Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D J Marshall

Publications and source records attributed to D J Marshall.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Intestinal neoplasia in the ApcMin mouse: independence from the microbial and natural killer (beige locus) status.

We have tested the hypothesis that enteric bacteria are necessary for formation of intestinal adenomas in C57BL/6-ApcMin/+ mouse. Germ-free mice developed 2-fold fewer adenomas than conventional controls in the medial small intestine (7.3 versus 14.9; P < 0.003), but there were no significant differences in the rest of the intestinal tract. We conclude that microbial status does not strongly alter the adenoma phenotype in this mouse model of familial adenomatous polyposis. In parallel, we have found that C57BL/6-ApcMin/+ mice mutated at the beige locus, which controls natural killer activity, are also unaltered in adenoma multiplicity.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Determination of hepatitis C virus genotypes in the United States by cleavase fragment length polymorphism analysis.

We describe the application of a new DNA-scanning method, which has been termed Cleavase Fragment Length Polymorphism (CFLP; Third Wave Technologies, Inc., Madison, Wis.), for the determination of the genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV). CFLP analysis results in the generation of structural fingerprints that allow discrimination of different DNA sequences. We analyzed 251-bp cDNA products generated by reverse transcription-PCR of the well-conserved 5'-noncoding region of HCV. We determined the genotypes of 87 samples by DNA sequencing and found isolates representing 98% of the types typically encountered in the United States, i.e., types 1a, 1b, 2a/c, 2b, 3a, and 4. Blinded CFLP analysis of these samples was 100% concordant with DNA sequencing results, such that closely related genotypes yielded patterns with strong familial resemblance whereas more divergent sequences yielded patterns with pronounced dissimilarities. In each case, the aggregate pattern was indicative of genotypic grouping, while finer changes suggested subgenotypic differences. We also assessed the reproducibility of CFLP analysis in HCV genotyping by analyzing three distinct isolates belonging to a single subtype. These three isolates yielded indistinguishable CFLP patterns, as did replicate analysis of a single isolate. This study demonstrates the suitability of this technology for HCV genotyping and suggests that it may provide a low-cost, high-throughput alternative to DNA sequencing or other, more costly or cumbersome genotyping approaches.

Base Sequence↗

Chemoprevention of spontaneous intestinal adenomas in the Apc Min mouse model by the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam.

C57BL/6J-Min/+mice (n = 56), heterozygous for a nonsense mutation in the Apc gene, were randomized at weaning to seven groups, including groups treated with piroxicam at 0, 50, 100, and 200 ppm in the AIN93G diet. After only 6 weeks of treatment, intestinal adenomas and aberrant crypt foci were counted, and serum levels of piroxicam and thromboxane B2 were quantitated. Tumor multiplicity was decreased in a dose-dependent manner from 17.3 +/- 2.7 in the control to 2.1 +/- 1.1 (12%) in the high-dose piroxicam group (P < 0.001). Thromboxane B2 levels in plasma also decreased monotonically in parallel to the decrease in tumor multiplicity, consistent with the prostaglandin inhibitory effect of piroxicam. The Min mouse model demonstrates that the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam has strong biological and therapeutic effects, potentially useful for prevention of the early adenoma stage of tumor development.

Animals↗

Distribution of virus and viral antigen in specific pathogen-free calves following inoculation with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus.

Gross and microscopic lesions and distribution of virus were studied in specific pathogen-free calves (SPF) 10 days post-inoculation (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). To investigate possible differences in tissue tropism between BCDV isolates, two clinically and antigenically different noncytopathic (ncp) isolates of BVDV were compared in the study. Four calves were exposed to noncytopathic (ncp) BVDV 7937, and four to ncp-BVDV 126. Two additional calves that were not exposed to virus served as controls. Both ncp-BVDV 7937 and ncp-BVDV 126 induced mild disease characterized by variable fever and anorexia. Lymphoid depletion was evident in Peyer's patch of four calves and the thymus of two calves exposed to BVDV. Differences between these isolates in the distribution of BVDV or BVDV antigen in tissues of inoculated calves were not found. High concentrations of BVDV and BVDV-specific antigen were detected in the thymus, Peyer's patch, and mesenteric lymph node of all exposed calves. BVDV was shown to infect cells of the bone marrow without causing microscopic lesions. High concentrations of BVDV were recovered from the bone marrow of all calves exposed to BVDV and BVDV-specific antigen was demonstrated at this location in six of these calves. Platelet counts of calves exposed to BVDV were significantly reduced during infection, which resulted in thrombocytopenia in one calf. Focal areas of necrosis were observed in squamous epithelial cells of the tonsil and ruminal mucosa. BVDV-specific antigen was found in and adjacent to these foci. Calves exposed to ncp-BVDV 7937 had slightly more severe clinical signs than those exposed to ncp-BVDV 126.

