Publications by authors named "John R McGregor"

Background: Colonoscopy is currently the gold standard for detection of colorectal lesions, but may be limited in anatomically localising lesions. This audit aimed to determine the accuracy of colonoscopy lesion localisation, any subsequent changes in surgical management and any potentially influencing factors.

Methods: Patients undergoing colonoscopy prior to elective curative surgery for colorectal lesion/s were included from 8 registered U.

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Background And Aims: There is little consensus as to the conduct of surgical morbidity and mortality review meetings. The aim of this survey was to determine how surgical morbidity and mortality meetings in the surgical units in the West of Scotland are carried out and to explore possible areas for improvement.

Methods And Results: Forty six surgical trainees distributed between the 15 general surgery units of the West of Scotland were asked to provide details of their surgical morbidity and mortality meetings for the training year 2012-2013.

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Despite increasing use of "targeted therapy," interleukin-2 (IL-2) is unique, because this cytokine can induce long-term remissions in 5% to 7% of patients with metastatic melanoma and renal cancer. Clinical use of IL-2 is limited by severe toxicities, such as hypotension and vascular leak syndrome (VLS). Nitric oxide seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of these toxicities.

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In common with other diagnostic tests, colonoscopy has a false negative rate which is infrequently assessed. The available literature suggests that lesion miss rate is higher for proximal colonic tumors. A total of 367 patients were diagnosed with cancer of the colon and rectum over a period of 2 years.

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A storm of inflammatory cytokines is released during treatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), closely approximating changes initially observed during sepsis. These signals induce profound changes in neurologic function and cognition. Little is known about the mechanisms involved.

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Dose limiting side effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2) include severe hypotension and vascular leak syndrome (VLS). Previous studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is strongly induced after IL-2 treatment of C3H/HeN mice (180,000 IU b.i.

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ReGel is an aqueous, filter sterilizable ABA tri-block polymer consisting of poly-(lactide-co-glycolide) and polyethylene glycol. We tested the suitability of this polymer to provide sustained interleukin-2 (IL-2) delivery for cancer immunotherapy. ReGel/IL-2 is liquid at or below room temperature, and is easily injectable through narrow gauge needles, but undergoes a reversible thermal transition into a bioerodible depot at body temperature.

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Nitric oxide (NO*) synthesis is induced within many tumors. The time course of NO* synthesis was evaluated during intra-peritoneal Meth A fibrosarcoma progression. While increasing macrophage recruitment into ascites was noted, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) antigen and function peaked between days 3-6 after tumor implantation.

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Nitric oxide (NO*) synthesis is induced within many tumors. The timecourse of NO* synthesis was evaluated during intraperitoneal Meth A fibrosarcoma progression. While increasing macrophage recruitment into ascites was noted, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) antigen and function peaked between days 3-6 after tumor implantation.

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Urethral fistula is a rare, but recognized, entity. We report the case of a young diabetic patient who developed urethral fistula on the dorsum of penis after debridement for necrotizing fasciitis. This cause and location for urethral fistula is extremely rare, and we were unable to find a similar case in published studies.

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Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is used to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, but its use is limited by the severe hypotension it produces. We have shown here that M40403, a superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic, blocked IL-2-induced hypotension and allowed the dose of IL-2 to be increased in mice. The reversal of IL-2-mediated hypotension was associated with an increase in plasma catecholamines.

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