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D Conroy

Publications and source records attributed to D Conroy.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

HapMap-based study of the 17q21 ERBB2 amplicon in susceptibility to breast cancer.

ERBB2 is frequently amplified in breast tumours as part of a wide region of amplification on chromosome 17q21. This amplicon contains many candidate genes for breast cancer susceptibility. We used a genetic association study design to determine if common genetic variation (frequency>or=5%) in a 400-kb region surrounding ERBB2 and containing the PPARBP, CRK7, NEUROD2, PPP1R1B, STARD3, TCAP, PNMT, CAB2, ERBB2, C17ORF37, GRB7 and ZNFN1A3 genes, was associated with breast cancer risk. Sixteen tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) selected within blocks of linkage disequilibrium from the HapMap database, one HapMap singleton SNP, and six additional SNPs randomly selected from dbSNP were genotyped using Taqman in a large study set of British women (2275 cases, 2280 controls). We observed no association between any of the genotypes or associated haplotypes and disease risk. In order to simulate unidentified SNPs, we performed the leave-one-out cross-validation procedure on the HapMap data; over 90% of the common genetic variation was well represented by tagging polymorphisms. We are therefore likely to have tagged any common variants present in our population. In summary, we found no association between common genetic variation in the 17q21 ERBB2 amplicon and breast cancer risk in British women.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Competitive pathways via nonadiabatic transitions in photodissociation.

Photodissociation processes of molecules and radicals involving multiple pathways and nonadiabatic crossings are studied using the photofragment imaging technique and the core-sampling version of time-of-flight spectroscopy. Capabilities and challenges are illustrated by two systems. The isocyanic acid system demonstrates how interactions among potential energy surfaces can change during dissociation. The hydroxymethyl photodecomposition system highlights Rydberg-valence interactions common in free radicals. The cross-fertilization between theory and experiment is emphasized.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Imaging of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the liver.

AIM: To describe the radiological findings in primary liver lymphoma, which is a rare entity, presenting usually as a localized liver mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the imaging findings at presentation, of patients in whom a diagnosis of primary liver lymphoma was finally made histologically. The study period covered a 10-year period between January 1990 and December 1999. There were seven patients, all men, with a mean age of 49.6 years. Each patient presented with hepatobiliary disease without peripheral adenopathy. Imaging prior to diagnosis included ultrasonography (seven patients), computed tomography (seven patients) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (two patients). Appearances during and after aggressive chemotherapy were reviewed. RESULTS: Imaging appearances were of either single or multiple liver lesions simulating liver metastases. On ultrasound all foci of primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) were hypoechoic relative to normal liver. Computed tomography (CT) showed hypoattenuating lesions in all cases, and two cases showed rim enhancement following contrast administration. The MRI appearances were variable, and no pathognomonic feature of PHL was identified, so that histology was required in all patients to establish the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This paper demonstrates the spectrum of findings encountered on various imaging modalities in PHL. We conclude that although PHL is a rare condition, it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver metastases when no primary tumour is apparent.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Antigen-induced bronchial hyperreactivity and bronchopulmonary inflammation in rats: effect of TNF receptor binding protein.

The effect of a receptor binding protein for tumor necrosis factor (TNFrbp) on cell infiltration, bronchial hyperreactivity, and release of inflammatory mediators were studied following antigen challenge in sensitized rats. A 3-fold increase in total cell number, mainly neutrophils and eosinophils, was noted in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid 8 hours after antigen challenge. Antigen challenge also induced a significant hyperreactivity of the lower bronchus to carbachol and serotonin, but did not affect the reactivity of the trachea and upper bronchus. This increased responsiveness of the lower bronchus was transient, being detected 8 hours but not 24 hours after antigen challenge. Thromboxane B2 (TxB2), prostaglandin E2 (PGF2), and nitric oxide (NO) levels increased in the BAL fluid of sensitized rats 8 hours after antigen challenge by 197%, 172%, and 173%, respectively. TNFrbp treatment reduced by 83% the antigen-induced cell infiltration, with neutrophils being the cells most affected. The bronchial hyperreactivity induced by antigen challenge was also significantly inhibited by TNFrbp, whereas TxB2, PGE2, and NO levels in the BAL fluid were not affected. In our animal model, the cell infiltration and bronchial hyperreactivity appear to be mediated to some extent by TNF, but not by prostanoids nor NO.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Rapamycin inhibits airway leukocyte infiltration and hyperreactivity in guinea pigs.

The effect of rapamycin on cell infiltration to the lung and on bronchial hyperreactivity induced by an intravenous injection of sephadex beads to guinea pigs was investigated. One day following the injection of sephadex the total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was significantly increased from 24.77 to 83.45 x 10(6) cells. This was reflected in an increase in eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes. In addition, there was an increase in the reactivity of isolated bronchial strips to histamine. Rapamycin (5 mg/kg), administered two hours before the injection of sephadex, reduced the eosinophil, neutrophil, lymphocyte and macrophage number by 64%, 55%, 50% and 19%, respectively, and also inhibited the increased reactivity of isolated bronchial strips to histamine. These results suggest that rapamycin may reduce bronchial reactivity by the inhibition of leukocyte migration into the airways.

Animals↗