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P L Crotty

Publications and source records attributed to P L Crotty.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

The management of insulinoma.

BACKGROUND: Insulinomas are rare tumours. Their clinical presentation, localization techniques and operative management were reviewed. METHODS: An electronic search of the Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was undertaken for articles published between January 1966 and June 2005 on the history, presentation, clinical evaluation, use of imaging techniques for tumour localization and operative management of insulinoma. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Most insulinomas are intrapancreatic, benign and solitary. Biochemical diagnosis is obtained during a supervised 72-h fast. Non-invasive preoperative imaging techniques to localize lesions continue to evolve. Intraoperative ultrasonography can be combined with other preoperative imaging modalities to improve tumour detection. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. In the absence of preoperative localization and intraoperative detection of an insulinoma, blind pancreatic resection is not recommended.

Female↗

Morphologically distinct patterns of apoptosis correlate with size and high-grade dysplasia in colonic adenomas.

AIMS: To examine the relationship of morphological patterns of apoptosis in colonic adenomas to standard pathological variables. METHODS AND RESULTS: Apoptosis patterns were evaluated in 184 consecutive colonic adenomas and 14 adenocarcinomas, using haematoxylin and eosin sections. Apoptosis identification was selectively validated by electron microscopy. There were three patterns of apoptosis: (i) confluent basal apoptosis; (ii) crypt lumen apoptosis, both assessed semiquantitatively; and (iii) scattered apoptosis (not quantified). Adenoma site, size, type, mitoses, and grade of dysplasia were also assessed. MIB-1 immunostaining was performed in 20 cases. In 142 adenomas (77%) confluent basal apoptosis (n = 124) and/or crypt lumen apoptosis (n = 69) were identified; 42 (23%) had scattered apoptosis only. Significant correlations were: (i) extensive confluent basal apoptosis with small adenomas < or =5 mm (P < 0.0001); (ii) crypt lumen apoptosis with large adenomas >5 mm (P < 0.0001) and (iii) with high-grade dysplasia (P < 0.0003); and (iv) coexistence of both patterns (n = 51) with large adenomas >5 mm (P < 0.0001). Neither apoptosis pattern correlated with other variables. Adenocarcinomas had minimal confluent basal apoptosis (5/14), conspicuous crypt lumen apoptosis (14/14), intraglandular coagulative necrosis, and scattered apoptotic tumour cells. CONCLUSIONS: Confluent basal apoptosis is maximal early in colonic tumorigenesis. The 'switch' to a predominant crypt lumen apoptosis pattern suggests that a different apoptosis induction mechanism might be associated with the transition to adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Histologic and immunophenotypic features prior to transformation in patients with transformed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: is CD25 expression in skin biopsy samples predictive of large cell transformation in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma?

Large cell transformation (LCT) in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is estimated to occur up to approximately 20% of patients. This morphologic change is associated with aggressive behavior and shortened survival. Our purpose was to identify morphologic and/or immunophenotypic features in CTCL skin biopsies that are predictive of transformation. We analyzed 12 cases of CTCL (three cases of mycosis fungoides and nine cases of Sezary syndrome) that underwent LCT and for which sequential biopsies before and after transformation were available. Eight of 12 cases had pre-LCT marker studies performed on frozen tissue. The histologic and immunophenotypic features of CTCL and LCT were reviewed. Morphologically, CTCL biopsies showed the following: Pautrier microabscesses (five cases), epidermotropism of single lymphoid cells (three cases), and nonspecific histology (four cases). Immunophenotyping prior to transformation showed aberrant loss of T-cell markers (CD5, CD7, CD5 and CD7) in three of eight cases. CD4:CD8 ratios were increased in all cases. Expression of CD25 by the neoplastic lymphoid cells was detected in six of seven cases. LCT immunophenotyping showed additional loss of CD7 in one of five cases and of CD25 in three of five cases. In conclusion, expression of CD25 in CTCL may identify a subset of patients at risk of undergoing LCT.

Adult↗

Mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris or acral pagetoid reticulosis?

