bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Marfan syndrome, dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, and pregnancy
Authors: Moore H. C. 
Published: June 2007

A patient with the Marfan syndrome died suddenly from aortic rupture and dissection in the early puerperium of her second pregnancy. Although the association of the Marfan syndrome and pregnancy is extremely rare, the case reported here being only the fifth on record, the concurrence of dissecting aneurysm or aortic dissection with pregnancy is more frequent. Furthermore it is accepted that aortic dissection in young women below the age of 40 is more common in the pregnant than those not pregnant. The cause of the enhancing effect of pregnancy is unknown but is thought to be endocrine since the stability of connective tissue can be influenced by hormones, particularly the sex steroids.An unusual feature of the present case is the florid inflammatory reaction in the adventitia of the aorta, not specifically related to pregnancy or to the Marfan syndrome, and it is assumed that in this patient the congenital defect of connective tissue assumed to be the basis of the Marfan syndrome is associated with an acute collagen change or necrosis, possibly illustrating a link between the heritable disorders of connective tissue and the diffuse collagen disease.
Necrotizing arteritis with giant cells associated with haemolytic anaemia
Authors: Flanagan P. , McCracken A. W. , Jones F. R. , Cross R. M. 
Published: June 2007

Necrotizing arteritis with giant cells, involving the aorta, pulmonary and coronary arteries, and coronary, splenic, and renal arterioles was found at necropsy in a 74-year-old male who had died with severe haemolytic anaemia associated with cold haemagglutinins.The clinical and pathological features of this case are shared by well-recognized forms of necrotizing angiitis, in particular giant cell arteritis, but do not conform satisfactorily with any of these disorders. Cold agglutinin haemolytic anaemia in this instance suggests the possibility of an autoimmune aetiology.
Cumulative reporting of chemical pathology
Authors: Flynn F. V. , Vernon Jill 
Published: June 2007

A simple system for producing cumulative chemical pathology reports is described. Results of tests are transcribed onto the patient's laboratory record card and each time a new result is entered a copy is made by xerography and returned to the clinician as the laboratory report.A detailed account is given of the operation of the system and the design of the record card. The advantages of the system are enumerated and various problems that have been encountered are discussed.
Method of estimating the inhibitory effect of plasma or serum upon urokinase-activated fibrinolysis
Authors: Mann R. D. 
Published: June 2007

Activator concentration in the range 50 to 100 Ploug units urokinase is directly proportional to the reciprocal of the lysis time both in the presence and absence of the plasma or serum inhibitors. Inhibitory activity can be estimated, therefore, by the difference in lysis time between control clots containing a buffer or euglobulin component and plasma or serum containing clots both activated by a common concentration of urokinase selected from within the critical range.An experimental model for this purpose is described with an examination of the effects of each variable in this system and a reference curve in terms of a known inhibitor. In this study, it has been found that the effects of calcium are influenced by the plasminogen concentration and are biphasic in the presence of the serum inhibitors.
A critical and comparative study of methods of isolating tumour cells from the blood
Authors: Fleming J. A. , Stewart J. W. 
Published: June 2007

From the large number of techniques described for isolating tumour cells from the blood, five have been selected because they were those most widely used by previous workers and can be performed with a minimum of special apparatus. These techniques have been assessed for their efficiency in retaining tumour cells added to blood samples, in eliminating normal blood cells, and in preserving the morphology of the retained cells.Those techniques which depend on the differing densities of blood and tumour cells were reliable in recovering tumour cells unaltered morphologically and at the same time eliminating most of the blood cells. Because of its simplicity the silicone flotation technique has been preferred for routine use.
Wound infections acquired from a disperser of an unusual strain ofStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ayliffe G. A. J. , Collins B. J. 
Published: June 2007

