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K Moynihan

Publications and source records attributed to K Moynihan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

High-throughput SNP genotyping with the Masscode system.

QIAGEN Genomics, Inc, has developed the Masscode tagging system for DNA labeling and detection. In this application, the Masscode system is described as applied to high-throughput single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. The labeling system is based on a small-molecular-weight tag that is covalently attached through a photocleavable linker to a DNA oligonucleotide. The tagged oligonucleotide is used as a primer in an allele-specific PCR SNP discrimination assay. The allele-specific amplicons are differentiated through their Masscode tag assignments. After a photolysis step to cleave the tags from the amplicon, the samples are introduced into a single quadrupole mass spectrometry detection system for analysis. Genotyping determinations are based on the relative proportions of the paired allele tags. The system has a lower limit of detection in the femtomolar range (10(-15) M). At present, 30 different Masscode tags may be used simultaneously in a multiplex fashion to routinely provide more than 40,000 SNP genotyping measurements daily. Further developments will allow for the simultaneous detection of several hundred tags.

Alleles↗

Antitumor efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution of NX 211: a low-clearance liposomal formulation of lurtotecan.

Lurtotecan is a clinically active water-soluble camptothecin analogue that has been formulated into a low-clearance unilamellar liposome, NX 211. Comparative studies between free drug and NX 211 have been performed assessing pharmacokinetics in nude mice, tissue distribution in tumor-bearing mice, and antitumor efficacy in xenografts. Compared with lurtotecan, NX 211 demonstrated a significant increase in plasma residence time and a subsequent 1500-fold increase in the plasma area under the drug concentration curve. The volume of distribution was also greatly restricted, suggesting altered tissue distribution. Evaluation of tissues 24 h after administration of either [14C]NX 211 or [14C]lurtotecan to ES-2 tumor-bearing mice demonstrated a 40-fold increase in radiolabeled compound in the tumors of NX 211-treated mice compared with mice treated with lurtotecan. In single-dose efficacy studies, NX 211 produced a consistent 3-fold or greater increase in therapeutic index compared with lurtotecan in both the KB and ES-2 xenograft models. When compared at equitoxic levels in repeat-dose efficacy studies, NX 211 generated durable cures lasting >60 days and a 2-8-fold increase in log10 cell kill, compared with lurtotecan and topotecan, respectively. Together, these data demonstrate that NX 211 has significant therapeutic advantage over lurtotecan and that the improved antitumor activity is consistent with increased exposure and enhanced drug delivery to tumor sites.

Animals↗

L-amino acid oxidase (LOX) modulation of melphalan activity against intracranial glioma.

These studies evaluated the efficacy of sequential pretreatment with L-amino acid oxidase (LOX) and LOX antiserum in the modulation of melphalan activity against intracranial glioma in athymic nude mice. LOX produced statistically significant (P < 0.01) depletion of the large neutral amino acids isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and valine in murine plasma at doses of 100 and 200 micrograms administered intravenously. Polyclonal anti-LOX antibody was successfully produced in mice, rabbits, and goats subsequent to immunization with LOX. Staphylococcal protein A-purified rabbit anti-LOX serum inhibited approximately 50% of LOX activity in vitro relative to control samples. This antiserum was used in vivo to inactivate LOX after it had depleted the large neutral amino acids, thereby preventing LOX-mediated catabolism of melphalan. Inoculation of three mice with rabbit anti-LOX serum after the treatment with LOX (100 micrograms) reduced LOX activity by 100%, 89%, and 100% at 6 h compared with reductions of 80%, 59%, and 52% over the same period in animals receiving LOX alone. In three separate studies using groups of eight to ten mice bearing intracranial human glioma xenografts, pretreatment with LOX followed by anti-LOX serum increased the antitumor activity of melphalan as compared with treatments with melphalan plus LOX, melphalan plus anti-LOX serum, or melphalan alone.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Enhancement of melphalan activity by inhibition of DNA polymerase-alpha and DNA polymerase-beta.

Our previous studies exploring melphalan resistance in the human rhabdomyosarcoma xenograft TE-671 MR revealed elevation of DNA polymerase-alpha and DNA polymerase-beta. The present study evaluated the alteration of melphalan activity in TE-671 (melphalan-sensitive) and TE-671 MR (melphalan-resistant) subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice after DNA polymerase-alpha was inhibited using aphidicolin glycinate (AG) and DNA polymerase-beta was inhibited using dideoxycytidine (DDC). Administration of AG or DDC did not produce toxicity or demonstrate antineoplastic activity when given alone. AG (90 mg/m2) enhanced the activity of melphalan against TE-671, with growth delays increasing by 8.4, 15.8, and 21.2 days over the regimen with melphalan only. AG (180 mg/m2) only modestly increased melphalan activity against TE-671 MR, with the growth delays increasing from 9.6 and 12.1 days using melphalan alone to 12.1 and 14.5 days using melphalan plus AG. AG (180 mg/m2) plus melphalan (the dose lethal to 10% of animals) produced greater weight loss compared with melphalan alone, whereas DDC plus melphalan produced no additional toxicity. DDC modestly enhanced the activity of melphalan plus AG against TE-671 MR. AG plus O6-benzylguanine did not increase the activity of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea against TE-671 or TE-671 MR. AG (90 mg/m2 and 180 mg/m2) inhibited DNA polymerase-alpha to 80% and 72% of control in TE-671 and 64% and 37% in TE-671 MR, and DDC inhibited DNA polymerase-beta to 59% in TE-671 and 48% in TE-671 MR. These results suggest a role for AG-mediated enhancement of melphalan activity, particularly in the treatment of newly diagnosed, melphalan-sensitive tumors.

Animals↗

Adult lifetime prevalence of firesetting behaviors in a state hospital population.

Hospital records of all patients under age 65 years old on the census of Worcester State Hospital (WSH) on October 25, 1988 (n = 279) were reviewed for indications of firesetting behaviors during the individuals' adult lifetime. The prevalence of firesetting behaviors was found to be 27.2%. The prevalence of firesetting episodes, a subset of firesetting behaviors, was found to be 17.6%. A stepwise discriminant function analysis was used to determine whether any factors significantly differentiated the members of the firesetting behavior group from the remainder of the population. This analysis revealed that the number of WSH admissions, the number of admissions to other inpatient facilities, and a history of injurious behavior to self are significant positive predictors of membership in the firesetting behaviors group. The results of the WSH analysis are very similar to those found at Northampton State Hospital in 1983. These high prevalence rates have implication for treatment, education, record keeping, and liability.

Adult↗