bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The distribution of blood cells on haemacytometer counting chambers with special reference to the amended British Standards Specification 748 (1958)
Authors: Sanders C. , Skerry D. W.
Published: June 2007

The distribution of leucocytes and erythrocytes on the haemacytometer counting chamber is shown. Differences between total leucocyte counts on single and double-ruled chambers are given and the effect of different lengths of cover glass are discussed. An assessment of the relative accuracy of the amended British Standards Specification (B.S.S.) 748 (1958) double-ruled bright line chamber and the old B.S.S. chambers in made.
The defect of blood coagulation in joints
Authors: Harrold A. J.
Published: June 2007

Clinical and experimental observations are described that indicate that intra-articular fibrinogenolysis is a cause of the defect of coagulation seen when blood is extravasated into a synovial joint.
Conventional voltage electrophoresis for formiminoglutamic-acid determination in folic acid deficiency
Authors: Kohn J. , Mollin D. L. , Rosenbach L. M.
Published: June 2007

A new method for the determination of urinary formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) using conventional electrophoresis at 200 to 500 v. on cellulose acetate strips is reported. Experience in 166 determinations on 137 patients shows the method to be a simple, practical, and apparently sensitive one for the determination of FIGLU in the urine.

Results of the application of the measurement of urinary FIGLU with histidine loading as a test for folic acid deficiency are also reported.
Studies on the blood lipids and lipoproteins in thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Choremis C. , Kyriakidès V. , Papadakis E.
Published: June 2007

In Cooley's anaemia the serum lipid fraction, determined by chemical analysis, was found to be decreased. The lipoprotein distribution by paper electrophoresis showed a characteristic pattern with abnormally low α1fraction and high concentrations of the β fractions. There is no relationship between age and serum lipoprotein distribution. A correlation was found between the electrophoretic pattern, liver function tests, and the E/C index. Similar changes but of lesser degree were found in sickle cell anaemia. Liver damage is thought to be the probable cause of the reduced α1fraction.
Hereditary elliptocytosis in two Maltese families
Authors: Grech J. L. , Cachia E. A. , Calleja F. , Pullicino F.
Published: June 2007

The findings in two elliptocytic families are recorded and compared. It is the first report of the anomaly in the Maltese population.

A variable degree of clinical and haematological expression among the members of the two families has been observed, ranging from healthy individuals with normal cell morphology to others with only elliptocytic erythrocytes and mild anaemia.

Two subjects have been studied during anaemic crises, and are considered to represent the homozygous state.
Coccidiosis in guinea-pigs
Authors: Ellis P. A. , Wright A. E.
Published: June 2007

The attention of laboratory workers is drawn to the possibility of coccidiosis as a cause of death in guinea-pigs. The purchase of a number of guinea-pigs infected with this protozoon was followed by 12 deaths when these animals were injected with material for diagnostic purposes. No deaths occurred in the laboratory stock herd, as these were kept separate from the newcomers and were not infected.

The life history of the parasite is described, together with the post-mortem findings in our series of animals.
Rapid isolation of salmonellae from faeces
Authors: Dixon J. M. S.
Published: June 2007

Factors and techniques leading to the more rapid isolation of salmonellae from faeces that are negative by direct plating were examined. The aim was to increase the number of specimens on which positive reports might be given within 24 hours of receipt. Salmonellae were isolated from 279 of the specimens studied.

Brilliant green MacConkey agar was found to be the most satisfactory solid selective medium both for direct plating and as a subculture medium, giving large characteristic colonies after 24 hours' incubation. Selenite F medium, inoculated with undiluted faeces, incubated at 43°C., and subcultured after six hours' incubation on to brilliant green MacConkey agar, was the most successful rapid method of enrichment, though the results were considerably inferior to those obtained after 24 hours' incubation. Seventy-six of the positive specimens examined were negative by direct plating on three different selective media; 24 (31·6%) of these were positive on subculture from selenite F incubated for six hours at 43°C. and 21 (27·6%) when incubation was at 37°C. The use of six-hour subcultures from 43°C. selenite F as a supplement to direct plating added significantly to the number of positive results. Other techniques that were tried but found to be of no practical value were dilution of the faeces before inoculation on solid and fluid media, and replica plating from one solid medium to another after a few hours' incubation.
A possible source of error in the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma
Authors: Neill D. W. , Carré I. J. , McCorry R. L. , Thompson R. H.
Published: June 2007

The finding is reported of an apparent high level of urinary catechol amines in a child with pyelonephritis. As a result of investigations the source of error was traced to tetracycline therapy.
Improvement of the uric acid determination by the carbonate method for serum and urine
Authors: Eichhorn F. , Zelmanowski S. , Lew E. , Rutenberg A. , Fanias B.
Published: June 2007

An improved colorimetric procedure for determining uric acid by the carbonate method in serum and urine is described, using a 20% sodium carbonate solution with urea. Reliable results are also obtained in high concentrations of uric acid.
A new principle applied to the determination of calcium in biological materials by flame photometry
Authors: Fawcett J. K. , Wynn V.
Published: June 2007

The effect of magnesium sulphate in releasing calcium emission from interference by phosphate and sulphate has been investigated.

