bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of cerebrospinal fluid protein
Authors: Pennock C. A. , Passant L. P. , Bolton F. G. 
Published: June 2007

Three turbidometric methods and one method using ultraviolet spectrophotometry for estimating total cerebrospinal fluid protein have been examined. The necessity for preliminary dialysis renders the ultraviolet method unsuitable for routine use.The turbidometric method of Meulemans (1960) using a sulphosalicylic acid-sodium sulphate precipitating fluid is better than a method using sulphosalicylic acid alone which is affected by the albumin-globulin ratio, and has a greater sensitivity and better reproducibility than a method using trichloracetic acid as a precipitant. Turbidity may be measured with a spectrophotometer or an MRC grey wedge photometer with human or bovine albumin as a standard. This method deserves wider acceptance.
Water, sodium, potassium, and chloride content of skeletal muscle in fit and ill subjects
Authors: Flear C. T. G. , Florence Irené , Williams J. A. 
Published: June 2007

Biopsies of deltoid, gastrocnemius, or rectus abdominis taken under general anaesthesia from each of 15 subjects have been analysed for fat, water, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Some 110 samples were analysed for each muscle, and all the estimations were made on each sample. Standards have been constructed for the normal composition of these three muscles, and their reliability is discussed.Data from subjects with peptic ulcer, hyponatraemia, and sustained weight loss must be excluded from standards. It seems likely that standards could be improved by taking age and sex into account.
An immunofluorescence method for the diagnosis of primary syphilis using an absorption technique
Authors: Garner M. F. , Robson J. H. 
Published: June 2007

An immunofluorescence technique for demonstratingTreponema pallidumin fixed films made from suspected chancre exudate is described. The method used is basically a reversal of the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test. It makes use of the fact that by using a syphilitic serum from which group antibody has been absorbed by an extract of Reiter treponemes, leaving only specific antibody,Treponema pallidumcan be indentified. Neither the non-pathogenic genital treponemes nor mouth treponemes showed any fluorescence when tested by the technique described.All the reagents used in the test are available commercially, thus placing it within the scope of any laboratory with suitable fluorescence equipment.In the present state of knowledge of the treponematoses, this technique would seen to be the most accurate means of diagnosing primary syphilis because it permits the specific identification ofTreponema pallidumin chancre exudate. It has the advantage over the dark-ground method that fixed films can be sent to the laboratory.
Semi-automatic method for routine evaluation of fibrinolytic components
Authors: Collen D. , Tytgat G. , Verstraete M. 
Published: June 2007

A semi-automatic method for the routine evaluation of fibrinolytic activity is described. The principle is based upon graphic recording by a multichannel voltmeter of tension drops over a potentiometer, caused by variations in the influence of light upon a light-dependent resistance, resulting from modifications in the composition of the fibrin fibres by lysis.The method is applied to the assessment of certain fibrinolytic factors with widespread fibrinolytic endpoints, and the results are compared with simultaneously obtained visual data on the plasmin assay, the plasminogen assay, and on the euglobulin clot lysis time.
Value of gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 in the analysis of blood group antibodies
Authors: Stratton F. , Smith D. S. , Rawlinson V. I. 
Published: June 2007

Analysis of blood group antibodies on Sephadex G-200 columns is described.The position of blood group antibodies when whole serum containing them is subjected to gel filtration is studied and compared with the position of the γ-globulins and of standard blood group antibodies.The technique on its own cannot be used to identify the immunoglobulin nature of the antibody but is very useful when employed in conjunction with the antiglobulin test using specific antisera and with other methods.The technique is rapid, simple, and reliable.
Semi-automated method for the differential determination of plasma catecholamines
Authors: McCullough Helen 
Published: June 2007

A method is described for the estimation of adrenaline and noradrenaline in a 5 to 10 ml plasma sample.A batch technique of adsorption and elution from alumina is used and the final estimation is carried out using an automated fluorimetric technique based on the trihydroxyindole method.Fluorescence is stabilized first by thioglycollic acid to give noradrenaline concentrations only and then by ascorbic acid to give the total catecholamine concentration.The results of a number of catecholamine analyses are given.
Comparison of the effect of heparin and citrate on platelet aggregation
Authors: O'Brien J. R. , Shoobridge S. M. , Finch W. J. 
Published: June 2007

When whole blood was passed through a column of glass beads, heparinized and native blood gave similar results. With citrated blood far fewer platelets were lost on the column. Thus citrate inhibits this test and heparin has no effect.Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was prepared from citrated and heparinized blood and the responses in a number of aggregation tests were compared. With added adenosine diphosphate and adrenaline (first wave), the response in heparin PRP was greater than that in citrate PRP and was proportional to the amount of free calcium ions. With added collagen and adrenaline (second wave) the response was worse in heparin than in citrate platelet-rich plasma. It is concluded that heparin has no effect on the adhesive forces but inhibits the release mechanism. This may be of therapeutic importance.
Micro determination of plasma and erythrocyte copper by atomic absorption spectrophotometry
Authors: Blomfield Jeanette , Macmahon R. A. 
Published: June 2007

