Comparison of serum PSMA, PSA levels with results of Cytogen-356 ProstaScint scanning in prostatic cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Stored serum from clinical trial cases undergoing ProstaScint (CYT-356) scanning were available for Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) assay. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels had already been determined. This provided an opportunity to see what correlations existed between the serum markers and the ProstaScint scan. A group of patients had the studies preprostatectomy, whereas another group had the studies postprostatectomy.

METHODS

The scan results, serum PSA, serum PSMA, and clinical data were separately analyzed. PSMA serum levels were determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, radical prostatectomy patients showed a correlation between serum PSA or PSMA levels and the ProstaScint scan in the total group (n = 86), or in an untreated group (n = 38). Preoperatively, PSMA correlated with the pathological stage, whereas PSA correlated with the scan. Postoperatively, only PSMA serum levels correlated with the scan in an untreated group (n = 40).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperatively or postoperatively, Western blot PSMA serum levels predict the stage of disease or local, regional, or distant metastases, as shown by ProstaScint scan. Both the scan and the serum tests provide prognostic information and evaluate the extent of disease to a more significant degree than previously possible.

Credentialing study. An AAOHN report

This article is third in a series of three articles addressing credentialing to appear in AAOHN Journal. The first article, "Credentialing: Concerns and Issues Affecting Occupational Health Nursing," by Olson, Verrall, and Lundvall, appeared in the May 1997 issue [45(5):231-238]. The second article, "Certification and Occupational Health Nursing: An Historical Perspective," by Verrall appeared in the June 1997 issue [45(6):283-289].

Disparity modulation sensitivity for narrow-band-filtered stereograms

Stereo thresholds for 84% correct detection of sinusoidal disparity corrugations depicted by narrow-band-filtered random dot stereograms were determined for surfaces as a function of (i) luminance center spatial frequency and (ii) disparity modulation frequency. In addition, supra-threshold depth matching functions for two amplitudes of peak-to-trough depth were determined using similar stimuli. Disparity thresholds followed a U-shaped function when plotted against luminance centre spatial frequency from 1 to 8 c/deg. The threshold functions for the three highest corrugation frequencies (ranging from 0.25 to 1 c/deg) formed a single family with a similar bandpass shape and a peak sensitivity at ca 4 c/deg. At the lowest frequency of depth modulation (0.125 c/deg) the shape of the luminance spatial frequency threshold function showed a reduced sensitivity to depth modulations when portrayed by patterns with high luminance centre frequencies (8 c/deg). The similarity of the threshold functions reveals luminance and corrugation frequency to be largely independent dimensions. The finding that the functions are not identical provides some evidence to support a weak luminance spatial frequency selectivity in stereoscopic channels tuned to corrugation frequency.

Spectrum of spontaneous mutations in liver tissue of lacI transgenic mice

The advent of transgenic technology has greatly facilitated the study of mutation in animals in vivo. The Big Blue mouse system, transgenic for the lacI gene, permits not only the quantification of mutations in different tissues but also provides for the generation of in vivo-derived mutational spectra. This report details the sequence alterations of 348 spontaneous mutations recovered from the liver of 6-8-week-old male Big Blue mice. The spectra recovered from two strains of mice, C57BI/6 and B6C3F1, were compared and found to be very similar. The predominant mutations are G:C-->A:T transitions, with 75% of these occurring at 5'-CpG-3' sequences. This mutational bias is consistent with deamination-directed mutation at methylated cytosine bases. The second most common class of mutations is G:C-->T:A transversions. A significant clonal expansion of mutants was found in several animals, and this was used to make an approximate correction of the mutant frequency such that the most conservative estimate of mutation frequency is presented. The establishment of this substantial database of spontaneous mutations in the liver of Big Blue mice is intended to serve as a reference against which mutations recovered after treatment can be compared.

High definition 3D ultrasound imaging

We have demonstrated high definition and improved resolution using a novel scanning system integrated with a commercial ultrasound machine. The result is a volumetric 3D ultrasound data set that can be visualized using standard techniques. Unlike other 3D ultrasound images, image quality is improved from standard 2D data. Image definition and bandwidth is improved using patent pending techniques. The system can be used to image patients or wounded soldiers for general imaging of anatomy such as abdominal organs, extremities, and the neck. Although the risks associated with x-ray carcinogenesis are relatively low at diagnostic dose levels, concerns remain for individuals in high risk categories. In addition, cost and portability of CT and MRI machines can be prohibitive. In comparison, ultrasound can provide portable, low-cost, non-ionizing imaging. Previous clinical trials comparing ultrasound to CT were used to demonstrate qualitative and quantitative improvements of ultrasound using the Sandia technologies. Transverse leg images demonstrated much higher clarity and lower noise than is seen in traditional ultrasound images. An x-ray CT scan was provided of the same cross-section for comparison. The results of our most recent trials demonstrate the advantages of 3D ultrasound and motion compensation compared with 2D ultrasound. Metal objects can also be observed within the anatomy.

Neurodevelopmental presentation of dysphagia

Successful oral feeding and growth of infants and children are dependent not only on functional deglutition, but also on a broad range of neurodevelopmental skills involving sensory systems, cognition/communication, and gross and fine motor behaviors. Children with neurogenic dysphagia often have a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental impairments that affect these streams of development. Speech/language pathologists, as members of interdisciplinary teams, can provide unique contributions to the early diagnosis and management of neurogenic dysphagia in childhood.

Preliminary imaging results using In-111 labeled CYT-356 (Prostascint) in the detection of recurrent prostate cancer

To evaluate whether In-111 capromab pendetide (an antibody conjugate directed to a glycoprotein found primarily on the cell membrane of prostate tissue) radioimmunoscintigraphy can localize residual or metastatic prostatic carcinoma in 15 patients after prostatectomy and lymphadenectomy for prostatic carcinoma with rising serum prostate-specific antigen. One patient with 0.6 ng/ml serum prostate-specific antigen had normal imaging results and 14 patients had scintigraphic evidence of residual prostatic bed or metastatic prostatic carcinoma. Two patients with borderline abnormal bone scans had abnormal activity in the same regions on In-111 capromab pendetide images. All patients had negative radiographic abdominal and pelvic cross-sectional prestudy images, and there were no adverse effects related to In-111 capromab pendetide infusion and little human antimouse antibody response.

Group intervention with pre-recovery patients

This article examines treatment outcomes of alcohol and drug abusing patients admitted to a university-based alcohol and drug outpatient clinic. Treatment effectiveness of two treatment models were evaluated. The psycho-educational approach utilized a teacher-student model with the goal of imparting information about drugs and consequences of use. The recovery-oriented approach utilized a patient-counselor collaborative model where patients were encouraged to be active in progressing through sequential stages of pre-recovery tasks. Patients in the psycho-education group stayed in treatment longer and were more likely to rate treatment as useful. Results showed minimal differences between the two groups in terms of Addiction Severity Index scores, Drug Attitude, and urine drug screen results.