bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endemic Autoimmunity: Cold Auto‐agglutinins in Melanesia
Authors: Baumgarten A. , Curtain C. C. , Golab T. , Gorman J. G. , Kidson C. , Rutgers Carol F.
Published: March 2008

Sera from two Melanesian populations, one living at sea level and the other at 7000 feet, were examined for the incidence, strength and specificity of cold agglutinins. The cold auto‐agglutination incidence ranged from 48 to 90 per cent for the sea‐level group to 94 per cent for the highlanders. Titres of the sera ranged from 10 to 640. The specificity of the antibodies was in the main anti‐I, although four probable examples of anti‐AI, four examples of anti‐IT and two ‘non‐specific’cold agglutinins were found. Blood group A subjects in both populations had a higher incidence and titre of cold agglutinins than O subjects.

The light chain types of 160 of 200 cold agglutinins tested were both k and λ, 24 were K only and 16 were λ only. Fingerprints of the H chains of six New Guinea cold agglutinins showed some peptide spots missing compared with normal IgM, but more spots were present than in a lymphoma cold agglutinin, suggesting that the cold agglutinins represented a heterogeneous population of antibodies.

No obvious relationship was found between environmental factors and the occurrence of the cold agglutinins.
The Effect of Arvin on Blood Coagulation Factors
Authors: Bell William R. , Bolton Gillian , Pitney W. R.
Published: March 2008

The effect of Arvin on blood coagulation factors was studied both in vitro and in patients undergoing therapeutic defibrination. Clots produced in citrated or EDTA plasma were soluble in 5 M urea, but rendered insoluble by prior incubation with calcium. Clots produced in heparinized plasma were urea‐soluble, even in the presence of excess calcium ions. An apparent increase in the prothrombin concentration of defibrinated plasma was related to the method of prothrombin assay. There was no significant reduction in the concentration of Factors V, VIII, IX and X, but some loss of Factor VII in plasma samples defibrinated with Arvin in vitro. The stability on storage of Factor VIII in plasma defibrinated in vitro was similar to that in control plasma samples.

When Arvin was administered to patients, there was a rapid fall in plasma fibrinogen concentrations, which could be maintained at levels below 50 mg. per 100 ml. by twice daily injections. Following cessation of therapy, plasma fibrinogen concentrations increased slowly and did not reach normal values until 2–3 weeks later. The administration of antivenene in the first 3 days following cessation of Arvin therapy did not affect this slow return to normal values. There was no significant reduction in other coagulation factors during therapeutic defibrination.
Treatment of Patients with Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia with Heparin
Authors: Brain M. C. , Baker L. R. I. , McBride J. A. , Rubenberg M. L. , Dacie J. V.
Published: March 2008

The response of three children and four adult women with microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia to treatment with heparin is described. The one child and three adults treated within 10 days of the onset of the illness recovered rapidly and completely from their anaemia, thrombocytopenia and uraemia. The two children and one adult treated between 18 and 31 days after the onset of the illness responded less well. The two children who were given small doses of heparin died from complications of the renal microangiopathy despite improvement in the haemolysis and thrombocytopenia. The adult woman made a slow and partial recovery; the haemolysis and thrombocytopenia improved, but renal function did not return to normal.

The importance of recognizing and treating the low grade intravascular coagulation which may accompany microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia is stressed. It is suggested that the variable response to treatment with heparin of patients with microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia observed by ourselves and others may be due to relative roles of intravascular coagulation and primary vascular disease in the pathogenesis of the microangiopathy, and to the development of irreversible vascular damage if treatment is delayed.
Further Observations on Patients with a Chromosomal Abnormality Associated with Polycythaemia Vera
Authors: Millard Rosemary E. , Lawler Ylvia D. , Kay H. E. M. , Cameron C. B.
Published: March 2008

Summary. An abnormality resembling a deletion of a chromosome of the F(19–20) group was observed in the bone‐marrow cells in seven patients with polycythaemia Vera. Five of the patients had a history of 9 years or more; six had received 32P (24.5 mCi or more) and one busulphan only. Cells with the abnormality constituted 22–100 per cent of the bone‐marrow population, but were very seldom observed in blood cultures. In one bone‐marrow aspirate which was examined there was no special pattern of DNA synthesis of the abnormal chromosome.

One case was examined before and after the onset of bone‐marrow failure; coinciding with the appearance of blast cells in the bone marrow, cells with an additional C‐group chromosome were found.

The excretion of tryptophane metabolites was studied in five of the cases; it was abnormally high in four and was reduced following pyridoxine. This suggests a relative deficiency of pyridoxine; possibly cells with the deleted F chromosome have a proliferative advantage in this environment.
Benign Erythrocytosis
Authors: Modan Baruch , Modan Michaela
Published: March 2008

Summary. Data obtained in the course of a previously reported study have been used to re‐emphasize the existence of a distinct clinical entity—benign erythrocytosis—often misdiagnosed as polycythaemia Vera.

It has been demonstrated that, in contrast to PV, there is involvement of the red‐cell line only: neither leucocytosis, thrombocytosis nor splenomegaly are present. A marked preponderance of males and absence of myeloproliferative complications such as leukaemia or myeloid metaplasia are notable. This may imply a basic difference in the natural course of the two diseases and in the nature of the stimulus to the myeloproliferative system.

