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Biomedical subjects

C M Quinn

Publications and source records attributed to C M Quinn.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: the clinical significance of histological classification.

One hundred and twenty-one cases of ductal carcinoma in situ, including 26 cases with T1a invasive carcinoma, were reviewed. Seventy-nine patients (65%) were treated by mastectomy and 42 (35%) had conservative surgery. Ductal carcinoma in situ was classified as well differentiated (11%), intermediately differentiated (22%) or poorly differentiated (67%) according to nuclear morphology and the presence or absence of cell polarization. Poorly differentiated lesions were significantly larger than intermediately and well differentiated lesions (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01, respectively) and were significantly associated with the presence of extensive necrosis, marked periductal inflammation and periductal fibrosis (P < 0.0001). Invasive carcinoma was more common in the poorly differentiated group (25% compared with 18% in the intermediate group and 8% in the well differentiated group) but this was not statistically significant. The spectrum of differentiation was similar in symptomatic and mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ. Clinical follow-up was available in 90 patients (median period 45 months in patients who had undergone mastectomy and 23 months in those who had conservative surgery). Two incidences of recurrent local disease were recorded in the mastectomy group: one patient had well differentiated and the other poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma in situ. No local recurrences were observed in the conservative surgery group, possibly reflecting the shorter follow up period. All histological grades of ductal carcinoma in situ have the potential to progress to invasive carcinoma and mastectomy does not guarantee a cure.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cytological and architectural heterogeneity in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

AIM: The traditional architecture based classification system of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been criticised on the grounds that individual lesions often show more than one pattern resulting in a large mixed category. New DCIS classification systems have emphasised the importance of cytological grade, which is reputed to be more uniformly expressed throughout a lesion. This study investigates the hypothesis that cytological heterogeneity is less common than architectural heterogeneity within DCIS lesions. METHODS: 121 cases of DCIS were graded as poorly, intermediately, or well differentiated according to a recently developed classification system that employs cytonuclear morphology as the major diagnostic criterion. Cases were categorised as pure when only one grade was present and as mixed if more than one grade was observed. Architecturally the cases were classified as solid, cribriform, micropapillary, or papillary and were described as pure if only one architectural pattern was present and as mixed if more than one pattern was seen. The incidence of cytological heterogeneity was compared with that of architectural heterogeneity. The presence of necrosis was assessed as an independent parameter and the relation to DCIS grade evaluated. RESULTS: Using the cytology based classification system 102 cases (84%) were classified as pure (65 poorly differentiated, 25 intermediately differentiated, and 12 well differentiated) and 19 cases (16%) as mixed. Extensive necrosis was observed in 61 (50%) cases and was closely correlated to DCIS grade. Architecturally 46 cases (38%) were classified as pure (38 solid, 5 cribriform, 2 micropapillary, and 1 papillary) and 75 (62%) as mixed. CONCLUSIONS: Cytological heterogeneity is much less common than architectural heterogeneity in DCIS lesions. The assessment of cytonuclear morphology is therefore likely to provide more consistent information about DCIS, particularly in small biopsy specimens where only part of the lesion may be available for examination.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Dose-dependent dielectrophoretic response of Cryptosporidium oocysts treated with ozone.

Dielectrophoresis, the motion of particles in non-uniform electric field, was investigated as a technology with the potential for rapid analysis of ozonated Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. The ratio of dielectrophoretic collection at two key frequencies (100 kHz and 10 MHz) was determined to compare the effect of ozonation at various dosages. A relationship was found between this ratio and the in vitro excystation value obtained at the end of the experiments. The magnitude of the ratio changed in a non-linear manner with increasing ozone dose. The results are consistent with a decrease in oocyst internal conductivity as supported by the predictions of a mathematical model for the dielectrophoresis of two-shell spherical particles.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Use of clonidine for treatment of spasticity arising from various forms of brain injury: a case series.

Spasticity may occurs as a result of different types of brain injury. The experience with six patients, aged 17-73 years, treated with clonidine for spasticity due to brain injuries of various causes is presented. These cases include a patient with traumatic brain injury, three patients with intracranial haemorrhage, a patient with a right basal ganglia stroke 3 years prior to a left subdural haematoma associated with a fall, and a patient with cerebral palsy. To varying degrees for each patient, clonidine was effective in reducing extremity hypertonicity. A possible mechanism of action is discussed. These case findings suggest clonidine may be useful in the management of spasticity associated with various forms of brain injury, and that formal studies of clonidine for this application appear warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Cardiorespiratory responses to seat-tube angle variation during steady-state cycling.

