[Human papilloma virus (HPV) infections of the uterine cervix, vagina and vulva in women of childbearing age]. / Zakazenie wirusem ludzkiego brodawczaka (HPV) szyjki macicy, pochwy i sromu u kobiet w okresie prokreacji.

An analysis of the frequency of HPV infections and their clinical course within the uterine cervix, vagina and vulva with regard to the intraepithelial neoplasia in pregnant and non pregnant women was performed. The material consists of 484 women (181 pregnant and 303 non pregnant women). The evaluation of a clinical course of overt and subclinical HPV infection was carried out in 47 pregnant and 34 non pregnant women. In the group with CIN concomitant HPV infection concerned 71.4% of pregnant and 61.4 of non pregnant women. In the group without CIN in 4.8% was found subclinical form and in 2.0% latent form of HPV infection in pregnant and accordingly in 4.6% and 6.0% of non pregnant women. In pregnant women in comparison with non pregnant patients overt form of HPV infections was observed more frequently. Pregnancy seems to have no effect upon the frequency of HPV infections of the cervix, vagina and vulva. On the other hand it modifies the development and course of the infections.

Membrane-bound tumour necrosis factor alpha: immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies of human monocytes and monocytic cell line and its induction by tumour cells in vitro.

Monoclonal antibody against recombinant human tumour necrosis factor alpha (rTNF) was used for the immunochemical detection of TNF in human blood monocytes and monocytic cell line U 937. Cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) showed strong surface but not cytoplasmic staining. Unstimulated cells demonstrated weak or no staining. At early time after stimulation (1-2h) a spot reaction was seen in the Golgi area of the cytoplasm of stimulated cells. Coculture of tumour cells with monocytes also resulted in the induction of membrane TNF. Ultrastructural studies confirmed TNF localization within the cell membrane. These results indicate that TNF can be detected within the cells by immunocytochemistry which may make feasible studies on TNF appearance in cellular infiltrates in the tissues.

Immunolocalization of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in human salivary glands detected with the new monoclonal antibody.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is biologically active peptide commonly seen in many human tissues and organs. Its high concentration has been found in the salivary glands. The purpose of the present study was to determine EGF immunolocalization in normal human major salivary glands using a new monoclonal antibody anti-EGF. The results were compared with EGF location determined by using two human antibodies (Oncogene, USA and ICI from dr Gregory, UK). Immunohistochemical studies were performed by the PAP method. All antibodies demonstrated EGF expression in the efferent pathways of the salivary glands, especially in their proximal segments.