bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial flora of the appendix fossa in appendicitis and postoperative wound infection
Authors: Leigh D. A. , Simmons Kate , Norman Edelgard
Published: June 2007

Bacteria were isolated from 153 (47·5%) swabs of the appendix fossa in 322 patients undergoing appendicectomy. The commonest organism was Bacteroides species found in 78% of specimens. Other Gram-negative bacilli such as Klebsiella, or Enterobacter, andEsch. coliwere present in 29 and 27% respectively. Gram-positive cocci were less frequently isolated.

A positive culture was obtained more commonly in perforated appendicitis (79%) than where chronic fibrosis, lymphoid hyperplasia, or acute appendicitis was present or when the appendix was normal. Bacteroides was isolated twice as often in perforated appendicitis.

The incidence of wound infection was 19% and varied according to the state of the appendix, being 63% in perforated appendicitis and 9·5% where lymphoid hyperplasia was present. Bacteroides was isolated from over 90% of the wound infections.

In the patients with perforated appendicitis where effective chemotherapy was given the incidence of wound infection was 15% whereas in untreated or inappropriately treated patients it was over 50%.

The isolation of bacteroides requires special precautions to be taken both in the collection of the specimen and laboratory culture. It is important that the chemotherapy of postappendicectomy infections include an antibiotic active against bacteroides.
Counting cells in cerebrospinal fluid collected directly on membrane filters
Authors: Burechailo F. , Cunningham T. A.
Published: June 2007

Accurate enumeration of cells in the cerebrospinal fluid is not feasible with the current method of counting cells in the Fuchs Rosenthal or Neubauer chamber when the count is near normal since the volume of fluid examined is too small. A sample of adequate volume to permit such accurate assessment may be collected from the lumbar puncture needle into a syringe through a ruled membrane filter in a Swinney cartridge. A study of 291 samples shows that the upper limit of the normal cerebrospinal fluid count is 2000 cells/ml (2/cmm) and not 5000/ml (5/cmm) as is currently accepted.
Effect of phytohaemagglutinin in the leucocyte migration inhibition test as a measure of cell-mediated immunity
Authors: Morison Warwick L.
Published: June 2007

Evaluation of responsiveness to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in the leucocyte-migration inhibition test has been extended to a greater number of patients and control subjects to explore the range of the test. The patients, mainly with sarcoidosis, were found to be less responsive than controls. The conditions of the test in terms of concentration of PHA, duration of culture, and serum concentration used were investigated and standards suggested. Intraperson variation and the influence of age were also evaluated.
Aeruginocine typing ofPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Shriniwas
Published: June 2007

Aeruginocine typing using eight indicator strains of Wahba on Bacto tryptone-glucose yeast extract Agar (Difco) with an incubation temperature of 32°C was found to be a reproducible and easy method which could be readily adopted by a diagnostic clinical laboratory. The results of aeruginocine typing of 1500 strains ofPs. aeruginosasuggest that hospitals differ in the range and patterns of aeruginocine types of strains isolated in them. In addition to representatives of nine of the 10 pyocine types of Wahba, a large number of strains isolated in India were found to fall into other groups not described in Wahba's system. Hence, 20 new inhibition patterns (aeruginocine types) are proposed.
The effect of minocycline onCandida albicans
Authors: Waterworth Pamela M.
Published: June 2007

Minocycline, a new tetracycline derivative, was found to inhibit the growth ofCandida albicans.Inhibition was much affected by the composition of the medium and was difficult to demonstrate in fluid cultures. Study of the rate of budding in shallow broth cultures in Petri dishes showed that the addition of 20 μg/ml minocycline prolonged the lag phase by three hours.C. tropicaliswas similarly inhibited andC. guilliermondiiandC. parapsilosisto a lesser degree. Six other tetracyclines were tested and found to inhibitCandidaonly in very high concentrations.
Chlorhexidine resistance inProteus mirabilis
Authors: Stickler D. J.
Published: June 2007

A total of 104 clinical isolates ofPr. mirabilisfrom three hospitals were screened for their sensitivity to chlorhexidine. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the antiseptic for these strains ranged from 10 to 800 μg/ml. Two strains sensitive to 20 μg of chlorhexidine/ml were adapted to resistance by growth in subinhibitory concentrations of the antiseptic, their MIC values increasing to 200 and 800 μg/ml. These derived strains exhibited slightly reduced sensitivity to cetrimide and benzalkonium chloride. The chlorhexidine-resistant clinical isolates also exhibited this partially decreased sensitivity to the quaternary ammonium compounds. Both the chlorhexidine-sensitive and -resistant strains were uniformly sensitive to chloroxylenol (Dettol), glutaraldehyde, and 2-phenoxyethanol.
Iodine contamination of the serum protein-bound iodine: Incidence and clinical significance
Authors: Pannall P. R. , Minnaar P. C. , Neser A. T.
Published: June 2007

