Overexpression of H-Ryk in mouse fibroblasts confers transforming ability in vitro and in vivo: correlation with up-regulation in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Abnormalities in the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have been demonstrated to be important in the pathogenesis of cancer. H-Ryk, a new member of the RTK family, is an unusual RTK in that it is catalytically inactive because of amino acid substitutions of conserved residues in the catalytic domain. We show by immunohistochemistry that it is expressed in the epithelium, stroma, and blood vessels of normal tissues.

CD44 expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and carcinoma.

Background: The expression of the CD44 gene is markedly changed in many neoplastic tissues. The identification of tumor-specific CD44 expression patterns may aid tumor diagnosis.

Methods And Results: The transcription and translation of the CD44 gene were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization and by immunohistochemistry.

Telomerase activity in human gynaecological malignancies.

Aim: To evaluate whether increased telomerase activity can be clinically useful for detecting malignant cells in a variety of gynaecological specimens.

Methods: Telomerase activity was examined in frozen tissue samples of histologically confirmed lesions of the endometrium, ovary, and cervix. It was also assessed in exfoliated cells in cervical smears from patients with premalignant and malignant lesions and in ascitic fluid obtained from cases with malignant or non-malignant ovarian tumours.

Immunohistochemical expression of inhibin/activin subunits in epithelial and granulosa cell tumours of the ovary.

Dimeric inhibin-A has been shown recently by a sensitive two-site ELISA assay to be a useful tumour marker in granulosa cell tumours of the ovary. It is also elevated in some patients with malignant epithelial ovarian tumours. To identify the precise subunits of inhibin expressed in ovarian tumours, three monoclonal antibodies, R1, E4, and INPRO (against the alpha C-, beta A-, and pro-alpha-subunits, respectively), were evaluated by immunohistochemistry on a panel of six granulosa cell and nine epithelial tumours.

The basement membrane zone in lichen sclerosus: an immunohistochemical study.

The alteration in expression of basement membrane zone (BMZ) components in lichen sclerosus was investigated by immunohistochemical staining of skin biopsies from seven patients with histologically confirmed disease compared with controls. Monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal sera directed against proteins of the hemidesmosomes, anchoring fibrils, lamina lucida, lamina densa and BMZ collagens were used. Characteristic histological appearances at the dermo-epidermal junction were reflected in widespread alterations in antigen expression in the epidermal basement membrane and the papillary dermis.

Does large loop excision of the transformation zone of the cervix predispose to the development of antisperm antibodies in women?

Objective: To determine whether large loop excision of the transformation zone of the uterine cervix for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia predisposes to the development of female isoimmunity to human spermatozoa.

Design: A prospective, controlled study.

Setting: Colposcopy and Andrology units at the John Radclife and Churchill Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Inhibin as a marker for ovarian cancer.

Inhibin is a polypeptide hormone produced by the granulosa cells of the ovary, and is present in body fluids as dimers of various sizes each comprising an alpha- and beta-subunit. Free forms of the alpha-subunit also circulate, and the presently available radioimmunoassay (Monash assay) cannot distinguish these from biologically active dimeric inhibin. Recently we described a new two-site enzyme immunoassay able for the first time to measure the levels of dimeric inhibin throughout the human menstrual cycle.

The association between lichen sclerosus and antigens of the HLA system.

Although frequently linked clinically with autoimmune disease, no immunogenetic basis for lichen sclerosus has ever been established. In this study, we examined in detail the HLA antigens of 84 patients with histologically proven disease, compared with 357 controls. Patients with lichen sclerosus did not have the expected HLA A1, B8, DR3, DQ2 autoimmune profile.

Omega-3 fatty acids and prevention of ventricular fibrillation.

Interest in the potential cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids has been largely focused on possible antiatherothrombotic effects. In addition, however, definitive antiarrhythmic effects of these dietary omega-3 fatty acids have been reported by Charnock & McLennan. Our studies commenced with the observation that two of these fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, DHA) prevented contracture and fibrillation of isolated neonatal cardiac myocytes when exposed to toxic levels of ouabain (0.