Samples were diluted in 10 mM MgSO4, 2 mM NaCl, giving final calcium concentrations of about 0·05 to 0·10 mM. In this diluent, galvanometer readings were proportional to calcium concentrations up to 0·4 mM. The magnesium sulphate released calcium emission from depression by phosphate and sulphate. The excess sodium chloride eliminated enhancement of calcium emission by added sodium and potassium in the sample. Subtraction of background readings excluded direct interference.

A 3% correction was made for the effect of the viscosity of 1: 50 plasma dilutions. Satisfactory recoveries of added calcium were obtained from plasma, urine, and faeces using the diluent described above. Results on urine and faeces correlated closely with those obtained by an EDTA titration method. Results on plasma were consistently 2% higher by flame photometry than by EDTA titration.

Other methods of calcium determination, depending on the use of radiation buffers or standard addition, were found to be unsatisfactory because of variable interference by phosphate at different calcium levels.
A case of meningitis due toListeria monocytogenes
Authors: Beck A.
Published: June 2007

A case of meningitis due toListeria monocytogenesis reported. The source and mode of infection could not be ascertained. The patient recovered after treatment with chlortetracycline.
Nasal abnormality and the carrier rate ofStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Jacobs S. I. , Williamson G. M. , Willis A. T.
Published: June 2007

In a group of 178 hospital nurses minor nasal abnormalities were found to be associated with an increased rate of nasal carriage ofStaphylococcus aureus.
A contribution to the technique of intracutaneous testing with toxoplasmin
Authors: Jírovec Otto , Jíra Jindřich
Published: June 2007

The preparation and application of toxoplasmin for intradermal testing are described. The persistences of sensibility to toxoplasmin and the specificity of the test are discussed.
Antistreptolysin levels in normal infants and young children
Authors: Potter C. W. , Lorber J.
Published: June 2007

A modified method of estimating the antistreptolysin O titre (A.S.O.) is described. The A.S.O. of 279 sera from normal children under 5 years of age is recorded, together with that of 40 children over 5 years of age. The results show a range much lower than that found in adults and older children and are discussed with respect to estimations made in children with proven infections. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Serum precipitin reactions in Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Moore J. M.
Published: June 2007

Sera from certain patients with Hashimoto's disease or a related condition contain a non-precipitating antithyroglobulin which produces in double-diffusion tests with thyroglobulin a line of clearing in the agar. Two such sera are described.

Other sera from examples of the disease give negative precipitin tests with thyroglobulin but combine with sera containing `clear line', non-precipitating antithyroglobulin to give a positive precipitin test. The serum from 15 out of 26 precipitin-negative cases of Hashimoto's disease showed this latent property. Eight of the 15 were tested by the tanned red cell technique and showed substantial titres of antithyroglobulin.
Minimal criteria for the diagnosis of megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy
Authors: Rannie I. , McTaggart H.
Published: June 2007

The routine examination of buffy coat films is a valuable diagnostic aid to screening large numbers of specimens of blood and is applicable to hospital and general practice, provided that a bottle of sequestrinated venous blood can be examined in the laboratory within 24 hours.

The diagnosis of folic-acid deficiency anaemia of pregnancy can be made, in many cases, before the appearance of megaloblasts in the peripheral blood by finding macrocytes, polylobing of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and `out of step' haemoglobinization of normoblasts in the buffy coat film.

Accurate haemoglobin estimations at intervals throughout pregnancy, and particularly in the last three months, are an important and in some cases essential part of ante-natal care. Any haemoglobin found to be below 75% (11·1 g.%) should be followed by the examination of a series of buffy coat films while the anaemia is being treated.
The anaemia of lead poisoning
Authors: Hutchison H. E. , Stark J. M.
Published: June 2007

Three cases of lead poisoning with a hypochromic anaemia, despite adequate iron stores, are presented and discussed.
Primary carcinoma multiplex
Authors: Cameron J. Malcolm , Litton A. , Lyon D. S.
Published: June 2007

During the past 11 years almost 4,000 necropsies have been performed at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, and of these, 924 showed malignancy of which 45 were of primary carcinoma multiplex. Two cases showed triple and one quadruple malignancy, and the remainder two primary malignant tumours.
Platelets in blood stored in untreated and siliconed glass bottles and plastic bags
Authors: Kissmeyer-Nielsen F. , Nedergaard Jytte
Published: June 2007

The number and function (clot retraction) of platelets in blood stored at 4°C. for three weeks in plastic bags and in untreated and siliconed glass containers were determined using EDTA and acid-citrate dextrose (ACD) as anticoagulants. No essential differences were found.
Bilateral renal cortical necrosis associated with calcification: report of a case and a review of aetiology
Authors: Phillips M. J.
Published: June 2007

Clinico-pathological details are given of a patient who survived bilateral renal cortical necrosis for 44 days as a result of treatment by haemodialysis. Cortical calcification was demonstrable radiologically in life and at necropsy.

The literature pertaining to renal ischaemic damage and calcification is reviewed. Conclusions are drawn as to the mechanism that produces renal cortical calcification in the light of previous experimental work and the study of the present case.

