The seventh meeting and exchange programme of European Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in training (13-15 November, 1997, in Athens).

The European Network of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ENTOG) is a newly founded organisation which is closely associated with the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The main objectives of ENTOG are: (i) to provide a forum for trainees to discuss and express their opinions on issues in Obstetric/Gynaecology (Ob/Gyn) training; (ii) to establish a continuous means of communication between European trainees; (iii) to promote high standards of training and thus improve the quality of medical care. To reach these objectives, ENTOG organizes a yearly exchange programme and educational meeting for trainees. Recently, a meeting was held in Greece with harmonization of training programmes in Ob/Gyn serving as a main topic.

Glutathione S-transferase pi is expressed in (pre) neoplastic lesions of the human uterine cervix irrespective of their degree of severity.

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferase pi (GST pi) is involved in a variety of cell detoxification processes. In the uterine cervix its presence has been associated with high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), but the reports are conflicting. For this reason we immunohistochemically investigated glutathione S-transferase pi expression in a well documented sequence leading to cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The series of tissue samples that were examined comprised normal, metaplastic, dysplastic (CIN 1, 11 and 111) and malignant cervix. GST pi expression was examined in 15 cases of uterine cervix lined with normal epithelia, in 11 cases of CIN 1, 9 cases of CIN 11, 10 cases of CIN 111, 6-cases of squamous cell cervical carcinomas and 5 cases of adenocarcinoma of the cervix. RESULTS: Both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining reactions were noted. In normal ectocervical epithelia a moderately strong nuclear and cytoplasmic staining reaction was noted, while in immature squamous metaplasia staining was more intense. Only 50% of the endocervical cells were immunostained while almost 100% of the reserve cells stained weakly, mainly restricted to the cytoplasm. Irrespective of severity, CIN lesions showed a moderate staining intensity in both cytoplasm and nuclei. Cervical carcinoma, irrespective of their type, showed significantly less staining activity. CONCLUSIONS: GST pi occurs in normal cervical epithelium and in all stages of premalignant cervix, suggesting an important role in the detoxification process in all these stages. Its ubiquitous presence indicates, in contrast to the earlier reports, that the enzyme does not play a crucial role in the initiation of the carcinogenic cascade. However, the absence of this detoxificating enzyme in the nucleus of the majority of cervical carcinomas may indicate that xenobiotic compounds are not catabolized and may therefore exert their mutagenic activity, resulting in tumor progression.

Haemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-K antibodies.

We describe a case of intrauterine foetal death at 32 weeks gestation with signs of hydrops foetalis without erythroblastosis. The hydrops foetalis appeared to be caused by blood group incompatibility. Irregular antibodies of anti-K specificity were found in the serum of the mother, while the father was positive for the K-antigen. The antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) test with serum of the mother was positive. This case shows the characteristics of haemolytic disease of the newborn by anti-K. Moreover, it underlines the necessity of both adequate follow-up of individual cases, and screening for irregular antibodies in all pregnancies as well as central registration of screening results.