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Biomedical subjects

P Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to P Phillips.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

A deconstruction of caring.

This paper presents the argument that much of the current focus on caring in nursing is misdirected in that it is aimed at explaining a complex process with conceptual similarities to teaching, in terms of behavioural categories and structures. It is asserted that a pervasive use of the word 'caring' as synonymous with nursing has contributed to an erroneous emphasis in general nursing on emotional caring. This reflects a dualist notion of physical and emotional care, operationalized as separate nursing activities. The growing association of nursing with caring is thought to reinforce a fallacious distinction between caring and curing which has particularly impeded the development of a truly psychotherapeutic role for psychiatric nurses. It is concluded that nursing skills will be neither elucidated by further analysis of the concept of care nor promulgated by the connotations of the word.

Emotions↗

Dissociation of blood pressure and albuminuria in normal subjects infused with angiotensin II and noradrenaline.

1. Albuminuria is a predictor of diabetic renal disease and atherosclerosis. Changes in blood pressure (BP) may influence albuminuria. 2. The effect of acute BP elevation on albumin excretion rates (AER) using noradrenaline (NA) and angiotensin II (AII) infusions in six normal subjects was examined. 3. The average rise in BP during a 120 min infusion was 23 mmHg for AII and 16 mmHg for NA. 4. There was a marked dissociation between AER and BP levels in both AII and NA infusions. 5. Previously described correlations between BP and AER in ambulatory BP studies may be explained by other factors such as exercise and postural changes.

Adolescent↗

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen distribution in keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Histologic differentiation of keratoacanthoma (KA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is often difficult despite well-delineated histopathologic criteria. This has prompted a search for more objective methods to differentiate these two lesions. In the present study, we immunohistochemically examined the distribution of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells in 11 cases of KA, 7 cutaneous SCC, and 2 atypical squamous proliferations (for which a definitive diagnosis could not be made on routine histology) using a commercially prepared anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody. We found PCNA-positive cells predominantly in the periphery of squamous nests in KA. In contrast, SCC showed a diffuse staining pattern with PCNA-positive cells seen throughout squamous nests. Determining the pattern of PCNA-positive cells is easy, does not require cell counting, and may provide additional histochemical data facilitating the distinction between KA and SCC.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Recurrent Pseudallescheria boydii sinusitis in acute leukemia.

Most episodes of fungal sinusitis in immunocompromised patients are caused by Aspergillus species. To treat such infections, surgical debridement and anti-fungal therapy have been recommended; it is also clear however that an adequate neutrophil count is important in controlling such infections. We report a case in which fungal sinusitis was shown to be due to P. boydii and in which the infection recurred over a period of 2 years during episodes of neutropenia in spite of vigorous surgical and medical therapy.

Adult↗

Diet and Type 2 diabetes. Guidelines for general practice.

Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) is common and increasing and results in enormous costs to all concerned. The average Australian diet is inappropriate for this condition, which regular exercise and healthy eating could delay or prevent even in high risk groups (family history, age over 50 years, over-weight). This article outlines a practical programme that general practitioners can use for people with, and people at risk of, Type 2 Diabetes and provides a comprehensive Further reading list.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

Spectrum of tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection in British Columbia: report of 40 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical features, treatment and outcome of all known cases of tuberculosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in British Columbia between 1984 and 1990. DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Provincial tuberculosis registry and university-affiliated HIV clinic. PATIENTS: All people with HIV infection in whom active tuberculosis was diagnosed during the study period. RESULTS: All 40 patients identified were men; their mean age was 38 years. Of the subjects 30 (75%) were homosexual, 6 (15%) were homosexual and used intravenous drugs, 2 (5%) just used intravenous drugs, and 1 (2%) had had heterosexual contact with prostitutes; for the remaining subject the risk factor for HIV infection was not established. In all cases cultures of specimens from 15 body sources yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Thirty-five of the patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and five had HIV infection uncomplicated except for tuberculosis. In 28 (70%) of the cases no AIDS-defining disease had previously been diagnosed, and in 23 (58%) extrapulmonary tuberculosis represented the AIDS-defining disease. Symptoms at presentation included weight loss (in 80% of the cases), fever (in 75%), cough (in 70%) and night sweats (in 55%). The mean CD4 lymphocyte count was 0.2 x 10(9)/L (in 15 cases). Tuberculin skin test results were positive in 8 of 16 cases. The most striking radiologic finding was intrathoracic adenopathy. All except one of the 36 patients who received appropriate treatment responded favourably at first. Adverse reactions necessitating changes in treatment occurred in 12 (33%) of the cases. Relapse occurred after completion of therapy in two cases (one at 3 weeks and the other at 9 months after treatment was stopped). Tuberculosis was the cause of death in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis in people with HIV infection commonly presents as extrapulmonary disease and precedes or coincides with other AIDS-defining opportunistic infections. In most cases tuberculosis is the AIDS-defining disease. Even though radiologic findings are often unusual physicians should suspect tuberculosis. A careful examination for evidence of disease at multiple sites should be done. The duration and choice of therapy must be adequate to avoid relapse.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Isolation of koala lymphoid cells and their in vitro responses to mitogens.

