Changes in the concentrations of metabolites in milk at the onset and cessation of lactation in the goat

Changes in the concentrations of various metabolites in mammary secretions (organic acids, UDP-hexoses and nucleotides) have been observed at the onset and cessation of lactation. All metabolites, with the exception of galactose, increased dramatically in concentration just before and immediately after parturition. Galactose concentrations decreased with the onset of lactation. After regular milking ceased, the concentrations of these metabolites in milk contained within the udder fell, but the rates of decline varied.

Occurrence of infection with a parvovirus-like agent in children with sickle cell anaemia during a two-year period

The occurrence of infection with a parvovirus-like agent during the period April 1979-May 1981 in children attending a single sickle cell clinic in London was investigated. Virus was detected in serum by counter-current immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). Viral antibody was detected by CIE and specific IgM antibody by an IgM-antibody capture assay. Of the 68 children studied nine presented in aplastic crisis and evidence of infection with the parvovirus-like agent at the time of the crisis was found in all nine. Eighteen of the other children were antibody-positive at some time during the study. In 11 children there was no evidence of recent infection; however, two of these had a history of aplastic crisis in previous years. The other seven seroconverted during the course of the study but did not show any haematological effects. Five of these had a primary infection, one appeared to have reinfection and in the seventh there were insufficient data to distinguish between the two. Possible explanations for the difference between those presenting with aplastic crisis and those with asymptomatic seroconversion are discussed.

Adult T-cell lymphoma-leukaemia in Blacks from the West Indies

Six Black patients (five born in the West Indies and one in Guyana), aged 21-55 years, had adult T-cell lymphoma-leukaemia diagnosed in the U.K. This disorder is rare in Europe and the U.S.A., but is more common in Japan. Five patients had severe hypercalcaemia which correlated with disease activity, although osteolytic lesions were found in only one. Other clinical features were lymphadenopathy and a high white blood-cell count (range 27-67 X 10(9)/l) with a predominance of pleomorphic lymphoid cells with pronounced nuclear irregularities prominent at ultrastructural level. The cells in all cases formed rosettes with sheep red blood-cells and lacked terminal transferase. Analysis with OKT monoclonal antibodies in four cases confirmed a mature T-cell phenotype defined as helper/inducer (T4+, T6-, T8-) in three. Combination chemotherapy resulted in short-lived remissions; four patients died and two have survived 3-6 months. The disease in these patients is indistinguishable on clinical and pathological grounds from adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma in Japan. Geographical clustering among certain racial groups suggests common aetiological factors in the pathogenesis of this disease. The finding of high titre antibody against the structural core protein (p24) of a new human C-type leukaemia virus (human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus) in all tested cases from this series and data from all but one case from Japan suggest that one such factor may be viral.

Normal activities of glycolytic enzymes in the fetal erythrocytes

Pure fetal blood was obtained by direct-vision fetoscopy from 24 fetuses at 17-24 weeks' gestation. The activities of 14 glycolytic enzymes in the erythrocytes were analysed by established techniques to find the normal ranges of activity for this gestational age. The results were compared with those obtained from 24 normal adults and with published values on neonatal blood. The activities of most enzymes in fetal erythrocytes were found to be higher and the relative pattern of activity different from those of adult or neonatal blood. The ranges were relatively narrow and can serve as reference values for the prenatal diagnosis of erythrocytic enzymopathies. Also, the activities of the glycolytic enzymes will provide a basis for the understanding of erythrocyte metabolism in the fetus.

Changes in the conformation of influenza virus hemagglutinin at the pH optimum of virus-mediated membrane fusion

A conformational change in the hemagglutinin glycoprotein of influenza virus has been observed to occur to pH values corresponding to those optimal for the membrane fusion activity of the virus. CD, electron microscopic, and sedimentation analyses show that, in the pH range 5.2-4.9, bromelain-solubilized hemagglutinin (BHA) aggregates as protein-protein rosettes and acquires the ability to bind both lipid vesicles and nonionic detergent. Trypsin treatment of BHA in the pH 5.0-induced conformation indicates that aggregation is a property of the BHA2 component and that the conformation change also involves BHA1. The implications of these observations for the role of the glycoprotein in membrane fusion are discussed.

