bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological enhancement of fibrinolytic activity and125I-fibrinogen survival
Authors: Hickman J. A.
Published: June 2007

Studies with125I-fibrinogen after the administration of phenformin plus ethyloestrenol in five subjects showed no evidence of enhanced catabolism of fibrinogen despite a fall in plasma fibrinogen concentration and shortened clot lysis time. It seems probable that the fall in plasma fibrinogen concentration after the administration of these drugs is related to diminished hepatic synthesis of fibrinogen and is independent of the induction of plasminogen activator release.
Bronchiolitis obliterans, bronchiectasis, and other sequelae of adenovirus type 21 infection in young children
Authors: Becroft D. M. O.
Published: June 2007

A remarkably high incidence of bronchiectasis and other pulmonary sequelae was observed in young children affected during an epidemic of severe lower respiratory tract infections apparently caused by adenovirus type 21. The histopathological findings are described in four cases in which one or both lungs were obtained for examination at intervals ranging from two months to three years after the acute infections. Widespread bronchiolar obliteration (bronchiolitis obliterans) was a striking finding in all four. The severity of bronchial inflammation and of bronchiectasis was proportional to the time elapsed since the acute infections. Bronchiolar obliteration is a likely sequel of the necrotizing bronchiolitis which may occur during acute adenovirus infections. The role of bronchiolar obliteration in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis and other chronic lung disease is discussed. Adenoviruses may be a major cause of post-infectious bronchiectasis in childhood.
The interpretation of the serum protein-bound iodine: A review
Authors: Acland J. D.
Published: June 2007

The effects of physiological and environmental factors, of thyroid and non-thyroid diseases, and of drugs on the serum protein-bound iodine are described and discussed.
Relationship between total body water and surface area in normal and obese subjects
Authors: Hume R. , Weyers Elspeth
Published: June 2007

Total body water was measured using tritium in 30 males and 30 females. It was found that total body water could be predicted from height and weight, and formulae for both males and females have been produced with multiple correlation coefficients (r) of 0·95 and 0·96 respectively. The predicted total body water was found to be very closely related to the predicted surface area giving correlation coefficients (r) for males and females of 0·997 and 0·985 respectively.
Bacteraemia in patients receiving human cadaveric renal transplants
Authors: Leigh D. A.
Published: June 2007

During a two-year period (1966 to 1968) 70 patients were admitted to the Renal Transplantation Unit at St Mary's Hospital and 22 (31%) developed bacteraemia.

Eighteen of the 25 episodes of bacteraemia occurred after transplantation and seven before. The typical clinical syndrome was uncommon and was only seen in 32% of cases. The presence of shock was not recognizable in the majority of patients probably because they were already receiving steroid therapy.

The commonest infecting organism wasPs. aeruginosa(nine cases) and Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 72% of the bacteraemias.Staph. aureuswas isolated in five patients.

A likely source of the infecting organism was found in 80% of cases and the commonest source was the urinary tract.

Serious complications were present in 13 episodes of bacteraemia, and these were peritonitis before transplantation, necrosis of the donor ureter, and severe rejection or polar infarction in the donor kidney after transplantation.

Bacteraemia due to Gram-negative bacilli was associated with complications in 61% of cases.Ps. aeruginosawas almost invariably isolated from complicated cases thoughEsch. coliwas only seen in simple cases.

Antibiotic treatment was successful in 64% of cases but the cure rate was higher (86%) before transplantation than after transplantation (55%). Although the presence of complications did not affect the cure rate in Gram-positive bacteraemia, the cure rate in complicated Gram-negative bacteraemias was poor and associated with a mortality of over 70%.

Patients receiving human cadaveric renal transplants are susceptible to all kinds of bacterial infection including bacteraemia, and the results of antibiotic treatment are dependent on both the nature of the infecting organism and the presence of serious underlying complications.
Rapid diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children by the immunofluorescent technique
Authors: Cradock-Watson J. E. , McQuillin Joyce , Gardner P. S.
Published: June 2007

The immunofluorescent examination of nasopharyngeal secretions has been compared with conventional cell culture for the diagnosis of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus infection in children under the age of 2 years in Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester. Two hundred and sixty-eight identifications of RS virus were made by the fluorescent method, of which 258 (96%) were confirmed culturally. In 267 children from whom virus was isolated in cell culture a positive diagnosis was made by the fluorescent method in 258 (97%). In 238 infants with bronchiolitis a diagnosis of RS virus infection was made on the basis of the fluorescent test in 185 (78%) of which 180 (97%) were subsequently confirmed in cell culture. The reasons for false results are briefly discussed. It is concluded that the method is reliable for the early diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection.
Evaluation of three methods using deoxyribonuclease production as a screening test forSerratia marcescens
Authors: Black W. A. , Hodgson R. , McKechnie Ann
Published: June 2007

Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) produced bySerratia marcescensis a characteristic feature which is useful in distinguishing this organism from closely related members of the Enterobacteriaceae. In an assessment of three methods of performing the DNase test as a screening procedure forSerratia marcescens,the conclusion was reached that the standard test was most suitable for use in the clinical bacteriology laboratory.
Porphyrin biosynthesis in the erythrocytes of patients with sideropenic anaemias
Authors: Gutniak O. , Kopeć M. , Nieczaj J.
Published: June 2007

