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Biomedical subjects

B H Mayall

Publications and source records attributed to B H Mayall.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Accumulation of p53 tumor suppressor gene protein: an independent marker of prognosis in breast cancers.

BACKGROUND: Mutations of the tumor suppressor gene p53 have been identified in breast cancer cell lines, and some breast carcinomas are detectable by immunohistochemical assay because of p53 protein accumulation. PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine whether p53 protein accumulation in breast cancers correlates with p53 gene mutation, with survival, and with five pathobiologic factors associated with prognosis. METHODS: IgG1 monoclonal antibody to human p53 protein (PAb 1801) and immunohistochemical methods were used to detect p53 protein accumulation in archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, randomly selected carcinomas. We studied 295 invasive ductal carcinomas from the Massachusetts General Hospital; 151 were determined to be sporadic (not hereditary). We also studied 97 invasive ductal carcinomas--21 sporadic and 76 familial (hereditary)--from Creighton University. In addition, we examined 31 archival in situ carcinomas, 15 snap-frozen invasive ductal carcinomas, primary cell cultures from three benign breast tissue samples, and breast carcinoma cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468. RESULTS: Nuclear p53 protein was observed in 16% of the 31 in situ carcinomas, 22% of the 172 sporadic carcinomas, 34% of the 50 tumors from patients with familial breast cancer, 52% of the 23 tumors from patients with the familial breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, and all three tumors from two patients with the Li-Fraumeni syndrome. There was complete concordance between p53 gene mutation and p53 protein accumulation in the 15 snap-frozen carcinomas and in both breast carcinoma cell lines. Statistically significant associations of p53 protein accumulation with estrogen receptor negativity and with high nuclear grade were found. There were statistically significant associations, independent of other prognostic factors, between p53 protein accumulation and metastasis-free and overall survival, for randomly accrued and for both sporadic and familial tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemically detected p53 protein accumulation was an independent marker of shortened survival and was seen more often in familial than in sporadic carcinomas. Our findings also suggest a correlation between p53 protein accumulation and p53 gene mutation.

Age Factors

Correlation of Pneumocystis carinii cyst density with mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and pneumocystis pneumonia.

Fifteen percent to 20% of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and pneumocystis pneumonia do poorly despite early intervention. It is not known what distinguishes those who die, despite early intervention and aggressive therapy, from those who readily respond to therapy. We used image analysis to determine the relative abundance of cysts within aggregates of Pneumocystis carinii found in induced sputa (21 patients) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (14 patients) from 35 patients with pneumocystis pneumonia. We calculated a cyst density (number of cysts per area of aggregate) for each aggregate and a mean cyst density for all of the aggregates on the smear. Six patients died within 2 weeks of diagnosis; four of these six patients who had autopsies all had residual P carinii. The mean cyst density for those who died was 9.7 +/- 3.9 (range, 5 to 15 x 10(-3)). The 29 patients who survived beyond 2 weeks had a mean cyst density of 18.4 +/- 8.7 (range, 5 to 35 x 10(-3); P = .01). Mean cyst density was not influenced by the number of aggregates present in the smear, the variation in cyst density among aggregates in a smear, or the episode of pneumocystis pneumonia. Cyst density determinations alone should not be used to predict outcome for individuals with P carinii pneumonia until further study is completed. Nevertheless, the current study suggests that a low cyst density specimen, which may indirectly indicate a greater proportion of trophozoites compared with a high cyst density specimen, may be associated with an unfavorable outcome in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated pneumocystis pneumonia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

