Abnormalities of the RB1 pathway in ovarian serous papillary carcinoma as determined by overexpression of the p16(INK4A) protein.

Dysfunction of proteins involved in the G1 to S transition of the cell cycle, such as p16(INK4A) and RB1, is common in many cancer types. A screen of p16 protein expression was performed in benign, borderline, and invasive ovarian tumors, together with endometrial cancers, aligned on a tissue microarray. We observed frequent p16 overexpression in serous papillary carcinomas of ovarian and endometrial origin. An extended cohort of ovarian serous papillary carcinomas was examined to further evaluate the frequency of p16 overexpression. Strong, uniform staining in the majority of cancer cells occurred commonly in invasive serous papillary ovarian cancers, particularly in grade 3 carcinomas. RB1 protein expression abnormalities were rare. Our data indicate that abnormalities in the retinoblastoma pathway, as determined by p16 overexpression, are common in serous papillary carcinomas and are probably an early event.     

Avoidance learning in autoimmune mice

Previous studies have shown that autoimmune mice perform very poorly on active avoidance learning tasks. In the current studies, mice with lupus-like systemic autoimmunity were able to learn active, as well as passive, avoidance protocols with shock as reinforcement. Therefore, the behavioral deficits seen in active avoidance tasks are not a consequence of the use of electric shock. Rather, the current findings suggest that the inability of autoimmune mice to learn shock motivated responding is due to multiple performance factors, including shock level and properties of the testing apparatus.     

Familial incidence of bifid and double ureters

The incidence of a duplex urinary tract was determined in the parents and sibs of 30 index patients with either unilateral or bilateral bifid or double ureters. Our results support the hypothesis that a duplex urinary tract is inherited by an autosomal dominant gene of variable penetrance. Routine screening by limited intravenous pyelography of sibs of index patients is recommended in order to detect a duplex urinary tract before the onset of complications.     

Vaginal reconstruction in the fibrotic pelvis

Vaginal reconstruction was performed in 7 patients who had developed vaginal stenosis as a result of extensive pelvic fibrosis following either pelvic irradiation (6 patients) or multiple vaginal procedures (1 patient). Six patients received split thickness skin grafts and 1 patient received an amnion graft in the creation of the neovagina. Five patients achieved a satisfactory final result. All of these patients were sexually active and described adequate sexual function. There was no serious morbidity associated with these procedures. Safe and successful vaginal reconstruction can be performed in a patient with a fibrotic pelvis.     

A natural history of athleticism and cardiovascular health

Epidemiologic studies in Olympic year 1984 suggest that personal athleticism alters trends in life-style and coronary heart disease. Analysis of 572 first attacks among 16,936 Harvard alumni, 1962 to 1972, and 1,413 total deaths, 1962 to 1978, shows that habitual postcollege exercise, not student sports play, predicts low coronary heart disease risk. Sedentary alumni, even ex-varsity athletes, have high risk. Sedentary students becoming physically active alumni acquire low risk. Exercise benefit is independent of contrary life-style elements--smoking, obesity, weight gain, hypertension, and adverse parental disease history--in affecting coronary heart disease incidence. Hypertension is clinically the strongest predictor of coronary attack, but inadequate exercise is strongest on a community basis. Exercise level is inversely related to total, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality but less related to cancer or unnatural deaths. The current exercise revolution may improve life-style, cardiovascular health, and longevity.     

Screening for congenital colour vision defects

A prospective comparison between the Ohkuma¹ and Ishihara² pseudoisochromatic (PIC) plates was carried out in a group of 400 patients attending a general ophthalmology practice. The sensitivity of the Ohkuma test was compared to the Ishihara test, and the specificity of both was determined by reference to anomaloscopy as a gold standard.
Both tests correctly identified the same group of 24 patients as having a red/green confusion axis, and the Ohkuma test was equally as sensitive as the Ishihara. The grading plates in both tests are unreliable, but the Ohkuma test is quicker, easier to administer, gives less ambiguous responses and has a clearer cut-off score for abnormality. On the basis of this experience the Ohkuma test is recommended as more appropriate for routine colour vision screening than either the 24 or 38 plate Ishihara tests.