The ability of erythrocytes to synthesize porphyrins from δ-aminolaevulic acid was compared in healthy people, patients with true iron-deficiency anaemia, and anaemic patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Porphyrin synthesis was found to be impaired in true iron deficiency but not in rheumatoid arthritis cases showing a similar degree of anaemia. The δ-aminolaevulic acid dehydratase activity and the rate of porphobilinogen synthesis did not differ in the three groups studied. The most probable mechanism of impairment of porphyrin synthesis in the anaemia of true iron deficiency seems to be a partial block in the conversion of porphobilinogen into porphyrins. High endogenous and exogenous protoporphyrin concentration did not affect the synthesis of porphyrins.
Two cases of scleroma in Iran
Authors: Alavi K. , Kohout E. , Dutz W.
Published: June 2007

The distribution of rhinoscleroma in Asia is reviewed and two cases from Iran are added, a region in which the disease seems not to have been previously reported. The pathogenesis of the disease is reviewed.
A combined clinical and histological assessment of survival of patients with Hodgkin's disease
Authors: Cross R. M. , Dixon F. W. P.
Published: June 2007

This paper reviews a series of 246 patients with Hodgkin's disease treated in the Royal Air Force Medical Service between 1940 and 1966. The clinical and histological staging of the disease in relation to the survival time is evaluated. The variation in the clinical patterns of the disease, together with the histological appearances in the affected glands, can be related to the patient's defence system. A most important clinical factor in assessing prognosis is considered to be the presence or absence of constitutional symptoms. The majority of the patients who had constitutional symptoms on presentation also had many glands involved. It was found in those patients who had no constitutional symptoms at the onset of the disease that there was little difference in survival time between those with glands involved in a single group or region and those with glands involved in many regions, whether above and/or below the diaphragm. Those patients with histologically well differentiated lesions showed a significantly higher survival rate than those in the histologically poorly differentiated groups.
The importance of group B streptococci as human pathogens in the British Isles
Authors: Harper I. A.
Published: June 2007

A case of meningitis due to a group B streptococcus in a newborn baby is described. Treatment was successful; it depended upon the bacteriological diagnosis and sensitivity testing. Only a few such cases are reported in the British literature, but this type of infection may be more common than these reports would suggest.
Effects of oestrogen and progestogen on serum levels of α2-macroglobulin, transferrin, albumin, and IgG
Authors: Horne C. H. W. , Mallinson Annette C. , Ferguson J. , Goudie R. B.
Published: June 2007

The levels of four serum proteins, assayed by a radial immunodiffusion technique, have been measured in healthy women who had been given either the oestrogen or progestogen component of a combined oral contraceptive preparation for three weeks. Raised α2-macroglobulin and transferrin levels were found after oestrogen treatment but albumin and IgG did not significantly alter. In the progestogen-treated group all four proteins remained unchanged. The four proteins have also been assayed at frequent intervals during the normal menstrual cycle. No evidence of cyclical variation was found.
Use of unabsorbed radioactive marker substances in a re-assessment of the radioactive triolein test of fat absorption
Authors: Ditchburn R. K. , Smith A. H. , Hayter C. J.
Published: June 2007

The radioactive triolein test has been compared with two chemical methods for the assessment of fat absorption in a group of inpatients from general medical wards. The special feature of the investigation is the use of a radioactive faecal marker to measure the completeness of faecal collections during the investigation period. Estimations of unabsorbed131I triolein and faecal fat measured by the chemical methods were made on the same specimens.

The results showed that only 48% of the patients provided a complete collection of faeces (defined as a recovery of more than 90% of the faecal marker). From these patients good correlations were found between the triolein absorption test and the two chemical methods.

It is suggested that previous criticism of the radioactive triolein test may have been due to incomplete faecal collections causing false results.
Lymphangiosarcoma arising in chronic congenital and idiopathic lymphoedema
Authors: Mackenzie D. H.
Published: June 2007

A case of lymphangiosarcoma arising in chronic congenital and idiopathic lymphoedema is presented. The literature is reviewed and the diagnosis discussed.
Pathology of Tangier disease
Authors: Bale Patricia M. , Clifton-Bligh P. , Benjamin B. N. P. , Whyte H. M.
Published: June 2007

Two cases of Tangier disease are described in children from families unrelated to each other. Necropsy in one case, the first to be reported in this condition, showed large collections of cholesterol-laden macrophages in tonsils, thymus, lymph nodes, and colon, and moderate numbers in pyelonephritic scars and ureter. As the storage cells may be scanty in marrow, jejunum, and liver, the rectum is suggested as the site of choice for biopsy.

