bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of section thickness in quantitative microscopy with special reference to enzyme histochemistry
Authors: Pearse A. D. , Marks R.
Published: June 2007

Quantitative histochemical techniques demand constancy in sectioning tissue and preferably knowledge of the true thickness of a section. In this investigation a simple, rapid, accurate, and reproducible technique is described for measuring section thickness using an instrument known as a Surfometer. It has been shown that: (a) cryostat microtome settings bear little relationship to the true section thickness of the sections produced; (b) that different instruments differ in their inaccuracies; (c) that this inaccuracy varies slightly with different tissues.

If densitometric methods are used and either the absolute amount of a tissue component is to be measured or the amount of a tissue component is to be compared in two tissues then it is mandatory to determine the actual thickness of the section. The method described here seems the most appropriate one for these investigations.
A comparison of techniques for determining prenatal sex from liquor amnii
Authors: Lewis B. V. , Chapman P. A.
Published: June 2007

The cellular content of amniotic fluid is primarily composed of desquamated squamous cells. Depending on their site of origin and maturation, the staining characteristics of the nuclei and cytoplasm differ. Prenatal foetal sex was determined by comparing the proportion of anucleate pyknotic nuclei to vesicular nuclei using Papanicolaou's stain and the proportion of red cells to blue cells using Shorr's stain.

Both techniques allow an accurate assessment of prenatal sex to be made after 30 week's gestation. There is a close correlation between the two methods.
Studies on the diagnostic value of an immunofluorescence test for EB virus-specific IgM
Authors: Edwards Joan M. B. , McSwiggan D. A.
Published: June 2007

A modification of the test for EB virus/IgM introduced by Schmitz and Scherer (1972) is described. It is simple and gives reproducible results.

EB virus/IgM was demonstrated in all but one case of infectious mononucleosis and in students with minor illness shown to have acquired EB virus/IgG recently. Unlike the EB virus/IgG, the IgM disappears within a few months. Although the Paul-Bunnell-Davidsohn test is still the test of choice for the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis, the EB virus/IgM test could be useful to establish a diagnosis of current or recent EB virus infection where the Paul-Bunnell-Davidsohn test was negative or equivocal.
Tests of disinfection by heat in a bedpan washing machine
Authors: Ayliffe G. A. J. , Collins B. J. , Deverill C. E. A.
Published: June 2007

Tests of effectiveness of disinfection of metal and polypropylene bedpans were made in a washer fitted with a steam generator. Broth cultures ofEscherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, orStreptococcus faecalis(approximately 4 × 108organisms) were sealed in lengths of capillary tubing and attached to the surface of the pans. In other tests, pans were contaminated with an artificial soil containingStr. faecalis(108organisms/ml). In both series of tests, counts of surviving organisms were made at the end of the washing and disinfection cycle. The tests using capillary tubes showed that the Gram-negative bacilli were effectively killed, but not necessarily Gram-positive cocci. However, when incorporated in standard soil,Str. faecaliswas killed or removed during the cycle.

The results indicate that the disinfection process was effective for metal bedpans, but less so for polypropylene. Possible disadvantages and modification of the machine are suggested.
Excess intravascular coagulation complicating low cardiac output.
Authors: Inglis T C , Breeze G R , Stuart J , Abrams L D , Roberts K D
Published: June 2007

In 42 children with congenital heart disease coagulation factor levels were studied serially during the first 20 hours following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. The acyanotic patients, and also cyanotic patients who survived the operation, showed a progressive improvement in their coagulation profile from initial low postoperative levels. In 12 cyanotic patients who died within 72 hours, however, the coagulation factor levels either remained low, or fell further, until death. Fresh frozen plasma was administered to eight of these patients without apparent benefit. The abnormal coagulation profile correlated significantly with low skin temperature and increased blood loss and was considered to represent excess intravascular coagulation secondary to low cardiac output and poor tissue perfusion.
A sensitive technique by differential scanning for detecting haemoglobins of fetal origin.
Authors: Owen M C
Published: June 2007

A simple modification is made to the ultraviolet scanning technique for the detection of the tryptophan notch which is characteristic of haemoglobins of fetal origin. This involves a differential scan using Hb A solution in the reference compartment. This technique has all the advantages of the standard scan method but extends the scope of it by being much more sensitive and decisive.
Comparison of different media for bacteriocine typing of Proteus mirabilis.
Authors: George R H
Published: June 2007

The effect of a variety of nutrient bases on the production of bacteriocines by 10 standard Cradock-Watson types of Proteus mirabilis has been investigated. Differences in yield of greater than 10,000 fold were observed. Maximum yields were obtained with proteose peptone no. 3 (Difco) and a medium containing this with oxgall (Difco) as an antiswarming agent was developed for routine typing.
Titres and cross reactions of commercial antisera for the capsular typing of Klebsiella species.
Authors: Casewell M W
Published: June 2007

