Study on the zona pellucida 4 (ZP4) gene sequence and its expression in the ovaries of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder of unknown pathology, involving reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. Oocyte-specific genes are a group of genes expressed exclusively in ovarian tissue; therefore, they can play an important role in ovarian pathologies such as PCOS. The zona pellucida 4 (ZP4) gene encodes glycoprotein which is a part of the extracellular matrix of oocyte. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 87 patients with PCOS, which were divided into four groups depending on their phenotype. In each patient, we performed profound clinical and biochemical analysis, including the measurement of serum androgens. The ovarian tissue samples were used to perform a real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining using anti-ZP4 monoclonal antibodies. The ZP4 gene was sequenced from peripheral lymphocytes. RESULTS: The expression of ZP4 was present in early antral follicles and was stronger in mature follicles. The subgroup of patients with eumenorrhea and without hyperandrogenism presented the highest expression of ZP4 in ovarian tissue. In one case, we found a mutation of the ZP4 gene. No correlations were found between the ZP4 expression level and biochemical or clinical indices. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this and animal studies suggest a possible relationship between androgens and ZP4 expression. ZP4 expression is highest among patients with PCOS and a regular cycle, and this is a consequence of the presence of mature follicles in this group. In some patients with PCOS and infertility, ZP4 mutation can be found.

The prevalence of leptotrichia amnionii in cervical swabs of HPV positive and negative women.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Leptotrichia amnionii in cervical swabs of women and its possible correlation with HPV infection and the stage of cervical cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 139 cervical swabs from healthy women with normal cytology, with dysplastic changes and with cervical cancer were tested for the presence of L.amnionii and high-risk HPV DNA by PCR methods. RESULTS: L. amnionii was found in normal vaginal flora and in women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), which suggests that it may be oportunistic pathogen. L. amnionii infection was diagnosed in 13.7% (19/139). Statistical analysis showed that there was positive association (p < 0.01) between the presence of L.amnionii in women with cervical cancer (38.5%) and its presence in women without cancer (11.1%). On the other hand, there was no statistically significant association between L.amnionii and HPV infections. CONCLUSION: The data presented in this study show for the first time the prevalence of L. amnionii infection in cervical specimens collected from 2004-2006 in Poznan and Lublin, Poland, and its association with HPV infection and the stage of carcinogenesis of the cervix.

The level of antibody against E6 HPV 16 oncoprotein in blood sera of women with chronic HPV 16 infection and cervical cancer.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to estimate of the role of chronic HPV 16 infection and the presence of anti E6 HPV 16 in the initiation of the cancerogenesis process of cervical cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included two groups of patients. The first group comprised 323 women observed for three consecutive years (1998-2000), in whom the presence of HPV 16 viruses was estimated by PCR, and the level of anti E6 HPV 16 antibodies was estimated in the plasma with ELISA. A similar test was performed in a group of 46 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), 91 patients with invasive cervical cancer and 22 women after hysterectomy and RTG-therapy. RESULTS: In 32 patients, chronic HPV 16 infection showed a steady rise in the mean absorbance level of anti E6 HPV 16 antibodies from 0.04 in 1998 to 0.06 in 2000, while in HPV-negative women the mean absorbance value was 0.03-0.04. Mean absorbance value in patients with CIN III and invasive cancer rose with advancing stage of the cancer process and lowered after completion of oncological treatment. The values were 0.14, 0.33 and 0.13, respectively. CONCLUSION: The persistence of chronic HPV 16 infection and accompanying steady rise in absorbance index caused by an increase in the level of antiviral antibodies are a clear warning signal preceding in time the histological process of cancerogenesis.

Factor VIII test in reference preparations: compensation for different dilutions.

An approach is described that aims to prevent the problems associated with factor VIII (FVIII) assays. This approach takes a number of factors into consideration: 2 different assay types are currently being performed (clotting and chromogenic), different standards coexist (for plasma and for concentrates) and not only are reference standards being diluted for test purposes, but likewise plasmas are diluted by adding reference standards which are significantly less concentrated than commercial concentrates. Moreover, artificially FVIII-depleted plasmas are diluted as compared to normal or haemophilic plasma with respect to non-FVIII proteins as well. Taken together, these observations have led us to re-examine FVIII assays and to establish an algorithm for FVIII measurements with plasma as the natural reference.

Age of first use of cigarettes among rural and small town elementary school children in Illinois.

This study determined age of first use of cigarettes among rural and small town elementary school students. Data were collected from 1,950 elementary school students, grades kindergarten through sixth, attending seven different schools in southern Illinois. Bivariate odds ratios and multivariate logistic regression procedures identified risk factors of cigarette use among this elementary school population. A Duncan multiple-range test revealed no significant difference in cigarette use between grades kindergarten through fifth (average percentage of use for those grades was 4.7%), but use increased significantly to 17.4% in the sixth grade. Predictor variables with the greatest odds ratios were having tried alcohol (OR = 8), having tried chewing tobacco or snuff (OR = 4.4), and being in the sixth grade (OR = 2.2). Healthy People 2010 draft objectives emphasize prevention and reduction of tobacco use among youth. To be effective, tobacco prevention programs must begin in the elementary school years.

Cavitating pneumonia caused by Corynebacterium group JK.

Corynebacterium group JK organisms were isolated from lung fluid aspirated with a fine needle from one of four thick-walled cavitary lesions in a 72-year-old female. Cultures and stains for mycobacteria and fungi were negative. The patient was successfully treated with an 8-week course of vancomycin.

Plasmodium berghei sporozoite invasion is blocked in vitro by sporozoite-immobilizing antibodies.

A monoclonal antibody directed against the circumsporozoite protein on the surface of Plasmodium berghei sporozoites inhibited sporozoite motility in vitro. These immobilized sporozoites could adhere to but not invade target cultured cells. Other sporozoite-immobilizing agents also inhibited sporozoite invasion into cultured cells and did not prevent sporozoite adherence. These results indicate that sporozoite invasiveness is associated with sporozoite motility. Thus, the immobilizing effect of this antibody could explain its functional activity against sporozoite invasion in vivo.