bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electron microscopy of serum of healthy hepatitis B antigen carriers.
Authors: Woolf I L , Jones D M , Tapp E , Dymock I W
Published: June 2007

The sera of 36 blood donors who are established HBsAg carriers were examined with the electron microscope. The findings were correlated with the histological and electronoptic appearances of the liver and the titre and subtype of the antigen. Antigen-antibody complexes could not be detected. Dane particles constituted 2 percent or more of the total particle count in five of the 36 sera, including three sera from five carriers with chronic aggressive hepatitis and two sera from 11 carriers with chronic persistent hepatitis. In sera from carriers with normal histology or the minimal histological lesion of focal parenchymal necrosis they were detected very infrequently or not at all. Three biopsies revealed intranuclear inclusions when examined electronoptically and the corresponding sera all contained greater than 2 percent Dane particles. Where greater than 2 percent Dane particles were seen the antigen titre tended to be high. The predominant subtype was ad. There was no correlation between the number of Dane particles and the antigen subtype nor between subtype and histology.
Coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci in urinary tract infections.
Authors: Meers P D , Whyte W , Sandys G
Published: June 2007

One hundred catalase-positive, coagulase-negative, Gram-positive cocci isolated in significant numbers from the urine of patients with urinary tract infections, provisionally subdivided by their sensitivity to nonoviocin, were classified according to a slightly model version of Baird-Parker's schemes (1965 and 1972). It appeared that strains of Micrococcus were nearly all of sub-group 3, and that these were important pathogens of young women presenting with urinary infections in general practice. All such strains were resistant to novobiocin. Strains of staphylococcus were heterogeneous, and were found principally in infections arising in hospital, among older prople. Most staphylococci were sensitive to novobiocin. It is suggested that it is easy and sufficiently accurate to separate staphylococci and micrococci isolated from cases of urinary tract infection on the basis of their sensitivity or resistance to novo-biocin. The distinction is useful because of its therapeutic and epidemiological significance.
Serological tests in the differentiation of staphylococcal and tuberculous bone disease.
Authors: Taylor A G , Cook J , Fincham W J , Millard F J
Published: June 2007

The haemagglutination test for antileucocidin is frequently positive in cases of bone tuberculosis in the absence of obvious staphylococcal infection. This test is therefore of little practical use in the differentiation of staphylococcal and tuberculous bone disease, and its use has been discontinued at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. The antigamma haemolysin test in bone tuberculosis appears to give rise to few false positive results. Our observations confirm that the anti-alpha haemolysin and antigamma haemolysin tests used together reveal about 80 percent of cases of staphylococcal bone infection on first presentation or relapse.
A new cause of haemolytic anaemia in the newborn. A description of an unstable fetal haemoglobin: F Poole, alpha2-G-gamma2 130 trptophan yeilds glycine.
Authors: Lee-Potter J P , Deacon-Smith R A , Simpkiss M J , Kamuzora H , Lehmann H
Published: June 2007

In a newborn twin with haemolytic anaemia an unstable fetal haemoglobin was found to be the cause. The anaemia improved spontaneously with the disappearance of the fetal haemoglobin. The new Hb F (alpha2gamma2) variant was shown to have a glycine at position 130 of the 146 residues of the gamma chain. This portion is inside the globin molecule and in all known normal globins it is occupied by a residue with a bulky hydrophobic side chain. Its replacement by glycine which has no side chain would be expected to cause instability. The human gamma-chains may either have a glycine or an alanine at position 136. Evidence is brought forward to suggest that in the abnormal chain position 136 is occupied by glycine.
Storage of blood and the mean corpuscular volume.
Authors: Lawrence A C , Bevington J M , Young M
Published: June 2007

The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of blood after storage for up to 24 days under various temperature conditions in ethylene diamine tetracetic acid, acid citrate dextrose, citrate phosphate dextrose, and Alsever's solution was measured using the Coulter S. Storage of blood overnight at 23 degrees centigrade increased the MCV, while there was no significant change after similar storage at 4 degrees C. Storage of blood for 23 days at 4 degrees C for 24 days. Similar results were found with all anticoagulants tested. The precision of the MCV varied on storage with different anticoagulants.
Reduced lymphocyte transformation in early cancer of the breast.
Authors: Knight L A , Davidson W M
Published: June 2007

The cell mediated immune response has been measured in vitro by lymphocyte transformation in 53 patients with malignant tumours of the breast and an equal number of patients in the same age group operated upon for benign tumours. The response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was reduced in the patients with malignant tumours when the lymphocytes were grown either in the patient's plasma or in autologous plasma. This was observed when the response was measured both by the uptake of radioactive DNA precursor and by autoradiography. Reduced lymphocyte transformation was present even very early in the disease and certainly preoperatively. The reduction appeared to be even more marked in the advanced cases. An interesting finding was that the plasma from cancer patients contained a factor which reduced the PHA transformation of lymphocytes from a healthy donor.
Serological diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis.
Authors: Karim K A , Ludlam G B
Published: June 2007