Ninety commercially supplied sera for the capsular typing of Klebsiella species were tested in a full chequerboard against 72 type strains. Only four of 144 homologous reactions could not be detected. Of the 6336 possible heterologous reactions, 91 actual cross reactions were found. All positive reactions were titrated and working dilutions deduced. This provides essential information for the successful typing of unknown strains with these sera.
A screening method for the detection of Brucella antibodies in human serum.
Authors: Hinchliffe P M , Robertson L , Farrell I D
Published: June 2007

The antiglobulin consumption test of Steffen (1954) has been adapted for the detection of Brucella antibodies in human serum. This screening method takes approximately two hours to complete and sera which give a negative result need no further investigations, whilst positive sera should be fully tested by the conventional Brucella serology technique.
Intact and fragmented intracellular immunoglobulin in a case of non-secretory myeloma.
Authors: Whicher J T , Davies J D , Grayburn J A
Published: June 2007

A patient is described with myeloma without paraproteinaemia or Bence Jones proteinuria in whom the tumour cells have been shown to contain monoclonal immunoglobulin. The use of immunoelectrophoresis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has established, apparently for the first time, that the immunoglobulin components are present in the form of intact molecules and free light chains.
Bronchorrhoea in a case of alveolar cell carcinoma.
Authors: Spiro S G , Lopez-Vidriero M-T  , Charman J , Das I , Reid L
Published: June 2007

In a case of bronchorrhoea associated with alveolar cell carcinoma thf rheological and chemical features of the sputum indicated that it was bronchial fluid and not saliva and part bronchial secretion, partly serum transudate. The viscosity and chemical constituents were similar to those found in bronchorrhoea when associated with chronic bronchitis, asthma, or bronchiectasis. The surfactant studies suggested an alveolar origin for most of thf fluid, while the failure of fluid restriction, corticosteroids, atropine, or cytotoxic drugs to influence the sputum volume and properties indicated that the cells responsible are "autonomous".
Haematological changes in active chronic hepatitis with reference to the role of the spleen.
Authors: Toghill P J , Green S
Published: June 2007

The haematological role of the spleen has been investigated in a series of 22 patients with active chronic hepatitis. Severe pancytopenia occurred in one patient after three years of steroid therapy and this episode was associated with an increase in spleen size and a high splenic index of red cell destruction. Although the spleen was usually enlarged in the remainder of treated and untreated patients no others showed increased splenic haemolysis. The red cell survival was slightly reduced in most patients but splenic pooling of red cells and expansion of the plasma volume did not significantly reduce the haematocrit level. No consistent haematological differences were detected between the untreated and the treated patients.
An evaluation of two methods of bacteriocine typing of organisms of the genus Proteus.
Authors: Al-Jumaili I J
Published: June 2007

An assessment of two simple methods of typing Proteus isolates using bacteriocines is described. The methods chosen were those of Cradock-Watson and Al-Jumaili. It has been shown that the use of liquid bacteriocine preparations is more satisfactory than methods involving proteocine production in solid media. For example, no non-typable isolates were encountered and a large number of strains were demonstrated. This method is therefore proposed for use in a routine diagnostic laboratory.
Platelet counts during normal pregnancy.
Authors: Sejeny S A , Eastham R D , Baker S R
Published: June 2007

Eleven reports of platelet counts were found in the literature which reported a progressive increase, no change, or a progressive fall during pregnancy. The counts had been made using venous or capillary blood, with either simple dilution or red cell lysis prior to enumeration in a haemocytometer, with or without phase-contrast microscopy. It was therefore decided to examine whole blood platelet counts taken during normal pregnancy. Results from 405 venous blood samples, using an electronic platelet counter, confirmed the finding of a significant progressive fall in platelet counts during normal pregnancy, the lowest counts falling in some women outside the recognized normal range of values.
Platelet aggregability in relation to impaired consciousness after head injury.
Authors: Vecht C J , Minderhoud J M , Sibinga C T
Published: June 2007

ADP-induced platelet aggregation was studied for up to six weeks in 34 patients with head injuries. The patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of impaired consciousness assessed by a clinical coma scale, and change in platelet aggregation was related to the coma score. Platelet aggregation was markedly reduced in all eight patients dying within 24 hours of injury. All 17 patients who remained unconscious for four days or more showed decreased platelet aggregation up to nine days after admission, the most marked effect being on the second day. Platelet function in this group returned to normal within 16 days. Nine patients with only slightly impaired consciousness also showed subnormal platelet aggregation during the first few days with a return to normal by the fourth day. Platelet counts remained within normal limits in all groups. We suggest that during coma following head injury brainstem dysfunction induces neurohumoral changes in the blood which are responsible for a decrease in platelet function.
Serum fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products as a prognostic index in acute myocardial infarction.
Authors: Samarendra-Lal-Choudhury  , Edge J R , Stansfield D
Published: June 2007

A study of the prognostic value of serum fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) in 137 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction showed a positive correlation between high FDP levels and poor prognosis. Both the frequency of complications and the mortality were related to increased levels of FDP, the highest of which were found between the fourth and eighth days after infarction.
Multifocal malignant histiocytoma.
Authors: Bridger M W
Published: June 2007

