bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaborative study to recalibrate the International Reference Preparation of Anti-D Immunoglobulin.
Authors: Gunson H H , Bowell P J , Kirkwood T B
Published: June 2007

A collaborative study involving nine independent assays by eight laboratories has recalibrated the anti-D concentration of the International Reference Preparation of Anti-D Immunoglobulin (68/417) in terms of the International Standard for Anti-Rho (anti-D) Incomplete Blood Typing Serum (64/16). This study was carried out when it was found that 68/419 had been calibrated not against 64/16, as originally intended, but inadvertently against another preparation. Based on the results, a revised rounded off value of 300 IU anti-D per ampoule of 68/419 was assigned by the Expert Committee on Biological Standardisation of WHO at its 30th meeting. Many of the known variables in anti-D quantitation using the AutoAnalyzer were considered in the preparation of the protocol for this study. The remarkably close agreement of the results indicated that the format can be used as an acceptable model for interlaboratory studies in the future.
Acute phase proteins, C9, factor B, and lysozyme in recurrent oral ulceration and Behçet's syndrome.
Authors: Lehner T , Adinolfi M
Published: June 2007

The concentrations and sequential changes of some acute phase proteins, factor B, and lysozyme have been assayed in recurrent oral ulceration and Behçet's syndrome. C9 was elevated in both groups of patients and was the sensitive index of disease activity; however, it failed to discriminate between the three types of recurrent oral ulcers and four types of Behçet's syndrome. The level of alpha 1 acid glycoprotein and lysozyme were significantly increased predominantly in the ocular type, whereas factor B was significantly increased especially in the neurological type of Behçet's syndrome. It is suggested that the changes in the concentrations of some plasma proteins may help our understanding of tissue involvement in Behçet's syndrome, as well as in the selection of therapeutic agents in this disease.
Sinusitis: an improved regime of investigation for the clinical laboratory.
Authors: Bridger R C
Published: June 2007

Clinical material from 200 patients suffering from acute sinusitis was examined cytologically and bacteriologically. Seventy per cent of specimens were collected by aspiration of the middle meatus, 20% by antral wash, and 10% by direct swabbing of the antra. A comparison of the results from these differing techniques is made. The bacteriological methods used and the isolates and their significance are discussed, and suggestions are offered for improving the routine demonstration of presumptive pathogens in this disease.
Prevalence and intraoral distribution of Candida albicans in Sjögren's syndrome.
Authors: Tapper-Jones L , Aldred M , Walker D M
Published: June 2007

An imprint culture technique has been employed to study the prevalence and intraoral distribution of Candida albicans in 16 patients with Sjögren's syndrome and in 16 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and dental status. The prevalence and intraoral density of C. albicans was found to be significantly higher at almost all sites in the Sjögren's patients than in the controls. The distribution of candida was also altered, being significantly higher in the floor of the mouth and anterior labial sulcus in the Sjögren's group. There was an approximate inverse relationship between candida populations and rate of salivary flow. Mean candida densities were found to be significantly higher in those Sjögren's patients with detectable serum rheumatoid factor in the serum. However, patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome had significantly higher mean candida densities compared with patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome.
Use of a histopathology data pool for epidemiological analysis.
Authors: Macartney J C , Rollason T P , Codling B W
Published: June 2007

Data from the Birmingham Histopathology Data Pool of surgical pathology on the age, sex, and site distributions of various cutaneous and hepatic lesions have been analysed, and the results have been compared with data from the Regional Cancer Registry. Analysis of malignant neoplasms shows that there is no significant difference between the two sources. The results are discussed with reference to the potential use of histopathology data banks for quality assurance in histopathology and epidemiological analysis.
A quantitative study of the influence of fixation on immunoperoxidase staining of rectal mucosal plasma cells.
Authors: Piris J , Thomas N D
Published: June 2007

A quantitative morphometric study of the immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells in rectal biopsies from nine patients with ulcerative colitis and three patients with the irritable colon syndrome is presented. The results show that fixation of the biopsy specimens with formol-sublimate, a mercuric fixative, resulted in better staining with the immunoperoxidase method and that, by comparison with formol saline, higher cell counts were always obtained.
Immunoassay of serum conjugates of cholic acid in cystic fibrosis.
Authors: Davidson G P , Corey M , Morad-Hassel F , Sondheimer J M , Crozier D , Forstner G G
Published: June 2007

Pre- and post-prandial serum conjugates of cholic acid (SCCA) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 83 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), 14 of whom did not have steatorrhoea, and in 25 controls. Of the CF patients with steatorrhoea, 38% had fasting SCCA levels greater than 3 standard deviations above mean fasting control values, whereas no CF patient without steatorrhoea had elevated fasting SCCA levels. Steatorrhoeic patients with palpable livers had higher pre- and post-prandial SCCA levels. Post-prandial SCCA levels failed to discriminate between control and CF groups however. Other serum tests of liver function, including the aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, gamma globulin, and albumin : globulin ratio, failed to correlate with the SCCA. Changes in serum protein constituents correlated strongly with pulmonary dysfunction. The results suggest that elevation of fasting SCCA levels in CF patients is a more sensitive indicator of liver dysfunction than other tests and is a better discriminator than post-prandial SCCA levels between normal and abnormal liver function. The test is recommended for early detection of liver dysfunction in CF patients.
The red cell osmometer. A useful inaccuracy in measurement of mean corpuscular volume in hyperosmolar states.
Authors: Allen S C , Balfour I C , Wise C C
Published: June 2007