Iodine contamination as defined by the combination of a raised (PBI-T4I) difference and low131I neck uptake was found in 38 (17·5%) of 217 euthyroid patients. Of these, 17 had PBI levels of greater than 20 μg/dl but in the remainder levels were clinically feasible. In only 21 was there a history of exposure to iodine. Two of 12 hypothyroid patients had PBI levels well within normal limits. False elevation of the PBI is thus shown to be common. It is neither always obvious nor can it be easily avoided. The PBI is not an acceptable alternative to T4estimation by other methods.
The effect of ambient temperature on the anti-D assay using the Auto Analyzer
Authors: Gunson H. H. , Phillips P. K. , Stratton F.
Published: June 2007

Using the AutoAnalyzer, the percentage agglutination effected by the anti-D antisera studied showed a varied dependence on the ambient temperature over the manifold subsequent to the incubation period at 37°C. This leads to assays which are a function of the ambient temperature. It is suggested that the entry of a relatively large volume of rouleaux-dispersing agent results in an elution of bound antibody to a new position of equilibrium, the shift being dependent on the particular equilibrium constant of the antibody and the rate of its attainment on the ambient temperature. A constant ambient temperature will lead to greater accuracy of anti-D assay.
A comparative study of some commercially available tests for rheumatoid factor
Authors: MacSween R. N. M. , Hughes Hazel , Breen Catriona , Kitchen P. , Cathcart Brenda , Buchanan W. W.
Published: June 2007

Seven commercially available screening tests for rheumatoid factor and two quantitative tests have been compared with the standard Rose-Waaler test in a series of 477 sera from patients with various joint diseases. Markedly different results were obtained, and on the basis of our findings suggestions are made as to what we consider to be the most satisfactory currently available tests.
Fibrin degradation products in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with group A meningococcal meningitis
Authors: Brueton M. J. , Tugwell P. , Whittle H. C. , Greenwood B. M.
Published: June 2007

Forty-one patients suffering from group A meningococcal meningitis in an area within the epidemic meningococcal belt of tropical West Africa were studied. The serum of only two of these patients contained fibrin degradation products (FDPs). The cerebrospinal fluid of 21 of these cases was also examined for FDPs, which were present in 13. Their presence in the cerebrospinal fluid was associated with a poor prognosis.
Changes in the oral flora in Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: MacFarlane T. W. , Mason D. K.
Published: June 2007

The oral flora of 10 patients with Sjögren's syndrome was compared with that of 10 healthy control subjects. Significantly greater numbers ofCandida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and coliform bacilli were present in the Sjögren's group. Possible reasons for these changes are discussed.
Indolent mucoid carcinoma of stomach
Authors: Brander W. L. , Needham P. R. G. , Morgan A. D.
Published: June 2007

In a review of 574 cases of gastric carcinoma, 50 (8·7%) proved to be mucoid using defined microscopic criteria. Three histological types were recognized: pure signet-ring cell carcinoma (three cases); tumour of mixed pattern (41 cases); and an easily recognized, well differentiated type (six cases). This last group pursued an indolent course and had a mean survival time of nine years compared with mean survival times in the other two groups of five and 18 months respectively.
Evaluation of commercially available antisera for serotyping ofPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Al-Dujaili A. H. , Harris D. M.
Published: June 2007

Commercially available O antisera have been compared with a standard pyocine typing method in the investigation of 156 strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosa.A third of the strains belonged to serotypes 3 or 6 and 42·3% to pyocine type 1. Good differentiation of strains belonging to the predominant serotypes was achieved by pyocine typing. Although routine use of both methods provides a more complete discrimination between strains, the simplicity of serotyping renders it more suitable for use in the smaller laboratory, where only one method may be feasible. If desired, pyocine typing can be reserved for the strains which cannot be distinguished serologically.
Resistotyping ofProteus mirabilisand a comparison with other methods of typing
Authors: Kashbur I. M. , George R. H. , Ayliffe G. A. J.
Published: June 2007

Resistotyping ofP. mirabilisusing 10 compounds is reported. The method was tested for reproducibility and specificity and results were compared with those obtained by serological, bacteriophage, and proticine typing methods and the Dienes test. The possible relationship between resistance to the chemicals used in the test and antibiotics was also studied.

The method was found to be simple, reproducible, show good specificity, and compare favourably with other typing methods. No linkage between resistance to the chemicals and antibiotic resistance was detected.
The isolation of anaerobic bacteria from wound swabs
Authors: Peach Susan , Hayek L.
Published: June 2007

The isolation of anaerobic bacteria from routine wound swabs by three procedures was evaluated.

Recovery of anaerobic organisms was doubled by immediate incubation of seeded plates, and the recovery could be further dramatically improved by the use of prereduced media, in conjunction with an anaerobic chamber.

