Variant progesterone receptor mRNAs are co-expressed with the wild-type progesterone receptor mRNA in human endometrium during all phases of the menstrual cycle.

Progesterone receptor (PR) variant mRNAs in human endometrium could encode proteins with the potential to alter progesterone action in states of normal and abnormal endometrial development. We have assessed the expression levels of mRNA for the wild-type PR and splice variants of PR mRNA lacking exon 4 (del-4 PR), exon 6 (del-6 PR), exons 4 and 6 (del-4&6 PR), and part of exon 4 (del-p4 PR) or part of exon 6 (del-p6 PR) in the human endometrium throughout menstrual cycle development. Eighty-eight endometrial specimens (47 proliferative, 41 secretory) were collected from patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynaecologic causes. Measurements by RT-PCR indicated that mRNAs for wild-type PR, and splice variants del-4 PR, del-6 PR, del-4&6 PR, del-p6 PR, and a novel del-p4 PR were detected in all endometrial specimens throughout the menstrual cycle. Higher levels of wild-type PR and all PR variant mRNAs were found in the early and mid-proliferative endometrial phases than in secretory endometrium. The relative expression of mRNA for all PR variants compared to wild-type PR mRNA, however, did not change through all stages of endometrial development. We, therefore, found no evidence of differential co-expression of the PR variants compared with wild-type PR during normal menstrual development. Future studies will determine if the expression profile of PR variant mRNAs will be different in the endometrium of patients with infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, or endometrial adenocarcinoma.

The phosphoprotein Op18/stathmin is differentially expressed in ovarian cancer.

To identify potential prognostic indicators of ovarian cancer and identify targets for therapeutic strategies, mRNA differential display was used to analyze gene expression differences in normal, benign, and cancerous ovarian tissue. One cDNA isolated by this technique, Op18/stathmin, is a highly conserved gene that is reported to have many different functions within a cell, including signal transduction, control of the cell cycle, and the regulation of microtubules. Quantitative Northern blot analysis of 12 malignant ovarian samples, 8 benign ovarian tumors, and 10 normal ovarian tissue samples demonstrated overexpression of Op18/stathmin mRNA in the malignant cancers. Immunohistochemistry showed an apparent overexpression of Op18/stathmin protein level and an association with proliferating cells.

Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis colonization of the gravid cervix.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to determine whether a Gram stain of cervical mucus can accurately rule out infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis and to compare a diagnostic test that is based on the polymerase chain reaction with a deoxyribonucleic acid probe in the detection of these organisms. STUDY DESIGN: Gravid patients were screened for N gonorrhoeae and C trachomatis with a deoxyribonucleic acid probe, Gram stain, and analysis with the polymerase chain reaction. A normal, noninfected sample was defined by <10 polymorphonuclear leukocytes per high-power field on the Gram stain. Standard statistical methods were used to compare results of the Gram stain and the deoxyribonucleic acid probe, as well as to compare results of deoxyribonucleic acid probe hybridization and polymerase chain reaction analysis. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Patient enrollment totaled 519. The prevalence of infection as determined by deoxyribonucleic acid probe hybridization was 1.4% for N gonorrhoeae (7/518) and 6.8% for C trachomatis (35/518). The cervical Gram stain predicted the absence of infection in 17% (90/518) of patients, with a negative predictive value of 99% for N gonorrhoeae and 97% for C trachomatis. African American race, age <20 years, and unmarried status were all predictors of the presence of C trachomatis or N gonorrhoeae cervicitis. For the patients who lacked these risk factors (n = 74), the Gram stain had 100% negative predictive value. Analysis with the polymerase chain reaction detected 8 additional patients with C trachomatis and 105 additional patients with N gonorrhoeae, in comparison with deoxyribonucleic acid probe hybridization. CONCLUSION: The cervical Gram stain can accurately predict the absence of N gonorrhoeae and C trachomatis in gravid women. Analysis with the polymerase chain reaction indicates that N gonorrhoeae and C trachomatis are significantly more prevalent in this population than previously reported.

Human papillomavirus DNA in LEEP plume.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) plumes. METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients with colposcopic and cytologic evidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were tested. Smoke plumes were collected through a filter placed in the suction tubing. DNA was harvested by proteinase K digest of the filters and prepared for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by L1 consensus primers. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (80%) tissue samples were positive for HPV, with types 6/11 in 4, 16/18 in 19, 31/33/35 in 2, and other types in 6 patients. The tissue sample was inadequate for typing in 8 patients. HPV DNA was detected in 18 (37%) filters. CONCLUSIONS: Although the consequences of HPV in LEEP plume are unknown, it would be prudent to adopt stringent control procedures.