To examine the involvement of transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) in intestinal anastomotic repair, we administered a TGF-β₁-neutralizing antibody to rats after operation, and then examined its influence on the healing process and interaction with other peptide growth factors. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to primary anastomosis after transection of the small intestine (n = 30) and treated by intraperitoneal administration of IgG (n = 15) or the TGF-β₁ neutralizing antibody (n = 15). Treatment with the antibody against TGF-β₁ resulted in more definite mucosal growth and increased vascularity on day 5 after surgery. Augmented mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, and an increased number of cells that expressed these peptides in granulation tissue were demonstrated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. Taken together it was indicated that TGF-β₁ has negative effects on regeneration of the bowel wall mucosa and angiogenesis in the course of intestinal anastomotic wound healing.

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Few cytological reports have described small‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) in the female genital tract. In the present study, we describe a cytological case of SCNEC accompanied by adenocarcinoma, as well as high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). A Japanese woman (42 years old) presented with abnormal genital bleeding. A conventional Papanicolaou smear revealed an inflammatory condition with three neoplastic components: SCNEC as irregular aggregates of neoplastic small round cells with nuclear molding and granular chromatin; adenocarcinoma as columnar cell clusters with peripherally located large nuclei, and HSIL as sheets or clusters of dysplastic basal‐type squamous cells with irregular hyperchromatic nuclei. Accordingly, a cytodiagnosis of SCNEC with adenocarcinoma and HSIL was made. Owing to the rarity of cervical SCNEC, cytological diagnosis may be difficult. Due to its aggressive clinical behavior, the presence of an SCNEC component should be verified in any cytodiagnosis of adenocarcinoma or HSIL.