Abnormal Papanicolaou smears. Comparison of cytology, colposcopy and cervical swab DNA hybridization.

Cervical swab sampling for DNA hybridization was performed on 89 women attending a colposcopy clinic. In situ hybridization studies for human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6/11, 16/18 and 31/33/35 were performed on the specimens. Biopsy specimens were obtained from 65 patients. The cytologic, colposcopic and histologic results were classified into five groups and assigned a score of 0-5, depending upon the diagnosis. An increasing score correlated positively with the presence of HPV, especially types 16/18 and 31/33/35. A comparison was made of the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the standard method of colposcopic evaluation versus the standard method combined with DNA cervical swab sampling. No significant changes in the parameters were found when the DNA cervical swab was added.     

IL-12 and IL-23: master regulators of innate and adaptive immunity

Summary: Initiation of an effective immune response requires close interactions between innate and adaptive immunity. Recent advances in the field of cytokine biology have led to an increased understanding of how myeloid cell‐derived factors regulate the immune system to protect the host from infections and prevent tumor development. In this review, we focus on the function of interleukin (IL)‐23, a new member of the IL‐12 family of regulatory cytokines produced by activated macrophages and dendritic cells. We propose that IL‐12 and IL‐23 promote two distinct immunological pathways that have separate but complementary functions. IL‐12 is required for antimicrobial responses to intracellular pathogens, whereas IL‐23 is likely to be important for the recruitment and activation of a range of inflammatory cells that is required for the induction of chronic inflammation and granuloma formation. These two cytokines work in concert to regulate cellular immune responses critical for host defense and tumor suppression.     

Troublesome crying in infants: effect of advice to reduce stimulation.

The observation that babies with troublesome crying improve quickly in hospital suggested that, if true, a common, quickly reversible, factor may operate. Histories from parents of such babies suggest that much work goes into trying to console them. It is hypothesised that this may lead to excessive stimulation and the improvement seen in hospital reflects a reduction in stimulation. Two studies were undertaken. (1) Carers were asked to agree to randomisation of their infants to hospital or home management. Those at home were advised to reduce stimulation. A 10 point questionnaire was used to describe distress in mothers of subjects and age matched controls. (2) A randomised controlled study compared advice to reduce stimulation with an empathic interview using a +5 to -5 scale to chart change. In the first study too few subjects agreed to randomisation and thus a rigorous study to validate the observation could not proceed. There was good evidence, however, that crying improved. Results from the home group justified the second study. The median distress score for subjects was 7/10 and for controls 3/10 (p less than 0.001). In the second study at seven days, 18/22 subjects given advice scored +2 or better on the change chart for crying, compared with 7/20 of those who did not receive advice (p less than 0.01). After the latter received advice 79% improved (95% confidence interval 61 to 97%). For babies under 12 weeks, the customary upper limit for a diagnosis of colic, 14/15 subjects advised improved compared with 6/12 who were not advised (p less than 0.02). These studies have shown that infants with troublesome crying admitted to hospital seem to improve quickly as do those whose carers are advised to reduce stimulation.     

Oligoclonal immunoglobulins in HIV infection

We tested 150 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for the presence of oligoclonal bands in serum, prompted by reports that these abnormal proteins may have prognostic significance. Sixty HIV-negative individuals from "at-risk" groups were tested along with 80 HIV-negative, healthy blood donors for the presence of these bands. All sera were tested by isoelectric focusing, because it is more sensitive for this purpose than more-conventional electrophoretic techniques. In the HIV-positive group, 61% of the sera had oligoclonal bands; in the HIV-negative "at-risk" group, 36% had bands. No bands were detectable in sera from the healthy blood-donor group. Some patients were also followed for differing periods throughout their infection, and changes in their oligoclonal banding patterns could not be correlated with disease progression. The fact that oligoclonal bands were found to be present without HIV infection in a substantial number of individuals from within the "at-risk" groups leads us to conclude that the presence of oligoclonal bands in HIV infection is of limited prognostic significance.