Biomedical subjects

D J Barron

Publications and source records attributed to D J Barron.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

The IGFs and their binding proteins in murine development.

Recent observations suggest that the diverse actions of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are the result of interactions of the various components that make up the IGF system. The components of this system include IGF-I and -II and their variants, the type 1 and 2 IGF receptors and the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). Various components of the IGF system are expressed in the developing mouse embryo and the adjacent tissues of the reproductive tract in which the embryo develops. Thus there is the potential for paracrine interactions between the maternal and fetal tissues. Transcripts for the IGF receptors, IGF-I and IGF-II, have been demonstrated in the periimplantation mouse embryo. While there are now data from gene ablation experiments indicating that IGF-II is important in embryogenesis, the role of other components of the IGF system such as the IGFBPs remains unclear. The data accumulated so far are largely empirical, and there is as yet little compelling evidence that maternal IGFs derived from oviduct or uterine fluid and maternal tissues are necessary for normal fetal development. We have started to develop transgenic mice lines overexpressing IGFBPs to attempt to address the role of these binding proteins in fetal development.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Combined oesophageal adenocarcinoma and carcinoid in Barrett's oesophagitis: potential role of enterochromaffin-like cells in oesophageal malignancy.

A case of combined adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumour which occurred in a patient with a Barrett's oesophagus is presented. Its significance is discussed in relation to the potential role of enterochromaffin-like cells in the development of oesophageal malignancy, and the possibility is raised that long term treatment with omeprazole, commonly used in this condition, could promote this.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1992

A comparison of monomer conversion and inorganic filler content in visible light-cured denture resins.

Visible light-cured (VLC) denture resins are relatively new products used for the reline and repair of dentures. The conversion of monomer into polymer in 3 brands of visible light-cured denture resins was investigated. The relationship of the inorganic filler content to this conversion was also studied. It was determined that these reline materials vary in monomer conversion and weight percentage of filler, and this variation is brand dependent. The monomer conversion ranged from 77% to 97%. Significant differences in these values were found when duration of light exposure was increased. In addition, resin nearest to the light source polymerized to a greater extent when compared to resin that was 1 mm deep to this surface, hence furthest from the light source. The inorganic filler content ranged from 0% to 15%. For the resin systems studied, the relationship between monomer conversion and inorganic filler loading was inversely proportional. Results indicated that monomer conversion of VLC repair resins was affected by the duration of light exposure as well as the amount of inorganic filler present in the material.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMed1989

Connexin32, a gap junction protein, is a persistent oogenetic product through preimplantation development of the mouse.

Gap junctions appear de novo during compaction in the eight-cell stage of mouse development. This is a critical event in the life of the embryo, because gap junctional intercellular communication is an essential requirement for maintaining compaction and, hence, for development of the blastocyst. Recently, a family of genes encoding gap junction proteins (connexins) has been identified and cloned, and we have taken advantage of the availability of antibodies and cDNA probes to investigate the expression of these genes in early development. We found that a protein with antigenic and size similarity to the "liver" gap junction protein, connexin32, is present throughout preimplantation development from the zygote through the late morula. Connexin32 mRNA, however, could not be detected in any preimplantation stage. This, and the presence of connexin32 in zygotes before activation of embryonic transcription, leads us to conclude that this protein is inherited as an oogenetic product that persists well beyond the transition from the oogenetic to embryonic program of gene expression. Furthermore, we found that mRNA for another gap junction protein, connexin43, is fairly abundant in preimplantation embryos. We conclude that it is more likely connexin43, and not connexin32, that is used to assemble new connexons as the level of intercellular coupling increases after compaction.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Twenty-year follow-up of acute type a dissection: the incidence and extent of distal aortic disease using magnetic resonance imaging.

A persistent distal false lumen (PDFL) after surgical repair of type A aortic dissection is the most important factor in determining long-term survival. It has been suggested that changes in surgical technique reduce the incidence of distal false lumen. We report the findings of a 20-year follow-up (mean 5.2 years) on 87 patients who have undergone surgical repair of type A aortic dissection with all survivors undergoing magnetic resonance (MR) scanning of the entire aorta. Early mortality was 27.5%, and actuarial 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival was 65%, 28% and 20% respectively. Early mortality had decreased to 18% in the last 5 years. The most common cause of late death was related to distal aortic disease, accounting for 47% of all late deaths with a peak incidence at 7-10 years after surgery. The incidence of PDFL in survivors was 72%, despite the fact that 82% of all intimal tears were resected at time of operation. Incidence was not affected by extension of the repair into the aortic arch nor by the use of the open technique or Gelatin-Resorcine-Formal tissue glue. In patients with a distal false lumen 6% had reached a maximum aortic diameter of 6 cm in at least one plane on MR scanning and 25% had reached 5 cm. We conclude that if dissection has extended beyond the arch at time of presentation then the choice of surgical technique does not prevent the persistance of a distal false lumen. MR scanning gives ideal anatomical and functional assessment of distal aortic disease and provides the surgeon with all the necessary information to plan the timing and indications for further surgery.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The cytotoxic effects of denture base resin sealants.

Previous studies have shown that light-polymerized denture base resins have a cytotoxic effect on oral epithelial cells. The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the effects of two denture base resin sealants when used on three light-polymerized denture base resins. Sample disks were examined for their effect on protein synthesis. Results indicate that one sealant protected the cells against toxic effects of the materials (P < .05), while one sealant enhanced toxicity up to 88% above that attributed to the resin alone.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Biocompatibility of visible light-polymerized denture base resins.

The biocompatibility of three commercial formulations of visible light-polymerized denture base resins was studied to determine its effects on the RNA and DNA synthesis of oral epithelial cells in vitro. Isotope incorporation into RNA or DNA was measured after 24 hours of incubation with isotope and 48 hours of exposure to resin. The resins were shown to significantly inhibit the synthesis of both nucleotides as compared to a heat-processed resin control. Increasing the polymerization time can mitigate the toxicity of some of the resins. The air barrier coatings used to prevent oxygen inhibition of polymerization increased the toxic effects of two resins and decreased that of one of the materials. These investigations suggest that visible light-polymerized denture resins may impair the replication of oral epithelial cells. DNA synthesis is more sensitive to the toxic effects of the materials, which may relate to the ability to cause mucosal pathology. The cytotoxic effects may relate to the presence of unpolymerized resin constituents or polymerization by-products.

Acrylic Resins↗