Androgenic and estrogenic 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/17-ketosteroid reductase in human ovarian epithelial tumors: evidence for the type 1, 2 and 5 isoforms.

17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/17-ketosteroid reductases (17HSD/KSR) play a key role in regulating steroid receptor occupancy in normal tissues and tumors. Although 17HSD/KSR activity has been detected in ovarian epithelial tumors, our understanding of which isoforms are present and their potential for steroid metabolism is limited. In this investigation, 17HSD/KSR activity from a series of ovarian epithelial tumors was assayed in cytosol and microsomes under conditions which differentiate between isoforms.

Effect of various irrigating fluids on the ultrastructure of articular cartilage.

The effect of five different irrigating fluids on the ultrastructure of articular cartilage was studied utilizing the scanning electron microscope. Gross histologic studies have shown no significant difference amongst commonly used irrigating fluids on the surface or matrix composition of articular cartilage. Recent in vivo and in vitro biochemical studies, in addition, have shown no significant deleterious effects of irrigating fluids on articular cartilage composition.

A rapid DNA probe test for detecting human papilloma virus types 6/11 and 16 in biopsy specimens.

A simple, rapid and sensitive non-radioactive in situ hybridization assay for human papillomavirus (HPV) has been developed and used to detect HPV 6/11 and HPV16 DNA in ano-genital biopsy specimens. A comparative study to determine the sensitivity and the specificity of this assay relative to Southern blot hybridization assays was performed using one hundred biopsy specimens. The sensitivity of the in situ hybridization assay was 88% for HPV type 6/11 and 89% for HPV type 16.

Proteinuria in a child with sialidosis: case report and histological studies.

A 9-year-old body with sialidosis had nephrotic-range proteinuria. Histological studies demonstrated massive distension of renal cells, particularly glomerular visceral epithelial cells, by cytoplasmic vesicles which contained material reactive with concanavalin A and wheat-germ agglutinin. In addition, some glomeruli exhibited segmental mesangial thickening or glomerulosclerosis.

The gastric mucosal barrier: tight junction structure in gastritis and ulcer biopsies.

Tight junctions of the human gastric mucosa were examined using quantitative freeze-fracture methods. Biopsies examined were from patients with gastric diseases including gastritis, ulcers, and pernicious anemia. No significant differences were seen in strand number or tight junction complex depth among the biopsies analyzed, however, anomalous tight junction structures were observed.