Recommendations for the treatment of swabs and cultures for anaerobic investigation are made.
The influence of paraproteinaemia on the Technicon automated platelet counter
Authors: Hall P. C. , Ibbotson R. M.
Published: June 2007

In five patients whose serum contained a paraprotein it has been shown that platelet counts obtained using the Technicon AutoCounter are much too high. In two patients with IgG gammopathy the error is caused by some factor in the red cells lysed by the diluent solution 2M urea. In three patients with IgM gammopathy spurious platelet counts were produced by platelet-poor plasma when diluted with 2M urea. It is recommended that at the present time no patient known to have a paraprotein should have platelet counts performed on the AutoCounter.
Diagnostic electron microscopy of faeces
Authors: Flewett T. H. , Davies Heather , Bryden A. S. , Robertson M. J.
Published: June 2007

Virus particles resembling reoviruses or orbiviruses were found in the faeces of 40 of 73 patients under 6 years of age with acute gastroenteritis and in faeces of only two babies among 31 patients under 6 years admitted to hospital with other diagnoses. In morphology the particles resemble orbiviruses more closely than reoviruses, but differ in appearance from the orbiviruses in having a smooth, circular outline with a well marked continuous rim as seen in negatively stained preparations. They appear not to be serologically related to reovirus types 1, 2, or 3 and may be members of a new group.
The plasma cells in inflammatory disease of the colon: A quantitative study
Authors: Skinner J. M. , Whitehead R.
Published: June 2007

Immunoglobulin-containing cells have been counted in the mucosa of colectomy specimens from patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. An increase in IgA cells occurs in both when compared with normal. In Crohn's colitis the increase is significantly higher than in ulcerative colitis. The importance of these findings in relation to pathogenesis is discussed.
A clinicopathological review of 100 cases of primary malignant tumours of the liver
Authors: MacSween R. N. M.
Published: June 2007

One hundred cases of primary malignant tumour of the liver coming to necropsy in the period 1900-1969 have been reviewed. The overall tumour incidence was 0·46% of all necropsies. The overall tumour incidence in hepatic cirrhosis was 12·3%, but the corresponding male and female incidences were 17·5 and 4·4% respectively. There was no significantly increased tumour incidence in haemochromatosis.

An increasing incidence of primary malignant tumours of the liver has been noted since 1940 and appears to be due to a corresponding increase in incidence of hepatic cirrhosis. Hepatocellular carcinomas outnumbered cholangiocarcinomas by 8 to 1, were more common in males than females (6 to 1), and in 77% of cases occurred in cirrhotic livers. Tumours supervened as a complication of macronodular or predominantly macronodular cirrhotic patterns.
A light and electron microscopic study of the liver in case of erythrohepatic protoporphyria and in griseofulvin-induced porphyria in mice
Authors: Matilla A. , Molland Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2007

The light- and electron-microscopic appearances of a liver biopsy from a case of erythrohepatic protoporphyria are compared with the appearances of the liver in griseofulvin-induced porphyria in mice. Crystals are present in hepatocytes and in the bile secretory pathways in each case. The nature and significance of these is discussed.
Necropsy studies on adult coeliac disease
Authors: Thompson H.
Published: June 2007

The distribution of mucosal changes in adult coeliac disease have been studied in 24 cases within four hours of death. There were six patients on a normal diet who showed flat mucosa in the jejunum, convolutions in the middle third, and digitate villi in the terminal ileum. A more extensive distribution of flat mucosa and convolutions involving most of the small intestine was noted in one case. Eighteen patients had been treated with a gluten-free diet and 11 had responded well clinically and histologically. No evidence of flat mucosa was discovery at necropsy in six of these.

Attention is drawn to the high incidence of malignancy in this series (13 out of 24 cases). Other complications of adult coeliac disease are discussed briefly.
Sensitivity ofCitrobacter freundiiandCitrobacter koserito cephalosporins and penicillins
Authors: Holmes B. , King Anna , Phillips I. , Lapage S. P.
Published: June 2007

An examination of 99 field and reference strains ofCitrobacter freundiishowed 79% of them to be resistant to cephaloridine and sensitive to carbenicillin, while 96% of 45 field and reference strains ofCitrobacter koseriexamined were sensitive to cephaloridine and resistant to carbenicillin. Susceptibility tests with these two antibiotics are therefore useful in separating the two species ofCitrobacter.
Separation of abnormal cells in the peripheral blood by means of the zonal centrifuge
Authors: Egan Patricia M. , Garrett J. V. , Gilbert C. W.
Published: June 2007

The basic principles of rate centrifugation in the large volume zonal centrifuge and its application to the separation of abnormal or rarely occurring cells in the blood are described. Details of the method, gradient media, and collection and examination of the fractions obtained are given. A description of the cells found in normal human blood, in a subject undergoing known immunological stimulus, and in glandular fever and Hodgkin's disease is given and the implications are discussed.
The morphological identification of pathogenic yeasts using carbohydrate media.
Authors: Joshi K R , Bremner D A , Parr D N , Gavin J B
Published: June 2007

