bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of treatment on renal function in severe osteomalacia due to Wilson's disease
Authors: Monro Pauline
Published: June 2007

A patient with Wilson's disease presented at the age of 41 with a neurological defect and gross osteomalacia secondary to a defect of renal tubular reabsorption. He also showed the unusual features of a renal stone in the presence of the Fanconi syndrome and a relatively low alkaline phosphatase level, possibly due to the additional inherited defect of hypophosphatasia. During four years of treatment with penicillamine and calciferol clinical improvement was spectacular. Details of amino-acid clearances before and after treatment are given, and the results suggest that, as in the brain and the liver, the function of the distal renal tubules may be restored in Wilson's disease when copper is removed.
Effect of feeding fat on fibrinolysis, Stypven time, and platelet aggregation in Africans, Asians, and Europeans
Authors: Ferguson J. C. , Mackay N. , McNicol G. P.
Published: June 2007

The effects of acute fat feeding on fibrinolytic activity, platelet aggregation, and Stypven time in 10 Africans and 10 Asians are presented and compared with the results previously obtained in 10 Europeans.

These indicated that the inhibition of fibrinolytic activity seen in Europeans does not occur in either Africans or Asians although the Stypven time was shortened in all three groups.

Platelet aggregation, as measured by the Chandler's tube technique, was inhibited by fat feeding in Europeans but was unchanged in Africans and Asians.

The results also indicate that the fibrinolytic activity of Africans and Asians is greater than that of Europeans.
Intrafollicular amyloid in primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Leedham P. W. , Pollock D. J.
Published: June 2007

The histology of the parathyroids from 88 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism has been reviewed in a search for local amyloid deposits.

Characteristic intrafollicular amyloid deposits of varying extent were found in nine cases. The case histories of these show that seven had suspected or proven pluriglandular adenomatosis but that the remainder had no such associations. The material studied shows no correlation with systemic primary or secondary amyloidosis.

The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the pluriglandular syndrome, peptide hormones, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, and calcitonin secretion. It is suggested that amyloid in this context may be a `marker' for secretion of a peptide closely related to calcitonin.
The histological diagnosis of chronic gastritis in fibreoptic gastroscope biopsy specimens
Authors: Whitehead R. , Truelove S. C. , Gear M. W. L.
Published: June 2007

The advent of the fibreoptic gastroscope with biopsy facilities has provided the means of obtaining biopsy specimens under direct vision from any part of the stomach. This creates new opportunities for the study of chronic gastritis, and, in particular, its evolution, topographical location, and causal relationships. On the basis of an experience with more than 2,500 biopsy specimens we have outlined a method for their systematic examination and have proposed a classification of chronic gastritis. This classification includes the type of mucosa, the type and stage of activity of the gastritis, and the presence and type of metaplasia. The classification is sufficiently flexible to allow within it quantitative assessment of individual histological features.
Acute villous inflammation in the placenta following intrauterine transfusion
Authors: Scott Jean M. , Henderson A.
Published: June 2007

Infection is well recognized as a complication of intrauterine transfusion. The majority of cases are fortunately mild and consist merely of chorio-amnionitis. The present case, of severe type, resulted from contamination of the donor blood withAcinetobacter calcoaceticus.Spread of infection from foetus to mother has been carefully studied and an entirely new type of lesion in the placenta described. This takes the form of acute villous inflammation with resultant micro-abscess formation beneath the trophoblast layer and eventual rupture into the intervillous space. Attempts at localization are poor.
Quantitative sputum culture as a means of excluding false positive reports in the routine microbiology laboratory
Authors: Wilson M. J. B. , Martin D. E.
Published: June 2007

A relatively simple technique for sputum homogenization and dilution is described. Results show that this technique is reliable for isolation and quantitative culture of organisms from cases of chest infection. The technique has resulted in significant reduction in false positive reports, particularly when a system of interpretative reporting is utilized based on 107organisms per millilitre of sputum being accepted as evidence of significant infection.
Azotaemic renal osteodystrophy: a quantitative study on iliac bone
Authors: Ellis H. A. , Peart Kathleen M.
Published: June 2007

The histopathology of bone is described in 60 patients with chronic renal failure due to a variety of renal diseases. Changes of azotaemic renal osteodystrophy included osteitis fibrosa, osteomalacia, and osteosclerosis. Quantitative histology using a point-counting technique revealed a significant increase in total bone, mineralized bone, and osteoid in comparison with a control group of 68 individuals. Osteitis fibrosa due to secondary hyperparathyroidism occurred in 93%, osteomalacia in 40%, and osteosclerosis in 30% of patients. Woven bone formation was a characteristic feature and was related to the severity of osteitis fibrosa. There were significant correlations between the weights of parathyroid glands and the number of osteoclasts, amounts of woven bone, and marrow fibrosis in the ilium. Hyperparathyroidism caused degradation of mineralized bone but the loss was balanced or exceeded by the aggradation of woven mineralized bone. Woven bone formation together with excess osteoid gave rise to osteosclerosis. The histological findings indicate that hyperparathyroidism and osteitis fibrosa usually occur early in chronic renal failure and that osteomalacia develops subsequently.
The postnatal development of lymphoreticular aggregates and lymph nodes in infants' lungs
Authors: Emery John L. , Dinsdale Fay
Published: June 2007