The Coulter S Counter gives a value for mean corpuscular volume which does not necessarily reflect red cell size in vivo. This phenomenon may be used in early diagnosis and hence prevention of the 'hyperosmolar syndrome'.
Detection of virus particles by electron microscopy with polyacrylamide hydrogel.
Authors: Whitby H J , Rodgers F G
Published: June 2007

The use of lyphogel to concentrate the number of virus particles in specimens for electron microscopic examination was studied in parallel with ultracentrifugation. One hundred faecal and urine samples were compared. Both methods had a similar sensitivity. Lyphogel was economical, simple, and rapid in use; in contrast to ultracentrifugation, it required relatively little material. The procedure could be done within a safety cabinet, and virus particles were morphologically undamaged by the process.
HLA-B8, immunoglobulins, and antibody responses in alcohol-related liver disease.
Authors: Morgan M Y , Ross M G , Ng C M , Adams D M , Thomas H C , Sherlock S
Published: June 2007

Ninety-two British, caucasian, alcoholic patients with liver disese were grouped on the basis of hepatic histology into fatty change, hepatitis with or without cirrhosis, and cirrhosis alone. Men with alcoholic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis showed an increased incidence of the histocompatibility antigen HLA-B8 (P less than 0.02). Increased measles antibody titres were found in patients without cirrhosis with or without hepatitis and were associated with the B8 phenotype in both sexes. Rubella antibody titres and percentage DNA-binding were raised in patients with cirrhosis and showed no association with the B8 phenotype. Concentrations of IgM and IgA were were raised in patients with stetosis and with hepatitis, while in patients with cirrhosis IgG concentrations were also increased. Low titres of autoantibodies were found in all histological groups. It is possible that the development of hepatitis in response to alcohol abuse may be influenced, at least in men, by a gene linked to the B locus. Otherwise, immune processes associated with alcohol-related liver disease are probably secondary phenomena.
Immunoglobulin synthesis by neoplastic cells: models of a clonal transition from IgM to IgG synthesis.
Authors: Gordon J , Smith J L
Published: June 2007

Tumour populations from two B cell neoplasms were investigated for their capacity to synthesise immunoglobulin in vitro. Neoplastic cells from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and an IgG lambda paraproteinaemia co-expressed surface IgG lambda and IgM lambda and synthesised both IgG lambda and IgM lambda in short-term culture. In the second patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the neoplastic cells expressed surface IgM lambda but synthesised both IgM lambda and IgG lambda in vitro. The findings are discussed in terms of a model for the clonal switch from IgM to IgG synthesis.
Acute myelogenous leukaemia with bilateral mammary gland involvement.
Authors: O'Donnell J R , Farrell M A
Published: June 2007

A 34-year-old woman developed acute myelogenous leukaemia in the course of pregnancy and, after delivery of a normal baby, developed multiple bilateral breast masses composed of myelogenous tissue.
New methods for the isolation of Legionella pneumophila.
Authors: Greaves P W
Published: June 2007

Some new methods for the isolation of Legionella pneumophila are described which have been successful in recovering this organism from 6/10 patients with clinical evidence of Legionnaires' disease. The increased sensitivity of these methods combined with speedier isolation of the organisms than has hitherto been possible will hopefully lead to eventual isolation of this organism as a routine procedure in diagnostic microbiology laboratories.
Immunoperoxidase staining of surface and intracellular immunoglobulin in human neoplastic lymphoid cells.
Authors: Mason D Y , Leonard R C , Laurent G , Gourdin M F
Published: June 2007

An immunoperoxidase technique for the optical microscopic detection of cellular immunoglobulin has been used to stain fixed smears of human neoplastic B lymphoid cells. Only four out of 28 cases of chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) showed membrane labelling by this technique. In contrast, when 14 samples from other types of B lymphoproliferative disorder (including hairy cell leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and prolymphocytic leukaemia) were studied, all samples showed membrane immunoglobulin labelling (confirmed by capping experiments). This discrepancy was attributed to the greater density of surface immunoglobulin present on neoplastic cells in the latter group of disorders compared to CLL. This immunoperoxidase technique is therefore less sensitive than immunofluorescent staining of cells in suspension for the demonstration of neoplastic cell surface immunoglobulin. However, it offers a number of advantages (eg, excellent visualisation of cell morphology, permanence of stained preparations, and applicability to stored samples) which recommend it as the method of choice in certain clinical haematological contexts.
Intermittent heparin treatment does not induce hypercoagulability in haemodialysed patients.
Authors: Pusineri F , Bini A , Mussoni L , Remuzzi G , Donati M B
Published: June 2007