Eight isolates of C. albicans were used to determine the frequency with which germ tube formation occurred: on rice extract -Tween 80 agar, on its components, and on 1% bactopeptone agar after three hr at 37 degrees C; in 0.5% aqueous solution of various carbohydrates; in various concentrations of glucose; on 0.5 and 0.1% glucose agar and on various types of agar alone. Subsequently 250 isolates of yeast of the genera Candida, Torulopsis, Trichosporon, Cryptococcus, and Saccharomyces, which were obtained from a clinical laboratory, were spread on rice extract -Tween 80 agar and on 0.1% glucose agar and covered with coverslips. Direct microscopic examination after incubation for three hours at 37 degrees C demonstrated germ tube formation by all 140 isolates of C. albicans, but by none of the other yeasts. The characteristic features of the pseudomycelia of isolates of Candida and Trichosporon were evident on reexamination after a further 45 to 69 hours at room temperature (22 degrees C). These morphological observations suggested the identity of the isolates of Torulopsis, Cryptococcus, and Saccharomyces but identified virtually all (98.2%) of those of the genera which formed pseudomycelia. Of the latter group only four isolates required fermentation and assimilation tests to determine whether they were C. parapsilosis (1) or C. guilliermondii (3).
The Compu-pet 100: a versatile dispenser-diluter for the mechanization of microbiological techniques.
Authors: Cremer A W , Mellars B , Stokes E J
Published: June 2007

The Compu-pet 100 diluter/dispenser is a versatile and accurate instrument which can be employed for a wide variety of microbiological tests and techniques. Time in performing tests is often more than halved when the diluter is used. Large numbers of tests can be performed with minimal fatigue.
The relationship and significance of antibody titres as determined by various serological methods in glandular and ocular toxoplasmosis.
Authors: Karim K A , Ludlam G B
Published: June 2007

Three types of antibody curve have been demonstrated by testing sera during the course of acquired toxoplasmosis by six different techniques. These three types are due to cell-wall antibody, (demonstrated by four of the techniques), to antibody to soluble antigen, and to IgM antibody to the cell wall. These findings have been supported by absorption experiments. A scheme is presented for testing single sera by two or three different tests to indicate the stage and duration of the infection.
Counter-current immunoelectrophoresis for the diagnosis of pneumococcal chest infection.
Authors: El-Refaie M , Dulake C
Published: June 2007

Counter-current immunoelectrohporesis is a rapid sensitive method for detecting pneumococcal capsular antigens in sputum. A result can be obtained within 45 minutes. The optimum conditions for performing the test are given. Counter-current immunoelectrophoresis works with all the 33 pneumococcal antigens tested except type 14. Better precipitin lines are obtained when the gel-support is acid (pH 6-6) than when it is alkaline (pH 8-6). Omniserum is as effective as group-specific sera for the identification of pneumococcal capsular antigens. The findings suggest that pneumococcal infection was present in 44% of 300 unselected suspected chest infections. Culture for pneumococci was positive in only 15% of these cases. The clinical importance of these findings is still being studied but our experience has shown that patients with chest infections should have effective antipneumococcal antibiotics as part of their regimen and that the laboratory diagnosis may be made quickly and accurately by counter-current immunoelectrophoresis.
Stability of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in biological fluids.
Authors: Nye L , Yeo T H , Chan V , Goldie D , Landon J
Published: June 2007

The stability of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in serum has been investigated. Apparent levels of total thryroxine, as determined by two different protein-binding assays employing thyroxine-binding globulin as the binding protein, increased significantly in serum and plasma samples stored at room temperature and were signficantly lower in haemolysed samples. Values did not change significantly in samples stored at 4 degrees C, nor in samples stored at room temperature when determined by radioimmunoassay. Total triiodothyronine levels, as determined by radioimmunoassay, fell slightly on storage. Failure to appreciate the effect of storing samples at room temperature on apparent levels of total thyroxine, as determined by some protein-binding assays, could lead to an incorrect assessment of thyroid status.
Spontaneous infarction of the breast.
Authors: Lucey J J
Published: June 2007

Five cases of infarction of physiological hyperplastic breast tissue associated with pregnancy or lactation are reported. These presented clinically as lumps in the breast, two of which were painful. Similar cases in the literature are briefly reviewed. The demonstration of an underlying lobular pattern in the present cases and the distribution of the infarcts support the view that the so-called 'adenoma' of pregnancy or lactation is a myth. Organizing vascular thrombi, previously unrecorded in this context, were seen in three of the five cases, and it is postulated that these lesions are the primary cause of the infarction rather than relative vascular insufficiency, as proposed by previous authors.
Determination of antimicrobial MIC by paper diffusion method.
Authors: Shafi M S
Published: June 2007

Because they are cumbersome, tests to determine the quantitative susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial drugs are not performed routinely in many diagnostic laboratories. This paper describes a simple method of incorporating the antimicrobial drug in agar. It is an adaptation of the Rolinson and Russell technique which allows the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobial drugs for a large number of organisms. Results are comparable with those obtained when the standard agar dilution method is used. Strains of aerobic Gram-negative bacilli were tested by both methods using ampicillin (86 strains), cephaloridine (72 strains), trimethoprim (72 strains), and gentamicin (72 strains). Of the 302 tests thus performed, a difference in MIC of more than one double dilution was noted in only 11 tests. With one strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, however, it was not possible to detect ampicillin resistance by the method described in this paper.
The distribution of muramidase (lysozyme) in human tissues.
Authors: Mason D Y , Taylor C R
Published: June 2007

