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Biomedical subjects

P J Briggs

Publications and source records attributed to P J Briggs.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Ongoing developments in CCP4 for high-throughput structure determination.

Collaborative Computational Project Number 4 (CCP4) was established in 1979 to promote collaboration between UK groups writing software for protein crystallography. From these beginnings, CCP4 now distributes a large software suite and is active in developing new software. In this article, an overview is given of recent and ongoing developments in the CCP4 software suite, in particular as they pertain to high-throughput studies. Developments in individual programs are discussed first, although these are covered in more detail elsewhere. The bulk of the article focuses on the infrastructure of the software suite which allows the user to move effortlessly between different programs or to create automated schemas. Major changes to the software library at the heart of the CCP4 suite, developments in the CCP4 graphical user interface, and data management within CCP4 are discussed. The latter is crucial to high-throughput studies, where a large number of data are imported, created and finally archived.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed1998

Actions of endothelin-1, 2, and 3 in the microvasculature of bone.

Endothelins have recently been associated with hypoxia-related vascular smooth-muscle constriction and with the so-called no-reflow phenomenon following reperfusion. Their action is tissue dependent. The role of endothelins on vascular smooth muscle in bone is unknown. An ex vivo perfusion model was used to investigate the effects of the three different endothelins on the vascular resistance in the canine tibia. Endothelin-1 and endothelin-2 had molar potencies similar to that of norepinephrine, whereas endothelin-3 was less potent. Tachyphylaxis to the same dose of endothelin-1 did not occur. The calcium channel blocker, diltiazem, attenuated (45% reduction) the vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine (p < 0.005) but had a smaller effect (24% reduction) on the responses to endothelin (p < 0.025). Vascular smooth muscle in bone appears to have endothelin receptors that are similar to those in other organs.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Surgical management of acute tarsometatarsal fracture dislocation in the adult.

Injuries to the tarsometatarsal joint involving fracture dislocations are uncommon and are often referred to as Lisfranc lesions after the French field surgeon in the Napoleonic Wars. Despite the infrequency of this serious injury, they have the potential for chronic disability and require prompt, accurate diagnosis and precise anatomic reduction to minimize long term disability. A review of the literature shows that opinions differ as to the most appropriate method of treatment for these injuries, be it closed or open reduction, but most authors agree that it is imperative to achieve precise anatomic reduction.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Blood utilization in hip and knee arthroplasty: a cost-minimization study.

The non-utilization of crossmatched blood is an expensive waste of resources. We have audited blood utilization for all primary total hip and knee arthroplasty patients. We compared routine pre-operative crossmatching (Phase 1) with a policy of group, screen and save (G & S) only (Phase 2). The patient groups were similar in both phases. Pre- and post-operative haemoglobin results were not significantly different between Phase 1 and 2. No adverse transfusion reactions occurred. In Phase 1, 213 units were crossmatched pre-operatively, but only 127 (60%) were transfused. In Phase 2, 117 units were requested and all transfused. The G & S only policy proved to be a safe and practical option which improved the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of blood ordering. Based on a handling charge of 37.50 Pounds per unit of blood by the Regional Transfusion Centre, an estimated annual saving of over 8000 Pounds can be made in our directorate.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Glove perforation during hip arthroplasty. A randomised prospective study of a new taperpoint needle.

Exposure to blood is a hazard for all surgeons. We assessed the incidence of glove perforation and needlestick injury from a new blunt taperpoint needle designed to penetrate tissues other than skin with the minimum of force. We performed a prospective, randomised trial comparing the incidence of perforations of surgical gloves with the new needle and a standard cutting needle during wound closure after hip arthroplasties. There was at least one glove perforation in 46 of 69 such procedures (67%). The use of the taperpoint needle produced a significant decrease in perforations (p = 0.049).

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Radiographic assessment of component orientation in elbow arthroplasty. A technical description.

We describe an alternative method of taking standardized radiographs of the elbow in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, taking into account fixed deformities. The technique enables assessment of the orientation of joint replacement components, including their axial rotational alignment. The accuracy of the method for calculating axial rotational alignment has been evaluated using a skeleton model. Within the 20 degrees limits of arm position the accuracy was found to be on average 1.4 degrees for the humerus and 2.2 degrees for the ulna.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1991

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in childhood: range of movement following the posterior approach to open reduction.

The posterior approach for open reduction of supracondylar fractures of the humerus has been condemned for causing decreased elbow movement. This study investigates this by comparing the range of movement in children treated by posterior open reduction and Kirschner wiring with those treated by closed reduction and immobilization. A total of 65 children with severely displaced supracondylar humeral fractures have been reviewed. There was some loss of movement in 66 per cent of the open reduction group and 42 per cent of the closed reduction group. The proportion losing more than 10 degrees of movement was the same in both groups. The difference between the two groups was due to the increased numbers in the open reduction group who lost less than 10 degrees of motion. Posterior open reduction of childhood supracondylar fractures is not associated with an important loss of elbow movement and need not be avoided on this account.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Computer-unaided diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in an accident and emergency department.

The initial accident and emergency and final in-patient diagnoses of 200 patients with acute abdominal pain made without computer aid or structured data sheet were compared. Sixty-five per cent were correctly diagnosed and 5% had normal laparotomies. These results compare favourably with those obtained using computer aid and structured history-taking forms. It is suggested that the spotlight should be on the training and experience of doctors making the initial diagnosis rather than on computer aid.

Abdomen, Acute↗