A quantitative study has been made of standardized sections taken from the right middle lobe of 316 children's lungs. Lungs showing no pathological state showed that lymph nodes are present at birth and these increase in prominence if not in numbers throughout the first year after birth. Lymphoreticular aggregates are not present among the alveoli of the normal infant lung at birth. These first appear around a week after birth and progressively increase in number throughout infancy and early childhood, being almost universally present by the age of 5 years. The development of peripheral lymphoreticular aggregates in the lungs of infants appears to be entirely environmentally and antigenically stimulated.
Morphological abnormalities in lymphocyte mitochondria associated with iron-deficiency anaemia
Authors: Jarvis J. H. , Jacobs A.
Published: June 2007

Morphological abnormalities in lymphocyte mitochondria of iron-deficient subjects are described. The abnormalities are of a degenerative type and are similar to those described in the mitochondria of other cells during iron deficiency.
The effect of age on the fibrinolytic enzyme system
Authors: Hamilton P. J. , Dawson Audrey A. , Ogston D. , Douglas A. S.
Published: June 2007

Components of the fibrinolytic enzyme system, FR-antigen and fibrinogen, were measured in 20 healthy volunteers aged 20-40 years and in 61 elderly subjects aged 66-96 years. Plasminogen activator levels did not significantly differ between the 20-40 and 66-75 age groups, but were higher in those over 75. Plasminogen showed no change with age except for a fall in those over 75. Fibrinogen, FR-antigen, α1-antitrypsin, and α2-macroglobulin all rose with age, but the mean fibrinogen concentration fell in the very elderly.
Pulmonary oedema at necropsy: a combined pathological and radiological method of study.
Authors: Slavin G , Kreel L , Herbert A , Sandin B
Published: June 2007

Fixation of lungs at necropsy by inflation with formaldehyde vapour was used in a combined radiological and pathological study of pulmonary oedema. Pulmonary oedema was found in 79% of lungs examined. The earliest phases affect the interstitial tissue with oedematous connective tissue planes and distension of pulmonary lymphatics. These changes may be associated with reduction in the compliance of the lung. Alveolar filling is a late stage in the accumulation of oedema fluid in the lungs.
Inverted follicular keratosis.
Authors: Azzopardi J G , Laurini R
Published: June 2007

Attention is drawn to a benign skin tumour which has escaped recognition in the British lieterautre. Inverted folliculr keratosis can be mistaken clinically for basal cell carcinoma and a variety of benign skin lesions. Pathologically it is easliy confused with squamous carcinoma, a serious error because this lesion occurs dominantly on the face. The lesion is thought to arise from the infundibulum of hair follicte.
Muscle fibre type changes in hypothyroid myopathy.
Authors: McKeran R O , Slavin G , Andrews T M , Ward P , Mair W G
Published: June 2007

Changes in muscle fibre type in hypothyroid myopathy were studied by serial percutaneous needle biopsy of vastus lateralis before and during treatment with L-thyroxine. A type II fibre atrophy and loss was found, which correlated with the clinical and biochemical evidence of a myopathy. The type II fibre atrophy was corrected by L-thyroxine but type II fibre loss was still apparent in severely myopathic patients up to two years after starting treatment. The pathogenesis and significance of type II fibre atrophy and loss are discussed in relation to prognosis.
A critique and case study of nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease.
Authors: Marshall A H , Matilla A , Pollack D J
Published: June 2007

This paper presents a critique of the present concepts of the pathology of nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease and particularly of the criteria required for diagnosis for the condition and its separation from other types of Hodgkin's disease. In addition, the natural history and histopathology of the condition have been studied among 104 cases of Hodgkin's disease presenting at The London Hospital, and the significance of the appearance is discussed.
Assessment of thyroid hormone assays.
Authors: Evered D C , Vice P A , Green E , Appleton D
Published: June 2007

Four techniques for estimating serum T4 and three for estimating serum T3 have been investigated and found to be satisfactory in routine use. Normal ranges for each techniques have been established. Estimation of serum T3 by the commerical kits tested appears to have a high discriminant value in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, although the diagnostic definition used inevitably enhances the apparent sensitivity of these techniques. Estimation of serum T4 will identify the majority of patients with symptomatic hypothyroidism. The low sensitivity of T3 in the diagnosis of thyroid failure is confirmed.
Re-evaluation of heat precipitation method for plasma fibrinogen estimation: effect of abnormal proteins and plasma viscosity.
Authors: Dintenfass L , Kammer S
Published: June 2007

The heat precipitation method (Aberdeen method) was compared with the Ratnoff and Menzie method of fibrinogen assay in 320 donors, including normals and patients suffering from malignant melanoma, renal failure, hypertension, multiple myeloma, etc. Excellent correlation (r=0-8287, p less than 0-000 000 1) was found between these two methods. However, on some occasions individual low results were obtained by the Aberdeen method in the presence of cryoglobulins or excessively high plasma viscosity. The latter effect was tested also by additions of albumin, glucose, and dextrans.
A microplate enzyme-immunoassay for toxoplasma antibody.
Authors: Voller A , Bidwell D E , Bartlett A , Fleck D G , Perkins M , Oladehin B
Published: June 2007

