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.

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the cervix: a hypodiploid tumor?

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) of the uterine cervix is an extremely well-differentiated adenocarcinoma arising from the endocervix, with minimal morphological deviation from normal endocervical columnar epithelium. We performed DNA cytometric investigation using DNA image analysis in three cases of MDA. For the diagnosis of DNA aneuploidy, we used a combined method of single cell and stemline interpretation of DNA histograms. The most significant finding is that DNA image analysis of all three cases of MDA revealed a hypodiploid stemline DNA value in the histograms of the measured cells and consequently the diagnosis of DNA aneuploidy (DNA index: 0.63, 0.88, and 0.63, respectively). On the basis of our results, we believe that DNA image analysis is useful as a diagnostic aid in doubtful cases of MDA. We find MDA is an aneuploid tumor with a hypodiploid stem cell subpopulation.

The purpose of prelaparoscopy transvaginal retrieval and evaluation of oocytes in a modified GIFT procedure.

To minimize the risk of submitting the patient to an 'unnecessary' laparoscopy in cases of unsuccessful oocyte retrieval and to reduce gamete exposure to the probable adverse effects of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum and anaesthetic agents, we have performed transvaginal oocyte recovery prior to performing the laparoscopy for gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT). When the recovered oocytes had a low potential for fertilization, the GIFT laparoscopy was cancelled and fertilization in vitro and zygote intra-Fallopian transfer (ZIFT) were attempted instead. By introducing this modified, two-stage GIFT procedure, the laparoscopy time was reduced to a quarter of that required for the more time-consuming, conventional GIFT method (18 +/- 4 min and 76 +/- 13 min respectively in the same unit). Of the 35 cases selected for this modified GIFT treatment, only 26 were considered suitable to proceed to laparoscopy, resulting in eight clinical pregnancies (30.7%). The remaining nine (25.7%) GIFT cases were cancelled, due either to the absence of oocytes in four or to their poor quality in five (oopenia). The latter were diverted to IVF and out of five cases, only two oocytes were fertilized and proceeded to ZIFT. No clinical pregnancy resulted. In conclusion, we propose that securing the retrieval of oocytes of appropriate quality seems to be a logical and necessary preliminary step before embarking upon laparoscopy for GIFT or ZIFT, depending upon the biological status of the gametes. By employing this procedure, unnecessary and costly laparoscopy can be avoided in certain cases.

Features of vernix caseosa cells.

In an attempt to collect more information about the features of the vernix caseosa (VC), a relatively unstudied material, some of the histochemical, ultrastructural, and immunological characteristics of VC cells have been investigated. Histochemistry and light microscopy was used to demonstrate the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase in VC cells, enzymes with a marked increase in activity in the amniotic fluid toward term. Acid phosphatase activity was strongly present either as intracytoplasmic granules or as amorphous material between the cells; alkaline phosphatase activity was absolutely nonexistent. The ultrastructural morphology of the VC cells was analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Significant differences can be demonstrated in the individual surface patterns of the VC keratinocytes. TEM showed irregularly flattened cells in various stages of keratinization. The ultrastructural findings confirm the dissimilarity, which exists between the individual VC cells. Finally, immunofluorescent staining tests of frozen VC smears showed that only immunoglobulin G conjugate gives strong positive reaction at the antigen sites of the VC cells. The special finding in this study is the polymorph appearance of the surface pattern and the cytoplasma structure of the VC cells, as well as the lack of uniform appearance of the acid phosphatase activity in and between the cells. All these suggest that the status of the individual VC cell is not similar in regard to their keratinization and desquamation activities.

Methods of prenatal determination of fetal maturity based on differentiation of the fetal skin during the last weeks of pregnancy.

During the process of 'maturation' of the fetal skin, detachment of the layer of vernix caseosa takes place from the fetal epidermis into the amniotic fluid, in the course of the last weeks of pregnancy. This results in: (a) a change of the cytological image of the amniotic fluid followed by a considerable increase in the proportion of the keratinized epidermic cells, (b) a simultaneous increase in the turbidity of the amniotic fluid and (c) a parallel increase in the quantity of sediment which remains after centrifugation of the amniotic fluid. The data presented in this paper, measured in 87 samples of amniotic fluid from normal, eutrophic, uncomplicated pregnancies, indicate the difference between the values of the various parameters before and after the main detachment of the vernix caseosa. Since the fetal skin is the organ reflecting most accurately the general status of the fetal maturity at the end of pregnancy, we consider that an overall examination of findings from the amniotic fluid indicating the condition of the fetal skin supplies us with reliable results for making a prenatal prediction of the maturity status of the fetus.

Carcinoembryonic antigen activity in human seminal plasma.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunoreactivity in the seminal plasma of 101 men was studied by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). It was found that (1) mean CEA (or CEA-like activity) in seminal plasma is about 8.5 times higher than the upper CEA limit in normal serum; (2) there is no statistically significant difference between the antigen levels of normal controls and various groups of men with fertility problems, as well as between men with normal and those with abnormal spermiogram; (3) the prostate seems to be the main site of origin of CEA or CEA-like activity in the seminal plasma.