DNA changes in progressive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasm (CIN) is treated as a progressive lesion, even though most CIN will not progress to invasive cancer if left untreated. This study focussed on DNA-cytometric analysis of cytologic smears of patients who had developed invasive cancer after initial smears showing CIN. The first part of the study aimed at describing the DNA-cytometric changes in these progressive ('malignant') CIN lesions. In the second part a cluster analysis was performed on 'malignant' CIN III lesions and CIN III lesions, with 'unknown' malignant potential. The results indicated that 'malignant' CIN lesions developed high DNA-index (DI) values during malignant transformation, as demonstrated by increasing mean DI values, a high percentage of DNA-aneuploidy and 2.5c Exceeding Rates. Furthermore, a trend-like pattern of texture feature values occurred in 'malignant' CIN lesions with increasing severity. These findings provide objective quantitative confirmation of the evolution of nuclear changes during malignant transformation. Cluster analysis showed that it was possible, using a set of four cytometric features, to subdivide the 'unknown' CIN III lesions into a cluster of lesions with feature values similar to the vast majority of the 'malignant' CIN III lesions, and a second cluster of lesions with feature values dissimilar to 'malignant' CIN III. It is argued that the profile of 'malignant' CIN has become clearer and that the results of this study may serve as a basis for a more objective cytopathologic subdivision of premalignant CIN. It may be justified to follow up patients whose lesions do not yet fit this 'malignant' profile. Not treating the non-progressive lesion group will avoid putting these patients at risk.

Aneuploidy

Centromeric copy number of chromosome 7 is strongly correlated with tumor grade and labeling index in human bladder cancer.

The relationship between interphase cytogenetics and tumor grade, stage, and proliferative activity was investigated in 27 transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome-specific DNA probes, the copy number of pericentromeric sequences on chromosomes 7, 9, and 11 was detected within interphase nuclei in touch preparations from tumor biopsies. Monosomy of chromosome 9 was detected in 9 of 22 cases (41%), while tetrasomy for chromosomes 7 and 11 was detected in 10 of 26 (38%) and 6 of 23 (26%) cases, respectively. Copy number of chromosome 7 was the most highly correlated with increasing tumor grade (r2 = 0.616, P less than 0.001, Spearman rank correlation) or increasing pathological stage (r2 = 0.356, P less than 0.002). Copy number for chromosome 9 did not correlate with either grade or stage (P greater than 0.05). Tumor labeling index (LI) was determined after in vitro 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, while proliferating cell nuclear antigen LI was determined immunohistochemically. Increasing LI by either method correlated with increasing copy number for all three chromosomes tested (r2 = 0.473, P less than 0.002 for 7; r2 = 0.384, P less than 0.01 for 11; and r2 = 0.316, P less than 0.05 for 9). Since high tumor grade, stage, and LI are all indicative of more aggressive tumor behavior and worse prognosis, these findings suggest that polysomy, especially for chromosome 7, may be highly predictive for bladder tumor aggressiveness.

Aged

Simultaneous analysis of chromosomal aneusomy and 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in MCF-7 breast tumor cell line.

We describe a new method to determine simultaneously both proliferative status and chromosome copy number within individual interphase cells. The MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line was used as a model system to characterize proliferative activity in karyotypically defined cell subpopulations. Cells were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in vitro and incorporation was monitored with IU4 mouse anti-BrdU. Biotinylated, digoxigenin-labeled, or acetylamino-fluorene-conjugated repetitive sequence DNA probes were hybridized to target interphase nuclei. Three-color fluorescence labeling allowed simultaneous detection of two chromosome pairs and designation of cells undergoing DNA synthesis. This technique may also be used for simultaneous characterization of proliferative and karyotypic heterogeneity in primary human tumors.

Aneuploidy

Do homologous chromosomes differ? A preliminary investigation based on DNA measurements.

This paper is concerned with the problem of deciding whether measurements from homologous chromosomes differ. First, a general mathematical model is proposed for studying the distribution of chromosome measurements. Next, log-likelihood ratios are used to test for correlation between homolog pairs and for differences between homolog means and variances. The tests are applied to measurments on 1946 pairs of chromosomes from 10 normal individuals. Test results are interpreted taking into account the large number (2025 total tests) required by the study. Our results demonstrate that, at the current level of resolution, most homologs do not show differences in DNA content. However, there is some evidence that several homologs pairs differ by small amounts of DNA (less than 0.2% of the autosomal genome). Power studies indicate that sample sizes of 20 to 30 measurements are required to detect differences of this size.

Chromosomes, Human

DNA measurements of mitotic chromosomes of the rabbit (Orytolagus cuniculus).