Animals↗

The role of the immune response in MULV-induced lymphomagenesis.

Although the exact mechanisms of murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-induced lymphomagenesis have yet to be elucidated, it is clear that the immune reponse to viral proteins plays a critical role in this disease process. The parameters for lymphomagenesis are governed by an inverse relationship between viral persistence and immune responsiveness. MuLV have evolved ways to avoid immune detection either by altering their own genome or by altering the host environment. In addition, the intrathymic replication of MuLV during thymocyte maturation and immune selection plays an important role in T cell repertoire development and immune inhibition. These viruses have served as a highly effective experimental model in understanding the many pathways by which MuLV have overcome immune detection and thereby led to lymphomagenesis.

Animals↗

Genetic instability associated with adenoma to carcinoma progression in hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Genetic instability related to defective DNA mismatch repair genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of carcinoma in hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). However, nonneoplastic tissues from patients inheriting defects in human MSH2 or human MLH1 do not show significant genetic instability. The aim of this study was to determine whether acquisition of genetic instability at the adenoma stage promotes malignant transformation by studying adenoma-carcinoma progression in HNPCC. METHODS: Dinucleotide repeat loci were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction from microdissected adenoma and/or carcinoma stages from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded HNPCC tumors. RESULTS: Although genetic instability was observed at some loci in almost all cases, the proportion of microsatellite loci altered was significantly less (P < 0.01) in completely benign adenomas (24%) than in benign areas of adenomas with malignancy (54%). Molecular fingerprints indicated intratumor heterogeneity, with evolution of related subclones of neoplastic cells. However, in all cases of tumor progression, at least one subclone from the adenoma stage was closely related to the carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Some genetic instability develops at the benign adenoma stage in most HNPCC tumors. Adenomas with a greater rate of genetic instability are more likely to progress to carcinoma. Topographic genotyping data provides evidence supporting the hypothesis of adenoma-carcinoma progression in HNPCC.

Adenoma↗

Fungemia in children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus: new epidemiologic patterns, emerging pathogens, and improved outcome with antifungal therapy.

We characterized 27 episodes of fungemia in 22 children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Fungemia in these patients presented as a community-acquired infection in the setting of outpatient total parenteral nutrition or intravenous antibiotic therapy through a chronically indwelling central venous catheter (CVC). Fungemia developed only in patients with CVCs (P < .001). Non-albicans Candida species, Torulopsis glabrata, Rhodotorula rubra, and Bipolaris spicifera constituted 52% of all causes. Fungemia was detected early, within a median of 2.4 days after the onset of new fever, which permitted prompt administration of amphotericin B (mean dosage, 0.7 mg/[kg.day]; median duration, 19 days). CVCs were removed in 23 (85%) of the episodes. We conclude that fungemia in HIV-infected children often presents as a community-acquired infection, is frequently due to newly emerging opportunistic fungi, and can be managed, with a high level of success (95% survival with no posttherapeutic sequelae), by early diagnosis, prompt initiation of amphotericin B therapy, and removal of the CVC.

Antifungal Agents↗

Manipulation of the immune response by foreign gene expression in the thymus.

