Biomedical subjects

R A Doherty

Publications and source records attributed to R A Doherty.

57 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of diet on mercury metabolism and excretion in mice given methylmercury: role of gut flora.

Mice fed either (1) a pelleted rodent diet, (2) evaporated milk, or (3) a synthetic diet (high protein, low fat) exhibited different rates of whole body mercury elimination and fecal mercury excretion after exposure (per os) to methylmercuric chloride. The percentage of the total mercury body burden present as mercuric mercury was highest (35.3%) in mice fed the synthetic diet (which had the highest rate of mercury elimination) and lowest (6.6%) in the animals having the lowest mercury elimination rate (milk-fed mice). Mice fed the synthetic diet had lower mercury concentrations and had a higher proportion of mercuric mercury in their tissues than the mice from the other dietary groups. Treatment of the mice with antibiotics throughout the experimental period to suppress the gut flora reduced fecal mercury excretion and the dietary differences in whole body retention of mercury. Tissue mercury concentrations and proportion of organic mercury in feces, cecal contents, liver, and kidneys were increased by antibiotic treatment of mice fed the pelleted or synthetic diets. These results are consistent with the theory that demethylation of methylmercury by intestinal microflora is a major factor determining the excretion rate of mercury.

Animal Feed↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Issues in implementing prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis: results of a working conference.

PURPOSE: To summarize a conference convened to examine how cystic fibrosis screening might appropriately be introduced into routine prenatal practice. METHODS: Participants included experts from various relevant disciplines. Systematic reviews and data from individual trials were presented; issues were identified and discussed. RESULTS: Judged by published criteria, prenatal cystic fibrosis screening is suitable for introduction. Screening can be performed cost-effectively by identifying racial/ethnic groups at sufficient risk and then using either of two models for delivering laboratory services. Validated educational materials exist. Ethical issues are not unique. CONCLUSIONS: Once adequate facilities for patient and provider education, testing, counseling, quality control, and monitoring are in place, individual programs can begin prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of quantitative acid-elution technique and flow cytometry for detecting fetomaternal hemorrhage.

A study of the Kleihauer-Betke acid-elution technique for quantitating fetomaternal hemorrhage was performed to assess intra- and inter-technologist accuracy and precision as well as to delineate the statistically valid domain of the test as usually performed. The results were then compared to a parallel study quantitating fetomaternal hemorrhage by flow cytometry. Additionally, a statistical model for estimating efficacy of treatment with Rh immune globulin in the prevention of pregnancy-associated Rh(D) isoimmunization was developed. The results indicate that the acid-elution technique can be performed in a reproducible manner with acceptable accuracy and precision with whole blood fetomaternal hemorrhages 25 ml and higher if a background correction for false positive identification of fetal cells is included. Flow cytometric determination reveals significantly increased accuracy in comparison to the corresponding Kleihauer-Betke results.

Adult↗