bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A microbiological survey of automated biochemical machines.
Authors: Newsom S W , Matthews J
Published: June 2007

The potential microbial hazards to laboratory personnel from operating three pieces of automated laboratory equipment have been tested using challenges of bacteria in serum or water. Aerosols did not seem to be a hazard, and the recommended disinfection procedures seemed quite adequate, although 2% aqueous activated glutaraldehyde is to be preferred to hypochlorite. The use of plastic gloves for protecting hands when changing rinse cups and pH electrodes is recommended.
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in rapidly produced McCoy cell monolayers.
Authors: Evans R T , Taylor-Robinson D
Published: June 2007

The 24-hour delay between seeding coverslips with cells and inoculating samples for culture of chlamydiae was reduced to less than 1 hour by using coverslips which had been pre-treated with glutaraldehyde-activated gamma-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane. Treated coverslips were not toxic for McCoy cells and even one year after treatment monolayers formed rapidly on them. Furthermore, all of 13 Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes and one C. psittaci strain tested produced inclusions in such cell monolayers. In comparative tests, when there were large numbers of inclusions, more were always seen in conventionally produced monolayers than in monolayers on treated coverslips. However, when there were few inclusions, more were seen in the latter monolayers, a phenomenon observed with unpassaged chlamydiae in clinical specimens as well as in laboratory-passaged strains. The rapid method is, therefore, as sensitive for isolating chlamydiae as using conventionally produced monolayers.
Precancerous conditions and epithelial dysplasia in the stomach.
Authors: Morson B C , Sobin L H , Grundmann E , Johansen A , Nagayo T , Serck-Hanssen A
Published: June 2007

A distinction can be made between a precancerous condition and a precancerous lesion. The former is a clinical state associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer, whereas a precancerous lesion is a histopathological abnormality in which cancer is more likely to occur than in its apparently normal counterpart. Up to the present time atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer, pernicious anaemia, gastric stumps, gastric polyps, and Ménétrier's disease have all been considered as precancerous conditions and lesions of the stomach. Of these, only atrophic gastritis, pernicious anaemia, gastric stumps, and certain types of gastric polyp can now be regarded as having any really significant malignant potential. The precancerous lesion common to these is epithelial dysplasia which can occur in ordinary (foveolar) gastric epithelium as well as in intestinal metaplasia. The criteria for grading dysplasia in gastric epithelium into mild, moderate, and severe grades are given, and attention is drawn to the problems of differentiating inflammatory or regenerative change from mild dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma from severe dysplasia. The clinical and epidemiological implications of gastric dysplasia are discussed with suggestions for further research.
Serological response to Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection.
Authors: Jones D M , Eldridge J , Dale B
Published: June 2007

The antibody response to Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection was investigated in 59 patients involved in two outbreaks of milk-borne infection and in sporadic infections in the community. Agglutinins and complement-fixing (CF) antibodies were detected in nearly all these patients. Agglutinins were present in 25% of normal sera at low titres (not greater than 1/160) but CF antibody titres of 1/4 or 1/8 were present in only 2.0%. The agglutination reactions in convalescent sera were best developed with the homologous or an antigenically similar strain whereas the CF test, with sonicated organisms as antigen, was less strain-specific and was more suitable as a routine test. Antibody was present seven to 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
Arizona hinshawii bacteraemia and meningitis in a child: a case report.
Authors: Ichord R , Brook I , Controni G
Published: June 2007

An 8-week-old infant presented with Arizona hinshawii meningitis and bacteraemia. The child responded well to the administration of parenteral ampicillin and chloramphenicol. However, chloramphenicol was discontinued after one day of therapy, and A. hinshawii was recultured from the cerebrospinal fluid on the fifth day. Chloramphenicol therapy was restarted and the patient had an uneventful recovery. This report is the first description of A. hinshawii meningitis and should alert clinicians to the possible occurrence of this infection in endemic areas.
Air bubbles and temperature effect on blood gas analysis.
Authors: Madiedo G , Sciacca R , Hause L
Published: June 2007

The effect of temperature, time of storage, and presence of air bubbles in specimens for blood gas analysis was studied. The results show that air bubbles in a 10% proportion are undesirable because of significant elevation in the PO2, and the storage of anaerobic blood samples at room temperature (25 degrees C) is acceptable when measurements are done within the first 20 minutes.
Activation of complement by renal tissues from patients with IgA nephropathy.
Authors: Tomino Y , Endoh M , Nomoto Y , Sakai H
Published: June 2007

In a study of complement activation by renal tissues, renal biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with IgA nephropathy and other glomerular diseases. These specimens were incubated with freshly frozen guinea-pig serum, and the activation of guinea-pig complement systems was evaluated by immunofluorescent staining with FITC-conjugated anti-guinea-pig complement antisera. It was shown that the alternative pathway of the complement was activated in situ in renal tissues from patients with IgA nephropathy. it is suggested that analysis of in situ activation of complement in such patients is useful for elucidating the mechanism of complement activation in various glomerular diseases.
Tumour-associated eosinophilia: a review.
Authors: Lowe D , Jorizzo J , Hutt M S
Published: June 2007

