Influence of labour on epidermal growth factor receptor distribution of the human chorion at term gestation

Chorion was obtained from 10 healthy pregnant women at term gestation who were delivered either vaginally (n = 5) or by elective repeat caesarean section before the onset of labour (n = 5). Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors in chorionic tissue were evaluated by means of freeze fracture technique (label fracture). They were found to be significantly less, but more frequently coupled, in specimens obtained after labour than before the onset of labour. These findings suggest that a functional activation of EGF receptors in human chorion might occur during labour.

Functionally active complement is present in human ovarian follicular fluid and can be activated by seminal plasma

Human ovarian preovulatory follicular fluids (FF) from 10 women were analysed for their complement contents. Functionally active complement was detected in all the fluids studied in amounts similar to those present in normal human serum. Pooled FF was challenged by seminal plasma in order to determine whether seminal plasma could activate FF complement, the pattern of such an activation and the possible consequences on the reproductive function. FF complement activation occurred during the incubation with seminal plasma with features including alternative pathway activation, factor B and C3 conversion and reduction in total haemolytic complement, as well as an inhibition by seminal plasma of the FF complement response to a new activating challenge. Possible consequences for fertilization, implantation of a fertilized ovum and local defence mechanisms against viruses and bacteria are discussed.

The prevalence of HPV16DNA in normal and pathological cervical scrapes using the polymerase chain reaction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been implicated in the development of cervical cancer. Newly developed molecular techniques have facilitated HPV identification and typing of cervical lesions. Several studies have suggested a strong correlation between HPV16 and intraepithelial cervical neoplasia. However, there is no agreement on this point since HPV16 is detected also in normal cervical tissue. We have amplified the L1 region of HPV16 DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and analyzed the HPV16 prevalence in cytological scrapes of 201 Italian sexually active patients. One hundred twenty-four of these women had normal cytologic and colposcopic examination, while seventy-seven women had normal or abnormal cytology and a cervical lesion detectable by colposcopy. Within this latter group, 25 of 77 women (32.4%) were positive for HPV16 DNA, compared to 11 of 124 samples (8.87%) from women with normal cytology and colposcopy. The present results confirm the high efficiency of the PCR technique in detecting HPV16 DNA from cervical scrapes and suggest that this analysis should become a method of choice in clinical studies.

Influence of labor and oxytocin on in vitro leukotriene release by human fetal membranes and uterine decidua at term gestation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether labor and oxytocin influence in vitro leukotriene release by human fetal membranes and uterine decidua at term gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

All women (N = 21) were studied in an academic clinical research environment. They were delivered either vaginally or before labor by cesarean section. Tissues were incubated with calcium ionophore A23187 alone or with calcium ionophore A23187 after preincubation with either oxytocin, BW755c, or cycloheximide. Leukotrienes in culture medium were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Tissues obtained after vaginal delivery released significantly higher (p less than 0.05) quantities of leukotrienes LTB4, LTD4, and delta-6-trans-LTB4 than did tissues obtained during cesarean section. Leukotriene release was stimulated by oxytocin and was inhibited by both BW755c and cycloheximide.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest an activation of the arachidonate lipoxygenase pathway in these tissues during labor. Oxytocin could play a regulatory role in this process.

Cytohistology, colposcopy and in situ hybridization in cervical preneoplastic lesions: a correlative study

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cervical tissues from 106 patients which exhibited a colposcopically atypical transformation zone, were examined for the presence of HPV DNA by in situ hybridization using biotin-labeled HPV 6/11 and 16/18 DNA probes. From the comparative study between histologic, cytologic, colposcopic findings and virologic results it is confirmed that HPV 6/11 DNA is detected more frequently in the less severe lesions, whereas HPV 16/18 DNA is predominantly found in the most severe dysplastic lesions.