Baseline parameters have been established for the successful in vitro culture of mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood (PMC) of koalas. To minimise stress-related influences and allow repeated testing of cells from the same animals, most studies were performed using blood samples from captive koalas which had become accustomed to regular handling. Ficoll-Paque density gradient fractionation of whole blood was required to prepare cell suspensions which responded well to the T-lymphocyte mitogens phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen. In contrast, very low or negligible proliferative responses were induced by the B-lymphocyte mitogens lipopolysaccharide, jacalin and protein A, even when purified PMC were cultured with a wide range of concentrations of these molecules. Using the standard approaches established with T-lymphocytes of eutherian animals, it was shown that concanavalin A-stimulated PMC produced an interleukin 2-like growth factor. The significance of these findings is discussed in the context of current knowledge and understanding of similar studies carried out using the lymphoid cells of eutherian and other metatherian animals.

Animals↗

Reliable identification of human albumin in ancient bone using ELISA and monoclonal antibodies.

In order to help reconstruct ancient dietary, domestic, and ritual behaviour, a method was developed to identify the blood protein albumin in ancient skeletal material. This was an inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a monoclonal antibody of IgG class against human albumin. With fresh material, the technique gave consistent and specific results and could detect as little as 10 ng of albumin. Extracts of bone from the English Civil War (A.D. 1644), Mediaeval (A.D. 1100-1400), Early Saxon (A.D. 450-600), Roman (A.D. 100-200), Iron Age (ca 400 B.C.) and Bronze Age (2200-1700 B.C. cal.) periods were then tested, samples of fresh human and animal bone being included as positive and negative controls, respectively. Albumin was demonstrated in human bone from all periods; there was no evidence of cross-reactivity with animal material. Detection seemed to depend largely on amount of sample and chronological age; other factors, such as physical integrity of the specimen and soil characteristics, appeared to be less important. Preliminary studies of other ancient skeletal remains showed that animal species could be readily identified and that albumin was probably still detectable in cremated material. It is concluded that our method provides a tool specific and sensitive enough for the reliable identification of the species-origin of small fragments of bone (and possibly of blood stains) and will thus allow insight into past behaviour patterns. ELISA may also be suitable for identifying other molecules (such as HLA and ABO) which would help determine racial affiliation and disease predisposition among ancient populations.

Albumins↗

Detection of human proteins in buried blood using ELISA and monoclonal antibodies: towards the reliable species indentification of blood stains on buried material.

The survival of human proteins in blood stains on fragments of cloth buried in exposed soil was examined in a 15-month investigation carried out from September 1990 to December 1991. During this period there was a wide variety of weather conditions. Samples were exhumed at 4-weekly intervals for 16 weeks and finally at 65 weeks; extracts of the stains were tested for albumin and IgG using a highly specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) performed with monoclonal antibodies. Human albumin survived well throughout the 15 months of study, but IgG could be detected only in the 4- and 8-week samples. The reactions for IgG were weaker than those for albumin, although the method's sensitivity (10 ng) was the same for each protein. Appropriate buried and non-buried control experiments were carried out using cloth, either unstained or stained with human blood or animal sera; there was no cross-reactivity between human and the other species investigated and soil did not affect the assay; under laboratory conditions, IgG and albumin survived equally well. The system's versatility was illustrated by using monoclonal anti-bovine-albumin to detect specific albumin in the extracts of buried cloth which has been stained with bovine serum. It was concluded that ELISA performed with monoclonal antibodies could be of great value in identifying blood stains for forensic purposes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of perindopril, cilazapril and enalapril.

1. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses to enalapril, perindopril and cilazapril have been studied in essential hypertensives (2, 4 and 8 mg perindopril and 2.5 mg cilazapril, single dose and steady state) and normotensive volunteers (10 mg enalapril, single dose). 2. Plasma levels of the active diacid compounds reached similar peaks after single dose administration of the drugs. However, perindoprilat levels persisted for 5 days whereas cilazaprilat levels were not detectable beyond 12 h. 3. The higher levels of perindoprilat were associated with a greater inhibition of plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in both acute and steady state studies. 4. The potency of the active diacids in inhibiting plasma ACE activity was perindoprilat greater than cilazaprilat greater than enalaprilat. 5. There was a close relationship between plasma concentration, ACE inhibition and blood pressure decrease. Although both cilazapril and perindopril administration reduced blood pressure in hypertensive subjects, only perindopril exerted 24 h blood pressure control at the doses used.

Adult↗

Midline supratentorial tumors.

Tumors of the supratentorial midline are common in children and are often amenable to an aggressive operative resection. MR imaging is invaluable to planning an operative strategy. A variety of surgical corridors provide access to the deep midline structures, notably the transcallosal, transventricular, and basal routes. The histology is important in determining the value of adjuvant treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These complex tumors are best managed by a multidisciplinary group with a special interest in pediatric neuro-oncology.

Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms↗

Home dobutamine.

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Dobutamine↗