The pathology of malignant histiocytoma has recently been defined and its malignancy confirmed beyond doubt. A unique example of this tumour is described, a search of the literature having failed to find a previously recorded case with a multifocal origin.
Plasma erythropoietin assay in patients with chronic renal failure.
Authors: Davies S , Glynne-Jones E , Bisson M , Bisson P
Published: June 2007

Using the post-hypoxic mouse method of assay, values for erythropoietin in the plasma of patients with chronic renal failure were equal to, or greater than, normal values. Results suggest that the source of erythropoietin may be primarily extrarenal. Normal renal tissue, provided in the assay by the intact mouse, is required for activation of the hormone. There still remains to be explained the enhanced erythropoietic response to haemorrhage or hypoxia that can occur in anephric man.
Necropsy study on glomerulonephritis in the elderly.
Authors: Potvliege P R , De Roy G , Dupuis F
Published: June 2007

The necropsy reports and clinical observations of 44 cases of glomerulonephritis occurring in patients over 55 years old were reviewed. Two-thirds of the patients died from a rapidly progressive renal disease with focal necrotizing and fibrosing glomerular lesions; half of these exhibited a granulomatous splenic trabeculitis; an associated vasculitis was found in only a minority of these cases. Another important group consisted of cases of acute diffuse glomerulonephritis which, as a rule, occurred in association with a major infection. There were only four cases of chronic sclerosing glomerulonephritis.
Laboratory procedures for the isolation of chlamydia trachomatis from the human genital tract.
Authors: Reeve P , Owen J , Oriel J D
Published: June 2007

The technique of isolating Chlamydia trachomatis from the human gential tract by centrifuging clinical specimens on to cell monolayers with subsequent incubation has been improved and simplified. Gentamicin in the media was found to be superior to streptomycin in reducing bacterial contamination of specimens. The infectivity of chlamydial suspensions of laboratory cultured material was significantly reduced by storage at +4 degrees C for more than 48 hours, and by immediate freezing to -70 degrees C. When compared with immediate processing of the specimens, freezing to -70 degrees C was found to reduce the isolation rate of C.trachomatis from men with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) by approximately 20%. McCoy cells pretreated with idoxuridine were compared with irradiated McCoy cells for the isolation of C. trachomatis from clinical specimens. There was no significant difference in sensitivity between the two systems, but the former is considerably simpler. The effect of the centrifugal force used for inoculating specimens on to the cell monolayers on the isolation rate of C. trachomatis was studied in groups of men with NGU. Maximal isolation rates were obtained with forces of about 3000 G, which were not significantly raised by further increasing the force used. It is suggested that the isolation of C. trachomatis from the genital tract is now well within the capacity of any laboratory equipped with simple cell culture facilities.
Isolation of chlamydia in irradiated and non-irradiated McCoy cells.
Authors: Johnson L , Harper I A
Published: June 2007

Specimens from eye and genital tract were cultured in parallel in irradiated and non-irradiated McCoy cells and the frequency of isolation of chlamydia using these culture methods was compared. There was a significant difference between the frequencies of isolation; irradiated McCoy cells produced a greater number of positive results.
Agar culture and chromosome analysis of eosinophilic leukaemia.
Authors: Goldman J M , Najfeld V , Th'ng K H
Published: June 2007

The blood and bone marrow of a 75-year-old woman with eosinophilia were studied in an attempt to characterize further the entity eosinophilic leukaemia (EL). Haemopoietic cell culture in agar gave patterns of colony size and number and cell morphology indistinguishable from those seen in classical chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL). Analysis of myeloid cells showed an extra C group chromosome that proved on Giemsa banding to be number 10. These results suggest that some cases of EL represent a chronic myeloproliferative disease that resembles classical CGL but can be distinguished from it by chromosomal analysis.
Factor VIII levels during the course of acute hepatitis in a haemophiliac.
Authors: Gazzard B G , Clark R , Flute P T , Williams R
Published: June 2007

A 51-year-old patient with haemophilia since childhood (usual factor VIII level 14%) developed acute viral hepatitis type B two months after an operation which had been covered by cryoprecipitate. The course of the hepatitis following admission was severe with encephalopathy and ascites. Evidence of intravascular coagulation with an increased radioactive fibrinogen turnover was also present. The factor VIII level measured by a one-stage clotting factor assay rose rapidly to 200% of normal and remained at this level for two weeks, and factor-VIII-related antigen as measured by electroimmunoassay also became greatly elevated (900% of normal). The possible mechanisms underlying those surprising changes are discussed.
Heparin neutralizing activity test in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.
Authors: O'Brien J R , Etherington M , Jamieson S , Lawford P , Sussex J , Lincoln S V
Published: June 2007