Some comments in the literature regarding the nature of this clinical syndrome have been reviewed and discussed.
Autoagglutination Developing in a Patient with Acute Renal Failure
Authors: Dorner Irene M. , Parker Charles W. , Chaplin Hugh
Published: March 2008

Summary. A patient with post‐traumatic renal failure (presumably renal cortical necrosis) is described, who developed near the end of his course a potent auto‐agglutinin (titre 1024 at 37° C.). A unique feature of the autoagglutinin was its elution into serum or 8 per cent albumin solution, but its failure to elute into saline under standard conditions. The importance of this phenomenon in permitting accurate ABO and Rh grouping of the patient's cells is emphasized.

Studies of the patient's serum, including DEAE fractionation, reduction and alkylation, and absorption with anti‐γ, serum, indicated that the autoagglutinin was a γM globulin. The relationship of these techniques to tests for coexisting isoanti‐bodies and to safe cross‐matching procedures is discussed.

The results of in‐vivo cross‐matching procedures (51Cr labelling and haem pigment changes) are described and their role in enhancing the safety of transfusion in the face of inconclusive in‐vitro cross‐matching is stressed.
The Interpretation of Prothrombin Results: A National Survey
Authors: Poller L. , Thomson Jean M.
Published: March 2008

The practical value of a formula for the interpretation of prothrombin time results has been studied in a national survey incorporating 132 of the hospital centres in our reference thromboplastin scheme. In this formula the ‘equivalent ratio’ is used to calculate the ‘Index of Anticoagulation’ in an attempt to provide a uniform scale of measurement for all hospitals.

In our survey the calculated results using the formula were compared with the actual observed values. Only 15 hospitals were able to calculate the ‘Index of Anticoagulation’; of these only nine sent a complete set of results. Incomplete schedules were interpreted by us.

The survey showed that the value of the formula was least with commercial reagents, but even with human brain extracts the difference between calculated and observed results was considerable. From this study it is concluded that the term ‘equivalent ratio’ is of considerable value in measuring the sensitivity of a tissue extract thromboplastin, but nothing is to be gained from the vise of the formula for the ‘Index of Anticoagulation’in the Manchester scheme for providing uniform anticoagulant treatment.
Reversible Megaloblastic and Sideroblastic Marrow Abnormalities in Alcoholic Patients
Authors: Hines John D.
Published: March 2008

A reversible type of sideroblastic anaemia was detected in a group of severe alcoholic patients with liver disease. All the patients exhibiting the marrow ring‐sideroblast abnormality (24 of the 33) were found to have folate deficiency, hypomagnesaemia and hypokalaemia. The clinical and biochemical findings in these patients are discussed in relation to the development of the marrow sideroblastic abnormality.
Maturation of the Macroreticulocyte
Authors: Ganzoni A. , Hillman R. S. , Finch C. A.
Published: March 2008

With anaemia the erythroid marrow maturation pattern of the rat is altered so that macroreticulocytes containing increased amounts of haemoglobin, water, ribosomes and ribonucleic acid are released into circulation. This was shown to be accompanied by a reduction in the marrow iron transit time, a measurement of the maturation time of marrow reticulocytes, and possibly by the occurrence of skipped mitoses during maturation. Despite the premature release, increased volume and haemoglobin content of these macroreticulocytes, they matured normally without apparent splenic sequestration or significant cell death in the first 10 days. At the same time they underwent shrinkage by loss of both cell water and some haemoglobin. This appeared to be an intravascular phenomenon where macrocytes were remodelled, possibly by cell fragmentation, until a population with near normal indices was obtained.
Renal Erythropoietic Factor—Some Properties and its Interaction with Histones
Authors: Kuratowska Zofia , Kopeć Maria
Published: March 2008

The erythropoietic activity of renal erythropoietic factor (REF) is localized in the acidic nuclear protein fraction (NPF). The activity is destroyed by proteolytic enzymes and neuraminidase. Histones obtained from mammalian liver and chicken erythrocytes completely inhibit the erythropoietic activity of NPF. The most potent inhibitory effect was evoked by the arginine‐rich histone fraction. A tentative hypothesis concerning the role of the interaction between histones and erythropoietin in the regulation of erythropoiesis is proposed.
In Vivo Behaviour of the Coagulant Enzyme from Agkistrodon rhodostoma Venom: Studies Using 131I‐‘Arvin’*
Authors: Regoeczi E. , Bell W. R.
Published: March 2008

In vivo behaviour of Arvin, labelled with radioactive iodine, has been studied in five patients and also in a number of rabbits. The intravascular distribution volume of 131I‐Arvin was similar to that of labelled albumin, and diffusion took place into an extravascular space which was about 1.5–2 times the size of the plasma pool. The elimination of the labelled dose from the circulation followed a multi‐exponential function so that with increasing times the velocity constants became smaller and smaller. The initially rapid disappearance rate (T1/2: 3–5 hours in the first few hours) gradually decreased to correspond with a half‐life of 9–12 days when only 6–10 per cent of the dose remained in the plasma. The disappearance rate of Arvin from the blood was not affected by nephrectomy in rabbits nor by a series of injections of unlabelled Arvin but was slightly reduced by injection of large doses of α‐amino‐caproic acid. Labelled Arvin dimer disappeared from the plasma faster than the monomer. Rabbit peritoneal leucocytes did not phagocytose Arvin in vitro to a measurable extent.

