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Biomedical subjects

W Berry

Publications and source records attributed to W Berry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Herpes zoster infection in the post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant pediatric population may be preceded by transaminitis: an institutional experience.

Herpes zoster (HZ), a varicella-zoster virus reactivation, frequently complicates hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Its incidence, complications, and associated risk factors in 310 children undergoing HSCT were reviewed. In all, 61 of 201(32%) patients who had undergone allogeneic and 10 of 109 (9%) patients who had undergone autologous HSCT developed HZ. Of 90 VZV seropositive allogeneic patients, 50 (53%) developed HZ. Seven (17%) of 41 VZV seropositive autologous patients developed HZ. Although a substantial number of patients develop HZ in the early post-HSCT period, risk for HZ persists and HZ can occur up to 5 years post-HSCT. Risk factors for HZ included age >10 years (P<0.0001), allogeneic HSCT (P<0.001), and total body irradiation (TBI) (P<0.059) in allogeneic recipients. Of 37, 22 (59%) patients experienced an elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), unassociated with GVHD, in the month preceding HZ. Of the 48/64 patients (75%) hospitalized for treatment (median stay, 6 days; range, 2-39), length of stay was unaffected by donor type but increased by cutaneous dissemination and visceral involvement (P=0.023 and 0.034, respectively) in allogeneic patients. Consideration of HZ infection particularly in patients >10 years of age with elevated ALT after TBI-conditioned allogeneic HSCT may permit earlier diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Spontaneously occurring fibroid tumors of the laying hen oviduct.

Spontaneously occurring benign uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common tumors of reproductive-age women. It is estimated that more than 70% of all women will develop uterine fibroids, and the presence of these tumors is a primary cause of hysterectomies. Research into the causes and treatment of uterine fibroids is hampered by a lack of reliable animal models for the disease. Leiomyomas that appear to be outwardly similar to human uterine fibroid tumors are known to occur on the oviducts of laying hens over 2 yr of age. The objective of this study was to characterize these tumors and compare them to human uterine fibroids to determine the suitability of the aging hen as a model system for the study of the disease. In this study, hens at 5 yr of age were examined for the presence of oviduct-associated fibroid tumors. Tumors were found attached to the internal surface of the oviduct, embedded in the oviduct wall, or attached to the exterior of the magnum and isthmus. Tumor and normal oviduct samples were frozen or fixed in formalin for histological analyses or immunohistochemistry for estrogen and progesterone receptors, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Bcl-2 protein expression. Human uterine fibroid samples were acquired and evaluated compared with hen oviduct fibroids. The results indicate that laying hen fibroid tumors are similar to human fibroid tumors with respect to estrogen and progesterone receptors, localized cellular proliferation, and expression of the Bcl-2 protein.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Differential expression of iodothyronine deiodinase type 2 in growth plates of chickens divergently selected for incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia.

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a genetic leg defect in broilers with a lesion of avascular, non-calcified cartilage below the growth plate of the proximal tibiatarsus. This disease is considered to result from the inability of chondrocytes to undergo terminal differentiation. Thyroid hormones are required for chondrocyte differentiation. The thyroid gland produces and secrets mostly L-thyroxine or T4 and T4 plays most of its biological activities through conversion to triiodothyronine or T3 in local tissues by iodothyronine deiodinases type 1 or type 2, which are tissue specific. In this study, no differences were found in the plasma concentrations of total T3 and T4 between two chicken lines divergently selected for the incidence of TD. Plasma T4 was higher than T3, especially in older chickens. Younger birds had much higher T3 than older birds, but there were no significant age differences in T4. The expression level of deiodinase type 2 in the growth plates of broilers with TD was one-eighth of those birds without the disease. The expression levels of deiodinase type 2 (DIO2) in commercial broilers without the disease were much higher than those with TD and lower than those without the disease in the susceptible and resistant lines, respectively. These results indicate that the inadequate expression of DIO2 in the growth plates contributes to the pathogenesis of TD in broilers and that TD is a tissue-specific hypothyroidism.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Immunohistochemical expression of molecular markers in an avian model: a potential model for preclinical evaluation of agents for ovarian cancer chemoprevention.

