A randomized controlled trial in non-responders from Newcastle upon Tyne invited to return a self-sample for Human Papillomavirus testing versus repeat invitation for cervical screening.

Background: Non-attenders for cervical screening are at increased risk of cervical cancer. Studies offering self-sampling for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HrHPV) testing have shown greater uptake than sending another invitation for cytology.

Objectives: To explore whether uptake would increase in a less diverse, more stable population than the previous English study, which demonstrated a lower response rate than other studies.

GnRH analogue remarkably down-regulates inflammatory proteins in peritoneal fluid proteome of women with endometriosis.

Objective: To determine the changes in the peritoneal fluid proteome of women with endometriosis determined by the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRH-a).

Study Design: Peritoneal fluid samples were collected during laparoscopy from patients under GnRH-a and from women who did not receive any type of hormonal treatment in the 6 months before surgery. Samples were subjected to 2-D gel electrophoresis and compared by computerized analysis.

Proteomic analysis of peritoneal fluid in fertile and infertile women with endometriosis.

Objective: To evaluate the peritoneal fluid (PF) proteome of fertile and infertile women with endometriosis.

Study Design: PF samples were collected at laparoscopy from 26 fertile women and 26 infertile ones. Samples were subjected to 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and compared by computerized analysis.

Increased expression of one isoform of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein in peritoneal fluid of women with uterine leiomyomas.

Objective: To compare the peritoneal fluid (PF) proteome of women with and without uterine leiomyomas.

Study Design: PF samples were collected at laparoscopy from 14 women with uterine leiomyomas and 14 patients without leiomyomas who underwent tubal sterilization. PF samples were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, silver stained, digitally captured, and compared by computerised analysis.

Specific isoforms of leucine-rich alpha2-glycoprotein detected in the proliferative endometrium of women undergoing assisted reproduction are associated with spontaneous pregnancy.

Objective: To examine differences in specific protein expression from the surface of the human endometrium with respect to eventual pregnancy in infertile women.

Design: Laboratory study.

Setting: University hospital.

Haptoglobin beta chain isoforms in the plasma and peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis.

Objective: To estimate the expression of haptoglobin (Hp) beta chain isoforms in the peritoneal fluid (PF) and plasma (PL) of women with and without endometriosis.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University hospital.

Vitamin D binding protein in endometriosis.

Objective: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is a powerful method for identifying post-translationally modified molecules in biological fluids. We examined the presence and expression of vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in the peritoneal fluid (PF) and plasma (PL) of women with endometriosis.

Methods: PL and PF samples were obtained from 36 women with untreated mild endometriosis (revised classification of the American Fertility Society [rAFS] stage I-II), 52 women with untreated severe endometriosis (rAFS stage III-IV), 17 women with endometriosis treated with the oral contraceptive (OC), and 40 controls (infertility, n = 23; tubal sterilization, n = 12; pelvic pain, n = 5).

Effects of sevoflurane on dopamine, glutamate and aspartate release in an in vitro model of cerebral ischaemia.

Release of excitatory amino acids and dopamine plays a central role in neuronal damage after cerebral ischaemia. In the present study, we used an in vitro model of ischaemia to investigate the effects of sevoflurane on dopamine, glutamate and aspartate efflux from rat corticostriatal slices. Slices were superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid at 34 degrees C and episodes of 'ischaemia' were mimicked by removal of oxygen and reduction in glucose concentration from 4 to 2 mmol litre(-1) for < or = 30 min.

Nerve growth factor modulates the activation status and fast axonal transport of ERK 1/2 in adult nociceptive neurones.

Mature dorsal root ganglion cells respond to neurotrophins, and the intracellular signalling pathways activated by neurotrophins have been characterized in vitro. We have now used immunocytochemistry and Western blots to examine the expression and activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1/2 (ERK) in rat dorsal root ganglion cells in vivo, using antisera to total (tERK) and phosphorylated (pERK) forms. This has revealed a number of novel findings.

Co-localisation of CCG repeats and chromosome deletion breakpoints in Jacobsen syndrome: evidence for a common mechanism of chromosome breakage.

Folate-sensitive fragile sites are associated with the expansion and hypermethylation of CCG-repeats. The fragile site in 11q23.3, FRA11B, has been shown to cause chromosome deletions in vivo, its expression being associated with Jacobsen (11q-) syndrome.

Rapid antibody response to influenza vaccination in "at risk" groups.

Persons attending for routine influenza vaccination in an urban practice each provided three specimens of blood for evaluating their immunological response. 138 (67%) of the 206 persons were defined as "at risk" by reason of morbidity as given in the guidelines published by the Chief Medical Officer. The mean age was 67 yr and 65% were aged 65 yr or more.