Retroviral gene transfer vectors have been developed for optimal in vivo gene therapy. Ideally, these vectors should target gene expression specifically to selected tissues or organs. Our studies focus on the development of retroviral vectors for gene delivery to the thymus. The goal of these studies is to utilize thymic expression of exogenous genes to manipulate the immune repertoire. We have characterized the selective thymic tropism of a molecular clone of Gross murine leukemia virus, GD-17, to thymic medullary epithelial cells using immunohistochemical staining and confocal microscopy. Specific expression of viral antigens in the thymus lead to the induction of immunologic tolerance to GMuLV proteins. This tissue specific vector may thus be used to study the requirements of epithelial mediated tolerance induction, and provide a more efficient tool for gene therapy.

Animals↗

Genetic analysis of colon cancer susceptibility in mice.

Mouse models may aid in the identification of genes involved in colon cancer. Our mating scheme involved mouse strains selected for maximum differences in susceptibility to DMH-induced colon tumors. Tumors were found in 40 of 122 progeny from a backcross to the resistant strain. We examined progeny animals for segregation of 177 genetic markers distributed at intervals of 5-30 cM on all mouse chromosomes. Multiple loci contribute to the phenotype, with significant linkage to a novel locus, Ccs1, between D12Mit5 and D12Mit6 on mouse Chr 12. Comparative maps suggest that the human homologue of Ccs1 is near FOS on human chromosome 14q.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗

Flow cytometric analyses of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues of gnotobiotic calves during primary acute postnatal infections of bovine viral diarrhea virus.

Eight 1-day-old gnotobiotic calves were exposed to one of 2 noncytopathic isolates of bovine viral diarrhea virus (ncp-BVDV 7937 and ncp-BVDV 126) and 2 similar calves were not infected and served as controls. Phenotypic analyses of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes at 3, 7, and 10 days postinfection (PI), and cell preparations of thymus, Peyer's patch, mesenteric lymph node, spleen, and bone marrow collected at necropsy, 10 days PI, were conducted using flow cytometric techniques on cells stained by an indirect fluorescent antibody assay using monoclonal antibodies specific for mononuclear leukocyte subsets. Significant fluctuations in specific subsets of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes were observed in calves exposed to ncp-BVDV 7937 on day 3 PI (cells expressing MHC class II), day 7 PI (B-cells), and day 10 PI (B cells and cells expressing MHCII). Significant phenotypic differences between groups were also detected in cell preparations from Peyer's patch and thymus. Calves exposed to ncp-BVDV 7937 had a significantly higher percentage of B cells than calves exposed to ncp-BVDV 126 and calves not exposed to BVDV. Calves exposed to ncp-BVDV 126 had a significantly higher percentage of CD2 (BoCD2) positive T cells than calves not exposed to BVDV. Fragility of thymic cell preparations was attributed to infection with virus. These results highlight the importance of the tropism of BVDV for cells of the bovine immune system and its role as a significant immunosuppressive agent capable of predisposing affected animals to infection with other agents.

Animals↗

The effect of footrot on body weight and wool growth of sheep.

Body weight and traits associated with production of wool were measured over a 2-year period between 1985 and 1987 in south-western New South Wales in a flock of Merino wethers experimentally infected with footrot. The disease was allowed to spread freely amongst 150 of the flock but kept at very low prevalence in the remaining 50 by preventive footbathing during transmission periods. Severe, underrunning footrot had a significant adverse effect on body weight, for each year of the trial. Body weight was most severely reduced at times of the year when footrot was spreading among animals and lesions were severe. The mean body weight of the infected group at the end of the 2 years of observation was 7.3 kg (11.6%) below that of the control group. Footrot also depressed wool growth, with the mean clean fleece weight of the infected group being 0.4 kg (8%) lighter than that of the controls at each of the 2 annual shearings. There were no consistent differences between the groups for the other wool characteristics measured.

Animals↗

Serum antibody responses in sheep after natural infection with Bacteroides nodosus.

