Changes in the histomorphology of the canine cervix through the oestrous cycle

The importance of canine reproduction is steadily increasing and little is known about the canine cervix so far. The aim of this study was to describe the histomorphology of the canine cervix and to determine its correlation to the stage of oestrous cycle and to circulating concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17beta (E2), respectively. Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) was performed in 33 non-pregnant, healthy, intact bitches in defined stages of oestrous cycle (proestrus N = 5, estrus N = 7, early diestrus N = 5, late diestrus N = 11, anestrus N = 5). The entire cervix was collected for histological evaluation of the epithelial layer (number of layers, thickness), the stroma (number of layers, thickness, density, structure, and distribution of elastic fibres) and the average area and density of cervical glands as well as blood vessels. These parameters were evaluated in all the three parts of the cervix (cranial, middle, and caudal or vaginal part). The cervix showed the typical structure with a superficial epithelium, a lamina propria with cervical glands and vascular structures and a tunica muscularis below. Folds in the superficial epithelium were only observed in 54% females (N = 18). Epithelial thickness (P < 0.0001), number of glands (P < 0.05), mean area of glands (P < 0.0001), mean area of venous vessels (P < 0.0001), number of arterial vessels (P = 0.02), number of mast cells and number of eosinophilic granulocytes per mm² (P < 0.01) were significantly influenced by the stage of cycle. The following factors were significantly influenced by the localisation: number of epithelial layers (P < 0.0001), thickness of stroma (P < 0.0001) and mean number of glands (P < 0.01). Only mean area of venous vessels was significantly influenced by the stage of cycle and the localisation (P < 0.01). Besides, P4 was significantly correlated to number of glands per mm² (P < 0.0001), mean area of venous vessels (P < 000.1) and number of mast cells (P < 0.01).This study provided detailed information about the histomorphological structure of the cervix in non-pregnant bitches and showed that the cervix undergoes cyclic changes during the canine oestrous cycle, in particular in association with circulating progesterone concentration.     

Dermatoglyphics in pathology with emphasis on breast cancer and cervix carcinoma: Some results

The finger and palmar prints of 118 women with breast cancer and of 37 women with cervix carcinamo were studied. The results were compared with two groups of healthy women, the first consisted of aged women (average age of 78.94) and the second of young women. Only four differences out of ten (40%) were significant between women with breast cancer and young women. One difference out of ten (10%) was significant in the comparison between women with carcinoma of the cervix and elderly women and two (20%) in the comparison to young women. In general, compared with the healthy women the sick women present an increase in whorls and a decrease in a-b ridge count. The results obtained seem to demonstrate that dermatoglyphics are not a good diagnostic tool in the study of these two types of cancer.     

A dosimetric evaluation of IGART strategies for cervix cancer treatment

PurposeImage guided adaptive radiotherapy (IGART) strategies can be used to include the temporal aspects of radiotherapy treatment. A dosimetric evaluation of on- and off-line adaptive strategies are done in this study.MethodsA library of equivalent uniform dose (EUD)-based Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Treatment plans with incrementally increasing clinical target volume (CTV)-to-planning target volume (PTV) margins were developed for 10 patients. Utilizing daily computed tomography (CT) images an on-line strategy using a margin-of-the-day (MOD) concept that selects the best plan from the library was employed. This was compared to an off-line strategy with full analysis of accumulated dose between fractions where dosimetric deviations from the treatment intent triggered plan adaptation. A fixed margin treatment approach was used as benchmark.ResultsUsing fixed margins of <15 mm lead to under-dosages of more than 5 Gy in total delivered dose. The average CTV EUD for the off-line and on-line strategy was 50.0 ± 5.0 Gy and 50.4 ± 2.0 Gy respectively and OAR doses were comparable.ConclusionA fixed margin treatment approach yields a significant probability of CTV under-dosage. Using EUD dose metrics CTV coverage can be restored in both the off-line and on-line adaptive strategies at acceptable OAR dose levels. Considering the workload and time on the treatment machine, the off-line strategy proves to be sufficient and more practical.     

