Anti-Cob causing acute hemolytic transfusion reaction

An example of anti-Cob which caused an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction is reported. Immunohematologic studies showed this antibody to be an IgG immunoglobulin that weakly bound complement and reacted in the antiglobulin phase of the crossmatch. The unit of whole blood implicated in the hemolytic transfusion reaction was from a donor who was phenotyped as Co(a+b+). The patient gave no history of previous transfusions; however, anti-E and anti-c were also present.

Further characterization of a melanoma-specific protein from human urine

Isolation of a melanoma-specific protein (MSP) from human urine has been achieved using antibody affinity chromatography. MSP migrates as a single homogeneous protein on SDS PAGE and comparison of these data and ultracentrifuge analyses indicates that MSP contains a single polypeptide chain. MSP, however, shows considerable charge heterogeneity on isoelectric focusing. The desialo form, alpha 2 MSP, is found predominantly in patients with advanced metastatic disease, whilst only the sialo form alpha 1 MSP, is obtained from the urine of patients with early-stage disease. MSP does not react with antisera raised to alpha 1 foetoprotein (AFP) or carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and hence is immunologically distinct from these other tumour-associated glycoproteins. Antisera raised to MSP do not react with normal skin melanocytes nor with any foetal tissue tested, and hence the origin of MSP remains unresolved.

Melanocyte mutation in halo naevus and malignant melanoma?

Halo naevus cells on frozen sections react with sera from patients with benign halo naevus or with malignant melanoma. Halo naevus cells also react with our specifically absorbed heterologous antihuman malignant melanoma antiserum (RAMMA). Since the cytoplasm of all the naevus cells within the halo naevus react with sera from patients with malignant melanoma, this implies that the entire population of melanocytic cells in the mole has undergone mutation, because non-pathological skin melanocytes do not react.

Predictors of drinking and signs of heavy drinking among high school students

This paper reports an investigation of factors associated with drinking and heavy drinking among high school students. The relative importance of social characteristics, parental drinking and parental rejection and control are assessed. Data were obtained from 1,439 students in two high schools. It is found that most students drink, but most drink infrequently (less than once a week and one or two drinks at time). Multivariate analysis using the MCA program indicates that students who frequently get drunk are those who are heavy drinkers, drink away from home and in cars, and whose drinking is not known to their parents. Parents' drinking and parental rejection and control have little unique explanatory power. It is suggested that parental modeling may be of most importance at the outset of drinking, whereas place and extent of drinking is most important in predicting the signs of heavy drinking.

Melanoma specific protein: occurrence in the urine of patients with halo naevus and vitiligo

Melanoma specific protein is immunologically related to altered naevus cell cytoplasm. It is excreted by patients with malignant melanoma but in no other malignancy. The protein has been detected in patients with actively developing halo naevi but not when repigmentation is taking place. It also occurs in patients with very active vitiligo but in no other pigment condition we have studied. It is suggested that the protein is a marker of active destruction of naevus cells by immune mechanisms and that the release of toxic materials during this immune reaction may be responsible for the production of the halo phenomenon and for the areas of vitiligo that may be seen elsewhere on the skin.

The efficiency of a drinking fountain

In this experiment the efficiency of a water drinking fountain was studied. Efficiency was defined in terms of the percentage of water actually consumed in relation to the water that flows from the drinking fountain, the drinking time, the water consumed per user and the electricity required to cool the water. For this purpose four different spout diameters were used and the water pressure was regulated to give two different water trajectory heights for each spout diameter setting. This resulted in eight different flow rates. The results of the study indicated that the water fountain is a highly inefficient water transfer mechanism and that extreme flow rates worsened the efficiency of the system. The intermediate spout nozzle diameters proved to be superior with regard to all the efficiency statistics.

The significance of urinary melanoma antigen excretion and the ability of thymosin to raise the level of depleted lymphocytes in vitro in malignant melanoma

One hundred and fifty-six patients were screened for the presence of urinary melanoma antigen and serum cytoplasmic antibody. It was found that 44% of symptomless Stage 1 patients tested five to 15 years after operation had detectable antigen (Ag) in their urine; the urines of 67% of Stage 2A (local recurrence) patients were positive for Ag; while in only 38% of those patients graded 2B (lymph-node involvement) were these tests positive. Urines of 83% of patients with generalized metastases (Stage 3) were positive. A sequential study was made of 23 patients seen and treated in 1976. Of this group, 14 reverted from a positive state to a negative one following excision of their tumour, while six were negative on first postoperative testing and subsequently became positive. Three out of the 23 remained persistently negative. T lymphocyte levels were assessed in 71 melanoma patients, and a stage-related fall was noticed. Thymosin (Hoffman LaRoche) on in vitro incubation significantly raised the levels of T lymphocytes.

The implantation of natural tooth form bioglasses in baboons. A preliminary report

This report describes a 6-month screening study comparing the tissue responses of several bioglass natural tooth implants in adult female baboons. The dental implants were designed to elicit osteogenesis at the interface of the implant and the oral tissues. This is in contrast to those types of implant materials that are merely biologically acceptable. Incisor teeth were extracted, dupplicated in bioglass, returned to the natural sockets, and splinted to the adjacent natural tooth, where they remained splinted for 3 months and then free standing for an additional 3 months. Microscopic evaluation revealed distinct histopathologic characteristics with certain bioglass formulas, such as ankylosis, a pseudofibrous capsule with fibers running parallel to the root surface, or an apparently true periodontal membrane with properly oriented Sharpey's fibers. True cementogenesis was not found.

Segmental renal hypoplasia and hypertension

The association of hypertension with congenital renal hypoplasia (Ask-Upmark kidney) has been well established. A case is presented that clearly demonstrates the distinctive clinical, roentgenographic and pathologic features. An abnormal production of renin by the affected kidney suggested that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis was involved in the genesis of the hypertension. Hypertension was cured by unilateral nephrectomy.