Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in cervical lesions by in situ hybridization using biotinylated DNA probes

In situ hybridization (ISH) for human papillomavirus (HPV)-6, -11, -16, -18, and -31 DNA was performed on 615 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cervical biopsies using biotinylated DNA probes. Results were obtained from 584 samples with 266 (45.5%) containing HPV-DNA sequences. Ninety percent of condyloma acuminatum specimens were positive for HPV-DNA with 18 of 19 positive cases containing HPV-6 or -11 DNA. The detection rate of HPV in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions was 50.6% (239 of 472), while only 8 of 91 (8.9%) cervical biopsies considered to be histologically normal or with minimal dysplasia contained HPV-DNA as demonstrated by ISH. The prevalence of HPV-16, -18, and/or -31 DNA increased with the severity of the lesions, with 20 of 20 (100%) positive CIN-III lesions containing these viral types compared with 102 of 157 (65.0%) positive CIN-I lesions. ISH with biotinylated DNA probes appears helpful in identifying lesions containing higher risk viral strains.     

A descriptive review of the methodologies used in household surveys on medicine utilization

Background  

Studies carried out in the community enable researchers to understand access to medicines, affordability, and barriers to use from the consumer's point of view, and may stimulate the development of adequate medicines policies. The aim of the present article was to describe methodological and analytical aspects of quantitative studies on medicine utilization carried out at the household level.     

Survey of the definition and screening of neonatal hypoglycaemia in Australia

Objective : To determine the approach to identifying neonatal hypoglycaemia and the definition of neonatal hypoglycaemia used by neonatal paediatricians in Australian Level 3 neonatal intensive care units (NICU).
Methodology : A questionnaire was sent to the 101 neonatal paediatricians in the 22 Level 3 NICU in Australia asking their method of screening for, and definition of, neonatal hypoglycaemia.
Results : Responses were received from 70 neonatal paediatricians, including all 22 directors. A bedside glucose meter is used in 19 of 22 NICU to screen for hypoglycaemia, whilst one NICU uses a glucose analyzer and another NICU uses a visual colour comparison method. One NICU does not screen, but has blood glucose measured in a satellite laboratory. If the screening method suggests hypoglycaemia, 62 of 63 neonatal paediatricians proceed to blood glucose determination in a laboratory, mostly using plasma samples. Based on the laboratory measurement, the definition of neonatal hypoglycaemia ranged from <1.1 to 3.0 mmol/L.
Conclusions : The majority of neonatal paediatricians in Australian NICU screen for neonatal hypoglycaemia using a bedside glucose meter. There is a wide range in the definition of neonatal hypoglycaemia from <1.1 to 3.0mmol/L.