Antithrombin-III (AT-III) and factor VIII coagulant (F VIII:C) and antigenic (F VIII:RA) activities have been studied in nine conservatively treated and 26 dialysed uraemic patients. AT-III levels were not significantly different from those of controls in either group. Among dialysed patients, those who had experienced thrombotic occlusions of the vascular accesses could not be distinguished from the remaining patients on the basis of their AT-III levels. Both F VIII:C and F VIII:RA were slightly higher than in controls in conservatively treated patients, but significantly higher in haemodialysed patients, especially in those who had never experienced thrombotic complications of the vascular accesses. No acute changes were observed in either the AT-III or F VIII:C/F VIII:RA ratio in five patients given heparin therapy during a dialytic session or in the interdialytic period. Thus repeated intermittent heparin treatment does not induce a hypercoagulable state in haemodialysed patients.
Nature of circulating immune complexes in infective endocarditis.
Authors: Burton-Kee J , Morgan-Capner P , Mowbray J F
Published: June 2007

Two percent polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation was found to be a useful method for detecting circulating immune complexes (CIC) and could be used diagnostically to implicate infective endocarditis. Complexes consisting of a least Clq, IgG, and IgA were typically detected in sera from patients with infective endocarditis. Serial studies showed that CIC detection and measurement could be used to monitor clinical progress. Successful clinical improvement was reflected by decreasing CIC levels and the disappearance of rheumatoid factor, and, where increasing amounts of CIC were found, this may indicate situations where treatment was insufficient or inappropriate. There was specific free antibody demonstrable in the serum of six out of nine patients against their own infecting organisms, but attempts to identify the specificity of the complexed antibody as being directed against these organisms or their extracellular products failed. We could not detect any radioactive precipitin arcs, indicative of the free antibody also being in the complex, between the F(ab')2 preparation from the complex and the electrophoresed bacterial antigens in a radio-immunoelectrophoresis system. Eleven out of 13 sera that contained Clq, IgG, and IgA in their complexes also contained rheumatoid factor. Immunisation against the patient's own persisting CIC may explain this phenomenon.
Complement fixing antibody responses to virus infection in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Authors: Craft A W , Reid M M , McQuillin J , Gardner P S
Published: June 2007

Thirty children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were studied and had a virus isolated. Only 50% produced a significant rise in complement fixing (CF) antibody titre compared to 100% of normal children. The failure to produce antibodies was unpredictable. CF antibodies are not a reliable guide to virus infections in children with ALL.
Data processing in microbiology: an integrated, simplified system.
Authors: Ridgway G L , Batchelor J , Luton A , Barnicoat M
Published: June 2007

A MUMPS based computer system is described for the processing of data in a microbiology laboratory. The system uses visual display units and mnemonic codes for data input. All functions are carried out within the department by the medical, technical, and clerical staff. While the system described is integrated with other user-systems in the hospital, it is readily adaptable, and portable to a stand-alone system.
A new neutrophil candida killing test: chromium-51 release from Candida guilliermondii.
Authors: Martin S , Ghoneim A T , Child J A
Published: June 2007

Neutrophil candidacidal function was measured by a chromium-51 (51Cr) release technique, using Candida guilliermondii as the test organism. The effect of varying the neutrophil:candida ratio, the time course of 51Cr release, the effect of different serum concentrations, and the reproducibility of the technique were investigated. Results from 33 experiments, using neutrophils from 35 normal donors and six patients with known neutrophil defects, show the technique to be a reliable and reproducible assay of candida killing. The chromium release assay has the advantage of being easy to perform and not liable to subjective errors.
Excretion of faecal viruses during the first year of life.
Authors: Harbour J , Shipp A P , Waller D K , Higgins P G
Published: June 2007

Four hundred faecal samples, collected at approximately weekly intervals during the first year of life from nine babies, were examined for the presence of viruses. Only nine (2.3%) samples contained a virus detectable by electron microscopy, and on all but one occasion only one type of virus was present and that in small numbers. Thirty (7.5%) of the specimens contained an enterovirus other than poliovirus, and these represetned 10 infections in four of the children. All three types of poliovirus, probably vaccine derived, were excreted by each child, and one or more types were present in 87 (21.8%) of the samples. There was no evidence to suggest that any of the illnesses suffered by the children had been caused by faecal viruses. Infection with these viruses was uncommon in the first three months of life but more than 40% of faecal samples obtained from children between the ages of 3 months and 1 year contained a faecal virus.
Comparison of various assays for detection of AFP in differentiating patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma from controls.
Authors: Chan S H , Heng S H , Yo S L , Oon C J
Published: June 2007

