Human papillomavirus testing as an adjunct to cytology evaluation in cervical specimens of selected and consecutively screened Lebanese women: a prospective clinical study

Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer in women worldwide, with 85-100% of cervical cancers being HPV DNA positive. Our study aimed at evaluating the use of HPV DNA testing as an adjunct to the routine cervical cytology evaluation of Lebanese women. Cervical cytology evaluation and testing for human papillomavirus [HPV], as well as high-risk HPV were performed on two groups of women. One group consisted of 274 healthy women attending gynecology clinics for routine evaluation, while the other included 199 women selected based on a high-risk lifestyle and/or abnormal findings at cytology. HPV and HR-HPV DNA were 4 and 10 times higher, and HPV was 4 to 5 times more frequent at all age groups in selected, compared to healthy women. HPV infection decreased in healthy women with age but did not decrease in selected women. HPV positive-normal cytology decreased with age in both groups. Although HR-HPV detection decreased with age in healthy women, it doubled in selected women. In addition, more severe cytology was associated almost uniquely with selected women. HR-HPV detection and advanced cytology lesions correlated well and were mutually predictive. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of HPV testing for squamous intraepithelial lesions were [85.5%], [90.95], [67.8%] and 96.5%, respectively. Based on these findings, we recommend implementing HPV screening as an adjunct to routine cervical cytology in selected Lebanese women older than 30 years of age

Management of hemorrhoids by rubber band ligation

This study discusses the management of hemorrhoids by rubber band ligation. It reviews 233 rubber band ligation procedures in 148 patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids performed over a 5 year period. 72% of the patients underwent a single rubber band ligation, 22% a double band ligation and 6% a triple band ligation in one session without anesthesia. A follow up of 18 +/- 5 months was carried out. Only three patients required hospitalization for complications. One patient was admitted for bleeding and recovered with clot evacuation, bed rest and blood transfusion. Two patients developed a band related abscess that resolved with drainage. Twenty patients [13.5%] reported pain associated with the procedure. Four patients needed subsequent surgical hemorrhoidectomy. Long term results were good in 81.2% of the patients. This report agrees with previously published series showing the efficacy and cost containment of hemorrhoidal ligation

Modulation of some human mononuclear cells activities by procaine

The in vitro effects of a local anesthetic, a membrane active drug, procaine, on some functional activities of circulating human lymphocytes and monocytes were studied. Procaine inhibited spontaneous E-rosette formation between T-lymphocytes and sheep erythrocytes and EAC-rosettes with B-lymphocytes. In addition, procaine inhibited both the phagocytosis of latex particles by normal monocytes and the proliferation of lymphocytes in an allogeneic mixed leukocyte culture. Morphologically the procaine-treated cells exhibited a relative increase in the size of the cytoplasmic rim around their nuclei. The results indicated that procaine might be considered as a non-specific immunoregulator, modulating to some extent the functional expression of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells activities