The distribution of muramidase (lysozyme) in normal and pathological human tissues has been studied, using an immunohistological technique. The enzyme was demonstrated in a variety of healthy tissues, including serous salivary acinar cells, lactating mammary tissue, Paneth cells, renal tubular cells, myeloid cells (including eosinophils), and histiocytic cells. In pathological tissues the most striking positivity was encountered in reactive histiocytic cells in granulomatous conditions such as tuberculosis and Crohn's disease. The finding of this study are related to previous reports of the distribution of human and animal muramidase and the implications of patterns of muramidase staining in pathological histiocytes are briefly discussed.
Normal and pathological serum levels of alpha2-macroglobulins in men and mice.
Authors: Tunstall A M , Merriman J M , Milne I , James K
Published: June 2007

The serum levels of alpha2-macroglobulin have been measured in normal men and mice and in a number of immunopathological conditions. Normal human concentrations are high in youth, reach their minimum in middle age, and gradually increase with old age. In all age groups the mean is higher in the female than in the male. Conversely, in normal mice the alpha2M level is low in youth, maximum in middle age, and shows a slight depression with old age, and the levels are frequently higher in males than in females; there are also strain variations. In human immunopathological conditions, there are some deviations from the normal alpha2M level but these are seen to be changes from the normal distribution of values around the mean, rather than significant elevation or depression of mean values. In some disease states studied there are differences between the sexes in the deviation from normal. "Abnormal" strains of mice had alpha2M levels within the range exhibited by "normal" mice but changes in the levels are seen in mice with various myelomas.
The efficacy of long-term oral anticoagulant therapy and its laboratory assessment.
Authors: Eastham R D
Published: June 2007

The activated partial thromboplastin time is compared with the corresponding prothrombin ratio in 6378 samples of platelet-poor plasma from 446 patients treated for a total of more than 4500 patient/months with oral anticoagulatnts. A relative decrease in the activated partial thromboplastin time following deep vein thrombosis is described, which tends to become less obvious during the first year of treatment and is greater in older patients. Although this relative decrease is also found in patients treated after cerebrovascular accidents, it is not found in patients treated after myocardial infarction or in patients with mitral valve disease treated prophylactically with long-term oral anticoagulants. It is though possible that these changes following deep vein thrombosis might be useful in helping to determine the duration of oral anticoagulant treatment.
Hepatitis in clinical laboratories: a three-year survey.
Authors: Grist N R
Published: June 2007

In a survey of laboratories where members of the Association of Clinical Pathologists worked, hepatitis was reported from 5 percent of 244 in 1970, 7 percent of 215 in 1971, and 2 percent of 337 in 1972. Of the 36 laboratories reporting hepatitis, a modest excess tested specimens from haemodialysis, transplant, and haemophilia units and performed tests for HB Ag. The average annual attack rate for staff of all types was 111 per 100,000 with higher rates for biochemists (268 in science graduates and 204 in technicians) and medical haematologists (258). Tests for HB Ag were positive in 17 cases ans negative in 15; nine were untested. No case was fatal and only 10 of the 41 required admission to hospital. Fourteen had a history of contract with 'high-risk (haemodialysis) specimens' but the most frequently suspected source of infection was personal contact with jaundiced or HB Ag-positive individuals and only in three cases were laboratory accidents suggested as the suspected source of infection. The findings indicate a need for caution and sensible safety precautions but not for exaggerated alarm.
Immunofluorescence in duodenal mucosa of children with acute enteritis due to a new virus.
Authors: Davidson G P , Goller I , Bishop R F , Townley R R , Holmes I H , Ruck B J
Published: June 2007

Electron microscopy od duodenal mucosa from children with acute non-bacterial enteritis has shown virus particles in epithelial cells. Indirect immunofluorescent techniques applied to the same tissue showed virus antigen localized in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the villi. Specific IgM antibody was present in sera from infected patients as early as two days after the onset of symptoms. Virus particles from different patients appeared to share a common antigen. The evidence presented supports our belief that this new virus was the cause of acute enteritis in the children studied.
Acute haemolytic anaemia due to IgM penicillin antibody in a 3-year-old child: a sequel to oral penicillin.
Authors: Bird G W , McEvoy M W , Wingham J
Published: June 2007

A hitherto undescribed form of immune haemolytic anaemia due to penicillin antibody is described. The antibody, which was of the IgM class, fixed complement and caused acute haemolysis. Oral penicillin seems to have been responsible both for antibody production and, on subsequent exposure, for the haemolytic anaemia.
A new method for the assay of factor XI in plasma and the preparation and use of a new artificial substrate
Authors: Blewitt R. E.
Published: June 2007

An improved method for the one-stage assay of factor XI in plasma has been proposed; it is reproducible and compares well with an old, established method.