Four assays for the detection of alphafetoprotein (AFP) in the diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were evaluated. The frequency of AFP detection was compared in 89 HCC patients and in 71 patients with chronic active hepatitis/cirrhosis. Of the four assays, immunodiffusion, counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), supplement CIE, and radioimmunoassay, the best for differentiating patients with HCC from those with chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis was CIE.
Serological diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection by enzyme immunoassay.
Authors: Räisänen S M , Suni J I , Leinikki P
Published: June 2007

Antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen obtained by Tween-ether treatment from purified M. pneumoniae were measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Paired sera from 19 patients with pneumonia and from 13 patients with acute pancreatitis with a significant rise in complement fixing antibodies against M. pneumoniae were studied. Single sera from healthy 1-year-old children were used as controls. High levels of IgG and IgM class antibodies were seen in sera from patients with pneumonia while most patients with acute pancreatitis and all the children showed low levels of antibodies. The results indicate that ELISA using Tween-ether treated M. pneumoniae antigen could be used successfully in the specific laboratory diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection.
Rubella antibody determination from heparinised finger-tip blood by single radial haemolysis and enzyme immunoassay.
Authors: Vaheri A , Väänänen P , Salonen E M , Suni J
Published: June 2007

Rubella antibodies were determined by single radial haemolysis (SRH) and a micromodification of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) of samples of heparinised finger-tip blood or plasma collected into transportable vials, and the results were compared with antibody titres obtained from conventional samples of venous serum. The antibody titres of finger-tip specimens gave a high correlation with those of venous serum. For SRH only 5 microliters of heat-inactivated finger-tip plasma was needed, and for EIA only a single dilution, 1:100, in duplicate, of heparinised finger-tip plasma or while blood was sufficient. The minimal inconvenience in sample collection makes the finger-tip test particularly suitable for large-scale immunity screening when assessing the need for, or efficacy of, rubella vaccination.
Serum immunoreactive trypsin concentrations in diabetic children.
Authors: Moffat A , Marks V , Gamble D R
Published: June 2007

Serum immunoreactive trypsin (SIT) concentrations measured in 616 children with diabetes of recent onset were low, in both boys and girls, in comparison with reference ranges established in patients with non-diabetic, non-infectious illnesses. The mean SIT concentration was 60% of the mean reference level in children tested within three weeks of the onset of diabetes, and about 40% in patients tested six months after the onset of diabetes. Very low SIT levels were found in about 10% of patients, most of whom had no measurable SIT by the assay procedure employed. These very low SIT concentrations were more frequent in older children aged 6-15 years, and in children tested at about 5-6 months after onset. Repeat tests on some of the children showed that the very low SIT levels were generally present for only a limited period.
Anti-actin antibodies revealed by counter-immunoelectrophoresis. Relation to smooth muscle antibodies and bile canalicular antibodies.
Authors: Diederichsen H , Riisom K
Published: June 2007

In investigations by counter-immunoelectrophoresis, anti-actin antibodies were found in 59% of patients with chronic hepatitis and in 8% of patients with non-hepatic diseases and normal blood donors. Anti-actin antibodies were found more frequently in patients with hepatitis and IgG smooth muscle antibodies than in other groups of diseases and normal subjects with IgG smooth muscle antibodies. Anti-actin antibodies showed no correlation with bile canalicular antibodies.
Changes in the molecular size distribution and post-transfusion survival of hydroxyethyl starch 350/0.60 as influenced by a lower degree of hydroxyethylation: a study in normal man.
Authors: Mishler J M , Ricketts C R , Parkhouse E J
Published: June 2007

The need to provide a greater rate of colloid clearance from blood than is presently available with the long-acting dosage form of HES 450/0.70 prompted the clinical investigation of a new species of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) possessing a M-w of 350000 concomitant with a molar substitution of 0.60 (HES 350/0.60). The concentration of HES 350/0.60 in serum fell to half its peak value in 10.2 +/- 0.7 (SD) hour (in contrast to an IT50 of approximately 25 hours with HES 450/0.70). Levels of glucose in serum remained elevated in normal fasted subjects after dosing, suggesting that catabolism of the infused HES 350/0.60 was occurring. Hydrolysis of residual HES 350/0.60 was confirmed by Sepharose CL-4B gel filtration analysis of material obtained from serum, showing continual production of smaller molecules relative to the injected solution (in contrast to HES 450/0.70, in which intermediate polymer fragments are recovered). Recovered HES 350/0.60 material displayed a Kav ranging between 0.74 and 0.72 and possessed a Stokes radius (r = 45A) similar to that of dextran 40 (M-w 41000). HES 350/0.69 appears to offer the same advantages as the currently available long-acting HES 450/0.70 but is removed from blood approximately twice as rapidly. This more rapid hydrolysis of HEs 350/0.60 may be useful, for example, in avoiding cumulative build-up of colloid in the blood of normal donors undergoing consecutive leucapheresis procedures.
Investigation of tissue organelles by a combination of analytical subcellular fractionation and enzymic microanalysis: a new approach to pathology.
Authors: Peters T J
Published: June 2007