Soluble outer membrane protein of Bacteroides nodosus extracted with potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) was employed as antigen in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect serum antibody in sheep naturally infected with a heterologous serogroup. Serum antibody responses in 55 sheep were monitored for 2 years and maximum levels were directly related to the severity of clinical foot lesions. Serum antibody levels rose 2 weeks after foot lesions developed and declined within several months of resolution of lesions. After the first footrot transmission period, antibody levels persisted significantly (P less than 0.001) longer in sheep that did not become affected in the next transmission period compared with sheep in which footrot recurred. Antibody response did not appear to result in resolution of foot lesions. ELISA using KSCN antigen gave similar results to whole cell ELISA where cells prepared from an homologous serogroup were used as antigen. Both these assays were more sensitive than ELISA in which heterologous whole cell antigen was used. Proteins extracted from the outer membrane of B. nodosus, which are known to be immunogenic in natural infection and common to different serogroups of B. nodosus, appear to be useful antigens for serological investigations of ovine footrot.

Animals↗

An anamnestic serological test for ovine footrot.

Following recovery from ovine footrot, a proportion of sheep in a flock may carry the causative organism and spread it to other sheep if environmental conditions are favourable. Footrot affected sheep have elevated levels of serum antibody against Bacteroides nodosus, but these levels decline rapidly after clinical recovery. When challenged by subcutaneous injection with 470 micrograms of protein extracted from the cell membrane of B. nodosus, without adjuvant, sheep that had recovered clinically from virulent footrot produced a marked increase in specific serum antibody within 7 d, while antibody levels in footrot-free sheep injected with the same antigen, and in saline injected controls, did not increase over a period of 25 d. Artificial stimulation and serological detection of immune memory may be useful in footrot eradication programs by identifying sheep that have had clinical footrot infection. This procedure may be applicable to other diseases where antibody responses are inconsistent or transient.

Animals↗

A positive association between resistance to ovine footrot and particular lymphocyte antigen types.

The distribution of 12 Class I ovine lymphocyte antigens (OLA) was examined in 4 flocks of sheep vaccinated against and/or challenged with Bacteroides nodosus, the transmitting agent of footrot. In a flock of 47 Corriedales in New Zealand, which had been specially bred for resistance to footrot, a higher frequency (70.2%) of OLA type SY6 was found compared with 42.9% in 49 unselected Corriedale sheep (P = 0.001). The serum antibody response of 12 selected Corriedale ewes was compared with that of 12 unselected ewes of the same age after vaccination with a multivalent footrot vaccine and the selected ewes had significantly (P = 0.01) higher agglutinin titres than the unselected ewes, 7 weeks after vaccination. In 3 trials involving 108, 120 and 135 Australian Merinos in Victoria, SYlb was associated with a reduction in the number of feet affected with severe footrot (P = 0.05, P = 0.01, P = 0.02) and in 2 of the trials there was a relationship between SY6 and high vaccinal agglutinin titres. This SY6 effect was evident in the first trial 31 days after primary vaccination (P = 0.05) and again 20 days later after secondary vaccination (P = 0.01). In the second trial, when the sheep were vaccinated 49 days after challenge, an association was again found between SY6 and high agglutinin titres (P = 0.05) after primary but not after secondary vaccination. Exposure of 157 vaccinated Merino rams to B. nodosus during a footrot outbreak in New South Wales also showed an association between low infection and SY6 and SYlb.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Clinical features and therapeutic interventions in 17 cases of Bacillus bacteremia in an immunosuppressed patient population.

We retrospectively examined episodes of Bacillus bacteremia at a hospital with a large proportion of immunosuppressed patients. Seventeen episodes in 9.5 years met our case definition: two of two bottles of one blood culture or one of two bottles of two or more separately obtained blood cultures drawn on the same date. During the same period, there were 59 additional episodes in which a single blood culture had only one of two bottles positive for Bacillus species. Only 2 of 59 such episodes resulted in recurrent bacteremia (3%), as compared with 5 of 17 episodes meeting our case definition (29%) (P = 0.004). In four of five episodes complicated by recurrent bacteremia and in which appropriate antibiotics were used, a Hickman-Broviac catheter was in place and was not removed. We suggest that our case definition permits the differentiation of infection from contamination based on outcome and that patients with Bacillus bacteremia have chronic venous catheters removed as well as receive antibiotic treatment.

Adolescent↗