The diagnosis was confirmed by demonstrating the absence of α-lipoproteins from the plasma of the living child, and by finding low plasma levels in both parents of both cases. The disease can be distinguished from other lipidoses by differences in the predominant sites of storage, staining reactions, and serum lipid studies.
Histochemical detection of the enzyme deficiency in blood films in Wolman's disease
Authors: Lake Brian D.
Published: June 2007

The clinical diagnosis of Wolman's disease (acid esterase deficiency) can be confirmed by a histochemical staining method using blood films. Acid esterase activity is found normally in lymphocytes, but in Wolman's disease only a very low level of activity can be detected. An intermediate level of activity was demonstrated in heterozygotes. The method may also be applicable in the prenatal detection of the disease.
Identification of a congenital defect of factor VII in a colony of beagle dogs: the clinical use of the plasma
Authors: Poller L. , Thomson Jean M. , Sear C. H. J. , Thomas Wendy
Published: June 2007

A severe, pure deficiency of factor VII has been defined in haematological and biochemical terms in the Alderley Park colony of beagle dogs. By modification of the conventional factor VII assay to improve its specificity an apparent low activity of between 1 and 2·5% of the normal beagle has been found.

When this plasma is used as a substrate for factor VII assays it compares well with human factor VII-deficient plasma in the measurement of both raised and depressed factor VII activity. It also appears to be a valuable reagent in the quality control of tissue thromboplastin extracts.
Identification ofCorynebacterium diphtheriaeby immunofluorescence during a diphtheria epidemic
Authors: McCracken A. W. , Mauney C. U.
Published: June 2007

During a large epidemic of diphtheria, the technique of immunofluorescence was applied to specimens obtained from 310 patients, 77 of whom were diagnosed clinically as having the disease. The technique made use of commerical fluorescent antisera prepared against the somatic antigens ofCorynebacterium diphtheriae.The results obtained by immunofluorescence of slides prepared directly from swabs were found to be unsatisfactory but when the swabs were subjected to prior incubation in a growth medium the results of immunofluorescence and bacterial culture agreed in 95% of specimens. Immunofluorescence applied to bacterial colonies obtained on primary isolation agreed completely with definitive bacterial identification. These two methods for the rapid identification ofC. diphtheriaeappeared to be as reliable as formal cultural and biochemical methods and could be usefully and economically applied to the examination of large numbers of clinical specimens during an epidemic.
Study on dioxan separation in the radioimmunoassay of human growth hormone, human chorionic gonadotrophin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, and insulin
Authors: Stahl M. , Girard J. , Baumann J. B. , Nars P. W.
Published: June 2007

The dioxan precipitation for separating free from antibody-bound hormone in a radioimmunoassay has been applied to human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), human growth hormone (HGH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and insulin and compared with the charcoal-dextran system of separation. The dioxan separation depends on protein concentration. The behaviour of damaged labelled hormone is difficult to assess. Completeness of separation has to be tested in antigen excess. The optimum conditions must be carefully studied for each hormone.
Beta-propiolactone as an agent for enzyme sterilization
Authors: Stokes K. J.
Published: June 2007

A chemical method for the sterilization of pancreatin and trypsin is given. Evidence is presented to show that this treatment does not diminish the specific activity of the enzymes and has some advantages in microbiological techniques.
Vitamin B12levels in erythrocytes in hypochromic anaemia
Authors: Harrison R. J.
Published: June 2007

Vitamin B12levels in erythrocytes were low in untreated hypochromic anaemia, rose to abnormally high levels during therapy with iron alone, and finally slowly fell to normal. These changes were similar to those previously found in pernicious anaemia in response to vitamin B12therapy and in folate-deficiency anaemia in response to folic acid, thus changes in erythrocyte B12levels are not always due directly to changes in B12metabolism but may be secondary to changes in the levels of other haematinic factors.
Quality control in routine haemoglobinometry
Authors: Cavill I.
Published: June 2007

An analysis of haemoglobin estimations in a routine laboratory shows that quality control methods based on mean values are unsatisfactory. The use of a cusum method together with control samples is a sensitive and convenient technique for the early discovery of minor deviations in results and it is not dependent on a stable population of patients.
Fat-laden macrophages in cerebrospinal fluid as an indication of brain damage in children
Authors: Chester D. C. , Emery J. L. , Penny S. R.
Published: June 2007

A study of the incidence of fat-laden cells (compound granular corpuscles) in the cerebrospinal fluid in infants indicating that a high level of these cells (over 40% of cells) is invariably associated with a bad prognosis and lower levels of these cells can give a useful indication of brain damage in children with meningitis and ventriculitis.
A study of antibiotic sensitivity testing with proposals for simple uniform methods
Authors: Garrod L. P. , Waterworth Pamela M.
Published: June 2007

The findings in the preceding paper on pages 773-778 are reviewed and the possible causes of error revealed by them are analysed.

The disc test has been studied with a view to defining suitable culture media, and disc contents such that six can usually be placed on a 9 cm plate. Emphasis is placed on controlling the weight of the inoculum and on ensuring its uniform distribution. It is suggested that such cultures should be interpreted by comparison of inhibition zone sizes with those of a suitable control organism on the same medium.

Indications and methods for tests in primary culture are discussed.