We have previously shown in patients after recovery from a myocardial infarct (post-MI) that the heparin neutralizing activity (HNA) in the plasma is raised and that this activity may come from platelet factor 4 derived from activated platelets. This report concerns 89 patients admitted with acute chest pain; in 54, with evidence of acute infarction, the level of HNA is much higher than in a post-MI group or controls. Over the ensuing weeks the HNA decreases to the post-MI level. In 34 patients the evidence subsequently collected excluded a diagnosis of infarction; in these there were almost always normal amounts of HNA and little overlap with the results from the patients with infarcts. This easy test is therefore likely to prove clinically useful. Its significance is discussed. The platelet count and platelet volume are both abnormal in patients with acute infarction and also in the chest pain group so these tests do not help to discriminate.
Pseudomonas putrefaciens as a cause of infection in humans.
Authors: Debois J , Degreef H , Vandepitte J , Spaepen J
Published: June 2007

Pseudomonas putrefaciens, a strongly H2S-producing pseudomonad, was isolated from 10 human infections over a two-year period. In one patient the organism was repeatedly isolated from a phlegmone developing in the depth of a varicose leg ulcer. This is the first report on the occurrence of Ps. putrefaciens in humans outside the USA and the first to provide the detailed account of a clinical observation where the opportunistic pathogenic role of this unfamiliar organism has been sufficiently documented. Data are presented on the bacteriological properties and on the antibiotic sensitivity of Ps. putrefaciens.
Immunopathological changes in rheumatoid arthritis and other joint diseases.
Authors: Ghose T , Woodbury J F , Ahmad S , Stevenson B
Published: June 2007

A comparative study of the distribution of immunoglobulins G, M, and A and C3 in the synovium and inside synovial fluid leucocytes and of the relative levels of IgG, IgM, AND C3 in paired samples of serum and synovial fluid from both seropositive and seronegative patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other types of non-infective synovitis shows that although there is no distinctive immunopathological feature of rheumatoid arthritis, the incidence of immune complexes containing IgG and IgM with and without detectable C3 in the affected synovium or inside synovial fluid granulocytes is higher in rheumatoid arthritis and especially so in seropositive cases. The mean level of C3 in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis is lower than that from the group without rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast to previous reports, extracellular clumps of IgA could be detected in the affected synovium of a number of affected patients. Aggretated human IgG could be bound by some of the synovial biopsies and synovial fluid leucocytes from both seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis patients. Antinuclear factor and rheumatoid factor could be detected in the synovial fluid but not in the serum of several patients suggesting either selective sequestration or local synthesis of antinuclear and rheumatoid factors in the affected joints.
Isolations of aerobic sporing bacilli from the tips of indwelling intravascular catheters.
Authors: Freeman R , King B
Published: June 2007

Following previous reports of the isolation of aerobic sporing bacilli from intravenous catheters and infusion sets, it was decided to analyse a series of catheter tip cultures to ascertain the significance of these isolations. Those catheters from which aerobic sporing bacilli were isolated behaved statistically differently from other catheters from which organisms were isolated, but were statistically similar to sterile catheters. Using the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test no significant difference was found between patients with isolates of aerobic sporing bacilli and those with sterile catheters. The NBT test readily distinguished those patients from whom other organisms were isolated. In a small number of instances some evidence of a possible pathogenic role for the aerobic sporing bacillus was found, but the results clearly indicate that in most cases these organisms can be regarded as contaminants.
Strains of Pseudomonas putrefaciens from clinical material.
Authors: Holmes B , Lapage S P , Malnick H
Published: June 2007

Eight strains of Pseudomonas putrefaciens have been received from among 466 strains of Pseudomonas submitted to the Computer Trials Laboratory for identification over the last eight years. Two of the strains of P. putrefaciens from patients with otitis media and otitis externa respectively appear to have played a pathogenic role. The biochemical characteristics of these eight strains were compared with those of seven culture collection strains.
Observations on the accuracy of point counting including a description of a new graticule.
Authors: Lennox B
Published: June 2007

The accuracy of point counting as a histometric technique depends very much on the number of points counted, and the number necessary varies greatly with both the level of accuracy required and the proportion the relevant tissue occupies in the section. It is shown that the number of "hits" is a more useful measure than the total number of points counted, and a simple rule derived for determining the number of hits necessary to achieve any necessary degree of accuracy. A method of progressive estimation of accuracy when attempting to measure the proportion of a tissue that is unevenly distributed is also described. The point-counting graticules commonly used, with 25 points, are inadequate with tissue proportions below 10%. A new graticule design, with 100 points optimally distributed, and usable as a 25-point array if required, is illustrated.
Segmental glomerulonephritis.
Authors: Dunnill M S , Millard P R
Published: June 2007

The renal biopsy findings in 40 patients with segmental glomerulonephritis are reported. The term is used to describe a condition in which one or more segments of the glomerular tuft is involved by disease when other segments appear unaffected on light microscopy. The word 'focal' is not used as it may be taken to imply that the changes affect some glomeruli but not others and the evidence for this is not convincing. Segmental glomerulonephritis was a relatively common finding in cases of proteinuria with or without the nephrotic syndrome. The severity of the glomerular changes did not correlate with the ultimate prognosis. On the other hand the tubular and interstitial changes, as assessed by a grading procedure and by point counting, were significantly less severe in those patients who showed clinical recovery than in those who did not.
Detection of tetracycline resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Authors: Stewart S M , Anderson M E , Malcolm M G
Published: June 2007