A comparison of the indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT) with the dye test (DT) in 23 infants with congenital toxoplasmosis showed that in the early part of the first year of life the IHAT titres were nearly all lower than the DT titres. In six cases the IHAT was negative or the titre was so low that the cases could have been missed in routine screening. Later in the first year the IHAT titres became higher than the DT and remained so. The infants belonging to mothers with a high IHAT and therefore assumed to have become infected early in pregnancy had severe infections which included all the cases of hydrocephalus. Infants of mothers with low IHAT titres relative to the DT and therefore thought to have been infected later in pregnancy had generalized, mild or subclinical infection. With some difficulty a suitable commercial conjugated anti-IgM serum was found that gave positive results in immunofluorescent antibody tests for specific IgM antibody with all the infected infants and their mothers throughout the first year and negative results in uninfected infants and their mothers.
Effects of delayed culture on semiquantitative urinary bacteriology results.
Authors: Shrestha T L
Published: June 2007

Urine specimens received in the laboratory were cultured at intervals of two hours on three successive occasions. During the intervening period the specimens were left at room temperature. After 24 hours' incubation counts were done, and it was observed that the significance of bacterial growth was not altered by delay in culture.
Effects of minocycline and tetracycline on the vaginal yeast flora.
Authors: Oriel J D , Waterworth P M
Published: June 2007

Two groups of women with non-specific genital infection were treated for two weeks with tetracycline 250 mg six-hourly and minocycline 100 mg twice daily respectively. Cultures for yeasts were performed before treatment and at the end of the first and second weeks. Before treatment yeasts, mostly Candida albicans, were recovered from 13% of the women. After one and two weeks' treatment yeasts were isolated from 22 and 29% of women treated with tetracycline, and from 19 and 29% of women treated with minocycline. It is concluded that despite inhibition of the growth of yeasts shown by minocycline in vitro, there is no evidence of any significant difference between the actions of tetracycline and minocycline on the vaginal yeast flora.
Asymptomatic liver disease in haemophiliacs.
Authors: Mannucci P M , Capitanio A , Del Ninno E , Colombo M , Pareti F , Ruggeri Z M
Published: June 2007

The incidence of jaundice and of abnormal liver function tests has been assessed in 91 multitransfused patients with severe haemophilia A and B. Tests of hepatocyte function were within the normal range in the majority of patients. On the contrary, tests of biliary cell function, liver cell damage, and bromsulphthalein retention gave high rates of abnormal values, which tended to increase with age. Hepatitis B surface antigen was present in 8% and the corresponding antibody in 66% of the cases; 18% had a history of jaundice. All patients were asymptomatic and only a minority showed clinical signs of liver involvement. These data suggest that in haemophilacs repeated and prolonged contact with the agent(s) responsible for post-transfusion hepatitis may cause chronic liver damage not associated with overt illness.
Lobular carcinoma of the breast: a special variant of mucin-secreting carcinoma.
Authors: Gad A , Azzopardi J G
Published: June 2007

There is currently much speculation over the precise nature of lobular carcinoma in-situ of the breast and its significance. Histochemical study shows that it is rich in sialomucin. This has a characteristic intracellular distribution which distinghishes lobular carcinoma in-situ from cancerization of lobules. The same histochemical features are seen in the infiltrative phase of the tumour. These findings invalidate the concept that it is a myoepithelial-cell tumour. Practical applications of the distinctive pattern of mucin secretion are discussed.
Effect of human lysozyme (muramidase) on potassium handling by the perfused rat kidney. A mechanism for renal damage in human monocytic leukaemia.
Authors: Mason D Y , Howes D T , Taylor C R , Ross B D
Published: June 2007

Purified human lysozyme (muramidase) stimulated potassium excretion by the isolated perfused rat kidney. Lysozyme is filtered and reabsorbed, without a tubular maximum. Over 90% of lysozyme filtered is retained within the kidney; 50% was recovered by enzymic assay and histologically localized to the proximal tubular cells. Hypokalaemia seen in some patients with myelomonocytic leukaemia may be directly attributed to an elevated circulating lysozyme level.
Plasma biotin levels in children with burns and scalds.
Authors: Barlow G B , Dickerson J A , Wilkinson A W
Published: June 2007

The plasma concentrations of biotin were measured for up to 49 days after injury in nine children with burns and scalds which involved from 12% to 50% of the surface area of the body. Biotin levels below the minimum of the control range were observed in eight of the nine injured children at some stage during the episode.
A method for the differential determination of plasma antithrombins.
Authors: Musumeci V , Vincenti A , Bizzi B
Published: June 2007

A method for the differential determination of plasma antithrombins, antithrombin III and alpha2 macroglobulin, is described. The method is based on the selective inactivation of plasma alpha2 macroglobulin by treatment with 0-1 M methylamine for 10 minutes at 37 degrees C and on the observation that antithrombin III and alpha2 macroglobulin inhibited in defibrinated plasma low concentrations of thrombin without mutual interference and according to pseudo-first order reaction. In healthy subjects antithrombin III was shown to account for about 70% of the total antithrombin activity. But in patients with liver cirrhosis, where low levels of total antithrombin activity were observed, the relative contribution of antithrombin III was found to be noticeably lower.
Measles inclusion-body encephalitis in a child with treated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Authors: Drysdale H C , Jones L F , Oppenheimer D R , Tomlinson A H
Published: June 2007