It is suggested that the widespread use of haemodialysis in treatment is likely to result in the detection of an increasing number of such cases.
The application of the capillary-papain technique to the rapid matching of blood for transfusion
Authors: Gilbey B. E. , Lindars Joan M.
Published: June 2007

An application of the capillary-papain technique to the rapid cross-matching of blood for transfusion is described. The test can be performed in 15 minutes and is simple to carry out and interpret. It is inferior to the indirect Coombs test in detecting antibodies belonging to blood groups other than the Rh system.
Lactate dehydrogenase activity in the diagnosis of malignant effusions
Authors: Horrocks J. E. , King J. , Waind A. P. B. , Ward J.
Published: June 2007

Enzyme assays in a series of 38 cases of pleural effusion and in 10 cases of ascites associated with malignant lesions and of 24 of pleural effusion and of five of ascites of benign origin do not support the suggestion that the estimation of the fluid lactate dehydrogenase serum ratios in pleural and peritoneal effusions is of value in the diagnosis of malignancy.
The fine structure of chordoma with particular reference to the physaliphorous cell
Authors: Friedmann I. , Harrison D. F. N. , Bird E. S.
Published: June 2007

A chordoma was examined by electron microscopy. It was composed of stellate and physaliphorous cells. The fine structure of these cells is described. Transitional type cells are also described and it is suggested that the physaliphorous cells develop from the stellate cells through a process of vacuolation. Two types of vacuoles are described, `smooth-walled' and `villous' endowed with numerous structureless microvilli. Some observations on stained sections are discussed.
Subcutaneous phycomycetosis
Authors: Lynch J. B. , Husband A. D.
Published: June 2007

A case is reported of a subcutaneous mycotic granuloma of the forearm in a young Sudanese child. It is thought that, despite the absence of culture studies, the characteristic morphology of the fungus and the histological findings permit not only the identification of the causative organism as a phycomycete, but also the realization that it belongs not to the familyMucoraceaebut to one of the other families of the phycomycetes,viz., EntomophthoraceaeorMortierellaceae. At present the most commonly identified species has beenBasidiobolus, of the familyEntomophthoraceae. The findings in the present case are closely similar to those reported by Lie Kian Joe and Eng, Njo-Injo Tjoei (1960) in their paper `Subcutaneous phycomycetosis: a new disease found in Indonesia'.
A survey of staphylococcal infections in group 9 hospitals
Authors: Read Joan M. , Yenson E.
Published: June 2007

This is a three-year survey of staphylococcal infection in the Watford group of hospitals. The organisms are divided into groups according to their pattern of sensitivity to antibiotics. The spread ofStaphylococcus pyogenesin a maternity hospital and the measures taken to eradicate it are described.
Cross-infection withSerratia marcescens
Authors: Taylor Geoffrey , Keane P. M.
Published: June 2007

Cross-infection in a urological unit due toSerratia marcescensis reported. The bacteriology of the organism and its mode of spread are described. It is suggested thatSerratia marcescensmay be a more virulent organism than is generally believed, especially in situations in which there is an excess of mucus.
Improved rapid methods for the determination of iron content and binding capacity of serum
Authors: Beale R. N. , Bostrom J. O. , Taylor R. F.
Published: June 2007

Improved methods are described for the determination of serum iron (SeFe) and latent iron-binding capacity under controlled conditions ofpH. As before, no precipitation or heating of the serum is required, and controls are not used. Unbuffered sulphonated bathophenanthroline is employed for colour development. Statistical data for 40 normals are presented and comparisons with other data are given; the effects of ageing of serum are studied.
The determination of copper in biological materials by flame spectrophotometry
Authors: Newman G. E. , Ryan M.
Published: June 2007

A method for the determination of the copper content of biological materials by flame spectrophotometry is described. The effects of interference by ions such as sodium and phosphate were eliminated by isolating copper as the dithizonate in CCl4. Results obtained for the urinary excretion of copper by a patient with Wilson's disease before and after treatment with penicillamine are reported.
A cytological and histological study of acute premyelocytic leukaemia
Authors: Bernard Jean , Lasneret J. , Chome J. , Levy J. P. , Boiron M.
Published: June 2007

Among the acute leukaemias of the granulocytic group, acute premyelocytic leukaemia is distinguished by the severity of its haemorrhages, the frequency of hypofibrinaemia, a rapidly fatal course, and an unusual cellular hyperplasia. Myelograms show an increased proportion (average 80%) of characteristic cells of large diameter, with numerous azurophil granules. The infiltration of other organs is inconstant.
Agglutination reactions of human leucocytes
Authors: Schulz Jeanette , Muller Helga
Published: June 2007

Agglutination tests with various sera and leucocytes from 58 leukaemic patients and 61 patients without leukaemia are reported.

The agglutination of white blood cells by guinea-pig serum is of limited value in the diagnosis of leukaemia, though the test may be helpful in distinguishing leukaemia from other lymphomatous disorders.

Leuco-autoagglutinins were demonstrated more frequently than expected. Eleven leukaemic and six non-leukaemic sera agglutinated autologous leucocytes.

