The immunohistological demonstration of carcinoembryonic antigen in intra-epithelial and invasive squamous carcinoma of the cervix

Using the sensitive peroxidase, anti-peroxidase immunohistological technique, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was studied in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cervical specimens from 225 patients. CEA was demonstrated in 33% of moderate dysplasia, 78.5% of severe dysplasia, 79% of in-situ carcinoma and 78% of invasive carcinoma. CEA was not demonstrated in normal squamous epithelium, squamous metaplasia, reserve cell hyperplasia nor in mild dysplasia.     

Distribution of dopamine immunoreactivity in the forebrain and midbrain of the snake Python regius: a study with antibodies against dopamine

The distribution of dopamine (DA) immunoreactivity in the forebrain and midbrain of the ball python, Python regius, was studied by using recently developed antibodies against DA. In order to determine general and species-specific features of the DA system in reptiles, we have selected the ball python as a representative of a reptilian radiation that hitherto has not been the subject of (immuno)histochemical studies. Dopamine-containing cell bodies were found around the glomeruli and in the external plexiform layer of both the main and accessory olfactory bulb, but not in the telencephalon proper. In the diencephalon, DA cells were observed in several parts of the periventricular hypothalamic nucleus, in the periventricular organ, the ependymal wall of the infundibular recess, the lateral hypothalamic area, the magnocellular ventrolateral thalamic nucleus, and the pretectal posterodorsal nucleus. In the midbrain, DA cells were found in the ventral tegmental area, the substantia nigra, and the presumed reptilian homologue of the mammalian A8 cell group. Dopaminergic fibers and varicosities were observed throughout the whole brain, particularly in the telencephalon and diencephalon. The nucleus accumbens, striatum, olfactory tubercle, and nucleus of the accessory olfactory tract appear to have the most dense innervation, but the lateral septal nucleus, the dorsal ventricular ridge, and the nucleus sphericus also show numerous DA-containing fibers and varicosities. Except for the lateral cortex, cortical areas are not densely innervated by DA fibers. The DA system of the snake Python regius shares many features with that of lizards and turtles as determined with the same antibodies. The taxonomically close relationship between lizards and snakes, which together constitute the Squamata, is reflected in a similar distribution of DA fibers and varicosities to the dorsal ventricular ridge and the lateral cortex, and in the limited number of CSF-contacting DA neurons in the hypothalamus.     

Recurrence of fibroids after myomectomy: a transvaginal ultrasonographic study

Frequency of recurrence of fibroids after myomectomy has beenevaluated in 145 women (median age 38 years, range 21–52)who underwent myomectomy. After surgery all women returned forfollow-up visit every 12 months after surgery. Transvaginalultrasound examination was performed routinely in every patientat 24 and 60 months and at 12, 36 and 48 months if there wereany abnormal pelvic findings or suspicious symptomatology. Atotal of 39 (27%) women gave birth after myomectomy. For thewhole series, the cumulative probability of recurrence (CPR)increased constantly during the study period reaching 51% in5 years. The 5-year CPR decreased with parity after myomectomy,being 55% for women with no childbirth after surgery and 42%(based on 13 recurrences, P < 0.01) for those who gave birth.     

Effects of organochlorine pesticides on DNA synthesis of cultured oviductal and uterine cells and on estrogen receptor of uterine tissue from heifers

 The pesticides DDT, MXC and γHCH at concentrations between 41 and 200 μM inhibited DNA synthesis (measured by [³H]thymidine incorporation) of cultured bovine oviductal endosalpingeal and uterine cells in the order DDT>MXC>γHCH, in comparison to nonexposed controls. Sensitivity to the toxicants was greater in uterine epithelial and stromal cells than in uterine smooth muscle or oviductal endosalpingeal cells. Besides the inhibitory effect, there was a stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis in epithelial cells in the range of 28 nM to 2.8 μM DDT and in stromal cells at 2.8 and 28 nM for MXC. An explanation for this reaction could be that both toxicants have an estrogen-like effect. In the present study, it is shown that the o,p’ isomer of DDT can bind to the cytoplasmatic estrogen receptor and DDT or MXC were able to inhibit the binding of radiolabelled estradiol to the uterine endometrial explants in bovine, whereas γHCH did not change the binding. These findings represent an estrogenic effect of DDT and MXC in two complete in vitro systems. Received: 10 October 1995/Accepted: 19 December 1995     

Limbic Regions Mediating Central Actions of Oxytocin on the Milk-Ejection Reflex in the Rat

Central oxytocin administration has a profound facilitatory effect on the patterning of the milk-ejection reflex in the lactating rat. Lesion and microinjection studies indicate that this action is, in part, mediated via a population of limbic neurones in the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis and ventrolateral septum, which have been shown to possess oxytocin receptors and to be activated by selective oxytocin-receptor agonists in vitro. In vivo electro-physiological recordings reveal that some of these neurones display cyclical activity which is highly correlated to each milk ejection, and are rapidly activated following i.c.v. administration of oxytocin. coincident with the facilitation of milk ejection activity. A hypothetical model is proposed in which this population of limbic neurones serves to gate the activity of a pacemaker which, in turn, coordinates the bursting of hypothalamic magnocellular neurones. The oxytocin innervation of these neurones and their expression of oxytocin receptors increases in the post-partum period, and the resultant enhanced sensitivity leads to a greater facilitatory response during lactation. Inhibitory opioid and noradrenergic inputs which converge on these oxytocin-sensitive neurones may function to switch off the facilitatory circuit during periods of stress. Thus, this population of limbic neurones participates in the regulation of neuroendocrine activity during lactation by providing an appropriate degree of feedback to alter the patterning of the milk-ejection reflex.     

