PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G G Finley

Publications and source records attributed to G G Finley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

WISP genes are members of the connective tissue growth factor family that are up-regulated in wnt-1-transformed cells and aberrantly expressed in human colon tumors.

Wnt family members are critical to many developmental processes, and components of the Wnt signaling pathway have been linked to tumorigenesis in familial and sporadic colon carcinomas. Here we report the identification of two genes, WISP-1 and WISP-2, that are up-regulated in the mouse mammary epithelial cell line C57MG transformed by Wnt-1, but not by Wnt-4. Together with a third related gene, WISP-3, these proteins define a subfamily of the connective tissue growth factor family. Two distinct systems demonstrated WISP induction to be associated with the expression of Wnt-1. These included (i) C57MG cells infected with a Wnt-1 retroviral vector or expressing Wnt-1 under the control of a tetracyline repressible promoter, and (ii) Wnt-1 transgenic mice. The WISP-1 gene was localized to human chromosome 8q24.1-8q24.3. WISP-1 genomic DNA was amplified in colon cancer cell lines and in human colon tumors and its RNA overexpressed (2- to >30-fold) in 84% of the tumors examined compared with patient-matched normal mucosa. WISP-3 mapped to chromosome 6q22-6q23 and also was overexpressed (4- to >40-fold) in 63% of the colon tumors analyzed. In contrast, WISP-2 mapped to human chromosome 20q12-20q13 and its DNA was amplified, but RNA expression was reduced (2- to >30-fold) in 79% of the tumors. These results suggest that the WISP genes may be downstream of Wnt-1 signaling and that aberrant levels of WISP expression in colon cancer may play a role in colon tumorigenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

A national survey to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella species among Canadian registered commercial turkey flocks.

In 1990-1991, a national survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella species among Canadian commercial turkey flocks. Two hundred and seventy flocks were randomly selected across Canada. The proportion sampled from each province was selected according to each province's share of the national turkey market. Samples, consisting of 12 pooled litter and four pooled dust samples, were used to determine the Salmonella status of the environment of each flock. Additionally, a one kilogram sample of feed was taken from each flock premise. Salmonella was recovered from environmental samples in 234/270 (86.7%) of flocks and from feed samples in 26/266 (9.8%) of flocks. Forty-eight different Salmonella serovars were isolated from flock environmental samples. The most prevalent serovars were S. anatum, S. hadar, S. agona, S. heidelberg and S. saintpaul which were isolated from 53/270 (19.6%), 49/270 (18.1%), 49/270 (18.1%), 42/270 (15.6%) and 34/270 (12.6%) flocks, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Cytokines in inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma presenting with leukemoid reaction.

Inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytomas (IMFH) are rare tumors and are frequently associated with leukocytosis. In rare cases, leukemoid reactions were attributed to tumor production of unidentified hematopoietic factors. In this study, we used immunohistochemical techniques to show cytokine immunoreactivity in the malignant cells of two cases of IMFH presenting with leukemoid reactions and compared them with two malignant fibrous histocytomas, noninflammatory type. All four tumors stained positively for stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), and insulin-like growth factor-I. Other cytokines detected only in the two IMFH included IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IFN-gamma, and keratinocyte growth factor. Granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, IL-3, and transforming growth factor-beta staining was present in one of the two IMFH tumors and was not present in the noninflammatory tumors. The immunohistochemical staining was localized to the malignant cells, suggesting deregulated cytokine expression consistent with their monocytic/histocytic origin. Expression of certain cytokines in the IMFH may account for the local inflammatory infiltrate, tumor fibrosis, and the aggressive nature of the malignant cells. We also detected elevated serum levels of SCF, G-CSF, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor in one or both of the IMFH patients. These latter observations may explain the bone marrow hypercellularity and other paraneoplastic symptoms, including fever, malaise, and weight loss, observed in both patients. Different cytokines present in the two IMFH tumors appear to be responsible for the eosinophilic leukemoid reaction observed in one case and for the granulocytic leukemoid reaction observed in the other patient. They may also be responsible for expansion of the tumor-cell population, fibroblast proliferation, and enhanced secretion of extracellular collagen.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Expression of the gastrin gene in the normal human colon and colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Gastrin, produced in the G-cells of the gastric antrum and regulating acid secretion in the stomach, also acts as a trophic factor in the gastrointestinal tract. Because of its possible role in colon cell proliferation and differentiation, evidence for its presence in normal colorectal mucosa and adenocarcinoma was sought. Utilizing tumors and matched normal mucosa from 26 patients, mature gastrin and progastrin were studied by immunohistochemistry. In normal colonic mucosal crypts, occasional cells stained concordantly for gastrin, progastrin, and chromogranin A, suggesting that they are of neuroendocrine origin. Adenomatous polyps stained neither for gastrin nor chromogranin A. In 22 of 23 adenocarcinomas, more than 50% of tumor cells stained for gastrin and progastrin. The expected gastrin transcript was demonstrable by polymerase chain reaction and RNase protection in tumors and by polymerase chain reaction in normal mucosa. Its identity was confirmed by sequencing the polymerase chain reaction product. A larger transcript containing Intron II was present in both cancers and normal mucosa but was barely discernible in the gastric antrum. Aberrant expression of gastrin may contribute to deregulated proliferation of many colorectal carcinomas.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Gene structure and expression in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer provides a unique model for the study of molecular changes that are associated with tumorigenesis. The cancer evolves as an apparent ordered sequence from a benign to a malignant lesion in histopathological recognizable stages. Since it is relatively easy to isolate tissue representing each of these stages, studies of molecular events associated with tumor progression are feasible. Such studies have shown that multiple changes in gene structure, expression and activity occur during tumorigenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Distribution of cells expressing myc proteins in human colorectal epithelium, polyps, and malignant tumors.

The myc gene family encodes nuclear phosphoproteins that are thought to play a role in the control of cellular proliferation and differentiation. We have undertaken an immunohistochemical study assessing the expression of myc gene family proteins in individual cells of normal colonic mucosa, colorectal polyps, and colorectal adenocarcinomas. We screened a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies that we raised against recombinant human c-myc and N-myc proteins for recognition of myc proteins in paraffin tissue sections. Two of these antibodies, H120C69 and H8C150, were selected for indirect immunoperoxidase staining of tissue sections from 16 normal mucosas, 24 polyps, and 30 adenocarcinomas. In normal colon, about 25% of the cells in the lower one-third of the crypts of Lieberkühn stain for myc-related protein. This distribution resembles that of proliferating cells in the crypt. Benign hyperplastic polyps resemble normal mucosa in their myc staining pattern, with about 25% of the cells positive. In adenomatous polyps, the putative precursors of adenocarcinomas, from 50 to 100% of the cells stain positively for myc protein. In these cases, stained cells extend to the luminal surface, consistent with the previously reported expansion of the proliferation zone in these lesions. All adenocarcinomas examined had increased levels of myc protein relative to normal mucosa. The tumor cells exhibited markedly heterogeneous myc staining patterns, both among different tumors and, in some cases, within a single tumor. Comparison with Ki-67 monoclonal antibody staining indicates that myc protein expression in many tumors is uncoupled from cellular proliferation. Surprisingly, we observed increased numbers of myc-expressing cells and increased levels of myc protein in histologically normal colon directly adjacent to tumor, suggesting that many colorectal carcinomas secrete growth factors that activate gene expression in neighboring normal mucosa.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

The prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis and other Salmonella sp. among Canadian registered commercial chicken broiler flocks.