White blood cell agglutinins showed no apparent relationship to maturity or numbers of circulating leucocytes or to previous blood transfusions,x-irradiation, or therapy with antimetabolites.
Fatal hepatic necrosis in glandular fever
Authors: Allen U. R. , Bass B. H.
Published: June 2007

A young man of 24 developed glandular fever, became jaundiced, and died in hepatic coma. At necropsy massive necrosis of the liver was found, thus emphasizing that all grades of severity of liver damage may occur in infectious mononucleosis.
A study of the vesical ganglia in children and the relationship to the megaureter megacystis syndrome and Hirschsprung's disease
Authors: Leibowitz Sidney , Bodian Martin
Published: June 2007

A method for the assay of vesical ganglion cells is described and the number and distribution of the neurones in three normal bladders was studied. Vesical ganglion counts were done in cases of the megaureter-megacystis syndrome, megaureter, bladder neck obstruction, megacystis associated with absent abdominal muscles, Hirschsprung's disease, and lumbar myelomeningocoele. A normal complement of neurones was found in each case.

No evidence was found that the megaureter-megacystis syndrome is due to an agenesis of the peripheral autonomic ganglia similar to that in Hirschsprung's disease. Vesical ganglia were normal in the two cases examined and no clinical association was found between the two conditions in a large series of cases. Moreover, a study of the cell counts suggests that at least some of the reports of such a lesion are based upon an inadequate appreciation of the number and distribution of neurones in the normal urinary tract.
Synergism between sulphonamide drugs and antibiotics of the polymyxin group againstProteus sp. in vitro
Authors: Russell F. E.
Published: June 2007

Interesting synergismin vitrobetween a recently introduced antibiotic, colistin methane sulphonate, and sulphonamide drugs is described. The observations were extended to polymyxin B sulphate and sulphonamides with essentially similar results. The combinations are bactericidal at therapeutic levels, the ratio of drugs to one another is not critical, and the effect is present over a fairly widepH range.
A newPasteurellaspecies (?) from a wound infection
Authors: Brodie J. , Henderson A.
Published: June 2007

A case of appendicitis is described in which the wound was infected with an organism of the genusPasteurella.The morphological and biochemical properties of the strain are recorded, and comparison is made with other species of the same genus. It is concluded that this strain may be a new species.
The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of tumours in children
Authors: Pearson Dorothy
Published: June 2007

Radiotherapy has an established place in the treatment of some tumours in children, both for cure and palliation. An evaluation of this form of treatment is made, based on experience with the children admitted to the Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute during the past 30 years.
A retroperitoneal tumour of the chemodectoma type
Authors: Harcourt-Webster J. N.
Published: June 2007

A tumour of the chemodectoma type arising in the retroperitoneal space and projecting between the layers of the transverse mesocolon is reported. Attention is drawn to the lack of correlation between the varied histological features and clinical findings in this group of tumours and the inadvisability of forecasting behaviour.
Activity of ampicillinin vitrocompared with other antibiotics
Authors: Sutherland R. , Rolinson G. N.
Published: June 2007

Comparative testsin vitrofor antibacterial activity were carried out with ampicillin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol using 673 clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacilli andStreptococcus faecalis.Further comparative tests were also carried out with ampicillin, chloramphenicol, colistin sulphate, colistin methane sulphonate, cycloserine, kanamycin, nitrofurantoin, polymyxin, streptomycin, and tetracycline, using groups of 20 strains of each of the main species selected at random from the total number of isolates. Of the total number of isolates a higher percentage was inhibited by ampicillin than by tetracycline or chloramphenicol. Ampicillin showed particularly high activity against certain species of bacteria and displayed an antibacterial spectrum not shown by any of the other antibiotics tested.
Marfan syndrome, dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, and pregnancy
Authors: Moore H. C.
Published: June 2007

A patient with the Marfan syndrome died suddenly from aortic rupture and dissection in the early puerperium of her second pregnancy. Although the association of the Marfan syndrome and pregnancy is extremely rare, the case reported here being only the fifth on record, the concurrence of dissecting aneurysm or aortic dissection with pregnancy is more frequent. Furthermore it is accepted that aortic dissection in young women below the age of 40 is more common in the pregnant than those not pregnant. The cause of the enhancing effect of pregnancy is unknown but is thought to be endocrine since the stability of connective tissue can be influenced by hormones, particularly the sex steroids.

An unusual feature of the present case is the florid inflammatory reaction in the adventitia of the aorta, not specifically related to pregnancy or to the Marfan syndrome, and it is assumed that in this patient the congenital defect of connective tissue assumed to be the basis of the Marfan syndrome is associated with an acute collagen change or necrosis, possibly illustrating a link between the heritable disorders of connective tissue and the diffuse collagen disease.
Necrotizing arteritis with giant cells associated with haemolytic anaemia
Authors: Flanagan P. , McCracken A. W. , Jones F. R. , Cross R. M.
Published: June 2007

Necrotizing arteritis with giant cells, involving the aorta, pulmonary and coronary arteries, and coronary, splenic, and renal arterioles was found at necropsy in a 74-year-old male who had died with severe haemolytic anaemia associated with cold haemagglutinins.

