An abutment screw loosening study of a Diamond Like Carbon-coated CP titanium implant

The aim of this study was to quantify the extent of abutment screw loosening and thus understand the role of frictional and wear factors in abutment screw loosening by using a cyclic loading device to compare Diamond Like Carbon (DLC)-coated and non-coated implants. The properties of DLC films, including hardness, wear resistance, chemical stability, and biocompatibility, are similar to those of real diamond materials. In this study, a 1-mum thick DLC film served to protect and lubricate a layer of commercially-pure titanium affixed to the top of a dental implant (external hexagon-shaped implant). A cyclic loading force was then applied to the top of the prosthetic portion of the implants in order to determine the difference in looseness of the titanium abutment screw between ten DLC-coated implants and ten non-coated implants. The abutment screw loosening tests were performed with 100 N of force at a frequency of 20 Hz. Data indicate that implants with a DLC coating are more resistant to an applied force (P = 0.002) than are those without the coating. We hope these results will be useful for preventing implant abutment screw loosening.

A pilot study on accelerated sludge degradation by a high-concentration membrane bioreactor coupled with sludge pretreatment

A new sludge treatment process combining a high MLSS membrane bioreactor with sludge pretreatment techniques was studied in pilot-scale experiments. The membrane bioreactor (MBR) was adopted for high efficiency aerobic digestion. The combination of alkaline-ozone treatment of the mixed liquor in the MBR reactor accelerated the biodegradation process by enhancing biodegradability of the sludge. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the reactor was set as 3.1 days and the DO level was 1 mg/L on average. After 5 months of operation, the accumulative total solids reduction was more than 70%. Removal efficiency of volatile solids and non-volatile solids were 76% and 54%, respectively. It was found that a considerable portion of the non-volatile solids was dissolved into ions and then flushed out with the effluent. Also, about 41% and 28% of T-N and T-P in the raw sludge were removed although no biological nutrient removal process was adopted. The experiment was run smoothly without significant membrane fouling, even at the relatively high levels of MLSS concentration (11,000-25,000 mg/L). It is concluded that the newly proposed process can significantly increase the sludge reduction efficiency with much shorter retention times.

Bioequivalence of a prednisolone tablet administered as a single oral dose in healthy male volunteers

OBJECTIVE

A bioequivalence study ofprednisolone as Nisolone (test) tablets versus Delta-Cortef (reference) tablets was conducted.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighteen healthy male Korean volunteers received both 20 mg formulations of prednisolone in this 2 x 2 crossover study with a 1-week washout period between the doses. Plasma concentrations of prednisolone were monitored over a period of 12 hours after the administration using high-performance liquid chromatography. The AUC (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity) and AUCt (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last sampling time) were calculated using the trapezoidal rule-extrapolation method. The Cmax (maximum plasma drug concentration) and t(max) (time to reach Cmax) were compiled from the plasma concentration-time data. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed AUC, AUCt and Cmax and untransformed t(max).

RESULTS

The geometric mean of AUCt was 1,786 ng/ml x h (test medication) and 1,787 ng/ml xh (reference medication). A Cmax of 409 ng/ml and 404 ng/ml was achieved for the test and the reference medication, respectively. Point estimates and 90% confidence intervals for AUCt (parametric) and Cmax (parametric) were 0.989 (0.942 approximately 1.039) and 1.013 (0.934 approximately 1.100), respectively. These results satisfy the bioequivalence criteria of the European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products and the US Food and Drug Administration Guidelines. The corresponding value of t(max) was -0.221 (-0.415 approximately 0.000).

CONCLUSION

The 2 medications of prednisolone examined are bioequivalent and, thus, may be prescribed interchangeably.

Elevated levels of circulating platelet microparticles, VEGF, IL-6 and RANTES in patients with gastric cancer: possible role of a metastasis predictor

The activation of coagulation, angiogenesis and inflammatory cytokines are considered to be related with tumour growth and metastasis. We investigated the plasma levels of platelet microparticles (PMP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-6, and the chemokine RANTES in patients with gastric cancer (n=109) and in healthy controls (n=29). The plasma levels of PMP, IL-6 and RANTES were significantly higher in the patients than in the healthy controls, and plasma levels of PMP, VEGF, IL-6 and RANTES were significantly higher in patients with stage IV disease than those in patients with stage I or stage II/III. In terms of predicting distant metastasis, the sensitivities of PMP, VEGF, IL-6 and RANTES were 93.3%, 56.7%, 70.0% and 81.8%, respectively, and the corresponding specificities were 91.1%, 64.6%, 79.7% and 50.0%. Among these parameters, PMP had the highest diagnostic accuracy. Significant correlations were found between PMP, VEGF, IL-6 and RANTES. This study demonstrates that the plasma levels of PMP, VEGF, IL-6 and RANTES were markedly increased in patients with stage IV disease, and that these increased plasma levels of IL-6, RANTES, and especially PMP, might be useful for identifying metastatic gastric patients.

