Optimization of the weck-Cel collection method for quantitation of cytokines in mucosal secretions.

Measurement of immune components in mucosal secretions is important for the evaluation of local immunity at the mucosal surfaces. The Weck-Cel ophthalmic sponge provides a method for the collection of these secretions. The sponge absorbs a relatively large volume of material, therefore allowing for quantitation of multiple immune components.

Collection of cervical secretions does not adversely affect Pap smears taken immediately afterward.

Collection of cervical secretions for local immunological assessment requires that the secretions be collected prior to the Pap smear to avoid contamination with blood. The objective of the present study was to determine whether gentle collection of cervical secretions prior to a Pap smear collection influences the quality of the Pap smear. A total of 266 women were recruited.

Comparison of toxicity and survival following intraperitoneal recombinant interleukin-2 for persistent ovarian cancer after platinum: twenty-four-hour versus 7-day infusion.

Purpose: To compare the toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy seen in ovarian cancer patients treated with escalating doses of intraperitoneal (I.P.) interleukin-2 (IL-2) by two different infusion schedules.

A trial of outpatient paclitaxel and carboplatin for advanced, recurrent, and histologic high-risk endometrial carcinoma: preliminary report.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combination of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) and carboplatin in patients with endometrial cancer known to be resistant to standard therapy. Subjects were taken from three groups: (1) recurrent or persistent disease following surgery and/or radiation, (2) advanced disease at diagnosis, and (3) high-risk histology. The combination of carboplatin (pharmacologically dosed at an area under the concentration-time curve of 5) and paclitaxel (135 to 175 mg/m2 over 3 hours) was given intravenously every 4 weeks for eight courses.

Rectal immunization for induction of specific antibody in the genital tract of women.

The purpose of the current study was to examine potential routes of vaccine administration for the induction of antigen-specific responses in the genital tract of women. Sixteen women were enrolled in this study, and the level of influenza-specific antibodies induced in the genital tract was measured after rectal or intramuscular immunizations. Both methods of administration induced significant increases in the concentration of flu-specific IgA found in cervical secretions within 28 days after vaccination.

A case-matched molecular comparison of extraovarian versus primary ovarian adenocarcinoma.

Background: Extraovarian müllerian adenocarcinoma (EOM) resembles primary ovarian carcinoma (POC) both histologically and clinically, yet little is known regarding the molecular genetic characteristics of this entity. The objective of this study was to compare the expression of three molecular markers of tumor behavior in EOMs and POCs.

Methods: Forty-four patients meeting strict criteria for EOM were identified and matched to POC controls for age, stage, tumor histology and grade, cytoreductive surgery, and survival.

Relationship of p53 Genotype to Second-look Recurrence and Survival in Ovarian Epithelial Malignancy.

Background: Clinical stage at presentation and tumor status at second-look laparotomy are currently the best predictors of patient survival in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Methods and Results: To evaluate the predictive value of genetic analysis, the presence and type of p53 mutation (p53 genotype) was determined in 76 patients treated for EOC between 1987 and 1992 and subjected to second-look laparotomy following initial treatment. Mutational analysis of p53 was performed retrospectively by means of topographic genotyping (TG), using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of the primary and recurrent tumor.

Immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells recruited to cervical neoplasia.

Objective: To determine the number and isotype of immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells that infiltrate various stages of cervical neoplasia from no lesion to invasive cancer.

Methods: By three-color immunofluorescent microscopy, the number and isotype of stromal plasma cells were determined for 91 specimens representing a spectrum of cervical epithelial neoplasia as follows: no lesion (n = 12), koilocytic atypia (n = 13), mild dysplasia (n = 21), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL; n = 22), and invasive carcinoma (n = 23).

Results: The Ig-positive cell counts were markedly increased under the low-grade SIL.

T lymphocytes infiltrating advanced grades of cervical neoplasia. CD8-positive cells are recruited to invasion.

Background: Impaired cellular immunity appears to be a risk factor for progression of cervical neoplasia, but the immunobiology of neoplastic progression is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to characterize the subpopulations of T lymphocytes that infiltrate various grades of cervical neoplasia including metaplasia to invasive cancer in immunocompetent women.

Method: In 65 patients with a spectrum of cervical disease ranging from normal cytology to carcinoma, the relative proportions of total T lymphocytes and CD4- or CD8-expressing (helper or cytotoxic) T lymphocyte subsets were determined by immunohistochemistry.

Normal uterine cervix: characterization of isolated lymphocyte phenotypes and immunoglobulin secretion.

Problem: Isolation of viable cervical lymphocyte populations and characterization of their function in healthy tissue is necessary to understand immunity in the genital tract.

Methods: Normal, cervical tissue was digested using a multi-enzymatic digestion procedure. Lymphocytes were characterized using FACS analysis and ELISPOT analysis for immunoglobulin secreting cells.

A survey of blood transfusion practices of gynecologic oncologists.

Objective: To survey the attitudes of gynecologic oncologists about indications for blood transfusion, and compare them to current recommendations about transfusion practice.

Methods: With the permission of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO), a study questionnaire was mailed to 548 members and candidates in their directory. The questions asked about transfusion threshold before chemotherapy, following ovarian debulking, and after endometriosis surgery.

CD8+ T lymphocytes are recruited to neoplastic cervix.

ToliicIV distinguish normal cervical lymphocyte populations from phenotypes recruited to the cervix in response to cervical neoplasia, lymphocytes were isolated from normal and neoplastic cervix. A portion of the cervical transformation zone was obtained from 19 patients with pathologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and from 20 patients with normal cervices undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications. Mononuclear cells were harvested from cervical tissue using a serial, multienzymatic digestion procedure and enriched by density gradient centrifugation.

LLETZ is an acceptable alternative to diagnostic cold-knife conization.

Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) provides a pathologic specimen similar to a cold-knife cone (CKC) biopsy of the cervix. One hundred twenty women with indications for a cone biopsy were evaluated with LLETZ to determine if this procedure is an acceptable alternative to traditional cold-knife conization of the cervix. All patients had LLETZ performed in the clinic under local anesthesia.

Prospective randomized trial of LLETZ versus laser ablation in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Three hundred seventy-five patients with CIN on referral Pap and with a distinct cervical lesion on colposcopy were prospectively randomized to treatment with LLETZ or to standard colposcopic evaluation with directed cervical biopsies, endocervical curettage, and laser ablation of the transformation zone for biopsy proven CIN. Of the 195 patients that randomized to treatment with LLETZ, 32.5% had no evidence of dysplasia, 26.

MRI of female uterine and juxta-uterine masses: clinical application in 25 patients.

The clinical utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of gynecologic masses was evaluated in 25 patients. In each patient the final pathologic diagnosis was semiquantitatively correlated with the diagnostic impressions from pelvic examination, ultrasound and MRI. There were 9 uterine, 11 ovarian and 5 nonovarian pelvic masses.

Magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose a müllerian anomaly during pregnancy.

An adolescent woman presented with a paravaginal mass during pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging was useful in diagnosing a müllerian anomaly consisting of a double uterus and cervix and blind vaginal pouch. Magnetic resonance imaging can be an important modality in the diagnosis of gynecologic conditions in the obstetric patient.

Acquisition of American Sign Language versus Amerind signs in a mentally handicapped sample.

The differential acquisition of American Sign Language versus Amerind signs was investigated in a moderately to severely mentally handicapped sample. The subjects (n = 10) were selected from a residential training facility and each had a mental age within the range 3;0-5;0 years. Twenty signs were taught to each subject, 10 American Sign Language signs and 10 Amerind signs.

Enhanced endocytosis by aging chondrocytes and fibroblasts.

We have compared the uptake of latex beads by cultures of old and young chondrocytes and fibroblasts. In each case, their phagocytic rates increased with cellular age.

A longitudinal analysis of torque and its relationship to achievement and educational classification among normal, disturbed, and learning-disabled children.

Torque (clockwise circlings with either hand on a visual-motor task) has been shown to be related to a variety of academic, personal, and adjustment difficulties (Blau, 1977b). A longitudinal analysis was conducted for 948 third-grade students, selected randomly from various special and nonspecial education programs from a large, urban/suburban school system. Current measures of achievement, grade retention, and special education categorization were related to torque data obtained 4 years previously.

A comparison of verbal, sign, and simultaneous systems for the acquisition of receptive language by an autistic boy.

The effectiveness of verbal, sign, and simultaneous systems for the acquisition of receptive language by an autistic boy was investigated. The subject received training in all three methods by three teachers on each of 18 days. The order of methods and teachers was counterbalanced daily.

Cerebral cortical atrophy in alcoholic men.

Sixteen alcoholic men under 50 with no gross evidence of intellectual impairment were evaluated by means of neurologic examination, neuropsychologic testing and computerized tomography. Computerized tomography demonstrated mild to moderate cortical atrophy in 11 of the 16 men when compared to an age-matched medical control group. The cortical atrophy was associated with evidence of memory and visual-motor impairment on neuropsychologic testing.

Comparison of the Goodenough-Harris Drawing Test and the WISC-R for children experiencing academic difficulties.

100 students identified as experiencing academic difficulties were administered both the Draw-A-Person and the WISC-R. Analyses indicated significant correlations between the various scores obtained on the WISC-R and the drawings. These relationships were quite consistent with those previously reported for other subgroups within the school population.