Sex hormone binding globulin mRNA in human breast cancer: detection in cell lines and tumor samples.

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a high affinity binding protein for estrogens and androgens. SHBG has been found in breast tissue and cell lines through immunostaining. The goal of this series of experiments was to determine whether mRNA for SHBG is expressed in breast cancer cell lines and tumor tissue. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect SHBG and beta-2 microglobulin (control for tissue extractions). Three breast cancer cell lines, ZR-75-1, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 and 56 breast tissue samples were collected and analysed for SHBG mRNA expression. mRNA was successfully extracted from 30 of these breast tissue samples. SHBG mRNA was detected in ZR-75-1, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, and in 11 of the breast tissue samples. Two PCR products were routinely amplified from the breast cancer cell line RNA, one at approximately 500 bp and another at approximately 300 bp. The DNA sequence of the 300 bp PCR produce was consistent with alternate splicing of the SHBG mRNA, where exon 7 is deleted, and is accompanied by a point deletion at the beginning of exon 8. SHBG protein production from the three breast cancer cell lines was detected by immunoprecipitation using an affinity purified SHBG antibody. SHBG mRNA was found in 11 of 30 samples of breast tissue. Some samples expressed only the 500 bp or the 300 bp PCR product, whereas others expressed both PCR products. The presence of SHBG mRNA in these samples was not associated with either the presence or absence of steroid receptors. SHBG mRNA is thus expressed in breast cancer cell lines, and in some breast tissue samples.

Detection of human papillomavirus in cervical biopsies of summer camp ROTC cadets with abnormal papanicolaou smears.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections may be the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) among adolescents and young adults. A strong association exists for certain "high-risk" HPV-type cervical infections and subsequent evolution of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. The objective of this study was to detect HPV in cervical biopsies of reserve officer training corps (ROTC) cadets attending a regional summer camp who had abnormal screening Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and to better define the spectrum of HPV oncogenic risk types for this population. It was hypothesized that HPV would be detected in the majority of cervical biopsies in keeping with the evolving concept of cervical cancer and its precursors as an STD and the central role of HPV in its development. DESIGN: On arrival for summer military camp training, college women cadets underwent physical examinations that included pelvic examinations for Pap smears. Study participants completed confidential questionnaires after informed consent was obtained. Subjects, who had abnormal Pap smears as defined by reports of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low- or high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (LGSIL or HGSIL), underwent colposcopic evaluations with cervical biopsies. Subsequently, biopsies were processed for detection of HPV-specific DNA by gel electrophoresis, chemiluminescent oligonucleotide probing, and DNA-RNA hybridization methods after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. PARTICIPANTS: All female summer camp enrollees presented to the Madigan Army Medical Center Gynecology Clinic for complete physicals before the onset of the training program and were solicited for study inclusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All colposcopic biopsy specimens were evaluated for the presence of HPV DNA and subtyped if positive. RESULTS: Representing 42 states, 95% (332) of eligible subjects participated. Mean age was 21.9 years. Racial composition included 70% white, 16% black, 4% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 6% "other." Eighty-five percent had a history of hetero-sexual activity, with 17.7 years as the mean age at onset. Of the subjects, 12.6% reported a previous diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease, and 7.8% (26 of 332) had abnormal Pap smears. Of these, colposcopic biopsy results were available for 25 of the 26 abnormal Pap smears. Ninety-six percent (24 of 25) of the colpobiopsies had detectable HPV. Eighty-eight percent (22 of 25) of the subjects with abnormal Pap smears had concurrent abnormal biopsy results. All of these had detectable HPV, confirmed by three different methods, and 29% had dual HPV infection. Sixty percent had "intermediate" or "high-risk" types identified by specific genotyping, 8% had "low-risk" types, and 28% had nontypable HPV. CONCLUSIONS: The data confirm that abnormal Pap smears in this young adult college population are almost always associated with HPV infection, a significant proportion of it being other than low-risk types. The prognostic significance of type-specific cervical HPV infection still needs to be better defined in relation to potential cofactors and host immune response. However, clinicians who provide primary gynecologic care to adolescents and young adults should be aware of the high correlation between abnormal Pap smears and HPV cervical infection and should follow up the patient with the potential risk in mind.

Childhood onset of myxopapillary ependymomatosis: MR features.

We report a 12-year-old girl who at presentation had diffuse myxopapillary ependymomatosis of uncertain primary site. The MR appearance and mechanism of metastases of the tumor are discussed.

Kaposi's sarcoma of the foot in the HIV patient.

The authors present up-to-date information on AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Etiology, classifications, histopathology, evaluation, and treatment of the condition are discussed, with a clinical case study presented. The authors stress increased awareness by the podiatrist in the diagnosis and treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Pheochromocytoma.

The cytoplasmic granules in an adrenal pheochromocytoma were predominantly ovoid with loose-fitting limiting membranes and eccentrically positioned dense cores. The occurrence of similar granules in a recurrent tumor involving the organ of Zuckerkandl in a second patient suggests that the latter tumor should be designated an extraadrenal pheochromocytoma.

Bladder calculi enveloped by extensive cystitis glandularis: case report.

We report a case of 2 large calculi encased within a 15 gm. tumor of cystitis cystica and cystitis glandularis. The patient presented with acute right epididymitis. An excretory urogram showed 2 bladder calculi. Cystoscopy revealed a mass around the stones resembling adenocarcinoma of the bladder base. Transurethral resection of the tumor and cystolitholapaxy were performed. The final diagnosis was bladder calculi within a mass of cystitis cystica and cystitis glandularis. A review of the literature failed to reveal a similar case.

Hemodynamic measurements after administration of aprotinin and/or heparin during pancreatic cell autotransplantation in the dog, pig, and monkey.

Transient shock in the form of systemic hypotension and portal venous hypertension has accompanied the portal vein infusion of pancreatic mixed cell autografts in human and canine recipients. The use of aprotinin and/or heparin has been suggested as blocking agents for this vascular reaction. The supernatant from the collagenase-digested pancreatic cells contains the pancreatic shock factor (PSF). A total of 45 animals were studied: 15 mongrel dogs, 15 domestic pigs, and 15 Rhesus monkeys. Femoral artery pressure (FAP), portal venous pressure (PoVP), and cardiac output were recorded continuously. Each animal received 0.05 ml/kg of autologous PSF intravascularly. Each animal species was then divided into three study areas containing five animals with Study 1 receiving PSF plus increasing doses of aprotinin (2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 KIU/kg); Study 2, full heparinization and then PSF; and Study 3, full heparinization and then PSF plus aprotinin. The same vascular hemodynamic factors were measured. Aprotinin blocked the entire shock reaction in the pig (FAP and PoVP), only partially blocked the PoVP elevation in the dog, and blocked neither FAP nor PoVP changes in the monkey. Heparinization did not change the shock reaction in any animal species nor did it change the response to aprotinin blockade in any species. A species response variability exists between the dog, pig, and monkey when aprotinin is injected to block PSF obtained from the animal's own pancreas. If the primate and human responses to aprotinin blockade are similar, aprotinin and/or heparin should not prevent the transient shock associated with human pancreatic mixed cell autotransplantation.