Bacteriological details are given of a patient with chronic purulent bronchitis, who was being followed up during a survey of relapse in chronic bronchitis. A strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae, serotype 10, was isolated from the sputum over a period of six months, followed by a type 47A strain and later a type 28 strain. The patient was receiving prophylactic treatment with tetracycline throughout. The type 10 strain was sensitive to tetracycline in vitro by both the disc diffusion and doubling dilution sensitivity tests and mice infected with this strain were protected by tetracycline. In contrast, both the type 47A and type 28 strains were sensitive by the disc diffusion technique, but showed a low degree of tetracycline resistance by the doubling dilution method; mice infected with both these strains were not protected by tetracycline.
Cell receptor studies on seven cases of diffuse histiocytic malignant lymphoma (reticulum cell sarcoma).
Authors: Habeshaw J A , Stuart A E
Published: June 2007

Expression of B and T lymphocyte receptors has been studied in seven cases of reticulum cell sarcoma. In one case, surface receptors and tests of phagocytic function demonstrated the histiocytic origin of the neoplastic cells. In four cases, tumour cells expressed both B and T lymphocyte markers (two cases) or showed a normal pattern of expression of B and T lymphocyte markers. In the other two cases, lymphocyte receptors were not detected, and there was no evidence of phagocytic function: this class of receptor-silent tumours is of uncertain pathogenesis. The significance of these observations is discussed.
Anaemic crisis in sickle cell disease.
Authors: Mann J R , Cotter K P , Walker R A , Bird G W , Stuart J
Published: June 2007

Sixteen episodes of acute anaemia necessitating urgent blood transfusion have been investigated in 13 children with sickle cell anaemia. In five out of seven episodes there was evidence of increased haemolysis while in 10 out of 16 episodes a profound fall in reticulocyte count indicated marrow erythroid cell failure. Cold agglutinins active at room temperature were detected in 13 episodes, and anti-I specificity was demonstrated in 11. Warmed blood of homologous ABO and Rhesus groups was administered without complication despite difficulty with cross-matching. The exacerbation of anaemia was not due to folate lack, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency or splenic sequestration, and an infectious agent appeared responsible. The degree of anaemia in homozygous sickle cell disease is usually constant during asymptomatic periods. An episode of sudden profound anaemia (anaemic crisis) may, however, result from marrow hypoplasia, an exacerbation of haemolysis, splenic sequestration, or folate deficiency.
Two cases of sodium azide poisoning by accidental ingestion of Isoton.
Authors: Richardson S G , Giles C , Swan C H
Published: June 2007

Accidental ingestion of sodium azide in 0-1% solution by a patient and a laboratory technician in a haematological laboratory has demonstrated that very small quantities of sodium azide can give rise to toxic symptoms and that Isoton should be handled with care.
Antibiotic-disc tests for rapid identification of non-sporing anaerobes.
Authors: Peach S
Published: June 2007

The sensitivity patterns to a number of antibiotic-impregnated discs of 126 strains of Gram-negative anaerobes and 36 strains of Gram-positive non-sporing anaerobes from various sources have been examined. The sensitivity patterns shown by Bacteroids fragilis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus were useful for the rapid identification of these organisms. Consistent and useful sensitivity patterns were not shown by the Gram-positive anaerobes.
A clinico-pathological study of vulval dermatoses.
Authors: Leighton P C , Langley F A
Published: June 2007

A long-term review of 108 women suffering from various forms of vulval dermatosis is described and a detailed analysis of those with chronic hypertrophic vulvitis, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, and neurodermatitis is made. One case of neurodermatitis and two cases of lichen sclerosus progressed to carcinoma but no case of chronic hypertrophic vulvitis became malignant. It is possible that vulval dermatoses occur more commonly in the nulliparous than in the parous women and there is a slight preponderance of women who are blood group A. It is suggested that the term "leukoplakia" should be abandoned and that vulval lesions should be described in precise and meaningful histological terms.
Serum enzyme levels in alcoholism and drug dependency.
Authors: Patel S , O'Gorman P
Published: June 2007

Serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD), ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT), alanine aminotransferase (AlT), aspartate aminotransferase (AsT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were assayed in 67 alcoholics and 40 drug dependent patients. Bilirubin, total protein, albumin, and globulin were also measured. GGTP elevation was observed in 48% of alcoholics and in 50% of drug dependents. The incidences of elevated levels of other enzymes were: ICD 39 and 38-7%; OCT 23-7 and 36-1%; AlT 30 and 33%; AsT 24-2 and 21-7%; ALP 10-4 and 5% respectively. Measurement of GGTP is thus more useful as a screening test for involvement of the liver in alcoholics and drug dependent patients than that of the other enzymes.
The concentration of cerebrospinal fluid potassium during systemic disturbances of acid-base metabolism.
Authors: Sambrook M A
Published: June 2007

A possible relationship between blood acid-base state and the concentration of cerebrospinal fluid potassium has been examined in patients with systemic disturbances of acid-base metabolism. Over the range of values studied it was not possible to demonstrate any significant correlation between these parameters.
A perinatal mortality survey in south-east London, 1970-73: the pathological findings in 726 necropsies.
Authors: Machin G A
Published: June 2007

