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Biomedical subjects

R Lalla

Publications and source records attributed to R Lalla.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Melanoma cell migration is upregulated by tumour necrosis factor-alpha and suppressed by alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.

We reported recently that the inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) can upregulate integrin expression, cell attachment and invasion of cells through fibronectin in a human melanoma cell line (HBL). Furthermore, the actions of TNF-alpha were suppressed by the addition of an anti-inflammatory peptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). In the current study, we extend this work investigating to what extent TNF-alpha might stimulate melanoma invasion by promoting cell migration and whether alpha-MSH is also inhibitory. Two human melanoma cell lines were examined in vitro (HBL and C8161) using a scratch migration assay. Analysis using either time-lapse video microscopy or imaging software analysis of migrating 'fronts' of cells revealed that C8161 cells migrated more rapidly than HBL cells. However, when cells were stimulated with TNF-alpha both cell types responded with a significant increase in migration distance over a 16-26 h incubation time. alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone had an inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha-stimulated migration for HBL cells, completely blocking migration at 10(-9) M. In contrast, C8161 cells did not respond to alpha-MSH (as these cells have a loss-of-function melanocortin-1 receptor). However, stable transfection of C8161 cells with the wild-type melanocortin-1 receptor produced cells whose migration was significantly inhibited by alpha-MSH. In addition, the use of a neutralising antibody to the beta(1)-integrin subunit significantly reduced migration in both cell types. This data therefore supports an inflammatory environment promoting melanoma cell migration, and in addition shows that alpha-MSH can inhibit inflammatory stimulated migration. The data also support a fundamental role of the beta(1)-integrin receptor in melanoma cell migration.

Cell Movement↗
PubMed1999

Gastrointestinal surgical workload in the DGH and the upper gastrointestinal surgeon.

Workload implications of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) subspecialisation within the district general hospital (DGH) have been assessed by prospective data collection over a 12-month period in a DGH with six general surgeons serving a population of 320,000. The single UGI surgeon (UGIS) performed all ten oesophageal resections, ten of 11 gastric resections for malignancy and all eight pancreatic operations. He also performed 91 of the 182 cholecystectomies, 164 of the 250 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograms (ERCP) and all endoscopic procedures for the palliation of unresected oesophageal tumours. The UGIS was responsible for the management of all patients with severe pancreatitis, yet he also performed 51 colorectal resections over the 12-month period. Successful management of severely ill patients with upper GI disease requires consultant supervision on a day-to-day basis. If such UGI disease is to be managed in the DGH, two surgeons with UGI experience will be required if high quality care and reasonable working conditions are to be achieved. Such UGIS will continue to perform some colorectal surgery.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗
PubMed1993

Surgical treatment of cryptorchidism.

In the last 12 years, 916 cryptorchid testes have been treated sequentially with therapeutic and surgical procedures. Although the age of the boys varied considerably at the time that corrective procedures commenced, the best results were obtained when they were in the first year of life. The testes of the boys at this age who had been treated had a normal histology; this was not the case of those who were treated at an age older than one year.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Stercoraceous perforation of the right colon.

We have reported a case of stercoraceous perforation of the right colon with peritonitis. Stercoraceous perforation should be considered in patients with an acute condition of the abdomen, radiologic evidence of a perforated viscus, and a long-standing history of constipation. The condition is rare and has a high mortality. The treatment of choice is always surgical.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Intra-abdominal tissue expansion: an adjunct in the separation of conjoined twins.

Intra-abdominal tissue expansion routinely occurs physiologically with pregnancy and may be seen in a variety of pathologic states. There are a number of situations where additional abdominal wall would be helpful. We encountered such a situation in a set of ischiopagus conjoined twins. In effect, separation would result in an abdominal wall deficit of approximately 50%. As an alternative to intraperitoneal air, we inserted two 1,000 mL tissue expanders through a subcostal incision at 6 months of age. Over the ensuing 7 weeks, each expander was gradually inflated to greater than capacity (1,250 mL each). Except for initial ileus, there was no difficulty in expanding the abdomen to enormous proportions. At the time of surgical separation, the expanders were removed and the available abdominal wall tissue almost closed directly on both children. Closure was complete in one baby, whereas a small upper abdominal wall defect was left in the other, necessitating Marlex reinforcement. There has been a recent explosion in the use of tissue expanders in reconstructive surgery. From head to toe, soft tissue can be expanded to be used as flaps, to close donor defects, or both. With this report, its use intra-abdominally is described. Future application is limited only by our ingenuity and imagination.

Abdominal Muscles↗