Comparison of mechanical properties of various suture repair techniques in a partially lacerated tendon

The technique of surgical repair for zone two flexor tendon injuries has been debated extensively throughout the years, yet adhesion formation, suture rupture, and suture locking on the pulley edge remain possible consequences of a poor repair. The partially lacerated tendon is especially challenging to treat since there can be justification for not intervening surgically. In a partial laceration canine model we measured failure load and suture gap formation for tendons repaired with the Lee, modified four-strand Savage, Kessler, modified Kessler, and Augmented Becker core suture techniques and with a simple running peripheral suture. The modified Kessler (106.3 N, SD 18.8 N) and modified Savage (108.2 N, SD 19.9 N) repair techniques had a significantly higher failure load than the Lee (85.0 N, SD 20.6 N) suture method (P < 0.05), while there were no differences among the other techniques. There were no significant differences in resistance to gap formation among the repair techniques, with the mean values ranging from 38.9 N/mm (SD 15.7 N/mm) using the simple running suture to 53.2 N/mm (SD 25.8 N/mm) with the Kessler repair. The mean load to produce a 1.5 mm repair site gap ranged from 71.1 N (SD 21.5 N) in the Lee repair to 91.3 N (SD 22.2 N) in the Augmented Becker repair although there were no significant differences among repair methods. All repair methods were much weaker than tendons left unrepaired (184.7 N, SD 41.3 N).     

Use of prostaglandin E2 to ripen the cervix of the mare prior to induction of parturition

Eleven light-breed pregnant mares (335 to 347 d gestaton) were used to evaluate the use of prostaglandin E2 as a cervical ripening agent prior to induction of parturition during the months of April and May. Six hours prior to induction, each mare's cervix was examined per vagina for softness and dilation. Each mare was then assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: Group PGE mares (n = 7) received 2.0 to 2.5 mg prostaglandin E2 deposited intracervically; Group SAL mares (n = 4) received 0.5 mL of sterile NaCl deposited intracervically. Six hours later, the mares were readied for parturition by wrapping the tail, scrubbing and rinsing the perineum and udder, and examining the cervix as previously described. Each mare was then administered 15 U, i.v. oxytocin at 15-min intervals until the chorioallantois ruptured. Intervals from initial oxytocin injection until rupture of the chorioallantois, from initial oxytocin injection until delivery of the foal, from delivery of the foal until the foal stood unassisted, and from delivery of the foal until the foal suckled were recorded. Mean cervical dilation immediately prior to induction of parturition tended to be greater in Group PGE mares (3.9 +/- 1.7 cm) than in Group SAL mares (1.9 +/- 1.9 cm; P = 0.10). Mean change in cervical dilation over the 6-h period prior to induction (3.4 +/- 1.9 cm vs 1.5 +/- 2.1 cm), mean number of injections of oxytocin required until the chorioallantois ruptured (1.9 +/- 0.7 vs 2.5 +/- 1.0), and mean intervals from initial injection of oxytocin to rupture of the chorioallantois (20 +/- 10 min vs 28 +/- 19 min) and delivery of the foal (28 +/- 7 min vs 34 +/- 22 min) were not different between Group PGE and SAL mares, respectively (P > 0.10). The proportion of foals that stood within 1 h of birth also did not differ between Group PGE foals (6/7; 86%) and Group SAL foals (3/4; 75%; Chi-square = 0.17; P > 0.10). The proportion of foals that nursed within 2 h of birth was higher in Group PGE foals (6/7; 86%) than in Group SAL foals (1/4; 25%; Chi-square = 4.02; P < 0.05). Premature separation requiring manual rupture of the chorioallantois at the vulvar labia occurred in 1 Group PGE mare (cervical dilation of 1.5 cm at time of induction) and 1 Group SAL mare (cervix closed and firm at time of induction). Foals born from the 2 mares with premature placental separation had the longest intervals from initial oxytocin injection to delivery, delivery to ability to stand unassisted, and delivery to suckling within their respective treatment groups. In summary, it appears that cervical ripening prior to induction of parturition favors shorter deliveries and foal vigor. Intracervical administration of prostaglandin E2 may prove useful for ripening the cervix of the mare prior to induction of parturition. Further studies are indicated to determine optimal dosage and method of administration of prostaglandin E2.     