A new test for the detection and measurement of toxoplasma antibody is described. Test sera are reacted with antigen-sensitized wells in micro-haemagglutination plates. Any attached antibody is shown by the addition of an enzyme-labelled antiglobulin followed by assay of the enzyme reaction with its substrate. The test is easy to carry out on a large scale, and there is a positive correlation between the results and dye test and haemagglutination test titres.
Tuberculosis of the cervix: cytology as an aid to diagnosis.
Authors: Misch K A , Smithies A , Twomey D , O'Sullivan J C , Onuigbo W
Published: June 2007

Two cases of tuberculous cervicitis are presented. The presence in cervical smears of both epithelioid and Langhans' giant cells, which are described, should raise a strong suspicion of tuberculosis.
Parathyroid carcinoma in familial hyperparathyroidism.
Authors: Dinnen J S , Greenwoood R H , Jones J H , Walker D A , Williams E D
Published: June 2007

Two families with hereditary hyperparathyroidism are described. One member of each family developed a parathyroid carcinoma. In one case this recurred locally and metastasised. This patient showed hyperplasia of one of the three other parathyroid glands. It is possible that the different parathyroid lesions found in familial hyperparathyroidism may be the result of a progression from hyperplasia to formation of benign or malignant tumours. The remainiing hyperplastic glands may be suppressed by hypercalcaemia. There was no evidence of multiple endocrine neoplasia in either family. Three members of a first family had ichthyosis and both affected members of the second had tumours of the jaw, one of which was an ossifying fibroma, suggesting a possible association of these conditions with familial hyperparathyroidism.
Technique for microdissection and measurement in biopsies of human small intestine.
Authors: Ferguson A , Sutherland A , MacDonald T T , Allan F
Published: June 2007

A microdissection and measurement technique has been adapted for biopsy of human small intestine. Specimens fixed in alcohol and acetic acid are Schiff stained in bulk. Villi and crypts are then dissected out under a dissecting microscope, placed under a coverslip, examined, measured, and the number of mitoses in individual crypts counted. With this method specimens of normal small intestine have been found to have villi 500 microns to 1100 microns long and crypts 150 microns to 300 microns. These values were double those obtained when measuring sections of the same specimens stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The mean number of mitoses per crypt in normal duodenum and jejunum ranged from 1 to 12 and most of the cells in mitosis were in prophase or telophase. This rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive technique complements the available methods of measuring small intestinal architecture.
'Pseudocirrhosis' in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.
Authors: Cooney T , Sweeney E C , Coll R , Greally M
Published: June 2007

Telangiectasia-associated hepatic fibrosis (TAHF) in a 68-year-old woman with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is described. The patient died of oat-cell carcinoma of the lung. In addition to the structural alterations which have been described previously in HHT, the liver exhibited focal midlobular hepatocytic necrosis and tumour metastases. The possibility that treatment of HHT was causally related to some of the hepatic abnormalities found in our patient and the differentiation of TAHF from true cirrhosis are discussed.
Gas liquid chromatography in the rapid diagnosis of meningitis.
Authors: Ferguson I R , Tearle P V
Published: June 2007

Gas liquid chromatography was employed to detect lactic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients suspected of having bacterial meningitis. The technique was found to be both rapid and reliable. Differentiation between aseptic, purulent, and partially treated bacterial meningitis was readily achieved. The effectiveness of therapy in bacterial meningitis was indicated by a rapid fall in the concentration of lactic acid.
Megakaryoblastic transformation of chronic granulocytic leukaemia. An electron microscopy and cytochemial study.
Authors: Bain B , Catovsky D , O'Brien M , Spiers A S , Richards G H
Published: June 2007

Morphological, cytochemical, and ultrastructural electron microscopic (EM) studies were performed on blood and bone-marrow cells of case of Ph1-positive chronic ganulocytic leukaemia in megakaryocytic acute transformation. The entire leukaemic cell population was found to consist and of megakaryoblasts and megakaryocytes. Intermediate stages of maturation between blasts and micromegakaryocytes were observed at EM level.
Pathology of 'non-healing (midline) granuloma'.
Authors: Michaels L , Gregory M M
Published: June 2007

In a histological study of biopsy and postmortem material from 30 cases of nasal disease in which a clinical diagnosis of 'midline granuloma' or Wegener's granuloma had been given, we selected 10 cases on the basis of the presence of widespread coagulative necrosis and atypical cells. Evidence is provided that such changes represent a malignant neoplasm of histiocytic lymphoma type. Local invasion and spread to cervical and more distant lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and kidney were seen in some of the cases. Erythrophagocytic activity was marked in the spleen in three cases and histiocytic infiltration of the bone marrow in two cases, indicating a more generalised activity of histiocytic cells. Terms such as 'malignant granuloma' should be abandoned. In obstructive and ulcerating conditions of the nose efforts should be concentrated on making an accurate histological diagnosis.
Sarcoidosis: histopathological definition and clinical diagnosis.
Authors: Mitchell D N , Scadding J G , Heard B E , Hinson K F
Published: June 2007