A nation-wide survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis and other salmonellas among Canadian commercial broiler flocks. Environmental (litter and/or water) samples from 226 of 294 (76.9%) randomly selected flocks were contaminated with salmonellas. Litter samples were more often contaminated with salmonellas than water samples (47.4 v. 12.3%). Fifty different salmonella serovars were isolated. The most prevalent serovars were S. hadar, S. infantis, and S. schwarzengrund; they were isolated from samples of 98/294 (33.3%), 26/294 (8.8%), and 21/294 (7.1%) flocks, respectively. Feed samples of 39/290 (13.4%) flocks were contaminated with salmonellas. Salmonella enteritidis was isolated from the environmental samples of 9/294 (3.1%) flocks. Salmonella enteritidis phage type (PT) 8 was isolated from seven flocks, and PT 13a from two flocks.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1991

Eosinophilic myositis in Canadian cattle.

Musculature from 198 Canadian cattle with suspected lesions of eosinophilic myositis were examined histologically and by pepsin digestion. Sera from 51 of the 198 animals were also examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-Trichinella antibodies. Viable larvae of Trichinella were not recovered from any of the cattle but one animal from Ontario tested positive for anti-Trichinella antibodies. Histologically, focal and/or diffuse eosinophilic myositis lesions were observed in 149 (75.2%) of the animals studied. Other conditions identified were sarcocystiosis, abscesses, cysticercosis, steatosis, fibrosis, granuloma, lymphosarcoma and necrosis. Sarcocystiosis was identified in 105 of the 198 animals in both normal and affected musculature. The study indicates that trichinosis is not a primary cause of eosinophilic myositis in cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Assessment of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a Taenia hydatigena fraction antigen in the diagnosis of cysticercosis in cattle.

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a fraction of larval Taenia hydatigena cyst fluid antigen was carried out on 469 bovine sera collected at slaughter from feedlot cattle for the presence of anticysticercosis antibodies. Cysticerci, in low numbers, were found in the heart, tongue and/or masseter muscles of 84 of the 469 cattle at postmortem inspection. Only nine sera gave positive ELISA reactions and in only one of these nine animals were cysticerci found. Within the limitations of this study, the high rate of false negative and false positive reactions suggests that the ELISA with the antigen used is not a satisfactory procedure to diagnose cysticercosis in cattle, at least in animals with light infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Pathogenesis and serodiagnosis of experimental Trichinella spiralis spiralis and Trichinella spiralis nativa infections in cattle.

Trichinella spiralis spiralis infections were established in cattle by gavage and by feeding infected musculature in the ration. Trichinae were present in greatest numbers in masseter, tongue and diaphragm. Trichinella spiralis nativa had a low infectivity to cattle although a light infection was established in one cow by a heavy challenge. Cattle had an aversion to eating musculature unless it was camouflaged with molasses. Clinical signs of reluctance to eat and masticate were observed between 10 and 30 days postinfection. Eosinophil counts started to increase at seven days and peaked at about 30 days postinfection. By day 60 eosinophil counts returned to near preinfection levels but in animals examined greater than 90 days postinfection, the counts were variable. Focal lesions of eosinophilic myositis were observed up to about 90 days postinfection. Little cellular reaction was observed surrounding trichinae after muscle invasion and cyst development was completed except for cysts undergoing disintegration. Seroconversion occurred in all cattle examined between 7 and 14 days postinfection. Seroconversion was associated with IgG1 and IgG2 immunoglobulins. Peak levels of antibody occurred between 30 and 60 days. Cattle examined at 182 and 369 days postinfection showed a gradual decrease in antibody levels over time.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Expression of the myc gene family in different stages of human colorectal cancer.