The primary necropsy finding are presented for 726 perinatal deaths; the classification of the 1958 British Perinatal Mortality Survey is used, and results of the two surveys are compared. Lethan malformation has replaced intrapartum hypoxia as the most common cause of perinatal death. There has been substantial reduction in intracranial trauma but an increase in intraventricular haemorrhage and, possible, extrapulmonary infection. Chromosome abnormalities occurred in 28 of 500 karyotyped infants (5-6 per cent). Indications for genetic counselling, and antenatal diagnosis in any subsequent pregnancy, were apparent in 10 per cent of cases.
Toxoplasma encephalitis complicating Hodgkin's disease.
Authors: Whiteside J D , Begent R H
Published: June 2007

A case of Toxoplasma encephalitis is described in a patient who had received much immunosuppressive therapy for Hodgkin's disease. Such cases have been reported in immune suppressed patients outside the United Kingdom, but a search of the literature has not revealed any previous reports from this country. Since Toxoplasma gondii is a frequent pathogen and states of immune suppression are becoming more common, further cases, can be expected. Recognition of the clinical and pathological features is important because the condition can be treated.
Effect of clotrimazole on Naegleria fowleri.
Authors: Jamieson A
Published: June 2007

The sensitivity of 18 strains of Naegleria fowleri to clotrimazole (Bay b5097) was tested. They showed minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range 0-03-0-125 mug/ml, and minimal amoebicidal concentrations in the range 0-125-0-25 mug/ml. Mice inoculated with N. fowleri were not protected from infection by doses of 100 mg clotrimazole/kg per day given for five days after inoculation. Mice had serum levels of up to 6 mug/ml in the first 32 hours after inoculation. Therefore clotrimazole appears to be ineffective in protecting against infection with N. fowleri.
A study of the agglutinin response in 40 cases of bacterial pneumonia.
Authors: Nicholls A C , Pease P E , Green I D
Published: June 2007

Comparison of the results of cultures from blood and sputum with those of agglutinin response in 40 cases of bacterial pneumonia and 36 controls suggests that a provisional identification of causal bacteria, for purposes of antibiotic therapy, may be made by the serological tests with much greater rapidity and comparable accuracy. A combination of these methods is recommended.
Anticoagulant activity of heparin in intravenous fluids.
Authors: Okuno T , Nelson C A
Published: June 2007

The anticoagulant activity of heparin dissolved in intravenous solutions was measured by two different methods of heparin assay. Both procedures showed markedly reduced anticoagulant activity within four hours after the addition of heparin to the solutions. When measured according to the procedure of Yin, heparin in the intravenous solutions fully regained its lost anticoagulant activity after 24 hours at room temperature. When measured by the thrombin time, however, the heparin anticoagulant activity reamained reduced. The source of heparin, from either the lung or intestine, does not explain the reduction in anticoagulant activity. Although its cause is unknown, the erratic behaviour of heparin in intravenous solutions stresses the importance of a laboratory monitor of heparin therapy.
Effect of oral contraceptives on factor VIII clotting activity and factor VIII related antigen in normal women.
Authors: Stableforth P , Montgomery D C , Wilson E , Churchill W G , Dormandy K M , Hardisty R M
Published: June 2007

The factor VIII clotting activity (VIIIc1 and factor VIII related antigen (VIIIRAg) were determined repeatedly in 24 pairs of age-matched normal women, one of each pair being on oral contraceptives. No significant differences in either parameter or in the VIIIc/VIIIRAg ration were found between the two groups ,although the mean factor VIII clotting activity and VIIIc/VIIIRAg ratios for women on oral contraceptives were very slightly higher than for those not on oral contraceptives.
Eosinophil chemotaxis of supernatants from cultured Hodgkin's lymph node cells.
Authors: Kay A B , McVie J M , Stuart A E , Krajewski A , Turnbull L W
Published: June 2007

Cultured lymph node cell supernatants from five out of six cases of Hodgkin's disease were relatively more chemotactic for peripheral blood eosinophils than neutrophils. In contrast, supernatants from two cases of lymphocytic lymphoma and four nodes showing reactive hyperplasia were chemotactic for neutrophils but had little eosinophil chemotactic activity. In most instances the dgree of eosinophil infiltration observed histologically in the Hodgkin's lymph node correlated with elaboration of eosinophil chemotactic activity from the cultured cells. Following gel-filtration of three of the Hodgkin's lymphnode supernatants, four peaks of eosinophil chemotactic activity were demonstrated in each case. One of these corresponded in molecular size to th previously described eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECF-A). It is suggested that the eosinophil chemotactic activity of cultured lymph node cell supernatants may be on value in the diagnosis and classification of Hodgkin's disease.
Diagnositic value of serum bile acid estimations in liver disease.
Authors: Barnes S , Gallo G A , Trash D B , Morris J S
Published: June 2007

