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Biomedical subjects

C E Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to C E Phillips.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Do patients get the best deal when antibiotics are prescribed out of hours?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate patients' compliance in obtaining follow on prescriptions after being prescribed a "starter pack" by the accident and emergency (A&E) department, and to assess the cost of the starter pack system. METHODS: During a study period of two months, out of hours prescriptions of antibiotic starter packs in A&E were monitored prospectively to determine how many patients returned to the hospital pharmacy or to their general practitioner (GP) for the remainder of the prescribed course. Current costs of out of hours antibiotic prescriptions were calculated, as were the costs of providing a full course of antibiotics on the patient's first visit to the A&E department. RESULTS: During the study period, 571 antibiotic items were prescribed as starter packs (three days' supply) to 437 patients. Of these, 232 (53%) chose to return to the hospital and 175 (40%) to their GP for the follow on prescription to complete their course. In 29 cases (7%) the information was not recorded and those patients were excluded from analysis. Only 50% of patients electing to obtain the follow on prescription from their GP did so compared with 83.7% of those electing to return to the hospital pharmacy. Failure to obtain the follow on prescription was termed "late primary non-compliance". There was an estimated annual saving to the hospital of Pounds 3131 if the patients were given the full course of antibiotics at their primary attendance at A&E. CONCLUSIONS: Patients prescribed antibiotics out of hours should be dispensed full courses. This would eliminate late primary non-compliance at no extra cost to the health authority.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Carcinoma of the parathyroid gland: a 30-year experience.

Eleven patients with parathyroid carcinoma and 186 patients with parathyroid adenoma were seen between 1958 and 1990. Significant differences (p less than 0.01) were found between the two groups in calcium and parathormone levels, lesion size, presence of palpable mass, and severity of clinical presentation. Initial operative management consisted of parathyroidectomy alone in three patients, all of whom experienced recurrence of disease. Of the eight patients who underwent aggressive surgical management (parathyroidectomy and resection of thyroid or thymus), only one experienced recurrence. Three of the four patients with recurrence underwent multiple thoracic and cervical procedures for control of disease; one patient was treated with medical therapy alone. The mean survival in the surgical group was 17 years; the patient treated with medical therapy survived 10 years. In all four patients, however, treatment was palliative rather than curative. We conclude that patients with primary hyperparathyroidism characterized by markedly elevated serum calcium and parathormone, palpable mass, and severe clinical presentation should be suspected of harboring a parathyroid carcinoma. An aggressive initial surgical approach was considered in these patients. This experience emphasizes the importance of aggressive surgical extirpation in reducing disease recurrence and also for palliation and prolongation of life when recurrence does occur.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1986

Cytochemical study of developing neurotransmitter properties of dissociated sympathetic neurons grown in co-culture with dissociated pineal cells.

We studied the development of neurotransmitter phenotype in sympathetic neurons grown in the presence of pinealocytes, a target tissue having adrenergic but not cholinergic receptors. Neurons, dissociated from neonatal rat superior cervical ganglia, were grown in co-culture with dissociated pineal cells. Both ganglionic and pineal non-neuronal background cells were allowed to grow nearly to confluency. Electron microscopic cytochemical techniques were used to examine sets of co-cultures at weekly intervals over 5 weeks. Adrenergic vesicles were identified by their dense granular precipitate following potassium permanganate fixation. We found that the percentage of small granular vesicles, both in synaptic boutons onto other neurons and in axonal varicosities, declined very little over 5 weeks. After an initial drop from 75 to 65%, the percentage of small granular vesicles remained remarkably constant. Throughout the 5 weeks, more than 70% of the boutons and varicosities contained a predominance of small granular vesicles; fewer than 20% contained a predominance of clear vesicles. Although both somal synaptic boutons and axonal varicosities retained a predominantly adrenergic ultrastructure, at certain weeks there was a statistically significant shift in the percent distribution of adrenergic vesicles in somal boutons compared with the distribution in axonal varicosities. Because these cultures were grown under conditions known to favor an induction of acetylcholine metabolism and a suppression of catecholamine metabolism, we conclude that the maintenance of adrenergic ultrastructure over 5 weeks may be due to the presence of the pineal cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Topography of rat liver microsomal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase.

