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Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of and risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 capsid antibodies in a large cohort of pregnant women., Methods: Antibodies against in vitro produced HPV-16 capsids were measured in stored sera from 2597 pregnant women enrolled from 1984 through 1989 in the Vaginal Infection and Prematurity Study, New Orleans site., Results: Women in this study were primarily black (83.4%) with a mean age of 23.4 years (standard deviation [SD], 5.1), mean number of sexual partners in lifetime was 3.3 (SD, 6.6), and the mean age at sexual debut was 16.7 years (SD, 2.2). Overall, 28.0% (n = 727) of these women were positive for HPV-16 capsid antibodies. In bivariate analysis, the presence of antibodies against HPV-16 was correlated with numerous demographic characteristics as well as history of various sexually transmitted diseases. However, neither current cervical or vaginal infection nor adverse obstetric outcome was associated with increased detection of HPV-16 antibodies. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors predictive of HPV-16 seropositivity were: more than five lifetime sexual partners (odds ratio [OR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28, 2.52), 6 or more years of sexual activity (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.22, 2.78), level of education (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03, 1.55), and history of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.20, 1.96)., Conclusion: HPV-16 seropositivity correlates with measures of sexual activity, confirming its role as a sexually transmitted disease, and its prevalence is similar to that in nonpregnant populations. HPV-16 seropositivity does not predict an adverse obstetric outcome.

Na-hylan, a chemically modified sodium hyaluronate jelly, was studied mechanically and histologically as a surgical device to diminish tendon adhesion in the rabbit long toe extensor three weeks after surgical abrasion. This device was found to be highly effective (55% of treated tendons formed no adhesions compared to 5% of controls, and only 18% formed severe adhesions compared to 62% of controls). No gross or histologic evidence of significant acute or chronic inflammatory reaction to the Na-hylan was found.

Na-hylan, a chemically modified sodium hyaluronate jelly, was studied mechanically and histologically as a surgical device to diminish tendon adhesions in rabbit extensor hallucis longus tendons after severe surgical trauma. Na-hylan jelly of high viscoelastic properties was found to be highly effective in decreasing tendon adhesions. Na-hylan jelly of low viscoelastic properties was not effective in diminishing adhesion formation. There was no interference with the tensile strength of tendon healing, and no evidence of acute or chronic inflammatory response to the Na-hylan jelly.