Classical approaches to the study of pathological tissue have relied mainly on morphological techniques. In an attempt to quantitate the abnormalities and to investigate the pathogenesis of tissue disorders at a subcellular level we have combined analytical subcellular fractionation by sucrose density gradient centrifugation with microanalysis of tissue enzymic activities. The methodological problems of performing these studies on milligram quantities of tissue are discussed. Details of the appropriate equipment are provided, and its application to the study of human liver specimens is described. As an example of this approach, biochemical and subcellular fractionation experiments on tissue from patients with both primary and secondary hepatic lysosomal storage diseases are discussed. Examination of the lysosomal changes reveals that increased enzyme activity is a common finding in these disorders but tissue damage occurs only when there is evidence of enhances lysosomal fragility with intracellular release of degradative enzymes. Other tissues which have proved amenable to study in this manner and in which profitable results in the investigation of their disorders have been obtained are listed.
Relationship between formaldehyde-related antibodies and cross-reacting anti-N-like antibodies in patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis.
Authors: Sharon R
Published: June 2007

An attempt was made to determine the sequence of events leading to the production of two distinct antibodies in patients with chronic renal failure who regularly undergo haemodialysis with formaldehyde-resterilizable dialysis units by Multipoint (UK) or Cordis (USA). A distinct pattern emerged-namely, the production of anti-formaldehyde red cells started about six months after the beginning of haemodialysis treatment. Only when the titre of these antibodies reached 64 or 128 another, apparently cross-reacting, antibody appeared which reacted like an anti-N antibody. A strong direct antiglobulin reaction was found to be positive for formalin-treated red cells after five minutes' contact with specific antibody, indicating a high affinity of the antibody fo the formalin-altered red cell.
Morphological metamorphosis in relapsing lymphoblastic leukemia.
Authors: Lilleyman J S , Britton J A , Laycock B J
Published: June 2007

Blast cell morphology was assessed at diagnosis and subsequent bone marrow relapse in 33 unselected patients with lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Each marrow was classified 'blind' according to the French-American-British (FAB) criteria, and it was found that 19 of 24 (79%) patients initially typed as FAB L1 changed to FAB L2 during the course of their disease, but no patient made the reverse morphological change (p is less than 0.001). Five patients retained FAB L1 appearances; these included three of the four who had T-cell markers. One patient typed as FAB L3 did so consistently. This study indicates that FAB L2 ALL frequently emerges as a treatment-resistant offshoot of FAB L1 and provides further evidence that this marks a more aggressive form of the disease.
Unsuitability of evacuated tubes for monitoring heparin therapy by activated partial thromboplastin time.
Authors: Heyns A D , van den Berg D J , Kleynhans P H , du Toit P W
Published: June 2007

Activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) for monitoring heparin therapy for venous thromboembolism tended to be inappropriately short if blood was collected in commercially available evacuated glass tubes. Five types of evacuated tubes marketed under the trade names Vacutainer and Venoject were examined. The APTT of heparinized blood collected in these tubes correlated poorly (r = 0.04 to 4 = 0.25) with that of blood samples from the same patients collected in plastic tubes. Most of the evacuated tube APTT were shorter than that of blood collected in plastic or siliconised glass tubes, but the results were unpredictable and varied from tube to tube and from batch to batch. This effect on heparin is apparently due to an unidentified substances which is eluted from the rubber stoppers of the tubes. Heparin control according to the APTT blood collected in these evacuated tubes is hazardous.
Vicia cretica: a powerful lectin for T- and Th- but not TK- or other polyagglutinable erythrocytes.
Authors: Bird G W , Wingham J
Published: June 2007

Extracts of the seeds of Vicia cretica (NO Leguminosae) strongly agglutinate T- Th- but not Tk- or other polyagglutinable red cells. The V. cretica lectin is therefore a very useful laboratory reagent in the elucidation of erythrocyte polyagglutination due to T-like erythrocyte cryptantigens.
Cryopreservation of platelets: an in-vitro comparison of four methods.
Authors: Taylor M A
Published: June 2007

Platelets were cryopreserved in four different cryoprotectives-two intracellular (dimethylsulphoxide, glycerol) and two extracellular (hydroxyethyl starch, dextran). The platelets were evaluated according to their yields, hypotonic shock response, and serotonin uptake, which are useful parameters for establishing optimum storage conditions. Hydroxyethyl starch and dextran were found to be poor cryoprotectives while 5% dimethylsulphoxide was the most suitable.
The cryopreservation of standard sera.
Authors: Tosswill J H , Ridley D S
Published: June 2007

To determine the storage temperature needed for the preservation of standard sera for serodiagnostic tests, groups of sera were tested before and after storage at -70 degrees C and -20 degrees C for periods of up to five years. The temperature required depended on the nature of the test, but no definite advantage was found in storage at -70 degrees C. For complement fixation this temperature was inadequate and greatly inferior to liquid nitrogen. For immunofluorescence it had no apparent advantage over a temperature of -20 degrees C, and for some other tests it was no more than marginally superior.
Cell volumes of normal and malignant mononuclear cells.
Authors: Chapman E H , Kurec A S , Davey F R
Published: June 2007