In a recent study of cervical carcinoma, 13 cases with a marked eosinophil infiltrate around the tumour were found. The histological appearance of the tumours was distinctive and suggested a specific response, similar to the lymphocyte infiltration in medullary carcinoma of the breast and seminoma. A review of published reports shows that tumour-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) and tumour-associated blood eosinophilia (TABE) may be seen in tumours of different histological types from different anatomical sites, and may occur together or separately. Tumours with TATE alone appear to have a better prognosis that those without, while TABE is associated with tumor spread and a poor prognosis.
Alkaline phosphatase for immunocytochemical labelling: problems with endogenous enzyme activity.
Authors: Bulman A S , Heyderman E
Published: June 2007

Alkaline phosphatase may be used as a label for immunocytochemistry and can be demonstrated in tissue sections using the single step naphthol phosphate method. Endogenous enzyme activity may not be destroyed by fixation in formalin, formol alcohol, Carnoy's or Baker's solutions and should be inhibited before results are assessed. Either Bouin's solution or periodic acid followed by potassium borohydride are satisfactory inhibitor and do not adversely affect immunocytochemical results.
Haemodialysis related osteomalacia: a staining method to demonstrate aluminium
Authors: Buchanan Malcolm RC , Ihle Benno U , Dunn Cheryl M
Published: June 2007

A slight modification in tissue processing and staining technique enables a previously described method for staining aluminium to be used to demonstrate aluminium in osteomalacia associated with haemodialysis. The stain appears to be accurate in diagnosing this condition and may assist in establishing the diagnosis before severe osteomalacia develops.
Spectroscopy, colorimetry, and biological chemistry in the nineteenth century.
Authors: Rinsler M G
Published: June 2007

The development of colorimetry and spectroscopy in the nineteenth century is described. An account is given of the application of their techniques to biological chemistry during that period.
Defective neutrophil function in low-birth-weight, premature infants.
Authors: Al-Hadithy H , Addison I E , Goldstone A H , Cawley J C , Shaw J C
Published: June 2007

A whole-blood technique was used to measure simultaneously neutrophil migration, uptake, and killing of candida in 27 premature infants of low birth weight (less than 1500 g). Neutrophil migration was consistently reduced, especially in the first two weeks of life. Phagocytosis was also reduced, particularly in the first week of life and in sick patients. Killing was usually normal, except in sick patients. The three functions were not altered when the test was performed in normal adult, rather than autologous, plasma, and the reduced migration and uptake are therefore the result of an intrinsic defect of the cell. The results clarify the previous controversy concerning neutrophil function in premature infants and provide an explanation for their increased susceptibility to infection.
Prevalence and persistence of C1q binding activity in healthy subjects.
Authors: Walker S M , Al Khateeb S F
Published: June 2007

Samples of serum from 885 normal healthy blood donors were tested for the presence of soluble immune complex-like material by a solid-phase C1q binding assay. The majority of donors (93%) had low or undetectable levels of C1q binding activity in their sera, but 6% had levels that were clearly outside the normal distribution. When these individuals were retested after several weeks half of them still had elevated levels of C1q binding activity.
Haematological stress syndrome in atherosclerosis.
Authors: Stuart J , George A J , Davies A J , Aukland A , Hurlow R A
Published: June 2007

Forty patients with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, as compared to 29 healthy controls, showed a significant increase in platelet number and activity, a neutrophil leucocytosis, and a raised level of several acute-phase reactant proteins (fibrinogen, antithrombin III, factor VIII, and serum globulin). The hyperproteinaemia was associated with increases in plasma-, serum-, and blood-viscosity and is the likely cause of the hyperviscosity of vascular disease. These multiple haemostatic abnormalities closely resemble the non-specific, haematological stress-syndrome response to acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. In atherosclerosis also they may represent a non-specific, secondary response and neither be of aetiological significance nor reflect continuing low-grade intravascular coagulation.
Adriamycin cardiotoxicity: report of an unusual case with features resembling endomyocardial fibrosis.
Authors: Fitter W , deSa D J , Pai K R
Published: June 2007

We report on a case of adriamycin cardiotoxicity occurring in a five-year-old boy treated for rhabdomyosarcoma. In addition to the usual features of myofibrillary degeneration associated with adriamycin, extreme endocardial fibrosis and mural thrombosis affecting the apical segments of both ventricles but particularly the left ventricle was seen at necropsy. The changes resembled classical endomyocardial fibrosis.
Diagnostic accuracy of cytology and biopsy in primary bronchial carcinoma.
Authors: Payne C R , Hadfield J W , Stovin P G , Barker V , Heard B E , Stark J E
Published: June 2007

The accuracy of diagnosis in 656 patients with the four common histopathological types of primary lung cancer has been assessed by comparing the cell type diagnosis made on cytological and histological investigation with that determined by examination of the surgically resected or necroscopy specimen. The accuracy of diagnosis achieved by cytological examination of sputum and bronchial aspirate, and by bronchial biopsy histology was over 85%. The least accurate diagnostic procedure was percutaneous needle biopsy (62%). Squamous and small cell tumours were accurately diagnosed by all four investigations but errors were made in the diagnosis of large cell and adenocarcinomas. Nearly half the number of patients (43%) with large cell carcinoma were later reclassified as having squamous carcinoma and of the patients with adenocarcinoma 32% had been predicted to be squamous and 18% large cell carcinoma. We consider such quality control of pretreatment diagnosis mandatory in management of individual patients and before enrollment in clinical trials.
Distribution of HLA class 1 antigens in normal human tissue and in mammary cancer.
Authors: Fleming K A , McMichael A , Morton J A , Woods J , McGee J O
Published: June 2007