The role of twin studies in the genetics of skin diseases.

With advances in molecular biology and statistical techniques, gene discovery is moving at a fast pace. Most skin diseases have a complex mode of inheritance and the twin design is the ideal model to dissect the genetic architecture. Use of the twin pairings in a variety of ways for associations and linkage studies can enhance gene discovery.

An innovation in the assessment of future dentists.

'The assessment of students is a serious and often tragic enterprise.' The central question in assessment is 'What is one trying to assess?'. Is it factual knowledge, ability to apply and problem solve, clinical competencies or indeed other attributes? The domain being assessed requires appropriate methods.

Effect of prefabricated bar design with implant-stabilized prostheses on ridge resorption: a clinical report.

This investigation was concerned with the resorption of the posterior mandibular residual ridge in patients wearing mandibular overdentures supported by either parallel-sided bars (rigid joint) or oval straight bars (resilient joint) on two activated implants. Rotational tomographs were taken shortly after implant placement and up to 8 years later. Using proportional measurement, the area of residual ridge was measured in bilateral posterior areas.

Enteropathy in Zambians with HIV related diarrhoea: regression modelling of potential determinants of mucosal damage.

Background: AIDS is characterised by small intestinal mucosal damage, but its aetiopathogenesis is poorly understood. Enteric infections in Africa differ from those in northern countries, where protozoan infections have been associated with severe enteropathy in AIDS patients.

Aims: To characterise enteropathy in Zambian AIDS patients compared with local controls, and to assess relative contributions of enteric infection, nutritional impairment, and immune dysfunction.

Putative analgesic activity of repeated oral doses of vitamin E in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results of a prospective placebo controlled double blind trial.

Objective: Vitamin E, the most potent naturally occurring lipid soluble antioxidant has been suggested to possess both anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in humans. This double blind and randomised study used a broad spectrum of clinical and laboratory parameters to investigate whether there was any additional anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects, or both, of orally administered alpha-tocopherol in rheumatoid arthritis patients who were already receiving anti-rheumatic drugs.

Methods: Forty two patients were enrolled and treated with alpha-tocopherol (n = 20) at a dose of 600 mg twice a day (2 x 2 capsules) or with placebo (n = 22) for 12 weeks.

Effect of first-trimester nuchal translucency on second-trimester maternal serum biochemical screening for Down's syndrome.

We evaluated the effectiveness of 10-14 week nuchal translucency measurement in routine ultrasound screening for Down's syndrome, and its effect on the sensitivity of subsequent maternal serum biochemistry. This was an observational study, in which all women attending for antenatal care at a district general hospital were routinely offered a first-trimester nuchal translucency scan and second-trimester quadruple maternal serum biochemistry as screening tests for Down's syndrome. The main outcome measures were abnormal fetal karyotype and the performance of screening tests.

X-ray microtomography: 3-dimensional imaging of teeth for computer-assisted learning.

X-ray microtomography (XMT), a miniaturised form of computed tomography, has been used to generate 3-dimensional volume data sets of the X-ray absorption of human teeth in vitro, with a resolution of approximately 40 microns (cubic voxel sidelength). Examples are presented of images relevant to dental morphology, cariology, and cavity preparation and restoration. Applications of XMT imaging to dental education are discussed in the context of new approaches to visual learning through computer-assisted methods.

Is Hartmann's the solution?

As Hartmann's solution is commonly used by anaesthetists, we surveyed a group of Part III FRCA candidates to establish their knowledge of its constituents and the purpose and metabolism of the lactate in solution. Of the 82 candidates surveyed only three (4%) accurately recorded the electrolytes and their concentrations in Hartmann's solution. Lactate was stated to be a source of bicarbonate by 52 (63%) and a source of glucose by 17 (21%).

Analysis of primary care staff language about aggression at work using concordancing techniques to identify themes.

Objective: We aimed to describe features of language used during interviews about the extent of aggression and violence at work and their effect on primary care staff.

Method: Forty-four primary health care team members in the West Midlands were interviewed, and interviews were recorded on videotape. The language content of these interviews was analysed using Cobuild concordancing software.

Satisfaction with care of patients attending a dedicated dental clinic: comparisons between 1989 and 1994.

This investigation aimed to audit patient satisfaction with care at a dedicated dental clinic, using previously developed standards and criteria. A self-complete questionnaire was administered to a group of 161 patients assessing the dimensions of care availability, affective behaviour and technical competence. Comparisons with baseline showed a high but slightly decreased level of satisfaction with technical competence, a significantly higher level of satisfaction with the affective behaviour of the clinic staff but a continuing level of dissatisfaction with the availability of care.