Novel approach to two-component speciation analysis. Spectrophotometric flow-based determinations of Fe(II)/Fe(III) and Cr(III)/Cr(VI)

The proposed approach to two-component speciation analysis relies on simultaneous application of two calibration methods to determination of two different forms of an analyte. One form is determined in extrapolative way, whereas the second form is determined in interpolative way, with the use of the same calibration graph, after appropriate chemical treatment, e.g. oxidation or reduction. The applicability of the approach has been verified on the examples of spectrophotometric determinations of Fe(II)/Fe(III) and Cr(VI)/Cr(III) using 1,10-phenanthroline and 1,5-diphenylcarbazide methods, respectively. In the above methods, ascorbic acid and Ce(IV) have been used to reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II) and to oxidize Cr(III) to Cr(VI), respectively. Lab-In-Syringe and SIA systems (for determination of iron and chromium species, respectively) have been applied to make the implementation of the proposed approach more convenient. The approach was verified on the example of determination of the analytes in synthetic and certified reference materials of ground and waste water samples. Using the developed methods, Fe(II)/Fe(III) and Cr(VI)/Cr(III) were determined within the concentration ranges of 0.06-4.0/0.06-3.0 and 0.03-0.5/0.05-7.0mgL^-1, with precision (RSD, %) less than 3.8/2.0 and 2.2/6.0, and accuracy (RE, %) better than 2.9/4.3 and 6.8/5.2, respectively. The detection limits (mgL^-1) are 0.02/0.02 and 0.01/0.02 for determination of both forms of iron and chromium, respectively. The applicability of the approach has been checked by analysis of artesian water (Fe(II)/Fe(III)) and post-production waste samples (Cr(III)/Cr(VI)).

[Evaluation of the relationship between chosen factors and results of whole body scintigraphy with 131I in patients with differentiated thyroid cancers]

Treatment and diagnostics with 131I play an important role in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) after thyreoidectomy. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of some factors on ablative therapy results. Fifty seven patients with DTC were investigated (44 females--mean age 46.6 yrs, 13 males--mean age 55.6 yrs.). Papillary thyroid cancer was diagnosed in forty five patients (79%) however, follicular thyroid cancer in the others (21%). We performed post-therapeutic whole-body scan (WBS) after high fixed doses of 131I (median = 75 mCi) and six months later diagnostic WBS (mean 4.3 mCi) in every patient. Postoperative radioiodine uptake, levels of TSH and thyroglobulin (Tg) serum concentrations were assessed after thyroid hormones withdrawal before imaging. The absence of radioiodine uptake in the thyroid bed (effective ablation) was observed in 64.9% of patients. In other cases scans showed significantly diminished uptake of the tracer in the remnants. Statistically significant difference in TSH levels before and after radioiodine therapy (75.6 vs. 106.7 microIU/ml, p < 0.001) was found in all patients. However, effectiveness of the ablative therapy did not depend on radioiodine uptake, TSH and Tg levels before radioiodine treatment.

[Alpha-fetoprotein--diagnostic utility in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck]

The authors present results of evaluation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in 146 persons (108 patients with head and neck carcinoma and 38 healthy persons as control group). We analyzed a concentration of AFP in preliminary study and in monitoring depending on clinical advances of tumour, mass of primary tumour and metastases to lymph nodes. Our results indicate that evaluation of AFP have not high value in diagnostic procedures and monitoring patients with head and neck carcinoma.

[Serum levels of tissue polypeptide antigen in patients with the head and neck cancer according to presence of metastases in lymph nodes]

Aim of the work was estimation of Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA) concentrations in serum and qualification its diagnostic value in patients with malignant neoplasm of head and neck in dependence from presence of metastasis to regional lymph nodes. The study comprised the group of 146 persons (108 with head and neck malignant neoplasm, 38 of persons determined group supervisory). At 35 ill one ascertained metastasis to lymph nodes. In presented work at ill without metastasis to lymphatic glands sensitivity of test TPA carried out 28.8%, and at ill with metastasis 42.9%, attaining 66.7% at ill from N3. One showed, that concentrations TPA grow together from spreading of neoplasm in lymph nodes, and presence of metastasis correlates with concentrations of TPA.

[Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (Scc-Ag): diagnostic utility in squamous cell carcinoma antigen of the head and neck with metastasis to lymph nodes]

Aim of the work was estimation of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) concentrations in serum and qualification its diagnostic value in patients with malignant neoplasm of head and neck in dependence from presence of metastasis to lymphatic glands. The study comprised the group of 146 persons (108 with head and neck malignant neoplasm, 38 of persons determined group supervisory). At 35 ill one ascertained metastasis to lymph nodes. In presented work sensitivity of SCC in initial investigation was (52.8%), specificity (97.4%), positive predicting value (PV+ = 94.2%) and negative predicting value (PV- = 64.0%). We observed not characteristic statistical dependence of concentrations SCC from presence of metastasis to lymph nodes. There was characteristic correlation between concentration of SCC and presence of metastasis to regional lymphatic glands using of correlation R-Spearman.

[Squamous cell carcinoma antigen for monitoring patients with head neoplasm]

The authors present results of evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) in 73 persons (35 patients with head carcinoma and 38 healthy persons as control group). We analysed a concentration of SCC in preliminary study and in monitoring, depending on clinical advances of tumour, mass of primary tumour and metastases to lymph nodes. We observed high sensitivity (SE) (63%), high specificity (SP) (97.4%) and predictive values: positive PV(+)--95.6%, negative PV(-)--74% of SCC in preliminary study. These values changed to SE--83.3%, SP--92.3%, PV(+) 90.9%, PV(-)--85.7% in monitoring. Our results indicate that evaluation of SCC have high value in monitoring patients with head carcinoma.

[Bone turnover markers in diabetics treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis]

Low turnover renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is an important problem in patients on CAPD. The aim of the study was to evaluate in CAPD patients the frequency of low turnover ROD with special interest to diabetic nephropathy (DN) as well as estimation the clinical usefulness of some biochemical bone turnover markers in monitoring this complication. The study was performed in group of 54 patients: 28 on CAPD (15 M, 13 F) and 26 on HD (14 M, 12 F). There were 20/28 patients with DN in CAPD group. The observation lasted 12 months. Every 3rd month levels of iPTH, PICP, PINP, ICTP, Ca, P, total AP in serum were determined. Correlation between these biochemical markers of ROD and causes of renal failure, sex, age of patients were analyzed statistically. In CAPD patients significantly lower values of iPTH were found in comparison with HD patients (p < 0.01). In patients with DN levels of iPTH were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in patients with other causes of renal failure (respectively: iPTH 142 +/- 81 vs 403 +/- 128 pg/ml). In patients with DN treated with CAPD levels of iPTH were significantly lower in men than in women and in younger men with DN (< 50 years). The similar results were found in levels of PINP as a marker of bone formation. Close correlation between PINP and iPTH (r = 0.80) was also found. In summary we showed that low turnover ROD is the predominant bone lesion in CAPD patients. Men with DN < 50 age are specially predisposed to the low turnover ROD. Monitoring of iPTH and PINP levels as sensitive markers of low turnover ROD might be useful in assessment of bone turnover rate in CAPD patients.

[Gastrointestinal cancer antigen and immunoglobulins G, A, M in patients with head cancer]

The authors present the results of examinations of immunoglobulins A, G, M serum concentrations and of a sensitivity of test of biochemical tumor marker (Ca 19-9) in a group of 35 patients with head malignant tumors. There was a statistically significant increase of immunoglobulins IgA, IgG and decrease of immunoglobulin IgM. We observed statistical correlation between serum concentrations of IgA, IgG and serum concentrations of IgA, IgM. The sensitivity of Ca 19-9 was 23% in the preliminary study. The values of Ca 19-9 changed in monitoring of tumors to 26%. There was a statistically significant correlation between sensitivity of Ca 19-9 and serum concentration of IgM. We did not observe any statistical correlation between Ca 19-9 and the age of patients.

[Assessment of active renin instead of plasma renin activity in the renin captopril test]

In the study usefulness of active renin (AR) measurement instead of plasma renin activity (PRA) in the diagnosis of reno-vascular hypertension(RVH) was evaluated. 42 patients with arterial hypertension (17F, 25M; mean age 45 + 12 years) and suspicion on RVH on the ground of the abnormal result of the preliminary renal angioscintigraphy were qualified to the study. Angioscintigraphic (SCT) and simultaneously renin captopril test (RCT) followed by renal arteriography or Doppler ultrasonography of renal arteries were performed in every case Haemodynamic significant stenosis of renal artery was revealed in 5 cases. The results of the examination in this group were as follows: in 3 patients positive RCT with PRA, in 4 patients positive RCT with R and in 2 patients positive SCT were found. The false positive results of RCT using PRA were obtained in 5 patients and only in 2 patients if using AR. There were no false positive results of SCT. The introduction of AR instead of PRA in RCT resulted in simplification and shortening of the diagnostic procedure. Furthermore, this modification increased detection of hemodynamically significant stenosis of renal artery from 2 cases revealed with SCT and 3 cases with PRAin RCT to 4 cases with AR. The successful preliminary results let us to introduce this modification of RCT to routine out-patients screening for RVH.