Antenatal diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies by Biorex chromatography of haemoglobin

Biorex chromatograhpy of haemoglobin has been compared to the standard chromatographic separation of radioactive globin chains in 60 fetal blood samples obtained for the antenatal diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies. Biorex chromatography of haemoglobin permitted two measurements, the optical density at 418 nm and the radioactivity incorporated into fetal and adult haemoglobin. The two measurements were highly correlated (r2=0.96) and enabled a distinction between homozygous from heterozygous states of the diseases to be made, particularly in beta thalassaemia. A single column was used for 50 analyses. This fast and very sensitive method is proposed for the antenatal diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies using fetal blood.

Survey of sickle-cell disease in England and Wales

The incidence and the clinical course of patients suffering from sickle-cell syndrome (Hb SS; Hb SC; Hb S thal) in England and Wales are not known. In 1979 an ad hoc committee was formed to investigate these problems. Initially, a questionnaire was sent to 227 haematologists in England and Wales to determine the number of cases in these countries. The replies have indicated that 1367 cases were seen in 1978 and 1979. Probably this may represent only half the total number of cases. From this survey it has been possible to draw up a composite map showing the location of patients, which has provided a basis to determine the clinical course of the disease, and for further studies into the complications and management of sickle-cell disease in England and Wales. From a second questionnaire preliminary data about the general management and mortality in England and Wales have been recorded.

Selection for serum cholesterol, voluntary physical activity, 56-day body weight and feed intake in randombred mice. I. Direct responses

A five-generation selection experiment was conducted with randomly bred ICR mice. Lines were developed for high (CH) and low (CL) serum cholesterol (SC), voluntary physical activity (lines AH and AL), 56-day body weight (lines WH and WL), and feed intake (lines IH and IL). An unselected randomly bred control line was maintained with each pair of selection lines (CC, AC, WC and IC, respectively). Selection was based on individual performance in SC, activity and weight lines, and on within-sex, among full-sib family selection in intake lines. Genetic responses (selected line generation means deviated from control line generation means and regressed on generation number) were different from zero (P less than 0.05) in CH males and females, CL males, AH males and females, AL males, WH males and females, WL males and females, and IH females. Realized heritabilities which did not differ (P less than 0.05) between sexes were: 0.43 +/- 0.05 (line CH), 0.37 +/- 0.06 (line CL), 0.26 +/- 0.08 (line AH), 0.16 +/- 0.04 (line AL), 0.33 +/- 0.05 (line WH), 0.40 +/- 0.05 (line WL), 0.42 +/- 0.06 (line IH). In Line IL heritabilities of males and females differed (P less than 0.05) from each other (0.08 +/- 0.06 and 0.29 +/- 0.06, respectively).

Selection for serum cholesterol, voluntary physical activity, 56-day weight and feed intake in randombred mice. II. Correlated responses

Randomly bred ICR mice were selected for five generations for high and low serum cholesterol (SC), voluntary physical activity, 56-day body weight and feed intake. An unselected, randomly bred control line was maintained with each pair of selection lines. Significant increases in mature body weight occurred in males of high weight and high intake lines and in females of high SC, high weight and high intake lines. Significant decreases in mature body weights occurred in males of low weight line and in females of low SC and low weight lines. Both high and low selected SC lines had greater (P less than 0.05) activity scores and consumed more feed than the SC control. Mice selected for high activity consumed more (P less than 0.05) feed than mice selected for low activity. Mice selected for high 56-day body weight consumed more (P less than 0.05) feed and had higher SC than mice selected for low 56-day body weight. Mice selected for high feed intake were heavier (P less than 0.05) and more active (P less than 0.05) than low feed intake mice but had significantly lower SC levels.

