A novel approach for connecting temporal-ontologies with blood flow simulations.

In this paper an approach for developing a temporal domain ontology for biomedical simulations is introduced. The ideas are presented in the context of simulations of blood flow in aneurysms using the Lattice Boltzmann Method. The advantages in using ontologies are manyfold: On the one hand, ontologies having been proven to be able to provide medical special knowledge e.g., key parameters for simulations. On the other hand, based on a set of rules and the usage of a reasoner, a system for checking the plausibility as well as tracking the outcome of medical simulations can be constructed. Likewise, results of simulations including data derived from them can be stored and communicated in a way that can be understood by computers. Later on, this set of results can be analyzed. At the same time, the ontologies provide a way to exchange knowledge between researchers. Lastly, this approach can be seen as a black-box abstraction of the internals of the simulation for the biomedical researcher as well. This approach is able to provide the complete parameter sets for simulations, part of the corresponding results and part of their analysis as well as e.g., geometry and boundary conditions. These inputs can be transferred to different simulation methods for comparison. Variations on the provided parameters can be automatically used to drive these simulations. Using a rule base, unphysical inputs or outputs of the simulation can be detected and communicated to the physician in a suitable and familiar way. An example for an instantiation of the blood flow simulation ontology and exemplary rules for plausibility checking are given.

Utility and impact of early t(15;17) identification by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) in clinical decision making for patients in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL).

INTRODUCTION: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) is a curable malignancy with studies showing above 90% survival. However, population-based studies looking at survival suggest that approximately 30% of patients with APL die during induction. Early demonstration of t(15;17) will lead to accurate decision making regarding treatment. The aim of this project was to validate earlier time frames for the Abbott Molecular Vysis LSI promyelocytic leukemia (PML)/ retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe (ASR 6-16 h). METHODS: Twenty patients (15 APL cases and five non-APL cases) were selected for validating various hybridization times for the FISH probe. Expected normal signal pattern was two red and two green signals (2R2G), and the most common expected abnormal signal pattern was two fusion (yellow) signals, one red and one green (2F1R1G) and/or one fusion, one red and one green (1F1R1G). RESULTS: The specificity of the probe ranged from 84% at 2 h, 86% at 4 h, 84% at 6 h, and 87% for overnight hybridization. The sensitivity increased from 79% at 2 h, 80% at 4 h, 81% at 6 h to 87% for overnight hybridization. CONCLUSION: Based on the validation studies, we recommend reading of FISH results at the 4-h incubation mark for a preliminary diagnosis and confirmation with overnight hybridization.

[Analysis of menstrual cycle irregularities in adolescents]. / Analiza zaburzen miesiaczkowania u mlodocianych.

The analysis covered 1615 teenagers, patients of Child's & Adolescents Gynaecology Clinic in Lódz in the years 1980-1990. 338 of them had troubles in the menstrual cycle. Majority of them (55.6%) claimed about algomenorrhoea, 17.6% had oligomenorrhoea and 10.5% had hypermenorrhoea. The examined teenagers were normally developed both in respect of age and gender. Age of menarche is relatively a little lower in Lódz, i.e. 12.4 years of age.

[Coexistence of multifocal bowen disease of the vulva and cervix carcinoma]. / Wspólistnienie wieloogniskowej choroby Bowena sromu i raka szyjki macicy.

The authors described a case of a young woman with vulva carcinoma with features of multifocal pigmentary Bowen disease coexisting with atypical flat condylomas in the uterine cervix with focuses of carcinoma in situ. Both within the vulva and the uterine cervix there were histological features of carcinoma in situ, virological examination revealed the presence of virus HPV 16 genome. Sparing vulvectomy, the removal of pigmentary changes and electrocoagulation were performed. The authors discussed this rare case and presented therapeutic procedures.

Finite element simulation of skeletal muscular structures obtained from images of histological serial sections.

In this study, we present a method for the three-dimensional reconstruction of objects obtained from histological serial sections (exemplified by those of a pennate striated skeletal muscle) and its application to the finite element method. A hyperelastic material model is used for modeling biological soft tissue. The reconstruction process relies on the direct construction of a volumetric mesh using an octree approach which leads to a stable finite element method. Stability can be expressed in the spectral matrix condition number. To visualize stress patterns within the underlying anatomy the simulation results are projected onto images of the histological scenario.

[Pathomorphology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the cervix uteri and vulva]. / Patomorfologia zakazenia wirusem brodawczaka ludzkiego--human papilloma virus (HPV) szyjki macicy i sromu.

