Interstitial 9q deletion. A primary change in a case with splenomegaly of unknown origin.

In a case with splenomegaly of unknown origin and features of hypersplenism, an interstitial 9q deletion was identified as a sole clonal abnormality of bone marrow cells. The meaning of 9q deletion as a primary change, as well as its clinical significance, are considered.

[Effect of starvation and phenobarbital on the activity of liver uroporphyrinogen synthetase].

Liver uroporphyrinogen synthetase activity was measured in 45 mice, divided in three groups. The mice of the 1st group served as controls, those of the 2nd starved for 24 hours, while those of the 3rd were injected intraperitoneally with phenobarbital. The enzymic activity was found significantly (p less than 0.

Effect of isoniazid, a haem inhibitor, on globin chain synthesis in reticulocytes from non-thalassaemic and beta thalassaemic subjects.

The effect of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH), a potent haem inhibitor, on globin chain synthesis was studied in reticulocytes from the following groups of patients: four non-thalassaemic patients (group i); five beta thalassaemia heterozygotes (group ii); three Hb S/beta thalassaemia heterozygotes (group iii); and two additional patients--one with homozygous beta thalassaemia and the other with thalassaemia intermedia (group iv). This was done to determine whether haem inhibitors depress alpha globin chain synthesis. The progressive increase of INH concentration (10-40 mmol l-1) in reticulocytes from a beta thalassaemia heterozygote resulted in a remarkable decrease of the alpha and beta chain synthesis, ranging from 80% to 97% and from 74% to 96% of control values, respectively, and in a gradual drop of alpha:beta ratio from 1.