Seven post-operative wounds were infected with a strain ofStaphylococcus aureus, probably acquired from a theatre orderly who suffered from a dry generalized eczema. The orderly was a nasal and heavy skin carrier, and was shown to be a disperser of the epidemic strain. Infection was probably acquired from airborne contamination in the operating theatre, since the orderly did not scrub-up.The epidemic strain (phage type 80/81 at 1,000 routine test dilution) was sensitive to penicillin and resistant to tetracycline and novobiocin. Neomycin resistance was variable. This strain was found to lose resistance to neomycin when subcultured in the absence of the antibiotic.
PCR testing forTreponema pallidumin paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens: test design and impact on the diagnosis of syphilis
Authors: Behrhof W , Springer E , Bräuninger W , Kirkpatrick C J , Weber A 
Published: June 2007

Background:Syphilis, a chronic infection caused byTreponema pallidum, is a disease which is increasing in incidence, and thus more and more becoming a differential diagnosis in routine pathology.Aims:To develop a PCR-based molecular assay for the detection ofT pallidumin formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, and evaluate its diagnostic power, especially in comparison with other ancillary methods (immunohistochemistry and Dieterle staining).Methods:36 skin biopsy specimens with the clinical and/or serological diagnosis of syphilis were evaluated by morphology, immunohistochemistry and silver staining. A semi-nested PCR assay targeting theT pallidumDNA polymerase A gene was designed and applied. Specificity of amplification was confirmed by direct sequencing of PCR products.Results:Overall, the presence ofT pallidumwas detected in skin biopsy specimens in 20 cases, by immunohistochemistry, Dieterle staining, or PCR. Immunohistochemistry testing was positive in 17/35 cases tested, and Dieterle staining in 9/35 cases tested. In comparison, PCR testing was positive in 14/36 cases, and highly dependent on the tissue quality. When excluding cases with compromised DNA quality, PCR testing was positive in all cases except one, including three cases negative by immunohistochemistry and Dieterle staining.Conclusions:PCR testing is significantly more sensitive than silver staining, and provided that DNA quality is sufficient, at least as sensitive as immunohistochemistry for the detection ofT pallidumin formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens. Therefore, it is a useful ancillary tool in the histological diagnosis of syphilis.
Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage saturation in normal subjects
Authors: Sinniah R. , Neill D. W. 
Published: June 2007

The serum iron was determined in 60 normal subjects (38 males and 22 females) with a mean age of 32·0 and 36·2 years respectively. The plasma total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) was also determined in 54 of these subjects (32 males and 22 females). Serum iron and TIBC determinations were performed between 8.45 am and 9.15 am.The mean serum iron concentration is 138·3 ± 4·3 μg/100 ml (SD ± 32·9 μg/100 ml), and the mean TIBC is 470·1 ± 6·8 μg/100 ml (SD ± 50·1 μg/100 ml); the mean plasma siderophilin saturation is 30·0%. The mean values for serum iron, TIBC, and siderophilin saturation are similar in both sexes. They are normally distributed, and there is no significant correlation of serum iron and TIBC with age in either males or females.
Antibiotic resistance of coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci
Authors: Corse Jean , Williams R. E. O. 
Published: June 2007

Five hundred and seventy strains of Gram-positive, catalase-positive, coagulasenegative cocci from various sources were classified on the basis of their ability to grow anaerobically and to ferment mannitol. Five groups were distinguished. The frequency of strains classified in the five groups varied with the source.Only 26% of the strains were sensitive to all the nine antibiotics used in the tests. About half the strains from the lesions of hospital patients were resistant to penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline, and about 10% of them were resistant to cloxacillin.In general the frequency of antibiotic resistance and the `width' of the resistance spectrum were greater in strains from hospital sources than in those from outside hospital, and they were also greater among strains regarded as falling in the genusStaphylococcusthan in those classed asMicrococcus.
Structure and significance of metaplastic nodules in the rectal mucosa
Authors: Arthur J. F. 
Published: June 2007