OBJECTIVE: A significant obstacle confronting the evaluation of potential chemopreventive compounds in ovarian carcinoma is the absence of an animal model of spontaneous ovarian carcinogenesis. A potential model of adenocarcinoma has been described in the laying hen (Gallus domesticus). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of available antibodies that have been utilized in chemoprevention studies in this potential model of epithelial carcinoma. METHODS: Two hundred 2-year-old hens were sacrificed at Auburn University in accordance with IUACUC guidelines. Of these hens, 8 animals were thought grossly to have ovarian carcinoma and ascites. The tumors from these 8 hens were fixed in neutral-buffered formalin and processed to paraffin blocks. Hematoxylin and eosin stains were used to document the histologic presence of adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical evaluation for expression of antigen was performed using the following antibodies: CA125, CEA, cytokeratin, EGFR, erbB-2, Ki-67, Lewis Y, p27, PCNA, Tag 72, TGF-alpha, Muc 1, and Muc 2. RESULTS: Upon microscopic examination by a pathologist eight specimens were documented as adenocarcinomas. Several antibodies to antigens that are frequently expressed in human ovarian cancer were cross-reactive in the laying hen. Of these, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, pan cytokeratin, EGFR, Lewis Y, CEA, Tag 72, and erbB-2 stained the chicken carcinomas. EGFR and p185erbB-2 stained diffusely, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3, pan cytokeratin, Lewis Y, CEA, and Tag 72 were focally positive in the tumor. The aforementioned antibodies which have been useful as surrogate endpoints in chemoprevention trials and which also stained the chicken carcinomas included PCNA, p27, and TGF-alpha Antibodies that were not cross-reactive include CA 125, Ki-67, Muc 1, and Muc 2. CONCLUSION: The data presented in this pilot study support the potential utility of an avian model of spontaneously arising adenocarcinoma in which to study chemopreventive agents. More importantly, the influence of chemoprevention protocols on the expression of relevant antigens can be determined using available antibodies that are cross-reactive in this model. Thus, changes in the phenotypic expression of surrogate endpoint biomarkers as identified by cross-reactive antibodies can aid in the development of chemoprevention trials for human ovarian cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Phase II trial of single-agent weekly docetaxel in hormone-refractory, symptomatic, metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of weekly administration of docetaxel as a single agent in patients with hormone-refractory, symptomatic, metastatic prostate cancer with respect to symptom palliation, tumor response, time to progression, and survival. Sixty men with progressive metastatic prostate cancer that had progressed on at least one hormonal regimen were enrolled in this multicenter phase II study. Twenty-one percent of patients had received prior palliative radiotherapy, and 25% had received prior chemotherapy for hormone-refractory disease. Patients were scheduled to receive three 8-week cycles of docetaxel (36 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36) with 2-week intervals between cycles. The docetaxel dose could be decreased in the event of toxicity, but no dose escalation was permitted. A > or =50% decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels from baseline with stabilization or improvement of performance status lasting 2 months or longer occurred in 24 (41%) patients, of whom 16 (27%) had a > or =80% decrease for 2 months or more. The median time to progression for all patients was 5.1 months (range, 0.9 to 18.2 months). The estimated median time to progression for patients who had and those who did not have a > or =50% reduction in serum PSA level with stable or improved performance status was 6.65 and 4.3 months, respectively. The median overall survival was 9.4 months (range, 1.6 to 18.2 months). Treatment toxicity was considered acceptable. Single-agent docetaxel at 36 mg/m(2) weekly was associated with a PSA response rate of 41%, increased time to progression and survival, and minimal myelosuppression in patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

Amifostine, cisplatin, and vinblastine in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: a report of high response rates and prolonged survival.

