Measurement of blood phosphorus: a quick and inexpensive method for detection of the existence of cancer in the body. Too good to be true, or forgotten knowledge of the past?

The possible elevation of phosphorous (P) in cancer patients blood serum has been reported in the past. This however seems to have passed unnoticed. One hundred individuals, divided into two groups of fifty each, i.e. cancer patients (group A) and healthy individuals (group B), were included in this retrospective study. The incidence of cancer by site in group A was 24% head and neck, 50% non-small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 26% cervical cancer. In all cancer patients in group A the serum P was over the normal values, in contrast with the normal values of P measured in group B. The mean value of serum P in group A and B were 7.80 (± 2.24) and 3.38 (± 0.58), respectively (P<0.001, Mann Whitney test). Increased amount of phosphorus in the blood, when other causes justifying the increase were excluded, should be considered as indicative for the existence of unidentified cancerous lesions.

Microbial and sensory quality of "Lollo verde" lettuce and rocket salad stored under active atmosphere packaging.

Samples of fresh rocket "Eruca Sativa" were stored either alone or with the addition of lettuce "Lollo verde" leaves under two different atmosphere modifications (5% O(2) and 10% CO(2) for MAP A and 2% O(2) and 5% CO(2) for MAP B). Throughout the storage period of 10 days the microbial (mesophilic, psychrotrophic bacteria and Enterobacteriacae) populations, firmness, color and organoleptic parameters were monitored. Elevated CO(2) levels created by both atmosphere modifications inhibited mesophile and psychrophile growth (p < 0.05). Color was better maintained in MAP samples. Shelf life of rocket leaves was extended by 4 days under MAP A while mixed salads shelf life was limited to 9 days.

Study of the effect of atmosphere modification in conjunction with honey on the extent of shelf life of Greek bakery delicacy "touloumpaki".

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of atmosphere modification on microbial (mesophiles, yeast and molds) qualities, color, pH, texture and water activity of the Greek bakery product "touloumpaki". Samples were stored under MAP (60% CO(2)) either alone or with the addition of honey syrup for 16 days at room temperature (22-24 °C). Texture was better maintained under MAP and the addition of honey prevented the increase of shear force needed (1.498 and 3.20 for samples with and without honey). Honey inhibited the growth of yeasts on samples stored under MAP (1.6 and 2.02 log CFU/g for samples under MAP with and without honey respectively) while multivariant analysis showed that MAP and honey acted synergistically in confining yeasts. Presence of honey restrained the mesophilic growth until the end of storage period (5.21 and 4.29 log CFU/g for MAP and control samples respectively) while MAP did not have any beneficial effect. Water activity (a(W) < 0.754) was strongly associated with reduced mesophile growth. Lightness values showed a significant decrease during time with no significant changes among treatments in both internal layers and external surface of the product.

Study of changes in physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of shrimps (Melicertus kerathurus) stored under modified atmosphere packaging.

Fresh minimally processed shrimps were stored under modified atmosphere packaging (60% CO(2):40% N(2) for MAP A and 92.9% N(2):5.1% CO(2):2% O(2) for MAP B) for 5 days at 3 °C. Total mesophiles, H(2)S forming bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, firmness, color and sensory parameters were investigated throughout the whole time of the experiment. During storage period samples stored under MAP B managed to retain firmness values close to the initial values. All microbial populations growth was suppressed by the presence of MAP A. Samples stored under MAP B managed to maintain their firmness values close to the initial ones while MAP A samples were significantly less firm (p < 0.05).

The effect of addition of olive oil and "Aceto balsamico di Modena" wine vinegar in conjunction with active atmosphere packaging on the microbial and sensory quality of "Lollo Verde" lettuce and rocket salad.

Fresh rocket "Eruca Sativa" and lettuce "Lollo Verde" leaves were stored with the addition of olive oil and wine vinegar "Aceto balsamico di Modena" under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (5% O(2)/10% CO(2)/85% N(2) for MAP A and 2% O(2)/5% CO(2)/93% N(2) for MAP B). The microbial (mesophilic, psychrotrophic bacteria and Enterobacteriacae), physical (color and firmness) and sensory parameters of samples were studied in relation to storage time (up to 10 days at 5 ± 1 °C). The effect of wine vinegar and the application of both MAP treatments reduced the growth of all bacteria populations (p < 0.05). Samples with olive oil stored under MAP A gave the best score for overall impression (3 and 2.1 for MAP A and B respectively at the 9th day of storage) while the addition of vinegar limited sensory shelf-life to 3 days (p < 0.05). Firmness was negatively affected by wine vinegar while samples with olive oil stored under MAP A maintained firmness close to normal. Color attributes were maintained better under both MAP treatments (p < 0.05).

