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Biomedical subjects

M N Cauchi

Publications and source records attributed to M N Cauchi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

The Production of beta 1-specific pregnancy glycoprotein (SP1) by the amnion.

Using indirect immunofluorescence, beta 1-specific pregnancy glycoprotein (SP1) was localised to the amnion cells, as well as to trophoblastic cells. Cultures of fragments of amnion incubated with 3H-leucine for up to 72 h demonstrated that protein was synthesized by the amnion. Using antisera specific to SP1 it was shown that after 72 h incubation about 50% of the total protein could be precipitated. These studies demonstrate that the amnion cells are actively involved in the synthesis of SP1 and could account for the high level of this glycoprotein in amniotic fluid.

Amnion↗
PubMed1981

Oncofoetal antigens in cancer of the cervix and ovary.

The incidence of oncofoetal antigens has been reported to be increased in patients with gynaecological cancers. In this study the incidence of CEA, AFP, and hCG (beta subunit) were studied in patients with adenocarcinoma of the ovary, adenocarcinoma of the cervix, and squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix. Using a low cut-off point (CEA 2.5 microgram/l, AFP 5 microgram/l, and hCG 3 i.u./l) there is an unacceptably high proportion of control patients having one or more positive tests (42-54%) compared to cancer-bearing patients (67%). The specificity of the tests can be increased to over 95% by increasing the cut-off point to CEA 10 microgram/l, AFP 10 microgram/l, and hCG 10 i.u./l). Although this reduces the sensitivity considerably, the incidence of false positives in the control population is reduced to nil in non-cancer patients and to 2% in cancer patients tested when free of tumour, compared to 17% of patients with cancer of the ovary, 33% with adenocarcinoma of the cervix, and 6% with squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix. Patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix were clearly distinguishable from those with squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix by these tests. There was also a significant correlation between AFP and hCG levels in adenocarcinoma of the cervix (r = 0.53, P less than 0.05).

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

Antenatal diagnosis of homozygous beta thalassaemia in Mediterraneans in Australia.

Facilities for the antenatal diagnosis of homozygous beta thalassaemia have recently become available in Australia and in this paper, data from a series of 18 pregnancies examined at The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, are analysed. Fetal blood was collected by fetoscopy and adequate samples were obtained in 16 cases (89%). In 5 pregnancies, fetal blood was shown to have a marked reduction in beta globin production (beta/alpha synthesis less than 0.030) and these pregnancies were terminated. Two pregnancies (11%) were lost in the immediate post-fetoscopy period and in a third pregnancy, neonatal death followed premature labour at 26 weeks' gestation. Seven babies were delivered normally at 36-40 weeks' gestation and cord blood studies excluded homozygous thalassaemia in all cases. The remaining pregnancy has yet to be delivered.

Australia↗
PubMed1981

Secretory IgA estimation in the sera of patients with gynecological cancer.

Secretory component of IgA (SIgA) was isolated by DEAE Sephacel anion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G200, radioiodinated, and a radioimmunoassay procedure developed. The standard inhibition curve was linear to 10 ng/ml. The levels of SIgA in the serum of normal persons was 1.9 +/- 0.1 microgram/ml (mean +/- SE), whereas in lactating women the level was 5.5 +/- 0.5. In cancer of the ovary, endometrium, and cervix, the levels of SIgA were 3.1 +/- 0.3, 2.2 +/- 0.5, and 2.8 +/- 0.4 microgram/ml respectively. A significantly increased level of SIgA was found in 13/24 (54%) of patients with cancer of the ovary and in 5/15 (33%) of patients with cancer of the cervix. Further studies are in progress to establish levels of SIgA following surgery and chemotherapy.

Estrogens↗
PubMed1980

AG-4 complement-fixing antibodies in cervical cancer and herpes-infected patients using local herpes simplex virus type 2.

The incidence of anti-AG-4 complement-fixing antibodies in Australian cervical carcinoma (CaCx), herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2, and control patients, was investigated using local HSV strains. The local HSV strains (both HSV-IMI and HSV-2MI) were found, by neutralization experiments, to vary from the American prototype strains. All HSV-2-strains tested were able to induce AG-4 in 4-h infected HEp-2 cells. Anti-AG-4-complement-fixing antibodies were detected in 40% of dysplasia patients, 60% of carcinoma-in-situ patients, 75% of CaCx patients, 65% of CaCx post-operative patients, 88% of HSV-2 patients with active lesions, 10% of HSV-1 patients with active lesions, 10--20% of normal patients and 20% of patients with cancer, other than CaCx. The AG-4 test is tumour-specific in that it distinguishes CaCx from other cancer patients tested, but it cannot distinguish HSV-2 patients from CaCx patients.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1980

Determination of glycosylated hemoglobins in neonatal blood by isoelectric focusing.

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) with suitable "spacers" can be used to distinguish glycosylated hemoglobins from HbA and HbF in adults and infants, respectively. Using this technique we have shown that there is a good correlation between glycosylated hemoglobins measured by IEF and column chromatography (r = 0.778, P less than 0.001). There was no significant difference in the rate of glycosylation between adult and cord blood hemolysates following incubation with glucose in vitro: In both instances there was an increase from the normal levels of about 5% to 26% through 31% after 18 hours of incubation. The levels of glycosylated hemoglobins in infants of varying gestation, neonates, and normal adults was remarkably constant, varying from 4.7 +/- 1.1% to 6.1 +/- 1.6%. These results show that IEF can be useful in the quantitation of glycosylated hemoglobins, particularly in the presence of hemoglobins (eg, HbF) where standard chromatographic techniques cannot be used. IEF has the added advantage of using small quantities of blood, and allows a number of samples to be tested at the same time, thus facilitating the identification of abnormal hemoglobins.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Cancer of the endometrium---a multiparametric study.