Optimized flow cytometric assay for the measurement of platelet microparticles in plasma: pre-analytic and analytic considerations

Platelet microparticles (PMP) are submicroscopic membrane vesicles released by platelets during activation. Flow cytometry is the most widely used method for quantifying PMP, but the optimization of the technical method has not yet been fully evaluated. This study was designed to assess the pre-analytical variables including blood sampling conditions, and to evaluate the analytical variations including effect of the platelet-specific antibodies and quantitative beads, precision, linearity and accuracy in comparison with beta-thromboglobulin, which is one of the platelet activation markers. Numbers of PMP collected into citrate-theophylline-adenosine-dipyridamole (CTAD) tubes were increased with time, but to a lesser extent than when collected into sodium citrate tubes. The precision of the PMP assay was relatively high. Excellent linear correlation was observed for dilution linearity. Regarding the platelet-specific antibodies used, anti-CD41a-labeled samples resulted in higher PMP levels than those labeled with anti-CD61 and anti-CD42a. There was no significant difference of PMP counts according to the quantitative beads. The PMP assay is well correlated with beta-thromboglobulin levels. Our findings suggest that blood samples for the PMP assay should be collected in a CTAD tube and delayed measurement is not allowed to avoid artefactual platelet activation. The PMP assay can be used successfully as a useful marker of the detection of in vivo platelet activation, provided that pre-analytical and technical points are optimally taken into consideration.

Effects of ozone treatment on the biodegradability of sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants

The effects of ozone pretreatment on the biodegradability of municipal wastewater sludge were determined. Three types of experiments were conducted: anaerobic digestion, aerobic biodegradation, and denitrification using ozone-treated sludge as a carbon source. For 5 days, ozonated sludge at 0.1 gO3/g-SS showed about 2-3 times greater biodegradation compared to the raw sludge in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In anaerobic experiments, biodegradation increased with ozone dosage up to 0.2 gO3/g-SS. Further increase of ozone dosage did not improve the biodegradation. In aerobic condition, about 77% of the ozonated sludge at 0.1 gO3/g-SS could be biodegraded after 15 days and is compared with 36% degradation of the untreated sludge. Most of the biodegradation of the ozonated sludge occurred within 5 days while the raw sludge was biodegraded steadily throughout the experimental period. The biodegradation enhancement of ozonated sludge was confirmed in batch denitrification experiments.

Pathologic findings in eight cases of ovarian serous borderline tumors, three with foci of serous carcinoma, that preceded death or morbidity from invasive carcinoma

We sought to assess the frequency of previously reported adverse histopathologic findings in ovarian serous borderline tumors (SBTs) in cases that preceded a patient's death or caused serious morbidity due to invasive carcinoma. SBTs with foci of invasive carcinoma that occupied a minority of the tumor and were associated with similar outcomes were also studied for potential additional insights. Eight cases were found over a 22-year period. Ten tumors in 5 patients were purely SBT; at initial staging, 1 patient had invasive peritoneal implants; 3 had noninvasive peritoneal implants; 1 was stage I. At last follow-up 3 of the 5 patients had died of carcinoma, 1 was alive with carcinoma, and 1 had no clinical evidence of disease 4 years after a sigmoid colectomy for invasive serous carcinoma of the bowel wall. Four tumors in 3 patients had foci of invasion that were more than microinvasive; at initial staging, all 3 patients had invasive peritoneal implants, and all died of carcinoma. All 14 of the ovarian tumors in the 8 cases had surface involvement by tumor cells, and in 8 tumors in 5 cases they were confined primarily to the ovarian surface. Foci of "micropapillary serous carcinoma" accompanied more obvious areas of infiltrative carcinoma in 2 of the 4 ovarian tumors, the peritoneal implants in 1 of the cases with purely SBTs, and a recurrence in this case and 1 other case. No morphologic finding in the 10 purely SBTs was predictive of subsequent malignant behavior. We conclude that extraovarian invasive serous carcinomas, either following or concurrent with an ovarian SBT, develop from borderline foci that may originate in the ovary, but frequently are likely to have arisen independently in the peritoneum. The carcinomas may be preceded or accompanied by noninvasive-appearing micropapillary foci in the peritoneum in some cases, but micropapillary foci in the ovarian tumors are infrequent and not a necessary antecedent.