Small nodules are commonly seen in the rectal mucosa during sigmoidoscopy of patients over 40 years of age and are often noted in rectums excised for carcinoma.There is little information in the literature on the pathology of these small nodules. There is evidence that there are various histological types which are possibly of different clinical significance.This problem has been studied using a series of rectums removed surgically for carcinoma and a comparable series of rectums obtained at necropsy from subjects with no evidence of large bowel disease.The incidence, distribution, and histological structure of nodules more than 1 mm in diameter has been studied.The commonest histological types of lesion are found to be adenomas and metaplastic nodules.The histological structure, mode of formation, natural history, and clinical significance of metaplastic nodules is considered in detail.It is concluded that metaplastic nodules are a normal finding in the rectal mucosa of subjects over 40 years old. It is suggested that they represent an aging change in the mucosa.They are easily distinguished histologically from adenomas and evidence is presented that they have no relation to them and are not liable to undergo malignant change.
Urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans in the various forms of gargoylism
Authors: Manley G. , Williams U. 
Published: June 2007

The urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans in 28 cases of gargoylism, embracing the Hurler, Hunter, Sanfilippo, Morquio, and Scheie syndromes (McKusick, 1966), has been examined using the cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) turbidity test, the uronic acid/creatinine ratio, and the electrophoretic pattern of urine concentrates, as routine procedures. Ion-exchange column chromatographic techniques were also employed for the fractionation of glycosaminoglycans and aminosugars. Molecular weights were investigated by gel filtration and ultracentrifugation.The CPC turbidity test was positive in every case. The uronic acid/creatinine ratio provided a sensitive index of increased glycosaminoglycan excretion. Cases of the Hurler syndrome showed the highest, and cases of the Morquio and Scheie syndromes the lowest, ratios. A correlation was observed between the uronic acid/creatinine ratio and the clinical severity of the disease. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis differentiated clearly between the two major forms of gargoylism, the Hurler and Sanfilippo syndromes, but differentiation between the Hurler, Hunter, and Scheie syndromes was more difficult on electrophoretic data alone. Results obtained with cases diagnosed as the Morquio syndrome were disappointing. The existence offormes frustesof the Sanfilippo syndrome among the mentally subnormal is predicted. Errors caused by bacterial contamination of urine samples are emphasized. The atypical behaviour of urinary glycosaminoglycans in analytical procedures is discussed. Molecular weight studies suggested heterogeneity. The nature of the basic defect in gargoylism is discussed.
Comparative antibacterial activity of hexachlorophane in different formulations used for skin disinfection
Authors: Gibson J. W. 
Published: June 2007

Two formulations of hexachlorophane have been compared for their antibacterial effects in respect of skin disinfection. It was found that the activity of hexachlorophane is dependent upon its vehicle of formulation. A 2·5% soap gel possesses broad-spectrum bactericidal activity with remarkable speed of kill, whereas a 3% detergent formulation has no bactericidal action against Gram-negative bacteria and only a very slow action against Gram-positive bacteria.In practice the rapid action of the 2·5% soap gel against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive transient skin bacteria can be achieved by correctly applying the preparation directly to the dry hands.It appears that the 2·5% soap gel does not need to rely on mechanical removal of transient organisms as does the 3% detergent.The 2·5% soap gel is more dependable in its action on the resident bacteria than the 3% detergent. It controlled the resident flora in the skin of all subjects tested whereas the latter appeared to be potentiated on the skin of certain individuals only.It has been possible to distinguish between the antibacterial effect on the resident organisms and the mere removal of transient bacteria by mechanical action of the 3% detergent as opposed to antibacterial effect on residents and rapid antibacterial effect on transients by the 2·5% soap gel.
Urinary beta-aminoisobutyric acid excretion in thalassaemia
Authors: Fessas Ph. , Koniavitis A. , Zeis P. M. 
Published: June 2007

The quantity of beta-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIB) excreted in the urine of patients with an intact spleen suffering from thalassaemia major appears to be proportional to the number of the circulating normoblasts and inversely proportional to the haemoglobin level.After splenectomy only minute amounts of BAIB are excreted. Transfusion constantly, but temporarily, reduces urinary excretion of beta-aminoisobutyric acid. Other anaemic but non-thalassaemic patients may excrete low levels.
Serotyping and the Dienes reaction onProteus mirabilisfrom hospital infections
Authors: de Louvois J. 
Published: June 2007

