Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to M Phillips.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

The activation of specific gene transcription in the adipose conversion of 3T3 cells.

During the adipose conversion of 3T3 cells, there occur sequential changes in cellular protein and mRNA composition. To determine if there are also changes in transcription, we have studied the transcripts of specific genes in isolated nuclei prepared before and after adipose conversion. Transcription of three genes encoding adipocyte-specific proteins was detectable only in adipocytes, whereas transcription of actin and collagen type I genes occurred in both adipocytes and preadipocytes. The activation of transcription of adipocyte-specific genes was not synchronous. Thus temporal differences in the appearance of different adipocyte mRNAs probably result from differences in the times of activation of transcription.

Adipose Tissue↗

Xanthogranulomatous perinephritis: unusual cause of renal vein and vena caval thrombosis.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is an uncommon form of chronic renal infection which can be confused clinically, radiographically, and pathologically with renal carcinoma. Occasionally, xanthogranulomatous changes are more prominent in perinephric tissue than in the renal parenchyma itself. We present a case of locally invasive xanthogranulomatous perinephritis associated with thrombosis of the renal vein and inferior vena cava. With this constellation of findings, infections as well as malignant etiologies should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Female↗

REM sleep deprivation effect on apomorphine-induced gnawing is reversed by dexamethasone.

Glucocorticoid feedback was manipulated in rats deprived of REM for six days or left undisturbed in their home cages. One half of each group received concurrent dexamethasone (400 micrograms/kg), while the other half received corn oil. On test day, rats were observed for 5 min, injected with apomorphine (0.8 mg/kg, i.p.), and again observed. Dexamethasone revealed REM-deprivation-enhanced stereotypical gnawing, but had no effect on REM-deprivation-reduced rearing, suggesting the involvement of catecholamine depletion by non-specific stress-related factors in the former REM deprivation effect.

Animals↗

Velo-cardio-facial syndrome presenting as holoprosencephaly.

A baby with holoprosencephaly and the tetralogy of Fallot is described. The mother had operative correction of the same cardiac lesion and shows features typical of the velo-cardio-facial syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder. The association between holoprosencephaly and this condition has not been previously reported. When holoprosencephaly is found associated with congenital heart disease, velo-cardio-facial syndrome should be sought in other family members.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Immunomodulation of the antibody response to lipopolysaccharide in C3H/HeJ mice by complexing with heterologous ribosomes.

We show that formaldehyde fixation of Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to ribosomes purified from Brucella abortus induced a primary immunoglobulin M (IgM) response to LPS in C3H/HeJ mice and upon revaccination resulted in elevated titers of IgM and induction of IgG antibody to the O antigens of LPS, as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A similar LPS-Aspergillus fumigatus ribosomal complex yielded IgM and IgG antibody to LPS only after secondary stimulation. These results demonstrate that the hyporesponsiveness of C3H/HeJ mice with respect to antibody formation to LPS can be overcome by complexing this molecule to ribosomal particles and provide a theoretical mechanism for the action of some "ribosomal" vaccines. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that LPS in complex with the ribosomes is converted to a T-dependent form of the antigen to which the C3H/HeJ mice can respond.

Animals↗

Stability of an injectable disulfiram formulation sterilized by gamma irradiation.

Stability of an injectable disulfiram suspension sterilized by gamma(gamma) irradiation was tested. Single doses of disulfiram powder in plastic syringes were subjected to 50,000 rads of gamma radiation. Culture media were inoculated with the irradiated drug to test for growth of bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria. The irradiated drug and nonirradiated controls were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for disulfiram and its major degradation product, diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC). Ultraviolet absorption spectra of irradiated and nonirradiated disulfiram were obtained. No organisms grew in any of the culture media. HPLC analysis indicated that disulfiram content of the irradiated specimens was not reduced, and DDC was not detected. There were no important differences between the ultraviolet spectra of the irradiated and nonirradiated samples. Disulfiram can be sterilized by gamma irradiation without chemical degradation.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Electron microscopic examination of ribosome preparations from germinated spores of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Ribosomes were isolated from germinated spores (germlings) of Aspergillus fumigatus and electron microscopy was used to determine qualitatively the extent of cellular contamination. After differential centrifugation, the initial crude preparation contained 80S ribosomes and numerous membrane contaminants in the form of membrane sheets, palisade aggregates, and vesicles 0.10-0.18 micron in size. Gel filtration chromatography of crude ribosomes in Sepharose CL-4B did not remove all of the membrane contamination. Homogenous ribosome suspensions, morphologically free of other cellular component contamination, were then obtained after gel filtration fractions were centrifuged through a 35% sucrose solution. The total ribosome yield from a germling preparation was approximately four times the yield of ribosomes from a comparable spore preparation. Gel diffusion precipitin patterns of germling ribosomes were identical to those of spore ribosomes with both germling and spore ribosomes antisera.

