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Biomedical subjects

I Goldberg

Publications and source records attributed to I Goldberg.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Macrophage infiltration and angiogenesis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma--clinicopathologic correlation.

BACKGROUND: The role of angiogenesis and inflammatory cell response in predicting disease outcome was evaluated in various malignant tumors. However, the data relating to cervical cancer remains equivocal. This study evaluates the prognostic significance of microvessel counts and peritumoral macrophage infiltrates in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. METHODS: Seventy-five cervical squamous cell carcinomas were stained immunohistochemically by two endothelial markers- anti-CD31 and Ulex Europaeus lectin I (UEA-I), and the macrophage- specific marker anti-CD68. Microvessel and macrophage counts were performed using a grid at X200 and X400 magnification, respectively, in areas of maximal density ('hot spots'). Five fields were scanned. Microvessel counts were correlated with macrophage density, and both were correlated with patient age, tumor stage, histological grade, and survival. RESULTS: Microvessel counts were comparable for ulex lectin (mean 6.8+/-4.8/field) and CD31 (8.7+/-5.3/field), and results by both markers correlated (p<0.001). Counts by both markers correlated with tumor stage, being higher in stages Ib-II compared to stage III-IV tumors (p<0.05). No correlation with age, grade, or survival was found. Macrophage counts (mean 13.1+/-12.3 cells/field) did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters studied or with microvessel counts. CONCLUSIONS: Microvessel counts and macrophage density do not correlate with survival in cervical cancer. Neither do they appear to be inter-related. The association between elevated microvessel counts and localized disease may reflect peak angiogenic stimuli by neoplastic cells. We hypothesize that the beneficial role of macrophages in cellular immunity may be opposed by the elaboration of growth factors in the vicinity of neoplastic cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Differential binding of proteins to peroxisomes in rat hepatoma cells: unique association of enzymes involved in isoprenoid metabolism.

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS: EC2.5.1.10), a key enzyme in isoprenoid metabolic pathways, catalyzes the synthesis of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) an intermediate in the biosynthesis of both sterol and non-sterol isoprenoid end products. The localization of FPPS to peroxisomes has been reported (Krisans, S. K., J. Ericsson, P. A. Edwards, and G. A. Keller. 1994. J. Biol. Chem. 269: 14165;-14169). Using indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic techniques we show here that FPPS is localized predominantly in the peroxisomes of rat hepatoma H35 cells. However, the partial release of 60;-70% of cellular FPPS activity is observed by selective permeabilization of these cells with digitonin. Under these conditions, lactate dehydrogenase, a cytosolic enzyme, is completely released whereas catalase, a known peroxisomal enzyme, is fully retained. Digitonin treatment of H35 cells differentially affects the release of other peroxisomal enzymes involved in isoprenoid metabolism. For instance, mevalonate kinase and phosphomevalonate kinase are almost totally released (95% and 91%, respectively), whereas 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase is fully retained. Indirect immunoflourescence studies indicate that FPPS is localized in peroxisomes of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells but is dispersed in the cytosol of ZR-82 cells, a mutant that lacks peroxisomes. Unlike in H35 cells, FPPS is completely released upon digitonin permeabilization of CHO-K1 and ZR-82 cells. In contrast, under the same permeabilization conditions, catalase is fully retained in CHO-K1 cells but completely released from ZR-82 cells. These studies indicate that FPPS and other enzymes in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways, involved in the formation of FPP, are differentially associated with peroxisomes and may easily diffuse to the cytosol. Based on these observations, the significance and a possible regulatory model in the formation of isoprenoid end-products are discussed.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗
PubMed1998

Induction of early atherosclerosis in LDL-receptor-deficient mice immunized with beta2-glycoprotein I.

