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Biomedical subjects

J H Moore

Publications and source records attributed to J H Moore.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Amplification and over-expression of the EGFR and erbB-2 genes in human esophageal adenocarcinomas.

Esophageal cancer is one of the 10 most prevalent human cancers worldwide. The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is on the rise and patients with this disease typically have very poor prognosis. Informative biomarkers would benefit the clinical management of this disease. We examined 13 cases with esophageal adenocarcinomas and 5 cases with Barrett's esophagus for amplification of the EGFR and erbB-2 genes. We detected multiple copies of the EGFR gene in 30.8% of the tumors and multiple copies of the erbB-2 gene in 15.4% of the tumors. Of the cases with amplification of the erbB-2 gene, co-amplification of the EGFR gene was found. Multiple copies of the EGFR gene were also found in one case of Barrett's esophagus. Immunohistochemical staining of the tissues revealed increased expression of the erbB-2 protein in Barrett's mucosa and adenocarcinoma, but no associations between staining intensity and degree of EGFR or erbB-2 gene amplification, histology, or tumor stage were found. Differential polymerase chain reaction was examined as a method for pre-operative detection of gene amplification in esophageal tumors and Barrett's mucosa.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Decorin, versican, and biglycan gene expression by keloid and normal dermal fibroblasts: differential regulation by basic fibroblast growth factor.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a multipotential heparin-binding factor that belongs to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. The FGFs demonstrate a wide spectrum of biologic activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we investigated the potential of bFGF to regulate the expression of various dermal extracellular matrix proteoglycans and type I collagen mRNAs in cultured human fibroblasts from keloid, which is a prototype of dermal fibrosis, and normal skin tissue. We report that bFGF upregulates the expression of the decorin gene in normal and keloid fibroblasts. In contrast, the expression of biglycan is downregulated by bFGF. The mRNA steady-state level of versican, a large proteoglycan, is not altered by bFGF. Type I collagen gene expression is downregulated substantially in keloid and normal fibroblasts by bFGF. The results suggest that the expression of the proteoglycan genes are uncoordinately regulated and that the gene expression of type I collagen and biglycan is coordinately downregulated. The results also demonstrate that keloid fibroblasts respond similarly as do normal fibroblasts to bFGF in the regulation of proteoglycan and collagen expression.

Biglycan↗

Sucrase-isomaltase gene expression in Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Specialized Barrett's esophageal mucosa, characterized by incomplete intestinal metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa, is associated with the development of adenocarcinoma. Although the intestinal disaccharidase sucrase-isomaltase (SI) has been shown in incomplete intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, it is commonly believed that Barrett's mucosa does not express SI based on the lack of enzymatic activity. This study was undertaken to determine whether the SI gene is expressed in Barrett's epithelium and its associated adenocarcinoma at the level of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. METHODS: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the presence of SI mRNA in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinomas. Cellular localization of SI protein was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: SI mRNA was identified in 76% of Barrett's epithelium and 82% of esophageal adenocarcinomas. The transcriptional initiation site for SI in these tissues was identical to that of the small intestine. Immunohistochemical localization showed that SI was directed to the apical membrane in Barrett's epithelium in contrast to a more diffuse cytoplasmic pattern in esophageal adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Columnar cells of specialized Barrett's epithelium express SI and are, therefore, phenotypically similar to those in incomplete intestinal metaplasia of the stomach with respect to intestinal gene expression.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors down-regulate collagen gene expression in keloid fibroblasts.

The effects of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) on collagen expression by keloid fibroblasts were examined in the absence and presence of heparin. Collagen biosynthesis and gene expression of type I collagen were down-regulated by the FGFs in the presence of heparin. Acidic FGF, in a concentration range of 0.4 to 50 ng/ml, had little or no effect on collagen synthesis after a 4-day incubation. However, in the presence of heparin (100 micrograms/ml) acidic FGF, in concentrations ranging from 2 to 50 ng/ml, decreased [3H]hydroxyproline synthesis by 44 to 68%, compared with untreated control cultures. Total [3H]hydroxyproline synthesis was similar between control and heparin-treated cultures. Basic FGF (2.0 to 50 ng/ml) was effective in suppressing [3H]hydroxyproline synthesis by 50 to 90% after a 4-day incubation without heparin in keloid and normal fibroblast cultures. The steady-state levels of type I collagen messenger RNA were significantly decreased by acidic FGF in the presence of heparin, as well as by basic FGF without heparin. The data suggest that the FGFs are effective in down-regulating excess collagen production by keloid fibroblasts and that this inhibitory effect is apparently associated with pretranslational events. Moreover, acidic FGF is apparently dependent on heparin, whereas basic FGF is not, for potentiation of the down-regulatory effects of the FGFs.

Collagen↗

Synchronous cecal and sigmoid volvulus. Report of a case.

