ABSTRACT
The main aim of this study was to evaluate the response of total Sialic Acid (TSA) and "Lipid-bound" Sialic Acid (LSA) compared to Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), in 284 patients undergoing radiotherapy. Serial measurements of TSA by the enzymatic method (Boehringer-Mannheim Kit), LSA by the resorcinol-HC1 (Katopodis and Stock) and CEA by EIA (Abbott Kit) were performed in a total of 1017 blood sera. We statistically estimated the four greater groups of cancer patients [bladder (69), lung (58), uterus (31) and breast (29)]. Diagnostic marker sensitivities (% true positives) estimated from the 0-time-values--before initiation of radiotherapy--in relation to the established cut-off levels were in decreasing order: TSA 89.3% (80 mg/dL). LSA 88.8% (20 mg/dL) and CEA 26.75% (5 ng/mL). The overall tumor marker response to treatment, after its completion, estimated as % of patients with final blood serum levels of these markers, was in decreasing order: LSA 85.6%, TSA 81.3%, and CEA 65.8%. These data show that a) the diagnostic sensitivity of Sialic Acid (LSA/TSA) is more than 3 times higher than that of CEA and b) the response of Sialic Acid (LSA/TSA) to treatment is about 15% higher than that of CEA. In conclusion, this study confirms the high diagnostic sensitivity of Sialic Acid as a tumor marker and suggests that, with marginal superiority of Sialic Acid, all three markers are sufficiently responsive to be employed as adjunctive means in monitoring cancer patients underdoing radiotherapy.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Carcinoembryonic Antigen/analysis , Neoplasms/blood , Sialic Acids/blood , Humans , N-Acetylneuraminic Acid , Neoplasms/radiotherapyABSTRACT
Forty-five patients having previously undergone surgical removal of hydatid cysts were examined for recurrence using CT. Recurrence of hydatid disease was demonstrated in 11 patients. At the site of surgical cyst evacuation, cyst-like structures (pseudocysts) were demonstrated in 15 patients. Although pseudocysts were smaller than the original cysts and demonstrated a flattened appearance and a thicker wall, differentiation from recurrent viable hydatid cysts was difficult. Five of the pseudocysts had attenuation values between 10 and 35 HU, and eight had attenuation values close to that of fat (- 20 to - 100 HU). The findings of this study may be important in the follow-up of patients with hydatid disease.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Echinococcosis/pathology , Echinococcosis/surgery , Echinococcosis, Hepatic/diagnostic imaging , Echinococcosis, Hepatic/surgery , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , RecurrenceSubject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/diagnostic imaging , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Acid Phosphatase/blood , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Diethylstilbestrol/therapeutic use , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , RadiographyABSTRACT
In adults of both sexes, the influence on the basal and the maximal by means of pentagastrin stimulated gastric secretion of a single intravenous injection of 8 mg (0.09 to 0.16 mg/kg) oxyfedrine or of two intramuscular injections of 1 mg (0.014 to 0.016 mg/kg) or of 2.5 mg (0.033 to 0.045 mg/kg) in each case isoproterenol, consecutively administered at an interval of 15 minutes, was studied. At a dose which evokes cardiovascular responses isoproterenol does not produce a significant change of the secretory rates of H+, C1-, Na+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++ or of the ionic composition of gastric juice both during basal and maximal acid output. Oxyfedrine shows only during maximal acid stimulation some effects on gastric secretion: a significant rise of the concentration and secretory rate of H+ and of the secretory rate of C1- and a significant decline of the concentration of Na+ and of both the concentration and secretory rate of Mg++. Beta-adrenergic receptors seem not to play any part in the regulation of the production of gastric juice. Possibly, the action of oxyfedrine on the stimulated gastric mucosa may be mediated by a stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors or by inhibition of the activity of 3',5'-AMP-phosphodiesterase.
Subject(s)
Adrenergic beta-Agonists/pharmacology , Gastric Juice/metabolism , Isoproterenol/pharmacology , Oxyfedrine/pharmacology , Propiophenones/pharmacology , Adult , Calcium/metabolism , Chlorides/metabolism , Cyclic AMP/physiology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Magnesium/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Pentagastrin/pharmacology , Potassium/metabolism , Secretory Rate/drug effects , Sodium/metabolismSubject(s)
Arteriosclerosis/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Humans , Hypertension/genetics , Military Medicine , Obesity/genetics , RiskABSTRACT
In comparison with the maximal acid stimulation produced by intravenous infusion of histalog (2 mg/kg bw/h), a single intravenous injection of 25 mg prednisolone during maximal acid stimulation produced by pentagastrin (1.5 mug/kg bw/h) does not cause a significant change of secretion rate or ionic composition of gastric juice in man. This suggests that there is a greater dependence of histalog stimulation than of pentagastrin stimulation on the normal secretion of glucocorticoids.