BACKGROUND: Immunization with beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2GPI), the probable target of autoimmune anticardiolipin antibodies, results in experimental antiphospholipid syndrome in different mouse strains. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of beta2GPI immunization on the progression of atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the first experiment, 3 groups of LDL receptor-deficient (LDL-RD) mice (n=15 per group) were immunized with either beta2GPI or ovalbumin or were not immunized and were fed a chow diet for 12 weeks. In a second experiment, 3 groups of LDL-RD mice (n=10 per group) were immunized similarly and fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. All beta2GPI-immunized mice developed high titers of anti-beta2GPI antibodies as well as a specific lymph node proliferation to beta2GPI. The average cholesterol levels did not differ between the mice fed similar diets, regardless of the immunization protocol. Atherosclerosis was enhanced in the beta2GPI-immunized mice (mean aortic lesion, 26 000+/-5700 microm2) in comparison with their ovalbumin-immunized (mean, 3000+/-1099 microm2; P<0.01) and nonimmunized (mean, 2250+/-700 microm2; P<0.01) littermates. The average lesion size in the beta2GPI-immunized mice fed an atherogenic diet (mean, 98 000+/-8305 microm2) was larger than the ovalbumin-immunized mice (mean, 81 250+/-12 933 microm2; P=NS) or the nonimmunized controls (mean, 75 625+/-7281 microm2; P=NS). The atherosclerotic plaques in the beta2GPI-immunized mice appeared to be more mature, and denser infiltration of CD4 lymphocytes was present in the subendothelium of the aortic sinuses from this group of mice. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provide the first direct evidence for the proatherogenic effect of ss2GPI immunization and establish a new model for immune-mediated atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Hyperimmunization of apo-E-deficient mice with homologous malondialdehyde low-density lipoprotein suppresses early atherogenesis.

The role of the immune system in modulating atherosclerosis has recently been the subject of intensive research. Several previous authors have put forward a paradigm of the autoimmune process occurring in the vicinity of the plaque. Two recent studies have shown that immunization of rabbits with homologous modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) led to suppression of atherosclerosis. In the current study we evaluated the effects of homologous malondialdehyde (MDA)-LDL immunizations on atherogenesis in apo-E-deficient mice. Two groups of female chow-diet-fed, apo-E-deficient mice (n = 10) were either immunized with homologous MDA-LDL or with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at 2-week intervals. The mice were sacrificed 12 weeks following the primary immunization. The MDA-LDL-immunized mice were shown to develop high titers of anti-MDA-LDL antibodies. Atherosclerosis, determined by the lesion size at the aortic sinus, was significantly suppressed in the MDA-LDL-immunized mice as compared with their littermates immunized with PBS (mean area +/- S.D.; 74000 +/- 17300 microm2 versus 158000 +/- 12800 microm2; P < 0.01). No differences were found between the groups with respect to the cellular composition of the atherosclerotic plaques. The results of this study show that immunization with MDA-LDL has a protective effect in apo-E-deficient mice, and further suggests that this mouse model is suitable for studies of immunomodulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Expression of matrix proteins in uterine cervical neoplasia using immunohistochemistry.

OBJECTIVE: Neoplastic cells of various tumors are capable of modifying extracellular matrix, and can reduce basement membrane components and express matrix proteins and mRNA. Findings in cervical cancer cells have been consistent concerning their ability to reduce basement membrane, but there is a lack of consensus concerning the expression of matrix proteins in the neoplastic cells. We have investigated the expression of matrix proteins in the subepithelial basement membrane, in blood vessels and in the epithelial cells using immunohistochemistry. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 49 cases, including normal cervix, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplastia (CIN) grades, I, II and III, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma, were stained for fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN) and collagen IV (C IV) and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Subepithelial and peritumoral basement membrane staining for C IV was scored as 0, 1, 2 or 3 (0, absent; 1, weak and discontinuous; 2, weak or discontinuous; 3, strong and diffuse). Vascular basement membrane staining by all three markers was interpreted as positive or negative. Staining of normal epithelium, CIN lesions and invasive carcinoma cells was evaluated with all three markers. RESULTS: Subepithelial basement membrane staining was graded as score = 3 in all normal cervices, in contrast to 9/10, 2/10, 1/10 and 0/9 cases of CIN I, CIN, II, CIN III and invasive carcinoma, respectively. Remaining cases showed variable degrees of basement membrane loss. In 6/10 CIN III cases and 8/9 carcinomas, staining was absent (score = 0). Blood vessels stained positive for FN, LN and C IV in all cases studied. Epithelial cells were LN-positive in only one case of CIN II and FN-positive in only two cases of CIN III. Conversely, 3/9 carcinomas were LN-positive, 6/9 were FN-positive and 2/9 were C IV-positive, including two cases positive for all three markers. Staining pattern was cytoplasmic, mainly in the periphery to tumor islands. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix are capable of expressing matrix proteins that are usually absent in normal squamous cervical cells or preinvasive lesions. Secretion or degradation of these proteins could facilitate tumor invasion of stroma and vessels. In addition, basement membrane dissolution becomes pronounced in CIN II-III lesions, being complete in most invasive carcinomas, probably reflecting the ability of pre-invasive neoplastic cells to degrade basement membrane components with metalloproteases.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1998

