Occurrence of human papillomavirus infection in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. A retrospective histopathological study of 317 cases treated by laser conization

The aim of the study was to compare the histological outcome of the cone specimens with the diagnoses of the preoperative biopsies, to assess the distribution of histological features consistent with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and, finally, to analyse the impact of cellular HPV features on classification of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The study comprised a population of 317 women treated for CIN by laser conization during the period 1983-85. A total of 634 cervical specimens (317 preoperative biopsies and their corresponding cones) were studied retrospectively for CIN classification and examined for morphological signs of HPV infection. For presentation of the results, we used a modified terminology for CIN. Low-grade (LG) CIN included borderline lesions and CIN I, while high-grade (HG) CIN included CIN II and CIN III. The blinded histopathological review revealed HG CIN both in the preoperative biopsies and the cones in 71% of the cases. LG CIN or benign lesions were found in the preoperative biopsies and their corresponding cone specimens in 6% of the study population. HPV features were present in 65% of the preoperative biopsies, and were most prevalent in women under 29 years of age (p < 0.001). Thirteen percent of the total biopsy material was downgraded. The downgrading was most prevalent among original CIN II (p = 0.009) and HPV-negative biopsies (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that CIN lesions are frequently associated with HPV features, which are significantly more prevalent in the youngest women. Concomitant HPV features do not influence the CIN classification.     

Modification of method for determination of medium-molecular peptides and its application in pediatric surgery

Taking into account clinical significance of determination of medium-molecular peptides' concentration in various surgical diseases and limitation of blood sampling in children, modification of the method for determination of medium-molecular peptides in blood serum is proposed, which requires 0.1 ml of serum and is based on deproteinization of cooled ethanol followed by spectrophotometry of peptide solution at 210 nm. Comparison study of the results of examination by this method and routine one was carried out. Specificity and advantages of the suggested modification are discussed.     

Dupuytren''s disease--a study of the pattern of distribution and stage of contracture in the hand

A clinical surface electrocardiogram (ECG) in which ventricular reciprocal rhythm occurred occasionally three times and probably seven times in succession together with paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia and ventricular extrasystoles in competition with sinus rhythm causing incomplete A-V dissociation is described. An ECG tracing of ventricular reciprocal rhythm occurring in succession has never been reported previously as far as can be ascertained from published reports.