Pulmonary small lymphocytic lymphoma (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type) associated with pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma

A case of pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma (PHG) and concomitant low-grade, small lymphocytic lymphoma of the lung is presented. This is the first occurrence of pulmonary lymphoma in patients with PHG ever reported. The infiltrates around a left lower lobe nodule with left pleural effusion and thickening seen on chest CT were histologically proven to be lymphomatous infiltrates of the lung, pleura, and chest wall muscle. We believe that the lymphoma developed around the nodule and spread to the pleura and muscle in our patient. When infiltrates around the nodules, pleural effusion, or adenopathy are developed in a patient with proven PHG, close follow-up, biopsy, or careful cytology should be seriously considered to rule out a developing lymphoma.

Neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects of quinic acids from Aster scaber in PC12 cells

Aster scaber T. (Asteraceae) has been used to treat bruises, snakebite, headache, and dizziness in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of four quinic acid derivatives from A. scaber on amyloid Abeta-induced PC12 cell toxicity was investigated. When cells were treated with quinic acid derivatives prior to Abeta, cell toxicity was significantly diminished. Among quinic acid derivatives, (-)4,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (1) gave the highest protection against Abeta-induced cell toxicity. In addition, the neurotrophic effects of compounds were evaluated by microscopically monitoring their potency to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Four quinic acid derivatives from A. scaber promoted neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Interestingly, a novel quinic acid, (-)3,5-dicaffeoyl-muco-quinic acid (2) was more effective than the other compounds in promoting neurite outgrowth. Unlike nerve growth factor, the withdrawal of quinic acids did not result in any significant decrease in cell viability. The results suggest that quinic acid derivatives from A. scaber might potentially be used as a therapeutic agent in Alzheimer disease.

Phytochemical constituents of Artemisia stolonifera

Repeated column chromatographic separation of the CH2Cl2 extract of Artemisia stolonifera (Asteraceae) led to the isolation of a triterpene (I), a sesquiterpene (II), two aromatic compounds (III and IV) and a benzoquinone (V). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic means to be simiarenol (I), (1S,7S)-1beta-hydroxygermacra-4(15),5,10(14)-triene (II), 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-trans-cinnamaldehyde (III), vanillin (IV) and 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (V), respectively. Among these products, compound V showed significant cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines in vitro, A549 (non small cell lung adenocarcinoma), SK-OV-3 (ovarian), SK-MEL-2 (skin melanoma), XF498 (CNS) and HCT15 (colon) with ED50 values ranging from 1.33-4.22 microg/ml.

Two new monoterpene peroxide glycosides from Aster scaber

The aerial part of Aster scaber Thunb. (Asteraceae) yielded two new monoterpene peroxide glycosides, (3S)-3-O-(3',4'-diangeloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-7-hydroperoxy-3,7-dimethylocta-1,5-diene (1) and (3S)-3-O-(3',4'-diangeloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-6-hydroperoxy-3,7-dimethylocta-1,7-diene (2), and five known compounds, alpha-spinasterol (3), germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-triene-1-beta-ol (4), 7-methoxy-4(15)-oppositen-1-beta-ol (5), 6alpha-methoxy-4(15)-eudesmane-1beta-ol (6) and alpha-spinasterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7). The structures were established by chemical and spectroscopic methods.

An acetylene and a monoterpene glycoside from Adenocaulon himalaicum

The methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Adenocaulon himalaicum (Asteraceae) has yielded a new acetylene, 1-O-feruloyl-tetradeca-4E,6E,12E-triene-8,10-diyne (1), a new monoterpene glycoside, 9-hydroxylinaloyl-3-O-(4-O-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), and eight known compounds. Their structures were established by chemical and spectroscopic methods.

