Yes / The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between pre-prostatectomy urinary Engrailed-2 (EN2), a transcription factor secreted by prostate cancer cells, with tumour volume and pathological characteristics in resected prostate specimens. First pass urine samples (10 ml) without prior prostatic massage were collected and stored at –80°C. EN2 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Tumour volume in the prostatectomy specimens was determined histologically. 57 men undergoing RP in one urological cancer network were evaluated. EN2 was detected in 85% of RP patients. EN2 correlated with tumour volume (but not total prostatic volume) in a linear regression analysis, with increasing pathological T stage and margin positivity. Using three “cutoff levels” of tumour volume (0.5 ml, 1.3 ml and 2.5 ml) to define “significant disease”, men with “significant disease” had markedly higher levels of urinary EN2 (p < 0.001 for each cut off level). Levels of urinary EN2 may be useful in predicting tumour volume in men with prostate cancer by potentially identifying men with small volume “insignificant” disease. This study justifies a larger multicentre evaluation of urinary EN2 levels as a biomarker of PC significance using cancer volume, pathological and PSA criteria.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1997. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1997. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

published_or_final_version / Biochemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

A new method is described for the quantitative analysis of urinary benzodiazepines by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Development work was aimed at satisfying federal requirements for methods used in forensic urine drug testing which have become the standard in the laboratory industry. Trimethylsilyl (TMS), tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl (TBDMS) and benzophenone derivatives were tested in the development of the new assay. TBDMS derivatives were found to be the most suitable for the analysis of six common benzodiazepine metabolites. Precision for all metabolites tested, as measured by the within run coefficient of variation, was less than 7% at 100 ng/ml (n = 15). Assay sensitivity varied with the specific analyte in the range of 5 to 10 ng/ml. Validation of the procedure included the reanalysis of benzodiazepine positive urine specimens obtained from a forensic drug testing laboratory and comparison of the results from the independent assays. These specimens were tested first by radioimmunoassay using a 100 ng/ml cutoff and then confirmed by GC/MS. Sensitivity was sufficient to confirm the presence of benzodiazepine metabolites in all specimens tested.

No description available.

Sustainable alternatives to using mined nutrients in agriculture must be found in order to limit environmental impacts such as eutrophication, habitat destruction and greenhouse gas emis-sions. Biogas slurry and urine recycled to hydroponic food production (a type of soilless agri-culture) have the potential of providing inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, the main essential nutrients required for plant growth. A Life Cycle Inventory Assessment (LCI) methodology has been used to compare the systems of producing artificial fertilizer, biogas slurry and urine based nutrient solutions for the growth of Brassica rapa L. (Chinese cabbage) in the context of a large scale hydroponic vertical farm. Costs and energy requirements have been the basis of the comparison and results show that both biogas slurry and urine are considerably cheaper than the commercial alternative and based on the nutrient content they have the potential of being successful nutrient solutions after dilution and nutrient supplementation. Filtration might also be required in order to remove suspended particles and pathogens.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, 1984. / Appendix 7, (3 leaves) in pocket. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Env. St.)--University of Adelaide, 1984. / Dated 1983. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-181).