Immunohistochemical analysis of rasGTPase activating protein (rasGAP) in prostate cancer.

The ras protooncogene plays a key role in the signal transduction cascade of activated growth factors, and is known to be activated or overexpressed in multiple tumor types, including prostate cancer. rasGTPase activating protein (rasGAP), a major downregulator of ras activity, has been shown to be underexpressed in human trophoblastic tumors, and presumably acts as a tumor suppressor gene product in these neoplasms. To assess the role that rasGAP plays in the development of prostate cancer, we performed immunohistochemical analyses with anti rasGAP antibodies of 125 human prostate tumors from Israel. Staining results were correlated with Gleason grade. In the majority of tumors (99/125-79%) there was either no staining or the tumor and surrounding benign glands had a similar pattern of staining. In up to 16% of the tumors, cytoplasmic, tumor-specific loss of expression was noted, presumably indicative of the role of rasGAP as a tumor suppressor gene. Unexpectedly, in up to 21% of the tumors, nuclear staining was demonstrated, and in about 20% of these, there was an accompanying loss of expression in the non neoplastic cytoplasm. Neither cytoplasmic nor nuclear staining correlated with Gleason grade. These findings of nuclear staining by anti-rasGAP are intriguing, since it is the first time that nuclear translocation of rasGAP is demonstrated, which might indicate that in this subset of tumors, rasGAP acts as a direct acting oncogene. The data indicate that rasGAP may play a dual regulatory role in prostate proliferation and that nuclear expression of it may be associated with malignant transformation of these cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Flexible training opportunities in the European Union.

This paper compares the opportunities for flexible (part-time) specialist training in the UK and elsewhere in the EU in the overall context of the rising numbers of women doctors across Europe. Few other EU countries appear to provide the same opportunities for flexible training as the UK, despite high percentages of women medical students and women medical graduates. There are important differences in training patterns across the EU and some reasons are proposed for why flexible training may be more difficult to implement or may not be required elsewhere in the EU. Reasons include less centralized health care systems and more rigidly structured training programmes. In the context of four main factors affecting medical manpower--medical unemployment, contracted working hours, maternity provisions and duration of training--both the health authorities' need to implement flexible training and the trainee doctors' demand for it would appear to be greater in the UK than in other EU countries.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of extracapsular and phaco-emulsification cataract extraction techniques when combined with intra-ocular lens placement and trabeculectomy: short-term results.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND METHODS: Fifty patients who had undergone combined extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), intra-ocular lens (IOL) placement and trabeculectomy (ECCE-trab) and 50 who had undergone combined cataract phaco-emulsification, IOL placement and trabeculectomy (phaco-trab) were reviewed over a period of 12 months. RESULTS: Postoperatively, intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in both eyes fell significantly (P < 0.005). Initially, IOP fell to roughly equal degrees (mean IOP being 14 mmHg at 3 months; P = 0.84). At 12 months, IOP in the phacotrab group was slightly lower than that in the ECCE-trab group (13.4+/-4.3 vs 15.4+/-4.4 mmHg, respectively; P = 0.0312). The number of pre-operative medications did not appear to affect outcome (P = 0.124). Visual recovery was approximately 3 months faster in the phaco-trab group. By 12 months there was little difference in visual acuity, with an average improvement of two Snellen lines (P = 0.68). The mean change in astigmatism was significantly less in the phaco-trab group (0.61+/-1.25 vs 1.39+/-1.46 D, respectively, P = 0.0063). Transient hypotony (IOP < 5 mmHg) was more frequent in the phaco-trab group (66 vs 32%, respectively; P < 0.002). The frequency of other complications was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both ECCE-trab and phaco-trab procedures are safe and effective. However, the phaco-trab procedure may have slightly improved IOP control, earlier visual recovery and less astigmatism.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) as a prognostic value in malignant melanoma.

The nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are chromosomal loops of DNA and proteins involved in ribosomal synthesis. By silver staining, they can be identified as black dots (AgNORs) in the nuclei. Their size and number reflect cell and nuclear activity. Therefore, AgNOR count may correlate with the proliferative activity of tumors. In malignant melanoma, correlation between AgNOR count and the growth phase was found. However, the value of AgNORs in determining prognosis is disputable. Our purpose was to evaluate the role of AgNORs in predicting the biological behavior of melanoma. Paraffin-embedded sections of 30 cases of primary melanoma, 0.4-5 mm thick (mean, 1.6 mm) were stained with silver. Follow-up of all patients was at least 5 years. For each tumor, at least 50 cells were randomly selected for AgNOR count at a final magnification of 500, and the mean of AgNOR content was calculated. Sample parameters corresponded well to the epidemiology and the natural history of melanoma. AgNOR counts (0.78-4.26; mean, 1.42+/-0.72) correlated with tumor thickness (p = 0.01); thus, most superficial tumors had low AgNOR counts, whereas most deep tumors (> or = 1.5 mm) showed high counts. Patients who had tumors with AgNOR counts lower than the median had longer disease-free interval (DFI) than did patients who had tumors with higher counts (p = 0.02). Furthermore, in a multivariate Cox analysis, AgNOR count was independent of tumor thickness in determining DFI (p = 0.05). Therefore, AgNORs may serve as a parameter to predict more accurately the progression of melanomas (mainly thin ones). Larger studies are needed in order to consolidate these preliminary results and to characterize AgNOR value further as a prognostic factor in melanoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Ulex Europaeus lectin and anti-CD31 staining in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: potential prognostic markers.

