The results of nuclear DNA content analysis of a series of 28 patients with large cleaved follicular centre cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are reported. DNA aneuploidy was found in 11 (39 per cent) cases. The DNA indices of the DNA-aneuploid peaks ranged from 1.14 to 2.28. Seven (25 per cent) cases were tetraploid. DNA ploidy was not associated with prognosis. The percentage of S phase cells (SPF) ranged from 2.0 to 30.5 per cent (median 5.1 per cent). Lymphoma patients with SPF higher than 9.7 per cent had a worse survival rate than patients with lymphoma with less than 9.7 per cent S phase cells but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The results of the DNA ploidy and SPF were comparable to those of intermediate and high grade malignancy NHLs.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Accumulation of p53 protein correlates with tumour proliferative activity in EBV positive Burkitt's lymphoma.

p53 tumour suppressor gene is often found mutated in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines and tumours. We analysed 35 BL tumours for the accumulation of p53 protein, and correlated the results with DNA flow cytometric data on the proliferative activity (SPF), and data on the presence or absence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA. More than one-third (37 per cent) of the tumours showed accumulation of p53, which was considered to be consistent with mutation of the p53 gene. Tumours that were positive both for EBV DNA and p53 had significantly higher mean SPF than corresponding EBV DNA negative and/or p53 negative tumours. The proportions of tumour cells with accumulation of p53 appeared to correlate with tumour SPF only in EBV DNA positive BLs. However, there was no apparent association between accumulation of p53 and the presence or absence of EBV DNA. These findings are suggestive of multiple pathways in BL tumour progression.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibitory and excitatory amino acids in CSF of patients suffering from complex partial seizures during chronic treatment with gamma-vinyl GABA (vigabatrin).

The effect of chronic administration of gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG; vigabatrin) on levels of neurotransmission-related amino compounds was studied in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid of 65 patients with complex partial epilepsy. The first sample of cerebrospinal fluid was taken before a 3-month period of treatment with 3 g gamma-vinyl GABA/day, and the second was taken afterwards. From patients who showed a greater than 50% reduction in seizures (responders) or marked improvement in global performance, a third sample was taken at the end of the next 3-month phase, during which 3 g or 1.5 g gamma-vinyl GABA had been administered daily. During treatment with 3 g gamma-vinyl GABA/day, 55% of the patients showed more than 50% reduction in complex partial seizures; and at the same time free GABA, total GABA, homocarnosine, and glycine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid increased by 104%, 151%, 194% and 16%, respectively. After reduction of the daily dose to 1.5 g, the levels of free GABA, total GABA and homocarnosine were still increased by 65%, 115% and 102%, respectively. gamma-Vinyl GABA correlated with the levels of free GABA (P less than 0.002) and glycine (P less than 0.001). Concentrations of homocarnosine at baseline and homocarnosine and total GABA during gamma-vinyl GABA treatment were lower (P less than 0.005) in the group of non-responders than in the responder group. Glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid, asparagine, and taurine levels did not change during gamma-vinyl GABA treatment. In conclusion, administration of gamma-vinyl GABA reduces epileptic seizures and produces dosage-dependent increases in levels of free GABA, GABA-containing peptides and of glycine in cerebrospinal fluid, without concomitant change in levels of excitatory amino acids.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Herpes simplex virus induces unscheduled DNA synthesis in virus-infected cervical cancer cell lines.

We evaluated herpes-simplex-virus-type-2(HSV2)-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in virus-infected cervical cancer (HeLa, CaSki, C-33A, and SiHa) cells. HSV2 replication was approximately 100-fold more efficient in the HeLa cells than in less susceptible C-33A and SiHa cells. In dual parameter flow cytometric analysis of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, HSV2-infected HeLa cells showed a rapid increase in the proportions of DNA-synthesizing G1- and S-phase cells, whereas in C-33A and SiHa cells, the proportions of DNA-synthesizing G1- and early S-phase cells were increased late in the infection. Blocking of HSV2 replication by phosphonoformate inhibited virus-induced changes in HeLa cells, but not in C-33A and SiHa cells. Anti-BrdU antibodies exhibited a coarse globular nuclear staining pattern in the C-33A cells, while the other cells showed speckled and/or fine globular nuclear fluorescence. Anti-ICP8 (HSV-specified major DNA-binding protein) antibodies revealed that, in C-33A cells, ICP8 remained in the cytoplasm, whereas in the other cells, speckled or globular nuclear fluorescence was found. Our results showed that HSV2 induced the unscheduled synthesis of cellular DNA, which was host-cell-dependent, and in virus infected C-33A cells, it may be attributable to both viral and cellular proteins.

Antibodies, Viral↗

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Chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is the most important complication present in the female lower genital tract, causing major medical, social and economic problems. Although PID can be caused by multiple microorganisms, it results most frequently from the ascent of sexually transmitted Chlamydia.trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections from the cervix to the upper genital tract. The importance of cervical chlamydial infection in the pathogenesis of PID is well recognized. Recent data from many developed countries have shown a striking decrease in the incidence of gonococcal infections, while the rates of chlamydial infections remain high in most countries. Complications of PID are common and usually irreversible. Emerging evidence suggests that universal or selected screening of defined populations for cervical chlamydial infection leads to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of PID. Recent technological advances should further enhance efforts to prevent chlamydial infection and PID. Gene amplification-based diagnostic tests, screening by testing first-void urine, and single dose antimicrobial therapy greatly facilitate chlamydia control programmes. Thus, screening for chlamydia is the key approach in the secondary prevention of PID. The obvious challenge is to make screening for chlamydia the standard for health care for young, sexually active individuals. Since PID is the most important consequence of sexually transmitted bacterial infections, it is also imperative to develop better treatments to prevent the long-term sequelae of this disease. The development and implementation of new and effective intervention programmes for prevention and control of PID is one of the major challenges for the year 2000 and beyond.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of genital HPV infection with carbon dioxide laser and systemic interferon alpha-2b.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Treatment of genital warts is problematic. Numerous treatment modalities are available, but response to any therapy often is unsatisfactory. Recently, studies have suggested that interferons would be effective in the treatment of some genital warts. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To compare carbon dioxide laser with or without adjuvant subcutaneously administered interferon alpha-2b in the treatment of genital human papillomavirus infection. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred randomized women with genital HPV infection were treated with carbon dioxide laser and adjuvant systemic interferon alpha-2b or carbon dioxide laser and placebo. Patients were followed colposcopically, cytologically, and by HPV DNA testing for 6 months. RESULTS: Complete response was seen in 62% patients who received adjuvant interferon, and in 68% patients who received placebo. However, recurrence was less common in patients treated with interferon who were infected with HPV 16/18. CONCLUSION: Only a subgroup of patients, women infected with HPV DNA 16/18, benefited from adjuvant systemic interferon treatment.

Adolescent↗