Haematological and immunological studies were performed on 36 patients with carcinoma of the endometrium prior to treatment. Haematological and coagulation studies, excluding fibrinogen, showed only minimal abnormality. However, tests for acute phase reactant proteins were abnormal in the majority of patients. There was a reduction in T cells in 31% of patients and a reduction in stimulation with PHA and PWM in 84 and 42% of patients, respectively. Autoantibodies to normal tissue antigens were present in half the patients and immune complexes were increased in 45% of patients. Carcinoembryonic antigen and B(2)-microglobulin were increased in 27 and 47% of patients respectively. Although specific tests for endometrial cancer are not yet available, a profile of tests might be of value in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with the condition.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1979

Amniotic fluid beta 2 microglobulin: correlation with L/S ratios and creatinine levels.

Beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2 m) levels were measured in amniotic fluids taken after the 32nd week of gestation. Beta 2 m levels fell continuously from 5.2 microgram/ml at the 32nd week to 3.08 microgram/ml after the 39th week of gestation. Abnormally high levels of beta 2 m were found in 12.6% of samples. There was a significant correlation between beta 2 m levels and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios at 32 weeks of gestation and with creatinine levels at 37-38 weeks (P less than .05). Although elevated beta 2 m levels may be associated with maternal and/or fetal abnormalities, the precise relationship is not clearly established: in particular, our data do not suggest that estimation of beta 2 m levels could be of value in determining fetal maturity.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1979

F cells in gynaecologic malignancy.

Red cells containing Hb F (F cells) were detected by immunofluorescence using a specific antiserum. In normal persons, the number of F cells was 2.5 +/- 1.1%. A significantly increased number of F cells was found in 65% of patients with cancer of the ovary, 69% of patients with cancer of the endometrium and in 22% of patients with cancer of the cervix. Highest values were obtained in cancer of the ovary and endometrium. There was no correlation between the number of F cells and stage of disease or degree of differentiation. It is postulated that in patients with malignant disease a humoral factor is produced which interferes with normal erythropoiesis resulting in a process of dedifferentiation.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1979

Quantitative studies of Hb Bart's levels and red cell indices in alpha thalassaemia trait in Mediterraneans.

Haemoglobin Bart's was detected and quantitated in 42 babies during a survey of cord blood from neonates of Mediterranean origin. The distribution of Hb Bart's levels for the group appeared to be bi-modal, with modes at 2.0% and 5.5%. Haematological data obtained from 21 babies during the first week of life showed a highly significant reduction in average MCV (86.3 +/- 7.7 fl) and MCH (27.8 +/- 6.0 pg) in comparison with a control group of babies. However, there was no significant correlation between these parameters and Hb Bart's levels. Haematological data were available on 57 parents of the Hb Bart's babies and HbH preparations were positive in 28 cases (49%). Examination of red cell indices showed a highly significant reduction in the average MCV and MCH of parents with positive HbH preparations, and a diagnosis of alpha-thalassaemia (based on the presence of HbH inclusion bodies and reductions in MCV and/or MCH) was made in at least one parent in the majority of couples with both partners tested, suggesting that alpha-thalassaemia trait in people of Mediterranean origin is generally associated with detectable haematological changes.

Cyprus↗
PubMed1979

The quantitation of haemoglobin A2 and haemoglobin F: a report of the techniques review group of the Thalassaemia Society of Victoria.

A techniques review group was established in 1975 to investigate the reproducibility of tests for HbA2 and HbF for the diagnosis of beta thalassaemia. Over a 3-year period, 22 samples were distributed for analysis by up to 14 laboratories. Of 250 estimations of HbA2, 26 (10.4%) were at variance with the majority result. The largest number of variant results were obtained in samples with a HbA2 close to the upper limit of normal. Of 238 HbF determinations, 29 (12%) were equivocal or at variance with the majority result. It is concluded that the techniques of HbA2 and HbF estimation as currently practised by several laboratories are not sufficiently accurate, and that, therefore, a number of cases of beta thalassaemia are not being diagnosed. It is the opinion of those participating in the study that the survey is of value in providing a continuing review of techniques and a forum for discussion.

Fetal Hemoglobin↗
PubMed1978

Incidence of alpha-thalassaemia in Australian population of Mediterranean origin.

Cord blood from 6578 neonates of Mediterranean origin born at The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, over a five-year period was screened for alpha-thalassaemia by haemoglobin electrophoresis for haemoglobin Bart's (Hb Bart's), and 47 cases of the abnormal haemoglobin were detected (an over-all incidence of 0.71%). Hb Bart's was detected in Turks (2.9%), Cypriots (2.8%), Egyptians (2.0%), Lebanese (0.8%), Greeks (0.7%), Italians (0.5%), and Yugoslavs (0.2%). The mean level of Hb Bart's for the group was 4.6%. Four cases of alpha/beta thalassaemia were also detected during this survey.

Australia↗