Selective reduction of human tumor cell populations by human granulocytes in vitro.

Human peripheral blood granulocytes at a 10:1 effector cell:target cell ratio were shown by an in vitro semiquantitative staining procedure to reduce the number of human tumor cells, but not that of normal cells. Microscopic observations revealed that this selective reduction of tumor cells by granulocytes was a function of both detachment and cytolysis. The cytotoxic effect of granulocytes on the tumor cells was confirmed by a quantitative 5-[125I]iodo-2-deoxyuridine release assay. The data indicate that human granulocytes at a relatively low effector:target cell ratio (10:1) have the capacity to recognize and destroy human tumor cells in vitro.

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in pregnant women.

A pregnant woman experiences selective immunosuppression as a physiologic response to the presence of a genetically heterologous fetus. Case reports early in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic suggested that adverse human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related clinical outcomes might be causally associated with pregnancy. A review of relevant published data indicates that: (1) Adverse clinical outcomes of pregnancy are common among HIV-infected pregnant women, but no studies to date have fully disentangled the many confounding factors. (2) HIV-related complications are common in pregnancy only among immunosuppressed (< 300 CD4+ cells/mm3) women. (3) The distinct effect of pregnancy on the expression of HIV infection cannot be evaluated in the absence of appropriately controlled observations. (4) Cofactors for perinatal transmission are poorly understood. (5) Research into the motives for reproductive decisions and behaviors is of critical importance for improving our health education and outreach efforts for high-risk women. (6) Adequate clinical treatment and prophylactic health care services must be made easily accessible and available to women at high risk of HIV disease. (7) Treatment with available antiviral and anti-Pneumocystis drugs is advisable for HIV-infected pregnant women with fewer than 300 to 350 CD4+ cells/mm3, though data to definitively guide therapeutic decision making are not available. (8) Large multicenter studies are needed to recruit patients and to retain them in sufficient numbers, allowing for better evaluation of the many variables determining clinical outcomes for HIV-infected mothers and their infants. The natural history of HIV in pregnant women must be studied to facilitate clinical decision making, and to design and implement interventions, including prevention (behavior change, vaccines) and treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy).

Reproductive hormone responses to resistance exercise.

To investigate if changes in circulating testosterone levels during isokinetic resistance exercise in women were similar to those during intense aerobic exercise and to examine concomitant changes in hemoconcentration, specific binding protein (sex hormone binding globulin-binding capacity), non-sex hormone binding globulin bound testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, cortisol, and lactate, blood samples were obtained through an indwelling cannula at 30 and 15 min before exercise, after each of six exercises on upper and lower body muscle groups, and at 15 and 30 min after exercise in seven normal menstruating women. Investigations lasting approximately 60 min were performed in the early follicular phase beginning at 3.30 p.m. after two months of training with isokinetic ("Nautilus") equipment. Baseline testosterone and non-sex hormone binding globulin bound testosterone levels were significantly higher in subjects than in a control group. Increased total and non-sex hormone binding globulin bound testosterone was observed immediately prior to exercise with further increases late in exercise, then with proportional increases in cortisol and lactic acid. Sex hormone binding globulin-binding capacity increased before exercise. The testosterone increments exceeded hemoconcentration. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels increased during exercise. The data suggest that origins of the exercise-associated testosterone increment are complex, resulting from hemoconcentration and specific gonadal and adrenal responses.

Genital human papillomavirus infection in women.

OBJECTIVE: To enhance nurse clinicians' knowledge of genital human papillomavirus infection in women. DATA SOURCES: Several literature searches using the following terms, dating back to 1986: human papillomavirus (HPV), females, human, cervical neoplasia, risk factors, condylomata acuminata, detection, epidemiology, pathology, psychology, Papanicolaou test, immunosuppression, HIV infection, and AIDS. STUDY SELECTIONS: Forty-three formal research studies regarding the association of various types of HPV infection with cervical intraepithelial lesions, the putative precursor lesions for cervical neoplasia; the outcomes of diagnostic techniques for HPV types; the outcomes of diagnostic/screening techniques for abnormal cervical cells; the association of risk factors for acquiring HPV infection; or the outcomes of therapy. Some additional references were chosen for their presentation of epidemiologic or surveillance data, others for their scientific discussions on related topics. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were abstracted according to summary measures of the parameter of interest in the sample studied. In most instances, it was the prevalence of HPV, cervical neoplasia, or frequency of use of screening tests. DATA SYNTHESIS: Immunosuppressed clients are at particular risk for HPV-mediated cervical neoplasia. CONCLUSION: Because Papanicolaou tests are an effective screening tool, cervical cancer is easily detectable. The nurse may facilitate treatment. This is an especially important issue for young women, among whom sexual activity is growing--with attendant increases of HPV and HIV infection.

Kinetic analysis of cloning patterns by human marrow cells in leukemia.

In leukemia and preleukemic disorders the progeny of a single cell proliferate and ultimately come to occupy the hemopoietic system. In the process normal stem cells are suppressed and in time may become extinct. This implies that neoplastic clones have a biological advantage. In this paper evidence is presented that the cloning of granulocytic colony forming cells in the clonal hemopathies is influenced by cell products that regulate cloning of normal colony forming cells. We have attempted to develop an approach to the study of clone-clone interactions in order to determine at what level(s) the battle between clones is fought. Future studies on relative responsiveness might help in understanding the mechanisms by which normal hemopoiesis is suppressed during the evolution of leukemia and re-established during remission induction.