A child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, being treated in the UKALL II Trial, had while in remission an attack of measles and made a normal recovery. Four months later she developed an acute encephalopathy and died within two weeks. The brain showed mild inflammatory features and widespread inclusion bodies in neurones and glial cells. Immunofluorescence proved an infection with measles virus. Similar cases have been called SSPE; reasons are given for preferring the term "measles inclusion-body encephalitis".
Cytology of myeloma cells.
Authors: Hayhoe F G , Neuman Z
Published: June 2007

A cytological, cytochemical, and cytometric study of plasma cells from 195 cases of multiple myeloma showed that, contrary to earlier reports, flaming cells, thesaurocytes, and intranuclear inclusions are not confined to IgA-secreting cases but are common also in IgG and Bence Jones varieties of myeloma. IgA-secreting cells are not larger, nor do they have a lower nuclear cytoplasmic ratio than other myeloma cells. On average, for a given mass of tumour, Bence-Jones, IgG, and IgA varieties of myeloma produce amounts of paraprotein in the ratio 1 to 1-6 to 2-7.
Identification of a novel enterotoxigenic activity associated with Bacillus cereus.
Authors: Melling J , Capel B J , Turnbull P C , Gilbert R J
Published: June 2007

A strain of Bacillus cereus isolated from a food poisoning outbreak characterized by vomiting has been shown to be capable of causing vomiting when cultures grown on rice, but not other media, were fed to Rhesus monkeys. In contrast, a strain isolated from a diarrhoeal outbreak produced diarrhoea, but not vomiting, when grown on various media in similar feeding trials. Furthermore, culture filtrates from the diarrhoeal strain caused fluid accumulation in ligated rabbit ileal loops whereas those from the vomiting strain did not. It is proposed that at least two enterotoxins are involved, one responsible for the vomiting and one for the diarrhoeal symptoms.
Studies on the production of enterotoxins by Bacillus cereus.
Authors: Turnbull P C
Published: June 2007

Evidence is presented for the existence of three distinct enterotoxins detected in concentrated cell-free culture filtrates of selected Bacillus cereus strains. The first was a product capable of stimulating the adenylate cyclase-cyclic-AMP system in intestinal epithelial cells and, possibly through this, causing fluid accumulation in ligated ileal sections ("loops") of young rabbits. This was elaborated by a strain isolated from an incident of diarrhoea and which caused diarrhoea in 6 of 10 monkey feedings. The second was tentatively identified as a factor which caused fluid accumulation in rabbit loops but not, apparently, through stimulation of the adenylate cyclase-cyclic-AMP system; this was elaborated by a strain isolated from raw rice which failed to produce symptoms in eight monkey feedings. Together, the behaviour of these two factors indicates that diarrhoea caused by B. cereus enterotoxin may be a cyclic-AMP-mediated event. The third, here referred to as "pyogenic toxin", caused severe tissue damage in the ileal mucosa and was elaborated by a strain isolated from a brain abscess. A factor produced by a strain isolated from an outbreak of vomiting which caused vomiting in 10 of 24 monkey feedings could bot be detected in tests reported here but appears to be a fourth enterotoxin type. Cytopathic effects in tissue cultures, suckling mouse tests, and assays of glycerol production by fat cells were not found to be of value in the detection of any of the enterotoxins.
Abnormal responses to rubella infection.
Authors: Jeffries D J , Johnson A H , Mowbray J F
Published: June 2007

Two cases of rubella are described which caused initial problems in laboratory diagnosis due to abnormal features in the immune response. One patient presented with thrombocytopenic purpura and associated circulating immune complexes. The other patient, who was in early pregnancy, had an unusually prolonged rash and a delayed humoral immune response. The possible reasons for the difficulties in serological confirmation are discussed.
A case of primary lymphoma of the liver.
Authors: Chambers T J , O'Donoghue D P , Stansfeld A G
Published: June 2007

A case of primary malignant lymphoma of the liver is described. Presenting with epistaxis, he died in hepatic encephalopathy with an intractable bleeding post-bulbar duodenal ulcer.
Staphylococcal protein A; its preparation and an application to rubella serology.
Authors: Mallinson H , Roberts C , Bruce White G B
Published: June 2007

Good yields of staphylococcal protein A are obtained by growing the staphylococcus Cowan type 1 on cellophane agar. The activity of these preparations in removing immunoglobulin G (IgG) from human serum can be readily measured by the Mancini radial-diffusion technique and the correct in-use dilution determined. Treatment with protein A of sera from women with a history of rubella may help in the identification of those having specific antibody in the IgM and IgA fractions. This relatively simple procedure may have worthwhile application in the diagnosis of rubella.
Purified azure B as a reticulocyte stain.
Authors: Marshall P N , Bentley S A , Lewis S M
Published: June 2007

