Biomedical subjects

M J Gaffey

Publications and source records attributed to M J Gaffey.

69 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Immunocytochemical characterization of a monoclonal antibody directed against mitochondria reactive in paraffin-embedded sections.

The monoclonal antibody mES 13 was previously produced against bacterially expressed BALB ras p21 and was reported to have both membrane and cytoplasmic reactivity in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. In the current study, the cytoplasmic reactivity of mES 13 is investigated and demonstrated to be mitochondrial. Immunoelectron microscopic studies showed specific labeling of mitochondria without labeling of other organelles. In normal tissues, the antibody strongly labeled tissues known to have large amounts of mitochondria such as renal tubules, hepatocytes, and myocardium. The pattern of reactivity of tumors generally mimicked that of normal tissues, with carcinomas and melanomas usually showing stronger staining than sarcomas and lymphomas. Two granular cell tumors were negative. Among renal neoplasms, mES 13 strongly labeled renal oncocytomas and granular cell renal cell carcinomas and showed weaker staining of clear cell and chromophobe cell tumors. The mES 13 antibody should be useful in the characterization and diagnosis of tumors in which oncocytoma is in the differential diagnosis, especially when only paraffin-embedded tissue is available for study.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1990

Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

A surgically unresectable, biopsy-proven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in a 63-year-old man with cirrhosis. He survived 24 months without treatment. During that time the tumor burden decreased as demonstrated both radiologically and by the normalization of alpha-fetoprotein levels. The patient died of complications secondary to repeated esophageal variceal hemorrhage. Necropsy demonstrated prominent, ulcerated esophageal varices and liver cirrhosis without evidence of neoplasia either grossly or on a subsequent thorough microscopic examination. This case represents the first confirmation of HCC spontaneous regression in which a primary histologic diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical and flow cytometric DNA analysis, and where tumor regression was proven by a thorough necropsy examination.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1990

Unusual variants of adrenal pseudocysts with intracystic fat, myelolipomatous metaplasia, and metastatic carcinoma.

Five previously unreported cases of adrenal pseudocysts are described that demonstrate a wider range of histologic appearances than has been previously recognized in these lesions. One pseudocyst removed from an asymptomatic 59-year-old female contained intracystic nests of cytologically malignant cells of unknown origin. Workup revealed a left breast mass, which on biopsy showed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma with neoplastic cells that were cytologically similar to those found within the cyst contents. Four other pseudocysts are described with variable numbers of intracystic vascular structures and benign adrenal cortical cells. In addition, intracystic mature adipose tissue was observed in all four cases, with myelolipomatous metaplasia found in one. Awareness of the wide histologic variability of these lesions should improve diagnostic accuracy and allow distinction from adrenocortical neoplasia and myelolipoma.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1990

Clear cell tumor of the lung. A clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of eight cases.

We studied eight clear cell tumors of the lung (CCTL) to better define their clinical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features, and to clarify their distinction from other neoplasms, particularly metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patients ranged in age from 31 to 67 years (mean, 51 years). Seven patients had clinically benign, asymptomatic lesions measuring less than 2 cm in diameter that were devoid of necrosis. The eighth patient had a symptomatic, partially necrotic CCTL 4.5 cm in diameter that metastasized to the liver and peritoneum; the patient died of tumor 17 years after diagnosis. Ultrastructural study of seven CCTL showed interdigitating cell processes (all cases), primitive cell junctions (five of seven cases), intracytoplasmic glycogen (all cases), and rare dense core granules (two of seven cases). Immunohistochemically, paraffin-embedded sections from all eight CCTL were negative for cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), chromogranin, and vimentin. Focal staining was seen for S-100 protein (three of eight cases), neuron-specific enolase (three cases), synaptophysin (one case), and Leu 7 (one case). Although these findings suggest that at least some CCTL exhibit neuroendocrine differentiation, the tumor's histogenesis remains uncertain. Of more practical importance, the combined absence of CK, EMA, and vimentin in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded CCTL virtually precludes confusion with renal cell carcinoma. Although traditionally considered benign, CCTL larger than 2 cm that are symptomatic, and focally necrotic should be regarded as potentially malignant neoplasms.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1990

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon and rectum. A clinicopathologic, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical study of 24 cases.