Assays of the quantity of non‐protein radioactivities in the plasma following injections of 131I‐Arvin as well as the results of fractionating urinary radioactivities on dextran gel columns indicated that most of the Arvin was degraded in vivo, probably in the reticulo‐endothelial system. An additional small fraction was eliminated apparently unchanged by glomerular filtration. 131I‐Arvin conjugated both in vitro and in vivo with a specific antivenene by forming small and completely soluble complexes. Until the onset of the immune response, the disappearance rate of the complexes was not noticeably different from that of the heterologous gamma globulin.
Growth Rates and Responses to Treatment in Human Myelomatosis
Authors: Hobbs J. R.
Published: March 2008

Studies of myelomatosis during the M.R.C. trial have shown that the average doubling times for paraprotein levels were 10.1 months for γG, 6.3 months for γA and 3.4 months for Bence‐Jones myelomata. These findings suggest that from a single mutant cell it takes on average 33, 21 and 11 years respectively for the clinical emergence of these three types of myeloma. Four biochemical types of response to treatment were found and a slow response carried the best prognosis. ‘Bence‐Jones escape’, observed in 15 patients, indicates the need to monitor the urine during treatment.
Inhibitor of Factor VIII in Mild Haemophilia
Authors: Beck P. , Giddings J. C. , Bloom A. L.
Published: March 2008

Summary. Two patients with mild haemophilia developed inhibitors of Factor VIII during replacement therapy to cover major surgery. The inhibitors inactivated not only transfused antihaemophilic factor but also the patient's own Factor VIII and temporarily converted them to severe haemophiliacs. The activity of the inhibitors rapidly declined, possibly as a result of steroid therapy, and both patients eventually regained their previously mild haemophilic state.
‘Non‐Tropical Idiopathic Splenomegaly’ (‘Primary Hypersplenism’): A Review of Ten Cases and their Relationship to Malignant Lymphomas
Authors: Dacie J. V. , Brain M. C. , Harrison C. V. , Lewis S. M. , Worlledge Sheila M.
Published: March 2008

Summary. The clinical, haematological and serological findings arc described of 10 patients believed to be suffering from a syndrome tentatively labelled ‘non‐tropical idiopathic splenomegaly’. The blood picture was characterized by leucopenia and neutropenia of severe degree, moderate thrombocytopenia and slight to moderate reticulocytosis. Abnormal or early forms of leucocytes were absent from peripheral blood films. All the patients were anaemic, although in only two was the total red‐cell volume subnormal. Five developed auto‐antibodies against red cells; one had hypogammaglobulinaemia. The spleen was grossly enlarged in all 10 patients and the liver was palpable in seven but there was no evidence of cirrhosis or portal hypertension.

Splenectomy was carried out in nine of the patients, with sustained and striking clinical and haematological improvement in most instances. Four patients, however, remained neutropenic. The histological findings in the spleens were variable and in some of the patients the lymphoid foci were enlarged. There was, however, no evidence of overt malignant lymphoma.

Four of the patients have died: two from illnesses unconnected with their splenomegaly; one from lymphosarcoma 8 months after splenectomy and one from auto‐immune haemolytic anaemia 41/2 years after splenectomy—this patient also showed evidence of lymphosarcoma at necropsy.

The nature of the splenic enlargement remains obscure. While it is difficult absolutely to exclude an unusual and exaggerated response to an exogenous infection or infections, there was no evidence for this. An alternative possibility is that some at least of the patients were suffering from a type of auto‐immune disease, the main feature being exaggerated lympho‐reticular cellular proliferation, particularly within the spleen, rather than antibody formation. In some patients the lymphoproliferation was so marked as to suggest the development of a chronic ‘pre‐malignant’ lymphoma, predominantly (but not exclusively) affecting the spleen.
Comparison of Phospholipid and Fatty Acid Composition of Human Erythrocytes and Platelets
Authors: Cohen Phin , Derksen Arie
Published: March 2008

Summary. The phospholipid and fatty acid composition of the diacyl and plasma‐logen derivatives of the choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides of human erythrocytes and platelets have been compared.

No distinctly new information on the phospholipid composition of either cell was uncovered. However, the fatty acid composition studies showed rather distinct patterns among the four fractions, and between the cell types. The possible biosynthetic mechanisms responsible for and physiological meaning of these differences are considered in the discussion.
The Mechanism of Enhanced Streptokinase‐Induced Clot Lysis following In‐vitro Factor‐XIII Inactivation
Authors: Henderson K. W. , Nussbaum M.
Published: March 2008

Summary. Factor‐XIII (fibrin stabilizing factor, FSF) activity in human plasma may be inhibited in vitro by a variety of sulphydryl inhibitors and by several derivatives of glycine. Incorporation of small amounts (40 units) of streptokinase (SK) into a clot formed from plasma after in vitro inactivation of Factor XIII, resulted in marked shortening of clot lysis times compared to controls without Factor‐XIII inactivation.

Enhancement of SK‐induced clot lysis by the sulphydryl inhibitors is in part related to Factor‐XIII inactivation. Further acceleration of lysis is noted with concentrations greater than the minimal amount necessary for complete Factor‐XIII inhibition. At higher concentrations, clotting is delayed and ultimately completely inhibited. These reagents also produce marked changes on the thromboelastogram consistent with a weakened clot structure. No evidence to suggest increased plasminogen‐plasmin conversion, enhanced plasmin activity or inhibition of anti‐plasmin by sulphydryl inhibitors could be found.

