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J Uff

Publications and source records attributed to J Uff.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Assessment of fiberoptic near-infrared raman spectroscopy for diagnosis of bladder and prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a fiberoptic Raman system, suitable for in vivo use, is able to differentiate between benign and malignant bladder and prostate pathologic findings in vitro. Raman spectroscopy is an optical technique that provides a measure of the molecular composition of tissue by analyzing the way that tissue scatters laser light. Laboratory studies have shown that the technique can be used to identify and characterize transitional cell carcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma in vitro. METHODS: A total of 220 Raman spectra were recorded from 29 snap-frozen bladder samples collected at cystoscopic procedures, and 197 Raman spectra were recorded from 38 snap-frozen prostate samples collected at transurethral resection of the prostate. The spectra were correlated with the histologic features and used to construct separate diagnostic algorithms for the bladder and prostate. These algorithms were tested as to their ability to determine the pathologic finding of a sample from its Raman spectrum. RESULTS: The bladder algorithm was able to differentiate benign samples (normal and cystitis) from malignant samples (transitional cell carcinoma), with an overall accuracy of 84%. The prostate algorithm was able to differentiate benign samples (benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis) from malignant samples (prostate cancer), with an overall accuracy of 86%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have demonstrated that the clinical Raman system can provide an accurate and objective method to diagnose prostate and bladder cancer in vitro. Because the Raman probe is suitable for use during endoscopic, laparoscopic, or open procedures, this work paves the way for in vivo studies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immune-complex disease in mice and humans given C. parvum.

The present studies in mice and cancer-bearing patients, treated with C. parvum (CP) immunotherapy, were to determine the effects of CP on the production of immune complexes (IC) and associated disease. Using the Clq-binding assay, circulating immune complexes were detected in mice given a single high dose of CP (466 microgram) and repeated human-equivalent doses (70 microgram). All mice treated with CP developed proliferative glomerulonephritis, the severity of which was dose-related. The histological and immunofluorescent patterns of the nephritis were those attributed to immune-complex disease. The mice had haematuria but were not in renal failure. Fifty patients with inoperable lung cancer were studied. All received radiotherapy. Twenty-two had no other treatment (controls) and 28 were treated with infusions of CP. Using 2 immune-complex assays (Clq binding and monoclonal rheumatoid-factor binding) IC were found in 10/22 control patients but these did not develop haematuria or proteinuria. Twenty-four of the 28 patients treated with CP developed transient haematuria and/or proteinuria with red-cell and hyaline casts, the changes resolving over 5 days. Immune complexes were detected in 5 of these 28 patients before CP treatment. Although 16/28 had IC at the time of haematuria and proteinuria, these findings were difficult to interpret because IC may occur in response to the tumour, the radiotherapy, or the CP. Although no patient developed renal failure, we believe that those treated with CP should have regular assessment of their renal function.

Adult↗

Plasma-exchange and immunosuppression in the treatment of fulminating immune-complex crescentic nephritis.

Nine patients with fulminating immune-complex crescentic nephritis were treated by a regimen of intensive plasma-exchange, steroids, and cytotoxic drugs. In five patients with severe renal failure there was early and rapid improvement in renal function; in one patient an early but extensive focal necrotising glomerulitis was arrested; in two patients improvement was delayed for 3 and 7 weeks and could not confidently be attributed to therapy; one patient, anuric at presentation, did not recover renal function. Follow-up renal biopsy specimens, obtained in three patients, showed no evidence of active disease. With the Clq-deviation test, circulating immune complexes were detected in five patients before treatment and had disappeared when renal function had improved and stabilised: these patients showed the best response to therapy. In three patients temporary withdrawal of plasma-exchange was followed by the reappearance of immune complexes in the circulation and was accompanied in two patients by deterioration in renal function; reintroduction of plasma-exchange was followed by elimination of immune complexes and further improvement in renal function.

Adult↗