To further characterize the clinicopathologic spectrum of colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasia, 24 carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation were subtyped as either small cell neuroendocrine, oat cell variant (six cases), small cell neuroendocrine, intermediate variant (16 cases), or moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (two cases). Five oat cell variants, 14 intermediate variants, and two moderately differentiated tumors were studied with antibodies to cytokeratin, vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin (CRG), synaptophysin (SYN), neurofilament, S-100 protein, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and Leu-7. All tumors were immunoreactive for cytokeratin and the majority were also positive for EMA and NSE. Positivity for specific neuroendocrine markers was uncommon, with SYN reactivity noted in one oat cell variant and four intermediate variants, and CRG positivity observed in four intermediate variants and one moderately differentiated tumor. Ultrastructural analysis of four oat cell, eight intermediate, and one moderately differentiated tumor revealed neurosecretory-type, dense-core granules in all lesions, except two oat cell variants studied from paraffin-retrieved material. Hepatic and regional lymph node metastases were noted in five of six oat cell, eight of 16 intermediate, and two of two moderately differentiated tumors. Of 17 patients with follow-up (four oat cell, 11 intermediate, and two moderately differentiated tumors), only two individuals were alive after 1 year. There were no detectable differences in survival or response to treatment between morphologic subtypes. The prognosis of colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma appears worse than for adenocarcinoma of comparable stage. Their distinction is thus warranted, especially in regard to the intermediate variant and moderately differentiated tumors, which may be potentially misinterpreted as forms of adenocarcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

The seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among Virginia State prisoners.

A prevalence serosurvey of adult male prisoners entering the Virginia State Prison was conducted to evaluate the epidemiology of cytomegalovirus within this population. Four hundred and forty-five (97%) of 459 male inmates provided serum for analysis and 427 completed a detailed demographic questionnaire. Sera were tested for cytomegalovirus by passive latex agglutination and 64% were reactive. Multivariate discriminant analysis showed an independent association of seropositivity with age, non-white race, and a history of gonorrhea. There was no apparent contribution from admitted homosexual contact though this may have been under-reported. There was no correlation of seropositivity with intravenous drug use or with the length or number of prior incarcerations. Prisoners possess the same correlates for cytomegalovirus seropositivity as the general adult population; past imprisonment did not independently contribute to cytomegalovirus seropositivity.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Vascular adrenal cysts. A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of endothelial and hemorrhagic (pseudocystic) variants.

Three endothelial cysts and five hemorrhagic cysts (pseudocysts) arose in the adrenal glands of seven patients aged 23-73 years. Four patients were male and three were female. Five were symptomatic and gave abdominal pain as their chief complaint. Endothelial cysts were collapsed or filled with serous fluid, multiloculated, had an endothelial lining, and often contained adrenal cortex in their outer walls. The endothelial lining reacted only weakly for Factor VIII-related antigen (FVII-RAg), but it stained strongly for collagen type IV (C-IV). The lack of hemorrhage and the FVIII-RAg/C-IV staining pattern in endothelial cysts suggest lymphatic differentiation. Hemorrhagic cysts were spherical, firm masses containing clotted blood and hyalinized thrombus with attenuated adrenal cortex in the outer fibrous wall. Islands of intact cortical cells were present deep within the thrombi of four hemorrhagic cysts. Three of five hemorrhagic cysts stained strongly for FVIII-RAg and C-IV in irregular vascular channels of the attenuated cortex and within the cyst contents. These channels suggest that at least some hemorrhagic cysts arise when hemorrhage occurs in a preexisting blood vascular anomaly. Entrapment of cortical islands by extravasated blood in hemorrhagic cysts may be misdiagnosed as necrotic cortical neoplasm. To avoid confusion, one must recognize the normality of the entrapped cortical cells, identify an intrinsic vascular anomaly, and distinguish thrombus from necrotic tumor.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

PubMed1988

Minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules. A clinicopathologic study of so-called minute pulmonary chemodectoma.

