Serum concentrations of cancer antigen 125, placental alkaline phosphatase, cancer-associated serum antigen and free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin as prognostic markers for epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic significance of elevated levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA125), placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and cancer-associated serum antigen (CASA) in women with primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma. DESIGN: A two year follow up study of survival. SETTING: A tertiary care gynaecological oncology unit. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and eleven women with histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival over a two year period. RESULTS: Stage corrected log-rank chi 2 tests demonstrated a significant effect on survival for all four tumour markers (CA125 P = 0.0142; PLAP P < 0.0001; CASA P = 0.0098; hCG P = 0.0002). This was confirmed when each variable was fitted together with disease stage in Cox proportional hazard models. When fitted as multiple variables in a Cox proportional hazard model, the addition of free beta-hCG and CASA to disease stage, PLAP concentrations and CA125 levels did not demonstrate further prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of all four markers correlate with survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. The combination of PLAP and CA125 concentrations together with disease stage may be used to predict survival but the addition of hCG and CASA levels do not give additional prognostic information.     

Mapping of B epitopes in GRA4, a dense granule antigen of Toxoplasma gondii and protection studies using recombinant proteins administered by the oral route

GRA4, a dense granule protein of Toxoplasma gondii elicits both mucosal and systemic immune responses following oral infection of mice with cysts. We studied the antigenicity and immunogenicity of truncated and soluble forms of GRA4 expressed as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Protein C (amino-acids 297-345) was particularly well recognized by serum IgG antibodies, milk IgA antibodies and intestinal IgA antibodies from T. gondii infected mice and by serum IgG antibodies from T. gondii infected humans and T. gondii infected sheep. One major B epitope was localized within the last 11 C-terminal residues of GRA4. A second epitope, recognized with lower frequency, was mapped within the region 318-334. In contrast, the N domain of GRA4 (amino acids 25-276) was poorly recognized. Oral immunization of C57BL/6 mice with N, C or NC (amino acids 25-276 fused to 297-345) in association with cholera toxin induced a significant production of serum anti-GRA4 IgG antibodies but a weak and inconsistent intestinal anti-GRA4 IgG antibody response and afforded partial resistance to oral infection with T. gondii. These results provide new molecular and immunological understanding of GRA4 and indicate that it is a potential candidate for oral vaccination against T. gondii.     

A comparative study of plasma 17beta-oestradiol, progesterone, placental lactogen and chorionic gonadotrophin in abortion induced with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha

Serial estimations were made in plasma of 17beta-oestradiol (E2), progesterone and human placental lactogen (HPL) in 43 patients and of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in 34 patients during mid-trimester abortions induced with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha. Mean plasma concentrations of all the hormones showed a progressive fall after PGF2alpha. There was no relationship between the fall in levels of progesterone, HPL and HCG and the induction-abortion interval, signs of fetal distress or of intrauterine fetal death. Both the control level and the rate of fall of E2 were related to the induction-abortion interval and a rapid decline preceded intrauterine fetal death. The relationships of the progesterone/E2 ratio and the amniotic fluid volume/progesterone ratio to the induction-abortion interval were examined. The variation in the time at which significant falls in the concentration of individual hormones occurred was probably related to their respective half-lives in plasma.     

Planning tools for mobile networks

The RACE II project PLATON (Planning Tools for third generation mobile Networks) aims at defining a set of tools to be used for radio planning of the Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS) network. The paper presents studies on cell structures, propagation models, the different services and the corresponding quality-of-service and shows how these are used in the planning tools, the modular structure and the evolution of the software     

Trichloroethylene uptake into fruits and vegetables: three-year field monitoring study

Trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated groundwater migrating into communities surrounding Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) in northern Utah prompted a multiyear monitoring program (2001-2003) to examine the extent of TCE uptake and transfer into edible fruits. During the initial sampling in fall 2001, TCE was detected in a small fraction of the 167 fruit and tree core samples collected from 17 private residences. Samples were analyzed using headspace gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detection (ECD) with limited confirmation by mass spectrometry (MS) in selected ion monitoring mode. In fall 2002, over 300 samples were collected from the same general locations sampled in 2001. No TCE was found in any of the fruit or vegetable samples above the method detection limit (MDL) for the headspace GC/MS method (approximately 0.1 microg/ kg fresh weight, depending on sample size), but TCE was again detected in several fruit tree trunk core samples. The detection of TCE in fruit in 2001, but not in 2002, may have been due to improvements in the analytical procedure or changes in the environmental conditions impacting transfer to fruit. The 2003 monitoring focused on repeated sampling over several months at five locations that were selected to represent the range of exposure scenarios evaluated during the previous years. No TCE was identified in any of the fruit above the MDL during 2003, however TCE was again found in tree core samples as observed in 2001 and 2002.     

Trichloroethylene uptake by apple and peach trees and transfer to fruit

A greenhouse study was conducted to quantify 14C-trichloroethylene (TCE) uptake and transfer into the edible fruit of apple and peach trees. Trees were subsurface irrigated with solutions of 14C [TCE] that bracketed groundwater concentrations (5 and 500 microg/L) found in residential areas surrounding Hill Air Force Base, UT, where trace amounts of TCE had been found in several fruits during a preliminary field survey. Nondosed control trees were grown within the canopy of the dosed trees and in a separate greenhouse. Tissue samples were analyzed for 14C and TCE using combustion/liquid scintillation counting (LSC) and headspace/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS/GC/MS). Tissue was also extracted and analyzed by GC/MS for dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), and trichloroethanol (TCEt), three specific TCE metabolites that have been previously identified in laboratory and field studies. No 14C was detected in the nonexposed control trees. Exposed trees contained levels of 14C that were proportional to the exposure concentration. 14C concentrations were greatest in leaves followed by branches and fruits. At the end of the study, TCE was detected only in roots implying that the 14C in the leaves, branches, and fruit was associated with unidentified nonvolatile TCE transformation products and/or is nonextractable. However, TCAA and DCAA were positively identified only in leaves collected during the first year from an apple tree exposed to the high dose treatment. Additional data for other chemicals and fruittrees are needed to better understand the potential transfer of organic compounds to edible fruit.