Colorectal carcinoma serves as a model system for the study of changes in gene expression and structure relating to tumorigenesis. In this study, the levels of c-myc, N-myc and L-myc mRNAs were assessed in normal human colonic mucosa in 33 cases representing different stages of adenocarcinoma and in 36 adenomatous polyps, the presumed premalignant stage. Consistent with the findings of Erisman et al. (1985), we found that the c-myc gene was overexpressed (3-24-fold) in approximately two-thirds of the tumors examined. Amplification of the gene (3-4-fold) was observed in 2 of 12 tumors examined and did not correlate with the level of expression. Greater amounts of c-myc-specific mRNA than occur in normal tissue was also found in about two-thirds of the polyps examined demonstrating that premalignant lesions also overexpress the gene. N-myc and L-myc specific transcripts can be detected at low abundance in normal colonic mucosa. These genes were found to be frequently overexpressed in tumors and polyps, but in most cases the level of overexpression was modest. A single case of adenocarcinoma showed an approximately 30-fold increase in the level of N-myc mRNA without gene amplification. Adenomatous polyps more frequently overexpressed the L-myc gene than tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1985

A survey of sheep diseases in Canada.

A mail survey of disease occurrence in Canadian sheep flocks was conducted. The survey, which covered the period from September 1982 to August 1983, utilized flocks on the Record of Performance (ROP) sheep program and relatively complete data were available from 116 flocks. Data about lambing rates, incidence of a variety of lamb and ewe diseases and reasons for culling were obtained. At the same time a retrospective evaluation of records of diagnoses of sheep diseases recorded at diagnostic laboratories across the country was performed. Data from the years 1978 to 1982 were obtained and summarized. A lambing percentage of 153% (1.53 lambs live born per ewe lambing) was observed and an additional 0.05 lambs were stillborn. The major identified causes of mortality amongst lambs were starvation, pneumonia, scours and accidents. Pasteurella spp. were the etiological agents most commonly associated with pneumonia in lambs and Escherichia coli had the same predominant position with regards to nonparasitic scours. A large discrepancy existed between the proportional mortality rates for internal parasites and coccidiosis as determined from the farm survey data compared to diagnostic laboratory data. This suggests that clinical parasitism may not be adequately recognized at the farm level. Abortions in ewes occurred in approximately half the flocks, but generally at a low level and no severe abortion storms occurred. Pneumonia was the most commonly identified cause of mortality in ewes and although Pasteurella spp. appear to be the most important etiological agents, regional differences were apparent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1985

Studies on Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (LC) in lambs and calves.

Six cesarean-derived lambs were inoculated either with 4.5 X 10(4), 4.5 X 10(6) or 4.5 X 10(8) Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides intratracheally. One animal receiving the intermediate dose died four days post-inoculation, the two receiving the high dose died six days postinoculation, while one receiving the low dose died eight days postinoculation. The two surviving lambs were challenged on day 20 postinoculation with 1 X 10(8) organisms subcutaneously and 2 X 10(9) organisms intravenously. One animal died eight days following this challenge while the other survived and was killed. Six conventionally reared lambs challenged with 90 to 8500 organisms by intranasal and intraocular instillation failed to become infected. Three conventionally reared calves were each inoculated with 1 X 10(8) organisms by each of intratracheal, subcutaneous and intravenous routes. They were killed 20 days post-inoculation without having shown any clinical signs.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Myodegeneration and suspected selenium/vitamin E deficiency in horses.

The clinical, macroscopic, and microscopic features of 10 isolated cases of myodegeneration in foals were compared. Low values for selenium and vitamin E content were found in the hay and oats from one breeding stable. Serum selenium concentrations in mares at this stable were also low. Creatinine phosphokinase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activities were increased in 2 young foals at this stable; in 1 of these foals, both enzymatic activities were markedly reduced after treatment with vitamin E and selenium. Nutritional myodegeneration was suggested as a diagnosis in this stable, on the basis of the histologic findings, feed analyses, serum selenium values, response to treatment, and enzymatic determinations. Nine other isolated cases of nutritional myodegeneration were tentatively diagnosed on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic findings and the young age of the animal. The gross lesions included pale areas in the myocardium and skeletal muscle masses. Histologically, lesions were characterized by fragmentation and hyaline and granular changes in swollen muscle fibers in widely distributed skeletal muscle masses.

Animals↗