Pacita Manalo

The effect of pregnancy and labor on the human cervix. Changes in collagen, glycoproteins, and glycosaminoglycans

Abstract Full-thickness samples of the cervix were obtained from hysterectomy specimens of nonpregnant women of childbearing age for comparison with similar specimens taken from the cervix immediately after delivery. The mucosa and the peripheral 2 to 3 mm. of tissue were cut away and the samples were analyzed. When compared with the nonpregnant cervix, the cervix immediately after delivery showed the following: a slight increase in water, a marked decline in collagen and glycoprotein, and a marked increase in glycosaminoglycans. Electrophoretic analysis showed the presence, in both groups of tissue, of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin-4/6-sulfate, and dermatan sulfate. In the dilated cervix a “new” component, not encountered before with the use of these techniques, appeared in the cellulose acetate electrophoretograms with considerable intensity. The “new” component may be an unidentified glycosaminoglycan, or a fragment of proteoglycan core protein along with some glycosaminoglycan, or an undersulfated keratan sulfate. The collagen destruction and the synthesis of large quantities of the “new” component emphasize the fact that dilatation of the cervix is an active, dynamic process.

Influence of omega-3 fatty acids on the growth of human colon carcinoma in nude mice

The present study investigated the influence of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the growth of human colon carcinoma xenograft in athymic nude mice. Four diets were fed to evaluate the effect of levels and types of fat on colon tumor growth. Animals were maintained on a standard diet modified by addition of fats containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to represent high and low fat intakes for 53 days. The final mean estimated tumor weight for the high fat corn oil (24%) fed group was 2,302 mg, whereas the low fat (8% corn oil) group was 1,681 mg. The final mean tumor weight of the high fat menhaden oil fed group was 782 mg representing a 66% decrease in growth compared to the high fat corn oil group and a decrease of 54% compared to the low corn oil fed group. The high fat golden algae oil fed group resulted in a mean final tumor weight of 223 mg representing a 90% inhibition of tumor growth relative to the high fat corn oil fed group and 87% inhibition of growth compared to the low fat corn oil fed group. These findings indicate that dietary omega-3 fatty acids possess significant tumor suppressing properties and that the primary tumor suppressing fatty acid is docosahexaenoic acid. Histopathologic examination of control and treated tumors and expression array analyses (human cytokine and apoptosis arrays) support the tumor growth inhibition data and provide evidence for discussion of possible mechanisms for the observed growth inhibition.

Confirmation of the association of human papillomavirus with human colon cancer

The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been shown to be associated with neoplasms of the human colon using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. We now report our use of the polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting to investigate that same association. We selected 38 carcinomas, 21 adenomas, and 24 normal mucosal samples for the current study. Tissue sections were prepared, and then DNA was extracted and subjected to 40 cycles of amplification using Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase and a set of degenerate primers. Amplified products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting. The L1 region of the HPV genome was identified in 13 of 38 carcinomas (32%), 8 of 21 adenomas (38%), and 2 of 24 normal biopsy specimens (8%). These observations validate our previous results and confirm the presence of HPV in human colon mucosa and tumors of that mucosa.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of human papilloma virus antigen in human colon neoplasms

The presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) has recently been demonstrated in colon tumors, but the incidence of HPV infection in normal colon mucosa or in benign or malignant neoplasms of the mucosa is unknown. We studied both neoplastic and normal human colon tissue for the presence of HPV antigen using immunohistochemical techniques. Ninety colon specimens were studied. Three consecutive series of normal colon mucosa (N = 30), single benign tubulovillous adenomas (N = 30), and invasive carcinomas (N = 30) were selected and confirmed histologically. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of each tissue were prepared using immunohistochemical techniques and resultant slides were read blindly and graded simply as positive or negative for HPV antigen. The presence of HPV antigen varied dramatically between groups, with 97% of the invasive carcinomas, 60% of the benign tubulovillous adenomas, and 23% of the normal mucosa positive for HPV antigen. Groups were statistically significant using chi 2 analysis (P less than 0.001). We conclude that an association exists between the human colon neoplasia and the presence of HPV antigen. This may suggest an etiologic role of the virus in colon cancer.

Coexisting abdominal aortic aneurysm and lung cancer

Virtually no guidelines exist regarding the treatment of patients with coexisting abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and carcinoma of the lung. The records of 19 patients with this challenging combination presenting in the last 5 years were reviewed to determine: mode of presentation, risk factors, stage of cancer, size of AAA, treatment, and natural history. There were 15 men and four women aged 59-77 years. All had smoking histories ranging from 19.3 to 120 pack-years (mean: 74 pack-years). Ten presented with AAA primarily, six primarily with lung cancer, and in the remaining three, lung cancer and the AAA were diagnosed in the course of workup for unrelated complaints.