Volvulus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in the U.S. Sigmoid colon volvulus is the most frequent, followed by cecal volvulus. The simultaneous occurrence of cecal and sigmoid colon volvulus is extremely unusual. We are reporting what to our knowledge is the third case.

Cecal Diseases↗

Reconstruction of the chest wall with e-PTFE following major resection.

Nine patients underwent major chest wall resection at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia, PA) over a 19-month period. Chest wall reconstruction was performed with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) soft tissue patch (Gore-Tex) and vascularized flaps in all patients. The size of the skeletal defects ranged in area from 60 to 400 cm2. The primary indications for resection included chest wall sarcoma and radiation ulcer. Aggressive chest wall resection may be a patient's only opportunity for cure and an improved quality of life. In this series, chest wall resection was able to be performed with a low morbidity and no mortality. This study also demonstrates many of the advantages of e-PTFE as a chest wall substitute compared with other previously described prosthetic materials. The use of a Gore-Tex patch along with described flaps for soft tissue coverage provides good functional and aesthetic results.

Adult↗

Anaesthetic technique for transvenous pulmonary embolectomy.

Transvenous pulmonary catheter embolectomy is being used as a method of treatment for patients suffering from massive pulmonary embolism. The anaesthetic management of these patients can be complex. Presented is a case of transvenous pulmonary embolectomy in a patient who also had an intravascular volume deficit secondary to haemorrhage and possible reperfusion oedema. A discussion of appropriate monitoring during procedure follows.

Aged↗

Transvenous catheter pulmonary embolectomy.

Acute cardiovascular collapse in the hospitalized patient is associated with a high mortality rate and remains a therapeutic dilemma. Survival could be improved in the subgroup of patients with massive pulmonary thromboembolism if prompt surgical intervention is undertaken. This report presents the cases of two patients with cardiovascular collapse who survived transvenous catheter pulmonary embolectomy (herein described in detail). This procedure can be performed in any hospital with angiographic facilities and personnel trained in the technique. In our opinion it is the procedure of choice in patients with refractory cardiovascular collapse from massive pulmonary thromboembolism.

Catheterization↗

Digital ischemia in the neonate following intravenous therapy.

Ischemia and gangrene in the hand can result from attempted intravenous cannulation in the neonate. This disastrous complication can be avoided with an understanding of the blood supply of the hand. Once ischemia occurs, amputation is the usual end result, but it may be averted by early diagnosis and treatment.

Catheterization↗

Benign cystic mesothelioma.

A 73-year-old man presented a 20-year history of recurrent, progressive, cystic lesions of the peritoneal surfaces which had necessitated two previous operations. Diffuse involvement of the peritoneum was observed at his most recent laparotomy and an attempt was made to excise as much mesothelial surface as possible. Benign cystic mesothelioma was diagnosed, based on the clinical behavior of the lesion and the presence of specific histologic and ultrastructural findings. While this lesion shares some histologic similarities with previously described peritoneal cysts, the ultrastructural demonstration of its mesothelial origin and its recurrent progressive behavior are without precedent.

Aged↗

Positional distribution of exogenous and endogenous fatty acids in triacylglycerols formed by rat adipocytes in vitro.

Rat adipocytes were used in vitro to compare the positional distributions of fatty acids of intra- and extra-cellular origin in triacyl-sn-glycerols. Fatty acids of extracellular origin were esterified to each position in similar, but not identical, proportions to the natural distributions. A high proportion of the oleic acid synthesised in the tissue by desaturation of exogenous stearic acid was found in position sn-3. When palmitic acid was the only fatty acid added, tripalmitoylglycerol was synthesised by the adipocytes. The rate and pattern of fatty acids synthesised de novo from acetate was dependent on the age of the donor rat and the concentration of acetate and presence or absence of long-chain fatty acids in the medium. The newly synthesised fatty acids were esterified in very different proportions from the natural distributions and thus from those of extracellular fatty acids. The results are discussed in terms of esterification of the fatty acids from the two sources in different compartments of the cell.

Adipose Tissue↗

Esterification of exogenous and endogenous fatty acids by rat adipocytes in vitro.

Rat adipocytes were used in vivo to compare the esterification of exogenous fatty acids and fatty acids formed de novo from glucose or acetate. Pure single fatty acids added to the medium were esterified at comparable rates but marked differences were observed when the same acids were supplied as components of a fatty acid mixture of a composition similar to that in the tissue. Fatty acids synthesised de novo from acetate by adipocytes in a medium containing high concentrations of acetate were located predominantly in diacylglycerols. The effect was most marked with adipocytes from older rats and was enhanced by the presence of exogenous long-chain fatty acids. Exogenous oleic acid was esterified predominantly into triacylglycerols at all concentrations of acetate. No such accumulation of endogenously-synthesised fatty acids in diacylglycerols occurred when glucose was the precursor for fatty acid synthesis. The diacylglycerols formed were almost entirely of the sn-1,2-configuration.

Acetates↗