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Biomedical subjects

A Fudge

Publications and source records attributed to A Fudge.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy for the measurement of hepatic iron concentration.

The potential application of fine-needle aspiration liver biopsy in the documentation of hepatic iron overload has been assessed in iron-loaded rats. Fine-needle aspiration and standard liver biopsy specimens were obtained from three groups of animals supplemented with oral and parenteral iron for 2 to 6 mo. The mean dry weights of standard and fine-needle biopsy specimens were 7.41 +/- 0.77 (+/- S.E.M.) and 0.57 +/- 0.54 mg, respectively. Hepatic iron in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens correlated significantly with hepatic iron in standard liver biopsy specimens as measured by biochemical determination, computerized image analysis and histological grading (r greater than 0.9, p less than 0.001). In conclusion, we have shown that fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the liver can obtain sufficient tissue for biochemical measurement of the hepatic iron concentration in an animal model of iron overload. The clinical applications of fine-needle aspiration liver biopsy in human beings with iron overload is currently being investigated.

Analysis of Variance

Aluminium absorption and antacid therapy in infancy.

The aim of this study was to determine whether infants absorb aluminium from antacid therapy. The study was conducted at Torrens House, a service provided by Child and Adolescent Health Services (CAFHS) for feeding and settling problems. Over an 11 week period, all patients receiving antacid therapy were studied. Patients not receiving antacids but of similar age acted as controls. Plasma and urine levels of aluminium were measured. The 15 infants receiving antacids had higher aluminium levels than the 17 controls (plasma 3.3 +/- 2.2 mumol/L vs 1.5 +/- 1.5 mumol/L, P less than 0.01; urine 25.1 +/- 27.6 mumol/L vs 1.1 +/- 1.8 mumol/L, P less than 0.004). The response was variable with 50% of infants receiving antacids recording plasma aluminium levels previously associated with toxicity in patients with renal failure after chronic exposure to aluminium. We conclude that infants absorb aluminium from antacids and suggest that patients receiving have their plasma levels monitored to identify those at possible risk of toxicity.

Aluminum

Aluminium absorption in infancy.

The use of aluminium-containing medications and aluminium contamination of infant formulae is common. We aimed to determine whether aluminium absorption occurs after antacid ingestion. Plasma and urinary levels of aluminium were measured before and after antacid therapy in seven infants whose mean gestational age was 36 +/- 2 weeks and postnatal age 11 +/- 5 days. Antacid therapy (400-800 mumol aluminium) was given with feeds for 2 days. Plasma aluminium levels increased and reached toxic levels (0.64 +/- 0.33 mumol/L vs 3.48 +/- 2.86 mumol/L, P = 0.029). Urinary aluminium: creatinine ratio also increased. These results demonstrate that infants absorb aluminium from antacids and raise the concern of aluminium toxicity.

Aluminum

Delivery of vitamin A from parenteral nutrition solutions in neonates.

The delivery of Vitamin A from parenteral nutrition may be suboptimal. To investigate this sample solutions were prepared and Vitamins A and E concentrations from the solution bags and the efflux from the lines were measured over a 24 h period. The results show that mean Vitamin A levels in the solution bags declined from a range of 57-66% to 17% of expected over 24 h and at the efflux of the lines from a range of 13-29% to 4% of expected, giving a calculated delivery of 10% of expected. There is no improvement with light protection or an ethylene vinyl acetate system. Mixing the vitamin preparation in lipid showed less decline (from 92 to 70% of expected over 24 h), but the delivery was variable. When vitamins were added to a lipid-dextrose-amino acid solution, there was minimal loss from the solution bag and line with a calculated delivery of 94% of expected. The delivery of Vitamin E from all systems was constant with a mean calculated delivery of 74% of expected. It was concluded that the mixing of multivitamins in dextrose-amino acid-electrolyte solutions results in poor delivery of Vitamin A and this is improved by mixing lipid solution. This is important in preterm infants who are prone to become Vitamin A deficient.

Amino Acids

Aluminum concentrations in infant formulae.

The aluminum concentrations in breast milk and in 25 commercially available infant formulae were measured. The mean concentration in breast milk was 49 micrograms/L while concentrations in most of the humanized formulae were less than 500 micrograms/L. Higher concentrations were found in Nan, Prem Enfamil and the three soya formulae. We suggest that all formulae have the potential to be contaminated with aluminium, and to varying degrees in different batches. Until it is known whether aluminium toxicity occurs in normal infants fed these formulae, it seems reasonable to expect manufacturers to routinely measure aluminium and keep aluminium contamination to a minimum. This may be especially important for formula fed to infants with compromised gastrointestinal and renal systems.

Aluminum

An enteric coronavirus infection of cats and its relationship to feline infectious peritonitis.

An enteric coronavirus that is antigenically closely related to feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) is ubiquitous in the cat population. This virus has been designated feline enteric coronavirus to differentiate it from FIPV. The virus is shed in the feces by many seropositive cats; in catteries it is a cause of inapparent to mildly severe enteritis in kittens 6 to 12 weeks of age. The virus may produce a more severe enteritis in young specific-pathogen-free kittens. Feline enteric coronavirus selectively infects the apical columnar epithelium of the intestinal villi, from the caudal part of the duodenum to the cecum. In severe infections, there are sloughing of the tips of the villi and villous atrophy. Many cats recovering from the disease remain carriers of the virus. Recovered cats, observed for 3 to 24 months, remained healthy and did not develop peritonitis, pleuritis, or granulomatous disease. The relationship of feline enteric coronavirus and FIPV was studied. Although the viruses were antigenically similar, they were distinctly different in their pathogenicities. The enteric coronavirus did not cause feline infectious peritonitis in coronavirus antibody-negative cats inoculated orally or intraperitoneally nor in coronavirus antibody-positive cats inoculated intraperitoneally or intratracheally. Serologic tests, using FIPV, canine coronavirus, and transmissible gastroenteritis virus of swine as substrate antigens in fluorescent antibody procedures may not accurately identify FIPV infection. These tests do not appear to distinguish between FIPV and this feline enteric coronavirus.

Animals