With a monoclonal antibody which reacts with all HLA class 1 antigens it was found that these antigens are not uniformly distributed in all nucleated cells. Rather HLA class 1 antigens are restricted in their distribution to lymphoid cells, endothelial cells of small vessels, and certain epithelia including mammary duct cells. These antigens were not detected on hepatocytes, specialised cells of the central nervous system, or on the tumour cells of 8 out of 17 human mammary cancers. Given the hypothesis that T cells only respond to foreign antigens on cells which share a common major histocompatibility antigen, these results imply that the T cell responses to viral infections of hepatocytes--for example, hepatitis B virus and the CNS--for example, subacute sclerosing encephalitis, are mediated through an antigen system other than HLA class 1. The absence of HLA class 1 antigen on many mammary cancer cells may be of prognostic significance if T cell modulation of tumour growth is mediated through this class of antigens.
Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever in Dubai: histopathological studies.
Authors: Baskerville A , Satti A , Murphy F A , Simpson D I
Published: June 2007

Necropsies were carried out on two patients who died of Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever (C-CHF) in Dubai. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of C-CHF virus from the liver. Histopathological changes included extensive cellular necrosis and haemorrhage in the liver, necrosis and lymphoid depletion in the spleen, congestion and oedema formation in the lungs, and haemorrhage in a number of other organs.
A new serotype of calicivirus associated with an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a residential home for the elderly
Authors: Cubitt WD , Pead PJ , Saeed AA
Published: June 2007

An outbreak of gastroenteritis involving residents and members of staff in a nursing home for the elderly is described. The agent associated with this episode was a calicivirus which is serologically distinct from two strains causing gastroenteritis in children. We believe that this is the first report of calicivirus infection in adults.
Principal neuropathological and general necropsy findings in 24 renal transplant patients.
Authors: Morton R , Graham D I , Briggs J D , Hamilton D N
Published: June 2007

The principal neuropathological and general pathological findings in a group of 24 patients with renal transplants who died in a nine-year period at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, are described. Opportunistic infections--bacterial, protozoal, and fungal--were the commonest causes of death. Other causes included cardiac and vascular lesions, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and neoplasia.
Morphological study of the relation between accidental hypothermia and acute pancreatitis.
Authors: Foulis A K
Published: June 2007

There is a recognised but poorly understood association between hypothermia and acute pancreatitis. A histological study of the pancreas was made in eight patients with accidental hypothermia who had evidence of pancreatitis at necropsy. From an analysis of the patterns of parenchymal necrosis in the pancreas it was thought that there were at least three possible mechanisms for the relation between hypothermia and pancreatitis. Firstly, that ischaemic pancreatitis may result from the "microcirculatory shock" of hypothermia. Secondly, that both hypothermia and pancreatitis may be secondary to alcohol abuse: and finally, that severe pancreatitis may be the primary disease and that hypothermia results from the patients' social circumstances.
Use of monoclonal antibodies for the histopathological diagnosis of human malignancy
Authors: Gatter KC , Abdulaziz Z , Beverley P , Corvalan JRF , Ford C , Lane EB , Mota M , Nash JRG , Pulford K , Stein H , Taylor-Papadimitriou J , Woodhouse C , Mason DY
Published: June 2007

This paper describes the use of a panel of seven monoclonal antibodies (selected so as to include reagents reactive with both epithelial and lymphoid cells) for distinguishing between anaplastic carcinoma and high grade lymphoma. Details are given of the immunohistological reactions of these antibodies against a wide range of both normal and malignant tissues and of a number of practical instances in which use of the antibody panel enabled a diagnosis to be made when routine histological examination had been inconclusive.
Jejunal crypt cell abnormalities associated with methotrexate treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Authors: Pinkerton C R , Cameron C H , Sloan J M , Glasgow J F , Gwevava N J
Published: June 2007

Jejunal mucosal crypts were examined in jejunal biopsies from eight children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who had recently received methotrexate treatment. By comparison with biopsies from children under investigation for suspected malabsorption crypt mitosis was significantly reduced and showed a negative correlation with the dose of methotrexate given prior to biopsy. The three major cell types were studied under light and transmission electron microscopy. Gut endocrine cells were unaffected by therapy and immature crypt enterocytes showed only patchy degenerative abnormalities. By contrast a number of Paneth cells showed striking structural alterations with vacuolar dilatation of the cytoplasm. The extent of this correlated with the time since methotrexate treatment rather than its dose and may have been a functional response rather than of a toxic nature.
Localisation of aluminium by histochemical and electron probe x-ray microanalytical techniques in bone tissue of cases of renal osteodystrophy.
Authors: Smith P S , McClure J
Published: June 2007