The serotype of 320 strains ofProteus mirabilisfrom clinical material was determined. Using 20 O antisera and four H antisera 61% of strains could be fully identified and 90% partially identified. A large number of serotypes were recognized but no difference was found between the serotype of organisms infecting the urinary tract and those from other infections. Biochemically identical organisms found in the same ward generally differed in serology.Proteus mirabiliswas isolated from the faeces of 84·5% of 84 patients with urinary infection and from none of 20 normal controls. By serology and the Dienes test 61% of the organisms isolated from the urine and faeces of a single patient were identical, indicating that infection arose from the intestine.Most groups of serologically identical strains could, by the Dienes test, be further divided into a number of subtypes indicating that the strains were different and that cross infection had not been responsible for their spread. With three serological groups, however, the majority of strains belonged to a single Dienes type and it was concluded that these organisms had been spread from a common reservoir or carrier.Because of the unreliability of the Dienes test when carried out on random organisms it is suggested that reliable results can only be obtained by combining the Dienes test with serotyping.
Values for tissue magnesium as a guide in detecting magnesium deficiency
Authors: Lim P. , Jacob E. , Dong S. , Khoo O. T. 
Published: June 2007

A large-scale survey of the normal magnesium content of various human tissues was carried out to facilitate clinical detection of magnesium deficiency, especially occult deficiency.A review of the literature favours the magnesium content of skeletal muscle as the most reliable index of the body's store of magnesium.There is a significant difference (P < 0·001) in both the serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels between normal pregnant women in the third trimester and the average normal population. The reason for this difference is discussed.
Observations on a new disinfectant
Authors: Gordon A. M. 
Published: June 2007

A disinfectant formula (Resiguard) containing picloxydine digluconate, benzalkonium chloride, and a detergent was examined for antibacterial activity.Studiesin vitrowith simulated organic contamination were followed by realistic in-use tests employing items of anaesthetic and urological equipment heavily infected withPseudomonas aeruginosaand contaminated with blood. These showed that a dilution of 1/80 was reliably bactericidal to this resistant organism.It is concluded that Resiguard is a valuable disinfectant which may reliably be employed in the cleaning and disinfection of items of delicate, non-autoclavable, hospital equipment.
Effect of medium composition on the apparent sensitivity ofPseudomonas aeruginosato gentamicin
Authors: Garrod L. P. , Waterworth Pamela M. 
Published: June 2007

The diameter of inhibition zones in cultures ofPs. aeruginosaproduced by discs of gentamicin varied on different media, as did the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) when the antibiotic was included in the medium.These variations, which were small in parallel tests ofEsch. coli, were found to depend on the general composition of the medium, but were also affected by the agar used to solidify it.An agar on which the MIC was low had a low magnesium content, and two on which it was high had a high content. The addition of magnesium sulphate in increasing amounts to a medium of low content progressively increased the MIC.It thus appears that a high magnesium content, which is necessary for pyocyanin production, also increases the resistance of this organism to gentamicin.The difficulty of determining the sensitivity ofPs. aeruginosato gentamicin as a guide to treatment is emphasized. The best method appears to be direct comparison with another strain of the same organism of known sensitivity.
Transfusional siderosis and liver cirrhosis
Authors: Sinniah R. 
Published: June 2007

In the present study, cirrhosis of the liver was found in one of six cases of transfusional siderosis. The relationship between iron overload and cirrhosis is discussed and the suggestion is made that factors other than iron deposition may have been responsible for the hepatic fibrosis. Three patients with a greater degree of iron overload, and for a longer period, did not develop fibrosis or cirrhosis. The possibility remains that iron absorbed from the gut and stored in excess without having passed through the haemoglobin molecule or the reticuloendothelial system may be toxic, as cases have been reported in which cirrhosis of the liver was attributed to prolonged iron medication.The cirrhosis in idiopathic haemochromatosis may be due to lack of an unknown hepatic cell enzyme, as in galactosaemia, and the increased iron absorption may be a concomitant finding. Transfusional or secondary haemochromatosis is not a definite entity, and the liver cirrhosis is probably due to causes other than the excess deposition of haemosiderin.
Work study of a desk computer in the clinical laboratory
Authors: Lines J. G. 
Published: June 2007