Sarcoidosis is best defined in histopathological terms as 'a disease characterised by the presence in all of several affected organs and tissues of non-caseating epithelioid-cell granulomas, proceeding either to resolution or to conversion into hyaline connective tissue'. Although the defining characteristics are thus histopathological, diagnosis during life depends largely upon clinical, radiological, and immunological findings. The amount of support required from histology varies greatly from case to case. Though histology from one site cannot in itself establish the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, a generalised disease, detailed histological study of biopsy tissue makes an important and often essential contribution. In many instances, complete lack of necrosis, an intact reticulin pattern, and failure to demonstrate infective agents permit an unequivocal statement of compatibility with this diagnosis; however, a compatible clinical picture and absence of evidence of known causes of local granulomatous reactions or of other generalised granulomatous diseases are required for definitive diagnosis. In some, the histological pattern deviates in some particular from the accepted 'typical' pattern; there may be a little necrosis, the follicular pattern of the granuloma may be less than perfect, and exclusion of known infective agents can never be absolute. In such instances, subsequent surveillance, including possible response to treatment, may show a clinical course justifying a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, and necropsy may establish it; but it must be recognised that in a few cases, particularly those in which the clinical evidence of disease is confined to one organ, diagnosis is likely to remain in doubt for long periods. Reports on the histology of the Kveim test should be made without knowledge of clinical findings and in terms of the presence and quality of granulomatous response. A granulomatous reaction to a validated test suspension makes a contribution to diagnosis similar to the finding of granulomas in an additional organ or tissue.
Strains of Achromobacter xylosoxidans from clinical material.
Authors: Holmes B , Snell J J , Lapage S P
Published: June 2007

Eleven strains of Achromobacter xylosoxidans have been received from among 1106 strains of Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacteria submitted to the National Collection of Type Cultures for computer-assisted identification since 1 January 1972. The strains showed resistance to a wide range of antimicrobial agents and five of the isolates possibly played a pathogenic role. The biochemical characteristics of these 11 strains were compared with those of three culture collection strains.
Lack of evidence for mutation to erythromycin resistance in clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus.
Authors: Lacey R W
Published: June 2007

The properties of 100 erythromycin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus obtained from clinical material have been compared with the properties of mutants selected in vitro for resistance to erythromycin. The properties, including inducibility of the resistance and cross-resistance to spiramycin and lincomycin, of the two groups of isolates were always different. The risk that staphylococci will mutate to erythromycin resistance during therapy with this antibiotic is remote.
HBsAg and HBcAg in the livers of asymptomatic hepatitis B antigen carriers.
Authors: Tapp E , Jones D M
Published: June 2007

Asymptomatic blood donors with persistent HBs antigenaemia have a variety of histological lesions in the liver, and serial biopsies indicate that, in some, these lesions may progress. The immunoperoxidase technique was found to be a sensitive method for the histological demonstration of HBsAg and HBcAg. Livers showing minor histological changes contained more HBsAg than those with active lesions and there appears to be an inverse relationship between the amount of HBsAg in the liver and the severity of the histological damage. In the carriers who had more than one biopsy, the presence of stainable HBsAg, irrespective of the initial histological diagnosis, was associated with a greater likelihood of progression of the histological lesion. HBcAg was found only in the hepatocyte nuclei of carriers with chronic aggressive and chronic persistent hepatitis.
Acquired cystic disease of the kidneys: a hazard of long-term intermittent maintenance haemodialysis.
Authors: Dunnill M S , Millard P R , Oliver D
Published: June 2007

In the period 1968-76, necropsies were carried out on 30 patients who had been treated by long-term intermittent maintenance haemodialysis. Fourteen of these patients developed bilateral cystic disease of the kidney. Clinical, pathological, and radiological investigation of these patients when they first presented did not reveal any evidence of renal cystic change. The main complications of this condition are haemorrhage and tumour formation. Six patients developed renal tumours, and in five cases these were multiple. The histological appearance of these neoplasms gave no indication as to whether they would behave in an aggressive manner. One patient died of metastatic carcinomatosis from a renal primary. The condition of acquired cystic disease of the kidney should be suspected if patients on maintenance haemodialysis suffer from recurrent haematuria or are found to have enlarging kidneys.
A rapid screening test for reduced fibrinolytic activity of plasma: streptokinase activated lysis time.
Authors: Gidron E , Margalit R , Shalitin Y
Published: June 2007

A simple screening method for determining the fibrinolytic activity of plasma is described. A streptokinase activated system is used, which measures the result of the interplay of all components of the fibrinolytic system with the exception of activators, which are added in excess. Mean lysis time and standard deviation with this method is 6.9 +/- 1.4 min. The sensitivity of the method in detecting minor delays in clot lysis time is demonstrated.
Relationship of air temperature to various chemical, haematological, and haemostatic variables.
Authors: Bull G M , Brozovic M , Chakrabarti R , Meade T W , Morton J , North W R , Stirling Y
Published: June 2007

