CA-125 and carcinoembryonic antigen assay vs. cytodiagnostic experience in the classification of benign ovarian cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative strengths of two factors involved in making an accurate differentiation between functional and epithelial ovarian cysts, along with their combination: (1) the cytologist's level of experience in interpreting ovarian cytology, (2) the use of the tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA-125 in cyst fluid, and (3) a combination of (1) and (2). STUDY DESIGN: Papanicolaou-stained sediments from fluid aspirated from 31 resected ovarian cysts (6 functional and 25 epithelial) were blindly and independently evaluated by five pathologists with varying experience in ovarian cytology. Cyst fluid supernatant was used for CEA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and CA-125 radioimmunoassay; CEA levels > 5 ng/mL or CA-125 > 5,000 U/mL were considered elevated. Cysts were categorized cytologically and histologically as functional or epithelial and by tumor markers as "neither elevated" or "either or both elevated" (EBE). RESULTS: The agreement of histologic diagnosis with each pathologist's cytologic diagnosis ranged from 53% to 84% (53%, 71%, 83%, 82%, 84%), corresponding to increasing level of experience. The percentage of agreement with EBE was 77%, whereas combined experienced pathologist's diagnosis and EBE was 87%. Kappa equaled .45 for experienced cytopathologist's diagnosis or EBE alone. Kappa equaled .53 when the pathologist or EBE diagnosed an epithelial cyst, indicating results unlikely to occur by chance. CONCLUSION: The distinction of functional from epithelial ovarian cysts is best achieved by combining measurement of the tumor markers CEA and CA-125 with a high level of cytopathology experience.

A non-parallel implant overdenture.

The ability to properly restore a dental implant patient with a removable prosthesis becomes a greater challenge when the implants are not parallel. In this instance, after trying to bar splint with poor results, a free-standing implant overdenture was tried with excellent results. This article also introduces the technique of using a cast webbing positioner to allow attachment try-in before the final fabrication of an attachment-retained prosthesis.

Pharmacokinetics of butorphanol tartrate in rabbits.

The pharmacokinetic properties of butorphanol tartrate were determined in 7 rabbits after IV and SC injection (0.5 mg/kg of body weight). A 2-compartment model (biexponential) best represented the concentration vs time curve after IV injection. The half-life was calculated to be 1.64 hours via IV administration, whereas SC injection resulted in an elimination half-life of 3.16 hours.

Longevity and age-related pathology of LVG outbred golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

A colony of male Lakeview Golden (LVG) Syrian hamsters has been maintained for the last nine years as a source of various tissues for cellular aging studies. Observations on this colony also yielded data on survival time and physical and pathological manifestations of aging in this strain. Based on 150 spontaneous deaths, the median life span was found to be 19.5 months. The maximum life span was 36 months and the minimum 6 months. A cross-sectional pathological survey of sacrificed and spontaneously dying members of the population revealed a low rate of neoplasia and a variety of degenerative lesions that increased with age. These observations of a varied pathology and a low frequency of neoplasia provide justification for the continued development of the male LVG Syrian hamster as an animal model system for use in studies on the mechanism of both in vivo and in vitro aging.

An Entamoeba histolytica antigen devoid of enzymatic activity, but endowed with immunogenic and protective properties.

One of the most relevant features of Entamoeba histolytica extracts is their great enzymatic activity. The consequence of this peculiarity is that these extracts digest not only extrinsic proteins but also those within the parasite, causing instability during extract preparation which makes their characterization more difficult and hinders their use in immunoprophylaxis. This report presents evidence which indicates that treatment of E. histolytica extracts with a pH2 acid shock for 30 min at 37 degrees C irreversibly, as shown through its reactivity with polyclonal E. histolytica antisera and through its capacity to induce antibody formation and to protect against intrahepatic challenge with E. histolytica. Among the foremost activities in the field of immunoparasitology are the identification, isolation, purification and characterization of parasite antigens, particularly because of their potential use in immunoprophylaxis. Given the world wide distribution of amebiasis, particularly in undeveloped countries, various researchers have given special importance to the antigenic characterization of the causal agent, Entamoeba histolytica, and to its ability to induce protective immunity in several animal models. Initial studies demonstrated that the parasite produces a variety of proteolytic enzymes which play an important role in the immune response and pathogenesis of the infected host. Additionally, these enzymes cause autodegradation of the amebic extracts, their use in immunoprophylaxis, since proteins germane in inducing protection could be degraded. Even though enzymatic activity may be abolished through specific inhibitors, these are very toxic and therefore not adequate for biological material to be tried on humans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)