The Bowen double-bladed scalpel for the reconstruction of scars.

The Bowen double-bladed scalpel is used to excise previous scars. The two parallel blades cut simultaneously, ensuring that the wound edges will fit together perfectly despite any deviations resulting from hand movements or difficulties in excising the scar. The two apexes of the wound are then fashioned with a single blade.

Lipids and cardiac arrhythmia.

In any discussion of lipids and heart disease it is beneficial from the outset to recognise that at least three different pathological processes may be involved. The first of these is atherosclerosis which involves the deposition of "fat" in the coronary vessels, another is thrombogenesis which describes the formation of blood clots in the coronary vessels, and the third is arrhythmia which refers to disorders in the beating of the heart which may become sufficiently serious to cause sudden cardiac death (SCD). Also it is this disturbance in the rhythmic beating of the heart which is responsible for much of the mortality from 'heart attacks' which occur 'outside-of-hospital' in societies like U.

Evaluating a policy of reduced consultant antenatal clinic visits for low risk multiparous women.

Objectives: To evaluate a change in antenatal care policy to reduce antenatal clinic visits, whereby low risk multiparous women were managed by the primary care team and seen at booking and at 41 weeks' gestation at the consultant antenatal clinic.

Design: Comparative study of low risk multiparous women retrospectively identified through the Oxford obstetric data system and cared for by three consultants who changed their policy (group A) or three consultants who maintained their routine care (group B).

Setting: Oxfordshire Health District.

Recurrent tonsillitis. The role of Chlamydia and Mycoplasma.

The core tissue microflora of 40 patients who underwent tonsillectomies were examined with cultures, DNA probe tests, enzyme immunoassays, and direct immunofluorescence antibody tests for Chlamydia and Mycoplasma. We believe this is the largest and most accurate prospective study that has examined the role of Chlamydia and Mycoplasma in the core tonsil tissue of patients with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis. The data strongly indicate that, unlike acute tonsillopharyngitis, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma are not involved in recurrent or chronic tonsillitis.

Liposarcoma arising in the cheek: report of a case and review of the literature.

The following points can be made about liposarcoma of the oral cavity: 1) it is rare and slow growing; 2) it is often mistaken for a benign lesion; 3) there is a direct correlation of microscopic appearance with biological behavior and prognosis; 4) treatment is primarily surgical, with radiation used for selected cases; and 5) the better-differentiated tumors seem to respond more favorably to radiation.

The prevalence of bulimia nervosa. A replication study.

There have been reports of a high prevalence of bulimic episodes and the syndromes of bulimia nervosa and DSM-III bulimia in community samples. A group of American authors recently compared the findings of a contemporary survey with those of a survey they had conducted previously and reported a three-fold increase in the prevalence of DSM-III bulimia. The present study replicates a community survey conducted four years ago in Britain.

Postburn respiratory injuries in children.

Respiratory tract injury is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and prolonged hospitalization in fire casualties. Direct insults include inhalation of superheated gas, steam, smoke, or toxic fumes. Indirect injury may result from interference with the mechanics of respiration.

The effect of early diagnosis and treatment in cystic fibrosis: a seven-year study of 16 sibling pairs.

Data on 16 sibling pairs with cystic fibrosis were analyzed to test the hypothesis that early treatment of this condition improves prognosis. Younger siblings' conditions were diagnosed before 1 year of age, usually before the onset of pulmonary disease. Older siblings' conditions were diagnosed after 1 year of age and after the onset of pulmonary disease.

Results of colectomy for diverticular disease of the colon.

A retrospective study of 71 patients who had a colonic resection for diverticular disease at one hospital during a 7-year period was undertaken. Patients were divided into those undergoing surgery for complications of diverticular disease (49) and those in whom abdominal pain and an altered bowel habit were attributed to the presence of diverticular disease in the absence of any detectable complication (22). In both groups major complications occurred after operation.