Cervical cancer: incidence and survival in migrants within Spain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--This study examined the incidence of cervical cancer and survival rates according to migrant experience of women from different regions of Spain to Girona, Catalonia (Spain). DESIGN--Using data from the population based cancer registry of Girona for the period 1980-89, crude and age adjusted incidence rates were calculated for local-born and first generation migrants from other Spanish regions. The age standardised rate ratio (SRR) was calculated and Cox's regression model was used to adjust survival according to migrant status for age and stage at diagnosis. MAIN RESULTS--The incidence of cervical cancer was significantly higher in first generation Spanish migrants compared with locally born women (SRR: 2.02; 95% CI 1.40:2.92). The stage at diagnosis was more advanced among migrants. Survival probability was significantly associated with stage at diagnosis, but age and region of birth were not. CONCLUSIONS--Migrants from the southern Spanish regions show a twofold excess in the incidence of cervical cancer compared with the Girona-born female population. Cases of cervical cancer in migrants are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and as a consequence have a poorer prognosis.     

Progressive bulbar palsy: a case report diagnosed by lingual symptoms

The aim of this report is to show a case of Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP), diagnosed by oral medicine specialists, from oral symptoms of the disease. We have found no more than two published cases of PBP diagnosed by lingual alterations. We have followed the patient for almost four years, which is remarkable considering that the normal survival period for these patients is up to three years. We would like to emphasize the role of general dentists in the diagnosis of systemic conditions based on an oral examination that should include the oro-facial muscles.     

Noninvasive measurement of systemic vascular resistance using Doppler echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is an integral therapeutic component of patients with heart failure and shock. We hypothesized that the ratio of the peak mitral regurgitant velocity (MRV) (m/s) to left ventricular outflow time-velocity integral (TVI(LVOT)) (cm) by Doppler would provide a noninvasive correlate of SVR. METHODS: SVR was correlated to MRV/TVI(LVOT) in 33 patients undergoing right heart catheterization. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to determine the best-balanced sensitivity and specificity to identify SVR > 14 Wood units (WU) and <10 WU. RESULTS: MRV/TVI(LVOT) correlated well with SVR (r = 0.842, 95% confidence interval 0.7-0.92, P <.001, Y = 0.459 + 49.397*X). By receiver operating characteristics, MRV/TVI(LVOT) > 0.27 had a 70% sensitivity and a 77% specificity to identify SVR > 14 WU. MRV/TVI(LVOT) < 0.2 had a 92% sensitivity and a 88% specificity to identify SVR < 10 WU. CONCLUSION: Doppler echocardiography provides a reliable noninvasive assessment of SVR.     

El cultivo celular en la investigación básica del cáncer de mama

Resumen La técnica del cultivo celular es la que ha permitido conocer el comportamientoin vitro de las células cancerosas. En esta revisión pretendemos introducir las peculiaridades básicas del cultivo celular, referido especialmente a líneas cancerosas mamarias, relacionar el origen de las líneas celulares más utilizadas en la investigación de este cáncer, mencionar las técnicas de laboratorio que pueden aplicarse sobre estos cultivos y ejemplificar la utilidad de las mismas, tomando como modelo diversos trabajos que estudian los efectos del factor de crecimiento epidérmico sobre líneas celulares hormonoindependientes de cáncer de mama.      

Detection of double-stranded RNA by ELISA and dot immunobinding assay using an antiserum to synthetic polynucleotides

An antiserum against polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (In-Cn) was used to detect double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) by several serological techniques. DsRNA was readily detected by indirect ELISA (ELISA-I) and dot immunobinding assay (DIA). Addition of the antigen to poly-L-lysine-precoated plates and blocking with uncreamed milk powder allowed detection levels of 100 pg.ml-1 In-Cn by ELISA-I. Concentrations as low as 1 ng.ml-1 were detected by DIA using polyvinyliden difluoride (PVDF) membranes. Detection capacity with nitrocellulose membranes was 1000 times lower than with PVDF. ELISA-I and DIA enabled detection of dsRNA in enriched fractions from cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)- and citrus tristeza virus (CTV)-infected plants and from virus-infected Penicillium chrysogenum mycelium. These techniques showed similar or higher sensitivity for detection of dsRNA than separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining.