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Biomedical subjects

R A Ferris

Publications and source records attributed to R A Ferris.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Comparison of serologic tests and bacteriologic culture for detection of brucellosis in swine from naturally infected herds.

OBJECTIVE: To compare results of 6 serologic tests with results of bacteriologic culture for Brucella suis in swine. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Two hundred twenty-one swine from 39 naturally infected herds. PROCEDURE: Blood samples and lymph nodes were collected at slaughter. Serologic tests conducted were the particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay, the automated complement fixation assay, the card test, the buffered acidified plate antigen assay, the standard tube test, and the rivanol test. Lymph nodes were plated on Farrell's medium and serum-enriched agar for bacteriologic culture. RESULTS: Sensitivities ranged from 57 (automated complement fixation assay) to 83% (standard tube test). Specificities ranged from 62 (standard tube test) to 95% (rivanol test). Brucella suis was isolated from 46 of the 221 (21%) pigs. For 8 of the 46 culture-positive pigs, results of all 6 tests were negative. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Data illustrate the difficulty of eliminating brucellosis by means of a test-and-removal program and support the policy of slaughtering infected herds.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Diagnosis of hemochromatosis in young subjects: predictive accuracy of biochemical screening tests.

The reliability of serum iron, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin in the detection of early iron overload in hemochromatosis was determined in 120 young (less than 35 yr old) relatives whose genetic susceptibility for the disease was determined by HLA typing of families. Serum ferritin and transferrin saturation demonstrated high levels of sensitivity and specificity, whereas serum iron concentration was an unreliable test in the detection of hemochromatosis. In hemochromatosis homozygotes there was an excellent correlation between serum ferritin and mobilized body iron (r = 0.92), 1 microgram/L of serum ferritin corresponding to approximately 7.5 mg of body iron stores. For a given age, serum ferritin values were higher in homozygotes compared with heterozygotes or homozygous-normal subjects and increased by approximately 65 micrograms/L X yr, reflecting the progressive accumulation of iron in hemochromatosis homozygotes. All hemochromatosis subjects with either hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis had serum ferritin concentrations greater than 700 micrograms/L. We conclude that the combination of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation is a reliable screening regimen for the detection of hemochromatosis and for predicting the level of body iron stores in young hemochromatosis subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Regulation of plasma ferritin by the isolated perfused rat liver.

The isolated perfused rat liver has been used to investigate the regulation of plasma ferritin in normal, iron-deficient and iron-overloaded states. Both 125I-labelled and non-labelled rat liver ferritins were rapidly cleared from the perfusion circuit with a half-life of approximately 30 min. Perfusion of livers from normal, iron-loaded or iron-deficient rats with blood obtained from normal, iron-loaded or iron-deficient rats showed that the liver takes up plasma ferritin, and releases ferritin into the perfusate to achieve a perfusate ferritin level appropriate to the iron stores of the animal from which the liver was taken. It is concluded that the liver is capable of both uptake and release of ferritin and that within the liver there resides a mechanism which maintains circulating ferritin concentrations at a level appropriate to body iron stores.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Computed tomography of a carotid body tumor.

A patient with a carotid body tumor was evaluated by computed tomography. The tumor demonstrated an enhanced rim and a central lower density. This corresponds to the "eggshell" appearance described angiographically in carotid body tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Osteoblastic bone metastasis in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

The authors describe a case of osteoblastic metastasis in a patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome resulting from the presence of a pancreatic tumor, which they believe is the first such case documented. Following a total gastectomy for hyperacidity in a 53-year-old woman, a gradually enlarging liver was treated with steptozotocin. Radiation therapy to the areas of bony metastases resulted in complete alleviation of pain.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1976

The round nipple shadow.

It is usually easy to distinguish the round nipple shadow from a lesion, especially by means of repeat radiographs with nipple markers. However, the radiologist must occasionally interpret a round density in the lower chest on the basis of a single radiograph or series of radiographs. Fortunately, a nipple shadow usually has a well-defined outer margin and a poorly defined inner margin. Differentiation of a nipple shadow from an extrapleural or pleural lesion is described. Attention to these findings may prevent needless additional study and patient apprehension.

Humans↗
PubMed1976

Computed tomographic evaluation of aortic aneurysms.

Applications of computed tomography are being extended from the brain to other body parts. This report describes CT scanning of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms in 30 patients. CT shows greatest promise in abdominal aortic scanning, where reliable identification of the aorta can be achieved even in the absence of enlargement or calcification. However, current limitations prevent visualization of internal detail such as intimal plaques or mural thrombi. Technical advances are described which should have an important bearing on this.

Aorta, Abdominal↗