PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

E A Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to E A Phillips.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of unopposed conjugated equine estrogen on lipoprotein composition and apolipoprotein-E distribution.

Administration of conjugated equine estrogen to 31 postmenopausal women for 3 months produced 14.6% and 9.4% decreases in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein-B (apoB), and 11.5%, 12.7%, and 9.6% increases in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apoA-I and apoA-II, respectively. Phospholipids of HDL2 and HDL3 were increased 57.9% and 19.3%, respectively, while relatively small increases in cholesterol of the two subfractions were not significant. Compositions of LDL and HDL and its subfractions were altered substantially with estrogen treatment. The proportion of LDL triglyceride to LDL-C was increased. The phospholipid content in both the HDL2 and HDL3 subfractions (compared to cholesterol) was increased significantly (34.8% and 10.7%, respectively), while the triglyceride content was increased only in the HDL2 subfraction (43.6%). Estrogen use also caused a 9.1% reduction in total apoE levels and a redistribution of apoE to the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) from the LDL plus HDL fraction, resulting in a significant 19.5% decrease in apoE in the LDL plus HDL fraction. Changes in apoE in the VLDL fraction were associated positively with changes in the cholesterol levels of the VLDL fraction and inversely with changes in LDL-C and apoB levels, while changes in apoE in the LDL plus HDL fraction were associated positively with changes in the levels of HDL-C. Thus, estrogen causes alterations in lipoproteins that could potentially affect their metabolism and/or function.

Adult

Characteristics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Australia showing decreased sensitivity to quinolone antibiotics.

Forty three strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with decreased sensitivity to quinolone antibiotics were detected amongst 2141 Australian isolates of gonococci examined in the years 1984 to 1990. The strains examined belonged to 23 different auxotype/serovar classes, were generally more resistant to other antibiotics and, in the majority of cases, were isolated from travellers entering or returning to Australia from SE Asia. Quinolone-sensitive wild-type gonococci became less sensitive to these agents in vitro at a relatively high frequency when grown in the presence of quinolone concentrations at or around the MIC (Mean Inhibitory Concentration) of the antibiotic. Further increments in the levels of quinolone resistance of the already less-sensitive gonococci were also produced by this means, but high-level resistance to these agents was not observed. This suggests that mechanisms other than alterations in the DNA-gyrase of the organisms were responsible for the changes seen. Although spread of quinolone resistance in gonococci in Australia is unlikely to be rapid, if these antibiotics are used in therapy, treatment regimens with higher rather than lower dosages of quinolone antibiotics should be employed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

The hemolytic and cytolytic activity of group B streptococcal hemolysin and its possible role in early onset group B streptococcal disease.

The in vitro and cytolytic properties of the hemolysin of group B streptococcus (GBS) were investigated using sheep erythrocytes and McCoy cells adapted for growth in a serum-deficient medium. The relationship between the hemolysin, various carrier molecules and phospholipids was examined. Starch-based carriers interfered with the inhibitory activity of phospholipids and solvents for the phospholipids reduced the activity of the hemolysin. These technical problems were resolved by use of an albumin-based carrier, a strain producing large amounts of hemolysin and sonication of the phospholipid. The hemolysin was cytolytic for McCoy cells and this activity and its hemolytic action on sheep erythrocytes were inhibited by a number of phospholipid components of surfactant. It is possible that GBS hemolysin has a direct or indirect role in the pathogenesis of the pneumonitis of early onset GBS infection.

Animals

A cellulose acetate membrane precipitin (CAP) test for amoebiasis.

A simple precipitin test (CAP) using cellulose acetate membrane has been devised and evaluated against the gel diffusion precipitin (GDP) test. In 251 sera tested by both methods, the CAP was never negative when the GDP was positive (110 sera). 34 sera were negative by the GDP but positive by the CAP; in all of these the patients either had a past history of amoebiasis or were considered to have active amoebiasis. The CAP is technically very simple, the result is available within four and a half hours, and the membranes can be impregnated with antigen and stored for several months. The CAP is slightly more sensitive than the GDP and remains positive longer after the patient has been cured; it seems to be equally specific.

Amebiasis

Development and implementation of a pharmacy technician training program.

A nine-month on-the-job training program for hospital pharmacy technicians is described. The first three months of the program are devoted to didactic training and the remaining six months to acquiring practical experience. Candidates for the program are provided through state-sponsored public assistance or manpower training programs. A minimum of six individuals are needed to begin a program to ensure that during at least three complete it. Forth technicians have completed the program during the past six years, and eight are currently employed by the hospital. Thirteen others are known to be employed at other institutions or in health-related occupations.

Adolescent

Strain characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae causing disseminated gonococcal infection in Australia. Members of the Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme.

The auxotype (A) and serovar (S) distribution and antibiotic and serum sensitivity of 22 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated from blood and joints were determined. With one exception, these strains from disseminated gonococcal infections (DGI) belonged to one of 4 serovars of the IA serogroup and were resistant to killing by normal human serum. The auxotype distribution of these Australian strains differed significantly from that reported elsewhere in that 17 of the 22 isolates were proline requires, but none were of the AHU auxotype. This lack of the AHU auxotype in the DGI strains in Australia was explained by the virtual absence of AHU requirers in a sample of 1560 mucosal strains isolated in Sydney and Darwin from 1987 to 1990. The A/S distribution of these mucosal isolates also helped to account for the low (0.12) percentage of DGI strains in isolates examined by the Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme (AGSP) from 1981 to 1991, and the differences in the rates of DGI in Sydney (0.08%) and Darwin (0.87%). There was a relative lack of the IA serogroup strains which are mostly responsible for DGI in the mucosal isolates from Sydney (15% of all strains) but a higher proportion of these serovars (40%) in the Darwin sample. There were 46 cases of DGI in data from the AGSP, 29 of these being women. Seven of the cases diagnosed in Australia were infected with penicillinase-producing gonococci suggesting that antibiotics other than the penicillins should now be used for this condition in this region.

Australia