Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to C Phillips.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Treatment of chronic rotator-cuff impingement by arthroscopic subacromial decompression.

We report a prospective study of 49 patients who had arthroscopic subacromial decompression for chronic rotator-cuff impingement. All patients were assessed preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months using the modified UCLA shoulder score. The dominant arm was affected in 35 patients, but only 13 recognised overuse as a cause of their shoulder pain. Before operation, the UCLA shoulder score was poor or fair in all patients. After three months only 28% of patients had satisfactory relief of symptoms but at one year 85% of patients examined had a good or excellent result. Patients with calcific tendonitis recovered more quickly: 93% reported a good result at six months. We conclude that arthroscopic subacromial decompression is an effective form of treatment, but that patients should be warned that recovery from surgery may be prolonged.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Interviews with men with prostate cancer about their self-help group experience.

This study reports on the results of semi-structured interviews with 12 men involved in prostate cancer self-help groups in three Canadian cities. Overall, participants reported their group involvement to be helpful, especially in terms of accessing information. Additional benefits included finding commonality with others, being able to talk about difficult issues, being productive and accomplishing tasks, advocating to make a difference, and engaging with family members around health issues. We conclude that the recent growth of self-help groups speaks to the challenge inherent for men in dealing with prostate cancer and counteracts tendencies to minimize the suffering which they experience.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

The relevance of using tragal cartilage in tympanoplasty.

Chronic endotympanic depression is a pathological situation which leads to tympanic atelectasis, retraction pockets and cholesteatoma. It is also at the origin of tympanoplasty failure. Tragal composite perichondrium-cartilage graft is a procedure which gives good results in these difficult surgical cases.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

A new staining method for identification of Helicobacter pylori and simultaneous visualization of gastric morphologic features.

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is prevalent in the general population and is associated with chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric carcinoma, and lymphoma. Different methods to diagnose HP colonization include the urea breath test, serologic analysis, and gastric biopsy. Many different staining methods, including silver and Giemsa-based stains, have been used to demonstrate these organisms in gastric biopsy specimens. The tissue morphologic features, however, are often obscured, thus mandating evaluation of both hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and special stains. This study evaluates the ability of a new staining method that allows simultaneous identification of HP and visualization of tissue morphologic features. We examined formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissues from 184 consecutive gastric biopsy specimens using our new staining method, and we compared our results with those previously obtained from H&E and Warthin-Starry (WS) stains. Our new stain uses periodic acid-Schiff, Coleman's Feulgen solution, Mayer's hematoxylin, and methylene blue. Our method is technically simpler than the WS stain and can be completed in approximately 9 minutes. We found HP organisms in 76 (41%) of 184 biopsy specimens by H&E and/or WS staining. Our new staining method identified HP in 83 specimens (45%). The organisms stained bright blue and were easily visualized (compared with the H&E-stained specimens) because of the contrasting magenta mucin. Tissue morphologic features consisted of well-defined cells with dark blue nuclei and pale cytoplasm. Intestinal metaplasia was highlighted magenta Our new staining method revealed chronic active gastritis in 71 cases (39%), intestinal metaplasia in 18 cases (10%), and lymphoid aggregates in 35 cases (19%). These findings were similar to the results obtained with H&E-stained sections. We conclude that our new staining method is inexpensive, quick, and easy to perform and interpret. It has a sensitivity comparable to that of conventional staining methods and simultaneously demonstrates both tissue morphologic features and the presence of HP.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1997

Dentofacial disharmony: motivations for seeking treatment.

Patients whose skeletal disharmony was severe enough to warrant a surgical treatment option completed a 24-item Motives for Treatment questionnaire. Each item was rated from (1) not at all a reason to (4) very much a reason. Items were grouped to form six dimensions. An average score of 3.0 or greater on a given dimension was considered a strong motivation. Of the 135 patients who completed the questionnaire, 16% of the patients had primarily a self-image motivation, 4% primarily an oral function motivation, and 6% strong dual self-image/oral function motivations. Males and females differed significantly on the social well-being and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dimensions. A strong social motivation occurred 4.5 times more frequently among males than among females, while a higher proportion of females than males reported TMJ concerns. Patients older than 25 scored higher on oral function, future health, and TMJ dimensions. Patients who elected surgery had higher scores on oral function, nasal function, and TMJ dimensions. Approximately 1.5 times as many patients who elected surgery scored on average of 3.0 or higher on the self-image and oral function dimensions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Risk factors for developing tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation associated with nightguard vital bleaching.