Glycine ethyl ester (GEE) incorporation results in marked enhancement of SK‐induced plasma clot lysis in vitro and pronounced changes on the thromboelastogram. The enhanced clot lysis is related to Factor‐XIII inhibition. No further acceleration of clot lysis was obtained once Factor‐XIII activity was completely inhibited. GEE alone shows an additional effect of inhibiting anti‐plasmin activity.

Thus enhanced SK‐induced clot lysis following in vitro inhibition of Factor‐XIII activity with sulphydryl inhibitors and derivatives of glycine is considered to be due to the greater ease with which plasmin may act on a weakened clot. GEE, in addition to promoting the formation of a weaker clot, inhibits anti‐plasmin activity, and so further increases the relative effectiveness of streptokinase.
The Irreversibly Sickled Cell; a Determinant of Haemolysis in Sickle Cell Anaemia
Authors: Serjeant G. R. , Serjeant B. E. , Milner P. F.
Published: March 2008

Summary. Red cell survival was estimated in a group of adult sickle cell anaemia patients using the 51Cr technique. Counts of irreversibly sickled cells were performed on thin coverslip preparations of capillary blood. These counts are relatively constant within the same individual but show marked variations between individuals. A significant correlation has been demonstrated between the irreversibly sickled cell count and the red cell survival. This correlation does not apply to sickle cell anaemia patients with splenomegaly in whom the irreversibly sickled cell count is always low.
Ineffective Erythropoiesis with Morphologically Abnormal Erythroblasts and Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinaemia
Authors: Verwilghen R. , Verhaegen H. , Waumans P. , Beert J.
Published: March 2008

Summary.

Four cases of congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia in two families are described. The evidence for a dyserythropoietic state is discussed and the suggestion made that the hyperbilirubinaemia of the unconjugated type is mainly due to intramedullary bilirubin formation. Many abnormal multinucleated erythroblasts were found in the bone marrow. The evidence for a membrane defect and a possible haemoglobin abnormality have been presented.
Raised Foetal Haemoglobin in Childhood Leukaemia
Authors: Miller Denis R.
Published: March 2008

Summary.

Very high (13–50 per cent) concentrations of foetal haemoglobin (Hb F), usually found in the juvenile type of chronic granulocytic leukaemia or erythroleukaemia, were detected in three leukaemic children. One with acute myeloblastic and another with histiomonocytic leukaemia died 2 and 5 years respectively after the onset of an atypical syndrome characterized by frequent infections, lymph‐adenopathy, pulmonary infiltrations, hepatosplenomegaly, skin rash and monocytosis. A third child had acute monomyeloblastic leukaemia. Hb F was increased in 18 (55 per cent) of 32 other children with leukaemia; the levels were far below those found in the patients presented, but significantly greater than control values. The occurrence of such high Hb‐F concentrations in acute myeloblastic, monomyeloblastic and histiomonocytic leukaemia has not been reported previously. A raised Hb F in atypical myelo‐ or reticuloproliferative syndromes may have diagnostic and prognostic significance.
Lymphocyte Kinetics in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
Authors: Spivak Jerry L. , Perry Seymour
Published: March 2008

51‐Chromium was used to study lymphocyte kinetics in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Lymphocytes were found to equilibrate with a pool larger than that accounted for by blood volume and the blood lymphocyte count. Lymphocyte disappearance from the blood stream was exponential and complex, with an initial large rapid component and a smaller slower second component. The shape of the lymphocyte disappearance curve was not influenced by the size of the spleen, the white blood cell count or the duration of the disease. Body surface scanning revealed that infused lymphocytes were not sequestered in the lungs and circulated in and out of the spleen. Little radioactivity was noted over the liver or the iliac crest.
The Effects of Parity on the Leucocyte Count in Pregnant and Non‐Pregnant Women
Authors: Cruickshank J. M.
Published: March 2008

In a study of the total and differential leucocyte counts in 180 antenatal cases, a progressive rise in the total leucocyte and neutrophil counts occurred, with a peak about 8 weeks before parturition. The lymphocyte count, apart from a lower mean count in the first trimester, attained a steady state throughout pregnancy. No statistically significant effect of parity on the total and differential leucocyte count was demonstrated, although a tendency for the total leucocyte count to rise with increasing parity was noted.
Antibody Production to the Factor in Human Urine Stimulating Colony Formation In Vitro by Bone Marrow Cells
Authors: Stanley E. R. , McNEILL T. A. , Chan S. H.
Published: March 2008

Rabbits immunized with human urine concentrates from leukaemia patients developed antibody which neutralized the mouse bone marrow colony stimulating factor in human urine and human serum. The undiluted antibody partially neutralized the colony stimulating factor in mouse urine and mouse serum and culture medium conditioned by mouse embryo cells.
Ferrokinetic Abnormalities and their Significance in Patients with Sideroblastic Anaemia
Authors: Singh A. K. , Shinton N. K. , Williams J. D. F.
Published: March 2008

