Cigarette smoking and cervical dysplasia among non-Hispanic black women.

This is the first case-control study to determine whether smoking is associated with cervical dysplasia, after adjustment for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, among a group of non-Hispanic black women. Subjects were interviewed and asked questions about smoking and other risk factors for cervical cancer. HPV infection was determined by hybrid capture. Thirty-two women with histologically confirmed incident dysplasia and 113 control women with normal cytologic smears were enrolled; all women were HIV negative. Smoking was more strongly associated with dysplasia among women with high-grade lesions than among all case women combined. After adjustment, women with high-grade lesions were roughly four times more likely to be ever (odds ratio [OR]: 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76-18.4) or current (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 0.83-21.9) smokers, compared with control women. Larger studies among black women that control for HPV infection are needed to confirm these findings and to explore associations among black women with low-grade lesions.

Transfusion-related chronic liver disease in sickle cell anemia.

The medical records and liver biopsies of nine sickle cell patients with chronically elevated liver function tests were retrospectively reviewed to determine the etiology of chronic liver disease. There were eight women and one man with a mean age of 30 yr. All patients had hemoglobin SS. Eight patients were referred for elevated aminotransferases and one for an elevated alkaline phosphatase. Hemosiderosis was present in all of the biopsies. Two patients had cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis was noted in two patients, and five patients had cholestasis. Two patients had serologic markers demonstrating HBV exposure but no patients were HBsAg positive. Erythrophagocytosis, sinusoidal dilatation, and Kupffer cell hyperplasia were present in all of the liver biopsies. Transfusion-related causes were the most common significant pathologic findings in our patients, and appeared to be the etiologies of chronic liver disease in sickle cell patients.

Identification, purification, and biological characterization of hematopoietic stem cell factor from buffalo rat liver--conditioned medium.

We have identified a novel growth factor, stem cell factor (SCF), for primitive hematopoietic progenitors based on its activity on bone marrow cells derived from mice treated with 5-fluorouracil. The protein was isolated from the medium conditioned by Buffalo rat liver cells. It is heavily glycosylated, with both N-linked and O-linked carbohydrate. Amino acid sequence following removal of N-terminal pyroglutamate is presented. The protein has potent synergistic activities in semisolid bone marrow cultures in conjunction with colony-stimulating factors. It is also a growth factor for mast cells. In two companion papers, we present the sequences of partial SCF cDNAs, identify SCF as a c-kit ligand, and map the SCF gene to the Sl locus of the mouse.

Immunohistochemical analysis for desmin in normal and neoplastic ovarian stromal tissue.

Ovarian stroma contains cells with the ultrastructural features of smooth-muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to analyze normal ovaries, ovarian stromal tumors (fibroma/thecomata and granulosa cell tumors), and ovarian leiomyomata for desmin reactivity. Groups of ovarian stromal cells that expressed desmin were noted in six of six normal ovaries. Desmin was also detected in two of six fibroma/thecomata and two of two ovarian leiomyomata. The number of tumor cells with detectable desmin was much greater in the leiomyomata. Desmin was not detected in any of six granulosa cell tumors. We conclude that stromal cells with an immunohistochemical feature of smooth-muscle cells are routinely found in normal ovaries. This study demonstrates the usefulness of immunohistochemistry in corroborating the diagnosis of ovarian leiomyomata, although desmin positivity per se is not diagnostic of ovarian leiomyomata, and also raises the possibility that some ovarian leiomyomata may be derived from stromal cells.

Cardiolipin-fluorescent (M1) antimitochondrial antibody and cholestatic hepatitis in secondary syphilis.

A 27-year-old black male with secondary syphilis and cholestatic jaundice is presented. The liver biopsy was believed to be most consistent with large bile duct obstruction, but both the ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography were normal. Prior to treatment with penicillin, his serum was positive for antimitochondrial antibody. After treatment, the antibody was no longer detectable and the jaundice gradually resolved. The patient's pretreatment serum was, after further analysis, found to be positive for the antibody to the M1 antimitochondrial antigen subtype, which is identical to cardiolipin, the antigen in both the VDRL and Wasserman tests. A review of hepatic involvement in secondary syphilis is presented.

Intramedullary cysticercosis.

In 1976 a 28-year-old Ecuadoran male suffered paraparesis after a kick to his back. Iophendylate myelography was followed by thoracic laminectomy with incomplete resolution of the paraparesis. One year later, worsening of the paraparesis was managed by further thoracic laminectomy without improvement. In 1978 a spinal cord stimulator was implanted via low thoracic laminectomy as a measure to counter his spasticity. In 1984 metrizamide myelography and computed tomography scanning were performed for increasing spastic paraparesis that disclosed an intramedullary lesion at the T-4 level. Exploration and myelotomy revealed an intramedullary cysticercal cyst, which was totally removed.

Transnasal correction of choanal atresia.

A simple life-saving modification of the transnasal approach, which does not require endotracheal anesthesia or preoperative tracheostomy, is described. The use of polyethylene tubes, flanged at the distal end and split at the proximal end, is the most significant feature of this technique. In 14 of the 16 cases of choanal atresia presented, this was the definitive corrective procedure, and further revisions or a later transpalatal approach were not required. The advantages of this technique are that it is simple, it may be used in the first 24 hours of life or at any age, the patient may be released from the hospital in 1 to 2 weeks, and minimal postoperative care is required.

Partial deletion of long arm of chromosome 11: del (11) (q23).

The cytogenetic analysis of an infant with multiple congenital anomalies revealed a small deletion of the long arm of one No. 11 chromosome: 46,XX,del(11)(q23). The main clinical manifestations included: ocular colobomata, absent philtrum, severe congenital heart disease, contractures of the large joints and skin pigmentation. Both parents showed a normal chromosome constitution. In comparison to the previously reported cases of 11q-, the patient presented here had more severe congenital anomalies. The correlation of the size of the deletion, and the location of the break, with the physical findings is discussed.