The orientation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase within the endoplasmic reticulum was investigated. Microsomal reductase activity was not latent, as addition of various detergents failed to activate the enzyme. Reductase activity was readily inhibited in intact microsomes by impermeable inhibitors such as trypsin, mercury dextran and anti-reductase IgG. Under the conditions used, these agents did not affect the intactness of microsomes as determined by latency of mannose-6-phosphate phosphohydrolase activity. The sensitivity to these inhibitors was not increased in disrupted microsomes. It is concluded that the domain containing the active site of the reductase is situated on the cytosolic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Multi-site phosphorylation in ox-kidney branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complex.

Tryptic [32P]phosphopeptides were prepared from [32P]phosphorylated ox-kidney branched-chain complex and analysed by high-voltage paper electrophoresis at pH 1.9. In the maximally phosphorylated complex 3 tryptic [32P]phosphopeptides were identified (TA, TB, TC). RF-values relative to N6-dinitrophenyllysine were (mean +/- SEM for 25 obs.): TA, 1.53 +/- 0.03; TB, 1.07 +/- 0.02; TC, 0.65 +/- 0.01. Relative rates of phosphorylation were TA greater than TB greater than TC. Phosphorylation of TA reached a maximum when about 66% of the complex was inactivated. Phosphorylation of TB and TC was associated mainly with 66-95% inactivation of the complex.

3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)↗
PubMed1983

The effects of salines and fixatives upon the size of an identified neuron.

Because accurate neuronal dimensions are essential for mathematical modeling of neuronal properties, the effects of a number of salines and fixative procedures on neuronal size were compared, including the non-chemical, freeze substitution method. Using an identified neuron we compared diameters and found some of the fixative-saline combinations caused shrinkage by as much as a factor of four from our best estimates of the in vivo size from the quick frozen preparations. A glutaraldehyde based fixation procedure was found which gives results in good agreement with the frozen tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Locust local nonspiking interneurons which tonically drive antagonistic motor neurons: physiology, morphology, and ultrastructure.

Local nonspiking interneurons have been implicated in the control of behavior. We have characterized the physiology of two local nonspiking interneurons in the locust and subsequently examined the neurons in the light and electron microscopes. Physiologically the two interneurons have opposite effects upon antagonistic motor neurons and are tonically releasing transmitter at their "resting potentials." This combination of tonic release and reciprocal driving of antagonistic motor neurons by single interneurons provides a hitherto undescribed means of controlling posture. One interneuron (DCVII, 4) excites flexor tibiae and inhibits the slow extensor tibiae motor neurons when depolarized. The other interneuron (DCVII, 5) inhibits the flexor tibiae and excites the slow extensor tibiae motor neurons when depolarized. In both cases, when the interneurons are hyperpolarized, they have the opposite effects upon the same motor neurons. Intracellular staining of these neurons confirms that they are local interneurons. Furthermore, an examination of sectioned material shows that the neurons are unique and can be identified as such in a population of locust neurons. Ultrastructurally, we find synapses only on the smaller (less than 2 micrometers) branches. These neurons may form the presynaptic element in either of two configurations, these being the discrete density (one presynaptic) and the dense bar (one presynaptic, two postsynaptic) type of configurations. The functional implications of these findings for neurons controlling posture are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Structural comparison of a homologous neuron in gryllid and acridid insects.

The fast extensor tibiae (FETi) motor neuron is responsible for exciting the extensor tibiae muscle to produce most of the force for jumping in acridids. Because of its relatively large size and crucial role in jumping, FETi has been studied in an ever-increasing number of orthopteran species. Here we describe the structure of the metathoracic FETi neuron in six species of acridids and in two species of gryllids. The morphology of FETi within the respective groups is essentially equivalent, but marked differences are apparent between acridid and gryllid FETis. There are similarities in the size and location of the cell body and the course of the neurite through the ganglion. Differences are found in the number of large branches, density of branching, and the volume of neuropil receiving branches. We propose that the gryllid FETi is an intermediate form between slow extensor tibiae motor neurons involved in walking and acridid fast extensor tibiae motor neurons specialized for jumping.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Ultrastructure of the water-movement-sensitive sensilla in the medicinal leech.

