Cell surface coatings and membrane potentials of malignant and nonmalignant cells.

A positive surface potential indicating a cell coating is common to malignant cells, lymphocytes, and normal and malignant trophoblastic cells. This characteristic was not generally found for other normal cell types tested by microelectrode penetration.

Human hormone production in vitro.

A new in vitro hormone-synthesizing cell system, line BeWO, derived from human gestational choriocarcinoma, has been permanently established; a high degree of synthesis of functional hormone has been maintained for 18 months in tissue culture. Predominantly glycolytic metabolism, dependent on the level of glucose in the medium, has been observed. Many facets of placental and tumor-cell metabolism, growth, and differentiation are found in this unique multipotential cell.

Tumor antigen and human chorionic gonadotropin in CaSki cells: a new epidermoid cervical cancer cell line.

Epidermoid cervical carcinoma cells (CaSki line) have been established in continuous culture. When leukocytes from cervical cancer patients were incubated with CaSki culture fluid concentrates, inhibition of leukocyte migration was observed in more than 70 percent of the patients tested. By contrast, significantly less inhibition was observed with normal donor leukocytes or leukocytes from patients with other types of cancer. These results were consistent with the expression of tumor-associated antigen by CaSki cells. Analysis of the serum from the donor of the cell line at the time of tumor biopsy, and of CaSki culture fluids, demonstrated the presence of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin.

The paramedic abortionist.

PIP: Exception is taken to the reported safety of paramedical personnel using the ''super coil'' method for midtrimester abortion. In contrast to a report of no complications in 56 women undergoing midtrimester abortion performed by paramedics using this method, 9 of 15 women undergoing ''super coil'' abortions developed complications such as febrility, estimated blood loss of 500 ml or more, and other conditions requiring medical attention. Furthermore, 3 of these women had major complications defined as the need for unintended surgery, blood loss estimated at 1000 ml or more, 1 or more blood transfusions, or 3 days or more of fever. 1 of these patients suffered uterine laceration and cervical perforation which required total hysterectomy. Another developed endometritis with intrapelvic adhesions, and the 3rd had a fall in hematocrit levels from 36 to 24.5. It is concluded that the ''super coil'' method for inducing abortion is not appropriate for use by paramedical personnel.^ieng

Semiquantitative use of Biocept-G radioreceptorassay.

Serum samples (93 total) from 62 different patients were analyzed by quantitative radioimmunoassay (RIA) and by the Biocept-G radioreceptorassay (RRA) for detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The ratio of sample counts to reference control counts (S/R) was determined for each RRA. For the 44 serum samples having S/R ratios between 0.295 and 1.20 (corresponding to hCG levels of 4600 and 89 mIU/ml, respectively), there was good correlation between the S/R ratio by RRA and the serum level of hCG by RIA (correlation coefficient = -0.92). When serum samples were analyzed in as many as 4 different Biocept-G kits, the same S/R ratios were obtained. The S/R ratio reliably predicted the trend in serum hCG titer in 7 patients during treatment for gestational trophoblastic disease. The usefulness of the S/R ratio in obtaining semiquantitative results with the Biocept-G RRA is discussed.

Clinical diagnosis of vaginal adenosis.

PIP: The increased incidence of vaginal adenosis in young girls whose mot hers were given diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy has heightened the interest and clinical awareness of this teratogenic process. In these cases, exfoliative cytology is usually negative and Schiller's iodine test is imprecise. Examinations were made of 63 young women (12-23 years old) whose mothers had been given DES during the first trimester of pregnancy. 55 were asymptomatic, 6 had noticed a mucus vaginal discharge, 2 had complained of dyspareunia, and none had been pregnant. Cytology of 3 was atypical. In 24, the usual gynecological examination was reported as normal. In 7, a lesion suggesting adenosis had been observed. Visual examination of the cervix and vagina revealed 3 with atypical gross findings. A circular fold in the vaginal fornices partially covered the cervix in 9 cases. Cervical irregularity was observed in another 9 cases. Erythroplakia (reddish brown areas on the cervix or vagina) seen in 8 patients represented columnar epithelium inflammation, or neoplasia. Gross inspection did not determine the pathology. In 41 (71 percent) gross examination of the cervix and vagina failed to reveal any changes. By colposcopic examination columnar epithelium on the surface of the vagina was found in 24 cases (38 percent). After the acetic acid test, grapelike structures of columnar epithelium were visible. In 57 patients (91 percent), columnar epithelium was found in the vaginal wall; these were classified as vaginal adenosis. In 6 patients, the columnar epithelium was seen only on the periphery of the cervix. The incidence of vaginal adenosis seems to correlate directly with methods of detection as most cases are asymptomatic. The diagnosis is difficult to establish by conventional clinical methods. Colposcopic examination was an accurate method, particularly in cases which were not apparent by other methods. Biopsies may be needed also.^ieng

Effect of Crude and Purified hCG on Lymphocyte Blastogenesis.

Crude APL hCG completely inhibited blastogenesis induced by phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, or concanavalin A in normal lymphocytes and lymphocytes obtained from cancer patients. Phenol in quantities comparable to its concentration in commercial lyophilized APL hCG also completely inhibited all three mitogenic responses. By contrast, similar doses of highly purified hCG had no inhibitory effect; higher concentrations produced only slight inhibition. Beta-hCG had a partial (less than 50%) inhibitory effect that was dose-independent and nonreproducible.

Turner's syndrome with endometrial adenocarcinoma and stilbestrol therapy.

PIP: A 26-year-old white nulliparous woman, karyotype 45X-O, had consulted her physician at age 17 with primary amenorrhea, short stature, and sexual infantilism; she had been diagnosed as having Turner's syndrome. Diethylstilbestrol (DES), 1 mg/day for 28 consecutive days every 35 days, had been prescribed and taken. After 9 years, she developed endometrial adenocarcinoma. The DES was discontinued and progesterone was prescribed in an attempt to reverse the neoplastic process. When, after 4 months, the tumor was not responsive to progesterone, a hysterectomy was performed. Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium in patients with Turner's syndrome has been recorded in 4 patients previously, all of whom had received DES orally; this case is unusual because of the young age of the patient and the unresponsiveness of the tumor to progesterone therapy. The use of DES in patients with Turner's syndrome should be challenged; cyclic estrogen with cyclic progesterone supplementation is recommended instead.^ieng

Clinical delineation of trisomy 9 syndrome.

A rare but typical case of trisomy 9 mosaicism is reported. The infant showed the characteristic phenotype of this syndrome: low-set malformed ears, micrognathia, broad nose with bulbous tip, abnormal brain, congenital heart disease, abnormal hands and feet, cryptorchidism, micropenis, and early death. This infant, however, did not have dislocation of joints or microcephaly; the head was larger than normal and had almost a cloverleaf shape.