Bile acid concentrations were estimated enzymatically in fasting and postprandial (two-hour) serum samples from 18 normal subjects and 30 patients with histologically proven hepatobiliary disease. The serum bile acid concentration was less than 15 mumol/1 in normal subjects and did not increase postprandially. The fasting serum bile acid concentration was raised in 27 of the patients with hepatobiliary disease, and following a meal was outside the normal range in all 30 patients. Other liver function tests were abnormal less frequently. These results suggest that the estimation of serum bile acids in the postprandial state is a sensitive screening test of hepatobiliary disease. They should be of particular value in patients in whom liver disease is suspected but not proven, and in those recovering from liver disease, especially following therapy.
Neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score in chronic granulocytic leukaemia: effects of splenectomy and antileukaemic drugs.
Authors: Spiers A S , Liew A , Baikie A G
Published: June 2007

Staining with naphthol AS phosphate and Fast Blue BB salt has been used for the estimation of neutrophil alkaline phosphatase (NAP) scores in patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL). The very low scores found at diagnosis rise when the disease is treated, and there is some inverse correlation between the NAP score and the absolute neutrophil count. Patients treated intensively developed high NAP scores. Elective splenectomy performed during the chronic phase of CGL is followed by a pronounced but transient neutrophilia and a concurrent striking rise in the NAP score. Similar changes were observed in patients without CGL who underwent splenectomy. These observations can be explained by assuming that newly formed neutrophils in CGL have a normal content of NAP but are rapidly sequestered in non-circulating extramedullary pools, whereas the circulating neutrophil with a typically low NAP content is a relatively aged cell which has lost enzyme activity. In subjects with or without CGL, removal of the spleen, a major site of such pooling, temporarily permits the circulation of newly formed neutrophils but eventually other organs assume the sequestering functions of the spleen. Thus the aberrations of NAP score seen in CGL might be attributable not to an intrinsic cellular defect but to an exaggeration of the granulocyte storage phenomena which also occur in subjects without CGL.
Extraction of serum vitamin B12 for radio-isotopic and Lactobacillus leichmannii assay.
Authors: Raven J L , Robson M B
Published: June 2007

The protein precipitates discarded during the extraction process of the Lactobacillus leichmannii vitamin B12 assay have been shown to contain significant amounts of vitamin B12. This loss of vitamin B12 provide a satisfactory explanation for many of the descrepancies between the serum vitamin B12 values obtained by the L. leichmannii method and the radio-isotopic method of Raven et al (1969). It is possible to produce lower results by the method of Raven et al (1969)by incorporating into that method the L. leichmannii extraction process; it is also possible to produce higher results by the L. leichmannii method using a papain extraction process.
Interaction in vitro between synovial cells and autologous lymphocytes and sera from arthritis patients.
Authors: Ghose T , Woodbury J F , Hansell M M
Published: June 2007

Synovial cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when grown in vitro in media supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum failed to show any difference in growth rate, life span, uptake of tritiated thymidine or cellular and nuclear characteristics when compared with synovial cells from patients with osteoarthritis or other joint diseases grown similarly in 20% serum enriched medium. There was also no evidence that lymphocytes and/or sera from RA patients were more cytotoxic to autologous synovial cells than sera and/or lymphocytes from OA patients. It is unlikely that antisynovial antibodies or lymphocytes from RA patients act as triggers for synovial damage.
Injury and repair of tracheobronchial cartilage following accidental exposure to ehtyleneimine.
Authors: Gresham G A , West I E
Published: June 2007

A fatal case following ehtyleneimine inhalation is described. Profound destructive effects on tracheobronchial cartilage were found at necropsy after an interval of apparent recovery from early phases of poisoning. The pathogenesis of these cartilaginous changes is discussed. It is proposed that they may have been due to proteases liberated from liberated from mucosal granulation tissue.
Myocardial lysis in acute rheumatic fever followed by regeneration of cardiac muscle and origin of Aschoff bodies.
Authors: McDonald H G
Published: June 2007

In acute rheumatic heart disease, lysis of cardiac muscle fibres with or without retention of sarcolemma is found to be the most damaging feature in many cases. In deeper myocardium the cellular lysis often forms anastomosing clefts or sinus-like spaces between surviving muscle bundles and in the outer portion of myocardium cellular lysis may leave the sarcolemma more or less intact. From lysing cardiac muscle fibres there arise dedifferentiated cells with remarkable potentiality for regeneration. For the origin of these dedifferentiated cells, which are often indistinguishable from lymphocytes, no mitosis is seen in cardiac muscle cells. The successive stages of development of muscle cell from these dedifferentiated cells within the remaining or newly formed sarcolemma have been observed in this study. This study infers that the increased number of fibrous septa, when seen, denotes the tracks of previous muscle degeneration and subsequent replacement of it with incomplete muscle regeneration and fibrous tissue formation. In an area of muscle lysis the origin of Aschoff bodies from these dedifferentiated cells has been followed. Ashoff bodies arising in this was behave as an abortive and atypical growth of muscle fibres in a nodular fashion specific to rheumatic fever.
Bilateral fibrosarcoma of the epididymis.
Authors: McCormack M
Published: June 2007