Seventy-five squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix and 10 controls were stained for Ulex Europaeus lectin 1 (UEA-1) and anti-CD31, and the results were analyzed with respect to patient age, clinical stage, tumor grade, and survival during a follow-up period of 1 to 13 years. The patients' mean age at the time of diagnosis was 47.8 years (range, 27 to 83). Seventeen patients died of disease, 2 had disease recurrence, and 51 patients remained free of disease; 5 patients were lost to follow-up. Twenty-eight cases (37.3%) showed focal membranous staining for UEA-1 and 9 cases (12%) showed a diffuse pattern; 38 cases (50.7%) were UEA-1 negative. Poor survival was related to diffuse membranous UEA-1 immunoreactivity (p = 0.02), age (p = 0.014), grade (p = 0.02), and stage (p = 0.0002). CD31-positive neoplastic cells displayed a cytoplasmic pattern. Fifteen cases (20%) had diffuse staining and another 15 (20%) stained focally; 45 cases (60%) were CD31-negative. The adjacent nonneoplastic epithelium and all 10 controls were uniformly negative for CD31. Variable staining of the endocervical epithelium and weak or negative staining of ectocervical epithelium for UEA-1 were observed. However, the epithelium in all controls was negative for UEA-1. Poor survival was related to both focal and diffuse staining for CD31 (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). Staining by both UEA-1 and anti-CD31 retained its correlation with survival after exclusion of stage la tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Expression of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of enzymes that participate in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling, may play a role in tumor invasion and metastasis and have been correlated with tumor behavior and survival. The action of MMPs is regulated by tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). Adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix are neoplasms that primarily affect young women and are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Eighteen cervical adenocarcinomas and 5 controls were immunohistochemically analyzed for the expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and their inhibitors, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, in tumor cells and peritumoral stromal cells. These cells were also studied for the presence of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 mRNA by in situ hybridization (ISH). HPV status was studied using ISH for HPV 16 and 18. MMP-2 and -9 were expressed immunohistochemically in tumor cells in 17 of 18 tumors, MMP-3 in 5, TIMP-1 in 3, and TIMP-2 in 1. Stromal cells of most tumors expressed all the above proteins. The normal endocervical epithelium was uniformly negative for MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and TIMP-2, and variably expressed TIMP-1. Intense signals for MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 mRNA were less frequently detected by ISH in tumor cells and peritumoral stromal cells and were absent in normal endocervical epithelium. All tumors contained HPV DNA 16, 18, or both. MMP and TIMP expression did not correlate with tumor type, grade, or HPV type. MMPs and their inhibitors are present in most cervical adenocarcinomas, independent of tumor grade or subtype, but with the exception of TIMP-1, they are not expressed in nonneoplastic endocervical epithelium. This finding might be helpful in the diagnosis of endocervical adenocarcinomas. HPV is prevalent in cervical adenocarcinomas, but its role in determining tumor behavior remains unclear.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Basic fibroblast growth factor induces myocardial hypertrophy following acute infarction in rats.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogen which induces growth of collateral vessels in ischaemic and infarcted myocardium. The effect of systemically administered bFGF on left ventricular (LV) function, myocardial hypertrophy and LV remodelling following acute myocardial infarction (MI) have not yet been fully investigated. Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized to receive bFGF (0.5 mg) or rat albumin intraperitoneally for 1 week, beginning immediately after the induction of MI. Five animals served as controls and did not undergo any operation. Animals were killed 6 weeks after surgery and the hearts were perfused and fixed at physiological pressure. Transverse cross-sections from infarcted areas were stained with antibodies against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Masson-trichrome and analysed with a coloured-image analyser for LV area (mm2), LV cavity diameter (mm), infarcted area (%), and wall thickness (mm) in infarcted and non-infarcted regions. LV area was similar in MI rats and in controls (41.7 +/- 6.9 and 43.0 +/- 1.5 mm2, respectively) and was significantly larger in MI bFGF-treated (MI/bFGF) animals (47.6 +/- 7.1 mm2) (P = 0.023). LV cavity diameter was significantly larger in the MI group than in MI/bFGF and control animals (6.0 +/- 0.8, 4.9 +/- 1.4, and 4.4 +/- 0.8 mm, respectively, P = 0.018). Wall thickness in the non-infarcted region was significantly smaller in MI animals (1.4 +/- 0.3 mm) than in MI/bFGF animals (1.6 +/- 0.4 mm) and the control group (1.6 +/- 0.1 mm) (P = 0.015). The ratio between LV cavity diameter/non-MI wall thickness was higher in MI than in control and MI/bFGF groups (4.8 +/- 1.6, 2.7 +/- 0.6 and 3.3 +/- 1.8, respectively, P = 0.03). Proliferating endothelial cells were significantly more abundant in infarcted than in normal areas in both MI and MI/bFGF groups, but with no significant differences between the groups. Intraperitoneal administration of bFGF did not cause any untoward extracardiac effects. Thus, systemic bFGF administration following acute MI in rats prevents dilatation of the LV, induces hypertrophy of the non-infarcted myocardium and exerts no untoward effects on extracardiac organs.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

CD44 expression in normal adrenal tissue and adrenal tumours.

