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Biomedical subjects

P Holmes

Publications and source records attributed to P Holmes.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

An analysis of invalidity benefit claim durations for new male claimants in 1977/1978 and 1982/1983.

This study analyses the duration of Invalidity Benefit (IVB) claims commencing in 1977/1978 and 1982/1983 using a hazard rate model. The analysis was carried out against a background of a substantial increase in the numbers claiming IVB. The main data base comprises a 1% random sample of all National Insurance records for the period 1975-1984, provided by the DHSS. Estimates are made of factors that influence claim durations. The results suggest that while age and health conditions are important, claim durations are also influenced by more narrowly defined economic considerations.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1988

"Don't tell us--show us": the use of role play in the teaching of psychoanalytic theory.

The psychological concepts associated with psychoanalysis are sometimes considered to be precious and somewhat irrelevant by professionals working with disturbed adolescents. Discussions (at a theoretical level) of these ideas may not highlight their usefulness in clinical situations. This paper describes the use of active role play techniques in a staff training group designed to teach about the "Inner World of the Adolescent". The fundamental features of "transference" and "counter-transference" were brought alive during these groups, and several other theoretical contributions of modern psychoanalysis were demonstrated within the setting of a training session. These groups were not intended to train "therapists", but to support and improve existing styles of work with adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

A model for the periodic synaptic inhibition of a neuronal oscillator.

We develop a simple, piecewise linear differential equation with discontinuous jumps, which captures the essential characteristics of more complicated equations modelling the dynamics of neuronal oscillators, such as those due to Hodgkin & Huxley (1952), Fitzhugh (1960, 1961), and Nagumo et al. (1962). We investigate the effects of periodically applied stimuli of various durations and compare phase-transition curves or Poincaré maps for our model with numerically computed maps from the 'full' equations. We describe some aspects of the qualitative behaviour and bifurcations of these iterated one-dimensional mappings and attempt to relate them to experimental observations.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1985

A phase I trial of recombinant gamma interferon in patients with cancer.

A total of 11 patients were treated on an escalating, single dose trial of recombinant gamma interferon (rIFN-gamma), 6 patients by the i.m. and 5 patients by the i.v. route of administration. Dose ranges within each individual were from 0.05 mg/m2 of IFN (1 mg greater than or equal to 10 X 10(6) units of IFN) escalating to 10 mg/m2. All dosages were delivered twice weekly and the i.v. dose was infused over 5 min. The most common toxicities encountered included fever, chills, fatigue, anorexia, and granulocytopenia. The influenza-like symptoms were very similar to those encountered with IFN-alpha but were generally less severe. The granulocytopenia was dose-related and transient with recovery generally seen within 48-72 h following administration of rIFN-gamma. Absolute granulocyte counts only rarely dropped below 1000 mm3. Hepatotoxicity was not observed. IFN levels were determined by both a bioassay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. By the i.v. route, the peak level of IFN activity could usually be seen at completion of the infusion with a serum half-life of 30 min. By the i.m. route, the peak level of serum activity was generally detected between 4-8 h with a serum half-life of 4.5 h after the initial elimination phase. Peak IFN levels appeared to correlate with maximum toxicity. One patient with melanoma had a 25% reduction in a cutaneous lesion, but there were no other minimal, partial, or complete responses.

Drug Evaluation↗
PubMed1985

Variation in susceptibility to atherosclerosis among inbred strains of mice.

Ten inbred strains of mice were fed an atherogenic diet containing 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid and 15% fat. The strains were examined for plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels and for formation of lipid-containing lesions in the aortic wall. The strains differed considerably in the frequency of lesion formation after 14 weeks on the atherogenic diet with a range of 0-1.8 lesions/mouse. The order of susceptibility to lesion formation from the least susceptible to the most susceptible was BALB/cJ, C3H/J, A/J, SWR/J, NZB/J, less than 129/J, AKR/J, DBA/2J, less than C57L/J less than C57BL/6J. Total plasma cholesterol after 5 weeks on the diet varied from 131 mg/dl to 328 mg/dl among strains; however, there was little correlation between total cholesterol levels and susceptibility to lesion formation (r = 0.29). Plasma triglycerides after 5 weeks on the diet varied less than cholesterol with a range of 137-220 mg/dl. An analysis of the genetic differences among inbred strains of mice might provide useful insights into lipid metabolism and the development of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Fate of receptor-bound human chorionic gonadotrophin in pseudopregnant rat ovaries perfused in vitro.