The tenth case of primary fibrosarcoma of the epididymis is reported. Contrary to most previous cases, excision biopsy was followed by a lengthy tumour-free period, and a unique feature was bilateral epididymal recurrence.
Evaluation and utilization of a kinetic enzyme direct measuring photometer.
Authors: Wolf P L
Published: June 2007

We have recently utilized a prototype model of the Beckman Enzyme Activity Analyzer System-TR in our laboratory measuring various serum enzyme activities which include: alkaline phosphatase (ALP), E.C.3.1.3.1; creatine kinase (CK), E.C.2.7.3.2; hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBD), E.C.1.1.1.30; lactate dehydrogenase (LD), E.C.1.1.1.27; aspartate transaminase (AST), E.C.2.6.1.1; and alanine transaminase (ALT), E.C.2.6.1.2. Precision was found to be good. Sample activities could be measured as high as 1000 IU/1. The carryover studies fell within 2 SD of the means of the enzyme control studies. Coefficients of variation for ALP and CK were in the ranges of 0-40-2-14% and 0-52-4-30%, respectively. Correlation studies were done with GemSAEC and Gilford 300 N Spectrophotometer and the results were accurate, precise, and reproducible.
Some observations on cooling in laboratory autoclaves.
Authors: Everall P H , Morris C A
Published: June 2007

Cooling times for various autoclave loads were recorded using thermocouples. Loads which may be encountered during normal laboratory working require between 17 and 174 minutes to cool to 100 degrees, C and up to 260 minutes to cool to 95 degrees C. Such long cooling times had an adverse effect on nutritive properties of bacteriological culture medium. Observations are made on some factors which influenced the cooling times, and the need for artificially assisted cooling is stressed. Recommendations are given for the safe operation of laboratory autoclaves.
An evaluation of some commerical Romanowsky stains.
Authors: Marshall P N , Bentley S A , Lewis S M
Published: June 2007

The staining properties of 43 commerical Romanowsky-type stains have been studied. Considerable differences in the appearance of stained blood films were observed with different batches of these stains, the staining of red cells being particularly variable. Attempts have been made to correlate staining patterns with stain composition as revealed by thin-layer chromatography and sulphated ash analyses. In this way it has been possible to define some essential requirements for satisfactory staining.
Immunofluorescent detection of alpha1-antitrypsin in paraffin embedded liver tissue.
Authors: Ray M B , Desmet V J
Published: June 2007

Alpha1-antitrypsin was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in frozen sections of liver biopsies from patients with clinically and biochemically proven alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. The antigen could also be demonstrated in those liver specimens of the same patients which were fixed in Bouin's fluid and embedded in paraffin. The cellular localization and the brightness of the fluorescence were the same in both frozen and paraffin sections. Four additional biopsies from three other patients were selected on the basis of PAS-positive diastase-resistant inclusions reported in the hepatocytes. All these biopsies showed bright fluorescence in the cytoplasm of the liver cells although one of the biopsies was stored for as long as eight years. Specific fluorescence was constantly found in the periportal hepatocytes with varying degrees of positivity. No fluorescence was observed in the six control biopsies from patients with various other liver diseases. These findings prove that paraffin embedded specimens are suitable for immunofluorescence detection of alpha1-antitrypsin and that a retrospective study on old paraffin blocks is possible.
Variants of Escherichia coli giving the appearance of mixed growths in urine.
Authors: Nichols G L
Published: June 2007

Urines from patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection yielded mixed growths of different colony types of Escherichia coli. The different colony types were found to be variants of single infecting strains caused by mutation or by phase action. It is suggested that care should be exercised in the interpretation of apparently mixed growths from urine.
Morbidity of the lower genital tract during pregnancy.
Authors: Stanley V C , Jones J B , Hurley R , Foulkes J E , de Louvois J
Published: June 2007

The lower genital tract of 280 pregnant women was studied in detail, and symptoms relevant to its morbidity were elicited and recorded. The study was contemporaneous with a study of microbial flora in the genital tract of these women (de Louvois et al, 1975). Complaint was made frequently of discharge (42%), irritation (15%), or both (11%). Apart from these symptoms, 14% admitted a past history of vulvovaginitis, emphasizing the importance of this condition in obstetric and gynaecological practice. The notorious discrepancy between the complaint, and the objective demonstration of discharge, was confirmed, but a significant difference in observations, varying with the clinical observer (P less than 0-001), was also demonstrated. This illustrates the necessity of even more accurate grading of signs when clinicopathological correlations are to be attempted. Only 30% of women had no evidence of vulvovaginitis or cervicitis. Morbidity did not relate to age, gestation or parity, but there was a significant correlation between clinical acumen, as evidenced by a request for a microbiological report with a view to treatment, and morbidity (P less than 0-001), between past vulvovaginitis and present morbidity (P less than 0-01), and between cervicitis and the presence of pus cells in the smear (P less than 0-001). The results indicate that microbiological investigations should be requested when there is past history of vulvovaginitis, and that lesions of the cervix, if not already noted, should be suspected if pus cells are demonstrable in stained smears.