Results for biochemical and haematological variables have been correlated with data on atmospheric temperature in order to identify possible mechanisms through which low environmental temperature may increase mortality from myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease. With the exception of cholesterol, there were no associations in the case of several clinical chemistry variables, or of haemoglobin and related indices. With varying degrees of consistency among the sex and age groups studied, temperature was positively correlated with factor VII, antithrombin III, and cholesterol, and negatively correlated with fibrinolytic activity. The correlations were all low but may offer some clues to mechanisms whereby air temperature influences ischaemic heart and cerebrovascular disease mortality.
A new antigen on the epithelial membrane: its immunoperoxidase localisation in normal and neoplastic tissue.
Authors: Heyderman E , Steele K , Ormerod M G
Published: June 2007

Using antisera raised against defatted human cream we have demonstrated a new antigen on the epithelial membrane. An indirect immunoperoxidase technique on routinely processed histological sections was used, and we describe results which show that this antigen has a widespread but highly selective distribution, being apparently localised to membranes that have a secretory function. The antigen is carried by a variety of adenocarcinomas, suggesting that its localisation may have a role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of malignant disease.
Interpretation of serum total calcium: effects of adjustment for albumin concentration on frequency of abnormal values and on detection of change in the individual.
Authors: Payne R B , Carver M E , Morgan D B
Published: June 2007

Serum total calcium was measured in 1693 patients during a four-month period. We examined the effects of adjustment for albumin concentration on the interpretation of single measurements of serum total calcium and on the variation of series of measurements in individual patients. Markedly abnormal total calcium concentrations--2.75 mmol/l (11.0 mg/100 ml) or more, or 2.00 mmol/l (8.0 mg/100 ml) or less--were found in 115 patients, but only 24 (21%) remained markedly abnormal after adjustment for albumin. Three patients, two with malignant disease and one with primary hyperparathyroidism, had significant hypercalcaemia which was masked by hypoalbuminaemia. The serum total calcium measured on a subsequent occasion had changed 0.15 mmol/l (0.6 mg/100 ml) or more in 60 patients, but after adjustment for albumin this number was reduced to 27 (45%). The within-person standard deviation for serum total calcium was calculated in 26 patients with normal mean adjusted calcium concentrations who had had six or more sequential measurements. The mean standard deviation was 0.148 mmol/1 (0.59 mg/100 ml) and, after adjustment for albumin, this was reduced to 0.100 mmol/1 (0.40 mg/100 ml). We conclude that adjustment of serum total calcium concentration for albumin is essential to detect abnormal values and to assess changes in a value.
Flavobacterium odoratum: a species resistant to a wide range of antimicrobial agents.
Authors: Holmes B , Snell J J , Lapage S P
Published: June 2007

During the period 1966-77, 24 strains of Flavobacterium odoratum were identified from among strains of Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacteria submitted to the National Collection of Type Cultures for computer-assisted identification. The F. odoratum strains showed resistance to therapeutic levels of gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, and carbenicillin as well as to several other antimicrobial agents generally useful in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacteria. Two strains isolated from amputation stumps and another three strains isolated in significant numbers from urine specimens were possibly opportunist pathogens. The biochemical characteristics of the 24 strains, the proposed neotype strain of F. odoratum, and three strains representative of a group, referred to at the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta as group M-4f, were compared with those of biochemically similar species which may be isolated from clinical material.
An immunohistochemical study of the significance of HCG secretion by large bowel adenocarcinomata.
Authors: Buckley C H , Fox H
Published: June 2007

A series of five benign and 60 malignant colonorectal neoplasms has been examined immunohistochemically for the presence of HCG. This hormone was not demonstrated in any of the benign tumours but was present in 43% of the malignant neoplasms. The incidence of HCG secretion was unrelated to the sex of the patient but tended to be decreased in patients of advanced age. The HCG-containing tumours, which were predominantly from the left side of the large intestine, had all penetrated the full thickness of the bowel wall while a significant proportion of those tumours lacking HCG were still confined to the bowel wall. Despite the greater degree of local aggressiveness shown by the HCG-secreting tumours there was no correlation between HCG production and the presence of local metastases but, as the presence of HCG is associated with local invasion, it is suggested that preoperative immunohistochemical studies of HCG in biopsies of large bowel neoplasms may be of value in the planning of surgical procedures.
A comparison of three tests for rubella antibody screening.
Authors: Morgan-Capner P , Pullen H J , Pattison J R , Bidwell D E , Bartlett A , Voller A
Published: June 2007

Sera from 1000 women attending antenatal clinics were screened for the presence of rubella antibody by haemagglutination inhibition (HI), single radial haemolysis (SRH), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). With 925 sera concordant results were obtained with all three tests. There were 46 false-negative HI tests due to the necessity of allowing for residual non-specific inhibitors. With SRH there was one false positive and three that were negative by SRH but HI- and ELISA-positive. By ELISA 14 sera gave a false-positive result (OD 405 nm greater than or equal to 0.2). Ten of these could be eliminated by taking an OD 405 nm of 0.5 as the threshold but then another 10 sera became false negatives.
Immunochemical demonstration of J chain: a marker of B-cell malignancy.
Authors: Isaacson P
Published: June 2007