The cell volumes of mononuclear cells, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and monocytes from the peripheral blood of 20 normal individuals were compared to neoplastic lymphoid cells from 14 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), 20 individuals with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), and 18 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Normal T cells were obtained by rosetting mononuclear cells with sheep erythrocytes followed by centrifugation on a gradient composed of Ficoll and diatrizoate salts. Monocyte populations were prepared by adhering mononuclear cells to plastic dishes and B cells were obtained by the depletion of T lymphocytes and monocytes from a mononuclear cell population. Cell volumes were determined on a Coulter Counter Model H4 Channelyzer. In normals, the average mean cell volume (MCV) of T lymphocytes was smaller than B lymphocytes and the average MCV of B lymphocytes was smaller than the average MCV of monocytes (p less than 0.05). The average MCV of lymphocytes from patients with CLL was smaller than the average MCV of normal B cells (p less than 0.01). The average MCV of lymphoblasts from cases of ALL was larger than the average MCV of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (p less than 0.01). In addition, the size of lymphoblasts showed great variation within and among cases of ALL. The MCV of lymphocytes from most cases of NHL was larger than the MCV of lymphocytes from reactive lymph nodes and from the peripheral blood of normal individuals. An association was observed between the MCV of neoplastic cells and the classification according to Rappaport. We believe that the measurement of lymphoid cell volumes may be helpful in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with a variety of lymphoproliferative disorders.
Urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans and hydroxyproline in Paget's disease of bone, compared with neoplastic invasion of bone
Authors: Bower Lynne , Manley Gerald
Published: June 2007

Urinary glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline excretion was studied in 11 patients with clear evidence of Paget's disease of bone. Urinary hydroxyproline, cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC)-precipitable uronic acid and CPC-precipitable hexosamine were expressed as ratios to urinary creatinine. Urine samples were concentrated × 1000 by vacuum dialysis and the glycosaminoglycans examined by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate followed by staining with alcian blue. All the cases studied showed markedly raised hydroxyproline excretion, whereas the uronic acid excretion was normal or only slightly raised in 10 of the 11 cases studied. One patient who had a raised uronic acid and raised hydroxyproline concentration was shown to have osteosarcoma as a complication of Paget's disease.

The very high hydroxyproline: creatinine ratio in all cases of Paget's disease (mean 241·8 mmol hydroxyproline/mol creatinine) contrasted sharply with the cases of disseminated neoplasm, where the ratio was either normal or slightly raised (mean 29·3 mmol hydroxyproline/mol creatinine). The ratio of hydroxyproline to CPC-precipitable uronic acid was also markedly raised in cases of Paget's disease (mean 77·3 mmol hydroxyproline/mmol uronic acid) and was lower in the neoplastic group (mean 14·1 mmol hydroxyproline/mmol uronic acid) but showed no advantage over the hydroxyproline: creatinine ratio in differentiating the two groups.

The urinary hydroxyproline: creatinine ratio promises to be of value in differentiating between Paget's disease of bone and neoplastic invasion of bone. A marked rise in CPC-precipitable uronic acid excretion alone is more suggestive of neoplastic invasion of bone, and if associated with a marked increase in hydroxyproline excretion, it raises the possibility of neoplastic change in Paget's disease of bone. The results of this study also suggest that bone collagen, rather than bone tissue in general, is primarily affected in Paget's disease.
Simplified procedure for the routine isolation of Clostridium difficile from faeces.
Authors: Borriello S P , Honour P
Published: June 2007

The use of alcohol, at a final concentration of 50%, as a selective procedure for the isolation of Clostridium difficile was compared to a selective medium containing 250 microgram /ml of cycloserine and 10 microgram /ml of cefoxitin. Of 266 faecal samples 82 were shown to be positive by one or other method. Seventy-seven (94%) of these were detected by the selective agar (SA) and 72 (88%) by the alcohol procedure (AP). Ten samples (12%) were positive only by SA and five samples (6%) by AP only. The AP was further modified so that all manipulations prior to incubation were performed on the open bench. Of 18 positive samples, 18 (100%) were detected by SA and 16 (89%) by AP.
Diffusion in gel-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay—a new serological test for leptospirosis
Authors: Cursons RTM , Pyke PA
Published: June 2007

A new serological test, diffusion in gel-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DIG-ELISA) was developed and compared with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis. The results suggest that DIG-ELISA is a viable alternative to the MAT because of its simplicity, sensitivity, versatility and potential for standardisation.
Myocardial fibre calcification.
Authors: McClure J , Pieterse A S , Pounder D J , Smith P S
Published: June 2007