Animals↗

Sustained-release characteristics of a new implantable formulation of disulfiram.

The object of this study was to evaluate the sustained-release characteristics of a new formulation of disulfiram. Solid rods (500 mg) made of a composite of 80% poly(glycolic-co-L-lactic acid) and 20% 14C-labeled disulfiram were implanted subcutaneously in five Wistar CD-1 rats; a control group received 100 mg of 14C-labeled disulfiram subcutaneously. Excretion of radiolabeled material in the urine and feces was monitored for 88 d. Sustained mobilization of drug was observed in the copolymer-disulfiram implant group, reaching a peak value 30 d after implantation. The control group exhibited first-order kinetics of drug mobilization. At necropsy, there was no encapsulation of the residual rods. The copolymer-disulfiram composite performed as a true sustained-release system, and improved formulations may have clinical applications in the treatment of alcoholic humans.

Animals↗

Subjective responses to the sweat-patch test for alcohol consumption.

The sweat-patch test is a new diagnostic test to measure the amount of alcohol a person is drinking. This study monitored the subjective responses of 41 volunteers before undergoing the test, and at the conclusion of the test one week later. There were no significant differences between the pre-test responses of returnees and drop-outs. The post-test rating of the comfort of the test showed a significant increase (p less than 0.05) over the pre-test rating; no significant changes occurred in the other ratings. The subjects generally rated the test highly for its potential benefits, and liking the test even though they knew it would objectively reveal their drinking habits. There was a tendency to believe that the test might induce them to drink less alcohol than usual. Subjects were generally neutral about their desire for other people to see the sweat-collecting patches, and learn that they were taking the test.

Adult↗

Protection of chickens by ribosomal vaccines from Pasteurella multocida: dependence on homologous lipopolysaccharide.

Chickens were protected against fowl cholera by ribosomal vaccines prepared from noncapsulated Pasteurella multocida. Passive hemagglutination (PHA) titers to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the degree of protection conferred by ribosomal vaccines were diminished or abolished when ribosomes were chromatographed on an immunoadsorbent column. Addition of subimmunogenic amounts of serotype 1 (homologous) LPS to highly purified ribosomes resulted in vaccines that protected against challenge exposure and produced PHA titers to homologous LPS. Addition of serotype 5 LPS to highly purified ribosomes did not protect chickens against challenge exposure with serotype 1 P multocida, but produced PHA titers to serotype 5 LPS. Combinations of serotype 1 ribosomal RNA and serotype 1 (homologous) LPS did not protect chickens or produce PHA titers to LPS. Purified ribosomes from Brucella abortus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and chicken liver were combined with LPS from P multocida and were evaluated as vaccines. Brucella abortus and A fumigatus ribosomes combined with LPS protected chickens as well as did bacterin made from whole cells of P multocida. Chicken liver ribosomes combined with LPS did not provide protection. To determine whether a protein carrier would substitute for ribosomes, methylated bovine albumin (MBA) was combined with LPS and evaluated as a vaccine. A serologic response to LPS was induced by MBA-LPS vaccine, but the vaccine offered no better protection than when LPS was used alone as vaccine. Ribosome-LPS vaccines produced serologic responses to LPS that were at least 5-fold greater than those produced by MBA-LPS vaccine.

Animals↗

Antidepressants in concomitant chronic back pain and depression: doxepin and desipramine compared.

Doxepin and desipramine at final doses of 188 and 173 mg/day, respectively, were compared in 36 volunteers with major affective or dysthymic disorder and chronic back pain. Both drugs produced significant decreases in depression, with an overall response rate of 70%; no significant difference was seen between groups. Pain ratings also decreased significantly in both groups (overall response rate = 50%); pain severity showed a better response to doxepin than to desipramine. While baseline pain, depression, and anxiety were correlated, treatment changes in these measures did not correlate. CSF beta-endorphin levels did not change with treatment. The usefulness of an antidepressant with anxiolytic properties, such as doxepin, is discussed.

Adult↗