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Biomedical subjects

C Moran

Publications and source records attributed to C Moran.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Differential diagnosis between mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma: a multimodal approach based on ultrastructure and immunocytochemistry.

Most compensations for asbestos-related deaths secondary to cancer center around mesothelioma and bronchogenic carcinoma. The differential diagnosis between mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma is a common and troublesome one, necessitating the correlation between clinical history, radiographic findings, and pathologic examination of tissues and cells. We describe a multimodal approach based on the use of routine and special stains, immunocytochemistry, and electron microscopy for distinguishing between mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma. Once a malignant diagnosis is arrived at by careful pathological examination, the tumor is classified as mesothelioma if mesothelial cells are identified as the constituent cells of the neoplasm. Mesothelial cells are recognized by (1) their main ultrastructural features: slender and elongated microvilli, abundant intermediate filaments, and lacking secretory granules; and (2) their characteristic immunocytochemical reactivity: positivity for cytokeratin, EMA, and vimentin, and negativity for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), B72-3, Leu-M1, and other gland-cell markers. A variety of methods have been attempted in an effort to distinguish between reactive and malignant mesothelial cells. In practice, however, such distinction depends more on experience and expertise than in any fool-proof ancillary tests. A number of these tests are discussed along with the illustration of classical and unusual examples of mesothelioma and other pleural tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Case report 689. Metastatic atrial myxoma to the pubis.

We have presented a 23-year follow-up of a patient with left atrial myxoma with continuing slowly growing, skeletal metastases. The relatively indolent nature of the metastatic disease and the lack of mitotic figures suggest that the metastatic lesions may be treated locally. The patient underwent therapeutic tumor embolization and local resection of the pelvic lesion, with good results as she continues to do well with close follow-up.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Pharmacokinetics of tiaprofenic acid in children after a single oral dose.

Twelve healthy children in three age groups anaesthetized for minor surgery were given a single oral dose of tiaprofenic acid (3 mg.kg-1) (TA). Seven blood samples and zero to 8 and 8 to 24 h urines were collected. TA concentrations in plasma and urine were measured by HPLC. No significant difference was found between the age groups in the kinetic parameters of TA and no correlation was found between these parameters and age: tmax = 2.12 h, Cmax = 8.78 mg.l-1, AUC(0----8 h) 33.9 mg.h.l-1, AUC = 39.3 mg.h.l-1, t1/2 = 2.35 h, Vt = 0.319 l.kg-1, CL = 0.094 l.h-1.kg-1. Renal clearance was 14 ml.h-1.kg-1.33% of the TA dose was recovered in the 24 h urine, 48% of which was conjugated, whereas in adults, TA is only found in urine as conjugates. The apparent plasma clearance was significantly higher (56%) than in 12 healthy adults given 1.5 mg.kg-1 TA. Volume of distribution and t1/2 did not significantly differ between children and adults. Since no relationship has been established between plasma TA and either efficacy or toxicity, a different dose regimen cannot be recommended in 3-11 year-old children from that in adults.

Administration, Oral↗

Celiac sprue after surgery of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Report of 10 patients with special attention to diagnosis, clinical behavior, and follow-up.

The clinical onset of celiac sprue (CS) may be precipitated by upper digestive tract surgery. We report a series of 10 patients who developed CS after diverse types of peptic ulcer surgery. Six were male and 4 female. Gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis was performed in 5 patients, truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in 2, parietal cell vagotomy and pyloroplasty in 1, and vagotomy with gastrojejunal anastomosis in 2. We found that eight patients had had previous symptoms that suggested CS. Symptoms occurred early in the postoperative period. Severe diarrhea and striking weight loss were the most prominent clinical findings. The response to gluten-free diet was independent of the type of surgical procedure performed and was similar to that observed in the general celiac population.

Adult↗

Caffeine acetylator phenotyping during maturation in infants.