Histochemical studies and electron probe x-ray microanalysis for aluminium have been performed on 16 samples of undecalcified bone from cases of renal osteodystrophy associated with a syndrome suggestive of dialysis encephalopathy (five cases), age and sex matched controls for these and a group of patients with chronic renal failure (six cases) who have never been on haemodialysis. Aluminium was detected only in the patients with a dialysis encephalopathy-like syndrome. This group had significant histological bone disease the features of which were broadly consistent with the so-called atypical renal osteomalacia which is thought to be due to a metal toxin. Aluminium was demonstrated at the interface between osteoid and mineralised tissue--that is, at the site of the calcification front, where it could interfere with the mineralisation process. In the group of patients who had never been subjected to haemodialysis there was also significant histological bone disease but no evidence of aluminium accumulation. In this group the bone disease was of a more typical pattern of osteomalacic changes coupled with those of hyperparathyroidism.
Bone marrow processing and cryopreservation.
Authors: Linch D C , Knott L J , Patterson K G , Cowan D A , Harper P G
Published: June 2007

Three different closed procedures for concentrating bone marrow progenitor cells prior to cryopreservation have been compared. These were by a manual double centrifugation method, a Hemonetics 30 cell separator and an Aminco Celltrifuge. The best results were achieved using the paediatric pheresis set on the Hemonetics model 30. Marrow was frozen in 120 ml aliquots in a programmed freezer with rapid cooling of the freezing chamber during the phase change from the liquid to the solid state. After freeze-thawing the average nucleated cell recovery was approximately 50% and the progenitor cell recovery 80%.
Ascorbate status and fibrinogen concentrations after cerebrovascular accident.
Authors: Hume R , Vallance B D , Muir M M
Published: June 2007

Leucocyte ascorbate (LA) and serum ascorbate (SA) were measured in patients who had sustained an acute cerebrovascular accident. There was a significant fall in LA and Sa within 24 hours of the incident and this persisted for several weeks. The "stress" of the event resulted in a rise in serum cortisol concentration and depletion of both pituitary and adrenal glands of ascorbate when examined at post mortem. Serum fibrinogen concentrations also rose above normal. The role of ascorbate in pituitary and adrenal function and the relation of ascorbate to acute and chronic vascular disorders has still to be established.
Feulgen-hydrolysis profiles in cells exfoliated from the cervix uteri: a potential aid in the diagnosis of malignancy.
Authors: Millett J A , Husain O A , Bitensky L , Chayen J
Published: June 2007

By varying the time of hydrolysis for the Feulgen reaction, done under conditions that protect the backbone of the DNA, it is possible to distinguish three species of DNA that are characterised by their lability to acid hydrolysis. The most labile DNA was found, in greatest proportions, in malignant cells; this may be helpful in diagnostic cytology. The fact that the cytologically normal cells, in grade V smears, also show this labile DNA may well facilitate cytological screening even in those smears that contain very few neoplastic cells.
Urine cytology in patients with calculi.
Authors: Highman W , Wilson E
Published: June 2007

The cytological changes in voided urines were analysed in 154 patients with calculi. No abnormality was seen in 52.6%; 40.9% contained smooth-bordered clusters of transitional cells with essentially normal, centrally placed nuclei. These, when found in routine urines, were reliable in predicting calculi in 62.5% of cases. Of the calculus urines, 6.5% showed features suspicious of differentiated transitional carcinoma. Although their morphological features overlapped with those observed in urines from 40 cases of proved differentiated transitional carcinoma, they contained significantly fewer single and clusters of transitional cells with abnormal nuclear morphology. Histological examination of urothelium adjacent to calculi in eight patients showed no evidence of malignancy although one case showed hyperplasia and severe epithelial atypia.
A selective medium for isolating Campylobacter jejuni/coli.
Authors: Bolton F J , Robertson L
Published: June 2007

Skirrow's medium is effective for isolating Campylobacters from human faeces but is less suitable for animal and environmental specimens owing to the presence of contaminating species. After determining the sensitivity of 104 strains of Campylobacters to several antimicrobial agents, used singly and in various combinations, a selective medium incorporating polymixin, rifampicin, trimethoprim and actidione, was developed. The medium, called Preston medium, was shown to be more selective than Skirrow's medium and suitable for any kind of specimen.
Ratio of blood and marrow-derived cells in bone marrow transplantation.
Authors: Kay H , Lumley H , Clink H M , Powles R L
Published: June 2007

The content of the cell suspensions used in bone marrow transplantation can vary by at least twelvefold in the ratio of bone marrow-derived to blood-derived cells. The ratio is somewhat higher in young donors but is similar for male and female donors and is not closely correlated with the incidence of graft v host reactions.
Significance of the site of origin of pancreatic exocrine adenocarcinoma.
Authors: Allen-Mersh T G
Published: June 2007