BACKGROUND: CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein found on many normal cells, mainly lymphoid and epithelial. Normal cells usually express standard CD44 (CD44-S), whereas malignant tumours may express CD44 variant isoforms (CD44-V). CD44 expression has been described for neural crest derivatives. Characterisation of differences in CD44 expression may help in the diagnosis and differentiation of distinct adrenal tumours. AIMS: To examine CD44 expression in different layers of cortical cortex, in adrenal medulla, and in adrenal tumours. METHODS: CD44-S and CD44-V6 expression were studied in 12 cases of adrenal cortical adenoma, 3 of adrenal cortical carcinoma, 10 of pheochromocytoma, and 4 normal adrenal glands. RESULTS: CD44-V6 staining showed cytoplasmic expression in normal adrenal cortex and in cortical adenomas and carcinomas. Pheochromocytomas also showed CD44-V6 expression but in 5 of the 10 cases it was sparse, focal, and sometimes perinuclear. Strong membranous staining for CD44-S was observed in normal adrenal medulla. Analysis of CD44-S expression revealed differences between cortical adrenal tumours and pheochromocytomas. Ten of 12 cortical adenomas and 2 of 3 cortical carcinoma cells showed weak to moderate cytoplasmic staining, but all cases of pheochromocytoma had strong membranous staining. CONCLUSIONS: Membranous CD44-S staining may help to distinguish pheochromocytoma from adrenal cortical adenoma.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1998

Expression of extracellular matrix proteins in cervical squamous cell carcinoma--a clinicopathological study.

AIM: To evaluate the intracellular and peritumoral expression of matrix proteins in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix using immunohistochemistry. METHODS: 71 squamous cell carcinomas and 10 controls were stained for laminin, fibronectin, and collagen IV. Cytoplasmic staining in tumour cells and peritumoral deposition of matrix proteins were evaluated. The association between staining results and patient age, tumour stage, histological grade, and survival was studied. RESULTS: Positive cytoplasmic staining for laminin, fibronectin, and collagen IV was observed in 17 (23.9%), 27 (38%), and 10 (14.1%) cases, respectively. Staining for laminin was most pronounced in the invasive front of tumour islands, while for fibronectin and collagen IV it appeared to be diffuse. Peritumoral staining for laminin and collagen IV was detected in 12 cases (16.9%). Early stage (Ia1-Ia2) tumours were uniformly negative for all three proteins. Cytoplasmic staining for laminin correlated with positive staining for fibronectin and collagen IV, and with the presence of a peritumoral deposition of collagen IV and laminin. There was no correlation with any of the three markers between staining results and patient age, stage, grade, or survival. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of extracellular matrix proteins in some cervical squamous cell carcinomas might reflect the enhanced ability of these tumours to modify the peritumoral stroma. This ability seems to be absent in early stage tumours. The correlation between intracytoplasmic and peritumoral expression of matrix proteins supports the evidence of their synthesis by tumour cells. However, this property did not correlate with disease outcome in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Contact dermatitis with systemic symptoms from Agave americana.

BACKGROUND: Twelve cases of contact dermatitis provoked by Agave americana are described, 10 with systemic signs and symptoms and 8 with abnormal laboratory results. RESULTS: Patient history revealed a background of intentional exposure among soldiers seeking sick leave. Treatment with oral antihistamines and topical saline compresses resulted in subsidence of the systemic symptoms within 24 h of hospitalization and regression of cutaneous manifestations in 7-10 days. CONCLUSION: The importance that dermatologists be alert to the possibility of self-inflicted contact dermatitis induced by exposure to plants is stressed, especially to A. americana. Systemic signs are not rare accompanying findings with this plant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Workplace privacy: HIV testing, disclosure, and discrimination.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and the disclosure of HIV-related information pose questions of privacy and public policy that are of concern in both public- and private-sector workplaces. Public-sector employees have constitutional protection from discrimination on the basis of their HIV-positive status. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important source of protection for private-sector employees. There are also other federal laws that provide protection from discrimination. However, the scope of these laws is unclear. Similarly, while some state legislatures have attempted to set standards to protect the privacy of HIV-positive employees, laws vary from state to state. Case precedent is also inconsistent. This article examines some current issues regarding HIV testing, employee privacy, and protection from discrimination.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