Validation and development of fluorescence two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis proteomics technology

Fluorescence two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE*) is a new development in protein detection for two-dimensional gels. Using mouse liver homogenates (control and paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP)-treated), we have determined the quantitative variation in the 2-D DIGE process and established statistically valid thresholds for assigning quantitative changes between samples. Thresholds were dependent on normalised spot volume, ranged from approximately 1.2 fold for large volume spots to 3.5 fold for small volume spots and were not markedly affected by the particular cyanine dye combination or by multiple operators carrying out the dye labelling reaction. To minimise the thresholds, substantial user editing was required when using ImageMaster 2D-Elite software. The difference thresholds were applied to the test system and quantitative protein differences were determined using replicate gels of pool samples and single gels from multiple individual animals (control vs treated in each gel). Throughout, the differences revealed with a particular cyanine dye combination were mirrored almost without exception when the dye combination was reversed. Both pool and individual sample analyses provided unique data to the study. The inter-animal response variability in inbred mice was approximately nine times that contributed by the 2-D DIGE process. A number of the most frequently observed protein changes resulting from APAP-treatment were identified by mass spectrometry. Several of these can be rationalised based on available data on the mechanism of APAP hepatotoxicity but others cannot, indicating that proteomics can provide further insights into the biochemical basis of APAP toxicity.

Validation and development of fluorescence two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis proteomics technology

Fluorescence two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE*) is a new development in protein detection for two-dimensional gels. Using mouse liver homogenates (control and paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP)-treated), we have determined the quantitative variation in the 2-D DIGE process and established statistically valid thresholds for assigning quantitative changes between samples. Thresholds were dependent on normalised spot volume, ranged from approximately 1.2 fold for large volume spots to 3.5 fold for small volume spots and were not markedly affected by the particular cyanine dye combination or by multiple operators carrying out the dye labelling reaction. To minimise the thresholds, substantial user editing was required when using ImageMaster 2D-Elite software. The difference thresholds were applied to the test system and quantitative protein differences were determined using replicate gels of pool samples and single gels from multiple individual animals (control vs treated in each gel). Throughout, the differences revealed with a particular cyanine dye combination were mirrored almost without exception when the dye combination was reversed. Both pool and individual sample analyses provided unique data to the study. The inter-animal response variability in inbred mice was approximately nine times that contributed by the 2-D DIGE process. A number of the most frequently observed protein changes resulting from APAP-treatment were identified by mass spectrometry. Several of these can be rationalised based on available data on the mechanism of APAP hepatotoxicity but others cannot, indicating that proteomics can provide further insights into the biochemical basis of APAP toxicity.

A prospective study examining the association between the symptoms of anxiety and depression and severity of urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of the presence or absence of the symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with the 48 h pad test as an objective measure of incontinence.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Urodynamics clinic in a large teaching hospital.

SUBJECTS

All patients with urinary incontinence attending for urodynamic assessment from 23.4.96 to 29.10.96.

INTERVENTIONS

48 h pad test, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD scale).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Urodynamic diagnosis of cause of incontinence. Urinary loss over 48 h as measured by weight change in pads. Presence of symptoms of anxiety or depression as defined by HAD scale score of 8 or more.

RESULTS

Urodynamic investigation was performed for incontinence on 133 patients. Of these 127 (95.4%) completed the HAD scale questionnaire. Of the 43 patients (32.2%) who returned the pads 18 (41.8%) patients were found to have symptoms of anxiety and six patients (13.9%) had symptoms of depression. Patients with symptoms of anxiety had lower mean measured urinary loss over a 48 h period compared to women with no symptoms of anxiety (median loss 44.2 ml range 6.8-622.4 versus 97.1 ml range 8.2-4384.4 ml) (P=0.05). There was no significant association between symptoms of depression and pad test results.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients presenting with incontinence who have symptoms of anxiety are on average less incontinent compared to than those without symptoms of anxiety. It suggests that anxious patients present with a lesser degree of incontinence than nonanxious patients.

A prospective placebo controlled double blind randomised study to investigate the use of indoramin to prevent post-operative voiding disorders after surgical treatment for genuine stress incontinence

A prospective placebo controlled double blind randomised study was undertaken to investigate the use of indoramin an alpha blocker to prevent post-operative voiding disorders after surgical treatment for genuine stress incontinence. Fifty-six patients were randomised to receive indoramin 20 mg orally twice a day or identical placebo from the first post-operative day until discharge from hospital. After seven exclusions, 49 patients were included in the study. There was no significant difference between the treatment (indoramin) group and placebo group for any of the outcomes measured. The routine use of indoramin to prevent post-operative voiding problems cannot be justified on the basis of these data.