A short investigation into the preparation and use of artificially prepared factor XI-deficient plasma has been carried out: this substrate can be used as an alternative to the congenitally deficient substrate.
Thrombolytic therapy and myocardial infarction.
Authors: Berry C L
Published: June 2007

Examination of 27 hearts from patients treated by streptokinase following myocardial infarction showed one major histopathological difference from controls, the presence of massive interstitial haemorrhage into the necrotic tissue in some cases. This change is presumably related to the re-establishment of the circulation to infarcted areas.
Variations of deop size in disposable administration sets used for intravenous infusion.
Authors: Flack F C , Whyte T D
Published: June 2007

The variation of drop size with drip rate has been studied for giving sets made by two major United Kindgom manufacturers. Data are given for the variation using Sodiun Chloride Injection (BP), Sodium Chloride and dexerose Injection (BP) and blood. All sets investigated conformed to BS 2463. A table is provided to enable more accurate delivery of infusion for the three fluids examined.
An automated immunoradiometric assay for ferritin.
Authors: Jones B M , Worwood M
Published: June 2007

A semi-automated method for the immunoradiometric assay of ferritin has been developed. Results obtained with serum samples show excellent correlation between this method and the previously described assay. A further useful reduction in the assay time may be achieved by incubating for 3 hours at 37 degrees C instead of 24 hours at 4 degrees C.
Liver disease in infancy: histological features and relationship to alpha-antitrypsin phenotype.
Authors: Talbot I C , Mowat A P
Published: June 2007

Sixty-nine specimens of liver tissue from 53 infants with neonatal hepatitis or its sequelae were examined without knowledge of the alpha1-antitrypsin phenotype. Distinctive, diastase-resistant, PAS-positive, pure magenta-coloured, sharply defined globules, 2-20 microns in diameter were found in periportal and paraseptal hepatocytes in all liver biopsies from eight alpha1-antitrypsin deficient (PiZZ) infants biopsied after the age of 12 weeks. Such globules were not seen in biopsies from PiZZ individuals aged less than 12 weeks nor in individuals of normal alpha1-antitrypsin phenotype (PiMM). No other specific histological abnormality was found in PiZZ individuals, but in them giant-cell transformation was infrequent and liver damage was more severe, three of 14 cases developing cirrhosis in contrast to four of 27 PiMM subjects. The pathogenesis of liver disease in PiZZ individuals is discussed.
Use of a computer for producing microbiological reports and for data storage and processing.
Authors: Farrar J L , Brogan T D , Moulding T , Taylor R , Page M
Published: June 2007

A simple 'fail-safe' system is described that produces microbiology reports on a computer teleprinter and stores results on the magnetic tapes and discs of a computer for instant retrieval and epidemiological analysis. The system, which has been in operation for over a year, involves the use of a modified conventional NCR request form. The top portion, which is completed manually by the laboratory staff, is coded by writing numbers in hatched boxes. The data thus written on to the bottom portion are transcribed by punch operators on to paper tape and this data input is verified by double punching. The reports are normally produced automatically by the computer terminal telprinter, but in case of mechanical failure the manually completed request forms can be returned to wards and outpatient departments. The system permits a wide choice of options for epidemiological analysis, and six programmes are described, one of which produces a digest of the overall percentage antibiotic sensitivities of organisms from various sites.
A comparative study of serum total thyroxine estimation on unextracted serum by radioimmunoassay and by competitive protein binding.
Authors: Marsden P , Facer P , Acosta M , Howorth P J
Published: June 2007

A rapid and precise radioimmunoassay (RIA) for serum total thyroxine (T4) on as little as 1-10 mul of unextracted serum is described. Results in hypothyroidism (overt and borderline), in euthyroid subjects in pregnant and oestrogen-medicated subjects, and in hyperthyroidism (overt and borderline) are compared with the results on the same sera by an established competitive protein binding technique (Ames' Tetralute) on unextracted serum from a different laboratory. The correlation between the two methods was excellent (r= 0.94) and no significant difference between overall appeared to measure total T4 Reliaby in sera containing only 1-3 or 2-6 nmol/1. Both methods predicted the clinical outcome in borderline hypothyroidism and borderline hyperthyroidism equally well and both gave normal results in T3-toxicosis. It is concluded that both techniques reliably measure total T4- RIA appears to have advantages of sensitivity and precision (especially in the hypothroid range), of simplicity, and of low cost.
Adult alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.
Authors: Sweeney E C
Published: June 2007

Three adults with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are described. In two of the cases the deficiency was genetically determined (cases 1 and 2), and each demonstrated unusual features of the disease. The liver in case 1 (homozygous) showed cholangiolar hyperplasia which has been recorded only once before. Case 2 (heterozygous) had emphysema and cirrhosis, a combination not previously documented in a heterozygote, in addition to malabsorption. Case 3 represents a case of spurious alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency with cirrhosis included to emphasize the diagnostic improtance of phenotyping in such cases.
Immunochemical studies of the endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract. II An immunoperoxide technique for the localization of secretin containing cells in human duodenum.
Authors: Robinson G , Dawson I
Published: June 2007

Endocrine cells containing secretin have been identified in the epithelium lining human duodenum by direct and indirect immunoperoxidase techniques using immune sera raised against pur natural secretin. The techniques were applied to sections of carbodiimide-fixed tissue embedded in polyethylene glycol. Some sections, stained by a modified indirect technique, were processed for electron microscopy; secretin-containing granules were present by ultrastructural preservation was too poor to be of value. The potential advantages of a peroxidase technique over fluorescein-coniugated antisera are discussed.
Ultrastructure of cell migration throught the gastric epithelium and its relationship to bacteria.
Authors: Steer H W
Published: June 2007