Caffeine acetylator phenotype was studied during maturation in 54 8- to 447-d-old children hospitalized for minor disease (group A) and in five 3- to 630-d-old children with Pierre Robin syndrome (group B). In group A, the children received 2.5 mg/kg caffeine orally once between birth and 15 mo. Group B patients were chronically treated with caffeine (2.3 to 15.8 mg/kg/d) for prevention of apneas, and the acetylator phenotype was serially determined. Phenotyping was performed on a spot urine sample collected 2-6 h after drug administration. Caffeine metabolites [5-acetylamino-6-formylamino-3-methyl uracil (AFMU), 1-methylxanthine, 1-methyluric acid, 1,7-methyluric acid, and 1,7-methylxanthine] were measured using HPLC. Acetylator phenotype was determined on the basis of AFMU/1-methylxanthine (ratio 1) and AFMU/AFMU + 1,7-methyluric acid + 1-methylxanthine + 1,7- methylxanthine + 1,7-methyluric acid (ratio 2) molar ratios. In group A, all children were slow acetylators before 83 d of age (ratio 1 less than 0.4; ratio 2 less than 0.08), whereas older children included slow and fast acetylators. The acetylation molar ratios differed significantly between age groups and increased with age. The cumulative percentage of fast acetylators increased with age but the plateau was not yet reached at 15 mo. In three children, the phenotyping was repeated after 15 mo: the second determination was consistent with the first one. In group B, all children appeared as slow acetylators on the first phenotyping. Four of them appeared subsequently as fast acetylators; one remained a slow acetylator until 11 mo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylation↗

The effect of estradiol, trenbolone acetate, or zeranol on growth rate, mammary development, carcass traits, and plasma estradiol concentrations of beef heifers.

The effect of a single implantation (on d 1) with one or two long-acting, biodegradable estradiol implants (1E or 2E) on plasma estradiol concentrations in beef heifers was determined. The growth rates of these (2E) heifers, and of heifers repeatedly implanted with trenbolone acetate (TBA) or zeranol (Z) on d 1, 84, 168, and 252 of the trial, were compared to growth rates of controls. Trenbolone acetate alone was compared to TBA + 2E, and 2E was compared to 1E. At a mean age of 84 d (d 1 of experiment), 81 Hereford x Friesian heifers were allocated at random to the following treatments: Control (n = 15); TBA (n = 15); 1E (n = 12); 2E (n = 15); Z (n = 13); or TBA + 2E (n = 11). Mean live weight (kg) prior to slaughter on d 368 and hot carcass weight (kg) for heifers assigned to treatment Groups 1 to 6, respectively, were 366 and 200, 391 and 212, 374 and 201, 386 and 207, 387 and 210, and 391 and 208 (residual SD = 30.3 and 20.2). Heifers assigned to both the 2E and Z treatments were heavier on d 368 (P less than .05) and had longer teats on d 279 (P less than .05), less pelvic fat (P less than .05), and heavier kidneys (P less than .005) than control heifers. Heifers assigned to the TBA treatment had shorter teats on d 279 (P less than .001) but greater final live weight (P less than .05) and carcass weight than control heifers. Heifers given TBA alone had more pelvic fat (P less than .05) and lighter kidneys (P less than .05) than those given TBA + 2E. Mean estradiol concentrations in both the ipsilateral and contralateral jugular veins of heifers assigned to the 2E and TBA + 2E treatments, and in the ipsilateral jugular veins of heifers given 1E, were greater (P less than .05) than those in control heifers; concentrations did not decline during the experiment.

Adipose Tissue↗

Moclobemide excretion in human breast milk.