The free and total plasma copper and total erythrocyte copper levels have been determined by simple, yet sensitive and highly specific methods, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.For total copper determination, the copper was split from its protein combination in plasma or red cells by the action of hydrochloric acid at room temperature. The liberated copper was chelated by ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and extracted into n-butyl acetate by shaking and the organic extract was aspirated into the atomic absorption spectrophotometer flame. The entire procedure was carried out in polypropylene centrifuge tubes, capped during shaking. For the free plasma copper measurement the hydrochloric acid step was omitted.Removal of the plasma or erythrocyte proteins was found to be unnecessary, and, in addition, the presence of trichloracetic acid caused an appreciable lowering of absorption.Using a double-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer and scale expansion × 10, micro methods have been derived for determining the total copper of plasma or erythrocytes with 0·1 ml of sample, and the free copper of plasma with 0·5 ml. The macro plasma copper method requires 2 ml of plasma and is suitable for use with single-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometers.With blood from 50 blood donors, normal ranges of plasma and erythrocyte copper have been determined.
Melanoma and pigmentation of the leptomeninges in Ugandan Africans
Authors: Lewis M. G. 
Published: June 2007

A case of leptomeningeal melanoma in an African child of 7 years is presented together with a survey of pigmentation in the normal African brain.There is a direct relationship between the depth of pigment of the leptomeninges and the skin in Ugandan Africans, suggesting that similar factors operate in the control of melanocytes in these two sites.
Aetiology of extrahepatic epithelial iron deposits in siderosis in Bantu
Authors: Buchanan W. M. 
Published: June 2007

Twenty-seven specimens of human tissue, obtained by operation, were tested to evaluate the theory that iron uptake by tissues from serum is greater when transferrin is nearly completely saturated than when the degree of saturation is normal.Samples of each tissue were incubated in autologous serum so prepared that in one instance the transferrin was 50% saturated and in the second 90% saturated with iron containing59Fe.In all samples the uptake of iron was greater from the transferrin which was 90% saturated. The uptake by tissues of epithelial origin was significantly greater than that by non-epithelial tissues. Considerable variation in uptake was noted between samples of the same tissue from different individuals. The role of iron stores in the tissue and folic acid deficiency are discussed.It is concluded that the degree of transferrin saturation is important in determining iron uptake by tissues, especially in those of epithelial origin, and that such uptake may be modified by tissue stores and folic acid deficiency.It is felt that these factors are probably responsible for the extrahepatic parenchymal deposits of iron sometimes found in Bantu subjects with siderosis.
The classification of staphylococci from colonized ventriculo-atrial shunts
Authors: Holt Richard 
Published: June 2007

Micrococcaceae isolated from the shunt, ventricles, and bloodstream of children with colonized ventriculo-venous shunts were classified within the scheme of Baird-Parker (1963). With one exception, all belonged to subgroup II of the genus Staphylococcus; tests were therefore devised for division within this subgroup, and results are reported in 30 cases from this and other hospitals.Skin and nasal staphylococci isolated from many of these patients were compared with those recovered from their shunts and blood. Evidence is offered for the occasional coexistence of more than one strain of staphylococcus in colonized shunts and in the bloodstream. Successive recolonization of replaced shunts was apparently not necessarily caused by the same type of staphylococcus.Nasal and skin micrococcaceae from many other babies, both in hospital and in parental care, from hospital staff and from adults selected at random from non-hospital sources, were similarly classified.The validity and significance of the findings are discussed.
A modified test for Brucella agglutinins
Authors: Singh J. N. 
Published: June 2007

0·1% Protamine sulphate in normal (0·85% w/v) saline has been used as a diluent in Brucella serology instead of saline as such. The use of protamine sulphate in this concentration has obviated the need for performing the modified Coombs test to detect non-agglutinating Brucella antibodies.This method has been used in the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit of the University of Melbourne in the routine titration of 721 sera and has proved to give reliable and reproducible results.
Patterns of plasma cobalamins in control subjects and in cases of vitamin B12deficiency
Authors: Linnell J. C. , Mackenzie Heather M. , Wilson J. , Matthews D. M. 
Published: June 2007