Semen parameters in 114 fertile men.

We studied the quality of semen in 114 fertile men (their wives were in the first trimester of pregnancy), aged 31.9 +/- 5.7 yr. The results (mean +/- S.D.) were as follows: number of spermatozoa, (72 +/- 61.6) X 10(6)/ml; motile spermatozoa, 56.6% +/- 13.5; spermatozoal velocity, 34.2 +/- 4.3 microns/s; motility index, 19.5 +/- 5.6 microns/s; normal forms, 51.7% +/- 13. It was found that the percentage of motile spermatozoa and the index of motility decrease progressively, at a rate of about 5-10% per hour. In contrast, in the majority of cases, sperm velocity increases during the first 4 h. Low significant correlations was found between percentage of motility and spermatozoal velocity the first hour after ejaculation. Furthermore, moderate significant correlations were found between number of spermatozoa/ml, percentage of motility and normal forms. Finally, low significant negative correlation was found between number of spermatozoa/ml and spermatozoal velocity.

L/S ratio, biochemical and clinical changes after ritodrine intravenous infusion.

The effects of ritodrine hydrochloride on the L/S ratio, the clinical and biochemical status of the mother, and the amniotic fluid were studied in a total of 46 women between the 28th and 35th wk of their pregnancy. An increase in the L/S ratio and creatinine levels in the amniotic fluid, significant changes in the maternal serum levels of potassium, sodium, alpha 1-antitrypsin and glucose were found, whereas the urea levels remained unchanged. Maternal hyperglycemia and hypokalemia in both maternal serum and amniotic fluid, were more pronounced when the ritodrine was infused in 5% dextrose. The findings from monitoring the cardiovascular systems of both mother and fetus, agreed with previous reports. It was concluded that ritodrine hydrochloride has a positive effect on the fetal lung maturation, probably by accelerating the release of surfactant. Its administration, however, should be under laboratory control.

Objective evaluation of spermatozoa motility as influenced by fresh blood serum and normal saline.

In order to investigate the effect of fresh blood serum and normal saline on the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa, semen samples were collected from 7 fertile males, aged 25-39 yrs. Each sample was divided into 5 aliquots: one aliquot remained undiluted, and fresh blood serum from fertile men and normal saline were added to the others to produce 1:1 and 3:1 dilutions. Spermatozoal motility was evaluated objectively, every hour and for 4 h after ejaculation, by the multiple exposure photography method. It was found that serum from fertile men as well as normal saline caused a significant increase of spermatozoal velocity. However, spermatozoal velocity under the influence of serum from fertile men changed with time in a different way than in the undiluted aliquot and those diluted with normal saline. Thus, the beneficial effect of fresh blood serum on spermatozoal velocity, cannot only be attributed to the lowering of seminal viscosity and the reduction of sperm concentration caused by dilution, but to various substances present in blood serum.

Effect of uremic serum on sperm motility: evaluation by multiple exposure photography.

The effect of serum from patients with severe chronic renal failure on the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa was objectively evaluated by the multiple exposure photography method. Uremic serum was not found to have a deleterious effect on the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa. On the contrary it caused a significant increase of spermatozoal velocity and a slighter increase in the percentage motility. These effects cannot be only attributed to the lowering of seminal viscosity and to the reduction of sperm concentration, but to various substances contained in blood serum.

Effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics on the contractility of the uterus.

In the present study the inhibitory effect of five aminoglycoside antibiotics on the contractility of rat uterus was investigated. We found that all the antibiotics tested inhibited the contractility of the isolated rat uterus and only quantitative differences existed among them. The inhibitory potency of the aminoglycoside antibiotics appears to be as follows: sisomicin greater than gentamicin greater than tobramycin greater than dibekacin greater than amikacin. Calcium not only has the ability to restore the normal contractility of the uterus but also to exert protective action against the inhibitory effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics on the uterus contractility.

Interaction of aminoglycoside antibiotics with oxytocin and prostaglandin E2 on uterine contractility.

In the present study the interaction of aminoglycoside antibiotics with oxytocin and prostaglandin E2 on the contractility of the rat uterus was investigated. It was found that oxytocin and prostaglandin E2 were able to completely reverse the uterine relaxing effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics and when administered concomitantly they exert a protective action. These findings support the view that aminoglycoside antibiotics affect superficially bound extracellular calcium only, since oxytocin and prostaglandins primarily act on intracellular calcium.

Evaluation of cephradine-chemoprophylaxis in Cesarean section.

The clinical efficacy of the prophylactic use of cephradine was evaluated prospectively in 118 women who underwent cesarean section. The patients of the cephradine group had a significantly lower (p less than 0.01) postoperative morbidity rate (17.79%) as compared with the control group (51.06%). The mean hospitalization time was also significantly shorter (p less than 0.01) in the cephradine group (7.2 +/- 0.13) than in the control group (10.9 +/- 0.23). Cephradine was proved to be an effective antimicrobial agent for chemoprophylaxis, due to its wide antimicrobial spectrum, beta-lactamase resistance, low percentage protein binding, large volume of distribution and non metabolic degradation.