The relationship between laparoscopic disease, pelvic pain and infertility; an unbiased assessment

OBJECTIVES

To measure the relationship between laparoscopically detected pelvic pathology and pelvic pain or infertility.

METHODS

Women undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy either for the investigation of pelvic pain, for sterilisation or for the investigation of infertility were studied. The indication for surgery was recorded before laparoscopy. At operation a series of 35-mm slide photographs were taken of the pelvis and later scored by two independent assessors without knowledge of the indication for surgery.

RESULTS

Satisfactory photographs were obtained in 298 women. Minimal endometriosis was not associated with pain (adjusted OR 1.3; 0.5-2.8), although moderate disease was non-significantly so (2.5; 0.4-7.1). Severe disease was significantly more common and never occurred in patients being sterilised (P = 0.02). The odds of pain were not increased in the presence of dilated veins > 9 mm diameter (OR 1.1; 0.4-3.2) or adhesions (OR 0.6; 0.2-4.7). The odds of infertility were non-significantly increased in the presence of minimal and moderate endometriosis (OR 2.0; 0.8-5.3, and OR 4.2; 0.6-25 respectively) and again significantly more common in the presence of advanced disease (P = 0.002). The odds of infertility tended to be lower in the presence of severely dilated veins (OR 0.2; 0.032-1.2). There was no clear effect of adhesions (OR 0.9; 0.1-5.9).

CONCLUSIONS

The long established associations between severe endometriosis and pelvic pain, and between endometriosis in general and infertility are confirmed. However there is little or no association between minimal endometriosis, pelvic adhesions or dilated pelvic veins and pain. Previously reported associations may have been an artefact of the surgeon's knowledge of the indication for operation when assessing the pelvis.

Adipose tissue and lipid droplet embolism following periurethral injection of autologous fat: case report and review of the literature

The authors present a case of a death associated with pulmonary adipose tissue and lipid droplet embolism following autologous fat harvesting, periurethral injection and videocystourethroscopy for the treatment of recurrent genuine stress incontinence.

Risk prediction of outcome following carotid endarterectomy

The quoted combined mortality and morbidity following carotid endarterectomy is about 5-7%. In an attempt to identify a subgroup of high risk patients, a review has been undertaken of 404 carotid endarterectomies performed between January 1985 and March 1994. The perioperative mortality rate was 2%, with 3.4% of patients experiencing transient neurological deficits and 4% permanent strokes. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the influence on outcome of age, gender, indication for surgery, bilateral internal carotid artery disease, hypertension and smoking. No significant explanators were identified.

A comparative study of the cosmetic appeal of abdominal incisions used for hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the cosmetic appeal of abdominal incisions used for hysterectomy.

DESIGN

A comparative study.

SETTING

St James's University Hospital, Leeds.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred women, including 50 consecutive women attending a gynaecology clinic for the first time and 50 hospital staff.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight percent of women preferred a Pfannenstiel incision as the incision of first choice, while 31% chose the laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy incisions (LAVH). When women who had undergone previous abdominal surgery were compared with women with no previous surgery, there was a significant difference in their choice (80% Pfannenstiel, 18% LAVH compared with 54% Pfannenstiel, 45% LAVH).

CONCLUSIONS

In gynaecological surgery there is already a cosmetically-favoured incision. One cannot assume that if a gynaecologist uses a minimally invasive surgical technique at hysterectomy that this will be cosmetically acceptable to the woman. Gynaecologists should not use cosmetic appeal in counselling women for LAVH and should concentrate on the other proven benefits of minimally invasive surgery.

Colour duplex in assessing the infrainguinal arteries in patients with claudication

Non-invasive assessment of the lower-limb vasculature may avoid unnecessary arteriography. Colour duplex scanning of the femoral and popliteal arteries was performed in claudicants who were potential candidates for endoluminal therapy. This was compared with the findings of biplanar conventional arteriography and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography. In 112 lower limbs duplex gave the following results compared with angiography: the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for occlusions (n = 48), stenoses (n = 31), atheromatous vessel (n = 21) and disease-free (n = 12) were all greater or equal to 94%. The lengths of the occlusions were accurately identified by duplex. Clinical examination and spectral analysis at the common femoral artery failed to identify two patients who had an iliac lesion. Colour duplex examination is the investigation of choice in assessing the major infrainguinal arteries in patients with claudication.

Use of hand-held Doppler to avoid abdominal wall vessels in laparoscopic surgery

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The Dalkon syndrome--a rare condition?

A patient who presented acutely with severe pelvic sepsis related to Dalkon shield is reported. Although the Dalkon syndrome has been described (Tatum HJ, Connell EB. Intrauterine contraception. Duvant: Creative Informatics, 1985) the term is not widely used and controversy surrounds this condition. However, the condition may still present to the modern day gynaecologist.