Proposals are made for eliminating superfluous or inappropriate tests, thus limiting the number of antibiotics or other drugs with which tests need initially be done.
Scanning-beam electron microscopy of mycoplasma isolated from rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Jansson Elli , Eklund H. , Vainio K. , Halme Helena , Tuuri Sirkka
Published: June 2007

Scanning-beam electron microscopic studies on an isolate from definite rheumatoid arthritis are presented.
Oral mycoplasmas in Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Gordon A. M. , Chisholm D. M. , Mason D. K.
Published: June 2007

Mycoplasmas were sought in the salivary secretions and minor salivary gland tissue of 26 patients with Sjögren's syndrome or the allied sicca complex. A mycoplasma (M. oraletype 1) was recovered from the stimulated parotid saliva of only one case. Possible mechanisms of mycoplasmal cell damage in this and allied disorders are considered and some future lines of investigation are suggested.
The detection of myoglobin in urine and its distinction from normal and variant haemoglobins
Authors: Boulton F. E. , Huntsman R. G.
Published: June 2007

Victims of severe injuries frequently pass haemoglobin, myoglobin, or both proteins in their urine. If the kidneys of such persons are to be considered as donor material for transplantation, a pathology department may be requested to identify which of these pigments is present. If freshly passed urine is available, haemoglobinuria in the absence of myoglobinuria may be rapidly identified by spectroscopy. However, the rapid degradation of myoglobin to the met-myoglobin form will make spectroscopic recognition of this pigment in the urine unreliable. In the absence of variant haemoglobins, myoglobin may be easily distinguished from normal haemoglobin by routine electrophoresis on paper, starch gel, or cellulose acetate at alkalinepH. The electrophoretic method of choice in the presence of variant haemoglobins utilizes polyacrylamide gel at 12 g/100 ml as a supporting medium. At this concentration, the migration both of haemoglobin and its variants is sufficiently retarded to allow the easy recognition of myoglobin.
A quantitative method for blood lipoproteins using cellulose acetate electrophoresis
Authors: Magnani H. N. , Howard A. N.
Published: June 2007

A rapid, inexpensive, and quantitative method is described for obtaining the levels of plasma very low, low, and high density lipoproteins using cellulose acetate electrophoresis and lipid assays without prior separation by ultracentrifuge or other techniques. It involves separation of the lipoproteins by cellulose acetate electrophoresis, followed by their identification with the ozone-Schiff reaction. The total lipoprotein concentration is estimated from the total plasma phospholipid, and the percentage of each component obtained by densitometric analysis of the stained electrophoretograms, using reflected light. For samples with a raised level of very low density lipoprotein, plasma triglyceride analysis is also required.

The results obtained by the cellulose acetate electrophoresis method are in good agreement with those by the analytical ultracentrifuge and the preparative ultracentrifuge with refractometry. The theoretical assumptions on which the method is based have been shown to be valid.
Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with parathyroid adenoma and hypercalcaemia
Authors: MacGillivray J. B. , Anderson C. J. B.
Published: June 2007

A patient with hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma was found to have metastatic medullary carcinoma in lymph nodes close to the thyroid gland. The finding of normal calcitonin and parathormone concentrations after removal of the adenoma suggested that the parathyroid lesion was not the result of the hypocalcaemic action of calcitonin produced by the tumour in the thyroid.

Seventeen other examples of the association between medullary carcinoma and parathyroid enlargement are briefly reviewed.

The pathogenesis of the parathyroid lesions is discussed, and it is suggested that some may be caused by the hypocalcaemic action of calcitonin, while others may be part of a syndrome of multiple endocrine adenomatosis.
Plasma calcium fractions and the protein-binding of calcium in normal subjects and in patients with hypercalcaemia and hypocalcaemia
Authors: Wills M. R. , Lewin M. R.
Published: June 2007

A study is reported of the estimation of plasma calcium fractions and the calcium-binding affinity of plasma proteins in a total sample of 59 people, which included 29 normal subjects and 30 patients with either hypercalcaemia or hypocalcaemia. It was demonstrated that when the sample was considered as a whole there was a significant correlation between the total plasma calcium concentration and the ultrafiltrable, ionized, and protein-bound calcium fractions and between the ultrafiltrable and ionized fractions. We have also demonstrated that in patients with either hypercalcaemia or hypocalcaemia, including acidotic uraemics, the calcium-binding affinity of the plasma proteins did not differ significantly from that in normal subjects. A significant correlation was also found between the total plasma calcium concentration and the ultrafiltrable, ionized and protein-bound calcium fractions when the normal subjects and the groups of patients with hypercalcaemia and hypocalcaemia due to chronic renal failure were considered as separate groups. The group of patients with hypercalcaemia included patients both with hyperparathyroidism and with hypercalcaemia due to other causes.
The significance of variations in immunoreactive and clottable fibrinogen in health and following thrombosis
Authors: Wolf P. , Farrell G. W. , Walton K. W.
Published: June 2007

In individuals in a steady state of fibrinogen metabolism, immunoreactive and clottable fibrinogen estimates of plasma fibrinogen show close agreement. These estimates also detect any increase of plasma fibrinogen (due to increased synthesis) following metabolic stresses but in certain circumstances discrepancies between immunoreactive and clottable fibrinogen values occur which are of diagnostic assistance.

During extensive thrombosis, circulating `cryoprofibrin' (fibrin intermediates) may be formed. These fail to give full quantitative immunodiffusion reactions with antifibrinogen. Values for immunoreactive are therefore lower than for clottable fibrinogen.

