Cancer associated serum antigen (CASA) levels in patients with breast carcinoma and in 3 control groups without breast cancer

We have examined the predictive value of measurements of CASA (Cancer Associated Serum Antigen) levels in patients with breast carcinoma. The measurement uses monoclonal antibodies that bind to an epitope on the polymorphic epithelial mucin. CASA levels were of less value compared with the levels of other tumor markers (CA 15-3, CA 549 and CEA) in the management of patients with early breast cancer.

Reducing the culture clash in family-provider relationships: a bilateral perspective

This chapter uses the concept of culture clash to take a fresh look at the slow progress toward family-provider collaboration. The authors discuss an intervention that targets both family culture and provider culture.

Increased contact with community mental health resources as a potential benefit of family education

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the hypothesis that families of adults with severe mental illness who participate in either a group family education workshop or individual family consultation will try to seek more assistance from community services than those in a control group assigned to a waiting list.

METHODS

A total of 225 family members who agreed to participate in the study were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a ten-week group workshop, individual family consultation, or a waiting list (control group). Family members were interviewed about the extent of their contact with mental health professionals, providers, and community resources at baseline, termination of the interventions, and at six months after termination.

RESULTS

No differences were found between conditions in the extent of family members' contact with three types of services: conventional, psychosocial, and ancillary mental health services.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither of the educational interventions produced any change in behaviors of families seeking advice and assistance on behalf of their ill relative from the three types of services examined. Modifications in the interventions may be worthwhile. Increasing family members' contacts with community resources on behalf of their ill relative may increase the benefits of the intervention to the family as well as to the ill relative.

Applying research on family education about mental illness to development of a relatives' group consultation model

Results from a random field trial of family education interventions were applied to create a new model of family education programs. This paper reviews the family education literature, the random field trial results, and the pre-piloting of an adapted service model called group consultation. The new model emphasizes a more interactive approach to the conventional group workshop model as opposed to adherence to a pre-planned curriculum. Pre-pilot group participants were all past members of group workshops. In a process evaluation these group members were questioned about their reactions to the new group format and its usefulness.

Is the tumor marker CASA dependent on the menstrual cycle?

The time course and characteristics of the tumor marker CASA (Cancer Associated Serum Antigen) during the menstrual cycle were analysed. We investigated whether hormonal influences in women and the score of this tumor marker ought to be considered in diagnosis. It could be demonstrated that CASA is not influenced by physiological alterations of the hormonal status in regularly ovulating women.

First experiences with the use of CASA in mammary carcinoma

The expression of the tumor marker CASA (cancer associated serum antigen) was studied in patients with mammary carcinoma; increased values were almost exclusively seen in cases of manifest metastasis. No correlation existed between tumor stage, lymph node involvement and grading. Marker levels were tested by means of enzyme-immune-assay of the firm medac (Hamburg), with a cut-off value set at 4 U/ml.

Effectiveness of two models of brief family education: retention of gains by family members of adults with serious mental illness

The retention of benefits from two models of family education was compared with maturational effects in an untreated control group. The three-month interventions showed an initial effect for self-efficacy regarding a mentally ill relative that did not significantly diminish during the following six months. However, no significant differences on this measure were found between the treated groups and the untreated controls. Ways of refining the interventions and measures so as to improve gains and retain them over time are discussed.

Impact of brief family psychoeducation on self-efficacy

One hundred eighty-three relatives of people with serious mental illnesses were randomly assigned to receive individualized consultation or group psychoeducation or were placed on a 9-month wait list. Analysis of variance and multiple regression revealed that the individualized consultation increased the family members' sense of self-efficacy regarding mentally ill relatives. Group psychoeducation was helpful in increasing self-efficacy of family members who had never participated in a support or advocacy group for relatives of psychiatrically disabled individuals.

[Value of serum placental protein 14 determination in differential diagnosis of abnormal early pregnancy]

Single measurements of hCG and placental protein 14 were carried out in 32 patients with tubal pregnancies, in 38 patients with spontaneous abortion and 28 women with normal intrauterine pregnancies from the 5th to the 7th week of pregnancy. HCG-measurement could only show significant differences between normal and abnormal early pregnancies. PP 14-measurements showed significant differences between all groups. Low concentrations of serum PP 14 point to an ectopic pregnancy.

A study of serum CASA and CA 125 levels in patients with ovarian carcinoma

The assays of Cancer Associated Serum Antigen (CASA) and CA 125 were assessed in the management of patients with ovarian cancer. It was shown that CASA is sensitive to ovarian carcinoma, and both CASA and CA 125 are more useful when used in conjunction.

[Passive immunotherapy with Venimmun for the prevention of habitual abortion--early pregnancy factor, placenta protein 12, placenta protein 14, tumor necrosis factor alpha--parameters for monitoring immunotherapy]

In a study it was investigated to what extent the early pregnancy factor, the placental proteins 12 and 14 and tumor necrosis factor alpha are suited to control and select patients with habitual abortions for immunotherapy. Immunotherapy shows good clinical results. Placental protein 12 ist not suited for selecting patients. Placental protein 14 shows typical changes after the application of polyvalent immunoglobulin and could be an important prognostic factor. Tumor necrosis factor alpha seems to be useful for selecting patients for immunotherapy, because in cases of habitual abortions this factor can be a sign for immunological causes. In the late phase of pregnancy, early pregnancy factor is also an indicator for disturbances of pregnancy.

[Use of Diprivan for digestive system endoscopy]

After evaluation of the patient's clinical condition and appropriate premedication is seems reasonable to suggest for: 1. Endoscopic procedures involving the gastro-intestinal tract: slow, titrated induction, using 0.5 to 1 mg.kg-1 of propofol, until the required level of sedation has been achieved; this may or not be preceded by the injection of a low dose of midazolam (0.02 to 0.03 mg.kg-1) or of alfentanil (5 micrograms.kg-1); maintenance is achieved by bolus injections of 20 mg (up to 0.5 mg.kg-1); maintenance of spontaneous ventilation, with oxygen administration is the rule; SpO2 is monitored routinely; anaesthesia has to be performed according to the recommendations of the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care (SFAR) and the anaesthetist must be prepared to manage any incident during the endoscopy and the recovery period. 2. Procedures involving the biliary tract and the oesophagus, which require deeper anaesthesia: induction should again be titrated using a very slow infusion, with doses ranging from 0.9 to 2.2 mg.kg-1); the maintenance requires a continuous infusion, doses ranging from 4 to 6 mg.kg-1.h-1 when propofol is administered alone and from 4 to 12 mg.kg-1.h-1 when combined with an opioid; continuous oxygenation is necessary using a nasal airway; the need for intubation depends on the type of procedure and the status of the patient; the same monitoring devices and similar safety measures are required during and after procedure as for any anaesthetic or sedation, especially when it is performed in day-case patients or outside the operating theatre.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the thoracic wall in the area of a tuberculous pleural callosity]

The authors report on a patient of 85 years of age in whom a malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the thoracic wall had formed 51 years after a healed pulmonary tuberculosis that had resulted in the development of a pleural callosity. The malignant fibrous histiocytoma is interpreted as a neoplastic transformation of cells of the primary repair process. Age assumes the role of a predisposing factor.