Summary. A study of 10 patients with primary acquired sideroblastic anaemia demonstrates a link between the ferrokinetic abnormalities, the clinical severity and the distribution of storage iron between the labile and the fixed stores. There appears to be a progressive change from an initial mild impairment of haemoglobin synthesis, through a phase of ineffective erythropoeisis and partial erythropoietic failure, to a final stage of complete erythropoietic failure. This progress is associated initially with an increased iron content of the labile store but in the later stages with transfer of iron to the fixed, non‐chelatable store. The change from the early Type I phase to the late Type III phase is associated with clinical deterioration and increasing transfusion requirements which are predominantly responsible for an increased iron load which is a feature of this stage of the disease.
Absorption and Excretion of an Oral Dose of Tritiated Vitamin K1 in Man
Authors: Shearer M. J. , Barkhan P. , Webster G. R.
Published: March 2008

Summary. The radioactivity in the plasma, urine and faeces has been determined in three studies carried out in two normal men after an oral dose of tritiated vitamin K1 (50–100 μCi). Radioactivity in the plasma was detected by 30 min, reached a peak at 2–4 hr and then declined relatively rapidly. A low level of radioactivity persisted in the plasma for at least 96 hr. Most of the radioactivity in the plasma at the peak time was in the form of vitamin K1 as shown by thin‐layer chromatography; the remaining plasma radioactivity was due to water‐soluble material.

Examination of serum taken at the time of peak absorption showed that most of the radioactivity could be floated to the top in the ultracentrifuge (in a medium of density 1.21) and appeared in the void volume on gel filtration (Sephadex G‐200): The results suggest that absorbed vitamin K1 in plasma becomes associated with chylomicra mainly but that some may also be associated with other lipoproteins. Faecal excretion of radioactivity was maximal in the first 2 days and appeared to be essentially complete after 5 days; the total faecal radioactivity accounted for about 52% of the ingested dose of labelled vitamin K1, and about 18% of the dose was recovered as unchanged vitamin K1. The faecal results suggest that at least half of the ingested dose was absorbed. Excretion of radioactivity in the urine was greatest in the first 24 hr and 8–19% of the administered dose of labelled vitamin K1 was recovered from the urine after 3 days. The urinary radioactivity was present in water‐soluble and chloroform‐soluble forms.
Abnormality of Red‐Cell Diameter/Thickness Ratio: Findings in Iron‐Deficiency Anaemia
Authors: Child J. A. , Bowry W. M. P. , Knowles J. P.
Published: March 2008

Summary Red‐cell indices, including the diameter/thickness ratio (D/T) derived from mean cell diameter (MCD) and mean cell volume (MCV), were determined in a study of 203 medical out‐patients. A close correlation was found between D/T and MCH and between D/T and MCHC.
Secondary Platelet Aggregation: A Quantitative Study
Authors: Hardisty R. M. , Hutton R. A. , Montgomery Danielle , Rickard Stefania , Trebilcock Heather
Published: March 2008

Summary.

The lowest concentration of ADP and adrenaline which resulted in a secondary wave of platelet aggregation at 37°C was determined in 60 normal subjects. The range of such ‘threshold’ concentrations was 0.2–1.4μM for ADP and 0.1–1.0μM for adrenaline. The mean threshold concentration of each reagent was unrelated to age but was higher for men than for women; this difference disappeared when the results were corrected for the effect of differences in PCV on the citrate concentration in platelet‐rich plasma. The variation between separate determinations of threshold concentration in the same individual was of the same order as that between individuals; no evidence was found that the threshold concentration of either reagent was related to the phase of the menstrual cycle in four young women tested repeatedly. There was a highly significant correlation between the threshold concentrations of the two reagents in individual subjects.

No correlation was found between the threshold concentration of either reagent and the total platelet ATP, ADP or ATP: ADP ratio. Concentrations of adrenaline at or slightly above the threshold caused the release of up to about 50% of the platelet ADP and 25% of the ATP during the second phase of aggregation, while lower concentrations produced no significant release.

The ultrastructural changes during the first phase of aggregation were similar with all concentrations of ADP tested; threshold concentrations and above caused dense packing of platelets during the second phase, with the formation of giant pseudopodia and no tendency to disaggregation during the period of observation, while at lower concentrations disaggregation was accompanied by a retraction of pseudopodia. There was no clear evidence of platelet degranulation during either first or second phase aggregation.
Factors Influencing Chromium Elution from Labelled Red Cells in Vivo and the Effect of Elution on Red‐Cell Survival Measurements
Authors: Szymanski I. O. , Valeri C. R.
Published: March 2008

Summary.

Rates of 51Cr elution in vivo were studied after 32 transfusions of previously‐frozen and liquid‐preserved red cells, the survival of which was followed by measurement of the persisting radioactivity and by an automated differential agglutination (ADA) procedure. Both rapid and slow phases of chromium elution were observed; the data suggested that in‐vitro labelling conditions influenced both the quantity of rapidly‐eluting chromium and the rate of elution of the remaining label.

Approximately 3% of the chromium label eluted rapidly from red cells that had been washed with phosphate‐buffered saline prior to labelling, while less than 1% of the chromium eluted rapidly from non‐washed concentrated red cells.

By contrast, approximately 8.5% of the chromium label eluted rapidly from red cells washed by dilution/agglomeration, whereas approximately 11.8% of the chromium eluted rapidly from either non‐washed whole blood or from red cells washed with non‐buffered saline prior to chromium labelling. Moreover, with the latter labelling conditions, the 24 hr chromium survival value was at times considerably lower than the ADA value.