The clinical and pathological features of this case are shared by well-recognized forms of necrotizing angiitis, in particular giant cell arteritis, but do not conform satisfactorily with any of these disorders. Cold agglutinin haemolytic anaemia in this instance suggests the possibility of an autoimmune aetiology.
Detection by paper chromatography of imidazoles, including hydantoin-5-propionic acid, in urine after histidine dosage
Authors: Middleton J. E.
Published: June 2007

Simple paper chromatography of urine obtained in the Figlu test has been found satisfactory for determining excess excretion of the imidazole metabolites of histidine. It has been confirmed that examination for these in addition to formiminoglutamic acid is necessary for a full assessment of this test. When excretion of the latter is not abnormal in folic-acid and/or vitamin B12deficiency, that of urocanic acid, a glycine conjugate of urocanic acid and/or imidazole propionic acid, is usually raised. An abnormally high excretion of hydantoin-5-propionic acid after histidine has also been found in these deficiencies, and its estimation may be of additional use in the evaluation of the Figlu test.
Simultaneous free and bound radioactive vitamin B12urinary excretion test
Authors: Bell T. K. , Bridges J. M. , Nelson M. G.
Published: June 2007

The absorption of vitamin B12following the simultaneous administration of58Co B12and a complex of57Co B12with human gastric juice was assessed by measurement of urinary excretion of radioactivity. Sixteen control subjects, 13 patients with pernicious anaemia, and four who had had total gastrectomy were studied. The method proved a reliable means of detecting those with intrinsic factor deficiency.
Two fatal cases of septicaemia due toErysipelothrix insidiosa
Authors: Morris Christopher A. , Schwabacher Herta , Lynch Patrick G. , Cross Clara D. , Dada Titus O.
Published: June 2007

Clinical, pathological, and necropsy findings are recorded from two cases of endocarditis due toErysipelothrix insidiosa, one in a 53-year-old grocer and the other in a 56-year-old housewife. The possible sources of infection are suggested.
Cumulative reporting of chemical pathology
Authors: Flynn F. V. , Vernon Jill
Published: June 2007

A simple system for producing cumulative chemical pathology reports is described. Results of tests are transcribed onto the patient's laboratory record card and each time a new result is entered a copy is made by xerography and returned to the clinician as the laboratory report.

A detailed account is given of the operation of the system and the design of the record card. The advantages of the system are enumerated and various problems that have been encountered are discussed.
Marrow dysplasia with C trisomy and anomalies of the granulocyte nuclei
Authors: Lawler Sylvia D. , Kay H. E. M. , Birbeck M. S. C.
Published: June 2007

An unusual case of bone marrow dysplasia is reported. The features of particular interest are the very high incidence of nuclear drumsticks on the polymorphs, a curious appearance of these same nuclei on electron microscopy, and C trisomy of the bone marrow cells; it is possible that the condition resulted from gold and/orx-ray treatment.
Method of estimating the inhibitory effect of plasma or serum upon urokinase-activated fibrinolysis
Authors: Mann R. D.
Published: June 2007

Activator concentration in the range 50 to 100 Ploug units urokinase is directly proportional to the reciprocal of the lysis time both in the presence and absence of the plasma or serum inhibitors. Inhibitory activity can be estimated, therefore, by the difference in lysis time between control clots containing a buffer or euglobulin component and plasma or serum containing clots both activated by a common concentration of urokinase selected from within the critical range.

An experimental model for this purpose is described with an examination of the effects of each variable in this system and a reference curve in terms of a known inhibitor. In this study, it has been found that the effects of calcium are influenced by the plasminogen concentration and are biphasic in the presence of the serum inhibitors.
Importance of cardiomyopathy and cerebral ischaemia in the diagnosis of fatal coma in pregnancy
Authors: Connor Richard C. R. , Adams J. Hume
Published: June 2007

A case of cardiomyopathy of pregnancy where death was due to profound cerebral ischaemia is reported. Two other similar cases are mentioned. Awareness of this syndrome may help the pathologist to establish the cause of coma and death in pregnancy when clinical studies have failed to indicate the cause. It is suggested that electrocardiography should be carried out in all cases of apparent cerebrovascular accidents that occur during pregnancy or the puerperium as there may be an underlying cardiomyopathy. The nature and the possible aetiology of cardiomyopathy of pregnancy are briefly discussed.
Ribonucleic acid content of Burkitt tumour cells
Authors: Wright D. H. , McAlpine J. C.
Published: June 2007

Methyl-green-pyronin-Y staining was performed on 57 biopsies of Burkitt's tumour and 62 biopsies from other types of malignant lymphoma. The specificity of the pyronin staining for ribonucleic acid (RNA) was controlled by staining duplicate slides previously digested in ribonuclease. Burkitt's tumour cells have a higher cytoplasmic content of RNA than the cells of most other malignant lymphomas. The results of acridine orange staining of a smaller number of biopsies support these findings.
Pedunculated islet-cell tumour of the duodenum
Authors: Britt R. P.
Published: June 2007

An unusual islet-cell tumour found at necropsy in a patient who had died from a myocardial infarction is described. Of particular interest were the pedunculated nature and large size of the tumour. The clinical features of the case are considered. Four islet-cell tumours in the duodenum have previously been reported and it seems probable that such tumours arise in heterotopic pancreas.
Chromoblastomycosis (possibly Cladosporium) of the breast in an English woman
Authors: Henry L. , Ross A. P.
Published: June 2007

A case is reported of an English woman who presented with a mass in the breast which was locally excised. Histological studies revealed a giant-cell granulomatous inflammation involving the duct system and a fungus showing brown pigmentation was demonstrated in the lesions. This was not grown in culture but the morphological appearance suggested classification in the genus Cladosporium. The relation of this to the more usual forms of cutaneous chromoblastomycosis is discussed.
A critical and comparative study of methods of isolating tumour cells from the blood
Authors: Fleming J. A. , Stewart J. W.
Published: June 2007

From the large number of techniques described for isolating tumour cells from the blood, five have been selected because they were those most widely used by previous workers and can be performed with a minimum of special apparatus. These techniques have been assessed for their efficiency in retaining tumour cells added to blood samples, in eliminating normal blood cells, and in preserving the morphology of the retained cells.

