p16INK4a as an adjunct test in cervical cytology.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the correlation between cervical cytology, the expression of P16INK4a, and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 100 subjects with suspected pathological cervical lesions. Cervical smears were analyzed for malignancy and p16INK4a. Histological finding represented "the golden standard". RESULTS: Immunocytochemical analysis of protein p16INK4a expression on epithelial cells of cervical smear demonstrated increased p16lNK4a expression in 36.0% of subjects. There was statistically significant positive correlation (Spearman r = 0.70; p < 0.001) between the pathological findings and the intensity of p16INK4a protein expression inside the epithelial cells, as well as with the histological finding (Spearman r = 0.71; p < 0.001). The intensity of p16INK4a protein expression in cytology finding was significantly higher in HPV16 positive patients (Mann- Whitney test, p = 0.0065). CONCLUSION: Good correlation between the expression rate and the severity of lesions indicates that this test might improve the results of cytology and HPV screening, as well as the results of predicting the prognosis of the disorder of the cervix.

Assessment of sialic acid diversity in cancer- and non-cancer related CA125 antigen using sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins (Siglecs).

This study was aimed at obtaining insight into the diversity of sialic acids in cancer- and non-cancer-related CA125 antigen, tumour marker of serous ovarian cancer. Starting from available data suggesting the possible relevance of sialic acids for discriminating CA125 antigens of different origin, we have employed a new experimental approach based on the use of human sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins, Siglecs, as tools for the investigation of sialylation. Siglec-2, belonging to the group of evolutionarily conserved Siglecs, and Siglec-3, -6, -7, -9 and -10, which are CD33-like Siglecs, were probed in solid-phase binding assays with cancer-related CA125 antigens from pleural fluid of patients with ovarian carcinoma (pfCA125), the OVCAR-3 ovarian carcinoma cell line (clCA125) and a non-cancer-related CA125 antigen, i.e. pregnancy-associated pCA125 antigen. All Siglecs used showed detectable binding to pCA125 antigen. Siglec-3, Siglec-7 and Siglec-2 exhibited moderately stronger binding to pCA125 antigen than the others. In contrast to this, Siglec-2 and Siglec-3 preferentially recognized pfCA125 with greater total binding than for pCA125, whereas Siglec-9 and Siglec-10 were highly selective for clCA125. Siglecs promise to be powerful tools for discriminating CA125 of different origin and could propagate further research on other molecular markers of biomedical and diagnostic importance.

[Analysis of pictures of depressive patients from the point of view of mood and emotions]. / Bildanalyse depressiver Patienten im Blickfeld der Stimmung und des Gefühls.

The question to what extent pictures drawn by persons suffering from depression can provide clues as to the syndrome or the stage of the illness, has been since long an intensively discussed subject of research. The following article is providing some insight into the investigation of pictures drawn by depressive patients and stresses some research results. According to the statistical evaluation, the analysis of pictures, by means of an observational frame, shows significant correlations with the Hamilton Test.

[Meningitis in neonates]. / Meningitis kod novorodjene dece.

The article deals with retrospective analysis of a seven-year autopsic material from the Institute of Pathologic Anatomy in Pristina. The aim of this analysis was to define the frequency, morphology and predisposing factors of neonatal meningitis. A good knowledge of morphology and predisposing factors in necessary in order to detect the disease in time, and thus decrease its frequency and death.