Coincident increases in oxytocin receptor expression and EMG responsiveness to oxytocin in the ovine cervix at oestrus

This study has localised oxytocin receptor (OTR) mRNA expression within the cervix of non-pregnant ewes and related this to changes in the sensitivity of the cervical musculature to administered oxytocin (OT) during the oestrous cycle by recording electromyographic (EMG) activity. Cervices were collected from 34 ewes at specified time points throughout the cycle. OTR mRNA expression was localised by in situ hybridisation and results were expressed as optical density measurements from autoradiographs in each of four different cervical regions. EMG recordings were made for up to 8 h per day from four non-pregnant ewes undergoing seasonal oestrous cycles between Days −3 and +3 relative to oestrus (Day 0). The highest concentrations of OTR mRNA were detectable within the luminal epithelium (LE) of the cervix, with values increasing from Day 15 of the cycle, peaking during the follicular phase (P<0.001, compared to the mid-luteal phase) and returning to basal by Day 2. There was a small but significant increase in OTR mRNA hybridisation (above basal/luteal phase values) within the stromal cells (STR) adjacent to the lumen (P<0.05) during the same time period, but no differences from basal values were detectable in the dense collagenous annular ring or in tissue superficial to this. Analysis of pooled EMG activity recorded daily from the cervix indicated that endogenous contractile activity was higher on Day 0 than on the Days +1 (P<0.05), −2, +2 and +3 (P<0.001). The response to bolus intravenous (i.v.) injections of 25 mU OT (25 mU) varied with day of the cycle. This dose produced a measurable and significant response on Days 0 (P<0.001) and +1 (P<0.001), but not on any of the other days, indicating that the sensitivity of the cervical musculature to OT peaked on these days. These data show that the cervix is highly responsive to OT at oestrus. This coincides with an increase in OTR mRNA expression in the luminal epithelial cells, suggesting the likely production of an intermediary messenger between the epithelial and smooth muscle cells.     

The mRNA expression of prostaglandin E receptors EP2 and EP4 and the changes in glycosaminoglycans in the sheep cervix during the estrous cycle

Transcervical artificial insemination in sheep is limited by the inability to completely penetrate the cervix with an inseminating pipette. Penetration is partially enhanced at estrus due to a degree of cervical relaxation, which is probably regulated by cervical prostaglandin synthesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Prostaglandin E₂ acts via prostaglandin E receptors EP₁ to EP₄, and EP₂ and EP₄ stimulate smooth muscle relaxation and glycosaminoglycan synthesis. This study investigated the expression of EP₂ and EP₄ mRNA and glycosaminoglycans in the sheep cervix during the estrous cycle. Sheep cervices were collected prior to, during, and after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and during the luteal phase. The mRNA expression of EP₂ and EP₄ was determined by in situ hybridization, glycosaminoglycan composition was assessed by Alcian blue staining, and hyaluronan concentration was investigated by ELISA. The expression of EP₂ mRNA was greatest prior to the LH surge (P = 0.02), although EP₂ and EP₄ were expressed throughout the estrous cycle. Hyaluronan was the predominant glycosaminoglycan, and hyaluronan content increased prior to the LH surge (P < 0.05). Cervical EP₂ mRNA expression changed throughout the estrous cycle and was greatest prior to the LH surge. We propose that prostaglandin E₂ binds to EP₂ and EP₄ stimulating hyaluronan synthesis, which may cause remodeling of the cervical extracellular matrix, culminating in cervical relaxation.     

The incidence of inflammation among patients suffering from cervix cancer with positive beta haemolytic streptococci cultures from genital tract

AimThe main goal of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of positive beta haemolytic streptococci culture from the genital tract on patients receiving radiation therapy who suffer from cervical cancer. The other aim was to observe radiation therapy complications.BackgroundGroup B streptococci (GBS), group C streptococci (GCS) and group G streptococci (GGS) have been described as frequent invasive pathogens in elderly patients, often in association with underlying medical conditions including immunodeficiency and cancer.Materials and methodsIn the years 2006–2015, vaginal swabs from 452 patients were examined. A total of 118 women with positive beta haemolytic streptococci (BHS) groups A, B, C, F, G cultures were analysed, of whom 111 were diagnosed with cervix cancer of IB to IVA degree according to the FIGO 1988 clinical classification.ResultsOf the 452 patients suffering from cervix cancer 26.1% were positive for A, B, C, F or G group BHS isolated from the genital tract. All of the 114 examined strains were sensitive to beta-lactam antibiotics. The antimicrobials for which resistance was noted were erythromycin, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline.ConclusionsPositive cultures of BHS from the genital tract were demonstrated to occur in patients with cervix cancer. Complications were found during radiotherapy in 30 (27%) of these patients, including 20 (18%) patients suffering from clinical symptoms of inflammation. When beta-lactam antibiotics are not recommended because of allergy, sensitivity tests to other drugs are necessary.     