1. Six lactating white women, aged 24-36 years, received a single oral dose of 300 mg moclobemide, between 09.00 h and 11.00 h, 3 to 5 days after the delivery of a full term neonate. 2. Complete milk collections were obtained before, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h after drug administration by means of a breast pump. Venous blood samples were drawn before, and 0.5, 1, 3, 4.5, 6, 9, 12, 24 h post-dosing. 3. Moclobemide, and its major metabolite (Ro 12-8095) were measured in milk and plasma samples using h.p.l.c. The active metabolite (Ro 12-5637) could only be detected in plasma. 4. Moclobemide and its metabolites were not detectable in 24 h plasma samples. Cmax, tmax and t1/2 for moclobemide were (mean +/- s.d.) 2.70 +/- 1.24 mg l-1, 2.03 +/- 1.19 h and 2.26 +/- 0.26 h, respectively. 5. The concentrations of moclobemide and Ro 12-8095 in milk were highest at 3 h after drug administration and the drug and metabolite were not detectable after 12 h. Ro 12-5637 was not detected in any milk sample. The percentages of the dose excreted as moclobemide and Ro 12-8095 were (mean +/- s.d.) 0.057 +/- 0.020% and 0.031 +/- 0.011%, respectively. An average 3.5 kg breast-fed neonate would therefore be exposed to only a 0.05 mg kg-1 moclobemide dose (approximately 1% of the maternal dose on the mg kg-1 basis). The low amount of moclobemide excreted into breast milk is unlikely to be hazardous to suckling infants.

Adult↗

Effects of oestradiol, zeranol or trenbolone acetate implants on puberty, reproduction and fertility in heifers.

The effects of anabolic agents on reproduction in beef heifers were determined by using 300 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA), 36 mg zeranol and 19 mg oestradiol-17 beta in a biodegradable pellet (1E: American Cyanamid, USA), or two such pellets (2E). On Day 1 of experiment, 81 Hereford x Friesian heifers (mean age = 84 +/- 1.2 days) were allocated at random to the following treatments: (1) controls (N = 15); (2) TBA (N = 15); (3) 1E (N = 12); (4) 2E (N = 15); (5) zeranol (N = 13); (6) TBA + 2E (N = 11). The 1 (1E), or 2 (2E) oestradiol implants were administered on Day 1 of the experiment only. Heifers assigned to receive TBA and zeranol were implanted on Days 1, 84, 168 and 252. Blood progesterone concentrations and oestrous activity were monitored from Days 137 and 200 respectively. Mean age (days) and weight (kg) at puberty (first ovulation), for heifers that reached puberty in Groups 1-6 respectively were 352 and 308, 419 and 356, 373 and 325, 381 and 331, 400 and 353, 423 and 383 [residual standard deviation (r.s.d.) = 43.8 and 39.4 for age and weight respectively]. Heifers in Group 4 were older (P less than 0.05), but not heavier (P greater than 0.05), while those in Groups 2 and 5 were both older (P less than 0.005) and heavier (P less than 0.005) than the controls at puberty. Age and weight at puberty were not different in heifers assigned to Groups 3 and 4, or to Groups 2 and 6. The proportion of heifers showing oestrus before puberty (prepubertal oestrus) were 3/15, 12/15, 6/12, 7/15, 10/13 and 11/11 in Groups 1-6 respectively. Heifers in Groups 2 and 5 had higher incidences of prepubertal oestrus than controls, while those in other treatment groups were not different. There was no treatment effect on the incidence of silent ovulations, but the incidence of non-ovulatory oestrus, after puberty, was increased from 4/48 in Group 1 to 26/40 (P less than 0.001), 15/56 (P less than 0.05) and 34/57 (P less than 0.001) in Groups 2, 4 and 5, respectively. Heifers in Group 6 had a higher incidence of non-ovulatory oestrus (P less than 0.05), but not of prepubertal oestrus, than did those in Group 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Nitrofurantoin excretion in human milk.