DNA cytophotometry was used to obtain the relative DNA content of mitotic chromosomes of Orytolagus cuniculus. DNA ranking of the rabbit chromosomes is presented, and related to the quinacrine and Giemsa-banded karyotype. In addition, the relative DNA content of the short and long arms of each chromosome was calculated and the DNA-based centromeric index, (i.e., the ratio of long-arm DNA to total chromosomal DNA) determined. The Y chromosome is clearly a submetacentric chromosome on the basis of the DNA measurements.

Animals

Flow cytometry of human gynecologic specimens using log chromomycin A3 fluorescence and log 90 degrees light scatter.

Flow cytometry and electronic cell sorting are being investigated to screen gynecologic specimens for cervical neoplasia. Cellular DNA content is quantitated by Chromomycin A3 fluorescence and cell size is quantitated by 90 degrees light scatter; the logarithms of the measured intensities are used to produce a two parameter histogram. To determine the cell types responsible for signals in various histogram regions, systematic electronic cell sorting is performed. The sorted fractions are sedimented into microscope slides and stained by the Papanicolaou technique. The cells in each fraction are identified by conventional cytomorphologic criteria. Morphologic analysis of sorted cells reveals histogram regions corresponding to specific cell types. One very important region contains the highest concentration of signals from abnormal cells and is therefore the best region to analyze for specimen abnormality. However, because a significant number of signals in this region are from normal cells, specimens cannot be diagnosed by their analysis. Another important histogram region is composed primarily of signals from endocervical columnar and metaplastic cells. The presence of such cells is a good criterion for specimen adequacy, therefore analysis of signals in this region is essential to assess specimen adequacy for automatic screening.

Cervix Uteri

Interactive display and analysis of data from bivariate flow cytometers.

An interactive computer program, SWELL, displayss and analyzes bivariate distributions generated by flow cytometers. SWELL is modular with options available via a menu, is written in Fortran, and utilizes a video color display system. Data are accumulated as a bivariate distribution that is transferred to the computer as a 64 x 64 matrix. For ease of visualization, matrices are displayed in pseudocolor. The distribution values are broken into eight ranges and each range is represented by a color. Each element of the matrix is then displayed in its assigned color. To allow pooling and comparison, distributions are aligned, edited, and standardized. Unknown samples are pooled or analyzed singly and compared to the normal pool by subtraction. Differences are displayed as pseudocolor matrices of sign, magnitude, or statistical magnitude in units of standard deviation. This latter display, scaled to tolerance limits, readily reveals regions of significant difference between normal and abnormal samples. Counts within such regions can be compared to diagnose samples automatically.

Cervix Uteri

Chromosomal DNA cytophotometry in 20q- nonspecific myeloid disorders.

DNA cytophotometry was used to quantify the chromosomal alterations in the bone marrow and blood of three patients with nonspecific myeloid disorders. All patients possessed a population of cells with a morphologically abnormal chromosome 20, del(20)(qll). In two of the patients, the abnormal chromosome 20 showed nearly identical DNA measurements with a net loss of 0.37% of the total autosomal DNA in one patient and 0.38% in the second. The third patient had a net loss of only 0.25% of the autosomal DNA. Analysis of the DNA content of the long arm and short arm of the abnormal No. 20 indicated that all three cases had chromosomal material added to the short arm (0.10 to 0.14% of the autosomal DNA). About 0.50% of the autosomal DNA was deleted from the long arm in two of the patients; only 0.35% of the autosomal DNA was deleted from the long arm in the third case. Within the limit of resolution, there is no evidence that the material lost has been translocated intact to another chromosome. The origin of the 20q- chromosome as the result of an incomplete pericentric inversion is suggested.

Aged

DNA cytophotometry in pre-natal cytogenetic diagnosis.

DNA cytophotometry was used to resolve a cytogenetic ambiguity involving a possible deletion of part of the short arm of chromosome 18 in cells obtained by amniocentesis. Measurements of chromosomal DNA content were within normal limits. This is the first time that DNA cytophotometry has been used in cytogenetic diagnosis; it illustrates the potential of this new approach to cytogenetics.

Adult

Strategies for choosing a deoxyribonucleic acid stain for flow cytometry of metaphase chromosomes.