The clinicopathologic features of 23 so-called minute pulmonary chemodectomas from nine patients are presented. Eight patients were women and one was a man; age range was 34-75 years (mean, 61). Two specimens were surgical resections and seven were autopsies (incidence, one per 60 autopsies). There was no association with a specific disease process or pathologic condition. Grossly, the lesions were 1-3 mm, tan to yellow, pleural or parenchymal nodules. Six of nine cases had multiple lesions; upper lobes were more often involved. Microscopically, characteristic cell nests expanded alveolar septa. Larger lesions were connected by intervening collagen, often imparting a stellate configuration. Smaller lesions had closely apposed nests with mildly thickened alveolar septa. The nodules were strongly reactive for epithelial membrane antigen (12 of 14) and vimentin (10 of 14), and were uniformly negative for cytokeratin, S-100, neuron-specific enolase, and actin. Ultrastructurally, complex interdigitating cell processes were connected by desmosomes. Occasional cytoplasmic filaments were seen. These nodules lack neuroendocrine features, differ from mesothelium, and strongly resemble meningothelial cells. A more accurate term for these lesions is minute meningothelial-like nodules. Their relationship to larger, solitary pulmonary meningiomas is unclear.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Aggressive papillary middle-ear tumor. A clinicopathologic entity distinct from middle-ear adenoma.

A 29-year-old woman had a middle-ear mass that resulted in hearing loss and seventh-nerve palsy. The tumor invaded the petrous bone, the mastoid, at least one semicircular canal, and then extended into the posterior fossa. Microscopically, it consisted of complex, interdigitating papillae lined by uniform, cuboidal to low columnar cells. The cells resembled the epithelium of the normal middle ear and middle-ear adenoma, but the papillary architecture distinguished this neoplasm from the latter, nonpapillary tumors. Papillary middle-ear tumors are locally invasive. We propose the term "aggressive papillary middle-ear tumor" (APMET). Nine other examples of APMET have been reported under various diagnostic terms. All have been locally destructive with frequent intracranial invasion. Although none of the tumors has metastasized, one patient died of uncontrolled local disease. For this reason, APMET must be distinguished from nonpapillary middle-ear tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1988

Ineffectiveness of oral terfenadine in natural colds: evidence against histamine as a mediator of common cold symptoms.

The role of histamine in the pathogenesis of infectious rhinitis is unclear, as is the efficacy of antihistaminic drugs in the treatment of the common cold. This study evaluated the short-term efficacy of oral terfenadine (Seldane) in the treatment of the common cold. Over a 5-week period, the authors recruited 250 adults who had developed cold symptoms within 6 to 48 hours prior to enrollment. Volunteers had a primary complaint of runny or stuffy nose; at least one other respiratory symptom; no fever or exudative pharyngitis; and no history of atopy, sinusitis, or use of cold preparations within 1 week of enrollment. Out of the eligible subjects, 126 were randomly assigned terfenadine (60 mg), and 124 received placebo. Volunteers self-administered either terfenadine or placebo twice a day on Days 1, 2 and 3, and a final dose on the morning of Day 4. They also recorded the severity of their clinical symptoms (runny nose, sniffles, sneezing, postnasal drip, cough and sore throat) on symptom cards. Both groups reported similar severity scores throughout the treatment period. Average symptom burdens declined at almost identical rates for both groups. Terfenadine was well tolerated and had a low incidence of side effects. According to subject evaluation, terfenadine was no more effective than placebo. The mean +/- SD score of global efficacy was 2.2 +/- 1.1 in the terfenadine group and 2.1 +/- 1.3 in the placebo group (P = NS). Slightly fewer terfenadine recipients (41%) than placebo recipients (48%) said they would use the study medication again for treating cold symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Ipratropium bromide treatment of experimental rhinovirus infection.

The importance of parasympathetic-cholinergic mechanisms in the production of common cold symptoms is not clear. The quaternary ammonium anticholinergic antagonist ipratropium bromide was intranasally administered under double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled conditions to assess its tolerance and efficacy in reducing nasal hypersecretion in adult volunteers with experimental rhinovirus colds. Ipratropium was sprayed intranasally three times daily (80 micrograms per treatment) for 5 days beginning 24 h after intranasal inoculation of rhinovirus type 39. Clinical colds occurred in 50% of 30 infected ipratropium recipients and in 76% of 33 infected placebo recipients (P = 0.04). The nasal mucus weights tended to be lower for ipratropium-treated persons (mean +/- standard deviation, 14.7 +/- 15.1 g/5 days) than for placebo-treated recipients (24.7 +/- 28.0 g/5 days; P = 0.076). Whereas total nasal symptom scores were similar between the two groups, the rhinorrhea score analyzed for each day of treatment showed nonsignificant trends favoring the ipratropium group over the last 4 days of treatment. Ipratropium was generally well tolerated. The results suggest that cholinergic mechanisms are at least partially responsible for nasal mucus production in rhinovirus colds but that the effect of anticholinergic compounds alone is insufficient to be of practical use in treatment, although they may have value as components of multi-ingredient preparations.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1987

Intranasally and orally administered antihistamine treatment of experimental rhinovirus colds.