The pancreatic head and neck constitute less than half (mean 46 +/- 5%) of the whole pancreas. There is no difference in the concentration of ductal epithelium between the head and the body of the pancreas. The preponderance of pancreatic exocrine tumours which arise in the head of the pancreas compared to the body is not, therefore, due to a larger number of cells at risk in the pancreatic head. This suggests that there is a greater risk of exocrine adenocarcinoma developing from the cells within the head of the pancreas than in those within the body of the pancreas.
Systemic mastocytosis, myelofibrosis and portal hypertension.
Authors: Sawers A H , Davson J , Braganza J , Geary C G
Published: June 2007

A case of systemic mastocytosis is described in which the finding on initial presentation was hepatosplenomegaly. No dermatological abnormality was present, and the bone marrow histology originally caused some confusion with primary myelofibrosis. The clinical course and the importance of distinguishing between these two diseases is discussed. The dermatological manifestation of systemic mastocytosis, in the form of urticaria pigmentosa, is well recognised, and alerts the physician to the underlying disease. In the absence of cutaneous signs, however, the diagnosis is less obvious. The case reported had predominantly marrow and splenic involvement by the disease process, giving rise to portal hypertension, and illustrates the problems of diagnosis which can arise.
Comparison of lymphocyte transformation and macrophage migration inhibition tests in the detection of beryllium hypersensitivity.
Authors: Williams W R , Williams W J
Published: June 2007

In seven patients with chronic beryllium disease (Be) the Be lymphocyte transformation test was positive in 100%, independent of steroid therapy, and was reproducible. The Be macrophage migration inhibition test was only positive in four of seven patients (57%) not on steroids, and was not reproducible. In 72 potentially exposed healthy beryllium workers the lymphocyte transformation test was negative in all subjects. The macrophage test was positive in four of 78 and again the results were not reproducible. The workers with positive results showed no differences in age, type or duration of employment from those with negative results and showed no evidence of disease. In addition, the macrophage test was positive in two of 45 non-exposed control subjects. We also confirmed the above advantages of the lymphocyte transformation technique by using tuberculin antigen (PPD). The PPD lymphocyte transformation test gave positive results in approximately 60% of healthy beryllium workers, but the PPD macrophage test was only positive in 7%. We conclude that the Be lymphocyte transformation test is the most sensitive and reproducible and advocate its use in the diagnosis of disease and in monitoring the health of potentially exposed workers.
Ultrastructural features of the osteoclasts from Paget's disease of bone in relation to a viral aetiology.
Authors: Harvey L , Gray T , Beneton M N , Douglas D L , Kanis J A , Russell R G
Published: June 2007

The ultrastructure of the osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, haemopoietic and other connective tissue cells was examined in 27 biopsies from 22 patients with Paget's disease of bone. Electron microscopy showed characteristic nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions in the osteoclasts of all of the 25 biopsies exhibiting histological evidence of Paget's disease. Such inclusions were absent from all the other types examined. The intranuclear inclusions consisted of stacked rows or complex whorls of tubular filaments with an individual filament diameter of 12-15 nm, often arranged in a paracrystalline array. The frequency of occurrence of inclusions in the osteoclasts and their individual nuclei measured quantitatively in 18 of the biopsies was related to the histological severity of the disease process. The similarity of the observed inclusions to those of paramyxovirus inclusion bodies (particularly measles) support the hypothesis that Paget's disease is a slow virus infection.
Value of copper-associated protein in diagnostic assessment of liver biopsy.
Authors: Guarascio P , Yentis F , Cevikbas U , Portmann B , Williams R
Published: June 2007

Of 1361 consecutive liver biopsy specimens, 24% contained orcein-positive granules. The highest incidence of positivity was found in biliary disease (90.9%), long before cirrhosis had developed, whereas in chronic non-primarily biliary disease, positive results were almost exclusively in patients with well established cirrhosis. Orcein-positive granules were never found in acute liver disease. These granules were also demonstrated in tumour cells of primary hepatocellular tumours (benign 4 of 4 cases; malignant 9 of 37 cases), while all the secondary tumour deposits were negative. In our view the additional information obtained by this technique warrants its adoption as a routine procedure.
Household pets as a potential reservoir for Clostridium difficile infection.
Authors: Borriello S P , Honour P , Turner T , Barclay F
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study was to assess the carriage of Clostridium difficile by household pets to determine their potential as a reservoir of infection. The selective cycloserine-cefoxitin medium was used for C difficile isolation, and tissue culture used for detection of cytotoxin. Carriage of C difficile by household pets was found to be common (23%). The carriage tends to be transient and does not appear to be associated with gastrointestinal disease. Although carriage was higher in animals who had antecedent antibiotic treatment (31%) compared to those which had not (19%), the differences were not statistically significant. In most cases non-cytotoxigenic strains were isolated. Of the cytotoxigenic strains isolated at least one strain was pathogenic in a well documented animal model of human disease. Both cytotoxigenic and non-cytotoxigenic strains of C difficile could be isolated from the environment of the animals studied.
Non-gastrointestinal Bacillus cereus infections: an analysis of exotoxin production by strains isolated over a two-year period.
Authors: Turnbull P C , Kramer J M
Published: June 2007

