables and the metabolic syndrome. Thirty-seven patients with MetS and 37 age matched controls [mean age 46.35 +/- 1.6 years] were included. Metabolic syndrome in patients was defined based on the 2005 criteria of the International Diabetes Federation, and anthropometric and biochemical profiles were documented. Serum Visfatin was measured using an enzyme immunoassay [EIA] kit. Using the t-test, data were compared between groups and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between continuous variables. P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Serum Visfatin level was significantly lower in metabolic syndrome patients [P<0. 05] compared controls, log visfatin: 1.74 +/- 0.27 nanogram/ml vs. 1.86 +/- 0.13 nanogram/ml, respectively. There was no significant correlation between serum visfatin levels and any anthropometric or any metabolic parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome or the control group. The results of this study showed that serum visfatin level was decreased in patients with MetS, indicating that Visfatin cannot be considered as a new proinflammatory adipocytokine for the metabolic syndrome