The migration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes through the gastric mucosa has been studied with the electron microscope. Bacteria have been found related to the gastric epithelium. Arguments in favour of these bacteria not being contaminants at the time that the biopsies were taken are presented. The relationship between polymorphonuclear leucocyte migration and the occurrence of bacteria is discussed.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast: prevalence, diagnostic criteria, and histogenesis.
Authors: Anthony P P , James P D
Published: June 2007

Three cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma have been identified in a 10-year review of 2686 cases of breast carcinoma. The criteria necessary for diagnosis have been reviewed with particular reference to cribriform intraduct carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the breast with small, dark, 'basaloid'-cell pattern. The most important single diagnostic criterion of adenoid cystic carcinoma is a biphasic cellular pattern which may be aded by the demonstration of two types of mucin stromal acid mucopolysaccharide and ductal neutral mucopolysaccharide. This tumour most frequently presents as a painful or tender mass near the areola, and it carries a uniquely favourable prognosis when compared with similar tumours elsewhere in the body. Actomyosin has been demonstrated in all three tumours by an immunofluorescent method, and this supports a predominantly myoepithelial origin.
A histochemical method of differentiating lower gastrointestinal tract mucin from other mucins in primary or metastatic tumours.
Authors: Culling C F , Reid P E , Burton J D , Dunn W L
Published: June 2007

Epithelial mucins of the normal terminal ileum, caecum, colon, and rectum of man are unique in that they alone exhibit staining following the periodate-borohydride/KOH/PAS technique. Application of this technique enables one to differentiate those mucin-producting metastases arising from adenocarcinoma of the lower gastrointestinal tract from those arising elsewhere, and may occasionally be useful in determining the site of the primary tumour when it is in doubt. Furthermore, it was found to be especially useful in distinguishing between primary adenocarcinoma of the lung and metastases in the lung from adenocarcinoma of the lower gastrointestinal tract.
Problems in the detection of carriers of haemophilia A.
Authors: Meyer D , Plas A , Allain J P , Sitar G M , Larrieu M J
Published: June 2007

Factor VIII activity and factor VIII related--or Willebrand--antigen were studied in 49 known carriers of haemophilia A and 31 normal women, and the data were analysed by four statistical approaches. Sixteen per cent of normals and 18% of carriers were misclassified, overlapping with the other group. Although the percentage of carriers detected is higher when taking into account the results of both biological and immunological factor VIII, it is lower than others recently reported, and the discrepancies between the results obtained are discussed.
Microbial flora of the lower genital tract during pregnancy: relationship to morbidity.
Authors: de Louvois J , Hurley R , Stanley V C
Published: June 2007

Nineteen genera and groups of micro-organisms were isolated from the lower genital tract of 280 women at their first antenatal visit. Chlamydia, viruses, and T-strain mycoplasmas were not sought, and only routine methods of anaerobic culture were used. Growth was recorded as scanty, moderate or heavy. The population studied was grouped according to age, parity, gestational stage at booking, presence and degree of severity of lower genital tract morbidity, past history of vulvovaginitis, and suspicion of lower genital tract morbidity as evidenced by a request for a report on the microbiological findings. The frequency of isolation of the various microbes in health and in disease is given. The grading of Gram-stained smears bore no relation to the isolation rates of lactobacilli, but there was a significant increase (p less than 0-001) in the isolation rates of each of the following: Mycoplasma hominis, Bacteroides spp., Trichomonas vaginalis, Gram-variable cocco-bacilli, and anaerobic streptococci in those patients with smears in which lactobacilli were adjudged to be absent. The isolation of faecal streptococci was increased (p less than 0-001) in women aged more than 34 years. Escherichia coli (p less than 0-05) and anaerobic and microaerophilic streptococci (p less than 0-02) were isolated more frequently from those booking after the 25th week of pregnancy. The incidence of M. hominis (p less than 0-02) and of anaerobic streptococci (p less than 0-05) increased between the first and third trimesters. No significance positive correlations were established between the isolation rates of the various microbes and objective assessment of lower genital tract morbidity or the demonstration of pus cells, but lactobacilli were isolated less frequently (p less than 0-01) from those with morbidity. The isolation of Candida albicans (p less than 0-02), T. vaginalis (p less than 0-05), and M. hominis (p less than 0.05) was increased in patients in whom vulvovaginitis was suspected, and that of T. vaginalis (p less than 0-05) was increased in those with a past history of vulvovaginitis. The study indicates that, other than the pathogens T. vaginalis and C. albicans, only M. Hominis could be suspected, on statistical grounds, of being associated with disease of the lower genital tract during early pregnancy.
Carboxyhaemoglobin dissociation in the cadaver following attempted resuscitation.
Authors: Rice H M
Published: June 2007