The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors in the development of tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation associated with the nightguard vital bleaching technique. The potential risk factors evaluated (sex, age, reported allergy, whitening solution, number of times the solution was changed daily [its usage pattern], and dental arch) were collected from the daily log form turned in by each of the 64 participants after completion of the 6-week lightening process. Also evaluated for each participant, from color slides, were tooth characteristics such as gingival recession, defective restorations, abfraction lesions, enamel-cementum abrasion, etc, and reported side effects. The generalized Mantel-Haenszel statistic was used to assess the association between the potential risk factors and the development of tooth sensitivity and/or gingival irritation. No statistical relationship existed between age, sex, allergy, tooth characteristics, or the dental arch lightened and the development of side effects. Initially, a statistically significant association existed between side effects and the whitening solution used. However, when the analysis was controlled for usage pattern, this relationship disappeared. Patients who changed the whitening solution more than once a day reported statistically significantly more side effects than did those who did not change the whitening solution during their usage time.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1996

A gene map of the human genome.

The human genome is thought to harbor 50,000 to 100,000 genes, of which about half have been sampled to date in the form of expressed sequence tags. An international consortium was organized to develop and map gene-based sequence tagged site markers on a set of two radiation hybrid panels and a yeast artificial chromosome library. More than 16,000 human genes have been mapped relative to a framework map that contains about 1000 polymorphic genetic markers. The gene map unifies the existing genetic and physical maps with the nucleotide and protein sequence databases in a fashion that should speed the discovery of genes underlying inherited human disease. The integrated resource is available through a site on the World Wide Web at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/SCIENCE96/.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Dissociation of glomerular hypertrophy, cell proliferation, and glomerulosclerosis in mouse strains heterozygous for a mutation (Os) which induces a 50% reduction in nephron number.

We reported that the Os mutation in ROP mice induced a 50% reduction in nephron number, glomerular hypertrophy, and severe glomerulosclerosis. We examined two mouse strains with the Os mutation, ROP Os/+ and C57 Os/+ mice, to determine whether the genetic background influenced the development of glomerulosclerosis. Nephron number was decreased by 50% in both ROP Os/+ and C57 Os/+ mice, and a glomerular volume and labeling index were two- to threefold increased in both. Whereas glomerulosclerosis was severe in ROP Os/+ mice, it was absent or minimal in C57 Os/+ mice. ROP Os/+ glomeruli had two- to threefold more type IV collagen, laminin, and tenascin than C57 Os/+ by immunofluorescence microscopy. Glomerular alpha 1IV collagen and tenascin mRNA levels were increased (2.8- and 1.7-fold) in ROP Os/+ and in C57 Os/+ (1.7- and 1.4-fold) mice. Both ROP Os/+ and C57 Os/+ mice had a slight increase (1.5- and 1.7-fold) in 72-kD collagenase mRNA levels. Whereas laminin B1 mRNA levels were twofold higher in ROP +/+ than in C57 +/+ mice, there was no further change in the presence of the Os mutation. Thus, the response to the Os mutation depended on the mouse strain, since severe glomerulosclerosis occurred only in ROP Os/+ mice, even though cell proliferation and glomerular hypertrophy also were present in C57 Os/+ mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Inducible nuclear factors binding the IgM heavy chain pre-mRNA secretory poly(A) site.

Two alternative forms of IgM heavy-chain mRNA are produced from a common precursor mRNA as a result of competition between cleavage/poly(A) addition at the upstream (secretory) poly(A) site and cleavage/poly(A) addition at the downstream (membrane) poly(A) site coupled with splicing. The efficiency of cleavage at the secretory poly(A) site is thought to play a crucial role in this alternative processing. We therefore examined RNA binding factors recognizing the secretory poly(A) site, in the absence of the splicing option, to look for transacting factors that may play a role in cleavage/polyadenylation efficiency at this site. Purified primary B cells produce the secretory form of mu mRNA when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the membrane form of mu mRNA when their antigen receptors are ligated by anti-mu antibodies. We compared RNA binding factors in nuclear extracts from cells produced by these different stimulatory conditions and show that induction of the secretory form of mu mRNA by LPS correlates with the induction of a 28-32-kDa secretory poly(A) site-specific polypeptide which is also present in the plasmacytoma cell line J558L. Visualization of the 28-32-kDa polypeptide in UV cross-linking assays depends on a GU-rich element downstream of the secretory poly(A) site. We show that this GU-rich region enhances polyadenylation efficiency in vivo by transfection of luciferase reporter constructs into the plasmacytoma J558L. We also examined nuclear extracts from B cells doubly stimulated with LPS and anti-mu antibodies in which expression of the secretory form of mu mRNA is selectively inhibited. This inhibition may be due to a down-regulation of polyadenylation at the secretory poly(A) site or an up-regulation of the competitive splicing process. This form of stimulation does not lead to the disappearance of the 28-32-kDa polypeptide, but to an enhanced binding of a 50-55-kDa factor which binds both the secretory and membrane poly(A) site. We report the first detection of changes in RNA binding factors taking place at the secretory poly(A) site which correlate with the expression of different forms of mu mRNA produced by primary B cells under different stimulation conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Clinical/biological outcomes of treatment for pericoronitis.