There has been ongoing debate about the nature of Woringer-Kolopp disease (unilesional pagetoid reticulosis). Despite the histologic resemblance to mycosis fungoides, these lesions are typically solitary and indolent. Recently, cutaneous plaques of epidermotropic lymphocytes restricted to acral sites resembling Woringer-Kolopp disease were reported to show T-cell clonality, leading to the designation mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris. We describe a similar case of recurrent plaques on palms and soles of a 45-year-old man that persisted for >14 years without other cutaneous or systemic disease. Histologically, the lesions were comprised of epidermotropic atypical lymphocytes with sparse dermal infiltrates. Immunohistochemically, the majority of intraepidermal lymphocytes labeled as CD8-positive suppressor/cytotoxic T cells and expressed alphaE beta7 (CD103), an integrin associated with epitheliotropism. Polymerase chain reaction studies revealed similar clonal gene rearrangements of T-cell receptors beta and gamma in tissue from both palm and sole. In view of these findings, the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris may be appropriate. To date, however, the lesions have remained localized and continue to resolve spontaneously. As such, the behavior is similar to what has been described as pagetoid reticulosis. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to determine the biologic potential of this disease.

Antigens, CD↗

Morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular evaluation of bone marrow involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The diagnosis of marrow involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) relies on morphology with support from immunophenotyping by flow cytometry (FCM). We assessed the relative sensitivity of morphology, FCM, and consensus primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of antigen receptor genes in the detection of marrow involvement. In 78 of 100 (78%) cases, there was concordance between FCM and PCR. FCM detected more cases of clonality in B-cell neoplasia. There were 40 cases with objective evidence of involvement by B-cell neoplasia. In this group, FCM had a sensitivity of 97.5% (39 of 40); PCR had a sensitivity of 67.5% (27 of 40). In contrast, PCR had a sensitivity of 71.4%, and FCM a sensitivity of 28.6%, in T-cell neoplasia. In all 12 cases with involvement detected by biopsy, there was objective evidence of clonality. However, clonality was detected in four of seven patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and in five of eight patients with T-cell neoplasia in the absence of morphologically detectable disease. Clonality was identified in only one of seven patients with B-cell lymphoma in which the biopsy was interpreted as "suspicious but not diagnostic of involvement." We conclude that morphology remains of central importance in the evaluation of marrow involvement in NHL. We show that FCM and PCR identify involvement in the absence of morphologically apparent disease. In B-cell neoplasms, FCM remains the method of choice for the detection of clonality. PCR for T-cell receptor gene rearrangements may be an important adjunct to the diagnosis of marrow involvement in patients with T-cell neoplasms.

Antigens, CD↗

Developmentally regulated expression of the novel cancer anti-apoptosis gene survivin in human and mouse differentiation.

Inhibitors of programmed cell death (apoptosis) may regulate tissue differentiation and aberrantly promote cell survival in neoplasia. A novel apoptosis inhibitor of the IAP gene family, designated survivin, was recently found in all of the most common human cancers but not in normal, terminally differentiated adult tissues. The expression of survivin in embryonic and fetal development was investigated. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization studies demonstrated strong expression of survivin in several apoptosis-regulated fetal tissues, including the stem cell layer of stratified epithelia, endocrine pancreas, and thymic medulla, with a pattern that did not overlap with that of another apoptosis inhibitor, bcl-2. A sequence-specific antibody to survivin immunoblotted a single approximately 16.5-kd survivin band in human fetal lung, liver, heart, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract. In mouse embryo, prominent and nearly ubiquitous distribution of survivin was found at embryonic day (E)11.5, whereas at E15 to -21, survivin expression was restricted to the distal bronchiolar epithelium of the lung and neural-crest-derived cells, including dorsal root ganglion neurons, hypophysis, and the choroid plexus. These data suggest that expression of survivin in embryonic and fetal development may contribute to tissue homeostasis and differentiation independently of bcl-2. Aberrations of this developmental pathway may result in prominent re-expression of survivin in neoplasia and abnormally prolonged cell viability.