The slow phase of in‐vivo elution was significantly more rapid for red cells labelled as whole blood (non‐washed) and for those washed with non‐buffered sodium chloride (mean half period of elution 44.8 days), than for red cells washed by dilution/agglomeration and for non‐washed concentrated red cells (mean half periods 74.2 and 75.3 days respectively). An intermediate slow rate of elution for red cells washed with phosphate‐buffered sodium chloride (mean half period 63.2 days) was not significantly different from slow phase elution rates observed in the other groups.
The Intracellular and Membrane Effects of Oxidant Agents on Normal Red Cells
Authors: Miller Aaron , Smith Hinton C.
Published: March 2008

Summary.

Oxidant drugs produced different patterns of oxidative change in red cell GSH and haemoglobin. Naphthoquinones were associated with a marked increase in methaemoglobin, a marked decrease in GSH and the ready formation of Heinz bodies. Phenylhydrazine, at the lower concentrations, produced Heinz bodies while methaemoglobin levels were only minimally increased and GSH levels unchanged. p‐Aminophenol markedly increased the concentration of methaemoglobin while decreasing that of GSH but formed no Heinz bodies. With hydroquinone, GSH was virtually depleted before small amounts of methaemoglobin were produced.

Membrane damage as measured by a loss of red cell K+ and haemolysis in hypotonic saline was only found with 1,4‐naphthoquinone, β‐naphthol and the antimalarial drugs. These compounds produced abnormal osmotic fragility curves which differed one from the other. Membrane injury occurred in the presence and absence of intracellular oxidative change.

These studies demonstrate marked differences in the intracellular and membrane actions of oxidant agents.
Placental Transport of Iron in X‐linked Anaemia of Mice
Authors: Dancis Joseph , Jansen Valerie
Published: March 2008

Summary X‐linked anaemia (sla) has been studied in the foetus of the mutant mice of Falconer & Isaacson (1962). The affected male is anaemic by the 19th–20th day of gestation. At this time there is no indication of a defect in the transport of iron to the foetus as indicated by the transfer of 59Fe and by the content of elementary iron in the total carcass. This suggests that a mechanism other than, or in addition to, intestinal malabsorption is operative in the production of sla.
Irreversibly Sickled Cells and Splenomegaly in Sickle‐Cell Anaemia
Authors: Serjeant Graham R.
Published: March 2008

Summary Low levels of irreversibly sickled cells occur in patients with sickle‐cell anaemia and splenomegaly. The Hb F level appears to influence both the level of ISCs and the persistence of splenomegaly. It is suggested that low levels of ISCs allow splenomegaly to persist and hence are the cause and not primarily the result of persistent splenomegaly.
Splenic Function in Adult Coeliac Disease
Authors: Marsh G. W. , Stewart J. S.
Published: March 2008

Summary. The rate of clearance of 15Cr‐labelled, heat‐damaged red cells from the circulation has been measured in 18 patients with adult coeliac disease. This has been combined with scintillation scanning of the spleen using a colour scanning method. Only two of the patients had clearance times within normal limits. Five had a peripheral blood picture suggestive of splenic atrophy. In these the half time of clearance was greater than 50 min and the scintillation scan showed either no evidence of functioning splenic tissue or only minimal localization of radioactivity suggesting marked hyposplenism. Nine patients had a somewhat prolonged clearance time, the half time of clearance varying between 19 and 44 min. The scan, however, showed an apparently normal spleen and the characteristic changes of splenic atrophy were not present in the peripheral blood film. Two patients had clearance rates faster than that found in control subjects. Both of these patients had enlarged spleens. In one this was associated with hepatic cirrhosis and in the other with an unexplained neutropenia.
Blast Cell Leukaemia Associated with IgA Paraproteinaemia and Bence Jones Protein
Authors: Thijs L. G. , Hijmans W. , Leene W. , Muntinghe O. G. , Pieterszand R. N. I. , Ploem J. E.
Published: March 2008

Summary. A 47‐yr‐old housewife with myeloblastic leukaemia was found to have IgA type kappa paraproteinaemia and Bence Jones protein type kappa in her serum and urine. The possibility of two neoplastic proliferations involving both the myelocytic and the plasma cellular series was considered. However, electron microscopic and immunofluorescence investigations provided evidence that the blast cells belonged to the plasma cell series. The clinical diagnosis was changed to myeloma with leukaemia, which was confirmed at autopsy.

This observation illustrates the contribution of electron microscopy and immunofluorescence to the classification of blast cells, and stresses the value of a search for paraproteins in cases of blast cell leukaemia.
Eggs and Iron Absorption
Authors: Callender Sheila T. , Marney S. R. , WARNER G. T.
Published: March 2008

Summary. Iron absorption from eggs labelled biologically with 59Fe has been studied in 27 subjects by the use of a whole‐body counter. Eggs were given in a standard meal on three successive days. Absorption was compared with that obtained from the same meal with the addition of 100 ml of orange juice, and with absorption of iron from three daily doses of 1 mg of ferrous iron or a single dose of 5 mg of ferrous iron. Mean absorption from the eggs alone was 3.7% which was about a tenth of that obtained with the ferrous iron salt.

The addition of orange juice to the standard meal gave a highly significant enhancement of iron absorption to a mean of 10.4%.