A comparison has been made between reticulocyte preparations stained with purified azure B and with several commerically available batches of brilliant cresyl blue and new methylene blue. Marked variations were observed in the composition and staining performances of the various batches of the two commerically available dyes. Although there were no significant differences in reticulocyte counts obtained with these two dyes, varying amounts of an extraneous, particulate dye deposit were present in these preparations, making accuracte counting both tedious and timeconsuming. Purified azure B, on the other hand, gave reproducibly stained, deposit-free preparations. Reticulocyte counts obtained from azure B preparations correlated almost exactly with those determined using new methylene blue. Purified azure B is therefore recommended as a convenient reticulocyte stain for routine use.
Renal biopsy in the milk-alkali syndrome.
Authors: Junor B J , Catto G R
Published: June 2007

In milk-alkali syndrome the degree of renal impairment varies greatly. Few reports have been published describing structural changes on renal biopsy. In three illustrative cases, impairment of renal function was related to morphological changes shown on percutaneous biopsy. Milk-alkali syndrome should be considered as a cause of renal dysfunction in patients with a long history of dyspensia.
Clinicopathological spectrum of late postpartum renal failure; two contrasting cases.
Authors: Ford P M , Levison D A , Down P F , McConnell J B
Published: June 2007

The clinical and renal biopsy findings from two patients in whom renal functional abnormalities developed in the late postpartum period are described. Both biopsies showed fibrin deposition in the renal vasculature, in one case marked and in the other mild. The patient with the more severely damaged kidney subsequently died, and the other is alive but with evidence of slowly progressing renal damage. The clinicopathological spectrum and pathogenesis of late postpartum renal failure are discussed.
A review and selection of simple laboratory methods used for the study of glycosaminoglycan excretion and the diagnosis of the mucopolysaccharidoses.
Authors: Pennock C A
Published: June 2007

The current state of knowledge on the biochemical abnormalities in the mucopolysaccharidoses is reviewed. Methods for the estimation and identification of glycoasminoglycans excreted in the mucopolysaccharidoses are discussed and a selection of simple and reliable methods of value in a small hospital laboratory have been given in detail in an appendix.
Counter-immunoelectro-osmophoresis for the detection of infantile gastroenteritis virus (orbi-group) antigen and antibody.
Authors: Middleton P J , Petric M , Hewitt C M , Szymanski M T , Tam J S
Published: June 2007

A moderatley sensitive, rapid, and economical test scheme for the detection of infantile gastroenteritis virus (IGV) in stool or antibody in serum has been developed and evaluated. The test scheme with minor modifications was an adaptation of a counter-immunoelectro-osmophoresis system we once used for the detection of hepatitis B antigen. Large numbers of stool samples may be screened during half a working day for the presence of IGV using reference antiserum to IGV prepared in guinea-pigs. Serological studies of a diagnostic but not epidemiological nature may also be performed with equal facility by this same test scheme using highly purified IGV antigen derived from stool.
Chemotaxis, random mobility, and mobilization of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in malnutrition.
Authors: Chandra R K , Chandra S , Ghai O P
Published: June 2007

Neutrophil mobilization following administration of Pseudomonas polysaccharide was significantly reduced in malnutrition, especially during infection. The random mobility of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was slightly decreased in undernutrition. Chemotactic migration of PMNs was depressed and correlated more with the presence of infection than with nutritional deficiency. It is possible that these abnormalities of PMN mobilization and mobility in malnourished individuals contribute to suboptimal amount, kinetics, and pattern of tissue inflammatory response to bacteraemic challenge.
Liver-originating isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase in the serum: a paraneoplastic manifestation of a malignant schwannoma of the sciatic nerve.
Authors: Henderson A R , Grace D M
Published: June 2007

A case of malignant schwannoma of the sciatic nerve is described associated with hepatic dysfunction in the absence of hepatic metastases. An elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity was present with an isoenzyme pattern indicating hepatic involvement. These abnormalities disappeared after extirpation of the tumour. The patient is well, with no evidence of metastases, over two years later. It is concluded that the abnormality of serum alkaline phosphatase was induced by the tumour, and that the liver can be involved in the paraneoplastic syndrome.
Colonic lymphoid-glandular complex (microbursa): nature and morphology.
Authors: Kealy W F
Published: June 2007

A study of lymphoid-glandular complexes of the large bowel has been undertaken. Sections from 1924 surgical colectomy and proctocolectomy specimens were examined, and lymphoid-glandular complexes were observed in 231. It has been shown that they are distributed throughout the large bowel and occur in all age groups and in normal and disease states. An analogy has been drawn between them, the palatine tonsils, and the bursa of Fabricius. It is concluded that the lymphoid-glandular complex is, most probably, a normal structural entity of the large bowel and that it acts as a local receptor of antigenic material for future immune recognition. It is suggested that microbursa rather than lymphoid-glandular complex is more apt name for this structure.
Sputum cytology in two cases of Wegener's granulomatosis.
Authors: Hector M F
Published: June 2007

