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Biomedical subjects

P Eagan

Publications and source records attributed to P Eagan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Loss of p16/CDKN2A tumor suppressor protein in gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with Epstein-Barr virus and anatomic location in the body of the stomach.

Gastric adenocarcinomas (n = 125) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of p16, the CDKN2A gene product. This protein was lost in 31 of 125 cases (25%), and loss was associated with location of the tumor in the body of the stomach (P = .001). Loss of p16 was also associated with the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in tumor cells as determined by in situ hybridization (P = .022). This effect may relate to anatomic site, because EBV-associated tumors originate more frequently in the body of the stomach. When p16 status was evaluated for ethnic origin of the patient (non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, or black), a strong trend (P = .057) was found for African-American patients to have fewer p16-negative tumors than other patients. This also may relate to anatomic location, because fewer tumors from black patients arose in the body of the stomach (P = .022). No significant associations were detected between p16 status and histological subtype (intestinal v diffuse), the presence of microsatellite instability, grade or stage of the tumor, or age, gender, or survival of the patient. In conclusion, p16 loss is quite common in gastric adenocarcinoma, and such loss is more common in EBV-infected tumors arising in the body of the stomach.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Proflavin and microwave radiation: absence of a mutagenic interaction.

The potential ability of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RFR) in the microwave range to induce mutagenesis, chromosomal aberrations, and sister chromatid exchanges in mammalian cells is being explored in our laboratories. In addition, we have also been examining the ability of simultaneous exposure to RFR and chemical mutagens to alter the genotoxic damage induced by chemical mutagens acting alone. We have performed experiments to determine whether there is an interaction between 2.45-GHz, pulsed-wave, RFR and proflavin, a DNA-intercalating drug. The endpoint studied was forward mutation at the thymidine kinase locus in L5178Y mouse leukemic cells. Any effect on the size distribution of the resulting colonies of mutated cells was also examined. The exposures were performed at net forward powers of 500 or 600 W, resulting in a specific absorption rate (SAR) of approximately 40 W/kg. The culture-medium temperature reached a 3 degrees C maximal increase during the 4-h exposure; appropriate 37 degrees C and convection-heating temperature controls (TC) were performed. In no case was there any indication of a statistically significant increase in the induced mutant frequency due to the simultaneous exposure to RFR and proflavin, as compared with the proflavin exposures alone. There was also no indication of any change in the colony-size distribution of the resulting mutant colonies, neither, and there was no evidence in these experiments of any mutagenic action by the RFR exposure alone.

Animals↗

Absence of mutagenic interaction between microwaves and mitomycin C in mammalian cells.

Evidence in the literature from in vitro and in vivo studies as to whether or not radiofrequency radiation (RFR) in the microwave range is mutagenic is predominantly negative, with some positive reports. No evidence is available as to whether RFR will alter the mutagenic activity of genotoxic chemicals during a simultaneous exposure, a likely real-life situation. Two hypotheses have been proposed: a) that RFR by itself can cause mutations in a mammalian cell in vitro assay system; and b) that a simultaneous exposure to RFR during a chemical treatment of the cells with a known genotoxic agent, mitomycin C (MMC), will alter the extent of mutagenesis induced by the treatment of the cells by the chemical alone. These studies were performed using the forward mutation assay at the thymidine kinase locus in L5178Y mouse leukemic cells. The pulsed wave RFR was broadcast from an antenna horn at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The power density was 48.8 mW/cm2 and the measured specific absorption rate (SAR) in this system was 30 W/kg (600 W forward power), which is well above current safety guidelines. The conclusions from five different experiments, employing three different concentrations of MMC, were that a) RFR exposure alone, at moderate power levels which resulted in a temperature increase in the cell culture medium of less than 3 degrees C, is not mutagenic; and b) when cells are simultaneously treated with MMC and RFR at these same moderate power levels, the RFR does not affect either the inhibition of cell growth or the extent of mutagenesis resulting from the treatment with the chemical MMC alone.

Animals↗

Dosimetry considerations in far field microwave exposure of mammalian cells.

A circulating water bath exposure system has been designed for in vitro radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure studies in the 915 to 2450 MHz range. A Styrofoam float, in which 10 T-25 plastic tissue culture flasks are embedded, is rotated at approximately 20 rpm in a Plexiglas water bath at a distance beneath a rectangular horn. The continuous circular rotation of the flasks is designed to "average out" the heterogeneity present in stationary flask exposures. The rotation also serves to prevent the establishment of chemical gradients in the medium within the flasks. Several factors have been demonstrated to affect the specific absorption rate (SAR) measured in the medium in the exposed flasks. These factors include: 1) the position of the exposure flasks relative to the long axis of the antenna horn; 2) whether the flasks are exposed while stationary or in rotation; 3) the volume of the medium contained in the flask; and 4) the depth in the medium in the flask at which temperatures for SAR calculation are measured. The presence of cells in the exposure flask (as attached monolayer or cell suspension) did not result in an SAR different from that measured in the same volume of medium without cells present.

Cells↗

137Cs dosimetry table for asymmetric source.

A common 137Cs brachytherapy source has a 2-cm physical length and 1.38-cm active length. The active length is not symmetric with respect to the source center because one source end contains an eyelet. Current dose rate tables assume a symmetric source loading with respect to the source center. A computer program was written to calculate an asymmetric distribution using the manufacturers' source specifications. Corrections were made for attenuation and obliquity through the source materials. Dose rate values in cGy/h for a 137Cs source equivalent to 1 mg of 226Ra are shown as a function of the radius from the source center and angle from the source end containing the eyelet. Dose rate values in the table were confirmed by ferrous sulfate measurements using small volumes. The table values agree with published values at points more distant than a few cm and lying at an angle such that the asymmetry of the source loading has its minimum influence.

Brachytherapy↗

Hyperthermic effects on viability and growth kinetics of human lymphoblastoid cells.

During clinical hyperthermia, various blood elements may be exposed to elevated temperatures. The effect of heat on human lymphocyte viability and human lymphoblastoid cell viability and growth was therefore measured. In the viability studies, cells were heated for different times and temperatures and stained with fluorescein diacetate either immediately of at various times after treatment; dye uptake was then analysed using fluorescence microscopy. There was no significant decrease in lymphocyte viability when assayed at 0 and 24 h after heating at 42-43 degrees C for varying times. Similarly, when proliferating lymphoblastoid cells were heated at 42-43 degrees C, there was no decrease measured in viability immediately after heating. However, in contrast to the lymphocyte results, a progressive decrease of lymphoblastoid cell viability was observed with increasing time after treatment. A nadir in viability was observed 48-72 h after heating, followed by a subsequent apparent recovery. This recovery showed a correlation with cell growth, as well as lysis of non-viable cells. The cell population doubling time was also lengthened, with longer doubling times observed for more severe heat treatments.

Cell Cycle↗