Those techniques which depend on the differing densities of blood and tumour cells were reliable in recovering tumour cells unaltered morphologically and at the same time eliminating most of the blood cells. Because of its simplicity the silicone flotation technique has been preferred for routine use.
Wound infections acquired from a disperser of an unusual strain ofStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ayliffe G. A. J. , Collins B. J.
Published: June 2007

Seven post-operative wounds were infected with a strain ofStaphylococcus aureus, probably acquired from a theatre orderly who suffered from a dry generalized eczema. The orderly was a nasal and heavy skin carrier, and was shown to be a disperser of the epidemic strain. Infection was probably acquired from airborne contamination in the operating theatre, since the orderly did not scrub-up.

The epidemic strain (phage type 80/81 at 1,000 routine test dilution) was sensitive to penicillin and resistant to tetracycline and novobiocin. Neomycin resistance was variable. This strain was found to lose resistance to neomycin when subcultured in the absence of the antibiotic.
PCR testing forTreponema pallidumin paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens: test design and impact on the diagnosis of syphilis
Authors: Behrhof W , Springer E , Bräuninger W , Kirkpatrick C J , Weber A
Published: June 2007

Background:

Syphilis, a chronic infection caused byTreponema pallidum, is a disease which is increasing in incidence, and thus more and more becoming a differential diagnosis in routine pathology.

Aims:

To develop a PCR-based molecular assay for the detection ofT pallidumin formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, and evaluate its diagnostic power, especially in comparison with other ancillary methods (immunohistochemistry and Dieterle staining).

Methods:

36 skin biopsy specimens with the clinical and/or serological diagnosis of syphilis were evaluated by morphology, immunohistochemistry and silver staining. A semi-nested PCR assay targeting theT pallidumDNA polymerase A gene was designed and applied. Specificity of amplification was confirmed by direct sequencing of PCR products.

Results:

Overall, the presence ofT pallidumwas detected in skin biopsy specimens in 20 cases, by immunohistochemistry, Dieterle staining, or PCR. Immunohistochemistry testing was positive in 17/35 cases tested, and Dieterle staining in 9/35 cases tested. In comparison, PCR testing was positive in 14/36 cases, and highly dependent on the tissue quality. When excluding cases with compromised DNA quality, PCR testing was positive in all cases except one, including three cases negative by immunohistochemistry and Dieterle staining.

Conclusions:

PCR testing is significantly more sensitive than silver staining, and provided that DNA quality is sufficient, at least as sensitive as immunohistochemistry for the detection ofT pallidumin formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens. Therefore, it is a useful ancillary tool in the histological diagnosis of syphilis.
Argentaffin and non-argentaffin carcinoid tumours of the appendix
Authors: Dische F. E.
Published: June 2007

Tumours of the vermiform appendix were studied. The majority proved to be carcinoid tumours of the usual argentaffin-positive type but a substantial minority, generally tumours of minute size, were found to have a somewhat different histological pattern and were argentaffinnegative. Some contained argyrophil granules. The non-argentaffin tumours are considered to form a subgroup of carcinoid tumours.
Method for the determination of unsaturated iron-binding capacity of serum using radioactive iron and magnesium carbonate
Authors: Brozovich B.
Published: June 2007

A method for measuring the unsaturated iron-binding capacity of serum using radioactive iron with magnesium carbonate as the adsorbing substance is described. The radioactive iron-magnesium carbonate method, compared with the methods of Caraway (1963), Herbert, Gottlieb, Lau, Fisher, Grevirtz, and Wasserman (1966), and Bothwell, Jacobs, and Kamener (1959), was shorter and simpler and equally reproducible.
Contiguous but dissimilar epithelial neoplasms of the urinary bladder
Authors: Tapp E. , Morrison D.
Published: June 2007

An unusual tumour of the urinary bladder is described. It consists of two distinct nodules each with a quite different histological appearance, one being mucus-secreting adenocarcinoma, the other transitional cell carcinoma. Where the nodules are in contact there is little intermingling of the two histological patterns and it is suggested that the findings are probably due to the collision of two separate neoplasms. Metaplastic changes are present in the bladder mucosa adjacent to the tumour. The significance of these changes in the pathogenesis of adanocarcinoma is discussed.
Congenital or berry aneurysm in the optic nerve
Authors: Milliser Russell V. , Greenberg Stephen R. , Neiman Benjamin H.
Published: June 2007