PURPOSE: Based on preclinical and clinical studies that suggested amifostine may potentiate the effects of cytotoxic drugs, we conducted a phase II trial of amifostine, cisplatin, and vinblastine (ACV) in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with metastatic NSCLC received amifostine (740 or 910 mg/m2) before 120 mg/m2 of cisplatin on day 1, plus weekly 5 mg/m2 of vinblastine without amifostine. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. Patients were required to have good performance status, no prior chemotherapy or biologic therapy, adequate organ function, and measurable disease. RESULTS: Sixteen of 25 assessable patients had an objective response documented by computed tomographic (CT) scan (64%; 95% confidence interval, 45% to 85%). With a median duration of follow-up of 19.2 months, the estimated median survival is 17 months and 1-year survival is 64% (+/- 10%). Toxicities included grades 3 and 4 neutropenia (8% and 92%, respectively) and nausea and vomiting (32% and 4%, respectively). Reversible grade 3 nephrotoxicity occurred in 12% of patients, although only one of 13 patients (7%) who received > or = four cycles of therapy had > or = 40% reduction in creatinine clearance. Grade 3 neuropathy was observed in seven patients at cumulative cisplatin doses that ranged from 324 to 660 mg/m2; grade 3 ototoxicity occurred in three patients at cumulative cisplatin doses that ranged from 390 to 450 mg/m2. Four patients (16%) required early stopping of an amifostine infusion due to hypotension. CONCLUSION: ACV appears to be a highly active regimen in metastatic NSCLC. Acute toxicities were generally reversible and the data suggest that amifostine may protect against long-term renal insufficiency from cumulative doses of cisplatin. Although the sample size of this trial is small, the results are significantly encouraging to warrant confirmation in randomized multiinstitutional trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Growth screening and urban deprivation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of urban deprivation on childhood growth in a modern British society by analysing data from a regional growth survey, the Tayside growth study. SETTING: The Tayside Region in Scotland, which has three districts with distinct socioeconomic status: Dundee (D, urban city), Angus (A, rural), and Perth (P, rural and county town). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Height and weight of 23,046 children (> 90% of the regional childhood population) were measured as part of a child health surveillance programme, by community health care workers at 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 14 years. Height standard deviation score (calculated against Tanner) and body mass index (BMI-weight (kg)/height (m)2) were calculated for each child by a central computer program; mean height standard deviation score and BMI standard deviation score were calculated for each measuring centre (school, health clinic). A deprivation score for each centre was calculated from the prevalence of single parent families; families with more than three children; unemployment rate; the number of social class V individuals; the percentage of council houses. RESULTS: Mean height standard deviation score for Tayside was 0.11. An intraregional difference was demonstrated: mean height standard deviation score (SD) D = 0.04 (1.0); A = 0.14 (1.1); P = 0.21 (1.1); P < 0.002. There was a positive association between short stature and increasing social deprivation seen throughout Tayside (P < 0.05), with a strong association in Dundee primary school children (r = 0.6; P < 0.001). Analysis by district showed that the association was significant only above the age of 8 (P < 0.004). There was no relation between BMI and social deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: In an industrialised developed society, urban deprivation appears to influence height mostly in late childhood, and this association should be taken into consideration in the clinical management of short stature. Height seems to be a better physical indicator of urban deprivation, and hence an index of childhood health, than BMI.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of once daily doses of lansoprazole (15, 30, and 60 mg) and placebo in patients with gastric ulcer.

OBJECTIVES: A multicenter, double-blind study was conducted in 268 patients to compare the safety and efficacy of 15, 30, and 60 mg of lansoprazole and placebo in the treatment of gastric ulcer. METHODS: The study included an 8-wk treatment period to assess healing and a 6-month posttreatment period to evaluate ulcer recurrence. Endoscopies were performed, GI symptoms and antacid use were assessed, and safety evaluations were conducted, including serum gastrin and biopsies of the lesions and the greater curvature of the stomach. RESULTS: At week 4, healing rates were significantly higher with lansoprazole 15 and 30 mg (64.6 and 58.1%, respectively) compared with placebo (37.5%). By week 8, healing rates were 76.7% with placebo, 92.2% with 15 mg of lansoprazole, 96.8% with 30 mg, and 93.2% with 60 mg of lansoprazole (p < 0.05). The drug was well tolerated, with no significant differences from placebo in the incidence of adverse events. Fasting serum gastrin increased in all lansoprazole groups, reaching a plateau by week 2 and returning to baseline levels by month 1 posttreatment. No significant increase in Grimelius-positive cells or inflammation was evident. All but two patients had normal gastric morphology evaluated by Solcia classification. CONCLUSIONS: Lansoprazole, 15, 30, and 60 mg, administered once daily before eating, healed gastric ulcers to an approximately equal degree, and all were significantly better than placebo.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed1995

The arterial oxygen status of clinically healthy dogs at an altitude of 1250 metres.

The blood-gas, acid-base, and arterial oxygen status of 6 healthy blood donor dogs was studied at an altitude of 1250 metres on 2 occasions 3 days apart. The values, and repeatability, of a number of derived variables that describe oxygen status, including oxygen extraction tension (Px), extractable oxygen concentration (Cx), and oxygen compensation factor (Qx) were established in clinically healthy dogs. The Oxygen Status Algorithm computer programme which was developed for use in humans was used to calculate these derived variables. 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically and compared with 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate concentrations calculated by the Oxygen Status Algorithm. This study revealed that there were no significant differences between the means of any of the variables used to describe oxygen status on the two occasions. The mean Px of 38.74 mmHg, Cx of 4.38 ml/dl, and Qx of 1.2 were similar to those reported for man.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1994

Analysis of remote reflection spectroscopy to monitor plant health.