Many B-cell lymphomas can be shown to contain cytoplasmic immunoglobulin which is characteristically monotypic with respect to light chains. In Hodgkin's disease, however, the Reed-Sternberg cells have been shown to contain both immunoglobulin light chains. This finding, which is also present in some other lymphomas, has been used as evidence both for and against a B-cell derivation of these cells. J chain is present in normal immunoblasts irrespective of the class of immunoglobulin being synthesised and, thus, should be present in tumour cells that synthesise cytoplasmic immunoglobulin. In a series of lymphomas, in which the cells could be shown to contain immunoglobulin, J chain was present only in those tumours exhibiting a monotypic light chain staining pattern. J chain was not present in Reed-Sternberg cells and other cells staining polytypically for light chains. Demonstration of J chain is thus a useful marker for B-cell lymphomas; its absence in Reed-Sternberg cells indicates that the immunoglobulin in these cells is not synthesised by them and cannot be used as evidence for their derivation from B-cells.
Endocarditis due to Micrococcus sedentarius incertae sedis.
Authors: Old D C , McNeill G P
Published: June 2007

The clinical and bacteriological features of a case of endocarditis are described in which a Gram-positive coccus, presently designated Micrococcus sedentarius incertae sedis, was repeatedly isolated.
Hepatitis in clinical laboratories 1977-78.
Authors: Grist N R
Published: June 2007

The low incidence of hepatitis in the staff of clinical laboratories in Britain was sustained in 1977-78. The attack rate was 29 per 100,000 person years, calculated from eight cases (six of hepatitis B).
Antibody to synthetic poly dAT: correlation with antibody to native DNA and specificity for SLE.
Authors: Davis P , Makinen D
Published: June 2007

Antibodies to synthetic 3H-poly dAT have the advantage over antibody to native DNA in that they have a higher degree of specificity for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is because poly dAT eliminates the problem of measurement of single stranded antibodies that are not specific for any one condition but which may be detected by native DNA preparations which usually contain single stranded regions. The overall degree of correlation between the two antibodies is good in SLE. Antibodies to poly dAT correlate well with clinical evidence of disease activity but in this study were not particularly associated with the presence of renal disease.
Lysosomal naphthylamidase activity as a possible aid in cytological screening.
Authors: Millett J A , Chin Y , Bitensky L , Chayen J , Husain O
Published: June 2007

Lysosomal naphthylamidase activity has been measured microdensitometrically in cells in samples obtained by cervical and vaginal irrigation from 22 cases cytologically graded I and II, 28 graded III (moderate to severe dysplasia), 22 graded IV (carcinoma in situ), and 15 cases (grade V) of invasive carcinoma. There was a statistically significant difference in this activity in the cells from cases of grade V as against those in the relatively normal samples (grades I and II; p < 0.001) and as against those of grade IV (p < 0.005). The method is sufficiently robust for routine use provided that it is recognised that elevated activities can be found as a consequence of other factors such as previous surgical intervention and infection with herpes simplex.
Role of intestinal metaplasia in the histogenesis of gastric carcinoma.
Authors: Jass J R
Published: June 2007

Recent evidence suggests that intestinal metaplasia (IM) cannot be regarded as a single entity. A simple classification of IM and its variants based on histological and mucin histochemical criteria was devised, and the incidence of IM subtypes in cancerous and benign gastrectomy specimens was recorded. A particular subtype was associated with 'intestinal' cancers but not with tumours considered to arise in normal gastric epithelium (P < 0.01) or with benign lesions (P < 0.01). This subtype appeared to lack absorptive cells at light microscopic level and secreted both neutral and acid mucins, including marked amounts of sulphomucin but no O-acetyl sialomucin.
Comparison of ELISA and RIA for measurement of pneumococcal antibodies before and after vaccination with 14-valent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine.
Authors: Koskela M , Leinonen M
Published: June 2007

Antibody responses to the 14-valent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine in children under school age were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Specific IgG and IgM antibodies were usually detectable by ELISA in the prevaccination sera, and one or both of them increased as a response to the vaccination. Specific IGA antibodies were detected by ELISA in a part of the post-vaccination sera only. The frequency of the IgA responses increased with the age of the children. The correlation of the ELISA results with RIA was good (r from 0.652 to 0.812) except for type 6A (r = 0.471).
Histopathology reporting in large bowel cancer.
Authors: Blenkinsopp W K , Stewart-Brown S , Blesovsky L , Kearney G , Fielding L P
Published: June 2007

A review of histopathology reports on 2046 patients in the large bowel cancer project showed considerable observer variation in histological grading. Dukes staging, and lymph node harvest. These parameters have a well-established relationship to prognosis, but, if they are to be applied for both clinical and research purposes, they must be assessed consistently. A minimal level of information which should be recorded from a resection specimen is suggested, with a description of the methods by which this information can be obtained.
Forms of vitamin B12 in radioisotope dilution assays.
Authors: Begley J A , Hall C A
Published: June 2007

