Prostate specific antigen in cord blood

A novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for identification of four body fluids with smartphone detection

Messenger RNA profiling for body fluid identification (bfID) is a useful approach to collect contextual information associated with a crime. Current methods require costly fluorescent probes, lengthy amplification protocols and/or time-consuming sample preparation. To simplify this process, we developed a bfID method that has the potential to be rapid in analysis time, inexpensive and fluorescence-free, combining a universal operating procedure with a high-throughout (microwell plate) platform for simultaneous detection of mRNA markers from whole blood, semen, saliva, and vaginal fluid. Full bfID sample preparation and analysis of 23 samples was completed in under 3 h using smart phone optical detection and analysis and show efficacy of the method in a validated blind study. The results provide an efficient, sensitive and specific approach to supplement the current biochemical tests in a forensic laboratory.

Reconnoitring the status of prostate specific antigen and its role in women

Prostate specific antigen is considered to be a tumour marker having maximum utility and specificity for prostate cancer since decades. After the discovery of methods to quantify different molecular fractions of prostate specific antigen (PSA), its usefulness in diagnosing early prostate cancer cases has increased tremendously. The "specificity" of PSA, is now challenged by many studies which proved that PSA, once believed to be secreted exclusively by prostatic epithelium, is also present in females. The exact biological role of extraprostatic PSA is still debatable though many theories substantiated by in vitro evidence has been put forward. With the advent of ultrasensitive analytical techniques, PSA is now quantifiable in female serum in its various molecular forms and this has led to many assumptions of it being useful as a marker in female breast cancers. In a similar scenario to prostate cancer, the ratio of free to total PSA is shown to be useful in detecting early breast cancer cases. It is also shown to be a good prognostic indicator and a predictor of response to therapy and recurrence. Apart from its role in breast cancer, it has been advocated to be a marker of hyper androgenic states in women like hirsutism and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Conflicting reports regarding the role of extra prostatic PSA is accumulating but it has been proven beyond doubt that PSA is no longer specific and confined to prostate gland. Various studies have registered that PSA is an ubiquitous molecule, secreted by hormone responsive organs and its synthesis is stimulated by androgens and progesterone but not oestrogens. In this article, a review of various literatures is done about the presence of extra prostatic PSA, its probable role in those sites as well as its utility as a tumour marker in breast cancer.