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Biomedical subjects

N M Allen

Publications and source records attributed to N M Allen.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Screening for haemoglobinopathy--a comparison of two methods in an Irish maternity unit.

Two-pronged retrospective and prospective studies were carried out to compare opportunistic versus systematic screening for carriers of haemoglobinopathy in an Irish maternity unit. Identification was either performed opportunistically on the basis of ethnicity or systematically on the basis of a low mean corpuscular haemoglobin. A comparison was made between the numbers that were tested for haemoglobinopathy and subsequent detection rates. In the prospective study women were identified again on the basis of either ethnicity or a low MCH and all women identified were tested for haemoglobin variants. A comparison was made between the numbers tested and subsequent detection rates. In both studies systematic screening identified similar rates as opportunistic screening. However, opportunistic screening identified a greater absolute number of carriers. Our retrospective study showed a disappointing uptake of testing of those identified, regardless of the method of screening. Better identification of carriers requires that all those identified as at-risk of haemoglobinopathy carriage should be tested, irrespective of the method of screening.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Spiculopteragia spiculoptera and S. asymmetrica (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) from red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Texas.

Specimens of Spiculopteragia spiculoptera and S. asymmetrica were recovered from the abomasa of five of ten naturally infected red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Texas (USA). Female specimens of Spiculopteragia were present in all five animals. Male specimens of S. spiculoptera and S. asymmetrica were present in one of five and three of five red deer, respectively. Spiculopteragia spiculoptera has not previously been recognized in the United States and the present report constitutes the first records of Spiculopteragia spp. in red deer from North America. It is likely that species of Spiculopteragia have been introduced to North America with the import of exotic cervids on several occasions. Focal populations of these nematodes have been established in North America; however, distribution of the parasites likely coincides with areas of residence of introduced populations of red deer and fallow deer (Cervus dama) in the Nearctic.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1992

Relationship between serum quinidine concentration and quinidine dosage.

This retrospective study was designed to identify and assess which patient-specific factors affect the relationship between the steady-state trough serum quinidine concentration (SQC) measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay and quinidine dosage. Data were obtained from 100 hospitalized patients (72 males, 28 females) receiving quinidine for atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, or both, between ages 24 and 85 years (mean age 63 yrs). Age, lean body weight, creatinine clearance (ClCr), and sex were statistically significant factors affecting this relationship; ejection fraction, total body weight, smoking history, alcohol history, recent myocardial infarction, recent surgery, elevated liver function tests, and sampling time were not statistically significant. The ClCr alone provided the most additional information in predicting SQC, and ClCr and weight provided the most additional information in predicting dosage. Currently in clinical practice, quinidine dosage adjustments are not routinely recommended for patients with renal insufficiency. These data suggest that the calculated ClCr is important in predicting both SQC and dosage when a nonspecific quinidine assay is used. This dosing model must be evaluated prospectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Clinical and pharmacokinetic profiles of digoxin immune Fab in four patients with renal impairment.

Minimal pharmacokinetic data on digoxin immune Fab are currently available, especially in patients with impaired renal function. The serum concentration-time profiles of total digoxin, free digoxin, and digoxin immune Fab in four patients with moderate to severe renal impairment who received digoxin immune Fab are presented. The calculated elimination half-life of digoxin immune Fab was 25-73 hours. The calculated elimination half-life of total digoxin was 24-72 hours. Free digoxin concentrations rebounded to a peak of 1-2.9 ng/mL 44-97 hours after the administration of digoxin immune Fab. The areas under the curve for digoxin immune Fab were 213-1026 micrograms.h/mL, and total body clearances were 2.3-7.1 mL/min. The total digoxin concentrations peaked at 14-33 times the pre-Fab digoxin concentrations 5-30 hours after digoxin immune Fab administration. In comparing these data with data available from patients with normal renal function, the half-life of digoxin immune Fab and total digoxin was longer, the peak total digoxin concentration occurred later, the ratio of the peak total digoxin concentration to pre-Fab digoxin concentration was larger, and the rebound in free digoxin occurred later in patients with renal impairment. The Fab dose should not be reduced in patients with renal impairment; however, post-Fab monitoring should be extended to compensate for the prolonged half-life of Fab and later rebound of free digoxin.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Treatment of digitalis intoxication with emphasis on the clinical use of digoxin immune Fab.

Many studies and cases of digitalis intoxication have been reported since the time of William Withering's first publication in 1785. Recognition and management of digitalis toxicity is challenging. Before digoxin immune Fab was commercially available, treatment consisted of managing the signs and symptoms of toxicity until the digitalis was eliminated. Digoxin immune Fab offers a safe, effective, and specific method of quickly reversing digitalis toxicity. Factors that must be considered with the clinical use of this agent include the dosage calculation, administration technique, postdose monitoring, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, interference with commercially available digoxin assays, partial neutralizing dosing, rebound of free digoxin, and indications for use. For severe, life-threatening toxicity, digoxin immune Fab is the treatment of choice.

Animals↗