[Influence of alphacalcidole on selected markers of the bone turnover in hemodialysed patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism]

In 19 chronically hemodialysed patients (11M + 8F, mean age 52 +/- 15 yrs) with secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHP), selected markers of bone turnover in the course of pulsative treatment with alphacalcidol were evaluated. Alphakalcidol was given 3 times per week after hemodialysis. Every 3-rd month of therapy we measured serum concentration of procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide PICP as a marker of bone formation as well as carboxy-terminal telopeptide type I collagen ICTP and iPTH as markers of bone resorption. The results were as follows. During 12 months of controlled treatment of sHP with alphacalcidol, statistically significant decrease of serum iPTH (from 393 +/- 145 pg/ml to 246 +/- 172 pg/ml) with simultaneous increase of serum PICP (from 235 +/- 168 mg/L to 414 +/- 168 mg/L) were obtained. Serum ICTP levels, although significantly increased in comparison to normal values, did not change under influence of alphacalcidol therapy. The mean weakly dosis of alphacalcidol of 2.27-2.39 mg successfully suppressed process of bone resorption evaluated by iPTH giving predominance to bone formation expressed by PICP. Serum levels of ICTP appeared to be of no value in monitoring treatment efficacy of alphacalcidol in hemodialysed patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

[Tumor markers in monitoring of neoplasms]

Prophylaxis, diagnosis, radical treatment and monitoring have a basic significance in the clinic of head cancers. The aim of the clinical course of malignant disease preferred prematurely detection of the recurrence. In the monitoring wide applications have tumor markers. The authors present the results on the sensitivity of seven biochemical tumor markers (AFP, Ca-9, CEA, TPA, NSE, ferritin and SCC) in 42 patients with neoplasm of the head. The sensitivity is for AFP-0%, CEA-10%. Attention was drawn to the relatively high sensitivity for TPA, NSE, ferritin and SCC, particularly for the neoplasms of oral cavity (TPA-45%, NSE-68%, ferritin-38%, SCC-55%) and the pharynx (Ca 19-9-38%, TPA-63%, NSE-62%, ferritin-42%, SCC-83%).

[The value of gastrointestinal antigens in the monitoring of patients with malignant head neoplasms]

The authors present the results of examinations of test on the sensitivity of biochemical tumor marker (Ca 19-9) in a group of 35 patients with head malignant tumors. The sensitivity (SE) of Ca 19-9 was 22.9% in preliminary study. The values of Ca 19-9 changed from 22.9% to 25.9% in monitoring of tumors. Positive predictive value (PV+) and specify (SP) were 100% in preliminary study and in monitoring. Negative predictive value (PV-) was 50.9% in preliminary study and 51.6% in monitoring. In 25 patients we observed changes in examined parameters: SE--35%, SP--100%, PV(+)--100%, PV(-)--42.1% in monitoring. Our study indicates that serum levels of Ca 19-9 were higher in patients with head tumors than in control group. The surgical treatment of tumors didn't change the values of Ca 19-9.

[Differences in assay sensitivity of selected tumor markers in head and neck neoplasms]

Serum levels of seven tumor markers (AFP, Ca 19-9, CEA, TPA, NSE, ferritin and SCC-Ag) were measured in 95 patients with carcinoma of the head and neck to determine their sensitivity. The positive rates in 95 patients with the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were: 2.1% for AFP, 13.8% for Ca 19-9, 2.1% for CEA, 32.9% for TPA, 29.8% for ferritin, 53.2% for NSE and 46.8% for SCC-Ag in the first exam. Lowest sensitivity in the first exam of tests were in patients with SCC of the larynx: TPA-29.5%, ferritin-26%, NSE-51%, SCC-Ag 48%. Highest sensitivity of tests were in patients with SCC in other localisation than larynx: AFP-0%, Ca 19-9-23.5%, CEA-5.9%, TPA-38%, ferritin-35%, NSE-56%, SCC-62%. The sensitivity of the combination assay with these four tumor markers (TPA, ferritin, NSE, SCC-Ag) was higher than those obtained with individual markers. The sensitivity of the combination assay was for the group 95 patients 87.4% (first exam), for patients with SCC of the larynx 85.2% (first exam), for 34 patients with SCC in other localisations than larynx 91.2% (first exam). Combination assay with TPA, ferritin, NSE and SCC-Ag could be useful for screening and seems to be most useful for detection of recurrence in the follow-up.