Aspirin: four score and more

Pain is a tax levied on man for the privilege of life upon this planet. Some are taxed lightly and others are taxed heavily, but all are taxed. To relieve this stress, from time immemorial man has taken analgesics. In modern times, if home medication fails, professional consultation is available. The important question is the choice of an analgesic. The advantage appears to lie with aspirin because it especially evokes relief of pain caused by inflammation.

The decontamination of radium from a commercial building located in a large Canadian city

In August, 1975, the Ministry of Health of the Province of Ontario at the request of one of the tenants of a building in a large Canadian city conducted a radiation survey of the third floor of the building. The survey, although preliminary, showed that high radiation existed on the third and second floors and that significant contamination existed in some other parts of the six-floor building. The contamination was identified as radium-226. An investigation revealed that the third floor of the building had been used during World War II for processing radium and also for some radium dial painting work. The Atomic Energy Control tboard (AECB) requested Atomic Energy of Canadian Limited (AECL) to remove the radium contaminant from the building. AECL assigned the job to its Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories (CRNL). The objectives were to reduce the radium concentration throughout the building so that radon decay products would be less than 0.02 Working Levels (WL) and exposure rates would be less than 50 microR/h. The techniques used and the extent of decontamination achieved are reported.

A comparison of the homozygous states for G gamma and G gamma A gamma delta beta thalassaemia

One Arabic and two Indian patients with thalassaemia intermedia produce only Hb F for the G gamma type. Haemoglobin synthesis studies and genetic analysis indicate that they are homozygous for G gamma delta beta thalassaemia. The findings in these patients and their heterozygous relatives are compared with those in an individual homozygous for G gamma A gamma delta beta thalassaemia. From this analysis, and from previously reported data on G gamma A gamma delta beta thalassaemia, the phenotypic expression of the two varieties of delta beta thalassaemia is defined. The relationship between the clinical expression and molecular pathology of these forms of delta beta thalassaemia is discussed.

Plasma assay of fetal factors VIIIC and IX for prenatal diagnosis of haemophilia

Fetal blood unmixed with maternal blood or amniotic fluid was obtained by direct-vision fetoscopy in 22 consecutive cases at 15--22 weeks' gestation; the investigation was done either for prenatal diagnosis or before therapeutic abortion. Fetal plasma factors VIIIC and IX averaged 50 I.U./dl (S.D. 12.8) and 12.5 I.U./dl (S.D. 2.4), respectively. Two male fetuses at risk of haemophilia had normal factor VIIIC levels by these criteria, and both pregnancies ended in the birth of a normal boy. Five others gave 3 normal and 2 haemophilic results, which were confirmed in two of the three terminated pregnancies.

Controlled trial of plasma exchange in treatment of Raynaud's syndrome

Twenty-seven patients with Raynaud's syndrome had their digital vessel patency assessed by Doppler ultrasound after different thermal stresses. Digital vessel patency rates differed significantly after stresses at 15 degrees C and 45 degrees C. In a randomised controlled trial placebo and heparin had no effect either on patients' symptoms or on the patency of their digital vessels. Plasma exchange improved both symptoms and vessel patency rates at 15 degrees C and 21 degrees C. Improvement in seven out of eight of these patients has been maintained for six months. Assessing digital vessel patency by Doppler techniques allow continuous, atraumatic, and safe evaluation of the effects of different methods of treatment on the patency of the digital vessels and has helped to indicate that plasma exchange is a useful adjunct in the management of patients with severe Raynaud's syndrome.

Potential hazard of methylene blue

The administration of methylene blue to assist the identification of insulin secreting pancreatic adenomata, during surgery in a patient with normal haemoglobin and red cells, was associated with an increase in the methaemoglobin concentration from 0.6% to 7.1%. In patients with unstable haemoglobins or abnormalities of the hexose monophosphate pathway the administration of large amounts of methylene blue is potentially dangerous.