An infection with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is directly associated with the development of the cervical and vulvar carcinomas. The infection should be diagnosed and considered in the choice of therapy. Taking no account of HPV infection in histological pictures may lead to overdiagnosis of Ca"0" (CIS). HPV infection is possible to be recognized--in most cases--in cytological and histopathological studies. Cytological and histopathological studies are the basis for other examination methods. The authors, who have been dealing with HPV problem for 10 years, describe characteristic morphological features of the HPV infection based upon original material accompanied by microscopic documentation. The article describes: the types of condylomas, morphological properties of koilocyte and dyskeratocyte with consideration of electronmicroscopic studies, specific features of the infected epithelium, the notion of koilocytic atypia and atypical condylomas, diagnostic difficulties, differentiation with classic dysplasia, the presence of changes typical for Bowen's disease of the cervix and Bowenoid papulosis on the vulva. Morphological diagnosis of the HPV infection worse--in many cases--confirmed by virusologic studies determining the type of the virus in the tissue. It is the authors' opinion that koilocytic atypia is a special form of the intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN, VIN). They emphasize the contribution of the HPV infection to the prevention of cancer of the uterine cervix and vulva.

Enhanced serum prolactin concentration after metoclopramide stimulation in idiopathic oligozoospermia and azoospermia.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the hormonal pattern in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia and azoospermia. Material consisted of 13 sterile men, 21-34 years old (the mean - 27 years). Three of 13 patients had the third degree oligozoospermia, 3 - extreme oligozoospermia and 7 - azoospermia. The control group consisted of 11 healthy men who were found to have normozoospermia. In all patients and in control subjects the estimation of LH, FSH, prolactin (PRL), testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in basal conditions and also PRL determination at 15, 30, 60 min after stimulation with metoclopramide (MCP 10 mg i.v.) were performed by radioimmunoassay. The results indicate that men with idiopathic oligo- or azoospermia have significantly higher prolactin level in response to dopaminergic receptor blockade with metoclopramide and significantly lower serum testosterone and DHT concentrations.

Condylomata acuminata in children: frequent association with human papillomaviruses responsible for cutaneous warts.

To identify the papillomavirus types associated with condylomata acuminata in children and to evaluate their mode of transmission, we studied 32 children with anogenital warts. External condylomata were found in 12 of their mothers and in 10 of their fathers. Ten mothers, including two without external lesions, had cervical condylomata. Blot hybridization studies disclosed a genital human papillomavirus (HPV) in 14 of 27 children (HPV-6 in 12 and HPV-11 in two) and in 8 of 14 patients (HPV-6 in all). HPV-6 was found in another child by the polymerase chain reaction technique. Infection occurred most likely at birth or from nonsexual contact, but sexual abuse could not be excluded in one 11-year-old girl. Cutaneous HPV-2 was found in seven children and as yet uncharacterized papillomaviruses were found in two children. Three mothers of HPV-2-infected children had common hand warts, and two children had subungual warts. This study shows the frequent nonsexual transmission of genital papillomaviruses in children and the unexpectedly high association of children's condylomata with papillomaviruses responsible for skin warts, possibly transmitted by heteroinoculation or autoinoculation.

Bowenoid papulosis of the male and female genitalia: risk of cervical neoplasia.

Sixteen patients with bowenoid papulosis (eleven male patients with bowenoid papulosis of the penis and five female patients with bowenoid papulosis of the vulva) were studied clinically, histologically, and virologically and followed up from 12 months to 5 years. In eleven of sixteen cases of bowenoid papulosis, molecular hybridization disclosed the presence of human papillomavirus type 16. In four cases we found new, not fully characterized human papillomavirus, and in two cases, we found both human papillomavirus 16 and new human papillomavirus (double infection). The mean age of male patients was 33 years and of female patients, 31 years. The mean duration of the disease was 2.4 and 3.6 years, respectively. The lesions cleared or did not recur in eight of eleven male patients after repeated partial excisions and in two of five female patients after conservative surgery. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (severe dysplasia) was present in three of five female patients, and human papillomavirus infection of the cervix was present in five of six sexual partners of male patients available for examination. Thus bowenoid papulosis presents a high risk for cervical neoplasia both for female patients and for sexual partners of male patients.

Serum levels of soluble tumor-necrosis-factor receptors in patients with benign and malignant HPV-associated anogenital lesions.

The levels of type-I and type-II soluble TNF-alpha receptors (sTNF-Rs) were evaluated in sera from patients with various human-papillomavirus-(HPV)-associated benign and malignant anogenital lesions using specific enzyme-linked immunobiological assays. In patients with benign HPV6/11-associated condylomata acuminata, the levels of sTNF-RI were significantly increased, while sTNF-RII were in normal range. Both types of sTNF-Rs were in normal range in patients with benign HPV16-associated grade-I/II and grade-III cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia. However, their levels were significantly increased in patients with HPV16/18-associated squamous cervical cancer and anogenital Bowen's carcinoma. Sera from patients with condylomata acuminata and anogenital carcinomas displayed significantly increased TNF-alpha-inhibitory activity, as revealed by L929 cell-cytotoxicity assay. Increased serum TNF-alpha-inhibitory activity correlated with higher levels of sTNF-Rs. Furthermore, this inhibitory activity could be specifically abrogated by htr9 and utr1 monoclonal antibodies recognizing TNF-RI and TNF-RII respectively. Our results strongly suggest that serum sTNF-Rs may protect tumor cells from cytotoxic/cytostatic effects of locally released TNF-alpha, and that elevated levels of circulating sTNF-Rs may facilitate the growth of HPV-associated anogenital lesions.