No abstract

The aim of this study was twofold. The first aim was to estimate the diagnostic reliability of urinary cytology for detection and management of urothelial neoplasms by using a specific preserving fluid for sample collection, and the liquid-based thin layer method for specimen preparation, the estimate was based on the correlation between the cytological findings of 10,000 non-hospitalized patients, and their histological diagnoses. A second aim was to compare the reliability of two instruments for thin-layer preparation, i.e., TP2000, TP3000, capable of processing the specimens at very different rates. The preservation of cell structure is ameliorated by the procedure of sample collection and treatment here described. This allows a more accurate reading of LBC slides as shown by: (a) the significant concordance between cytological and histological diagnosis (92%); (b) the significant number of low-grade urothelial carcinomas (20.5%) revealed by urinary cytology and validated by histologic diagnosis; (c) the low rate (8%) of misjudgement of cytological diagnosis reached in this study. The quality of performances of the two instruments tested for thin-layer preparation, i.e., TP2000 and TP3000, is statistically comparable. We recommend the procedure that makes use of preserving fluid for sample collection (cytolyt™) and treatment (preservcyt ™) as here described. We also recommend the use of thin-layer method for specimen preparation since it allows a more uniform distribution of the cells on the support with reduction of overlapping phenomena. Finally, economic considerations suggest the preferential use of Thin Prep 3000.

Ninety-one Papanicolaou-stained vaginopancervical smears were destained and subjected to in situ hybridization with Chlamydia trachomatis DNA probe. At cytologic examination (Pap test), 71 smears showed changes suggestive of chlamydial infection, while remaining 20 were negative. At the control by in situ hybridization, the results of Pap test were confirmed in 85 out of 91 cases, two false-positive and four false-negative cases being detected. The sensitivity and specificity of Pap test, compared with in situ hybridization, were 95% and 89%, respectively. Like some recent reports, the present study confirms the reliability of Pap test in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and its possible relevant role in reducing the diffusion of the infection, when properly applied to mass-screening program.

Objectives Peritoneal metastases of ovarian cancer (PMOC) are common at initial presentation. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) of curative intent has been proven to be efficient in increasing the overall survival (OS) and the disease-free survival (DFS) of these patients. Nevertheless, CRS is associated with high postoperative morbidity, which makes patient selection a major concern. Appropriate prognostic factors that can predict patient outcomes after surgery are still lacking. Preoperative biomarkers and their ratios have been shown to be predictive of patient prognosis for various solid tumors. We aimed to study their correlation with the prognosis of patients undergoing CRS for PMOC. Methods This retrospective study included patients with PMOC operated by CRS. Preoperative biomarkers and other clinicopathological characteristics were studied to determine their prognostic value in terms OS and DFS. Results 216 patients were included. Patients with preoperative Hemoglobin (Hb) <11.7 g/dl had a poorer prognosis in terms of OS (p=0.0062) and DFS (p=0.0077). Additionally, increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) >0.32, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) >214.5 were associated with worse OS (p=0.022, p=0.0028, and p=0.0018, respectively) and worse DFS (p=0.028, p=0.003, and p=0.019, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the variables mentioned above were independent predictive factors for OS and DFS. Conclusions Preoperative Hb level, NLR, MLR, and PLR are prognostic factors for OS and DFS in PMOC patients operated by curative CRS.

Papanicolaou (Pap)-stained cervical specimens from 160 squamous lesions were processed for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by an in situ hybridization (ISH) assay. Three biotinylated HPV DNA probes were employed, each containing HPV genotypes 6/11, HPV genotypes 16/18, or HPV genotypes 31/35/51. The HPV etiology of 86 lesions was ascertained (53.8%). In 74 out of 135 (58.8%) HPV-typed low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs), HPV 6/11 was found in nine (6.6%), HPV 16/18 in 46 (34.2%), and HPV 31/35/51 in 19 lesions (14.1%); in 11 out of 18 HPV-typed high-grade SILs (61.1%), seven lesions (38.9%) were typed for HPV 16/18 and four (22.2%) for HPV 31/35/51. Of seven invasive carcinomas, only one (14.3%) reacted with the HPV 16/18 DNA probe. A cohort of 124 low-grade SILs were followed cytologically for a year. The results of this study are discussed in light of HPV type association and therapy.