Two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis are described in whom the sputum was found to contain abnormal cells, The diagnosis was suggested in the second case on cytological grounds alone. It is considered, therefore, that sputum cytology is a relevant investigation in the diagnosis of this condition.
Susceptibility of urinary pathogens to various antimicrobial substances: a four-year study.
Authors: Grüneberg R N
Published: June 2007

The results of testing all urinary pathogens from general practice and hospital practice for their sensitivity to a range of antimicrobial agents over the four years 1971-74 are presented. The changes observed in each situation with the passage of time are discussed. Resistance has become more frequent to those drugs to which resistance is commonly R factor-mediated. Less change has been observed in resistance to other antimicrobial agents.
Diseases and histological normality of the renal glomerulus: a clinicopathological study.
Authors: Lawler W , Tarpey P , Williams G , Acheson E J , Mallick N P
Published: June 2007

Thirty-seven percutaneous renal biopsies showing no significant abnormalities on light microscopy were studied electron optically and by immunofluorescence when available. Assessment of the pathological material was followed by analysis of the patients' clinical notes, and a clinicopathological correlation was carried out. Twenty-three patients fulfilled the clinical criteria of minimal change disease; 10 did not behave clinically as minimal change and showed immune complex deposition; two had benign recurrent haematuria; and two had myelomatosis. Our study shows that if diagnosis is based solely on the light microscope appearances of renal biopsy, diseases other than minimal change are likely to be overlooked. Accuracy of diagnosis in structural terms requires additional immunofluorescence and electron microscopic study; final clinical diagnosis also requires careful follow-up, and repeat biopsy may be necessary.
Histometry of lymphoid infiltrate in the thyroid of primary thyrotoxicosis patients. Relation of extent of thyroiditis to preoperative drug treatment and postoperative hypothyroidism.
Authors: Young R J , Sherwood M B , Simpson J G , Nicol A G , Michie W , Beck J S
Published: June 2007

The thyroids of primary thyrotoxicosis patients prepared for partial thyroidectomy with propranolol contained much more lymphoid infiltrate than those prepared with carbimazole. No relation was found between the extent of lymphoid infiltrate in the thyroid and the development of postoperative hypothyroidism either between or within the two drug treatment groups. This study has shown that the extent of thyroid infiltrate should not be used as the major factor in predicting hypothyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy for primary thyrotoxicosis.
Classification of smooth muscle autoantibodies detected by immunofluorescence.
Authors: Bottazzo G F , Florin-Christensen A , Fairfax A , Swana G , Doniach D , Groeschel-Stewart U
Published: June 2007

Three hundred and twelve sera containing antibodies to smooth muscle (SMA) wer analysed for the immunofluorescence patterns they produced in various tissues. A classification is described based on the three main appearances in rat kidney. Some sera, mainly of low titre, reacted only with vessel walls (SMA-V), some stained vessels and renal glomeruli (SMA-G) and high titre sera, mainly from patients with chronic active hepatitis stained vessels, glomeruli, and intracellular fibrils in renal tubules (SMA-T). Peripheral staining in hepatocytes or thyroid cells was not a regular feature. 41/43 polyclonal SMA-T and -G sera were absorbed out completely by actin, and this also removed the pericullular staining in liver and thyroid when present. High titre SMA-V antibodies could not be absorbed by actin, and the antigen remains to be identified.
An alternative method for inactivating heteroagglutinins in human sera applicable to rubella haemagglutination inhibition testing at low dilutions.
Authors: Mortimer P P
Published: June 2007

Serum agglutinins of chick and pigeon cells are predominantly immunoglobulin M and can be inactivated by 2 mercaptoethanol. 2 Mercaptoethanol is more effective than strong suspensions of red cells in removing the agglutinins of indicator cells from sera being prepared for HAI tests. In rubella HAI tests from a dilution of 1 to 10 dilute 2 mercaptoethanol offer a convenient method of removing agglutinins, and, at higher concentration, allow dilutions of sera from 1 in 2-5 to be tested without significant interference by heteroagglutinins. HAI titres are comparable when red cell absorbed and 2 mercaptoethanol treated sera are tested in parallel.
Computer printing and filing of microbiology reports. 2. Evaluation and comparison with a manual system, and comparison of two manual systems.
Authors: Goodwin C S
Published: June 2007

A manual system of microbiology reporting with a National Cash Register (NCR) form with printed names of bacteria and antiboitics required less time to compose reports than a previous manual system that involved rubber stamps and handwriting on plain report sheets. The NCR report cost 10-28 pence and, compared with a computer system, it had the advantages of simplicity and familarity, and reports were not delayed by machine breakdown, operator error, or data being incorrectly submitted. A computer reporting system for microbiology resulted in more accurate reports costing 17-97 pence each, faster and more accurate filing and recall of reports, and a greater range of analyses of reports that was valued particularly by the control-of-infection staff. Composition of computer-readable reports by technicians on Port-a-punch cards took longer than composing NCR reports. Enquiries for past results were more quickly answered from computer printouts of reports and a day book in alphabetical order.
Hepatic lesions in patients treated with synthetic anabolic steriods.
Authors: Sweeney E C , Evans D J
Published: June 2007