When intravascular catabolism (due to plasmin action) accompanies increased synthesis, since some of the molecular breakdown products of fibrin or fibrinogen react with antifibrinogen but are not clottable, immunoreactive values exceed those for clottable fibrinogen. This discrepancy is therefore an indicator of thrombolysis.

Each discrepancy in turn may be encountered during the alternating predominance of thrombosis or thrombolysisin vivo:(a) physiologically, in association with the menstrual cycle; (b) pathologically, following surgical operations or extensive intravascular thrombosis.
Sickle-cell haemoglobin C disease in London
Authors: Black A. J. , Condon P. I. , Gompels B. M. , Green R. L. , Huntsman R. G. , Jenkins G. C.
Published: June 2007

The manifestations of the sickling disorders are becoming increasingly familiar to clinicians in Great Britain. One of these disorders, sickle-cell haemoglobin disease, has hitherto received little attention, being regarded as a relatively mild condition. This paper describes some of the distinctive clinical features of the disease as seen in a series of nine cases which have recently presented in London, two of which were fatal. The special hazards of the condition in relation to pregnancy, air travel, and general anaesthesia are discussed.
The effect of passage and iron on the virulence ofPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Forsberg Christine M. , Bullen J. J.
Published: June 2007

The factors concerned with the virulence ofPseudomonas aeruginosaare relatively labile and can be enhanced by passage. Virulence is further enhanced if the serum transferrin of the host is saturated with iron. These results draw attention to the possible serious consequences of accidental passage in hospitals, and focus attention on the importance of transferrin as a factor in non-specific resistance.
DisseminatedHerpesvirus hominis (Herpes simplex)infection: retrospective diagnosis by light and electron microscopy of paraffin wax-embedded tissues
Authors: Rose A. G. , Becker W. B.
Published: June 2007

DisseminatedHerpesvirus hominisinfection had previously been reported from other parts of the world, but the disease was initially recognized at necropsy in Cape Town in 1957 (McKenzie, Hansen, and Becker, 1959).

The present retrospective study established that the disease had been occurring before 1957 but that its aetiology had not been recognized. An awareness of the disease, together with an adequate knowledge of the clinical history, the morbid anatomy, and histology of the lesions, usually allows a confident diagnosis to be made.
A case of abortion consequent upon infection withBrucella abortusbiotype 2
Authors: Poole Pauline M. , Whitehouse D. B. , Gilchrist Margaret M.
Published: June 2007

The case described here is that of young primigravida in normal health who, on serological evidence, contracted acute brucellosis, and subsequently aborted spontaneously,Br. abortusbiotype 2 being isolated from the amniotic fluid.
The sea-blue histiocyte syndrome with hepatic porphyria and infectious mononucleosis
Authors: Ghosh M. L.
Published: June 2007

The syndrome of sea-blue histiocyte, hepatic porphyria, and infectious mononucleosis occurring simultaneously in a young girl is described. The cytochemical staining character of the bone marrow histiocytes strongly suggested that the storage material was glycolipid. The possible relationship between the multiple disorders in the same patient is discussed.
Bone marrow lipofuscin
Authors: Clark K. G. A. , Davidson W. M.
Published: June 2007

Lipofuscins are commonly present in the macrophages of the marrow. In unstained preparations they may be confused with haemosiderin, but they are readily distinguished by fluorescence microscopy.

In contrast to the belief that lipofuscins are a manifestation of senility, no age dependence has been demonstrated.

Exceptionally large amounts have been found in illnesses accompanied by fever and leucocytosis, in keeping with the concept of their formation from insoluble remains of ingested cell fragments. It is probable that the `sea-blue histiocytes', described in the literature, are macrophages laden with strikingly uniform granules of lipofuscin.
Isolation of Aeromonas species from clinical sources
Authors: McCracken A. W. , Barkley R.
Published: June 2007

In a period of one year, in a general hospital,Aeromonas hydrophilawas isolated from 13 patients andAeromonas shigelloidesfrom one patient. Eight of the patients had superficial infections, two had urinary tract infections, and four had bacteriaemia. The association of Aeromonas bacteriaemia with cirrhosis of the liver and malignant disease, which has been previously reported, was observed in three of the four bacteriaemic patients. The key to laboratory diagnosis of this genus is the routine performance of the oxidase test in bacteriological procedures for the identification of Gram-negative bacilli.
Stimulation of growth on a deficient medium of aKlebsiella aerogenesspecies by sulphonamide, para-amino benzoic acid, nitrofurantoin, and some other substances
Authors: McGhie D. , Hutchison J. G. P. , Finch R. G.
Published: June 2007

A strain ofKlebsiella aerogenesis described which was unable to grow from light inocula on 5% lysed horse blood diagnostic sensitivity test (DST) agar. It was able to grow on DST agar without added horse cells and MacConkey and nutrient agar. Growth on a deficient medium was promoted by sulphonamides and nitrofurantoin as well as by para-amino benzoic acid, para-amino salicylic acid, procaine hydrochloride, thymine, and uracil.
Studies of contact activation of blood in haemodialysis
Authors: Wardle E. N. , Piercy D. A.
Published: June 2007