Animals↗

Protease receptors in Hodgkin's disease: expression of the factor Xa receptor, effector cell protease receptor-1, in Reed-Sternberg cells.

The expression of a cellular receptor for the blood-clotting protease factor Xa, designated effector cell protease receptor-1 (EPR-1), was investigated in lymphoma. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated prominent reactivity of monoclonal antibodies to EPR-1 with Reed-Sternberg cells in 30 of 35 cases of nodular-sclerosis, lymphocyte-depletion, and mixed-cellularity Hodgkin's disease (HD). In contrast, several non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, or the nonneoplastic cellular components of HD, did not react with anti-EPR-1 monoclonal antibodies. A single molecular species of approximately 62 kD, consistent with the size and structural organization of EPR-1, was immunoblotted by an anti-EPR-1 monoclonal antibody from tissue samples of HD, but not from normal lymph nodes. Expression of EPR-1 transcripts in Reed-Sternberg cells was demonstrated by in situ hybridization with an antisense EPR-1 riboprobe, and by amplification of reverse-transcribed HD RNA with EPR-1-specific primers. These findings identify the factor Xa receptor, EPR-1, as a novel marker of Reed-Sternberg cells, and suggest its potential role in the histopathogenesis of HD.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis of the skin and lung. An angiocentric T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To test the recent hypothesis that lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) is a clonal B-cell proliferative process related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Historically, LYG has been classified as an angiocentric T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. To further characterize LYG in the skin, we analyzed for EBV RNA in lymphocytes using in situ hybridization, coupled with colabeling for B-cell and T-cell markers. Clonality of lymphocytes was assessed by polymerase chain reaction using primers for immunoglobulin heavy chain genes and T-cell receptor beta and gamma genes. SETTING: Academic referral center. PATIENTS: In a 5-year retrospective review, we identified 4 patients with classic clinical and pathologic features of LYG in skin and lung, and tissue available from both sites. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence or absence of EBV RNA and clonal gene rearrangements in cutaneous and pulmonary lesions of LYG. RESULTS: Biopsy specimens of skin and lung in all patients revealed angiocentric infiltrates predominantly composed of T lymphocytes. Epstein-Barr virus RNA was identified in the skin of 1 patient and the lung of 3 patients, and was restricted to B cells. Polymerase chain reaction revealed clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements and no clonal rearrangement of T-cell receptor genes in skin and lung tissue of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: At least some examples of LYG in the skin and lung are characterized by a clonal proliferation of B lymphocytes, some of which contain EBV RNA. The B cells are typically scarce and may be obscured by striking angiocentric T-cell infiltrates.

Adult↗

Quantitative analysis in molecular diagnostics.

Quantitative analysis of DNA products derived from polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays depends on the careful optimization of each of the reaction parameters to achieve highly efficient amplification of target sequences. In practice, however, measurement of the accumulated PCR product is reliable only when analyses are performed at points in the exponential phase of the PCR amplification curve and before the onset of the plateau phase. The recent development of more sensitive DNA product detection systems has permitted the analysis of PCR assays after fewer amplification cycles, where the accumulation of product approaches linearity, while at the same time maintaining superior assay specificity. These methods include the use of high performance liquid chromatography, automated fluorescence detection, electrochemiluminescence, and the ligase chain reaction. Clinical applications of these methods are numerous and include diagnostic testing as well as therapeutic monitoring for neoplastic, infectious, and inherited genetic disease.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Metabolic correction and cross-correction of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome) by retroviral-mediated gene transfer and expression of human iduronate-2-sulfatase.