Since the presence of analogues of vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin, Cbl) has been postulated as the basis for the high values obtained by some radioisotope dilution assays (RIDA) of serum Cbl we examined serum for analogues. None could be demonstrated in the extracts of serum prepared for RIDA as sought by both direct and indirect techniques. The natural forms of serum Cbl were converted to cyanocobalamin (CN Cbl) by this process of extraction which included cyanide (CN). The correctly performed RIDA for Cbl based on R binder gave higher values than a RIDA based on intrinsic factor or than by bioassay. By exclusion, the difference appeared to be due to unidentified factors rather than the presence of analogues.
Candidal infections and populations of Candida albicans in mouths of diabetics.
Authors: Tapper-Jones L M , Aldred M J , Walker D M , Hayes T M
Published: June 2007

The prevalence of oral candidosis and the frequency of isolation of Candida albicans and its density and distribution have been determined in the mouths of 50 patients with diabetes mellitus and 50 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, dental status and smoking habits. Three of the diabetic patients were found to have a chronic oral candidosis. According to an imprint culture technique, the oral carrier rate and density of C albicans were both higher in the diabetic group as a whole than in the control subjects. Smoking was associated with an increased prevalence of the yeast in diabetes mellitus. Diabetics wearing dentures had higher candidal density than those without a prosthesis. No differences in candidal status could be detected according to the degree of control of diabetes, mode of treatment, duration of diabetes or the patient's age. Local factors such as smoking and the presence of dentures, particularly when worn continuously, interact with diabetes mellitus in promoting candidal colonisation of the mouth. Attention to these predisposing factors could reduce the incidence of thrush in diabetics.
Studies on blood lymphocytes of patients with nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma.
Authors: Krajewski A S , Dewar A E
Published: June 2007

T and B lymphocytes were measured in pretreatment blood samples from patients wih nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (NPDLL). There were significant differences in T cell values between control groups and patients with NPDLL. In 13 out of 20 cases of NPDLL blood lymphocytes showed abnormalities of immunoglobulin light chain expression and were considered to show an abnormal clonal expansion of B lymphocytes. The abnormal clone of B cells in the blood reflected that found in lymph nodes and could be detected in the absence of bone marrow involvement or blood lymphocytosis.
External quality assessment of clinical laboratories in the United Kingdom
Authors: Whitehead TP , Woodford FP
Published: June 2007

A review is given of the National External Quality Assessment Schemes (NEQASs) in various pathology disciplines in the United Kingdom, with a discussion of the relative roles of the DHSS, individual laboratory scientists, and the relevant professional bodies. Principles of operation and scientific problems in the design of NEQASs in different disciplines are described and contrasted, and some comparisons with the experience in other European countries and the USA are drawn.
Circulating immune complexes and complement concentrations in patients with alcoholic liver disease.
Authors: Gluud C , Jans H
Published: June 2007

A prospective evaluation of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and the activity of the complement system was undertaken in 53 alcoholic patients just before diagnostic liver biopsy. Circulating immune complexes were detected in 39% of patients with alcoholic steatosis (n = 26), 58% of patients with alcoholic hepatitis (n = 12), and 60% of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (n = 15). No significant difference was found between the three group of patients. The activity of the complement system was within reference limits in the majority of patients and only slight differences were detected between the three groups. No significant differences were observed in liver biochemistry and complement concentrations in CIC-positive and CIC-negative patients. Detection of CIC in patients with alcoholic liver disease does not seem to be of any diagnostic value or play any pathogenic role. The high prevalence of CIC in these patients may be due to a depressing effect of ethanol on clearance of CIC or to increased immunological reactivity, or to both.
Acquired dysfibrinogenaemia in liver disease.
Authors: Francis J L , Armstrong D J
Published: June 2007

Using a new and sensitive screening method, dysfibrinogenaemia (DF) was detected in 76% of patients with cirrhosis, 78% with chronic active liver disease and 86% with acute liver failure. The incidence was much lower in obstructive jaundice (8%) and miscellaneous liver disorders (4%). It is concluded that the fibrin monomer polymerisation (FMP) ratio test is a simple and sensitive test for the detection of DF, and is useful in the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular and obstructive jaundice. Hyperfibrinogenaemia, particularly in patients with obstructive jaundice, may explain the high incidence of abnormal thrombin and Reptilase clotting times despite normal FMP ratios. Dysfibrinogenaemia dose not appear to be related to the degree of liver function impairment, but may be associated with regeneration of hepatic tissue.
Distribution of fibronectin and laminin in normal and pathological lymphoid tissue.
Authors: Reilly J T , Nash J R , Mackie M J , McVerry B A
Published: June 2007