A study of patients on Kiil and Travenol coil dialysis has shown that kallikrein esterase, the kinin precursor, is increased in the venous blood during dialysis and that this is accompanied by an increase in the venous effluent of the dialysers. In addition Hageman factor depletion and an increase of platelet factor 4 has been found in the venous effluent. Such studies indicate surface activation of coagulation in the dialysers and will be of use in future studies of the suitability of different dialysers.
Spicular arrangement of amyloid in renal biopsy
Authors: Ansell I. D. , Joekes A. M.
Published: June 2007

A spicular arrangement of amyloid on the epithelial aspect of the glomerular basement membrane has been seen to a variable degree in silver-stained sections of renal biopsies in eight of 38 patients with amyloidosis. Electron microscopical examination revealed a spectrum of appearances of the amyloid fibrils which would account for this finding. Only two of these eight patients had amyloidosis secondary to chronic infection, a much lower proportion than in the group as a whole. The possibility of confusion with membranous nephropathy is discussed with relevance to possible modes of treatment.
The localization of the Australia antigen in the liver by immunofluorescence
Authors: Akeyama T. , Kamada T. , Koizumi T. , Abe H.
Published: June 2007

The localization of Australia antigen in the liver by the fluorescent antibody technique (direct method) has been studied. Specific fluorescence was observed in the cytoplasm of liver cells. Two distribution patterns of fluorescent-positive cells, namely, a diffuse fluorescence in the liver lobules and a spotty distribution of fluorescent-positive cells, were observed.
Latex agglutination in the diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis
Authors: Severin W. P. J.
Published: June 2007

Group-specific polysaccharides ofNeisseria meningitidisgroups A and C have been demonstrated by means of a rapid, sensitive slide agglutination test with latex particles coated with antibodies. In this manner, the diagnosis can be made from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningococcal meningitis caused by serogroups A or C even when the culture is negative. The method appears to be more sensitive than countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis and less elaborate.
Hydrolysis of casein: a differential aid for the indentification ofSerratia marcescens
Authors: Salisbury William A. , Likos Joseph J.
Published: June 2007

Through the hydrolysis of casein, a cultural characteristic has been established in the preliminary identification ofSerratia marcescens.Compared against 438 strains of the families,PseudomonadaceaeandEnterobacteriaceae, this organism has a reproducible capability to decompose casein, while most other Gram-negative bacilli failed to produce any hydrolysis, or, at the most, hazy zones only. Routine use has shown this to be a valuable differential aid in the identification ofSerratia marcescens.
Characteristics of some co-trimoxazole-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from infected patients
Authors: Barker J. , Healing D. , Hutchison J. G. P.
Published: June 2007

Two isolates ofProteus mirabilisand four ofEsch. coliwhich would not grow on commonly used commercial sensitivity test media are reported. These organisms appear to be resistant to co-trimoxazole, are exacting towards thymidine, and five of six were isolated from patients who had been treated with co-trimoxazole. A method for the detection of these strains is given and their significance in the laboratory and clinical practice discussed.
Hilar cell tumour of the ovary
Authors: Anderson M. C.
Published: June 2007

The case of a 42-year-old woman with virilization, hirsutes, and a high level of circulating testosterone is described. A hilar cell tumour of the ovary was found, the histological features of which were typical, with the presence of crystalloids of Reinke, hyaline bodies, lipid, and lipofuscin. Some areas showed appearances similar to those seen in `adrenocortical cell' tumours. In common with other lipid cell tumours of the ovary, hilar cell tumours most probably arise from mesenchymal elements and the group should, therefore, be considered as a subdivision of the gonadal stromal (sex cord-mesenchymal) tumours.
The diagnosis of trophoblastic tumours from uterine curettings
Authors: Elston C. W. , Bagshawe K. D.
Published: June 2007

The reliability of the diagnosis of choriocarcinoma from uterine curettings is still a matter for debate, and few pathologists see enough material for an objective clinico-pathological study. In the present survey curettings from 54 patients were examined, 38 during follow up of a hydatidiform mole, 12 following a normal pregnancy and four after a spontaneous abortion. Four histological categories were identified: villous, simple trophoblast, trophoblast with appearances suspicious of choriocarcinoma, and trophoblast diagnostic of choriocarcinoma. The presence of hydropic villi is evidence that malignant change has not developed at that time and only two of the 20 patients in this group subsequently developed choriocarcinoma. The interpretation of simple or suspicious trophoblast depends on the antecedent gestation: if it were molar, malignant change is relatively infrequent (choriocarcinoma subsequently developed in four out of 15 patients); if it were non-molar then malignancy is a strong possibility (choriocarcinoma developed in nine and metastatic trophoblastic disease in four of the 13 patients). The correct management of the individual patient can only be achieved by a full consideration of the histological features together with the clinical history and findings.
The structure of the breast in mucoviscidosis
Authors: Ward A. Milford
Published: June 2007

The histological appearances of the breast in a patient with mucoviscidosis are those of complete lobular agenesis. Ducts and ductules are well developed, and there is abundant fibrous tissue giving the breast a normal contour. The appearances are contrasted with those of gynaecomastia, and the aetiology is discussed.
Evaluation of the Lundh test in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease
Authors: Levin G. E. , Youngs G. R. , Bouchier I. A. D.
Published: June 2007

