PubMed · 15720861
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Laura Patterson. 2005. Communication and termination: whose choice?. https://doi.org/10.1783/0000000052972834
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Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common cause of congenital infections in developed countries, with an incidence varying between 0.5-2.2%. Such infection may be the consequence of either a primary infection or reactivation of a latent infection in the mother and the outcome may vary from asymptomatic to severe brain disorders. Moreover, infants that are asymptomatic at the time of birth may still develop neurologic sequelae at a later age. Our hypothesis is that infection of stem cells of the central nervous system by HCMV alters the proliferation, differentiation or migration of these cells, and thereby gives rise to the brain abnormalities observed. We show that infection of human neural precursor cells (NPCs) with the laboratory strain Towne or the clinical isolate TB40 of HCMV suppresses the differentiation of these cells into astrocytes even at an multiplicity of infection (MOI) as low as 0.1 (by 33% and 67%, respectively). This inhibition required active viral replication and the expression of late HCMV proteins. Infection as late as 24 hr after the onset of differentiation, but not after 72 hr, also prevented the maturation of infected cultures. Furthermore, in cultures infected with TB40 (at an MOI of 1), approximately 54% of the cells were apoptotic and cell proliferation was significantly attenuated. Clearly, HCMV can reduce the capacity of NPCs to differentiate into astrocytes and this effect may provide part of the explanation for the abnormalities in brain development associated with congenital HCMV infection.
AIMS: 1. To study the diagnostic importance of the Arias-Stella reaction. 2. To study tubal epithelial changes in ectopic pregnancy. 3. To study the occurrence of Arias-Stella reaction in non-pregnant women receiving hormonal treatment. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 120 patients who underwent endometrial curettage and/or salpingectomy. The patients were divided into four groups, each comprising of 30 patients. Groups 1 and 4 included non-pregnant patients who were being evaluated for infertility and dysfunctional uterine bleeding respectively, while pregnant patients were included in Group 2 (intra-uterine abortions) and Group 3 (ectopic tubal gestation). The endometrial curettings and fallopian tube lining epithelial cells were examined for the changes described by Arias-Stella. Cases which showed the presence of the Arias-Stella reaction were further classified. RESULTS: The changes of the Arias-Stella reaction in endometrial glands were observed in 80% cases of intra-uterine abortions. Secretory/hypersecretory pattern was the most commonly observed type (36.67%). The reaction was seen in 3.33% each of patients evaluated for infertility and patients on hormonal therapy with oral progestational agents for the management of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Although uncommon, the Arias-Stella reaction was noted in the epithelium of fallopian tubes (16.67%) from patients with ectopic tubal gestation. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study emphasize the diagnostic importance of the Arias-Stella reaction. The changes of the reaction are a histological clue to the presumptive diagnosis of the presence of chorial tissue in cases in which the chorionic material is not found in the endometrial biopsy. The morphological features can be mistaken for malignancy if the pathologist is not aware of the patient's pregnancy or history of hormonal intake.
The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons women in rural, southern Gabon, Africa, chose to terminate their pregnancies, the methods used to induce abortions, and postabortion effects experienced by these women. Abortion is illegal in this country. A descriptive qualitative design guided the methodology for this study. Five women with a history of induced abortion were interviewed in-depth for their abortion story. Reasons cited for an abortion included lack of financial and partner support. Abortion methods included oral, rectal, and vaginal concoctions of leaves, bark, and water and over-the-counter medications, including misoprostol. Affects were physical, spiritual, and relational. Health care professionals need to provide women with guidance for appropriate contraceptive usage. Abortion after-care of women with physical and spiritual needs is important. Future research is suggested on the use of misoprostol in Gabon to understand its affects on women's reproductive health.