Effects of capsaicin on reproductive function in the female rat: Role of peptide-containing primary afferent nerves innervating the uterine cervix in the neuroendocrine copulatory response

Summary Nerves immunoreactive for the peptides substance P, neurokinin A, calcitonin gene-related peptide or cholecystokinin-octapeptide innervate the uterine cervix in the rat. Nerve terminals are associated with the myometrial and vascular smooth muscle and are distributed throughout the endocervix. These nerves degenerate following neonatal capsaicin treatment indicating that they are small-diameter, unmyelinated, C-type primary afferent nerves. Adult female rats, treated with capsaicin as neonates, exhibit decreased fertility following mating and diminished sensitivity to the induction of pseudopregnancy following copulomimetic electrical stimulation of the cervix. The results also demonstrate that hypothalamo-adenohypophyseal-ovarian interactions, corpus luteum progesterone secretion and uterine sensitivity to progesterone are normal in capsaicin-treated rats. Taken together, these data suggest that the reproductive dysfunction observed in capsaicin-treated rats is due to destruction of the afferent limb of the neuroendocrine copulatory response that facilitates the luteal progesterone secretion necessary to support pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. Thus, it is concluded that the afferent limb of this neuroendocrine response in the rat consists primarily of unmyelinated, peptide-containing, C-type primary afferent nerves.A preliminary report of this study was presented at the Substance P and Neurokinins Symposium in Montreal, 1986, and published in the symposium proceedings (Traurig et al. 1987)     

尿道下裂不同术式疗效的比较

目的：探讨不同手术方式对尿道下裂的临床疗效。方法：对我院收治的尿道下裂患者根据其不同手术方式将其分为A组、B组以及C组,其中A组采用Ducker术进行治疗,B组采用Snodgrass术进行治疗,C组患者采用阴囊中线皮肤岛状皮瓣法进行治疗。结果：A、B两组患者手术成功率比较无统计学差异性（P〉0．05）;阴囊中线皮肤岛状皮辫法术其出现并发症的机会明显低于其他两组（P〈0．05）。结论：不同术式对尿道下裂进行治疗,各术式各具有点,在临床运用中应当考虑患者的综合情况进行制定相应的手术方式进行治疗,从而有效改善患者预后。     

Immunohistochemical localization of the eosinophil major basic protein in the uterus horn and cervix of the rat at term and after parturition

Summary Distribution of the eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) was studied in the rat uterus horn and cervix by means of immunohistochemistry using an antiserum raised against rat MBP. Various hormonal contexts were investigated: pre- and post-parturition, the estrous cycle, and ovariectomy followed by hormonal treatment or without treatment. MBP was detectable in the cervix as early as 12 h post-partum, appearing in the stroma close to the myometrium. The MBP had spread throughout the stroma toward the luminal epithelium after a few days. In contrast, no MBP was seen in sections of the corresponding pre- and post-partum uteri and in the pre-partum cervix. In cycling rats, MBP was distributed equally in the cervix and uterus and was more abundant during proestrus and estrus. In ovariectomized rats and in ovariectomized rats subsequently treated with progesterone, no MBP was detected in the cervix or uterus. In the cervix of ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol, MBP first appeared in the muscle layer situated between the two cervical lumina and then reached the stroma; within a few days only the stroma was stained. Inversely, in the uterus MBP-staining first appeared in the stroma. In conclusion, analysis of the distribution of MBP in rat uterus revealed a marked difference in the response of the cervix and horn to a hormonal environment.     