Pseudopregnant rats were injected with [125I] hCG, anaesthesized 1 h later and after cannulation of the aorta the ovaries were isolated and perfused with Gey & Gey buffer containing 0.2% BSA. The release of radioactivity was monitored for 2 h and analyzed by gel filtration. Five to ten per cent of the radioactivity was released within 2 h and represented small molecular weight peptides and iodotyrosine and [125I]hCG. Analysis of the ovarian radioactivity prior to and after perfusion revealed that virtually all hCG was receptor-bound. Loading the medium with unlabelled hCG displaced [125I]hCG from the receptor but did not enhance its degradation. Histological examination showed that the ovarian tissues were still intact after the 2 h perfusion. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a localization of the hCG at the cell periphery both prior to and after perfusion. These results provide evidence showing that the rate of internalization of receptor-hCG complexes in rat luteal cells is slow in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Boundaries or chaos: an outpatient psychodrama group for adolescents.

This paper, through the description of one afternoon's psychodrama session with adolescents in an outpatient setting, explores some of the issues of "containment" and "boundaries" raised by the running of such a group. It will be suggested that the methods of psychodrama offer techniques to contain certain anxieties within the therapeutic setting, but that also, as in any adolescent group, awareness must be maintained of a whole hierarchy of boundaries. If these are ignored, chaos may follow, resulting in the collapse of the group, and thus the failure of its therapeutic function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

"Dropping out" from an adolescent therapeutic group: a study of factors in the patients and their parents which may influence this process.

A significant proportion of all patients offered group therapy "drop out" before any help can be given to them. This process of attrition is likely to be even higher in adolescent groups. This paper considers factors, observable in the initial assessments of adolescents and their families, which might be associated with this process. Two styles of "drop out" were noticed; one appearing to be less destructive than the other to the patient and to the group. A highly significant association was observed between an assessor's feeling that either the adolescent or one of their parental figures had a paranoid personality and a tendency to leave the group in a precipitate and destructive manner. It is suggested that the sort of therapy offered by the group described in this study may not be the treatment of choice for adolescents of this type, and that there are benefits to be gained from assessing the family of an adolescent before he is offered group therapy on his own.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

A nose clinic: initial results.

A Nose Clinic, run jointly by an ENT surgeon and a chest physician, has been established to consider the relationship between diseases affecting the upper and lower parts of the respiratory tract and the contribution of malfunctioning respiratory defence mechanisms to such disease. The logistics of the clinic are described. Initial results suggest that mucociliary clearance abnormalities, immunity deficiencies and secondary infection in allergic rhinitis underlie a number of conditions presenting to ENT clinics. It is proposed that investigation of such patients leads to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of these conditions and, hence, a more logical approach to both medical and surgical treatment. It is suggested that early recognition and treatment of such underlying abnormalities may avoid irreversible damage.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Aspects concerning the role of prostaglandins for ovarian function.

The present review briefly summarizes the current view of the mechanisms whereby prostaglandins (PGs) may act to modulate ovarian function. Particular concern is devoted to the aspects of ovarian function which are under current investigation by the authors, namely follicular maturation and rupture, granulosa cell and oocyte maturation, and the formation and maintenance as well as the regression of the corpus luteum (CL). PGs are formed in the granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicle in response to gonadotropin action and are at their highest levels around the time of ovulation. PGs are believed to be obligatory for follicular rupture, but their mechanism of action is still unknown. In the process of oocyte maturation PGs can mimic the stimulatory effects induced by LH or hCG, but are probably not obligate mediators of these effects. The importance of PGs for CL formation and maintenance is so far unsettled, and PGs may be regarded more as modulators than as inducers for these processes. The most well-documented effect of PGs is the induction of CL regression. Evidence is presented that PGs may have this effect also in the human.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1981

Microelisa test for detecting antibodies to rinderpest virus antigens.

A microplate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed which detected antibodies to a soluble antigen prepared from sonicated rinderpest virus-infected cells. The ELISA detected titres of antibody to the virus in the sera of cattle 3 weeks after immunisation with tissue culture rinderpest virus vaccine which were similar to those detected by the virus neutralisation test. The ELISA test shows potential as a rapid and economic technique for screening large numbers of sera for antibody to rinderpest virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis.

A study was made of the presenting features of 100 consecutive Australian patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. A clinical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was suspected at the time of first presentation in only 52 patients and the initial provisional diagnosis was that of a non-tuberculous chest condition in a further 32 patients. In another 16 there was a delay in diagnosis because pulmonary tuberculosis was suspected only after chest X-rays were taken for screening purposes--for example, prior to elective surgery. A non-cavitating lesion in an upper lobe was the radiological appearance most often associated with failure to suspect tuberculosis at the time of presentation. The most common symptoms or change in pre-existing chest complaints were cough (55), loss of weight (52) and shortness of breath (43) followed by fever or night sweats (23) and haemoptysis (10) while 16 were asymptomatic.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Propagation of sepsis in vascular grafts.

Clinical studies have stated that sepsis tends to remain localized at the point of origin in a patent arterial synthetic graft. We have demonstrated in the pig model that in the acute phase, infection will propagate distally in both thrombotic and patent grafts. The propagation of infection is probably intraluminal. The implication is that total graft excision is necessary for proximal suture-line sepsis in the patent synthetic graft.

Animals↗