Hepatic abnormalities are described in three patients who received synthetic anabolic steroids. A child with Franconi's anaemia was treated for four years and at necropsy the liver showed generalized hyperplasia, hyperplastic nodules, and a benign hepatoma. Two adults received only three months' therapy with synthetic androgens; in one there was generalized hepatic hyperplasia and in the other widespread nodular hyperplasia. It is suggested that anabolic steroids may induce tumours through intermediate hyperplastic lesions, a sequence similar to that seen during tumour induction by carcinogens in experimental animals.
Serum triiodothyronine determination in clinical use.
Authors: Stafford J E , Lees S , Watson D
Published: June 2007

Two radioimmunassays for the determination of serum triiodothyronine (T3) were developed. The assay of T3 in unextracted serum had several advantages over the assay on extracted serum and was chosen for the routine determination of T3 in serum from 117 patients requiring assessment of their thyroid status. In 53 subjects considered retrospectively not to have thyroid dysfunction nor to have been on steroid contraceptives or therapy, the pooled mean serum T3 concentration was 1-92 (actual range 0-88-2-62) nmol/l. A significant inverse relationship was observed between the serum T3 level and the age of the subject. Serum total T3 levels discriminate clearly between hypo-,eu- and hyperthyroid patients and provide a rather more sensitive index of hyperthyroid function than total serum T4. In the face of normal serum T4 the T3 level was depressed in five patients with marked hypoproteinaemia and elevated in two patients taking heroin.
Arterial wall lesions after pulmonary embolism, especially ruptures and aneurysms.
Authors: Sevitt S
Published: June 2007

During an histological study of pulmonary thromboembolism, arterial wall splits, many associated with saccular microaneurysms, were observed in association with emboli or their fibrous residue. Other aneurysmal lesions, non-inflammatory focal medial necrosis, and medial scars were also seen in a few cases. The nature of the arterial rents indicates that they arose by mechanical splitting after acute stretching of the artery at the time of embolic impaction. Saccular aneurysms then developed in some. Impaction could also have caused the foci of medial necrosis while the medial scars could represent healed former necrosis of rupture. Though the observed incidence of lesions was relatively low, this seems to be due to their small sizes and the sampling inherent in conventional histological analysis. It is concluded that arterial splits are probably a common effect of pulmonary embolism and often give rise to small aneurysms.
A case of veno-occlusive disease of the liver in Britain associated with herbal tea consumption.
Authors: McGee J , Patrick R S , Wood C B , Blumgart L H
Published: June 2007

Veno-occlusive disease of the liver with clinical and pathological features similar to those of the condition occurring in the Caribbean is described in a young woman resident in Britain. The diagnosis was made from liver biopsies and hepatic venography and was confirmed at necropsy. Small amounts of pyrroliziding alkaloids were recovered from a sample of mate (Paraguay) tea, owned by the patient, to which she was addicted. It seems probable that the consumption of large amounts of this tea over a period of years was the cause of the hepatic disease.
Sensitivity of Providence to antiseptics and disinfectants.
Authors: Stickler D J , Thomas B
Published: June 2007

Seventy isolates of Providence were obtained from urinary tract infections in patients from five hospitals. They were all identified as Providence B (Providencia stuartii). A typing system was devised for these organisms based on their production of and sensitivity to bacteriophage and bacteriocins. Using this system, 27 distinct strains were recognized, and it was clear that many patients had been infected with the same strain. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of six antiseptics and disinfectants for these strains were determined. Many of the strains were up to 300-fold more resistant to the cationic antiseptics chlorhexidine, cetrimide, and Resiguard than the control strain Escherichia coli NCTC 10418. The sensitivities of the Providence strains to Hycolin, glutaraldehyde, and phenyl mercuric nitrate, however, were similar to those of the control organism. There were significant correlations between the sensitivities of the strains to the three cationic antiseptics. The loss of chlorhexidine resistance from a Providence strain after exposure of the cells to N-methyl-N' nitro N nitrosoguanidine resulted in a concomitant loss of resistance to cetrimide and Resiguard, but there was no significant increase in the sensitivity of the mutants to the other three antibacterials.
Flavobacterium meningosepticum in the hospital environment.
Authors: Coyle-Gilchrist M M , Crewe P , Roberts G
Published: June 2007

Ten strains of Flavobacterium meningosepticum were isolated from routine clinical material during a period of two years. Of a number of antibiotics tested, clindamycin was the only one to which they were fully sensitive. The organism was found in chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibitane) solutions in use on the wards for the storage of thermometers and for routine disinfection.
Crystals in brain and meninges in primary hyperoxaluria and oxalosis.
Authors: Haqqani M T
Published: June 2007

A case of primary hyperoxaluria and oxalosis with chronic renal failure, crystalline myocarditis, and disseminated calcium oxalate crystal deposition in various tissues including the brain and meninges is described. Deposition of crystals in brain and meninges is exceptionally rare in primary oxalosis.
Avian erythrocyte agglutination tests with the sera of bird fanciers.
Authors: Diment J A , Pepys J
Published: June 2007