Three cases of myocardial fibre calcification found at post-mortem examination are described. In one case there was antemortem hypercalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia and the case was clearly an example of metastatic calcification. In the other two cases there was ischaemic myocardial necrosis and calcification was seen in fibres which were not overtly necrotic, but which were both in proximity to (the majority) and remote from the necrotic zones. Since renal failure with hyperphosphataemia was present in both cases, these were considered to be examples of augmented (by the hyperphosphataemia) dystrophic calcification. The histological, histochemical and ultrastructural features were identical in the three cases. Hydroxyapatite formation was observed initially in mitochondria, followed by spillage of crystals into the cytosol and ultimately into the interstitium. It is suggested that the fundamental lesion is a dysfunction of the fibre membrane; the similarity of this reaction with the calcification seen in skeletal muscle fibres in various myopathies is noted and a unifying hypothesis of the mechanism of skeletal and cardiac muscle fibre calcification is thereby suggested.
Method for the removal of selected cells from cytological smear preparations for transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Mather Jean , Stanbridge Cynthia M , Butler E Blanche
Published: June 2007

The method described depends on fixing additional cytology smear preparations with glutaraldehyde to be used, if needed. Removal of cells from the slide makes use of partially polymerised resins in the usual way but a paper marker is used to localise the area in the resin block which contains the cells to be examined. Slides are placed in a freezing cabinet to facilitate easy separation of the resin block.
Effect of albumin and free calcium concentrations on calcium binding in vitro.
Authors: Besarab A , DeGuzman A , Swanson J W
Published: June 2007

In vivo equilibrium dialysis studies were performed to define further the characteristics of calcium binding to bovine albumin. The concentration range for albumin (1 to 9 g/dl) as well as ultrafilterable calcium (0.5 to 2.5 mM) studied encompassed those that might be ordinarily encountered in most clinical situations. Major differences in the regressions of total calcium on ultrafilterable calcium occurred at albumin concentrations of 1, 2, and 9 g/dl but only small differences at albumin concentrations between 3, 5 and 7 g/dl. When albumin concentration was kept constant, the amount of calcium bound to albumin varied directly with ultrafilterable calcium. At any constant ultrafilterable calcium concentration albumin bound calcium varied inversely with the albumin concentrations when albumin was greater than 3 g/dl. Analysis of the data to determine association constants and molar calcium to albumin binding ratios showed that both parameters were dependent on the absolute albumin concentrations. Our results indicate that calcium binding to albumin is a complex process characterised by multiple binding sites whose affinity and binding capacity are variable. These properties suggest that correction of total serum calcium using clinical formulations with fixed calcium to albumin binding ratios may be inappropriate, particularly in hypoalbuminaemic states.
Rubella-specific IgM detected by an antibody capture assay/ELISA technique.
Authors: Kurtz J B , Malic A
Published: June 2007

A sensitive method for detecting rubella IgM antibody, the first step of which is the attachment of the serum IgM to a solid phase, is described. Specific IgM antibody was found in all 52 people with acquired rubella in the early convalescent period, in all 38 infants with congenital rubella examined in the first seven months of life, and in 23 of 26 people immunised one to four months before testing. Twenty-four of 44 rheumatoid factor-positive sera, however, gave false-positive readings. In routine use the test was economical of both reagents and time.
Transferral of malignancy as a complication of organ transplantation: an insuperable problem?
Authors: Harvey L , Fox M
Published: June 2007

A case of inadvertent transplantation of malignancy is presented in detail. The donor was a 36-year-old woman with an unsuspected disseminated carcinoma of lung, and the renal and tumour transplant recipient a 53-year-old man. The transplanted tumour remained clinically "silent" and was discovered only a necropsy after the recipient's death from ischaemic heart disease. The phenomena of de novo primary and transferred (donor) malignancy in organ recipients, along with related immunological considerations, are briefly reviewed. Finally, with regard to the increasing frequency and variability of organ transplants, the routine clinical practice required to minimise the risk of these complications is re-emphasised, with additional recommendations.
Megaloblastic anaemia after pelvic radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix.
Authors: Anderson C G , Walton K R , Chanarin I
Published: June 2007

A 71-year-old woman was treated with radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix. Nine year later she was found at laparotomy to have a thickened narrow ileum. At the time she had an iron-deficiency anaemia and when this was treated the blood picture changed to that of a severe megaloblastic anaemia. This was due to cobalamin deficiency resulting from malabsorption of cobalamin by the damaged ileum.
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome caused by a DF-2 bacterium in a splenectomised patient.
Authors: Chaudhuri A K , Hartley R B , Maddocks A C
Published: June 2007

A case of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome associated with septicaemia caused by a DF-2 group bacterium (dysgonic fermenter--type 2--Atlanta classification) is presented. Attention is drawn to the relation of DF-2 group septicaemias to dog bites (or contact) and impaired host defence after splenectomy.
Rapid screening for bacteriuria using a particle counter, pulse-height analyser, and computer.
Authors: Alexander M K , Khan M S , Dow C S
Published: June 2007