Remote non-contact reflection spectroscopy is examined as a method for detecting stress in Controlled Ecological Life Support System CELSS type crops. Lettuce (Lactuca [correction of Latuca] Sativa L. cv. Waldmans Green) and wheat (Triticum Aestivum L. cv. Yecora Rojo) were grown hydroponically. Copper and zinc treatments provided toxic conditions. Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium treatments were used for deficiency conditions. Water stress was also induced in test plants. Reflectance spectra were obtained in the visible and near infrared (400nm to 2600nm) wavebands. Numerous effects of stress conditions can be observed in the collected spectra and this technique appears to have promise as a remote monitor of plant health, but significant research remains to be conducted to realize the promise.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1994

Lorazepam-enhancement of the antiemetic efficacy of dexamethasone and promethazine. A placebo-controlled study.

This investigation was designed with the objective of improving on currently available antiemetic regimens to counteract the disabling side effects of cancer chemotherapy. The combination of lorazepam, dexamethasone, and promethazine was compared with dexamethasone and promethazine without lorazepam in a double-blind crossover study. The initial study population consisted of 92 women (most with breast cancer) and 7 men; all received moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Complete data for both periods of therapy were available for 73 of these patients. Crossover analysis showed a highly significant effect of lorazepam in reducing the severity of nausea (p = .003); the severity of vomiting was also reduced, but less dramatically (p = .051). The frequency of all degrees of nausea and vomiting was less with lorazepam, but the difference was not statistically significant. It is concluded that lorazepam added to dexamethasone and promethazine provides an effective regimen for counteracting the emetic side effects of cancer chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Descending thoracic aneurysm rupture with a known abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The association of abdominal aortic aneurysms with aneurysmal disease of the thoracic aorta is well established. However, rupture of a descending atherosclerotic thoracic aortic aneurysm in association with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm can present a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem to the treating physician. This article presents a case of rupture of an atherosclerotic descending thoracic aortic aneurysm in the face of what clinically appeared to be a leaking or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aorta, Abdominal↗
PubMed1987

Verapamil prophylaxis for postoperative atrial dysrhythmias: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study using drug level monitoring.

Orally administered verapamil hydrochloride (80 mg every 8 hours) or a placebo was given to 109 patients after coronary artery bypass grafting in a randomized, double-blind manner to test the efficacy of verapamil in preventing postoperative atrial dysrhythmias. The test drug was given through a nasogastric tube beginning 4 to 6 hours after operation until oral ingestion was possible. Serum levels of verapamil were measured at selected times after operation and when postoperative atrial dysrhythmias occurred. Postoperative atrial dysrhythmias occurred in 10 of the 53 verapamil-treated patients and in 20 of the 56 placebo-treated patients. Patients with verapamil drug levels higher than 150 ng/ml had fewer postoperative atrial dysrhythmias than those with lesser verapamil levels (p = .034) or than placebo-treated patients (p = .012). Only 2 of 31 patients with drug levels higher than 150 ng/ml experienced postoperative atrial dysrhythmias. Approximately 40% of verapamil-treated patients had drug levels lower than 150 ng/ml at 48 hours after operation. It is concluded that oral administration of verapamil prevents postoperative atrial dysrhythmias in a dose-dependent fashion.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1987

Zinc and copper in milk and tissues of nursing lethal milk mutant mice.

Zinc concentration was lower in liver of suckling 1-d-old lethal milk (lm/lm) mutant mice than in wild-type pups, in accordance with the hypothesis of milk-induced zinc deficiency previously proposed to underlie this mutation. Despite the initial deficiency, by 3 d of age suckling lm/lm pups exhibited higher levels of hepatic zinc than did lm/lm-nursed wild-type pups. Intestinal zinc and copper concentrations were normal in 1-d-old lm/lm pups, but by 3 d of age were also higher in lm/lm pups than in wild-type pups foster-nursed on lm/lm dams. Contrary to a previous report, we found that zinc concentration in milk of lm/lm dams was not significantly different from those of controls, between 4-20 d postpartum. Mutant milk showed normal zinc distribution as determined by gel-filtration chromatography or by DEAE-cellulose chromatography of zinc-binding ligands derived from EDTA-dissociated micelles, normal copper levels, normal amounts of citrate, a zinc (II) and copper (II)-binding ligand and normal amounts of glutamate, a proposed copper (II)-binding ligand. Total mammary glands and mammary gland cytosols from lm/lm mice exhibited normal zinc concentrations. Copper levels, however, were higher in lm/lm mammary gland cytosols than in controls. These results suggest that an increased uptake and/or retention of zinc and copper in the tissues studied may underlie the signs of zinc deficiency seen in lethal milk mutant mice.

Animals↗