PURPOSE: This prospective clinical study was designed to determine the clinical and biologic outcomes of treatment for minor signs and symptoms of pericoronitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 20) with all third molars, presenting consecutively to an academic clinical center for treatment of minor signs and symptoms of pericoronitis, were enrolled in the study. At the initial visit, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples to assess levels of the cytokines interleukin- 1b (IL-1b) IL-1b and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as a measure of the host inflammatory response, and plaque samples to identify microorganisms, were collected from the distal of all second molars and the mesial of first molars. Standardized vertical bite wing radiographs were taken to assess alveolar bone height on the distal of the second molars and the inclination and the degree of eruption of the third molar. Full-mouth periodontal probing was conducted to determine probing depths and relative clinical attachment levels (CAL). Pain levels were assessed with Gracely verbal descriptor scales for sensory intensity and unpleasantness and 10-cm visual analog scales. Symptomatic third molar sites were treated with local debridement and irrigation after baseline data collection. One week after entry, data were collected again. Subsequently, the patients were scheduled for removal of all third molars. Data collection was repeated 3 months postsurgery. As controls, data were collected from 12 subjects who had asymptomatic third molars removed previously. RESULTS: At entry, symptomatic mandibular third molars (n = 21) were mostly vertical (n = 18) and at or above the occlusal plane (n = 19). No maxillary teeth had symptoms. Microbial counts were elevated for specific anaerobic microorganisms. GCF IL-1b levels were elevated at the distal of second molars adjacent to symptomatic third molars, as compared with asymptomatic third molars and second molars in control patients. Alveolar bone levels and CAL on the distal of second molars were normal. At 1 week, patients' pain symptoms and IL-1b levels were reduced, but microbial counts remained high. Three months after surgery, patients had no pain symptoms, and alveolar bone levels and CAL were similar to entry levels. IL-1b levels were elevated at both the distal of second molars and the mesial of first molars for all patients; microbial counts decreased, although not to levels of control patients. No increase in microbial counts for Porphyromonas gingivalis or Bacteroides forsythus, or GCF PGE2 levels, risk factors for progressive periodontal disease, was detected in samples taken from the study patients. CONCLUSION: Pericoronitis expressed by minor signs/symptoms in these patients was associated with considerable discomfort. Symptomatic mandibular third molars were vertical and at or near the occlusal plane. Additionally, this condition was characterized by microbial flora and GCF inflammatory mediator levels that are more consistent with gingivitis than periodontitis. Removal of third molars eliminated symptoms, but the microbial burden and an affected patient's inflammatory response, as measured by IL-1b levels, remained elevated as compared with controls. Further study is needed to determine which of these factors can be used to identify patients at risk for pericoronitis before symptoms arise.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Mechanical analysis of the palmar aponeurosis pulley in human cadavers.

The anatomy of the palmar aponeurosis pulley has been well described, but its biomechanical function is not as well characterized. This study describes the functional importance of the palmar aponeurosis pulley by using efficiency parameters. We obtained data by generating load, excursion, and work efficiencies in the intact pulley system and compared these to the efficiencies obtained after sectioning the palmar aponeurosis pulley alone and in combination with the proximal annular pulleys. The variability associated with comparisons between different fingers and hands was therefore diminished. Sectioning the palmar aponeurosis pulley alone did not significantly change any of the efficiency parameters. When the palmar aponeurosis pulley was sectioned in combination with either or both of the proximal annular pulleys (A1, A2) there was a significant decrease in excursion efficiency. Only after all three proximal pulleys were sectioned did the load efficiency increase and the work efficiency decrease significantly. These findings prove that the palmar aponeurosis pulley in combination with the proximal annular pulleys acts to decrease the tendency to bowstringing around the metacarpophalangeal joint. The increased load efficiency is probably the result of a decrease in friction and counteractive forces generated by the integrated fibers of the intact palmar aponeurosis pulley. Change in work is due not only to an increase in excursion, but also to the increased resistance that results from the acute angulation that the tendon must endure as it follows behind the remaining pulleys during flexion. Intergroup comparisons show a significant contribution by the palmar aponeurosis pulley. This study demonstrates a significant biomechanical role for the palmar aponeurosis pulleys and suggests that it be considered similar to the annular and cruciate flexor tendon pulleys in importance.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1996

Task-induced asymmetry of the auditory evoked M100 neuromagnetic field elicited by speech sounds.

The auditory evoked neuromagnetic fields elicited by synthesized speech sounds (consonant-vowel syllables) were recorded in six subjects over the left and right temporal cortices using a 37-channel SQUID-based magnetometer. The latencies and amplitudes of the peaks of the M100 evoked responses were bilaterally symmetric for passively presented stimuli. In contrast, when subjects were asked to discriminate among the same syllabic stimuli, the amplitude of the M100 increased in the left and decreased in the right temporal cortices. Single equivalent current dipole modeling of the activity elicited by all stimulus-types localized to a well-circumscribed area in supratemporal auditory cortex. The results suggest that attentional modulation affects the two supratemporal cortices in a differential manner. Task-conditioned attention to speech sounds is reflected in lateralized supratemporal cortical responses possibly concordant with hemispheric language dominance.

Acoustic Stimulation↗