To explore the possibility of using gene transfer to provide iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS; EC 3.1.6.13) enzyme activity for treatment of Hunter syndrome, an amphotropic retroviral vector, L2SN, containing the human IDS coding sequence was constructed and studied for gene expression in vitro. Lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from patients with Hunter syndrome were transduced with L2SN and expressed high levels of IDS enzyme activity, 10- to 70-fold higher than normal human peripheral blood leukocytes or LCLs. Such L2SN-transduced LCLs failed to show accumulation of 35SO4 into glycosaminoglycan (35SO4-GAG), indicating that recombinant IDS enzyme participated in GAG metabolism. Coculture of L2SN-transduced LCLs with fibroblasts from patients with Hunter syndrome reduced the accumulation of 35SO4-GAG. These results demonstrated retroviral-mediated IDS gene transfer into lymphoid cells and the ability of such cells to provide recombinant enzyme for intercellular metabolic cross-correction.

Base Sequence↗

Juvenile rhabdomyoma. An intermediate form of skeletal muscle tumor in children.

Two tumors of the buccal soft tissues in children with rhabdomyomatous features are described and further characterized by immunohistochemical studies in both cases and by electron microscopy in one case. Discrete microscopic nodules of elongated, uniform spindle cells with readily identifiable cytoplasmic cross striations replaced existing normal skeletal muscle. In contrast to fetal rhabdomyoma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, there were no immature mesenchymal cells, nor were there individual rhabdomyomatous cells with short, tapered cytoplasmic processes and overtly malignant cytologic features, including mitotic activity. Following excision, one child remains well 46 months later and the other is doing well 7 months after surgery. Some confusion has been created in the literature by the introduction of the terms cellular rhabdomyoma and myxoid fetal rhabdomyoma. We propose that the so-called cellular fetal rhabdomyoma is distinct from the classic fetal rhabdomyoma and may represent the more differentiated juvenile rhabdomyoma.

Actins↗

Assessment of iduronate-2-sulfatase mRNA expression in Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II).

Eight unrelated patients with Hunter syndrome were investigated for expression of iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) mRNA by reverse transcription (RT) linked to polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or RT-PCR. The entire coding region was studied by amplification of two overlapping segments of 0.7 and 1.1 kb. Seven children with Hunter syndrome had PCR products indistinguishable in size from normal. One patient, with clinically severe disease, did not produce either IDS product although mRNA for a control gene was readily amplified. This method rapidly identifies patients having absent or qualitatively abnormal IDS mRNA and may be useful in investigating genotype-phenotype relationships.

Base Sequence↗

Extracorporeal application of a gel-entrapment, bioartificial liver: demonstration of drug metabolism and other biochemical functions.

Metabolic activity of a gel-entrapment, hollow fiber, bioartificial liver was evaluated in vitro and during extracorporeal hemoperfusion in an anhepatic rabbit model. The bioartificial liver contained either 100 million rat hepatocytes (n = 12), fibroblasts (n = 3), or no cells (n = 7) during hemoperfusion of anhepatic rabbits. Eight other anhepatic rabbits were studied without hemoperfusion as anhepatic controls, and three sham rabbits served as normal controls. Albumin production rates (mean +/- SEM) were similar during in vitro (17.0 +/- 2.8 micrograms/h) and extracorporeal (18.0 +/- 4.0 micrograms/h) application of the hepatocyte bioartificial liver. Exogenous glucose requirements were reduced (p < 0.01) and euglycemia was prolonged (p < 0.001) in anhepatic rabbits treated with the hepatocyte bioartificial liver. The maximum rate of glucose production by the hepatocyte bioartificial liver ranged from 50-80 micrograms/h. Plasma concentrations of aromatic amino acids, proline, alanine, and ammonia were normalized in anhepatic rabbits during hepatocyte hemoperfusion. Gel-entrapped hepatocytes in the bioartifical liver performed sulfation and glucuronidation of 4-methylumbelliferone. P450 activity was demonstrated during both in vitro and extracorporeal application of the BAL device by the formation of 3-hydroxy-lidocaine, the major metabolite of lidocaine biotransformation by gel-entrapped rat hepatocytes. In summary, a gel-entrapment, bioartificial liver performed multiple hepatocyte-specific functions without adverse side effects during extracorporeal application in an anhepatic, small animal model. With its potential for short term support of acute liver failure, scale-up of the current bioartificial liver device is indicated for further investigations in large animal, preclinical trials.

Albumins↗