Requirements for flow cytometry of metaphase chromosomes stained with three deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-specific fluorescent dyes--Hoechst 33258, Chromomycin A3, and ethidium bromide--are reviewed. Fluorescence properties of these three stains when bound to mitotic cells or to chromosomes in suspension are measured and compared with fluorescence properties when bound to DNA in solution. Conditions are given for high resolution flow cytometry of Chinese hamster chromosomes stained with each of the fluorophors, and histograms are presented that exhibit differences in relative peak position and area. Energy transfer fluorescence between two DNA stains is presented as a potentially useful new parameter for flow cytometry of chromosomes and is illustrated by fluorescence energy transfer from Chromomycin A3 to ethidium bromide when simultaneously bound to hamster mitotic cells.

Animals

Quantification by DNA-based cytophotometry of the 9q+/22q-chromosomal translocation associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

DNA-based cytophotometry was used to analyze metaphase chromosomes in four patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. In three of these patients, both Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive and Ph1-negative cells were measured. On the basis of these three patients, the characteristic 9q+/22q- translocation of chronic myelogenous leukemia involves the net transfer of 0.325% of the autosomal genome; there is no evidence of net gain or loss of DNA (apart from duplication of the Ph1 chromosome in one patient), and no significant difference is found in the amount of DNA transferred in different patients. Significant differences are found among patients in the derived Chromosomes 9 and the Ph1 chromosomes and are ascribed to preexisting variations in the Ph1-negative cells of these patients. There is no evidence in these patients of any further cytogenetic lesion associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Adolescent

Purification of the chromosomes of the Indian muntjac by flow sorting.

Metaphase chromosomes were isolated from a male Indian muntjac cell line, were stained with ethidium bromide and were analyzed by flow microfluorometry to establish a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based karyotype. Five major peaks were evident on the chromosomal DNA distribution corresponding to the five chromosome types in this species. The amount of DNA in each chromosome was confirmed by cytophotometric measurements of intact metaphase spreads. The five chromosome types were separated by flow sorting at rates up to several hundred chromosomes per second. The sorted chromosomes were identified by morphology and by Giemsa banding patterns. The automsomes, Numbers 1, 2 and 3, and the X + 3 composite chromosome were separated with a high degree of purity (90%). The centromere region of the X + 3 chromosome was fragile to mechanical shearing, and during isolation a small proportion of these chromosomes broke into four segiments: the long arm, the short arm, the short arm plus centromere and the centromere region. A large fraction of the constitutive heterochromatin of this species is present in the centromere region of the X + 3 chromosome and in the Y chromosome; these two regions possess similar amounts of DNA and therefore sort together. Chromosome flow sorting is rapid, reproducible and precise; it allows the collection of microgram quantities of purified chromosomes.

Animals

Chromosome measurement and sorting by flow systems.

A flow microfluorometer was used to measure metaphase chromosomes in suspension at rates up to 100,000 per min. Chromosomes from cells of the Chinese hamster M3-1 cell line were isolated, stained for DNA with the fluorescent dye ethidium bromide, and analyzed for DNA content. Nine distinct peaks were resolved that correspond well with independent chromosomal DNA measurements made with a high-resolution scanning cytophotometer. Chromosomes were sorted from each peak by an electronic cell sorter. Visual examination of each fraction indicated the purity of the sorted chromosomes. This novel technology allows separation of purified populations of individual chromosomes suitable for biochemical and biological characterizations.

Animals

High-speed quantitative karyotyping by flow microfluorometry.

We describe a new flow-system technique for high-speed quantitative karyotyping. Metaphase chromosomes are isolated from cells, stained with a DNA-specific fluorochrome, and individually measured for stain content at rates up to 10(5)/min in a flow microfluorometer. The resulting distribution contains quantitative information about the relative frequency of occurrence and the chromosomal DNA content of the measured chromosomes. Such analyses of Chinese hamster chromosomes are in good agreement with independent results from scanning cytophotometry and with cytogenetic observations of the banded chromosomes. Analyses of two karyotypically different clones of Chinese hamseter M3-1 lines provide the quantitative characterization of two stable translocations. Initial data on human chromosomes are presented and agree well with results of scanning cytophotometry and suggest potential clinical applications as preparative and instrumental techniques improve.

Animals