Six lactating white healthy women (26-36 years old, weighing 45-58 kg) were treated with 50 mg nitrofurantoin tablets, a urinary antiseptic. They received either 50 mg (group I; n = 3) or 100 mg (group II; n = 3) 3 times a day (09.00, 16.00, 19.00 h) for 24 h, 2-5 days after the delivery of a full-term neonate. The study was performed on the 4th dose at 09.00 h just before breakfast. Milk samples were collected before, 3 and 6 h after the nitrofurantoin administration with an Egnell SMB breast pump. The complete milk samples were collected from each breast, and pooled. 5 ml venous blood samples were drawn before, 1, 2, 3 and 6 h after nitrofurantoin administration. Plasma and milk nitrofurantoin concentrations were measured by HPLC. Apparent elimination half-life and apparent plasma clearance were the same in both groups, 0.8 +/- 0.09 h and 27.6 +/- 5.57 l/h, respectively. Nitrofurantoin was not detectable in the milk just before the 4th administration. The amount excreted in the milk within 6 h after nitrofurantoin administration was 22-57 micrograms (I) and 61-284 micrograms (II) which represents 0.05-0.11% (I) and 0.06-0.28 (II) of the nitrofurantoin dose. The nitrofurantoin concentration ratio of the breast milk to the plasma collected at 3 h was 2.2 +/- 1.2 (I) and 2.3 +/- 1.6 (II). These results show that nitrofurantoin excretion in human milk is low: below 0.12 (I) and 0.29% (II). It suggested that breast-fed newborn infants from mothers treated with nitrofurantoin would be exposed to small amounts of drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Zolpidem excretion in breast milk.

Five, lactating, healthy white women were treated with a single 20 mg tablet of zolpidem 3-4 days after the delivery of a full term baby. The drug was administered at 20.00 h, 30 min after dinner, and milk samples were collected before and 3, 13 and 16 h. Venous blood 5 ml was taken before and 1.5, 3, 13, 16 h after zolpidem administration. The apparent elimination half life, estimated from plasma zolpidem concentrations was 2.6 h. The amount of zolpidem excreted in the milk at 3 h ranged between 0.76 and 3.88 micrograms, which represented 0.004 to 0.019% of the administered dose; no detectable (below 0.5 ng/ml) zolpidem was found in the milk at subsequent sampling times. The ratio of the zolpidem concentrations in breast milk and plasma at 3 h was 0.13. The apparent breast milk clearance of zolpidem, calculated from the ratio of the total amount of zolpidem excreted in milk to its AUC in plasma was 1.48 ml/h. The results show that the excretion of zolpidem in human milk is very low (below 0.02%) and that most of it takes place during the first 3 h following drug intake.

Adult↗

Maturation of AFMU excretion in infants.

The maturation of the N-acetyltransferase-dependent AFMU production from caffeine was studied during infancy. The group of children (N = 14) consisted of 4 premature newborn infants and ten 1-19 month-old infants who received caffeine citrate solution for the treatment and prevention of apnea. Caffeine, AFMU, 1X and 9 other metabolites were measured in urine using HPLC. The AFMU/1X ratio did not vary significantly in this population with increasing age. In one of the infants serially studied, the AFMU/1X ratio increased dramatically between 6 and 12 months of age. This observation suggests that the maturation of N-acetyltransferase activity is not completed before 1 year of age implying that acetylator status cannot reliably be determined before that age. Patients studied before 1 year of age whose AFMU/1X ratio was below 0.4 may be either true slow acetylators or still immature fast acetylators.

Acetylation↗

Role of endogenous retroviruses as mutagens: the hairless mutation of mice.

We have developed an experimental approach to distinguish the 40-60 endogenous C-type proviruses of mice and to determine their association with well characterized developmental and physiological mutations. The hairless (hr) mutation causes a variety of pleiotropic effects. Using oligonucleotide probes specific for different classes of murine leukemia virus, we have identified and cloned a provirus present in HRS/J hr/hr animals but absent in HRS/J +/+. Genetic analyses showed perfect concordance between the hr phenotype and the presence of the provirus in a number of inbred and congenic strains of mice. Molecular analysis of a haired revertant established the causal relationship since it revealed the excision of most of the proviral genome leaving behind one long terminal repeat. These findings show that virus integration caused the hairless mutation and point to the utility of naturally occurring retroviral integrations for accessing the genome of the mouse.

Alleles↗

'Son et lumière': a new combined optical and Doppler ultrasound approach to the detection of breast cancer.