A case is presented of a 67-year-old woman with hypertension and arteriosclerosis who died from cerebral infarction. There was an associated arteriosclerotic aneurysm of the right vertebral artery, and incidental congenital or berry aneurysms of the anterior communicating and left internal carotid or anterior cerebral artery. The latter aneurysm was situated within the left optic nerve.
Nitrazepam (Mogadon) in blood serum and urine and librium in urine
Authors: Tompsett S. L.
Published: June 2007

A method is described for the determination of nitrazepam and its reduced product in blood serum and urine. The metabolite, the reduced product, is the principal substance to be encountered in these fluids. A method is also described for the determination of librium (and the lactam) in urine.
An unusual Neisseria isolated from a case of meningitis
Authors: Kippax P. W. , Saeed N. , Pamplin W. A. V.
Published: June 2007

A Neisseria was isolated from blood culture and cerebrospinal fluid of a child with clinical meningitis. On first isolation this organism failed to produce acid in the usual carbohydrates, and was heavily capsulated. After mouse passage it developed many of the characters ofN. meningitidisgroup C, but was still able to grow at room temperature. Its nature is discussed.
Elastofibroma dorsi
Authors: Tighe J. R. , Clark A. E. , Turvey D. J.
Published: June 2007

Two cases of elastofibroma dorsi are reported and the light and electron microscopic features analysed. The appearances suggest that the characteristic fibres and globules that stain as for elastin arise by denaturation of collagen. The fibres differ from the elastin of arterial wall, elastotic degeneration of skin, and pseudoxanthoma elasticum. The morphology and clinical behaviour indicate that elastofibroma dorsi is a reactive fibromatosis rather than a true neoplasm.
Histochemical investigation of acid mucosubstances in secondary amyloidosis
Authors: Pennock C. A. , Burns J. , Massarella G.
Published: June 2007

Sections of liver and spleen from six cases of secondary amyloidosis have been examined, by various improved histochemical methods, for acidic mucosubstances. The results indicate a complex in amyloid deposits of protein and sulphated mucopolysaccharides in which the principal substance is heparan sulphate with traces of chondroitin sulphates. Deposits also contain sialic acid. The results are compared with chemical analyses of the same tissues and isolated fibrils which confirm the presence of heparan sulphate, chondroitin sulphates, and a sialic acid containing protein.
Determination of vitamin B12absorption by a simple whole body counter
Authors: Finlayson N. D. C. , Shearman D. J. C. , Simpson J. D. , Girdwood R. H.
Published: June 2007

This paper reports the results of estimating vitamin B12absorption by whole body counting in patients without known gastrointestinal disorder, and in patients with pernicious anaemia, idiopathic achlorhydria, achlorhydria following gastric operations, and various forms of small intestinal disease. Patients with pernicious anaemia absorbed less than 30% of the test dose; they could be distinguished from patients without gastrointestinal abnormality and from most achlorhydric patients who secreted more than 300 mg units of intrinsic factor in the post-histamine hour. Nevertheless, the wide range of normal absorption and the variable absorption from the normal gastrointestinal tract is emphasized and discussed. There is no relation between histamine-stimulated intrinsic factor production and vitamin B12absorption in patients with small intestinal disease.
Prophylactic folic acid in women with pernicious anaemia pregnant after periods of infertility
Authors: Hall Marion , Davidson Ronald J. L.
Published: June 2007

The haematological and obstetric details of five women with Addisonian pernicious anaemia and infertility are described together with those of another patient who developed the anaemia soon after confinement. The implications are discussed, and it is concluded that the prophylactic administration of small doses of folic acid during pregnancy is a safe procedure while the risk of precipitating subacute combined degeneration of the cord in undiagnosed Addisonian pernicious anaemia is hypothetical. Although the mechanism of the infertility in pernicious anaemia remains undefined, several factors which may be of aetiological significance are considered.
Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage saturation in normal subjects
Authors: Sinniah R. , Neill D. W.
Published: June 2007

The serum iron was determined in 60 normal subjects (38 males and 22 females) with a mean age of 32·0 and 36·2 years respectively. The plasma total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) was also determined in 54 of these subjects (32 males and 22 females). Serum iron and TIBC determinations were performed between 8.45 am and 9.15 am.

The mean serum iron concentration is 138·3 ± 4·3 μg/100 ml (SD ± 32·9 μg/100 ml), and the mean TIBC is 470·1 ± 6·8 μg/100 ml (SD ± 50·1 μg/100 ml); the mean plasma siderophilin saturation is 30·0%. The mean values for serum iron, TIBC, and siderophilin saturation are similar in both sexes. They are normally distributed, and there is no significant correlation of serum iron and TIBC with age in either males or females.
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with ovarian dermoid cyst
Authors: Baker L. R. I. , Brain M. C. , Azzopardi J. G. , Worlledge S. M.
Published: June 2007

A case of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia is described in which recovery, with disappearance of antibody, followed splenectomy and removal of an ovarian `dermoid' cyst. A causal relationship between removal of the ovarian tumour and recovery is strongly suggested and the possible pathogenesis discussed. Fourteen previously recorded cases of this association are reviewed.
Factor VIII and antibody levels in plasma fractions prepared by cryoprecipitation
Authors: Pollock Andrew
Published: June 2007