Isolates of Bacillus cereus from 118 cases, and two maternity unit outbreaks, of non-gastrointestinal infection were grouped on the basis of their estimated probable involvement in the infections from which they were isolated: (i) high probability--48 strains; (ii) intermediate--16 strains; (iii) low--7 strains; (iv) very low ("irrelevant")--49 strains. Rabbit skin test, haemolysin and phospholipase assays were used to determine exotoxin activities of strains within each group. The results suggest a significant relation between the virulence of an isolate as reflected in the degree to which it appeared responsible for the signs and symptoms of an infection, and its toxigenicity in the skin test. This is attributed to the ability of B cereus strains to synthesise, in varying degrees, a necrotic enterotoxin, possibly in conjunction with the primary haemolysin (cereolysin). The cases analysed in this study support the contention that B cereus, when isolated from an infection, may not be an inconsequential contaminant and should not be too readily dismissed as such.
Low pancreatic lipase in insulin-dependent diabetics.
Authors: Junglee D , De Albarran R , Katrak A , Freedman D B , Beckett A G , Dandona P
Published: June 2007

Serum samples obtained from 20 insulin-dependent diabetics (IDD), 23 non-insulin-dependent diabetics (NIDD) and 30 controls were assayed for their pancreatic lipase activity, immunoreactive trypsin concentration and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1) respectively. The distribution of serum pancreatic lipase activity in normal subjects and diabetics was nonparametric. The median serum lipase activity in IDDs (86 U/l) was significantly lower that that in controls (131 U/l, p less than 0.002) and NIDDs (126 U/l, p less than 0.001). There was a significant correlation between serum pancreatic lipase activity and serum IRT concentration (r = 0.65, p less than 0.001). Neither pancreatic lipase activity nor IRT was related to HbA1 concentrations. These data show for the first time that serum pancreatic lipase activity is diminished in IDDs.
Middle Eastern intestinal lymphoma: a morphological and immunohistochemical study.
Authors: Isaacson P , Al-Dewachi H S , Mason D Y
Published: June 2007

A total of 31 cases of Middle Eastern gastrointestinal lymphoma (from Mosul, Iraq) has been analysed by conventional histology, and also by immunoperoxidase staining of trypsinised paraffin sections with anti-Ig and anti-J chain antisera. Histologically these neoplasms fell into three categories: undifferentiated lymphoma of Burkitt type (8 cases); follicle centre cell (FCC) lymphoma, resembling European lymphomas of FCC origin (15 cases); and Mediterranean lymphoma (MTL) (3 cases). Immunohistological staining of the FCC neoplasms showed that these tumours resembled their European counterpart in that cytoplasmic Ig and J chain could be demonstrated in a proportion of cases. However there was a striking difference in that alpha chain alone, light chain alone, or J chain alone were detected in several cases (in contrast to the predominance of mu plus kappa or lambda light chains found in European cases). Furthermore, prominent intracellular inclusions of alpha chains were found in two cases. Staining of the MTL cases revealed that the characteristic mucosal plasma cell infiltrate was positive for alpha chain (weakly) and J chain (strongly) but that the invasive cells which morphologically resembled FCCs were negative for both constituents. It is argued that these three histological categories constitute the major types of gastrointestinal lymphoma in the Middle East; and that in MTL the invasive lymphoma is of FCC type.
Quality assessment of blood glucose monitors in use outside the hospital laboratory.
Authors: Drucker R F , Williams D R , Price C P
Published: June 2007

The quality of analytical results required in clinical practice is generally dictated by analytical rather than clinical criteria. The increasing availability of analytical technology that can be used outside the hospital laboratory challenges this situation. In an attempt to highlight this dilemma one method of glucose analysis outside the laboratory has been assessed using a pilot external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) and the results have been compared with the performance of the same machines in the laboratory. In the laboratory reliable results were obtained when the Glucometer was used by experienced laboratory personnel giving a good correlation of results (r = 0.96) when compared with an automated method. The results of the EQAS revealed that 44% of hospital ward glucose estimations and 63% of general practice estimations would be considered unsatisfactory by conventional laboratory criteria--that is, greater than +/- 2 SD of the mean laboratory result. This level of performance must, however, be considered in relation to the number of times that a clinically misleading result is obtained. No analytical system should be used in clinical practice without a continuous, objective assessment of its performance.
Pleural fluid ferritin concentrations in human disease.
Authors: Klockars M , Weber T , Tanner P , Hellström P E , Pettersson T
Published: June 2007

The concentration of ferritin was measured in the pleural fluid of 108 patients with pleural effusions. In all groups of patients the ferritin concentration was higher in pleural fluid than in serum. The greatest differences, with up to 100 times more ferritin in the pleural fluid, were found for patients with rheumatoid pleurisy, malignant effusions, and empyema. In patients with non-malignant inflammatory pleural effusions the concentration of ferritin in pleural fluid correlated significantly with other pleural fluid indices of inflammation: there was a positive correlation with lactate dehydrogenase activity and a negative correlation with concentrations of glucose and complement components C3 and C4. Ferritin was detected immunocytochemically only in the macrophages found among the pleural fluid cells. Our study shows that large amounts of ferritin accumulate locally in the pleural cavity in certain types of pleural inflammation. The accumulation is probably partly the result of increased local reticuloendothelial system activity. Determination of the concentration of ferritin in pleural fluid may provide corroborative information for differential diagnosis and may further our understanding of the pathogenetic events that lead to the perpetuation of inflammatory activity in pleural effusions.
Necropsy study of infarcts of prostate and prostatic urethra.
Authors: Jones T J , Howie A J
Published: June 2007