The agglutination of avian red cells, particularly pigeon and budgerigar cells, by sera from patients who had been exposed to birds and had respiratory symptoms, as well as from healthy bird fanciers, has been used to detect the presence of avian specific antibody. Agglutination tests performed by standard techniques using bird erythrocytes can be read within 45 minutes. One hundred and sixty-five sera were tested, and the 44 which were precipitin positive gave a positive agglutination test with one exception. Of 61 sera which gave positive agglutination tests, 43 gave positive precipitin tests with unconcentrated serum and seven others after fourfold concentration of the serum. Avian antibodies were demonstrated in the remaining 11 sera by radioimmunoelectrophoretic tests. Absorption of the sera with pigeon IgG and IgM and the use of animal antisera directed against pigeon IgG showed that the agglutination reactions were mediated by antibodies directed against pigeon IgG and IgM, and against light chains derived from pigeon IgG.
Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in dermatology and burn wards.
Authors: Ayliffe G A , Green W , Livingston R , Lowbury E J
Published: June 2007

Staphylococcus aureus isolated between 1967 and 1975 from the nose and skin lesions of patients in dermatology wards and from the burns of patients in a burns unit in Birmingham showed a high incidence of multiple antibiotic-resistant strains in both environments. Over 20% of the strains isolated from patients on admission to the dermatology wards were multiresistant. Resistance to benzylpenicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and fusidic acid was common in the dermatology wards; a smaller proportion of strains were resistant to lincomycin, and few (since 1972 none) were resistant to methicillin; resistance to novobiocin and chloramphenicol was uncommon. In the burns unit, fusidic acid resistance was uncommon, but resistance to benzylpenicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, novobiocin, neomycin, methicilin, and lincomycin was common. Several of the antibiotics to which resistance was common in the burns unit were rarely if ever used there; strains resistant to these antibiotics probably remained common in the ward through the frequent use of other antibiotics, especially erythromycin, to which these strains were also resistant.
Haemocytometry by laser-beam optics: evaluation of the Hemac 630L.
Authors: Lewis S M , Bentley S A
Published: June 2007

Hemac is an automated blood counting system which is based on production of impulses from light scattered and diffracted by cells flowing past a laser beam. The pulses are processed electronically for cell counts and packed cell volume; haemoblobin is measured as cyanmethaemoglobin; absolute values are computed. On evaluation the precision was of the order of 2% for Hb and RBC, 2-8% for PVC, and 3% for WBC. When compared with other methods in the routine laboratory, PCV and absolute values gave divergent results, but PCV was found to correlate well with microhaematocrit corrected for trapped plasma. This suggests that Hemac may more closely reflect true values of PCV, MCV, and MCHC than other routine methods. Whether this "accuracy" is necessarily an advantage must be considered ietation of the blood count data, especially MCV, are discussed.
The platelet count in pregnancy.
Authors: Fenton V , Saunders K , Cavill I
Published: June 2007

The platelet count was measured at approximately monthly intervals during the course of 44 normal pregnancies. There was no evidence of any fall in the platelet count during pregnancy. Any significant change in the platelet count in pregnant women is unlikely to be the result of a normal pregnancy.
Occurrence of e antigen in acute hepatitis B.
Authors: Gibson P E , Ruparella K
Published: June 2007

The occurrence of e antigen in 44 patients with acute hepatitis B was studied in order to determine if e was related to the outcome of the illness. In 13.6% of cases e was detected, and in none of these did the carrier state develop. The HBsAg carrier state developed in 4.6% of the patients and in none of these was e antigen detected. Anti-e was detected in only three cases. Only in the very early acute phase of illness e was detected and the time serum samples were taken for the detection of e was considered to be very significant. The occurrence of e was not found to affect the duration of HBs antigenaemia in those patients who recovered completely.
Interrelationship of Chlamydia trachomatis and other pathogens in the female genital tract.
Authors: Ridgway G L , Oriel J D
Published: June 2007

The isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Candida albicans in the female genital tract was studied in 1323 patients attending a venereal disease clinic. Disruption of the cell monolayers use for the isolation of C. trachomatis was significantly associated with the presence of T. vaginalis; this effect was markedly reduced by the addition of vancomycin to gentamicin and amphotericin B in the transport and growth media. The only significant positive association was the more frequent isolation of C. trachomatis in the presence of N. gonorrhoeae. There was a negative association between N. gonorrhoeae and C. albicans and between T. vaginalis and C. albicans, the fungus being isolated significantly less frequently when these microorganisms were present.
Klebsiella: taxonomy, nomenclature, and communication.
Authors: Barr J G
Published: June 2007

Differences in the delineation of Klebsiella spp. in the United Kingdom from that in the majority of other countries is discussed. An attempt is made to trace and interpret the reasons for these differences and suggestions are made for a rapid resolution of this problem which hazards communication.
Astrovirus associated gastroenteritis in a children's ward.
Authors: Kurtz J B , Lee T W , Pickering D
Published: June 2007