Calculating results from laboratory data is a time-consuming part of laboratory work, particularly in chemical pathology, and is a frequent source of mistakes. It is much less popular with technical staff than the basic laboratory work.The reasons for purchasing a desk computer, and its use to perform the calculations in a number of investigations and to convert AutoAnalyzer data into concentration units, are discussed.The introduction of a desk computer improved morale, speeded up the work, and reduced both fatigue and mistakes.
Gram-negative bacilli in burns
Authors: Davis Brenda , Lilly H. A. , Lowbury E. J. L. 
Published: June 2007

In a period of two years, 865 strains of Gram-negative bacilli other thanPseudomonas aeruginosaisolated from burns were identified by a range of tests. The commonest species wereProteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, andEnterobacter cloacae. Many strains ofKlebsiella aerogenes, Enterobacter aerogenes, andBacterium anitratumwere also found.A large proportion of the strains were tested for sensitivity to nalidixic acid, ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and carbenicillin, and smaller numbers of strains were tested for sensitivity to cephaloridine, polymyxin, streptomycin, sulphadiazine, sulfamylon, and trimethoprim. The proportion of strains sensitive and resistant to different antibacterial agents varied widely with species of bacteria. A large proportion of the strains ofE. coliandP. mirabiliswere resistant to ampicillin, which was much used in treatment; resistance appeared least often towards nalidixic acid, kanamycin, trimethoprim, and gentamicin. Multiple resistance occurred less often among strains ofE. colithan amongKlebsiellaspp,Enterobacterspp, andP. mirabilis.Phage and serological typing ofPs. aeruginosashowed that most infections of burns with this organism were due to strains previously found in other patients in the same ward. Taken with other evidence, this supported the view that most infections withPs. aeruginosawere not acquired from the patient's own flora but from sources in the hospital environment.
Disseminated fibrin thromboembolism among neonates dying more than 48 hours after birth
Authors: Boyd J. F. 
Published: June 2007

Of 119 neonates dying after 48 hours of life, 19 (16%) showed disseminated fibrin thromboembolism, a histological condition that is very similar to one form of maternal hypofibrinogenaemia. The incidence is nearly five times that among stillbirths and neonates dying within 48 hours of birth.Most of the mothers had a normal pregnancy, labour, and puerperium. One twin may show the condition while the other survives. It is suggested that the affected infants have either no fibrinolytic mechanism, a defective one, or one which for some unaccountable reason was not brought into action. The antecedent plasma fibrinogen level is likely to have been high in some cases, but a fatal outcome can ensue with normal or low levels. The process was considered to be totally responsible for death in six cases (5%) of the series. Renal tubular hyaline droplets apparently rich in haemoglobin were only encountered in one infant (no. 4) who died from massive bilateral adrenal haemorrhage.In the later part of the neonatal period, the process is liable to be indistinguishable clinically from secondary thrombotic processes, which occurred with almost the same incidence in the present series (14(12%) of 119 cases).
Hepatic fluorescence in porphyria cutanea tarda studied in fine needle aspiration biopsy smears
Authors: Lundvall Ove , Enerbäck Lennart 
Published: June 2007

Fine needle aspiration biopsy smears from 19 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda were studied by fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence was arbitrarily graded from 0 to 4. All patients—those with clinically manifest as well as those with latent disease—showed bright red fluorescence of porphyrin type in the liver cells, though in latent cases the fluorescence commonly was of a low grade. In patients with manifest disease fluorescence of grade 3 or 4 was present.In patients with fluorescence of grades 1 or 2 the uroporphyrin excretion in urine was normal or slightly increased. At higher grades all levels of porphyrin excretion were encountered.Of 22 control subjects, only one showed hepatic fluorescence of a porphyrin character. The control patient with a positive finding was found to have definitely increased urinary uroporphyrin excretion and probably has latent porphyria cutanea tarda.The procedure described should be useful as a screening test for hepatic cutaneous porphyria.