Behavioral and physiological experiments have shown that medicinal leeches are able to detect low amplitude surface waves, and further, that the transduction of this stimulus modality occurs primarily, if not exclusively, at the annular sensilla (Young, Dedwylder, and Friesen, 1981; Friesen, 1981). Here we examine the morphology of these specialized sensory structures using light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopes. We found that three types of ciliated sensory cells occur at the sensilla: (1) a uniciliate cell, with an axial cilium that projects at least 12 micrometers beyond the cuticle; (2) a multiciliate cell with from two to four grouped cilia that extend 1--3 micrometers beyond the cuticle; and (3) a second multiciliate cell, whose cilia project parallel to the body surface but remain within the cuticle. The cilia of all three cell types arise from the cuplike depressions which form the apices of slender, elongated cells (approximately 2 micrometers diameter X 50 micrometers length). A complexly interconnected ring of microvilli surrounds the cilium of the uniciliate cells. The morphology of the uniciliate cells closely resembles the structure of vibration-sensitive sensory neurons found in other species. We propose, based on previous results and our new findings, that the uniciliate receptor cells are the sensillar movement receptors which mediate leech sensitivity to water movements.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

A comparative study by serial electron microscopy of neuromuscular junctions in the dimorphic claws of the snapping shrimp, Alpheus heterochelis.

We compared the neuromuscular junctions on the main closer muscle in the first pair of chelipeds in the snapping shrimp Alpheus heterochelis by serial section electron microscopy. We sought an ultrastructural basis for the different behavioral and physiological functions of these dimorphic claws and for the role of the nervous system in claw transformation. We were unable to detect any statistically significant morphological differences between the junctions. Further, we found the muscle fiber populations and filament arrangements, as well as the electrical properties of the fibers, to be more homogeneous and similar to each other in A. heterochelis than those reported for another species, A. armillatus. We consider our results in light of recent data on the anatomy and electrical properties of the motor neurons within the CNS and conclude that the neural trigger for claw transformation involves factors not revealed by conventional electron microscopy.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Modification of motor neuron size and position in the central nervous system of adult snapping shrimps.

Cell bodies of claw closer motor neurons in snapping shrimp are dimorphic. Snapper claw motor neurons are larger than corresponding pincer claw motor neurons, but the relative sizes of these cells are reversed during claw transformation. An additional neuronal modification occurs early within this period, in that the pincer claw dorsal inhibitor cell body migrates within the nervous system, from a dorsal to a ventral position. These findings are evidence of rapid, reversible changes in the nervous system following the trigger for the transformation process.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Organization of motor neurons to a multiply innervated insect muscle.

Nine excitatory motor neurons have been identified as innervating the locust metathoracic flexor tibiae. The anatomical organization of the flexor motor neurons within the ganglion was examined with both light and electron microscopy. Flexor motor neurons were physiologically identified prior to intracellular staining with Procion or cobalt. Some of the cobalt-stained neurons were then silver intensified. The reliability of soma location and variability of neurite branching were examined. While the position of a soma could vary within its cluster by up to one radius, the anterior, posterior, and lateral soma clusters bore a consistent relationship to each other. The density of neurite branching varied greatly for any particular flexor. The ultrastructure of the tract containing the flexor neurites revealed the individual neurites to be glial wrapped, while the tract itself was isolated from the neuropil by additional glia. The hypothesis that subsets of the flexor motor neuron pool are recruited for different behaviors is discussed in light of the last two findings.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Intracellularly injected cobaltous ions accumulate at synaptic densities.

Physiologically identified neurons in the locust were iontophoretically injected with a mixture of cobaltous and potassium ions. After being fixed for electron microscopy, 2.5-micrometer sections of the epoxy-embedded ganglia were intensified with silver. The intensified material was resectioned and examined in the electron microscope. The cobalt-silver precipitate appeared as discrete densities. Localized accumulations of the precipitate were seen within the injected cell along the neuronal membranes and especially at synapses. Location and recognition of the stained neuron in the electron microscope was facilitated by the tendency of the cobaltous ions to aggregate at the synaptic sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Efficacy of inactivated tissue culture rabies vaccine in dogs.

Inactivated, nonadjuvanted tissue culture-origin rabies vaccine was tested in 168 dogs for its ability to provide protection against challenge of immunity 1 year after vaccination. Several laboratory methods were used concurrently to measure the potency of the vaccine. When used at full strength, the vaccine protected 70% of dogs after either a 1- or 2-dose vaccination schedule. When vaccine was diluted to contain less antigenic mass, the 1-dose schedule was not as effective as 2 doses. High serum-neutralizing antibody titers developed by 7 days after vaccination, but the titers declined rapidly thereafter. The US reference vaccine protected 28 of 30 dogs.

Animals↗