Significance of DNA Replication Licensing Proteins (MCM2, MCM5 and CDC6), p16 and p63 as Markers of Premalignant Lesions of the Uterine Cervix: Its Usefulness to Predict Malignant Potential

Cervical cancer continues to be a leading cancer among women in many parts of the world. Nation-wide screening with the Pap smear has not been implemented in India due to the lack of adequately trained cytologists. Identification of biomarkers to predict malignant potential of the identified low risk lesions is essential to avoid excessive retesting and follow up. The current study analyzed the expression patterns of DNA replication licensing proteins, proliferation inhibitor protein p16INK4A and tumor suppresser protein p63 in cervical tissues and smears to assess the ability of these proteins to predict progression. Methods: Cervical smears and corresponding tissues were immunostained using mouse monoclonal antibodies against MCM2, MCM5, CDC6, p16 and p63. Smears were treated with a non-ionic surfactant sodium deoxycholate prior to immuno-cytochemistry. The standard ABC method of immunohistochemistry was performed using DAB as the chromogen. The immunostained samples were scored on a 0-3+ scale and staining patterns of smears were compared with those of tissue sections. Sensitivity and specificity for each of these markers were calculated taking histopathology as the gold standard. Result: All the markers were positive in malignant and dysplastic cells. MCM protein expression was found to be up-regulated in LSIL, HSIL and in malignancies to a greater extent than p16 as well as p63. CDC6 protein was preferentially expressed in high grade lesions and in invasive squamous cell carcinomas. A progressive increase in the expression of DNA replication licensing proteins in accordance with the grades of cervical intraepithelial lesion suggests these markers as significant to predict malignant potential of low grade lesions in cervical smears. Conclusion: MCMs and CDC6 can be applied as biomarkers to predict malignant potential of low grade lesions identified in screening programmes and retesting     

Clinical Comparison of Platelet‐Rich Fibrin and a Gelatin Sponge in the Management of Palatal Wounds After Epithelialized Free Gingival Graft Harvest: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) promotes tissue regeneration by releasing various growth factors. The palatal donor site of the epithelialized connective tissue (CT) graft significantly influences the patient’s morbidity. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of PRF and gelatin sponge on the healing of palatal donor sites and the patient’s morbidity. Methods: Forty patients with at least one site of Miller Class I or II gingival recession were treated by a coronally advanced flap with CT graft resulting from the de‐epithelialization of a free gingival graft. In the test group (20 patients), a PRF membrane was placed over the palatal wounds; conversely, the 20 control group patients were treated with an absorbable gelatin sponge. Patients were monitored at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after surgery for the complete re‐epithelialization of the palatal wound (CWE), the alteration of sensitivity around the wound area, postoperative discomfort, and changes in feeding habits (CFH). Furthermore, the consumption of analgesics during the postoperative week 1 was assessed. Results: The test group showed a significantly faster CWE (P <0.001); 35% of the test patients showed CWE at the end of week 2 (controls, 10%), whereas at the end of week 3, all palatal wounds in the test patients epithelialized completely (controls, 25%). Similarly, test patients reported significantly less discomfort and CFH (P ≤ 0.02) and took a significantly lower dose of analgesics (P = 0.02). Conclusion: The PRF‐enriched palatal bandage significantly accelerates palatal wound healing and reduces the patient’s morbidity.     

Effects of hematopoietin-1 and interleukin 1 activities on early hematopoietic cells of the bone marrow

Hematopoietin-1 (H-1) was purified from the human cell line 5637 and two amino acid sequences were observed in the preparation. One sequence was identical to that of interleukin 1 alpha (IL 1 alpha) and the other to that of IL 1 beta. The action of recombinant IL 1 alpha and other hematopoietic growth factors was studied using (a) a high proliferative potential colony-forming cell assay that uses primitive hematopoietic precursors from bone marrow, and (b) a spleen colony-forming unit assay. The results indicate that the IL 1 alpha target cell population is different than the target cell populations of IL 3, granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor; that IL 1 alpha in combination with mononuclear phagocyte colony-stimulating factor provides a proliferative stimulus; and that IL 1 alpha has at least a survival- enhancing and possibly proliferation-inducing effect on primitive hematopoietic stem cells.     

预测急性脑卒中缺血半暗带的最优Tmax阈值

背景:挽救缺血半暗带对减少梗死范围有重要意义,一般以PWI与DWI的不匹配区域来评估半暗带.但PWI评估的低灌注范围可能会包括良性缺血区,从而使评估所得的半暗带体积大于实际值.为减少这种弊端,近来引入一新的参数:PWI的达峰时间(Tmax)阈值.Tmax为PWI成像信号强度-时间曲线中从对比剂开始出现到对比剂浓度达到峰值的时间.以对侧相应部位正常脑组织的Tmax为参考,脑组织中Tmax延迟超过阈值的区域即为PWI病灶区.