X-ray mammography is the gold standard for diagnosis of lesions within the female breast. It is also recognized as the technique of choice for breast cancer screening in women over 50-years-old. Notwithstanding these important roles it has shortcomings in terms of limited sensitivity and specificity, especially in younger women. This paper describes the concept of a combined optical density and Doppler ultrasound method proposed initially as a supplement to mammography. A specially devised tissue compressor is also described. Results obtained using test phantoms and initial clinical studies are presented. Neovascularization at the advancing front of neoplastic lesions is believed to underlie detection of lesions by both telediaphanography and Doppler ultrasound.

Adult↗

Emotional disorder and its assessment within the severe head injured population.

This study examined the usefulness of self-report measures of emotional disorder in a relatively acute, severely head injured population (i.e. individuals who had sustained their injuries within the previous two years). The General Health Questionnaire, the Leeds Scales of Depression and Anxiety, and Visual Analogue Scales of Depression and Anxiety were administered to 39 severely head injured subjects and 35 'close others' who were required to give their opinions on how they thought the head injured subjects were feeling. Twenty head injured subjects were re-tested within a week. Results indicated that the head injured are able to reliably complete self-report scales as indicated by the 'close others' similar reports. The head injured seem to be relatively aware of their overt behaviours and emotions, at least when utilizing the General Health Questionnaire and the Leeds Scale of Depression. According to the measures of emotional disposition used in the present study, emotional disorder was found to be common. From the results it was further suggested that lack of a close confiding relationship predicts emotional disorder and may be used to identify those subjects at risk. Overall, the results provide confidence for the use of self-report scales as a preliminary approach to the identification of emotional disorder in the severely head injured.

Adult↗

Maturation of caffeine metabolic pathways in infancy.

The maturation of the different pathways of caffeine metabolism was studied during infancy. The group of children (n = 14) consisted of four premature newborn infants and 10 older infants who received caffeine citrate solution. Caffeine and 11 of its metabolites were measured by HPLC. Total demethylation and N3- and N7-demethylation increase exponentially with postnatal age; the plateau is reached by 120 days and accounts for 58.6%, 90.5%, and 79.3%, respectively. N1-demethylation shows no variation with postnatal age. It is suggested that N3-demethylation is more important in young infants than in adults and that maturation of N1-demethylation occurs later than 19 months of age. 8-Hydroxylation is mature as early as 1 month of age and may be higher in infants than in adults. Acetylation is not mature before at least 1 year of age. Differences in maturation rate of acetylation may be related in part to genetic acetylator status.

Acetylation↗

Bacillus sporulation gene spo0H codes for sigma 30 (sigma H).

The DNA sequences of the spo0H genes from Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis are described, and the predicted open reading frames code for proteins of 26,097 and 25,447 daltons, respectively. The two spo0H gene products are 91% identical to one another and about 25% identical to most of the procaryotic sigma factors. The predicted proteins have a conserved 14-amino-acid sequence at their amino terminal end, typical of sigma factors. Antibodies raised against the spo0H gene product of B. licheniformis specifically react with RNA polymerase sigma factor protein, sigma 30, purified from B. subtilis. We conclude that the spo0H genes of B. licheniformis and B. subtilis code for sigma 30, now known as sigma H.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Developmental changes of caffeine elimination in infancy.

Five neonates (4 premature) and 16 infants (6 prematurely born), 15-588 days old, received caffeine as citrate salt for apnea. Plasma samples were collected 0, 2, 4, 6 h after a dose and before the next scheduled one. Patients 8 and 9 were serially studied. Caffeine plasma concentrations were determined using HPLC. The caffeine elimination half-life and clearance varied linearly with gestational age and exponentially with postnatal age, the plateau being reached during the second trimester of life. Dose regimen guidelines as a function of postnatal age were derived from individually calculated doses and dosing intervals in order to achieve, at steady state, a caffeine mean plasma concentration of 11 mg/l with a minimum of 7.5 mg/l and a maximum of 14.5 mg/l. We suggest dosing intervals for infants before 1 month, 1-2 months, 2-4 months and after 4 months to be equal to 24, 12, 8 and 6 h, respectively. The individual recommended dose varies from 2 to 10 mg/kg (as caffeine base) making caffeine monitoring mandatory in infants.

Aging↗