Forty six lymph nodes were examined with the indirect immunoperoxidase technique for the distribution of fibronectin and laminin. Fibronectin was present in the framework of the tissue and the basal lamina of blood vessels, giving a clear outline of nodal architecture. Intracellular fibronectin was observed in cases of reactive sinus histiocytosis, when about a third of macrophages exhibited strong positivity. Mast cells were positive. A pronounced increase in extracellular fibronectin was seen in nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease, although heavily hyalinised areas exhibited only superficial positivity. Reed-Sternberg and mononuclear Hodgkin's cells were consistently negative for fibronectin. Laminin staining was localised to vascular and marginal sinus basement membranes. No cellular positivity was evident. The distribution of laminin indicated a pronounced increase in vascularity in nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease, which was especially prevalent within the dense fibrous trabeculae. In contrast, however, examination of the other Rye subtypes showed a lesser degree of vascularity with numbers of vessels similar to those observed in reactive follicular hyperplasia. Laminin was found to be more efficient than factor VIII related antigen as a vascular marker.
Hypersensitivity to carbamazepine presenting as pseudolymphoma.
Authors: Yates P , Stockdill G , McIntyre M
Published: June 2007

An unusually severe hypersensitivity reaction to carbamazepine is described, in which the patient presented with lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, bone marrow suppression, immunosuppression and other features strongly suggestive of a lymphoma.
Patterns of basement membrane deposition in benign, premalignant, and malignant endometrium.
Authors: Furness P N , Lam E W
Published: June 2007

Immunocytochemical staining for laminin, an intrinsic basement membrane component, was used to show and quantify the distribution of basement membranes in endometrium. In normal endometrium, glands which are not mechanically disrupted have almost entirely continuous basement membranes, even in the menstrual phase. This is also seen in benign cystic hyperplasia. In atypical hyperplasia a small proportion of glands show small breaks in basement membrane staining in the absence of invasion. The number of breaks increases with more severe cytological changes, and this abnormality may persist even when a second biopsy specimen shows an apparent return to normal morphology. Invasive tumours show a strikingly different pattern of basement membrane staining, even when very well differentiated.
Oestrogen receptor in glands and stroma of normal and neoplastic human endometrium: a combined biochemical, immunohistochemical, and morphometric study.
Authors: Thornton J G , Wells M
Published: June 2007

Cryostat sections of unfixed human endometrial tissue from normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous endometrium were assayed for oestrogen receptor content using a radiolabelled oestradiol binding assay with isoelectric focusing to separate receptor proteins. The proportions of myometrium, stroma, and glandular tissue were estimated in adjacent sections by point counting. Further cryostat sections were stained for oestrogen receptor immunohistochemically with a monoclonal antibody and the relative staining intensity of the various tissue components assessed. The area proportions and relative immunohistochemical staining intensity of each tissue component in the cryostat sections were then used to adjust the biochemical results and derive separate values of oestrogen receptor content in myometrium, glands, and stroma. The greatest difference in oestrogen receptor content through the menstrual cycle and between normal, hyperplastic, and malignant endometrium occurred in the glandular element.
Ultrastructure of bone marrow in patients with visceral leishmaniasis.
Authors: Wickramasinghe S N , Abdalla S H , Kasili E G
Published: June 2007

Ultrastructural studies were performed on bone marrow aspirates from three patients with visceral leishmaniasis. The patients were moderately anaemic but showed a suboptimal increase in the absolute reticulocyte count. Serum and red cell folate concentrations and serum vitamin B12 concentrations were normal in all three cases, and serum ferritin concentrations were normal or increased. The bone marrows were hypercellular and showed erythroid hyperplasia; a high proportion of the erythroblasts showed dyserythropoietic changes. Amastigote forms of Leishmania donovani were found within bone marrow macrophages and within occasional neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes. Electron microscopy showed the presence of many abnormal cells, which probably represented immature erythroblasts with giant lysosomes. These cells were often large, usually contained immature nuclei with relatively little condensed chromatin, had 1-20 electron dense cytoplasmic granules with an average diameter of 0.5 micron, and regularly displayed substantial rhopheocytotic activity. A few abnormal cells and intermediate and late erythroblasts appeared to have been phagocytosed by macrophages. The data indicate that dyserythropoiesis and ineffective erythropoiesis have a role in the pathogenesis of the anaemia of at least some cases of kala-azar.
Class II antigen (HLA-DR) expression by intestinal epithelial cells in inflammatory diseases of colon.
Authors: McDonald G B , Jewell D P
Published: June 2007

Eighty four colonic biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, radiation colitis, infectious colitis, and from normal controls. Paired specimens were examined by histological and immunohistochemical methods using monoclonal antibodies to the beta chain of HLA-DR antigen. The expression of HLA-DR antigen in mucosal epithelial cells was strongly related to whether the specimens were actively inflamed: epithelial cells from 34 of 37 inflamed specimens (nu three of 42 non-inflamed specimens) were HLA-DR positive (p less than 0.0001). Epithelial cells were uniformly HLA-DR negative in specimens from normal control patients despite the presence of HLA-DR positive lymphoid cells and macrophages in the lamina propria. Epithelial cells in specimens from patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and radiation colitis were HLA-DR positive in 30 of 33 inflamed biopsy specimens and in only three of 25 non-inflamed specimens (p less than 0.0001). Epithelial cells were HLA-DR positive in nine of 10 biopsy specimens from patients with acute infectious colitis (p less than 0.01).