Although antihistamines are widely used for symptomatic treatment of seasonal (allergic) rhinitis, the role of histamines in the pathogenesis of infectious rhinitis is not clear. Two antihistamines, orally administered chlorpheniramine maleate (CM) and diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DH) administered by intranasal spray, were used under double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled conditions to assess both tolerance and efficacy in volunteers with experimental rhinovirus (RV) colds. In the initial trial, CM (4.0 mg per treatment) was ingested 4 times daily for 4 days beginning 24 h after intranasal inoculation of RV type 29 in susceptible volunteers. In the second trial, DH was sprayed intranasally 4 times daily (2 mg per treatment) for 5 days beginning 24 h after inoculation of RV type 39. Clinical colds occurred in 60% of the CM group (n = 13) and 73% of the placebo (n = 15) in the first study, and in 66% of the DH group (n = 12) compared with 81% in the placebo group (n = 11) in the second. Both CM and DH were well tolerated but had no significant effects on nasal symptoms or nasal mucus production. The findings provide additional evidence against an important role for histamine in the pathogenesis of nasal symptomatology in rhinovirus colds.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1987

Intranasally administered atropine methonitrate treatment of experimental rhinovirus colds.

The role of parasympathetic/cholinergic mechanisms in the syndrome of the common cold is not clear. Under double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled conditions, we intranasally administered the anticholinergic atropine methonitrate (AM) to assess its tolerance in uninfected adults and therapeutic efficacy in volunteers with experimental rhinovirus (RV) colds. Healthy adults given sprays of AM intranasally 250 or 500 micrograms 4 times a day for 5 days developed nasal dryness and systemic side effects more often than did placebo (P) recipients. In 2 separate challenge studies, treatments were begun with AM 125 micrograms 3 times a day (AM = 8, P = 7) or AM 250 micrograms 4 times a day (AM = 9, P = 7) for 5 days, 24 h after intranasal inoculation of RV type 39. The low AM dose was well tolerated but had no effect on nasal mucus weights or nasal symptom scores in persons with RV colds. The higher dose of AM was associated with subjective drying and a reduction in nasal mucus production. These findings suggest that cholinergic mechanisms have a role in the pathogenesis of RV colds but that more work is necessary to determine if anticholinergic compounds will be of practical value in their treatment.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1987

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis D (delta agent) and hepatitis B among Virginia State prisoners.

A serosurvey of hepatitis D (HDV) and hepatitis B (HBV) was conducted in an asymptomatic population of newly incarcerated prison inmates in Virginia. Of 459 men entering the prison, 445 provided both sera and demographic and personal information. Six (1.3%) had antibody to HDV (anti-HDV). Evidence of past infection with HBV was found in 146 (32.8%); 9 (2.0%) were positive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). HBV seropositivity correlated with intravenous drug abuse, nonwhite race, and tattoos acquired in prison. Sera obtained after an interval of seven to ten months revealed seroconversion to anti-HDV in one of two HBsAg-positive men who admitted to parenteral drug use while incarcerated. Because he had been incarcerated elsewhere for more than one year before entering this prison, it is concluded that HDV transmission occurred in prison. The association of HDV infection with progression to chronic active and fulminant hepatitis suggests that serologic surveillance of HBsAg-positive inmates may be indicated for identification of possible HDV index cases.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Viral oncogenesis: Epstein-Barr virus.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common herpesvirus that has been linked to several human neoplasms. It has been found in over 90% of cases of Burkitt's lymphoma in endemic regions, although only 15% of cases in nonendemic regions show evidence of infection. The virus has been found in malignant lymphomas in immunocompromised states, including the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, iatrogenic immunosuppression, such as in posttransplantation patients, and congenital immunodeficiencies. Recently, EBV genomes have been found in approximately 25% of cases of Hodgkin's disease, where it has been found in the Reed-Sternberg cells. Epstein-Barr virus genomes are found in over 90% of cases of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In addition, EBV has been identified in undifferentiated carcinomas in other sites in Asians, such as carcinomas of the parotid in Chinese individuals and Eskimos.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