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Biomedical subjects

A Ruibal

Publications and source records attributed to A Ruibal.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

GCDFP-70 protein in cyst fluid identified as albumin and used to classify cysts in women with breast gross cystic disease.

We used sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to study cyst fluids from women with breast gross cystic disease. The subjects could be classified into two categories according to the concentrations of protein GCDFP-70 in the cyst fluid: those with Type I cysts had a very low content of this protein; those with Type II cysts had very high concentrations. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of GCDFP-70 from both cyst fluid types confirmed that this protein is human plasma albumin. The average concentration of albumin found in Type I cyst fluids was 0.32 g/L and that corresponding to Type II was 10.16 g/L. Thus, albumin quantification from cyst fluids or analysis by either polyacrylamide or agarose gel electrophoresis provides a simple procedure for classifying these fluids, yielding results that correlate well with previous classifications based on other measurements such as sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations. This albumin-based quantification method may improve the classification of breast cysts and might be useful in further studies on functional changes in the cysts and their relationship to breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Neuron-specific enolase concentrations in serum in benign liver diseases.

Neuron-specific enolase (EC 4.2.1.11; NSE), a glycolytic enzyme produced by neuronal and neuroendocrine cells, is used as a tumor marker of neuroendocrine cancers, especially small-cell lung cancer. We have evaluated the behavior of NSE in nonmalignant liver diseases in 161 patients who underwent a thorough clinical and biochemical evaluation. Nine of the 161 patients (5.6%)--three of the 86 cirrhotic patients (3.5%), and six of the 75 noncirrhotics (8%)--had abnormal concentrations of NSE. Of the numerous clinical and analytical factors considered, none correlated significantly with NSE. The low false-positive rate, similar to or even lower than for other benign diseases, and the absence of association with the numerous characteristics of liver diseases that we studied, support the lack of any substantial metabolism of NSE by the liver. Consequently, the coexistence of a benign liver disease does not limit the usefulness of this enzyme as a tumor marker.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of human breast cysts according to their biochemical and hormonal composition, and cytologic examination.

Breast cyst fluids were aspirated during the mild luteal phase of the menstrual cycle from 88 patients with gross cystic disease. According to intracystic Na+/K+ ratio three categories of cyst were identified: Type I with low Na+/K+ ratio, low levels of chloride, glucose, and pH, and high concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHAS) and apocrine epithelium; Type II with high Na+/K+ ratio presenting levels of chloride, glucose, pH, and DHAS similar to those found in plasma, and flattened epithelium; Type III with intermediate values for the above parameters. The findings suggest that the cysts could correspond to the different functional stages of the epithelium lining the cysts. Cyst classification was evaluated using a discriminant analysis, which allows breast cyst fluids to be assigned within a category defined by the Na+/K+ ratio. The apparent correct rate for each category was more than 87%. The variables that better discriminate among groups of cysts were chloride, glucose, intracystic prolactin, and pH, respectively. These discriminant functions could be used as criteria for an optimal classification of breast cysts, which might help study of the epidemiology of breast cancer and its relationship to gross cystic disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Circulating tumor marker levels in advanced breast carcinoma correlate with the extent of metastatic disease.

The importance of the extent of metastatic disease in the circulating levels of CA 15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA) was studied in 173 patients with advanced breast carcinoma. Estimates of the extent of metastatic disease were obtained by an objective arbitrary scale. Patients were observed clinically after serum samples were obtained, and survival was recorded. Elevated values of CA 15-3 (greater than 40 U/ml) were seen in 130 patients and CEA values (greater than 5 ng/ml) in 97 cases (75% versus 56%, P less than .0001). Elevated CA 15-3 values correlated with the estimated extent of metastatic disease (P less than .0001), number of metastases (P = .0006), and survival from study entry (P = .01). Elevated CEA values correlated with extent of disease (P less than .0001), but not with the number of metastases or with survival. No correlation was found between the elevated values of CA 15-3 or CEA and age, menopausal status, and initial tumor size or nodal status. The combination of the elevated values of CA 15-3 and CEA was more sensitive than CA 15-3 alone (P = .04), but there were no significant improvements when subgroups were considered. Significant differences, that depended on which specific organ was affected dominantly by metastases, were seen in the mean levels of CA 15-3 antigen. Similarly, patients with liver involvement had higher mean levels of CA 15-3 than those without hepatic metastases. A stepwise regression analysis of the dominant site of metastases, liver involvement, and estimated extent of disease showed that only the latter parameter retained a significant correlation with CA 15-3 antigen levels (P less than .0001). Median survival of patients who showed abnormal CA 15-3 levels was significantly shorter than that of patients with nonelevated CA 15-3 (10.1 versus 18.0 months, P = .04). This difference was not appreciated with CEA levels (10.2 versus 12.2 months, P = .4). We conclude that tumor marker levels in patients with advanced breast carcinoma correlate with the extent of metastatic disease. In addition, the CA 15-3 assay is more sensitive and correlates more accurately with the extent of disease than CEA. Finally, the observed CA 15-3 differences by organ involvement are related to the extent of disease variations. The objective evaluation of the extent of metastatic disease provides a new approach in the study and comparison of breast cancer-associated tumor markers.

Adult↗