The effect of seat-tube angle (STA) variation on oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), ventilation (VE), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) on 25 trained competitive triathletes and cyclists was evaluated during 10-min submaximal tests at each of four STAs (69 degrees, 76 degrees, 83 degrees, 90 degrees). Subjects averaged (mean +/- SD) 26.5 +/- 6.4 yr of age, 68.5 +/- 9.8 kg, 4.26 +/- 0.58 l.min-1 for VO2peak, and 76.2 +/- 1.5 degrees for preferred STA. Tests occurred on a modified cycle ergometer (at each subject's preferred dimensions, except for STA) at a power output that averaged 73% of the subjects' VO2peak and pedaling 90 rpm while using aerodynamic handlebars. Mean VO2, HR, and RPE values at 83 degrees and 90 degrees were significantly lower than values at 69 degrees (3.09, 3.10 vs 3.17 l.min-1; 149.6, 149.9 vs 152.9 bpm; 13.5, 13.5 vs 14.2, respectively; P < 0.05). VE at 83 degrees was significantly lower than VE at 69 degrees (65.2 vs 68.2 l.min-1; P = 0.011). A kinematic analysis found greater hip extension, ankle plantar flexion, and a lower-limb orientation more directly over the crank axis when STA increased. Therefore, only the 69 degrees STA appeared to be a detriment to steady-state cardiorespiratory responses during cycling, whereas the 76 degrees, 83 degrees, and 90 degrees STAs elicited similar cardio-respiratory responses.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary antrum metastatic to the heart and skin.

A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary antrum is presented in which autopsy examination revealed wide-spread disseminated disease including metastatic deposits in the unusual sites of the myocardium and skin. Apart from the skin deposit the metastases were clinically unsuspected. This case demonstrates the role of the autopsy in the study of malignancy and the possible effects of local disease control on the natural history of the disease process.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1994

c-erbB-3 protein expression in human breast cancer: comparison with other tumour variables and survival.

c-erbB-3 protein expression was investigated immunohistochemically in a series of 97 malignant breast tumours using the monoclonal antibody RTJ1. Twenty-eight cases (28.8%) showed c-erbB-3 overexpression, 31 cases (32%) showed normal levels of c-erbB-3 and 38 cases (39.2%) were c-erbB-3 negative. c-erbB-3 overexpression was positively but not significantly related to negative lymph node status and survival over a 10-year follow-up period.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Gastritis in patients on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

This study investigated the spectrum of gastric mucosal pathology, including the prevalence of reactive gastritis in patients on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The histological findings were correlated with upper gastrointestinal symptom status and endoscopic findings and were also compared with the histological appearances of the gastric mucosa in a corresponding age-matched control group of 75 patients not receiving NSAIDs or any other drug therapy. Reactive gastritis of the gastric antrum was more common in the NSAID group and was observed in 34 patients (45.3%), as an isolated phenomenon in 24 patients (32%) and with evidence of coexistent chronic gastritis in 10 patients (13.3%). In the control group reactive gastritis of the antrum was seen in 10 patients (13.3%), as an isolated finding in eight cases (10.7%) and with accompanying chronic gastritis in two cases. Chronic antral gastritis of usual type was observed in 36 patients on NSAIDs (48%) and Helicobacter-like organisms were identified histologically in 18 of these (50% carriage rate). These organisms were not seen in any of the patients in whom the picture of reactive gastritis was present. In the control group chronic antral gastritis was seen in 51 patients (68%) with organisms in 34 (66.6% carriage rate). No correlation was found between the presence or absence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms, endoscopic findings and the histological appearances of the gastric mucosa. We conclude that NSAIDs are an independent cause of reactive gastritis in the antrum and do not appear to alter gastric mucosal colonization by Helicobacter-like organisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Multisystem Langerhans' cell histiocytosis with pancreatic involvement.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, a rare disorder of unknown cause affecting both children and adults, can affect many different organs and present to a wide range of medical specialties. An infant with fatal multisystem Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in whom the pancreas and the intestine were extensively affected is reported. The direct pancreatic involvement by this disease has not previously been described.

Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell↗
PubMed1993

Effects of nicotinic acid on respiratory exchange ratio and substrate levels during exercise.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pharmacologic treatment with nicotinic acid (NA) (3 g NA.d-1) on fuel utilization during exercise and on total and HDL-cholesterol levels of trained runners. Eight experienced male runners performed four 30-min submaximal treadmill runs (SUB) at approximately 60% of aerobic capacity: the first served as the control condition, whereas SUBs 2, 3, and 4 were conducted at the onset, midpoint, and conclusion of the 3-wk NA treatment period. A 1-g NA dose was ingested 1 h prior to SUBs 2-4, which were conducted in the morning following a 12-h fast. The respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was significantly higher during SUBs 2, 3, and 4 (0.919 +/- 0.009, 0.898 +/- 0.007, and 0.896 +/- 0.009, respectively) than during SUB1 (0.871 +/- 0.008); and the RER during SUB2 was also significantly higher than that during SUB3 and SUB4 (P < 0.001). Serum free fatty acid (FFA) and glycerol levels were significantly lower during SUBs 2, 3, and 4 as compared with SUB1 (P < 0.001). Total cholesterol showed a significant decrease (from 195.3 +/- 9.2 to 174.5 +/- 9.2 mg.dl-1) and HDL cholesterol showed a significant elevation (from 56.2 +/- 2.9 to 63.0 +/- 3.9 mg.dl-1) during the NA treatment period (P < 0.05). The RER, FFA, and glycerol data demonstrate a persistent inhibition of fat utilization during submaximal exercise due to NA treatment. The 3-wk NA treatment period also proved to be sufficient to effect changes in total and HDL-cholesterol levels of these runners.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Experimental pathology of intravenous polyurethane cannulae containing disinfectant.

Cannula tubing (1.6 mm external, 1 mm internal diameter) manufactured from medical grade polyurethane containing 2%, 2,4,4'-tri-chloro-2'-hydroxydiphenylether ('Irgasan', Ciba-Geigy) was found to have no effect other than that seen with control ('Irgasan'-free) tubing in the following test systems: (i) haemolysis, (ii) endothelial cell cultures, (iii) paravertebral muscle of rabbits, (iv) jugular vein of rabbits, (v) cannulation of baboons and (vi) clotting times of human platelet-rich plasma. However, the results from (iv) showed a significant amount of damage from both inpregnated and control cannulae and (v) showed that all detectable 'Irgasan' had been eluted from the portions of tubing retained within the animal before the end of the experiment, more rapidly than predicted from in-vitro studies. The rate of elution of 'Irgasan' in vivo needs to be further investigated, and consideration should be given to developing a plastic-disinfectant combination with a slower rate of loss of disinfectant.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The usefulness of clinical measurements of cell proliferation in gynecological cancer.

This article critically reviews the available methods for the assessment of cell proliferation in clinical practice, and evaluates their applications as diagnostic and prognostic variables in gynecological cancer. The mitotic count is not a standardised method and should not be considered to have inherent value as a measurement of cell proliferation in the clinical situation. In distinguishing benign and malignant uterine smooth muscle tumors, the degree of mitotic activity can only be interpreted in the context of the other pathological and clinical findings. Cytological atypia and the absence of stromal differentiation appear to be more accurate than mitotic activity in delineating high-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas. The potential biological behavior of placental site trophoblastic tumor cannot be reliably predicted on the basis of mitotic counts, and hysterectomy remains the treatment of choice for this condition. Flow cytometry produces accurate cell kinetic data and provides useful prognostic information in ovarian and endometrial tumors. The value of flow cytometry in cervical cancer is questionable and needs clarification. Complete and partial hydatidiform moles are generally distinguishable on the basis of ploidy studies. However, in view of the existence of a diploid partial mole, serial human chorionic gonadotrophin measurement is the only reliable method of establishing or excluding a diagnosis of persistent trophoblastic disease. The other clinical markers of cell proliferation do not have an established role as diagnostic or prognostic parameters in gynecological cancer and merit further critical evaluation. Estimation of mitotic activity is a simple, readily accessible method of assessing cell proliferation in routine histopathological practice and the role of an accurate mitotic index in diagnosis and prognosis must be investigated to determine the true value of counting mitotic figures in histological sections.

Cell Cycle↗