The asymmetry in length between right and left humerus in humans.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the phenomenon of asymmetry in length between the right and left humerus. Earlier studies have investigated the asymmetries between long bones both in upper and the lower extremities. These studies confirmed that the right side bone dimensions in upper limb were more prominent especially in length and diaphyseal breadth and as well as more asymmetry in the upper limb when compared with the lower limb. For the purposes of the study 200 pair of humerus, 100 male and 100 female, were elaborated. After results analysis with unpaired t-test observed that the right humerus was longer than the left in both sexes, but more prominent in males. The inheritance and the influence of the individual's activities on the asymmetry is discussed. It is concluded that the phenomenon should be considered as inherited which can be affected by various factors.

Ricin and the assassination of Georgi Markov.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dead reasons of Georgi Markov. Georgi Markov, a well known Bulgarian novelist and playwright, dissident of the communist regime in his country, escaped to England where, he dedicated himself in broadcasting from BBC World Service, the Radio Free Europe and the German Deutsche Welle against the communist party and especially against its leader Todor Zhivkov who in a party's meeting told that he wanted Markov silenced for ever. On the 7th September 1978 Markov received a deadly dose of the poison ricin by injection to his thigh by a specially modified umbrella. He died without a final diagnosis a few days later. The autopsy revealed the poisoning. The murderer, in spite of the efforts of the Police, Interpol and Diplomacy still remains unknown.

Cancellous bone changes in hip osteoarthritis: a short-term longitudinal study using fractal signature analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify changes to the trabecular structure in the femoral heads of patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Patients with OA (n=14; F=7), mean (standard deviation age) 50.6 (10.1) years, had macroradiographs at approximately x4 magnification at baseline and 18 months later using a standardized protocol. Following digitization, computerized measurement was obtained of minimum hip joint space width and fractal signature analysis (FSA) measured longitudinal changes separately in the principal compressive (vertical) and horizontal trabeculae at the region of interest within the centre of the head. RESULTS: The patient group had mean annual rate of joint space narrowing of 0.14+/-0.36 mm/yr. FSA detected no significant changes in horizontal trabeculae, whereas the larger principal compressive (vertical) trabeculae (0.96 mm to 1.02 mm) increased significantly in thickness and the fine to medium trabeculae (0.18 mm to 0.54 mm) decreased significantly in number. CONCLUSION: The increased thickness of the larger trabeculae within the compressive structural element of the femoral head is a response to the increase in stress associated with an overall loss of trabeculae in this region, suggesting the presence of an osteoporosis within the femoral head in OA patients.

Quantitative radiographic assessment of cancellous bone changes in the proximal tibia after total knee arthroplasty: a 3-year follow-up study.

The objective of this study was to determine whether fractal signature analysis (FSA) of digitized macroradiographs of knees with prosthetic implants quantifies alterations in tibial trabecular structure surrounding the implant over a 3-year period. Nineteen knees (16 patients) with arthroplasty had macroradiographs (x4) at baseline and annually for 3 years. The regions of interest (ROIs) were located in the medial and lateral plateau, midstem, and apical sites. FSA of horizontal and vertical trabecular organization was measured at each ROI, and the changes at the yearly visits were compared to the baseline values. Compared to the baseline values, FSA of the first-year radiographs detected a significant ( P < 0.05) decrease in the number of vertical trabeculae in the medial compartment, and vertical, and horizontal trabeculae in the lateral compartment. During the second year, bone remodeling led to an increase in the number of horizontal trabeculae in the medial compartment, and vertical, and horizontal trabeculae in the lateral compartment. During the third year, there was a significant increase ( P < 0.05) in the number of vertical and some horizontal trabeculae in both the medial and lateral compartments. Overall trabecular changes were significantly greater in the lateral than in the medial compartment. Following total knee arthroplasty, the response of bone showed that the first year was characterized by trabecular loss in response to posttraumatic osteopenia following surgery. By the third year, this process had reversed, with a significant increase in mainly vertical and some horizontal trabeculae in both the medial and lateral compartments, with only the lateral compartment showing an overall loss in small- and medium-sized trabeculae by the end of the study period.