In rats iron absorption from 59Fe labelled eggs was enhanced in iron deficiency. In these animals egg yolk was found to interfere with absorption from a ferrous iron salt but not with that of iron from labelled haemoglobin.
The Half‐life of Factor XIII in Vivo
Authors: Miloszewski K. , Losowsky M. S.
Published: March 2008

Summary. Factor‐XIII levels were measured in the plasma of two patients with congenital deficiency following infusions of fresh frozen plasma at times remote from an episode of bleeding. The disappearance curve of factor XIII from the plasma showed an initial rapid and then a slow component, the half‐life of the slow phase being about 12 days which is considerably greater than most previous estimates. The therapeutic implications of the prolonged effect of infused factor XIII are discussed.
Quantitative Haemagglutination
Authors: Greenwalt T. J. , Flory L. L. , Steane E. A.
Published: March 2008

Summary. The continuous flow AutoAnalyzer system was used to measure differences in agglutinability with anti‐A, ‐B, ‐H, ‐D, ‐c and ‐I of populations of red cells separated on the basis of density after centrifugation. Dose‐response curves using dilutions of antisera were constructed, plotting percentage of red cells agglutinated on the ordinate in probit units against the logarithm of the antiserum dilutions. In every instance, except with anti‐I, the densest and presumably oldest red cells required less serum to cause 50% agglutination.
Prediction of the Severity of Rhesus Haemolytic Disease by Means of Antibody Titrations Performed on the AutoAnalyzer
Authors: Tovey L. A. D. , Haggas W. K.
Published: March 2008

Summary.

Ante‐natal sera containing anti‐D and anti‐C + D antibodies were titred on an AutoAnalyzer system and the results compared with the standard manual method. A good correlation was achieved in 526 samples from 191 pregnant women. It was found that an antibody level above that of 15 International Units indicated the need for amniocentesis. One case is described where a possible bromelin inhibitor was present in the serum. The question of the method of estimating and reporting anti‐D antibody is discussed and it is concluded that until a more accurate method of measuring anti‐D in micrograms is available, International Units should be used.
The Effect of Synthetic Phosphatidyl Serines on Platelet Aggregation, Blood Coagulation and Haemostasis
Authors: Nishizawa E. E. , Mustard J. F.
Published: March 2008

Summary.

The effects of synthetic phosphatidyl serines on blood coagulation, platelet aggregation, the formation of haemostatic plugs, and deposit formation in extracorporeal shunts were examined. In vitro, phosphatidyl serines with C16 saturated fatty acids inhibited blood coagulation but did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by collagen, thrombin or antigen‐antibody complexes. C10 phosphatidyl serine inhibited platelet aggregation induced by these stimuli but did not inhibit blood coagulation. This effect of C10 phosphatidyl serine appeared to be due to inhibition of the release of platelet constituents. C12 and C14 phosphatidyl serines had intermediate effects; phosphatidyl serines with C8, C6 and C2 fatty acids were relatively inert. In dogs, the intravenous administration of C16 phosphatidyl serine inhibited blood coagulation and prolonged the bleeding time; C10 phosphatidyl serine did not inhibit blood coagulation, but did inhibit platelet aggregation and prolonged the bleeding time. This compound had similar effects in guinea‐pigs and rabbits. C10 phosphatidyl serine inhibited thrombus formation in extracorporeal shunts. It appears that the fatty acid composition of phosphatidyl serines determines their effects on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation.
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia and Ovarian Tumour
Authors: Bruyère M. De , Sokal G. , Devoitille J. M. , Fauchet‐Dutrieux M. Ch. , Spa V. de
Published: March 2008

Summary.

A 32‐yr‐old female suffered from haemolytic anaemia with autoanti‐bodies of Rh specificity. The haemolytic process was completely arrested by the removal of an ovarian dermoid cyst which contained these antibodies at a concentration 10 times that found in the serum. The information obtained in this study suggests, therefore, that autoantibody may be produced by an ovarian cyst.
Exercise, Factor VIII and the Spleen
Authors: Rizza C. R. , Eipe Joseph
Published: March 2008

Summary.

The level of factor VIII in the blood of normal and asplenic subjects has been measured before and after vigorous exercise. Both groups of subjects showed a clear rise in the activity of factor VIII after exercise. In addition to the increase of biological activity, after exercise the blood of both groups showed a greater ability to neutralize factor‐VIII antibody. It is concluded that the spleen plays little or no part in the rise of factor VIII during exercise and that the rise of factor VIII seen in both normal and splenectomized individuals represents a true increase of factor VIII and is not an artifact.
The Levels of Factors II, VII, IX and X by Antibody Neutralization Techniques in the Plasma of Patients Receiving Phenindione Therapy
Authors: Denson K. W. E.
Published: March 2008

Summary.

The levels of factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX and X in the plasma of patients on anticoagulant therapy with phenindione have been shown to be higher by antibody neutralization tests than by specific assays.
The Measurement of Reticuloendothelial Iron Release using Iron—Dextran
Authors: Beamish M. R. , Davies A. G. , Eakins J. D. , Jacobs A. , Trevett D.
Published: March 2008

Summary An index of reticuloendothelial cell release of iron for erythropoiesis can be derived from simultaneous measurements of iron—dextran and transferrin‐bound iron utilization. Reticuloendothelial iron release was found to be reduced in patients with Hodgkins disease, chronic renal failure and some cases of rheumatoid arthritis. It was increased in patients with iron deficiency.
Formation of Intrinsic Factor‐X‐Activator Activity, with Special Reference to the Role of Thrombin
Authors: ØSterud Bjarne , Rapaport Samuel I. , Schiffman Sandra , Chong May M. Y.
Published: March 2008