k-ras mutation may be an early event in mucinous ovarian tumorigenesis

We explored the possible pathogenetic pathway for mucinous ovarian tumorigenesis by examining the k-ras mutational patterns in ovarian mucinous tumors (OMTs) with benign, borderline, and invasive epithelium in which the different types of mucinous epithelium are in close proximity. Sixteen patients with ovarian mucinous borderline tumors (OMBTs) and 4 patients with grade 1 ovarian mucinous adenocarcinomas (OMCs) were selected for the presence of a single histologic section which contained a clear "transition" zone from benign mucinous epithelium to borderline mucinous epithelium, and in four cases, to invasive epithelium. A PixCell II Laser Capture Microscope was used to microdissect and retrieve benign, borderline, and invasive epithelium separately from the 20 OMTs. Normal ovarian stroma from the same histologic section in each case was also microdissected and retrieved for use as a control. k-ras mutations were detected in these samples by PCR-SSCP analysis followed by direct PCR cycle sequencing. k-ras mutations were found in 8/16 (50%) of the OMBTs and 2/4 (50%) of the grade 1 OMCs. In 6 of these 10 cases (4 in OMBTs, 2 in grade 1 OMCs), the same k-ras mutation was found in both the benign and borderline (and invasive) regions. In 3 cases in which k-ras mutations were identified, the mutation was found in either the benign or borderline tissue samples alone, and in one case, two distinct mutations were found. No k-ras mutations were identified in the normal ovarian stroma. The presence of a k-ras mutation in adjacent benign and borderline regions of a single OMT may suggest a progression in the development of OMTs from benign to borderline and grade 1 OMCs. k-ras mutations, when they occur, are likely early genetic changes but may not alone be sufficient for malignant transformation of ovarian epithelium.

Malaria transmission potential by Anopheles sinensis in the Republic of Korea

To evaluate the factors that determine the transmission level of vivax malaria using vectorial capacity, entomological surveys were conducted from June to August, 2000. From 6 nights of human-bait collection in Paju, the human biting rate (ma) was counted as 87.5 bites/man/night. The parity of Anopheles sinensis from human baiting collections fluctuated from 41% to 71% (average 48.8%) of which the rate gradually increased as time passed on: 35.2% in Jun.; 55.0% in July; 66.2% in Aug. From this proportion of parous, we could estimate the probability of daily survival rate of An. sinensis to be 0.79 assumed with 3 days gonotrophic cycle and the expectancy of infective life through 11 days could be defined as 0.073. Blood meal analysis was performed using ELISA to determine the blood meal source. Only 0.8% of blood meals were from human hosts. We could conclude that An. sinensis is highly zoophilic (cow 61.8%). Malaria is highly unstable (stability index < 0.5) in this area. From these data, vectorial capacity (VC) was determined to be 0.081. In spite of a high human biting rate (ma), malaria transmission potential is very low due to a low human blood index. Therefore, we could conclude that malaria transmission by An. sinensis is resulted by high population density, not by high transmission potential. For this reason, we need more effort to decrease vector population and vector-human contact to eradicate malaria in Korea.

Phytochemical constituents of Artemisia japonica ssp. littoricola

The phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Artemisia japonica ssp. littoricola (Asteraceae) led to the isolation of two acetylenic compounds, (3R)-dehydrofalcarinol (2) and (3R)-dehydrofalcarindiol (6), two sesquiterpenes, 1beta, 6alpha-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene (5) and oplodiol (8), and four phenolic compounds, eugenol (1), vanillin (3), 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-trans-cinnamaldehyde (4) and p-hydroxyacetophenone (7). Their structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods.

Suppression by a sesquiterpene lactone from Carpesium divaricatum of inducible nitric oxide synthase by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB activation

Excessive nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) acts as a causative regulator in various inflammatory disease states. Carpesium divaricatum has been used in Korean traditional herbal medicine for its antipyretic, analgesic, vermifugic, and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the molecular mechanism for the suppression of lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma (LPS/IFN-gamma)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages by the sesquiterpene lactone 2beta,5-epoxy-5,10-dihydroxy-6alpha-angeloyloxy-9beta-isobutyloxy-germacran-8alpha,12-olide (C-1), which has been identified recently as a new compound from C. divaricatum. C-1 decreased NO production in LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 of approximately 2.16 microM; however, it had no direct effect on the iNOS activity of fully LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, treatment with C-1 led to a decrease in iNOS protein and mRNA. These effects appear to be due to inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation through a mechanism involving stabilization of the NF-kappaB/inhibitor of the kappaB (I-kappaB) complex, since inhibition of NF-kappaB DNA binding activity by C-1 was accompanied by a parallel reduction of nuclear translocation of subunit p65 of NF-kappaB and I-kappaBalpha degradation. Taken together, the results suggest that the ability of C-1 to inhibit iNOS gene expression may be responsible, in part, for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Papanicolaou smear sensitivity for the detection of adenocarcinoma of the cervix: a study of 49 cases

BACKGROUND

Papanicolaou smear sensitivity for cervical adenocarcinoma (CVCA) is not well established. Also uncertain are the relative contributions to falsely negative diagnoses of sampling, screening, and interpretive errors.

