Analysis of albumin fatty acid binding capacity in patients with benign and malignant colorectal diseases using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy.

Introduction: In colorectal cancer (CRC), no biological marker is known that could serve both as a marker for detection and prognosis. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy of spin-labeled fatty acid (FA) molecules binding to human serum albumin is a suitable method for the detection of conformational changes and alterations of transport function of albumin through changes in its FA binding capabilities.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether the FA binding to albumin is detectably and significantly altered in CRC patients when compared with patients having benign colorectal diseases.

Serum calcitonin negative medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC) constitute about 5 to 7% of thyroid neoplasms. They originate from parafollicular C cells which produce Calcitonin, a hormone which has an impact on calcium metabolism and represents the biochemical activity of MTC. In rare cases pre-operative serum calcitonin can be negative.