A Novel Method for the Diagnosis of Prostate
Cancer
S. MOTAUNG
Department of Biomedical
Sciences, Technikon Pretoria
J. ODENDAAL
Life Science Research Institute, Technikon
Pretoria
G. STEVENS
Department of Molecular Medicine &
Haematology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
The most widely accepted method used for the diagnosis of prostate cancer
(CaP), is the measurement of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). However, its use
for the early detection of CaP and the specificity of PSA testing is relatively
low. Other conventional methods of diagnosis using tumour markers such as
carcino-embryonic antigens and prostatic acid phosphatase also have not proved
to be consistently useful in the diagnosis because the results are non-specific.
Loss or absent expression of E-cadherin (E-CD) which forms an epithelial
junction complex that includes several other proteins and triggers signal
transduction, may contribute to the diagnosis, stage and prognosis of CaP. In
CaP absent of E-CD expression correlates significantly with increasing tumour
grade. In this E-CD expression was compared to PSA levels and Gleason score.
Results indicated that where the PSA was normal and the Gleason Score was
high, the E-CD -was absent, but some results showed that if the PSA was normal,
the E-CD was present and the Gleason score was normal. It was suggested that the
determination of E-CD could be used as an additional marker to predict the stage
of CaP, its early diagnosis and the prognosis.
Using Colour Image Analysis to
Perform Quantitative Analysis on Stained Tissue Sections
K. WILLIAMS,J. LOUW, S. WOLFE-COOTE.
Diabetes Research Group, MRC, Tygerberg
Abstract
In histopathology, disease states are diagnosed by studying stained
tissue sections of biopsies, body tissue or organs and die diagnosis is based on
the pathologist's acquired knowledge and experience. This can often lead to
differences of opinion and assessment. Image analysis provides the medical
technologist or pathologist with the tools to provide more standardised
assessments of tissue sections by using digitised images. In addition,
quantitative data can be extracted from the stained tissue sections based on the
colour of the tissue elements of interest, adding another dimension to the
diagnosis of disease. The successful use of colour image analysis as an
additional diagnostic tool to traditional microscopical examinations in the
pathology laboratory is dependent, however. on several factors. There must lie a
general understanding of the main concepts of colour image analysis and how some
of these differ from greyscale imaging, and standardised protocols must be
strictly applied.
Image analysis of pancreas, stained immunocyto-chemically for A and B cells, is
presented to demonstrate the quantitation of A and B volumes within an islet of
Langerhans.
Rapid-High Performance Liquid
Chromatographic Method Development for Total Homocysteine Levels in Human Serum
P. GANPUTH, P. OJWANG, W. DEPPE. T. MANICKUM
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty
of Health Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Durban
Introduction
Homocysteine is certainly not the only risk factor for heart disease, but
studies strongly suggest that it is at least an important factor, and one that
patients can do something about. The link between homocysteine and vascular
pathology of arteriosclerosis was discovered almost 30 years ago. However, it is
only recently that hyperhomocysteinaemia has achieved widespread recognition as
an independent risk factor for vascular disease, including coronary heart
disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
The renewed interest has stimulated laboratories to re-examine and evaluate
methods for the estimation of homocysteine in plasma. Only within the past 5
years has homocysteine taken its place among other major risk factors such as
cholesterol, smoking and obesity. Plasma homocysteine is markedly increased
during folate or cobalamin (B12) deficiency. It is also increased in patients
with rare inborn errors of metabolism called homocystinuria, which is most
commonly caused by deficiency of the enzyme cystathionine B-synthase. These
patients have a high morbidity from cardiovascular disease, which may cause
death in early adolescence and even in childhood.
Recent clinical studies included more than 1800 patients who have amply
demonstrated that a moderate increase of plasma homocysteine, so-called
hyperhomocysteinaemia, is a common and independent risk factor of premature
cardiovascular disease in the general population. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is
caused by both nutritional and genetic factors, including heterozygosity for
cystathionine B-synthase deficiency. It has not as vet been established what
causes some individuals and not others to over-produce homocysteine. But
evidence points to storage of vitamin B6, vitamin
B12 and folic acid, all of which work to convert the amino acid into a molecular
form the body can use. There is no guarantee that managing the amino acid will
decrease the risk of cardiac disease.
Moderator Variables in
Neuropsychological Assessment
D.LOUW, R.SCHOEMAN
Department of Psychology, University of
the Free State, Bloemfontein
Abstract
Controversy reigns over the virtues, limitations and utility of clinical
psychological testing. Certain test, patient and lesion variables also influence
the results of neuropsychological assessment. The purpose of the study was to
determine the effect of moderator variables on the results obtained through
neuropsychological assessment versus those obtained by MRI. An availability
sample was taken from patients seen by neurologists and neurosurgeons, with
either a normal or an abnormal MRI with localised lesions. They were then
assessed by means of the South African Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the
Folstein's Mini Mental State Examination, the Bender Gestalt Test and the Grassi
Block Substitution Test. The findings are discussed, shortcomings mentioned and
recommendations made.
The Current Status of Medical Technology as a Profession in South Africa
C. BRAND, L. DE JAGER
School of Health Technology,
Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein
C. VAN DER MERWE
Institutional Research, Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein
L. LATEGAN
Research, Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein
A. VAN RIJSWIJK
PathCare Group of Companies, Cape Town
Abstract
The study investigated the current status of medical technology in South Africa during the winter of 2002. Questionnaires were
distributed to 2040 registered medical technologists and technicians with a
16,6% feedback. Two hundred and sixty-three technologists and 73 technicians
responded representing 70 locations throughout South Africa. Two hundred and fifteen respondents were women and
the highest age group represented were between 30-50 years old. Qualifications
in Clinical Pathology were the most popular, with 135 qualified technologists
and Blood Transfusion Technology, with 36 qualified technicians. The National
Health Laboratory Service was the main employer with 124 respondents. Medical
technologists remained in the profession till in their age group sixty, while
technicians leaving the career after 35 years laboratory experience, before age
group fifty-five. The senior : junior ratio of employment positions were skewed
and did not comply with the normal pyramid position distribution. Fifty-nine
percent of the respondents were members of the SMLTSA. The profession of medical
technology forms an integral part of the medical profession. It is practised in
different specialised fields throughout the rural and urban areas of South
Africa, being more popular amongst women and to most a career for life.