METHODS

Papanicolaou smears were identified from all patients at our institutions with biopsy-proven cervical adenocarcinoma from 1988-1998. All available negative and unsatisfactory smears were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 49 patients with CVCA, 66 smears initially diagnosed as negative and 4 smears initially diagnosed as unsatisfactory from 30 patients were identified. Thirty-two negative smears and 4 unsatisfactory smears from 19 patients were available for review. The retrospective diagnoses in the cases initially called negative were: unsatisfactory in 2, negative in 15, and atypical glandular cells consistent with either adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) or CVCA in 15. Three of four smears initially called unsatisfactory had neoplastic glandular cells identified retrospectively. The 18 falsely negative or falsely unsatisfactory smears were from 13 patients obtained up to 5 years before biopsy diagnosis. These smears contained neoplastic cells likely to have been mistaken for lower segment endometrial cells (LUS) or endocervical cells with tubal metaplasia (TM) in 11, reactive endocervical cells in 6, and both in 1. In 16 of the 18 smears, the abnormal cells were abundant, although preservation was suboptimal in 6.

CONCLUSIONS

Sensitivity of a single Papanicolaou smear for CVCA was between 45% and 76% depending on the classification of negative slides that were not available for review, comparable to previously reported sensitivity for AIS. The diagnostic false-negative or false-unsatisfactory rate in reviewed smears was 50% (18 of 36). Diminished sensitivity is due to the under recognition of glandular neoplasia resembling LUS, TM, or reactive endocervical cells. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)

Altered phenytoin pharmacokinetics in children with severe, acute traumatic brain injury

The purpose of this study was to determine if phenytoin protein binding and metabolism were altered in prepubescent pediatric patients within the first 10 days following severe, acute traumatic brain injury. Patients (n = 10) received phenytoin loading doses (15-20 mg/kg) followed by a maintenance regimen (7 mg/kg/day) initiated within 12 hours of the loading dose. Phenytoin serum concentrations were measured serially on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 at 1, 6, and 12 hours. Time-invariant and time-variant Michaelis-Menten pharmacokinetic models were fit to the unbound phenytoin concentration-time data (ADAPT II). Albumin concentrations significantly decreased over time (p < 0.001) and were predictive of the phenytoin binding ratio (r2 = 0.373, p < 0.0001). The time-variant model provided a superior fit of the data in 7 patients with no difference between models in 3 patients. Rapid inhibition of metabolism (Vmaxbaseline = 2.82 +/- 2.35 mg/kg/day) was observed initially following injury. This was followed by induction of metabolism as reflected by a Vmaxinduced of 20.79 +/- 13.71 mg/kg/day, which was approximately twofold higher than reported values for nonstressed children. Children with severe, acute neurotrauma were found to have markedly altered protein binding and phenytoin metabolism.

A new caffeoyl quinic acid from aster scaber and its inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) integrase

The phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Aster scaber Thunb. (Asteraceae) yielded a new caffeoyl quinic acid, (-) 3,5-dicaffeoyl-muco-quinic acid (2) and three known compounds, (-) 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (1), (-) 4,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (3), (-) 5-caffeoyl quinic acid (4). The structures were established by high resolution spectroscopic methods. The antiviral effects against HIV-1 integrase of the compounds was evaluated. (-) 3,5-Dicaffeoyl-muco-quinic acid (2) exhibited potent antiviral activity with an IC50 value of 7.0 +/- 1.3 microg/ml.

