Presence of proliferating (MiB-1-positive) cells in cervical smears of women infected with HIV is associated with clinical outcome: a study of Brazilian women.

The hypothesis tested was that there is an association between the presence of proliferating (MiB-1-positive) cervical cells and clinical outcome of women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Female partners (attending the Gynecology Outpatients Clinic of the University Hospital of Rio Grande, Brazil) of known HIV-positive (HIV+) men were used for this pilot study. Among these women, 25 were also HIV+.

Analysis of three-dimensional architecture in Feulgen-stained fine-needle liver aspirates, using confocal scanning laser microscopy.

Early and accurate diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in liver nodules using fine-needle aspiration biopsy can still pose difficulties, particularly in cirrhotic nodules containing dysplastic hepatocytes. Loss of architectural clues, which may aid diagnosis, can be overcome by using confocal scanning laser microscopic examination of tissue fragments in smears without the need for further processing of slides. The basic fuchsin of the Feulgen method resulted in excellent confocal images without the need for further processing of the smears.

Microwave-stimulated Jones-Marres method for staining fungi in brain tissue of immunocompromised patients.

Life-threatening fungal infections have increased significantly in the past decade due to the rising number of immunocompromised patients. Serological diagnosis of most fungal infections is unreliable and blood cultures are positive in only 50% of premortem cases; therefore, tissue sampling together with fast, reliable staining of fungi should be carried out to reach the correct, timely diagnosis. We developed, partly serendipitously, a microwave silver staining method for fungi in histological sections.

T lymphocytes and immunosuppression in the burned patient: a review.

Extensive thermal trauma results in impaired immune function which has been attributed to a reduction in T lymphocyte numbers, increased suppressor cell activity, serum suppressive factors and altered cytokine synthesis and receptor expression on T cells. Numeric and phenotypic changes in T lymphocytes, T cell proliferation and functional responses of T lymphocytes in recent studies using murine models and patients are described.

Childbirth: management of labour through the ages.

This paper examines the management of labour through the ages, and looks particularly at the emergence of invasive techniques in childbirth and the development of pain management. Obstetric practices throughout the 17th and 18th centuries are explored.

Plasminogen activators in normal and malignant oral epithelium in vivo and in vitro.

Urokinase-type (uPA) and tissue-type (tPA) plasminogen activators were identified by fibrinolytic autography in the sulcus epithelium of human gingival mucosa but not in the orthokeratinized gingival epithelium. Fibrinolytic activity was present only over blood vessels in frozen sections of oral squamous cell carcinomas, the malignant epithelial cells showing no plasminogen activator activity. Plasminogen activators could not be demonstrated in either the sulcus or gingival epithelium by immunofluorescence, but both uPA and tPA were found in occasional squamous carcinoma cells.

Pathophysiology of soft tissue repair.

Inflammation with subsequent migration of leucocytes and connective tissue cells to the site of damage, together with the release of cytokines by these cells are essential for healing in common sports injuries. Injury to the musculotendinous unit resulting from either blunt trauma, tears or laceration, heal primarily by formation of granulation tissue and scarring. Early diagnosis with appropriate therapy may minimize any potential loss of function.

Tissue reactions induced by hydrocolloid wound dressings.

Porcine full-thickness excisional wounds were treated with 4 different hydrocolloid (HCD) dressings--DuoDERM (ConvaTec/E. R. Squibb), Intrasite HCD (Smith and Nephew Medical), Tegasorb (3M) and Replicare (Smith and Nephew Medical).

Ultrastructural alterations associated with in vivo and in vitro bound pemphigus antibodies in cultured oral epithelial cells.

Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by bound and circulating IgG antibodies to an epithelial antigen, antibody binding resulting in acantholysis. This study examines the role of pemphigus serum in the initiation and perpetuation of acantholysis. Oral epithelial cells derived from a patient with pemphigus vulgaris were cultured in vitro in the presence of normal serum.

Keratinocyte culture.

The in vitro growth of keratinocytes has proved to be an important tool in the study of the normal biology and disease processes involving the skin, e.g., the influence of extrinsic regulators of growth and differentiation, effects of pharmacological agents, dermo-epidermal interactions, tissue antigenicity, and models of carcinogenesis.

T suppressor efferent circuit which affects contact sensitivity to picryl chloride: the late-acting, second nonspecific T suppressor factor bears I-A determinants which are responsible for the I-A genetic restriction in its interaction with its target cell.

The T suppressor efferent circuit in the picryl (TNP) system, which inhibits the passive transfer of contact sensitivity, involves at least two antigen-nonspecific factors. The second nonspecific T suppressor factor (ns-2) bears I-A determinants of both the alpha and the beta chain as shown by affinity chromatography on immobilized anti-I-A monoclonal antibodies. Sequential absorption shows that the determinants of the alpha and beta chain occur on the same molecular complex.