Ascending projections from the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus and the adjacent mesopontine tegmentum in the rat

Ascending projections from the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) and the surrounding mesopontine tegmentum to the forebrain in the rat are here examined by using both retrograde and anterograde tracing techniques combined with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemistry. The anterogradely transported lectin Phaseolus vulgaris-leukoagglutinin (PHA-L) was iontophoretically injected into the PPT in 12 rats. Anterogradely labelled fibers and varicosities were observed in the thalamic nuclei, confirming the findings of our previous retrograde studies (Hallanger et al: J. Comp. Neurol. 262:105-124, '87). In addition, PHA-L-labelled fibers and varicosities suggestive of terminal fields were observed in the anterior, tuberal, and posterior lateral hypothalamic regions, the ventral pallidum in the region of the nucleus basalis of Meynert, the dorsal and intermediate lateral septal nuclei, and in the central and medial nuclei of the amygdala. To determine whether these were cholinergic projections, the retrograde tracer WGA-HRP was injected into terminal fields in the hypothalamus, septum, ventral pallidum, and amygdala. Numerous ChAT-immunoreactive neurons in the PPT and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) were retrogradely labelled from the lateral hypothalamus. These cholinergic neurons constituted over 20% of those retrogradely labelled in the dorsolateral mesopontine tegmentum; the balance consisted of noncholinergic neurons of the central tegmental field, retrorubral field, and cuneiform nucleus. Following placement of WGA-HRP into dorsal and intermediate lateral septal regions, the vast majority (greater than 90%) of retrogradely labelled neurons were cholinergic neurons of the PPT and LDT, with few noncholinergic retrogradely labelled neurons in the adjacent tegmentum. In contrast, fewer cholinergic neurons were retrogradely labelled following placement of tracer into the nucleus basalis of Meynert or into the central, medial, and basolateral nuclei of the amygdala, while numerous noncholinergic neurons of the central tegmental field rostral to the PPT and of the retrorubral field adjacent to the PPT were retrogradely labelled in these cases. These anterograde and retrograde studies demonstrate that cholinergic PPT and LDT neurons provide a substantial proportion of mesopontine tegmental afferents to the hypothalamus and lateral septum, while projections to the nucleus basalis and the amygdala are minimal.     

Computed tomographic findings in septo-optic dysplasia: Discordance between clinical and radiological findings

Summary The clinical and radiological findings in four children with septo-optic dysplasia are reported. All four had growth retardation associated with growth hormone deficiency, as well as varying degrees of ophthalmologic dysfunction. The CT scan findings spanned a spectrum from normal to the expected abnormalities involving the ventricular system and orbits. Only two of the four had an absent septum pellucidum. A third patient had normal CT scans except for optic nerve hypoplasia, while the fourth had entirely normal CT scans of both the brain and orbits. Because the anatomic defects of septo-optic dysplasia may be subtle, an apparently normal CT scan does not invalidate the clinical diagnosis of septo-optic dysplasia.     

Ultrasonographic examination of the congenitally malformed uterus

Ultrasonographic investigation of uterine contour was done in 25 patients with a known congenital uterine malformation. By means of serial transverse sections, the outline of the uterus could be determined and, as a result, the type of uterine malformation could be distinguished. In 17 patients the data were compared with the data from laparoscopy or laparotomy. The ultrasonographic investigation could be done in the non-pregnant state and also in early pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Asymmetry, rudimentary uterine horns or hematocolpos could also be visualized.     

Uterus and endometrium: The effect of local intrauterine levonorgestrel administration on endometrial thickness and uterine blood circulation

To evaluate non-invasively the role of levonorgestrel releasingdevices in direct contact with the endometrium on menstrualspotting and endometrium inactivation, we inserted levonorgestrelreleasing devices (20 µg/24 h) either into the cervicalcanal or the uterine cavity of 30 fertile women. Both beforeinsertion and over the following 3 months, we used transvaginalsonography to measure the endometrial thickness in 20 of thewomen and Doppler flow to measure the uterine blood flow inthe remaining 10 women. The women were asked to keep recordsof menstrual bleeding and they gave blood samples for the measurementof serum oestradiol, progesterone and levonorgestrel. By 10weeks after insertion there was a significant decrease in endometrialthickness in both groups. Intracervical levonorgestrel releaseallowed the endometrium to maintain cyclic changes, whereasdirect intrauterine levonorgestrel release eliminated the cyclicalchanges. The total number of spotting days was significantlyless (P = 0.0249) in the intracervical release group at 3 months;1.2 ± 0.6 versus 8.1 ± 1.8 (mean ± SE).There were no significant differences in hormone concentrationsbetween the groups. The pulsatility index did not change significantlyduring the study. We concluded that the inactivation processof the endometrium can be monitored by transvaginal sonographyand that locally administered levonorgestrel does not changecirculatory conditions detectable by Doppler flow. Our resultsalso suggest that the inactivation process of the endometriumis different between intracervical and intrauterine levonorgestreladministration and may explain the difference in the numberof spotting days.     

SYNTHESIS OF [8-α-HYDROXYISOCAPROIC ACID] OXYTOCIN

The synthesis and biological activities of [8-α-hydroxyisocaproic acid] oxytocin are reported. The in vivo uterine responses to [8-α-hydroxyisocaproic acid] oxytocin are prolonged and those to deamino-[8-α-hydroxyisocaproic acid] oxytocin (as well as those we have previously reported for deamino-oxytocin) are very prolonged as compared with those to oxytocin. Time courses of the in vivo uterine responses to deamino-[8-α-hydroxyisocaproic acid] oxytocin and deamino-oxytocin (as followed by plotting the intervals between the individual contractions of a response vs. time after peptide injection) differ from those to [8-α-hydroxyisocaproic acid] oxytocin and oxytocin.