A prospective study of 100 prostate glands taken at necropsy showed evidence of vascular disorders in 14. In 12 cases there was oedema, haemorrhage, or necrosis of the anterior wall of the prostatic urethra, and in two there was more extensive central infarction. There had been a period of hypotension in all 14 cases, at least 12 had had urethral catheterisation, and seven had had an operation within a month of death, four of which were for repairs of ruptured aortic aneurysm. Affected glands were the same size as a group of unaffected glands. We suggest that the prostatic urethra is at risk of ischaemia in hypotensive patients with a urethral catheter. This may be a contributory factor in urethral strictures after cardiovascular surgery.
DNA content and the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in the colorectum.
Authors: Goh H S , Jass J R
Published: June 2007

DNA content was measured in 269 benign adenomas and 203 adenocarcinomas of the large bowel by flow cytometry. Nuclear suspensions were prepared by pepsin digestion of paraffin sections, and an adjacent section was graded histologically by one observer. Aneuploid adenomas included five of 134 (4%) showing mild dysplasia, 19 of 107 (18%) showing moderate dysplasia, and 10 of 28 (36%) showing severe dysplasia. The association between aneuploidy and grade of epithelial dysplasia was highly significant. This gives support to the adenoma (dysplasia)-carcinoma hypothesis. Carcinomas showing aneuploidy included 18 of 29 (62%) well differentiated, 92 of 144 (64%) moderately differentiated, and 19 of 30 (63%) poorly differentiated cases. There was no relation between aneuploidy and grade of carcinoma. These findings indicate an important biological difference between adenoma and carcinoma.
Value of mucin histochemistry in follow up surveillance of patients with long standing ulcerative colitis.
Authors: Jass J R , England J , Miller K
Published: June 2007

It has been suggested that diffuse changes in epithelial mucins may help to identify a subgroup of patients with ulcerative colitis who are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Colonoscopic biopsy specimens were taken from 11 colitic patients shortly before colectomies were performed, in which cancer was identified. These patients were matched to colitic patients without cancer for age, sex, and duration of disease. Sections were stained with high iron diamine and alcian blue (HID-AB), mild periodic acid Schiff, and for peanut lectin binding sugar sequences. The sections were assessed blindly and graded semiquantitatively. Most showed ulcerative colitis in remission or mild active disease. There were no differences between the study and control groups. Metaplastic foci were more common in the group who had cancer. These showed increased staining of mucus by mild periodic acid Schiff and increased binding by peanut lectin to the supranuclear (Golgi) zone. Epithelial dysplasia (detected in four of the patients with cancer showed focal intense binding by peanut lectin to cytoplasm, mucus, and glycocalyx. Although dysplasia differed histochemically from normal tissue, special techniques did not facilitate its diagnosis.
Pulmonary megakaryocytes: "missing link" between cardiovascular and respiratory disease?
Authors: Sharma G K , Talbot I C
Published: June 2007

Pulmonary megakaryocytes were quantitated in a series of 30 consecutive hospital necropsies using a two stage immunoperoxidase stain for factor VIII related antigen. In all 30 cases they were found with a mean density of 14.65 megakaryocytes/cm2 in lung sections of 5 micron in thickness. The maximum concentration of intrapulmonary megakaryocytes was consistently found to be in the central zone of the right upper lobe. Less than 22% of the observed cells possessed abundant cytoplasm, the rest appearing as effete, naked, and seminaked nuclei. The mean megakaryocyte count was found to be increased in association with both respiratory pathology (positive smoking history and impaired lung function) and cardiovascular disease states--shock; thromboembolism; myocardial infarction; and severe atheroma in the abdominal aorta, the coronary circulation, and the circle of Willis. Pulmonary megakaryocytes probably embolise from bone marrow. This may reflect stimulated thrombopoiesis, caused by increased platelet consumption in association with atherosclerotic disease, but it cannot be taken to confirm that the lung is the principal site of platelet production.
Cell death in granulomata: the role of apoptosis.
Authors: Cree I A , Nurbhai S , Milne G , Beck J S
Published: June 2007

Unequivocal apoptosis were seen by light microscopy in examples of leprosy, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, Crohn's disease and foreign body granulomata. A limited electron microscopic investigation showed typical apoptotic bodies in both sarcoid and leprosy granulomata. The number of apoptosis and mitoses in granulomata were counted and their densities calculated. The wide variation in the results between individual lesions may reflect differences in disease activity.
Immunocytological staining reactions of anti-carcinoembryonic antigen, Ca, and anti-human milk fat globule monoclonal antibodies on benign and malignant exfoliated mesothelial cells.
Authors: Ghosh A K , Butler E B
Published: June 2007