A series of 300 cases of fatal carbon-monoxide poisoning showed wide variations in carboxyhaemoglobin saturation. Levels below 50% in 24 subjects under the age of 70 were probably falsely low following attempted resuscitation on the way to hospital. Artificial respiration, especially with oxygen-rich gas, causes dissociation of carboxyhaemoglobin in the lungs of the cadaver while movement of blood into and out of the lungs, with mixing, lowers the saturation levels in the neighbouring large veins. In four cases subclavian blood showed saturation levels much lower than blood from sites further from the lungs. Blood should be taken from the femoral vein to get true readings.
An epidemic of diarrhoea in human neonates involving a reovirus-like agent and 'enteropathogenic' serotypes of Escherichia coli.
Authors: Bishop R F , Hewstone A S , Davidson G P , Townley R R , Holmes I H , Ruck B J
Published: June 2007

During December 1974, an epidemic of diarrhoea occurred in the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, in a ward caring for neonates with acute or chronic medical and surgical problems. Electron microscopy of diarrhoeal faeces revealed a reovirus-like particle ('duovirus' or 'rotavirus') known to cause acute enteritis in older children. This virus is considered to have been primarily involved in the aetiology of the epidemic. In addition, three 'enteropathogenic' serotypes of Escherichia coli were isolated from babies during the epidemic, but none produced enterotoxin when tested in ligated ileal loops of rabbits or in monolayers of Y1 adrenal cells. Further epidemics of neonatal diarrhoea must be studied using culture and electron microscopy of faeces to determine the relative importance of this virus and of E. coli in the aetiology of diarrhoea in this age-group.
Serial liver biopsies in blood donors with persistent HBs antigenaemia.
Authors: Tapp E , Jones D M , Hollanders D , Dymock I W
Published: June 2007

Initial liver biopsies from asymptomatic HBs antigen positive blood donors showed a range of histological abnormalities ranging from minor parenchymal lesions to cirrhosis. Twenty of these have now been followed up for periods of up to four years and during that time have had at least two liver biopsies. Throughout the period of study all the donors have remained carriers of HBs Ag, and there was no significant variation in the titers of antigen or the electron microscopic appearances of the serum in individual donors. The histological appearances of subsequent liver biopsies were not always the same as those seen initially, and while there appeared to be some improvement in three cases, there were nine in which the histological appearances were worse.
Comparison of machine and manual staining of direct smears for acid-fast bacilli by fluorescence microscopy.
Authors: Clancey J K , Allen B W , Rogers D T , Smith L S , Aber V , Mitchison D A
Published: June 2007

Comparisons were made in Lusaka and in London between manual staining and staining in an automatic machine with auramine-phenol of direct smears of sputum and other types of specimen for acid-fast bacilli. No evidence was obtained of carry-over of acid-fast bacilli from positive to negative smears during machine staining. There was improved contrast between bacilli and the background in smears prepared with the machine.
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the endometrium.
Authors: Haqqani M T , Fox H
Published: June 2007

An adenosquamous carcinoma of the endometrium is one which contains both malignant glandular and malignant squamous components; such tumours are considered rare in Britain but are thought to account for nearly one-third of all endometrial neoplasms in the United States. A survey of 675 cases of endometrial cancer seen during the period 1956-75 showed that the incidence of adenosquamous carcinoma was 5%, an incidence that remained static during this 20-year period. The principal difficulties encountered in the diagnosis of these neoplasms are in identifying the squamous component as such and in differentiating it from benign metaplastic squamous epithelium. The prognosis for patients with an endometrial adenosquamous carcinoma is very much worse than for women with a pure adenocarcinoma, and because these neoplasms are often wrongly identified it is possible that the currently accepted prognoses for both pure adenocarcinoma and adenoacanthoma of the endometrium may have to be revised. There appears to be a true variation in the incidence of this neoplasm between Britain and the United States.
An improved automated method for the measurement of red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate.
Authors: Purcell Y , Brozović B
Published: June 2007

A modified automated colorimetric micromethod for the determination of red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) adapted from that of Grisolia et al (1969) is described. In the modified method, ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) is not used and consequently concentrations of several reagents are changed. During the development of the method it was found that the presence of EDTA, either in the blood or in reagents, consistently reduced the measured value of 2,3-DPG by 15%. This effect of EDTA, not previously recognized, is independent of the EDTA concentration within the range of 5 to 50 mmol/1 and is at present unexplianed. In normal subjects (41 men and 30 women) the mean red cell 2,3-DPG was 14-5 mol/g haemoglobin (range 12-1-18-1 mol/g haemoglobin). There was no significant difference in 2,3-DPG concentrations between male and female subjects.
Weber-Christian panniculitis and auto-immune disease: a case report.
Authors: Allen-Mersh T G
Published: June 2007

A case is described of Weber-Christian panniculitis accompanied by a gammaglobulin disturbance which preceded by five years the diagnosis of an autoimmune hepatitis and pancytopenia. Also associated was the onset of diabetes mellitus, found at necropsy to be related to pancreatic islet amyloid deposition. This case reinforces the view that Weber-Christian panniculitis may be an adipose response to a variety of immunological stimuli.