A system for the rapid screening of urines for the presence of bacteriuria has been devised using a Coulter Counter Model ZBI linked to a multichannel pulse-height analyser (Coulter "Channelyser") with computer analysis of the output. In a series of 215 urines containing growth of a single pathogen of more than 100 x 10(6)/l (greater than 100 000/ml) satisfactory level of sensitivity (99.1%) was obtained using only two different amplification settings by means of a brief treatment (5-10 seconds) of the undiluted specimen with low intensity ultrasound; 85-90% of mixed growths of 10 x 10(6)/l (greater than 10 000/ml) were detected. Sonication did not improve the results in this group. Specimens showing abnormal cyturia of more than 10 x 10(6)/l (greater than 10 000/ml) but no growth on culture were positive in 33% of cases without the use of ultrasound but in 72% after sonication.
Effects of test conditions on the susceptibility of staphylococci in vitro to cephradine, cephaloridine, cephalexin, and cefuroxime.
Authors: Bayston R , Swinden J
Published: June 2007

Methicillin-resistant staphylococci were tested for susceptibility to cephradine, cephaloridine, cephalexin, and cefuroxime and 30 degree C and 37 degree C on ordinary media and on media of enhanced osmotic strength. The coagulase-negative strains were divided into Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus hominis. Generally the number of susceptible strains decreased with low incubation temperature and osmotic support. When Staphylococcus aureus was tested against cephalexin and cefuroxime, most were susceptible at 37 degree C whereas all were resistant at 30 degree C. A similar trend was found in the case of cephradine, where it was accentuated by osmotic support. While almost all strains of Staph. epidermidis were sensitive to all four drugs under all test conditions, the susceptibility of Staph. hominis was generally decreased by either lower incubation temperature or osmotic support or both.
Non-toxigenic clostridia in babies.
Authors: Mitchell R G , Etches P C , Day D G
Published: June 2007

Non-toxigenic clostridia, Clostridium butyricum but occasionally C. paraputrificum, were isolated from mainly extra-alimentary sites of 28 babies in maternity hospital over a period of 40 weeks. During that time, C. butyricum was isolated from the blood of two babies who died of necrotising enterocolitis and of two babies without referable symptoms. Otherwise these organisms appeared to be of no pathogenic significance.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: four-year survivals old and new.
Authors: Hardisty R M , Till M M , Peto J
Published: June 2007

Two groups of four-year survivors with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are compared: an 'old' series consisting of 83 patients diagnosed before 1968, and a 'new' series of 366 patients included in Medial Research Council trials (UKALL I-III) and diagnosed in 1970-4. Both series differed significantly from a group of ALL patients who survived less than four years in having lower total leucocyte and blast-cell counts at diagnosis, but the new series did not show the significant differences in organ involvement and platelet count seen in the old series. In both series, girls were more likely than boys to survive for four years and less likely to have relapsed meanwhile; in the new series, relapse rates were also lower for girls than for boys after four years, and subsequent survival was significantly better. There was no difference between the two series in survival rates of those patients who had relapsed before reaching four years. A much higher proportion of the new series, however, had reached four years without prior relapse, and these had a more favourable subsequent survival than the corresponding group of the old series. About 90% of patients achieving four years' continuous complete remission on these UKALL regimes seem likely to survive for 10 years.
Bloodstream infections and perinatal mortality.
Authors: Hurley R , de Louvois J
Published: June 2007

Bloodstream infection is demonstrable at necropsy in 21.1% of perinatal death but is almost invariably a secondary event, often terminal, contributing to death as a secondary cause. In only 3.8% is infection recorded as the primary cause of death. Escherichia coli predominates, and postmortem and antemortem studies alike confirm the tendency of this and other microbes to involve the meninges in the course of bloodstream infection. Fatal viral and fungal infections are rare, and life-threatening disease is overwhelmingly of bacterial origin. A separate, prospective study of septicaemia in the newborn is reported, and the data are tabulated. The overall incidence in inborn and outborn populations, together with the incidence of specific infections, is stated, and the relationship to birthweight is analysed. The overall mortality for treated cases is 40.7% the mortality being inversely proportional to birthweight, and highest at 62.5% in those born weighting less than 1000 g. The advent of meningitis (1 in 5 cases of septicaemia) aggravates the mortality (83%). The potential hazard of nursing seriously infected babies is emphasised.
What is clinical immunology?
Authors: Denman A M
Published: June 2007

The clinical and laboratory details of 10 patients with predominantly immunological problems were circulated to selected physicians in different forms of hospital practice. In general, these physicians would prefer to select their own immunological tasks and could get these performed in their clinical pathology laboratories or regional immunology centres. Immunologists are seen predominantly as laboratory-based advisers rather than clinicians responsible for the care of such patients.
Monoclonal antibodies to detect human tumours: an experimental approach.
Authors: Moshakis V , McIlhinney R , Raghavan D , Neville A M
Published: June 2007

The use of monoclonal antibodies which can be raised to antigens of choice offers a selective and specific approach for the detection of tumours both in vivo and at a cellular level in biopsy specimens. We demonstrate that a monoclonal antibody raised to human teratoma will localise in a teratoma, growing as a xenograft in immune-suppressed mice.