A method for thin-layer chromatography and bioautography of plasma cobalamins is described. It requires only 5 ml of blood.Results are reported in 35 healthy people and hospital controls, and in 14 cases of untreated pernicious anaemia. In the control group there were two major components, methylcobalamin and a component which is probably a mixture of hydroxocobalamin and deoxyadenosyl cobalamin. Many cases of untreated pernicious anaemia showed a characteristic pattern in which methylcobalamin was reduced in relation to hydroxocobalamin. This pattern was also seen in one vegan who was taking a diet without B12supplement. A minority of subjects showed traces of cyanocobalamin; this compound was not confined to smokers.The significance of the results and possible diagnostic utility of the technique are discussed.
Adsorption of59Fe on glassware and its effect on data deduced
Authors: Smith Mary D. , Kernaghan T. 
Published: June 2007

The attachment of59Fe to glassware under conditions of hospital laboratory procedure forms the subject of this communication. Adsorption of this nature can be extreme and can invalidate data derived or prejudice intended dose levels. It is aggravated by sterilization by autoclave.Data indicating the severity of the phenomenon are presented and methods of controlling it are discussed.
Bronchial carcinoma and hypercalcaemia
Authors: Azzopardi J. G. , Whittaker R. S. 
Published: June 2007

Hypercalcaemia due to malignant disease, in the absence of bone metastases, is generally regarded as a rare event. It occurred in 16% of a series of cases of bronchial carcinoma coming to necropsy. Hypercalcaemia is a relatively common complication of bronchial carcinoma.The hypercalcaemia is usually accompanied by hypophosphataemia and, in this respect, must be distinguished from the hypercalcaemia that may be found with breast carcinoma. It is frequently accompanied by hypokalaemic alkalosis; this must not be confused with the metabolic disorder that results from the production of ectopic `ACTH'.The bones sometimes show changes of osteitis fibrosa akin to those seen in hyperparathyroidism. Cystic disease of bone recognizable radiologically is rare, probably because of the relatively short duration of the metabolic disturbance.The parathyroids are usually mildly atrophic. There is no evidence that the main pathogenetic mechanism is stimulation of the parathyroids by the tumour. Acceptable instances of parathyroid hyperplasia are very rare: the significance of these exceptional cases awaits further study.Squamous carcinoma of the bronchus is the type mainly incriminated. Oat-cell carcinoma and bronchial adenocarcinoma are involved less frequently than expected by chance. The significance of the tumour types implicated is discussed in relation to the possible pathogenesis.
The biological false positive reaction to serological tests for syphilis
Authors: Garner M. F. 
Published: June 2007

Acute and chronic biological false positive reactions to serological tests for syphilis are discussed. Three cases are presented, one showing an acute and one a chronic reaction, and one in which it was not possible to determine if the reaction was acute or chronic. Once a biological false positive reaction is found, serum from the patient should be tested at intervals for at least six months to determine if the reaction is acute or chronic. If a chronic reaction is found the patient should then be investigated to find the underlying cause.Problem sera from 753 patients are reviewed. Biological false positive reactions were shown by 47 sera and 257 sera gave results indicating they came from patients infected with syphilis. The reactive sera were divided into four groups: sera from blood donors, antenatal patients, cases of recent vaccination, and a miscellaneous group. It was found that in the first three groups the number of sera from patients showing biological false positive reactions was equalled or exceeded by the number showing syphilitic reactions.Biological false positive reactions in sera from cases of lepromatous leprosy and in sera from the inhabitants of the Okapa region of New Guinea are also discussed.It is concluded that sera which give reactive results to reagin detection tests for syphilis and come from patients known to have conditions which cause acute or chronic biological false positive reactions should never be dismissed as such. Experience has shown that a number of these sera will give reactiveTreponema pallidumimmobilization test results, that is, they come from patients who have or have had syphilis.
An assessment of the Azostix strip test
Authors: Bold A. M. , Menzies I. S. , Walker G. 
Published: June 2007

The approximate concentration of urea in a single, unmeasured drop of blood may be estimated with an Azostix strip in a little over a minute, without the use of laboratory equipment.The test has been assessed by comparing 488 strip readings made by two observers on 331 specimens of blood from patients with plasma urea concentrations determined by the Auto-Analyzer diacetyl monoxime method. Observations were also made on inter- and intra-observer reading differences, on the effect of the period of contact of blood with the reagent zone of the strip and on the effect of different types of illumination.Difficulties with visual colour matching inevitably limit the performance of this type of test. Azostix strips cannot replace laboratory methods, but, provided their limitations are appreciated, and proper technique is observed, they should provide a screening test for azotaemia when laboratory facilities are not readily available. Their place in hospitals would seem to be confined to emergency use as a screening test for severe azotaemia. In general and domiciliary practice they should provide a convenient screening test for azotaemia provided that readings greater than `20 mg/100 ml' are taken as an indication for further investigation.
Determination of individual bile acids in biological fluids by thin-layer chromatography and fluorimetry
Authors: Panveliwalla D. , Lewis B. , Wootton I. D. P. , Tabaqchali S. 
Published: June 2007