Role of microcolposcopy in the diagnostic evaluation of cervical pre-invasive lesions

The present clinical study was undertaken to assess and compare the value of microcolposcopy and endocervical curettage in the diagnostic workup of patients with abnormal cervical lesions. Microcolposcopic findings were well correlated to histology both on directed biopsy and endocervical curettage specimens. Therefore, both microcolposcopy and endocervical curettage are useful procedures to explore the endocervical mucosa. Microcolposcopy should be mainly indicated in those cases where colposcopy has failed to show any lesion, or when colposcopy is unsatisfactory.

Carcinoma of the vulva with sarcomatoid features: a case report with immunohistochemical study

A tumor of the vulva with sarcomatoid features was studied by immunocytochemistry to characterize the phenotype of the spindle-shaped and giant cells. Sarcomatoid-looking cells were positive for intermediate filament keratin polypeptides of stratified epithelium. These results favor histogenesis of the sarcomatoid-looking cells from a metaplastic alteration of the malignant squamous component.

Role of endocervical curettage in the diagnostic workup of preinvasive cervical lesions

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of endocervical curettage in the diagnostic workup of patients with colposcopically suspect lesions, by correlating the findings of colposcopically directed biopsy with the results of endocervical curettage in patients with both satisfactory and unsatisfactory colposcopic examination. Our results (positive curettage findings in 55.6% of the patients with unsatisfactory colposcopy and in 16.7% of the patients with satisfactory colposcopy) indicate that endocervical curettage could be a useful guide to correct management.

[Medical treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. A clinical study on the therapeutic effectiveness of piperacillin + erythromycin and of piperacillin + clindamycin + gentamycin]

The aim of the present clinical study was to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of two different antibiotic combinations (piperacillin + erythromycin and piperacillin + clindamycin + gentamycin) in the medical treatment of patients with pelvic inflammatory disease, respectively at the II and III stage. The findings confirm the therapeutic value and the low toxicity of both pharmacological regimens.

[Adjuvant and first line chemotherapy of carcinoma of the ovary. Current approaches]

In the present work, on the basis of the most recent knowledges, tha Authors analyse and discuss the pharmacological and clinical aspects of the different types of adjuvant and first-line chemotherapeutical treatment of the ovarian cancer (single agent chemotherapy and multidrug chemotherapy).

[Second line chemotherapy of carcinoma of the ovary. Current approaches]

In the present work, on the basis of the most recent knowledges, the Authors analyse and discuss the pharmacological and clinical aspects of the different types of second-line chemotherapeutical treatment for refractory ovarian cancer (standard single agent chemotherapy in high-dose schedules, new investigational anticancer agents, multidrugs chemotherapy, intraperitoneal chemotherapy).

[Chemotherapy of carcinoma of the vulva and vagina. Current approaches]

In the present work, on the basis of the most recent knowledges, the Authors analyse and discuss the current status of the chemotherapeutical treatment of epidermoid carcinomas of the vulva and vagina, both in case of in situ forms (topical chemotherapeutic administration) and in case of invasive tumors (systemic chemotherapeutic administration).

[Chemotherapy of carcinoma of the cervix uteri. Current approaches]

In the present work, on the basis of the most current knowledges, the Authors analyse and discuss the pharmacological and clinical aspects of the chemotherapy of salvage for the advanced or recurrent tumoral forms, and of the "neoadjuvant" chemotherapy, employed before of surgery or radiotherapy during the primary treatment of cervical cancer.

[Chemotherapy of carcinoma of the endometrium. Current approaches]

In the present work, on the basis of the most current knowledges, the Authors analyse and discuss the pharmacological and clinical aspects of the different types of chemotherapeutic treatment (single agent chemotherapy, multidrug chemotherapy, combined cytotoxic and hormonal chemotherapy) tested on patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

Leukotrienes in human umbilical plasma at birth

The aim of this study was to see whether leukotrienes are present in human umbilical plasma at birth either before or after labour. Plasma concentrations of LTB4 (6.02 ng/ml) and LTD4 (6.11 ng/ml) were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) after spontaneous vaginal delivery than during elective caesarean section before labour (LTB4 = 1.96 ng/ml, LTD4 = 0.18 ng/ml). A possible involvement of leukotrienes in the biochemical and metabolic events of human labour is suggested.