During an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a paediatric ward astroviruses were found in faeces from 17 to 27 symptomatic children and from four of 14 members of the staff with diarrhoea. No viruses were found in 10 asymptomatic children. Fourteen of the 21 astrovirus excretors were free of any recognised pathogens, but in the other seven, rotaviruses or pathogenic bacteria were also present. Serological evidence of astrovirus infection was obtained in five adults and two children.
Dermatitis herpetiformis: a comparative assessment of skin and bowel abnormality.
Authors: Cooney T , Doyle C T , Buckley D , Whelton M J
Published: June 2007

We reviewed 18 patients with a clinical diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis who were being treated with dapsone and were on an unrestricted diet. Diagnosis was confirmed by finding IgA deposits in the dermal papillae of unaffected skin. Dapsone was discontinued and biopsy of affected skin was carried out when the typical rash reappeared. The biopsy findings were graded according to the severity of the histological changes. Small bowel tissue from each patient was examined and graded by stereo- and routine microscopy. Thirteen specimens (72%) were stereomicroscopically abnormal; all 18 showed villous atrophy, either partial or subtotal; and in 13 (72%) the interepithelial lymphocyte count was increased. No correlation was found between the histological severity of the skin and the small bowel lesions. Seemingly the severity of the skin rash in dermatitis herpetiformis is no guide to the degree of small bowel abnormality.
Screening of blood donors for IgA deficiency: a study of the donor population of south-west England.
Authors: Holt P D , Tandy N P , Anstee D J
Published: June 2007

Altogether 29 745 English blood donors were screened for IgA deficiency by double diffusion analysis; 57 had apparent absence of IgA, a frequency of 1:522. Further examination by the more sensitive haemagglutination inhibition assay revealed 34 samples having no detectable IgA, a frequency of 1:875. All donors negative by double diffusion analysis were tested for the presence of antibodies to IgA. Six class specific anti IgA antibodies and four anti IgA antibodies of limited specificity were detected. Three of these had the specificity anti alpha2 and one anti A2m(2). The 34 IgA deficient donors detected provide a source of IgA deficient blood for transfusion to patients with anti IgA antibodies.
Human papovavirus in Papanicolaou smears of urinary sediment detected by transmission electron microscopy.
Authors: Coleman D V , Russell W J , Hodgson J , Pe T , Mowbray J F
Published: June 2007

A technique is described whereby inclusion-bearing cells identified by light microscopy in stained smears of urinary sediment were reprocessed for examination in the electron microscope. The nuclei of the abnormal cells were found to contain numerous virus particles, 35 nm in diameter, which morphologically resembled papovaviruses. The technique was applied in this case to identify further the virus producing the cytopathic changes in the Papanicolaou smear. It could be particularly valuable for retrospective studies of mounted cytological or histological material when suitable specimens are no longer available for virological investigation.
Incidence in South-west Scotland of hepatitis B surface antigen in the liver of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Authors: Turbitt M L , Patrick R S , Goudie R B , Buchanan W M
Published: June 2007

A retrospective examination in South-west Scotland of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver tissue by an immunoperoxidase technique revealed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in eight out of 81 cases (10%) of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) and in four out of 82 cases (5%) of cirrhosis. No positive staining was found in 112 controls without overt liver disease matched for age and sex. Unlike most previous studies showing an association between HBsAg and PHC, the present investigation was carried out in an area where HBs antigenaemia is infrequent and PHC is an uncommon tumour. While possibly hepatitis infection is an important cause of PHC, the association between HBsAg and PHC could be due merely to activation by the tumour of latent virus B in a previously infected person.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients treated with high-dosage ergo- and cholecalciferol.
Authors: Gertner J M , Domenech M
Published: June 2007

25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels were measured in 39 patients with metabolic bone disease or hypoparathyroidism who had been treated with a constant high dose of vitamin D2 or D3 for at least 12 weeks. Plasma 25-OHD levels rose with increasing dosage, the relationship between dose and plasma level being approximately linear whether or not the dose was expressed on a weight-corrected basis. A therapeutic range of 25-OHD to be expected when patients with these conditions are treated with vitamin D has been established. There may be certain exceptions in which plasma 25-OHD levels within the range are associated with either an inadequate response to treatment or, conversely, the hypercalcaemia of vitamin D toxicity. There was no correlation between plasma calcium level and 25-OHD concentration in the group of patients studied. There was also no difference between the dose/25-OHD relationship of patients treated with vitamin D2 and that of patients receiving vitamin D3. Ten patients were started on treatment with large doses of vitamin D during the period of the study. The rate of rise of plasma 25-OHD was followed during treatment. The incremental rise in 25-OHD was calculated at the end of the first week of treatment in terms of dose per unit body weight. The rate of rise of plasma 25-OHD level was highly correlated with the dose used. Plasma 25-OHD levels after one weeks' treatment were only 15-20% of the expected steady-state level on the same dosage. The importance of a high priming dose when a rapid response is needed is thus emphasised.