The Lundh test meal was administered to 32 normal subjects and 53 patients with suspected pancreatic disease. Tryptic activity was measured in the recovered duodenal juice. The level of activity distinguished the normal subjects from those with independently confirmed pancreatic disease, particularly chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma of the pancreas. The advantages and disadvantages of the test are discussed.
Immunoglobulin levels in infantile pneumocystosis
Authors: Kohout Elfriede , Post Cornelius , Azadeh Bahram , Dutz Werner , Bandarizadeh Bashi , Kadivar Darius
Published: June 2007

Two hundred and twelve determinations of IgA, IgG, and IgM were performed in 50 infants during an epidemic of interstitial plasma cell pneumonia. Criteria for diagnosis are discussed. The immunoglobulin levels in pneumocystic, non-pneumocystic, and normal American infants are compared. An analysis of the findings in individual cases reveals a time-related immunoglobulin response, which helps to elucidate the pathogenicity of the disease.
Clinical application and mechanization of a simple and inexpensive method for estimating T3uptake in serum
Authors: Walther W. W.
Published: June 2007

This very inexpensive method of estimating T3uptake, already described (Walther, 1971), uses only 0·1 ml of patient's serum and discriminates between thyrotoxicosis and myxoedema much better than the resin sponge method. It can readily be mechanized and the `free thyroxine index' derived has normal limits of 3·0 to 8·0.
Effect of trimethoprim on folate-dependent DNA synthesis in human bone marrow
Authors: Sive Jane , Green R. , Metz J.
Published: June 2007

The effect of trimethoprim in various concentrations was tested on the folate-dependent deoxyuridylate methylation reaction in human bone marrow cultures. A slight effect was demonstrated at a concentration similar to that achieved in the plasma in patients taking the conventional therapeutic dose of trimethoprim. When a tenfold greater concentration was used, the effect became more pronounced. These findings are in agreement with reports of some mild haematological changes associated with the use of trimethoprim and offer an explanation for such changes.
The adverse effect of bromelin in anti-D quantitation using the AutoAnalyzer
Authors: Gunson H. H. , Phillips P. K. , Stratton F.
Published: June 2007

With eight of 32 sera significantly higher estimations of anti-D concentration were obtained when test cells premodified with bromelin were used instead of bromelin as a reagent added to the reaction manifold. With one serum the difference in estimation, using the two techniques, revealed a ten-fold discrepancy. The consequences of these findings are discussed in relation to the use of the AutoAnalyzer for the quantitation of anti-D.
Evaluation of an automatic platelet counting system utilizing whole blood
Authors: Rowan R. M. , Allan W. , Prescott R. J.
Published: June 2007

Technicon's newly developed platelet AutoCounter utilizes an electro-optical system which detects and counts particles by sensing the scattering of light which occurs when blood cells flow through the illuminated sensing chamber of a micro-optical system. The system utilizes whole blood collected into EDTA. Blood samples, which can be handled at the rate of 40 per hour, are diluted with 2M urea which in addition causes lysis of the erythrocytes. The haemolysate thus obtained is delivered to the particle counter after a two-minute reaction time, the cell count finally being displayed on a continuous chart recorder.

An evaluation of this machine has been carried out in the Department of Haematology, the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, on hospital specimens from patients suffering from a wide variety of diseases. The results of this evaluation are presented. Reproducibility studies indicate a coefficient of variation of 4% at any platelet level. The percentage drift per sample ranges from +0·4 to −0·4% of the total count. Carry-over and departures from linearity are statistically significant; however, the magnitude of these deviations is not sufficient to cause concern in routine use. Acceptable agreement is noted between machine counts and the counts obtained by technicians using phase-contrast microscopy with the exception of two anomalous individuals.

Discrepant counts were noted in patients with elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and also in patients with disturbance of immunoglobulins. A modification to the sampling probe which eliminates the former problem is described.

The AutoCounter described in this paper provides a fast, reliable, and accurate service laboratory platelet counting system.
The lethal effect of tryptone-soya broth
Authors: Waterworth Pamela M.
Published: June 2007

Overnight cultures ofV. cholerae, V. el tor,non-cholera vibrio, andStreptococcus pneumoniaein tryptone-soya broth (with 5% blood added for the last-named) failed to grow on subculture despite visible growth in all tubes. Viable counts andpH determinations of overnight cultures of various species in tryptone-soya broth, brain-heart infusion broth, and Lab-Lemco peptone broth show that death in tryptone-soya broth is associated with the drop inpH resulting from fermentation of glucose in the medium and that this drop is greater than that produced by the same amount of glucose in brain-heart infusion broth. Some strains of pneumococci failed to grow in brain-heart infusion broth and it is suggested that both these media are unsuitable for blood cultures.
Oral contraceptives and tryptophan metabolism: Effects of oestrogen in low dose combined with a progestagen and of a low-dose progestagen (megestrol acetate) given alone
Authors: Rose D. P. , Adams P. W.
Published: June 2007

The effect upon tryptophan metabolism of the use of combined oestrogen-progestagen oral contraceptives containing a low (0·05 mg) dose of oestrogen, or of the continuous administration of megestrol acetate, has been studied by determining the excretion of tryptophan metabolites in urine collected after a 2 g oral dose of the amino acid.