Summary When thrombin‐activated purified human factor VIII (factor VIIIt), purified human factor IXa, lipid and calcium were combined, a very rapid reaction occurred involving the lipid and at least one of the plasma clotting factors. No other interaction between the components of intrinsic factor‐X activator could be demonstrated. Full activity developed so rapidly as to suggest an instantaneous reaction. In contrast, when native factor VIII was used instead of factor VIIIt, insignificant factor‐X activator was found over 15 min. Further experiments with hirudin confirmed that a preliminary activation of factor VIII is an absolute requirement for the development of human intrinsic factor‐X activator activity. Both thrombin and trypsin effectively activated factor VIII, which suggests that activation results from proteolysis. Factor IXa, factor XIa, factor Xa, collagen, connective tissue, platelet fractions, plasmin and Reptilase ‘R’could not activate factor VIII within a physiologically significant time interval.
Identification of an Immunoreactive Folate in Serum Extracts by Radioimmunoassay*
Authors: DaCosta Maria , Rothenberg Sheldon P.
Published: March 2008

Summary. A radioimmunoassay for folic acid using antibodies with binding determinants specific for this vitamin has been used to identify an immunoreactive folate in serum and serum extracts. Because reduced folates such as methyltetra‐hydrofolate, formyltetrahydrofolate and dihydrofolate did not inhibit the antibody binding of [3H]folic acid while unreduced folates did, the immunoreactive folate in serum and serum extracts was most likely an unreduced folate. Serum extracted by boiling in the absence of ascorbate had a significantly higher concentration of immunoreactive folate than did whole serum. The extraction procedure apparently released or converted endogenous folate to an immunoreactive form because serum extracted with ascorbate contained very low concentrations of the immunoreactive form. The range of recovery of crystalline folic acid added to serum and assayed in extracts prepared without ascorbate was 82‐132%, with a mean of 104%.

Subjects taking oral folic acid had significantly elevated levels of serum immunoreactive folate. Following intravenous administration of folic acid, the immunoreactive folate concentration did not rise as high and it decreased more rapidly in folate deficient patients than in normal subjects. Serum extracted without ascorbate from normal, vitamin B12 and folate deficient subjects had immunoreactive folate levels (mean ± SEM) of 1350 ± 110, 949 ± 152 and 525 ± 72 pg/ml, respectively.
Red Cell 2,3‐Diphosphoglycerate and Adenosine Triphosphate in Patients with Shock*
Authors: Chillar R. K. , Slawskyand P. , Desforges Jane F.
Published: March 2008

Summary. 2,3‐Diphosphoglycerate (2,3‐DPG) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were studied in 12 patients with shock. Observations in the first 6 hr revealed a mean value of 2,3‐DPG higher than normal with a range above and below the normal limits. After this period the mean value was lower. In the presence of metabolic acidosis, the values were low. In two patients, the improvement in clinical state was associated with a rise in the level of these compounds. The mean value for ATP was slightly higher than normal in the first 6 hr and remained the same later; there was no correlation with 2,3‐DPG or with pH. Our data failed to reveal any definite relation between shock and 2,3‐DPG levels in the red cells. The metabolite varied independently of ATP and did not correlate with red cell age. There was a significant correlation of the levels of 2,3‐DPG with the hydrogen ion concentration of arterial blood.
Annotation: CELLULAR CHANGES IN CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKAEMIA
Authors: Pedersen Bent , Hayhoe F. G. J.
Published: March 2008

Since the original observation by Wachstein (1946), numerous investigations have demonstrated that the vast majority of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia have very low alkaline‐phosphatase activities in their polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The observation of a high leucocyte alkaline‐phosphatase (LAP) activity in Down's syndrome (Alter et al, 1962), where the karyotype contains an extra G chromosome, and the fact that patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) have a partially deleted G chromosome, the so‐called Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1), at one time led to the hypothesis that a specific gene regulating LAP activity was present in a G chromosome, possibly no. 21 (Alter et al, 1963). The fact that LAP activity increases during successful treatment of CML and even returns to the normal range in a few cases (Hayhoe & Quaglino, 1958; Xefteris et al, 1961; Linke & Löffler, 1963; Elves et al 1963) might be explained if a non‐leukaemic clone of cells were activated under treatment. The bone marrow remains, however, entirely Ph1‐positive in remission (Tough et al, 1963). Moreover, the observation by Hammouda et al (1964) of persisting Ph1‐positivity in patients with high LAP activity in blast crisis of CML was incompatible with the existence of a simple causal relationship between the Ph1 deletion and depression of LAP activity.
Relation between Phagocytic Activity and Alkaline Phosphatase Content of Neutrophils in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Authors: Pedersen Bent , Hayhoe F. G. J.
Published: March 2008

Summary.In eight peripheral blood samples from six patients with CML, part of the leucocytes obtained by spontaneous sedimentation of the red cells were incubated with carbonyl iron powder in vitro under slow rotation, and the iron‐loaded phagocytes eliminated by magnetic extraction. Among the cells remaining in suspension the frequencies of alkaline‐phosphatase‐positive polymorphs were found to be lower than in the corresponding untreated leucocyte populations. These observations suggest that alkaline‐phosphatase‐positive polymorphs are more actively phagocytic than negative ones.