ABSTRACT
THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the difference of serum level of HE4 and CA125 among patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer, considering the presence or absence of selected risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 46 patients, whose serum level of HE4 and CA125 level was documented, admitted to our Clinic because of endometrioid endometrial cancer. The statistical difference of both markers was analyzed considering certain risk factors. RESULTS: In the examined group of patients there was no significant statistical difference of HE4 and CA125 levels among patients with and without the following risk factors: older age, menopausal status, overweight and obesity, hypertension, diabetes, early menarche, and family history of certain cancers. Similar results were obtained within the subgroup of patients with stage I endometrial cancer. Both HE4 and CA125 were significantly higher in premenopausal patients than in those after menopause in the more advanced stages of the disease. The same results were obtained within group of patients with advanced histological grading G2 and G3. In this group, higher levels of CA125 were observed among patients without hypertension. Among patients with histological grade G1 the serum level of HE4 was higher in the group of patients older than 60 years than it was in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the examined group of patients serum levels of tumour markers may not be affected by the selected risk factors. Higher HE4 and CA125 levels among premenopausal patients may be an alarming sign of advanced stages and classes of histological grading.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of the study was to assess a correlation between ultrasonographic measurement of fetal thigh soft-tissue thickness (FTSTT) and selected fetal ultrasonographic and maternal anthropometric parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 women with a singleton term pregnancy were included in the study Anthropometric maternal and fetal measurements were assessed. Fetal weight was estimated with the Hadlock formula using head circumference (HC), abdomen circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), and femoral length (FL). FTSTT was measured using the method of Scioscia M. et al. Then, statistical analysis of the correlation between FTSTT and maternal anthropometric and fetal ultrasonographic parameters was performed. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found between ultrasonographically estimated fetal weight and BPD, HC, AC, FL and FTSTT, as well as between FTSTT and neonatal birthweight and length, and maternal pre-pregnancy and pre-delivery weight. This correlation was not found between FTSTT and maternal BMI and weight gain during pregnancy A statistically significant correlation was detected between FTSTT and neonatal birthweight of newborns born between 38 and 40 weeks of gestation but no such correlation was found at 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. In addition, no statistically significant difference was observed in the measurement of FTSTT between physiological pregnancies and those complicated by diabetes. FTSTT measurements in fetuses with macrosomia (real and determined on the basis of ultrasound examination) were not statistically different from those of fetuses without macrosomia. CONCLUSIONS: FTSTT measurement may be helpful in estimating fetal weight, but it is not useful in the diagnosis of fetal macrosomia.
Subject(s)
Birth Weight , Fetal Weight/physiology , Thigh/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods , Adult , Female , Fetal Macrosomia/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Predictive Value of Tests , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , Thigh/embryology , Young AdultABSTRACT
AIM: The purpose of the study was to examine the energy dependence of Gafchromic EBT radiochromic dosimetry films, in order to assess their potential use in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) verifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The film samples were irradiated with doses from 0.1 to 12 Gy using photon beams from the energy range 1.25 MeV to 25 MV and the film response was measured using a flat-bed scanner. The samples were scanned and the film responses for different beam energies were compared. RESULTS: A high uncertainty in readout of the film response was observed for samples irradiated with doses lower than 1 Gy. The relative difference exceeds 20% for doses lower than 1 Gy while for doses over 1 Gy the measured film response differs by less than 5% for the whole examined energy range. The achieved uncertainty of the experimental procedure does not reveal any energy dependence of Gafchromic EBT film response in the investigated energy range. CONCLUSIONS: Gafchromic EBT film does not show any energy dependence in the conditions typical for IMRT but the doses measured for pre-treatment plan verifications should exceed 1 Gy.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this research was to assess the effect of diet supplementation with zinc and copper, in different chemical forms (organic and inorganic), on the mechanical properties of the hair of healthy English thoroughbred horses. Hairs were taken from 18 horses which had been fed with oats and hay for a period of 110 days. Twelve of the horses had been additionally given a daily dose of 700 g of highquality 44-ingredients Fohlengold St-Hippolyt muesli made by Muhle Ebert Dilheim. Six of them had received the muesli-containing organic zinc and copper (OS), while the other six horses had received the muesli-containing inorganic zinc and copper (IS). The mechanical properties of the hairs before and after the supplementation period were tested in a Synergie 100 (MTS) testing machine. Each of the hairs was loaded at a constant rate of 20 mm/min until rupture. Young modulus (E), breaking stress (Ru) and yield point (Rs) of the particular hairs were determined. No significant changes in the mechanical parameters were observed in the reference group in which the horses were fed with only oats and hay for the whole experimental period of 110 days. The supplementation of the diet with inorganic zinc and copper resulted in an increase in the elasticity and diameter of the hairs and in a simultaneous reduction in their strength. Whereas organic zinc and copper caused an increase in the elasticity and strength of the hairs and a simultaneous reduction in their diameter. It has been shown that the organic form of the supplemented trace zinc and copper (mainly copper) elements has a beneficial effect on the mechanical properties of the hairs since it results in an increase in both their elasticity and strength.
