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Biomedical subjects

I Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to I Taylor.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Quality of follow-up of the cancer patient affecting outcome.

It has been traditional to follow up patients after surgery for primary colorectal cancer for approximately 5 years. The indications and rationale for this type of follow-up are early detection of recurrent disease while still at a presymptomatic stage, recognition of a metachronous tumor that might develop in the remaining large bowel, psychological support for the patient, and facilitation of audit to determine outcome in patients randomized into clinical trials. This article reviews the evidence supporting the benefits or otherwise careful follow-up following surgery for colorectal cancer. A possible surveillance regimen involving liver scanning is suggested.

Aftercare↗
PubMed2000

Outcome after resection of a solid tumor: volume, specialization, or both?

The outcome following surgery for resection of a solid tumor depends on a number of factors including patient comorbidity, stage of the disease, and surgical expertise. Each of these aspects must be considered when outcome data are being assessed. This multifactorial concept makes the relative importance of volume and specialization difficult to assess for individual patients. This article investigates the role of volume and specialization in determining outcome following solid tumor resection.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1999

Refolding, purification, and characterization of a loop deletion mutant of human Bcl-2 from bacterial inclusion bodies.

This report describes the cloning of recombinant human Bcl-2, in which the putative disordered loop region has been replaced with a flexible linker and the hydrophobic C-terminus has been replaced with a 6xHis tag (Bcl-2(6-32)-AAAA-Bcl-2(86-206)-HHHHHH, abbreviation rhBcl-2; amino acid numbering excludes the initiating methionine). This protein was expressed in Escherichia coli where it accumulated in insoluble form in inclusion bodies. After lysis the washed inclusion bodies were solubilized and an l-arginine assisted protein refolding route was employed to obtain biologically active protein. rhBcl-2 was purified further by nickel chelate chromatography to give protein of >95% purity, with an overall yield of 5 mg per g of E. coli cell paste. Edman sequencing showed that approximately 90% of the rhBcl-2 retained the initiating methionine residue. Analytical size exclusion chromatography suggested that the refolded and purified rhBcl-2 was monomeric in nondenaturing solution. Purified protein had an affinity for a Bax BH3 domain peptide comparable to that for in vivo folded recombinant human Bcl-2 and suppressed caspase activation in a cell-free assay for apoptosis. 1H NMR spectroscopy of rhBcl-2, both free and complexed with the Bax BH3 domain peptide, provided further evidence for the structural and functional integrity of the refolded protein. These findings parallel and extend those of Muchmore et al., who found that a loop deletion mutant of human Bcl-XL retained anti-apoptotic function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Effect of gamma-linolenic acid on cellular uptake of structurally related anthracyclines in human drug sensitive and multidrug resistant bladder and breast cancer cell lines.

This study investigated the effect on drug uptake in multidrug resistant cells by the incorporation of the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). The cell lines used were the MCF-7/R resistant human breast cancer and MGH-U1/R bladder cancer. Uptake of drug (doxorubicin, epirubicin, mitoxantrone and idarubicin) after the incorporation of GLA was investigated quantitatively by flow cytometry and qualitatively by confocal microscopy. There was no observable overall increase in drug uptake due to GLA incorporation into the cells as shown by flow cytometry. However, an increase in uptake of the chemotherapeutic agent idarubicin was observed in GLA-treated resistant cells compared with untreated cells using the confocal microscope. This overall increase in cellular drug uptake was not accompanied by a change in cellular drug distribution. Only one drug, mitoxantrone, displayed a change in intracellular drug distribution due to GLA incorporation into MCF-7/R cells. This suggests that essential fatty acid incorporation into the cellular membranes of some resistant cells may cause a shift in the intracellular distribution of certain chemotherapeutic drugs.