Most of the antibody activity of plasma was found to remain in the supernatant fraction following the preparation of factor-VIII-rich cryoprecipitates. The low level of antibody remaining in these cryoprecipitates indicated that they could safely be used as a source of factor VIII for replacement therapy. Washing the cryoprecipitates farther reduced their antibody titres without materially affecting their factor VIII content.
Latex-bound antifibrinogen test for plasma fibrinogen assay
Authors: Castelan D. J. , Hirsh J. , Martin M.
Published: June 2007

The semiquantitative latex-bound antifibrinogen test (Fi test) can be modified to quantitate plasma fibrinogen. The test is rapid and simple and does not require complex apparatus. Although the Fi reagent reacts with early fibrinogen and fibrin breakdown products, the degree of interference is not marked and the test is sufficiently accurate to be of clinical value as a fibrinogen assay in patients with increased fibrinolytic activity.
Survey of the eventual diagnosis in 226 cases referred for a second histological opinion after an initial biopsy diagnosis of reticulum cell sarcoma
Authors: Symmers W. St. C.
Published: June 2007

In a series of 226 cases of lymphadenopathy in which an initial histological diagnosis of reticulum cell sarcoma was reviewed in a reference laboratory this interpretation was confirmed in 165 cases (73%). In the 61 other cases the diagnosis of reticulum cell sarcoma was considered to be mistaken. The conditions most frequently confused with reticulum cell sarcoma were Hodgkin's disease (particularly its ordinary form) and metastatic tumours.
Plasmacytoma of the thyroid
Authors: More J. R. S. , Dawson D. W. , Ralston A. J. , Craig Isla
Published: June 2007

Three cases of plasmacytoma of the thyroid are described and their clinical and histological features recorded. Two were considered to be true extramedullary plasmacytomas, the third the initial manifestation of a disseminated myelomatous process. Plasmacytomas of the thyroid are shown to have many features in common with malignant lymphomas in this site, including an association with Hashimoto thyroiditis in more than half the reported cases. No certain method of assessing the prognosis in any individual case has yet been described.
Role of erythrocytes in the acute platelet response to operation
Authors: Bennett P. N.
Published: June 2007

A marked increase in platelet adhesiveness was shown to occur within four hours of operation. Postoperative red cells produced greater adhesiveness in platelets from a common pool than did preoperative red cells. A greater increase in platelet adhesiveness was observed following operation with the whole blood technique than when exogenous adenosine diphosphate was added to platelet-rich plasma. Release of adenosine diphosphate from red cells so facilitated may contribute to the acute platelet-adhesiveness response to operation.
Plesiomonas shigelloidesin South Australia
Authors: Cooper R. G. , Brown Geraldine W.
Published: June 2007

Plesiomonas shigelloides, a motile, oxidase-positive, Gram-negative rod that may possess shigella antigens, was isolated from the faeces of 36 children and two adults. In 13 children the organism was thought to be possibly the cause of enteritis and in eight children there was no evidence of intestinal disease. In nine children with gastroenteritis other enteropathogenic bacteria were found in addition, and six children had intestinal disease due, or possibly due, to other factors. Only four of the 38 strains had shigella antigens.
Antibiotic resistance of coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci
Authors: Corse Jean , Williams R. E. O.
Published: June 2007

Five hundred and seventy strains of Gram-positive, catalase-positive, coagulasenegative cocci from various sources were classified on the basis of their ability to grow anaerobically and to ferment mannitol. Five groups were distinguished. The frequency of strains classified in the five groups varied with the source.

Only 26% of the strains were sensitive to all the nine antibiotics used in the tests. About half the strains from the lesions of hospital patients were resistant to penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline, and about 10% of them were resistant to cloxacillin.

In general the frequency of antibiotic resistance and the `width' of the resistance spectrum were greater in strains from hospital sources than in those from outside hospital, and they were also greater among strains regarded as falling in the genusStaphylococcusthan in those classed asMicrococcus.
Structure and significance of metaplastic nodules in the rectal mucosa
Authors: Arthur J. F.
Published: June 2007

Small nodules are commonly seen in the rectal mucosa during sigmoidoscopy of patients over 40 years of age and are often noted in rectums excised for carcinoma.

There is little information in the literature on the pathology of these small nodules. There is evidence that there are various histological types which are possibly of different clinical significance.

This problem has been studied using a series of rectums removed surgically for carcinoma and a comparable series of rectums obtained at necropsy from subjects with no evidence of large bowel disease.

The incidence, distribution, and histological structure of nodules more than 1 mm in diameter has been studied.

The commonest histological types of lesion are found to be adenomas and metaplastic nodules.

The histological structure, mode of formation, natural history, and clinical significance of metaplastic nodules is considered in detail.

It is concluded that metaplastic nodules are a normal finding in the rectal mucosa of subjects over 40 years old. It is suggested that they represent an aging change in the mucosa.

They are easily distinguished histologically from adenomas and evidence is presented that they have no relation to them and are not liable to undergo malignant change.
Pathology of hereditary nephritis
Authors: Joshi V. V.
Published: June 2007

This report describes the renal pathology in three siblings with hereditary nephritis. All three cases showed combined features of chronic glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, and interstitial nephritis. Foam cells were seen in only one case. These findings support the contention of Krickstein, Gloor, and Balogh (1966) that the renal changes in hereditary nephritis are those of a mixed nephritis.