A method is described for the separation and determination of individual bile acids in serum and in intestinal contents, employing thin-layer chromatography and fluorimetry. The mean recovery from intestinal juice was 94% and from serum 82%.Normal values for the individual bile acids of serum and examples of clinical applications of the method are given.
Megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy: a clinical and laboratory study with particular reference to the total and labile serum folate levels
Authors: Rae P. G. , Robb P. M. 
Published: June 2007

It has been shown that the incidence of megaloblastic anaemia in a group of 463 randomly selected pregnant women receiving iron was 12 times as high as in a control group of 235 pregnant women receiving iron and folic acid. The incidence of all types of anaemia in the women receiving iron alone was more than three times the incidence in those having iron and folic acid. Some women who were not anaemic or who had normoblastic anaemia had serum folate levels in the same range as the women with megaloblastic anaemia, but none of the women with megaloblastic anaemia had high serum folate levels. The labile fraction of the serum folate was no more reliable than the total serum folate as a diagnostic criterion of megaloblastic erythropoiesis in the individual case. The blood group distribution in the women with megaloblastic anaemia was the same as in the general population. Babies born to mothers with megaloblastic anaemia tended to be smaller than the rest, although there was no difference in the placental weights.The significance of these findings is discussed.
Haemoglobin A2level in pregnancy
Authors: Benster Barry , Cauchi Maurice N. 
Published: June 2007

The haemoglobin A2level was measured in 217 pregnant and 137 non-pregnant patients. Twenty-eight patients were reinvestigated at least six weeks after delivery.There was no significant difference in the mean haemoglobin A2level in pregnancy (2·4 ± 0·8%) and the mean haemoglobin A2level in the non-pregnant controls (2·3 ± 0·6%).In all anaemic patients whose A2level was raised in pregnancy the level remained elevated after delivery.
Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia: The phenomenon of red cell adherence
Authors: Preston F. E. , Christenhusz R. 
Published: June 2007

Examination by scanning electron microscopy of erythrocytes from three cases of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia demonstrated the presence of adherent cells. Although in some cases this appeared to be due to a thin strand, presumably fibrin, between the erythrocytes, in most instances there was intimate contact and this was invariably associated with damage to the red cell surface membrane.It is considered that the adherence is predominantly due to altered physico-chemical properties of the surface membrane of the red blood cell and that further morphological abnormalities may result from the intravascular stresses to which the paired cells are subjected.
Venous blood ammonium levels in control subjects and in patients with disorders of the liver
Authors: Sinniah D. , Fulton T. T. , McCullough H. 
Published: June 2007

Venous blood ammonium levels were studied in 106 control subjects and 47 patients with varying degrees of liver disorder. The resting venous blood ammonium was normally distributed in both male and female control subjects and was not influenced by either the sex or the fasting state of the subject. In general it was also uninfluenced by age except that the level was found to be a little lower in subjects over 60 years of age probably due to their state of greater muscular inactivity.The mean resting ammonium level in controls was 80·0 μg/100 ml ± 17·17 μg/100 ml and the range (mean ± 2 SD) 46-114 μg/100 ml. Raised levels were obtained in 16·7% of patients with subclinical liver disorder, 62·5% with moderate liver disorder, and 85·5% with severe liver disorder, indicating a relationship between the severity of liver disorder and the resting venous blood ammonium level. As the majority of patients with severe liver disorder were known to have varices the raised ammonium levels are likely to have been related to the greater magnitude and incidence of portal systemic shunts in those with severe liver disease.
Cytodiagnosis of rheumatoid pleural effusions
Authors: Boddington M. M. , Spriggs A. I. , Morton J. A. , Mowat A. G. 
Published: June 2007

The stained smears of the deposits from one pericardial and 19 pleural effusions complicating rheumatoid arthritis were examined. On the basis of clinical and biochemical evidence it was considered that in six cases the effusions were due to the rheumatoid disease while in a further nine cases the association was considered likely. In the remaining five cases the association was considered to be due to chance as other causes for the effusions were diagnosed.On cytological examination, seven cases showed a characteristic picture of degenerating polymorphs with amorphous extracellular material and epithelioid cells many of which were multinucleate. Five others contained similar amorphous material without epithelioid cells; of these two had many plasma cells and a third numerous macrophages probably containing `droplets' of rheumatoid factor complex.Thus in 12 of 15 cases a definite diagnosis of rheumatoid effusion could be made. In the remaining five cases cytological examination confirmed that the effusions were unrelated to the rheumatoid disease.The extracellular material gave a non-specific fluorescence with labelled anti-γ globulin antisera, and since this reaction was not seen in control pleural fluid deposits, or with preparations of fibrin, it may have a confirmatory value.It is concluded that in many cases reliable cytological evidence can be found to confirm or refute a diagnosis of rheumatoid pleural or pericardial effusion. This may be helpful in the management of the rheumatoid disease.