Mucinous tumors of the ovary: a clinicopathologic study of 196 borderline tumors (of intestinal type) and carcinomas, including an evaluation of 11 cases with 'pseudomyxoma peritonei'

Mucinous ovarian neoplasms other than cystadenomas and adenofibromas have been classified as either borderline tumors or carcinomas for many years. Borderline tumors have been subdivided more recently into endocervical-like (mullerian) and intestinal forms. Such a distinction is rarely made in the mucinous carcinoma category. We did not encounter a pure endocervical-like carcinoma in the present series. Criteria for distinguishing an intestinal-type mucinous borderline tumor from a mucinous carcinoma have been controversial. In this study of 164 mucinous borderline tumors of intestinal type and 32 mucinous carcinomas, the former were further subdivided into 74 cases with epithelial atypia only and 90 with focal intraepithelial carcinoma. Of the 67 stage I tumors in the borderline (with atypia) category, all 49 with follow-up data were clinically benign; in the seven cases that had been designated stage III, the intraoperative appearance was that of "pseudomyxoma peritonei," which was fatal in four cases. Most of these tumors, however, were probably metastatic to the ovary rather than truly primary borderline tumors, although failure to examine the appendix in six cases compromised their interpretation. All 90 mucinous borderline tumors that had foci of intraepithelial carcinoma were recorded as stage I, but two of the 69 patients with follow-up data (3%) had fatal recurrences. Both of these tumors were incompletely staged, however, and one had ruptured intraoperatively. Thirty-two invasive carcinomas were subdivided into 12 expansile and 20 infiltrative subtypes; within the latter category seven tumors were only microinvasive. All 12 carcinomas with only expansile invasion were stage I; none of the 10 with follow-up data recurred. All seven microinvasive infiltrative carcinomas were stage I; none of the five with follow-up data recurred. One of five patients with stage I infiltrative carcinomas that were more than microinvasive and were adequately followed had a fatal recurrence, but staging had been incomplete in that case. Seven of the remaining eight infiltrative carcinomas were higher than stage I: five of the six (83%) with follow-up data persisted or recurred and were fatal. Considering all stages, increasing tumor grade in the carcinoma category correlated with an unfavorable outcome. However, grade did not influence prognosis in stage I carcinomas. Among 13 stage I cases in all categories with either preoperative or intraoperative tumor rupture and follow-up data, one recurred, a tumor in the borderline with intraepithelial carcinoma category. "Pseudomyxoma peritonei" is an ill-defined term and should not be used as a pathologic diagnosis. The presence of mucin in the abdominal cavity requires careful histologic evaluation to characterize it for prognostic purposes. Adequate and sometimes extensive sampling of mucinous ovarian tumors, the appendix and the peritoneum in cases of "pseudomyxoma peritonei" is necessary to achieve an accurate diagnosis and prognosis.

Suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264. 7 macrophages by two beta-carboline alkaloids extracted from Melia azedarach

We investigated the mechanism of suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by two beta-carboline alkaloids isolated from Melia azedarach, 4,8-dimethoxy-1-vinyl-beta-carboline (compound 1, C-1) and 4-methoxy-1-vinyl-beta-carboline (compound 2, C-2). iNOS activity in a cell-free extract of lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was found to be markedly increased, and this increase was prevented by C-1 and C-2, accompanied by the parallel reduction in nitrite accumulation in culture medium. However, C-1 and C-2 had no further effect on the iNOS activity prepared from fully lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with C-1 or C-2 decreased the levels of iNOS protein and mRNA in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, prostaglandin E(2) production, cyclooxygenase-2 protein and DNA binding of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were reduced by these compounds. These results indicate that C-1 and C-2 primarily inhibit iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 activities via the suppression of de novo synthesis of these two enzymes, and that the inhibition of iNOS expression may be associated with the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Taken together, the results suggest that suppression of iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 induction by lipopolysaccharide is responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of these alkaloids through selective inhibition of the expression of genes, which play important roles in inflammatory signaling pathways.

Statistical validation of reproducibility of HPLC peptide mapping for the identity of an investigational drug compound based on principal component analysis

Peptide mapping is a key analytical method for studying the primary structure of proteins. The sensitivity of the peptide map to even the smallest change in the covalent structure of the protein makes it a valuable "fingerprint" for identity testing and process monitoring. We recently conducted a full method validation study of an optimized reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) tryptic map of a therapeutic anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody. We have used this method routinely for over a year to test production lots for clinical trials and to support bioprocess development. One of the difficulties in the validation of the peptide mapping method is the lack of proper quantitative measures of its reproducibility. A reproducibility study may include method and system precision study, ruggedness study, and robustness study. In this paper, we discuss the use of principal component analysis (PCA) to quantitate peptide maps properly using its projected scores on the reduced dimensions. This approach allowed us not only to summarize the reproducibility study properly, but also to use the method as a diagnostic tool to investigate any troubles in the reproducibility validation process.