Intrauterine embryo reduction in the mare

The site of a hypothesized embryo reduction mechanism was studied. The number of normal-sized embryos and undersized embryos (>2 standard deviations below the mean embryo diameter in control mares) was determined at day 7 and 11 post-ovulation in single-ovulating control mares and in multiple-ovulating pituitary extract-treated mares in which all ovulations occurred on a single day. In two additional groups (control and treated), the embryonal enlargement was monitored by rectal palpation until day 49. An average of 0.7 normal-sized embryos per control mare at day 7 and at day 11 and 0.6 vesicles per control mare at day 49 was found. More normal-sized embryos (P<0.05) were recovered per extract-treated mare at day 7 (2.9 embryos/mare) than at day 11 (0.7), and fewer undersized embryos per extract-treated mare (P<0.05) were recovered at day 7 (0.1) than at day 11 (1.1). The total number of embryos (normal-sized plus undersized) per treated mare was greater (P<0.05) at day 7 and at day 11 than the number of palpated vesicles per treated mare at day 49. The number of mares with more than one normal-sized embryo in the day 7 treated group (10/14) was greater (P<0.05) than in the day 11 treated group (1/14) and was greater than the number of mares with more than one palpated vesicle in the day 49 treated group (2/14). Intrauterine reduction was therefore manifested between days 7 and 11 in multiple-ovulating mares, as demonstrated by the number of multiple normal-sized blastocysts recovered at day 7 and by the reduced number of normal-sized and the increased number of undersized blastocysts recovered at day 11.     

Kinetics of gonadotrophins in the mare.

Isoelectric focussing of crude extracts of equine pituitaries was used to obtain fractions containing FSH and LH. By comparison with FSH, LH was distributed over a similar but wider pH range indicating more marked polymorphism as determined from their isoelectric point (pI). Molecules with more sialic acid showed lower pI consistent with the concept that sialic acid is the major factor in determining pI and polymorphism in FSH and LH. Appropriate fractions were labelled with 125I, purified further and used in kinetic studies. FSH and LH molecules of similar pI had similar kinetics; however, LH molecules of high pI disappeared from plasma more rapidly. This is attributed to the role of sialic acid in preventing hormone degradation by non-target tissues, thus increasing the half-life and therefore the biological potency of the hormone. Since the form in which gonadotrophins circulate is not known, data are presented using 2 forms of LH and one of FSH. While this provides information from which most kinetic parameters may be determined, meaningful production rates cannot be calculated until the circulating form is identified. Other experiments on gonadotrophin kinetics are reviewed critically in the light of these findings.     

Surgical corrections of endovascular aneurysms: repair complications

The authors describe their experience with the use of 21 open surgical corrections after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair, reporting the frequency, type and outcome of these procedures in their group of 165 patients treated during a 10-year period.     

小切口微创手术治疗新鲜跟腱断裂的临床价值

目的：探讨小切口微创手术治疗新鲜跟腱断裂的一晦床价值。方法：选取我院新鲜闭合性跟腱断裂患者50例,随机分为实验组和对照组各25例。实验组行小切口手术,对照组行常规切口手术。术后对患者进行随访,采用美国足踝协会（AOFAS）推荐的评分标准对患者术后功能恢复情况进行评价,观察并记录完全恢复患者例数、完全恢复时间、小腿最大周长差和术后并发症发生情况。结果：实验组AOFAS评分为（98．6±9．7）分,痊愈率96．00％,痊愈时间（20．2±3．2）周,两侧小腿最大周长差为（0．79＋0．68）cm,共有1例患者出现并发症,并发症发生率8％;而对照组的AOFAS评分为（91．4±11．5）分,痊愈率92．00％,痊愈时间（22．4±3．8）周,两侧小腿最大周长差为（0．91~0．76）cm;共有6例患者出现并发症,并发症的发生率为24％。两组患者的痊愈率、两侧小腿最大周长差比较差异无统计学意义（痊愈率：x2=-0．355,P=0．552;侧小腿最大周长差：t=O．588,P=0．559）;而与对照组比较,实验组AOFAS评分明显升高,完全恢复时间明显缩短,术后并发症的发生率显著降低,差异均有统计学意义（AOFAS评：t=2．393,P=0．021;恢复时间：t=2．150,P=0．037;并发症发生率：xⅫ．153,P=0．042）。结论：小切口手术与常规切口手术治疗新鲜跟腱断裂的疗效相当,但小切口手术术后恢童时间曼短．并发症更少．临床价值相对更高．