An investigation of 10 women before being given oral contraceptives and after 21 days and three months of their use showed that xanthurenic acid excretion is increased within 21 days and that by three months the urinary levels of xanthurenic acid, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid may all be elevated.

Ten other women studied after taking a combined type of oral contraceptive for six months or longer excreted significantly higher levels of all four metabolites than did those who had been treated with these steroids for only three months. The abnormal urinary excretion of tryptophan metabolites was completely reversed by treatment with pyridoxine hydrochloride, 20 mg daily for one month.

Studies of four women when they were taking an oestrogen-containing oral contraceptive and at intervals after they had discontinued its use showed that abnormal tryptophan metabolism may persist for three months or longer.

Megestrol acetate, a progestagen used as an oral contraceptive, was found to have no significant effect upon tryptophan metabolism.

The possible clinical significance of the effects of oral contraceptives upon tryptophan metabolism is discussed.
The T4-free thyroxine index as a test of thyroid function of first choice
Authors: Howorth P. J. N. , Ward Richard L.
Published: June 2007

The T4-free thyroxine index was used as the thyroid function test of first choice in a district general hospital for one year. Ninety-two patients were assessed both initially and at follow up by a single physician. The index agreed with clinical assessment in 69 out of 74 patients in whom diagnosis was unequivocal. There was initial doubt about thyroid status in 14 patients; after re-assessment the index agreed with status in seven cases, in three cases there is still some uncertainty, whilst the index was at variance with clinical status in four patients. Some possible causes of discrepancy between clinical thyroid status and the index are a low index in euthyroid patients due to a fall in serum thyroxine-binding prealbumin (`sick euthyroid'), a raised index in euthyroid patients due to latent thyroid heart disease, and a normal index in thyrotoxicosis due to preferential secretion of triiodothyronine.
Urinary inorganic phosphorus determinations
Authors: Jung D. H. , Parekh A. C.
Published: June 2007

The Parekh-Jung method for determination of inorganic phosphorus in serum was applied to its determination in urine. Accuracy is good. The mean percentage recovery of added phosphorus was 100·2%. Forty analyses of a sample gave a mean value of 46·71 mg/100 ml ± 0·76 standard deviation (between-batch precision). The relative usefulness of the Parekh-Jung method compared with those other methods is discussed.
The diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease in surgically excised spleens
Authors: Farrer-Brown Geoffrey , Bennett M. H. , Harrison C. V. , Millett Yvonne , Jelliffe A. M.
Published: June 2007

A series of 44 spleens removed from patients with Hodgkin's disease before treatment has been reviewed. The difficulties encountered in detecting foci of Hodgkin's tissue and the histological features and characteristics of early invasion are described.
Adenoid basal carcinoma of the cervix uteri
Authors: Shilkin K. B.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a case of adenoid basal carcinoma of the uterine cervix, occurring in a woman aged 78 years. In view of the rarity and the limited knowledge of this group of neoplasms, details of the clinical history, the histological appearances, and the histochemical reactions are presented. An attempt is made to define the histogenesis of the tumour and some points on nonmenclature are discussed. It is suggested that the tumour arises from multipotential cervical basal cells and that the adenoid structures rather than being true glands are formed by degeneration of the connective tissue stroma. On the basis of a review of reported cases it seems possible that this tumour will be shown to be one of low-grade malignancy.
Histological and ultrastructural findings in a case of the Sézary syndrome
Authors: Labaze J. J. , Moscovic E. A. , Pham T. D. , Azar H. A.
Published: June 2007

This paper deals with the histological and ultrastructural findings in a case of the Sézary syndrome. The striking nuclear and cytoplasmic features of the Sézary cell are illustrated, and the similarities of this cell to the mycosis fungoides cell are once more stressed.
Data processing in hospital bacteriology: experience of 18 months' trial
Authors: Whitby J. L. , Blair Janet N.
Published: June 2007

The nature of bacteriological investigations creates data processing problems. Non-numerical results must be coded. This may be done retrospectively or at the bench, the former method involving extra work and staff, the latter implying simple codes, stringent checking, a nearby computer, and decoding programs. The use of a shared computer for producing daily reports diminishes departmental autonomy. Benefits occur in more readily available records and statistics, quality control, epidemiology, and diagnostic bacteriology.
The relationship between fluorescent, agglutinating, and precipitating antibodies toCandida albicansand their immunoglobin classes
Authors: Lehner T. , Buckley Helen R. , Murray I. G.
Published: June 2007

A parallel study of fluorescent, agglutinating, and precipitating antibodies toCandida albicansrevealed that precipitating antibodies belong to the IgG class, whereas agglutinating antibodies reside in the IgG, IgM, and IgA classes. The three types as well as the three classes of antibodies were found in Candida endocarditis and mucocutaneous candidiasis. Immuno-absorption studies suggest that the three serological tests estimate antibodies to mannan determinants ofCandida albicans.