A panel of three monoclonal antibodies were used in an immunoalkaline phosphatase staining method on a series of serous effusion samples from cases of mesothelioma, lung carcinoma, and benign disease. The antibodies used were anti-carcinoembryonic (CEA) antigen, Ca, and anti-human milk fat globule membrane antigen. Antibodies to the Ca antigen and human milk fat globule membrane antigen stained 75% and 83% of mesothelioma and 75% of cases of lung carcinoma, respectively. The anti-CEA antibody stained most cases of lung carcinoma strongly but was negative on 11 of 12 cases of mesothelioma and showed weak staining on one case. Benign cases were negative with all three antibodies. These three antibodies may be useful in distinguishing benign and malignant mesothelial cells and lung carcinoma in serous effusions.
Sweet's syndrome: histological and immunohistochemical study of 15 cases.
Authors: Going J J , Going S M , Myśkoẃ M W , Beveridge G W
Published: June 2007

Conventional histology and immunoperoxidase staining for fibrin, immunoglobulins, and complement components were used to look for evidence of cutaneous vasculitis and immune complex deposition in Sweet's syndrome. These features were not identified in any of the 15 cases studied. The lack of any vasculitis emphasises the distinctive character of Sweet's syndrome when compared with certain spontaneous and experimentally induced inflammatory skin lesions, and may imply a similarly distinctive pathogenesis.
Fatal infection in neonates of 26 weeks' gestation due to Streptococcus milleri: report of two cases.
Authors: Cox R A , Chen K , Coykendall A L , Wesbecher P , Herson V C
Published: June 2007

Fatal sepsis due to a particular biotype of Streptococcus milleri occurred in two neonates born at 26 weeks' gestation. The clinical importance of this biotype in association with premature labour and neonatal sepsis is discussed.
Evaluation of enzyme immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme) for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis in genital tract specimens.
Authors: Taylor-Robinson D , Thomas B J , Osborn M F
Published: June 2007

An enzyme immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme) for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis was evaluated on genital specimens from 96 men and 272 women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases (STD clinic). Compared with a direct immunofluorescence test for chlamydial elementary bodies, the enzyme immunoassay had a sensitivity of 58% on specimens from men, a specificity of 90%, a positive predictive value of 93%, and a negative predictive value of 88%; the assay had a sensitivity of 67% on specimens from women, a specificity of 89%, a positive predictive value of 63% and a negative predictive value of 90%. Immunofluorescence provided the most stringent test for the performance of the enzyme immunoassay as values were improved a little when a cell culture procedure was used for comparison. Further evidence for the lack of sensitivity was the detection of elementary bodies, sometimes in large numbers, in the enzyme immunoassay buffer of 13 of 19 specimens that had given a negative enzyme immunoassay result and the finding in comparative titrations of four laboratory strains that the enzyme immunoassay was at least 100-fold less able to detect chlamydiae than either immunofluorescence or the cell culture procedure. Lack of specificity may be associated with the finding that the enzyme immunoassay antibody reacted with strains of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Escherichia coli, Gardnerella vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and group B streptococci. The enzyme immunoassay was not considered to be sufficiently sensitive, specific, or reproducible for routine use.
Prealbumin: its association with amyloid.
Authors: Cornwell G G , Sletten K , Olofsson B O , Johansson B , Westermark P
Published: June 2007

In recent years prealbumin has been shown to be a major component of two forms of systemic amyloid, senile systemic amyloid (SSA), and familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). Despite the fact that the amyloid fibril proteins associated with these two forms of amyloid, designated ASc1 and AF, respectively, share many similarities the clinical features of the two diseases are remarkably different. To understand better this paradox the clinical, histochemical, immunological and biochemical features of SSA and FAP were reviewed.
Small quantities of erythrocyte bound immunoglobulins and autoimmune haemolysis.
Authors: Sokol R J , Hewitt S , Booker D J , Stamps R
Published: June 2007

Enzyme linked and radioimmune direct antiglobulin tests (DAGTs) were used to assess red cell bound IgG, IgA, and IgM in 585 patients referred to an immunohaematology reference centre. One hundred and fifty eight patients with less than or equal to 200 mol IgG and small amounts of IgA and IgM coating their red cells were studied in detail. The presence of autoimmune haemolysis was determined from the clinical, haematological, and biochemical findings; it occurred in at least 25% of the 158 patients, the degree varying widely. There was a highly significant association between small increases in cell bound immunoglobulins and the presence of autoimmune haemolysis. Immunoglobulins of IgG, IgA, and IgM classes could produce autoimmune haemolysis when the classical agglutination DAGTs were negative; the IgA and IgM were usually found in association with IgG. The haemolytic effect was enhanced by the presence of complement and combinations of immunoglobulin classes on the red cells.
Factor VIII related antigen positive macrophages and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): a problem of antibody specificity.
Authors: Millard P R , Chaplin A J , Heryet A R , McDougall A C
Published: June 2007

A further histopathological complication of atypical mycobacterial infection in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is reported. Positive reactivity between mycobacterial antibodies within a polyclonal antiserum and mycobacteria within tissues resulted in false positivity with this reagent to factor VIII related antigen. This complication may be avoided either by prior testing of the antiserum, or by purification, or by the use of monoclonal antibodies. Histopathologists examining tissues from patients with AIDS and those with disseminated mycobacterial infections and using immunohistochemical techniques should be aware of this occurrence.