A comparative case-controlled study of laparoscopic vs laparotomy management of ectopic pregnancy: an evaluation of reproductive performance after radical vs conservative treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of maternal death in early pregnancy (RCOG 1997-1999) and its incidence is rising. Most of the ectopic pregnancies occur in the young age group and subsequent fertility is an important issue. Laparoscopic surgery has advantages over open surgery and results in higher rates of subsequent intrauterine pregnancies and a lower rate of ectopic pregnancy (Fernandez, 1998).

Serial peak expiratory flow measurement in the diagnosis of occupational asthma.

Serial measurement of peak expiratory flow (PEF) is the most appropriate initial confirmatory test for occupational asthma suggested by a history of asthmatic symptoms improving on days away from work. PEF recordings need to be taken every 2 h during waking hours, both on days at and away from work. A minimum positive record includes recordings taken over two work periods, and two rest periods, and a minimum negative record will also include a rest period of at least 10 days duration.

High dose fluticasone propionate, 1 mg daily, versus fluticasone propionate, 2 mg daily, or budesonide, 1.6 mg daily, in patients with chronic severe asthma. International Study Group.

Airway inflammation is now regarded as fundamental in the pathogenesis of asthma and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids has proved effective. There is a need for drugs in this category with higher topical potency but fewer side-effects than those presently available. A double-blind, parallel group study was conducted in 671 patients with severe asthma (already taking between 0.

Construction of gag, pol, and env specific riboprobes for confirmation of HIV-1 specific polymerase chain reaction products.

Conserved regions of the gag, pol, and env genes of HIV-1 pBH10 DNA (gag nucleotides(nt)1508-1652, pol nt 2811-3118, env nt 7792-7934; Ratner et al., 1985) were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotides complementary to the termini of these regions as primers. Primer areas of the amplified DNA were then removed by digestion with restriction endonucleases, and the internal fragments purified and cloned in both orientations into the 'riboprobe' transcription vector pGEM-5Z.

Expression of p53 protein in oesophageal carcinoma: clinicopathological correlation and prognostic significance.

Correlation of p53 expression with 5-year survival and histopathological parameters was examined immunohistochemically in two groups of 30 patients with oesophageal carcinoma (5-year survivors versus non-survivors). Tumour type, sex, operative procedure and age were matched. Some 64 per cent of squamous carcinomas and 79 per cent of adenocarcinomas were p53 positive.

Construction of gag, pol, and env specific riboprobes for confirmation of HIV-1 specific polymerase chain reaction products.

Conserved regions of the gag, pol, and env genes of HIV-1 pBH10 DNA (gag nucleotides(nt)1520-1665, pol nt 2326-2663, env nt 7192-7333; Ratner et al., 1985) were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotides complementary to the termini of these regions as primers. Primer areas of the amplified DNA were then removed by digestion with restriction endonucleases, and the internal fragments purified and cloned in both orientations into the 'riboprobe' transcription vector pGEM-5Z.

Elimination of bilirubin interference in creatinine assays by routine techniques: comparisons with a high performance liquid chromatography method.

The aim of this study was to find a method for creatinine analysis unaffected by jaundice by comparing four different methods with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a reference method. The methods investigated were Kodak DTSC single slide, Boehringer alkaline picrate with and without blank correction and a Boehringer enzymatic method, the last three using the Hitachi 737 analyser. HPLC results were compared with the results of the methods studied.

Genomic variation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1): molecular analyses of HIV-1 in sequential blood samples and various organs obtained at autopsy.

Length polymorphisms and partial nucleotide sequences were determined for the hypervariable regions, V1 to V5, of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) env gene obtained from proviral DNA of sequential peripheral blood samples, from viral RNA in plasma, and from proviral DNA obtained from different organs of individuals at autopsy. The lengths of several env regions of HIV-1 proviral DNA differed markedly when obtained from different organs of an individual. Nucleotide sequences of the hypervariable V3 region of HIV-1 obtained from different organs of one patient demonstrated distinct viral variants.

Rates of change in peak expiratory flow and in diurnal variation in peak flow in patients recovering from acute severe asthma.

1. The rates of change in mean peak expiratory flow and in diurnal variation in peak flow were compared in 14 patients recovering from acute severe asthma. 2.

Seasonal variation in the necropsy incidence of massive pulmonary embolism.

Aims: To investigate the seasonal incidence of massive pulmonary embolism at necropsy.

Methods: Massive pulmonary embolism was defined as a recent thromboembolus occluding the pulmonary trunk or one or both main pulmonary arteries and constituting the main cause of death. A total of 4289 necropsies carried out at East Birmingham Hospital from 1979 to 1988 was reviewed.

Visual acuity and pupillary reactions after peribulbar anaesthesia.

The effect of peribulbar anaesthesia on optic nerve function in 20 patients, before and after cataract surgery, was measured. All the patients had decreased visual acuity. Five (25%) had no perception of light.

Pre-operative analgesia for acute surgical patients: no place for complacency.

Pain is common in patients presenting with acute surgical conditions but there has been little discussion of the provision of pre-operative analgesia. This study analyses the pattern of pre-operative analgesic administration and questions the practices of the admitting medical officers in a district hospital. It shows that pre-operative analgesia is often omitted or that an unduly long time is taken to administer it.

p53, c-myc p62 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Aims: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and its relation to that of c-myc p62 oncoprotein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

Methods: Paraffin wax embedded tissue from 90 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (72 B cell and 18 T cell) was stained immunohistochemically for p53 protein, c-myc p62 oncoprotein, and PCNA using the monoclonal antibodies DO7, c-myc 1-9 E10, and PC-10, respectively.

Results: Of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas studied, 55 (61%) stained positively for p53 protein.

Trisomy 12 in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: an evaluation of 33 patients by direct fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

An adaptation of the standard fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique allowing rapid analysis (4 h) has been used to study the prevalence of trisomy 12 in 33 patients with B-CLL, of whom 54% have been shown to have this abnormality. The presence of trisomy 12 has been compared with clinical parameters, and there may be a relationship between the prevalence of trisomy 12 in B-CLL and duration of disease.

p53 expression in oat and non-oat small cell lung carcinomas: correlations with proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

Aims: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), comparing it with that in non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC); and to evaluate the correlation between p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression as well as between p53 and PCNA expression and survival.

Methods: Paraffin wax embedded tissues from 61 cases of primary lung carcinoma were stained for p53 protein and PCNA using the monoclonal antibodies 1801 and PC-10, respectively, in a standard avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method.

Results: Of the 61 lung carcinomas 35 (57%) were positive for p53 (range 1% to 90%).

Twelve cases of glottic carcinoma in situ treated by radiotherapy: an observation on clinical course versus response.

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the glottis is an uncommon and poorly understood condition with few, large, long-term studies. Twelve cases are presented which were treated with radiotherapy. At three-year follow-up all the patients are disease free and in 83 per cent the mucosa has returned to normal.