Anthracyclines↗
PubMed1999

Noradrenaline improves the tumour to normal blood flow ratio and drug delivery in a model of liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Vasopressors administered via the hepatic artery appear to increase drug delivery to colorectal liver metastases, but are limited by a short duration of action. This study measured their effect on blood flow and drug delivery during a prolonged infusion in a model of liver metastases. METHODS: In Hooded Lister rats with liver metastases, blood flow in tumour and adjacent normal liver was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry during a 30-min hepatic arterial infusion of endothelin 1, angiotensin II, vasopressin, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), noradrenaline or saline (n = 6 per group). The same agents were co-administered with radiolabelled 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (n = 6 per group) and uptake in the tumour and normal liver was measured. RESULTS: The mean(s.d.) duration of effect and resulting percentage changes in tumour to normal blood flow ratio of the vasopressors during this period were: noradrenaline, 2.9(0.4) min and 34(5) per cent (P < 0.05); angiotensin II, 4.2(0.2) min and 10(2) per cent (P < 0.05); vasopressin, 11.1(0.9) min and 7(2) per cent (P < 0.05); endothelin 1, 21.5(2.3) min and 14(5) per cent (P < 0.05); and L-NAME, 22.6(3.3) min and 2(1) per cent (P not significant). The mean(s.d.) uptake of radiolabelled 5-FU by the tumour in the groups studied was: saline, 5.1(3.2) x 10(5) c.p.m. per g tissue; angiotensin II, 5.1(1.4) x 10(5) c.p.m. per g; endothelin 1, 15.8(14.2) x 10(5) c.p.m. per g; L-NAME, 3.5(1.3) x 10(5) c.p.m. per g; and vasopressin, 6.8(3.5) x 10(5) c.p.m. per g. Significant improvements in 5-FU uptake only resulted from noradrenaline infusion (22.0(9.8) x 10(5) c.p.m. per g; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that hepatic arterially infused noradrenaline might be used to improve drug delivery to liver metastases.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A circumcision service for religious reasons.

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of a pioneering service introduced under National Health Service (NHS) cover, providing circumcision on religious grounds. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The service was offered to all male babies aged 6-14 weeks. Circumcision was carried out using the Plastibell technique under 1% lignocaine ring block/penile block anaesthesia. Between July 1996 and August 1998, 168 circumcisions were performed and assessed postoperatively by telephone enquiry, visiting at home by the nurse and review at the hospital if and when required. RESULTS: Of the 168 babies, 31 required some follow-up care. In six babies the separated ring tracked back onto the shaft of the penis and had to be removed using a ring-cutter. Ten babies were referred for incomplete separation of the Plastibell ring; only two required removal, the rest of the rings detaching spontaneously within a few days. Two babies were reviewed for early separation of the ring and seven were reviewed for bleeding within 24 h of the operation. Two of these were immediately after circumcision, when the bleeding was seen to be from the torn frenulum. They were converted to a more formal circumcision without the Plastibell under the same anaesthesia. Surveillance with no intervention was required in the others, except one who needed a compression dressing. One baby had apyrexia, requiring antibiotics. Four babies had suspected wound infection but none was clinically significant. One parent remained dissatisfied and complained about the inadequate removal of the foreskin. CONCLUSION: The aim of the service was to provide safe circumcision requested on religious grounds. The technique was simple and easily learned by nurses. Parents have generally been very satisfied and the complication rate was acceptable, with most problems occurring early in the series, suggesting an improvement with experience.

Child Health Services↗
PubMed1999

Effect of a microwave coagulator on implanted liver neoplasms in rats.

An experimental study was conducted to determine the applicability of a microwave (MW) source for coagulation and dissection of metastatic tumour and liver parenchyma. Twenty PVG rats were studied after implantation of MC28 tumour cells into the liver. Eleven days later they underwent sham laparotomy (control) MW coagulation of the tumour deposit, local resection of the tumour deposit with 2 mm clearance or resection of the tumour with MW coagulation of the resection zone. The control animals all died with blood-stained ascites and heavy tumour burden in the liver. After MW coagulation, tumours disappeared in all but one rat. Local resection also led to tumour clearance in 4 of 5 rats. MW coagulation of the resection zone allowed rapid bloodless resection, and no tumour recurrence was observed after 40-89 days. We conclude that MW coagulation is a potentially useful tool for ablation of hepatic metastasis and as an adjunct to hepatic resection.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Colorectal cancer in adolescents.

Colorectal cancer, one of the most common malignancies among adults, is rare in adolescence. This low incidence coupled with non-specific symptoms and aggressive natural history leads to a poorer prognosis than in reported adult series. This article describes two cases of colorectal cancer in adolescents and reviews the literature regarding this rare condition. Earlier diagnosis and a greater understanding of the natural history may lead to improved treatment with concomitant improvements in survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