Conservative management of adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the method of treatment and outcome of women with cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS).

METHODS

Following institutional review board approval, all women diagnosed with cervical AIS from 1987 to 1999 were identified. Data were retrospectively collected by record review and correspondence with medical providers.

RESULTS

Of 132 women treated with cone biopsy for AIS, 95 (72%) were managed conservatively after cold knife cone or loop electrical excisional procedure alone; 37 (28%) eventually underwent hysterectomy. The median age of diagnosis was 29 years (range, 17-47) in the conservative management group and 40 years (range, 25-72) in the hysterectomy group (P < 0.0001). Seventy-four percent were nulliparous in the conservative group compared with 27% in the hysterectomy group (P < 0.0001). Of the 95 conservatively managed patients, 92 obtained negative margins; three were followed despite positive or unevaluable margins. During a median follow-up of 30 months, 9 women required evaluation for follow-up abnormalities after cone biopsy with negative margins. None had pathologic evidence of recurrent AIS. Twenty-three infants were delivered. Hysterectomy was generally performed for undesired fertility or persistently positive cone margins. One woman required hysterectomy for recurrent AIS. Thirteen (62%) of twenty-one hysterectomy specimens had residual AIS following cone biopsy with positive or unevaluable margins; 1 (6%) of 16 had residual AIS following cone biopsy with negative margins (P < 0.0001). No patient developed invasive adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger women with cervical AIS may be effectively treated with cone biopsy alone if negative margins can be achieved.

Early invasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix

BACKGROUND

Adenocarcinoma of the cervix is increasing in frequency. There is a dearth of specific detail concerning the histomorphology, histogenesis, and associated findings in early invasive cervical adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Forty cases of cervical adenocarcinoma invasive to 5 mm or less were examined in detail.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 40.9 years. In 78% of the cases, the midpoint of the invasive focus was in the region of the squamocolumnar junction or transformation zone; more than 1 invasive focus was present in 4 cases. Eighty-five percent of cases also had adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). In 9 of 10 minimally invasive cases, small invasive glands were present in the stroma adjacent to AIS. In some of these, the AIS had preinvasive buds that were still attached. Endometrioid adenocarcinomas were associated with AIS but were located higher in the canal than the more common endocervical type. All three adenosquamous carcinomas were associated with both squamous intraepithelial neoplasia and AIS. Vascular space invasion was observed in two cases, microglandular hyperplasia in four.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenocarcinoma in situ is the precursor to most adenocarcinomas of the cervix with an average interval between clinically detected AIS and early invasion of approximately 5 years, supporting the potential for Papanicolaou test screening to prevent this disease. However, the existence of small carcinomas in the absence of AIS suggests the possibility of rapid progression in some cases. Invasion occurs by budding from or expansion of AIS glands, usually in the region of the squamocolumnar junction. Multifocal invasion is uncommon, as is vascular invasion in early lesions. The endometrioid variant has the same histogenesis as the endocervical type but may arise higher in the canal. The precursor of adenosquamous carcinoma has a similar bimorphic differentiation potential. Microglandular hyperplasia is not related to early invasive adenocarcinoma.

The value of skin testing for penicillin allergy in an inpatient population: analysis of the subsequent patient management

It was decided to assess the value of skin testing in a group of inpatients with a remote history of penicillin allergy, in terms of whether or not beta-lactams were subsequently given, if any adverse reactions occurred as a result of this therapy, and if labeling of the patient record was changed subsequent to skin testing and/or challenge. All patients seen in consultation with a history of penicillin allergy were assessed. When done, skin tests were performed with the major and minor determinants of penicillin and semisynthetic penicillins. Charts were reviewed after discharge in terms of the antibiotics given during admission, adverse events, and the medical record and hospital database labeling for drug allergy at discharge. Skin testing was carried out in 79% of 67 patients assessed and in all, the tests were negative. Beta-lactam therapy was recommended in 51/53 patients but was given in only 57% of these cases. At discharge, 49% of patients' records still carried the penicillin allergy label, despite negative skin testing and/or successful completion of a course of beta-lactam therapy. So, in approximately half of the patients reviewed, beta-lactams were not given despite negative skin tests and a recommendation to do so, if indicated, and 49% of patients were still inappropriately labeled as being penicillin-allergic on discharge.