Genetic isolation and divergence in sexual traits: evidence for the northern rockhopper penguin Eudyptes moseleyi being a sibling species.

The taxonomic status of populations of rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) is still enigmatic. Northern populations differ from southern ones in breeding phenology, song characteristics and head ornaments used as mating signals. We conducted a molecular analysis using mitochondrial DNA sequencing to test if there is a gene flow barrier between northern (subtropical) populations and southern (subantarctic) populations in relation to the Subtropical Convergence, a major ecological boundary for marine organisms.

Removing the threat of diclofenac to critically endangered Asian vultures.

Veterinary use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug diclofenac in South Asia has resulted in the collapse of populations of three vulture species of the genus Gyps to the most severe category of global extinction risk. Vultures are exposed to diclofenac when scavenging on livestock treated with the drug shortly before death. Diclofenac causes kidney damage, increased serum uric acid concentrations, visceral gout, and death.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promotes intestinal tumorigenesis.

Background & Aims: The cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is expressed throughout the human gastrointestinal tract. Recently, protumorigenic activity of MIF has been described in several cancer models. Therefore, we investigated the expression and function of MIF during the early stages of intestinal tumorigenesis.

Regulation of stromal cell cyclooxygenase-2 in the ApcMin/+ mouse model of intestinal tumorigenesis.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is expressed predominantly by stromal cells in intestinal adenomas from the Apc(Min/+) mouse model of familial adenomatous polyposis. We investigated the mechanistic basis of stromal cell Cox-2 expression in Apc(Min/+) mouse adenomas, as well as Cox-2 expression and activity in histologically normal (HN) Apc(Min/+) mouse intestine, in order to gain further insights into regulation of Cox-2 as a potential chemoprevention target. Upregulation of Cox-2 in intestinal tumours is not an intrinsic feature of Apc(Min/+) macrophages as bone marrow-derived Apc(Min/+) macrophages did not exhibit an abnormality in Cox-2 expression or activity.

ALK-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the stomach associated with a clathrin-ALK rearrangement.

ALK-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a rare, recently characterized lymphoma subtype that shows granular cytoplasmic ALK expression. This report describes a primary gastric ALK-positive B-lineage lymphoma in which a clathrin (CLTC)-ALK fusion was identified by RT-PCR and direct sequencing of the breakpoint. This confirmed the presence of t(2;17)(p23;q23) involving the CLTC gene and is only the 4th report of such a translocation in this lymphoma subtype and the first to describe this tumor within the stomach.

A case of lymphomatoid granulomatosis masquerading as a lung abscess.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LG) is a rare T cell rich, B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which is difficult to diagnose. We present a patient with LG who demonstrated many of the difficulties in diagnosis and highlighted the importance of reviewing the diagnosis if treatment does not have the anticipated effect.

An evaluation of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor Arg389Gly polymorphism in individuals with heart failure: a MERIT-HF sub-study.

Background: The Glycine389 variant of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor (beta1AR) generates markedly less cAMP when stimulated in vitro than the more prevalent Arginine389 variant.

Aims: The aim of this MERIT-HF sub-study was to ascertain whether this Glycine389 variant favourably influences outcome in heart failure similar to that observed with beta-blockers.

Methods: We identified the genotype at amino acid 389 of the beta1AR in 600 patients enrolled in the MERIT-HF study (UK and Dutch participants).

Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement investigations in the diagnosis of lymphoid malignancies from formaldehyde-fixed biopsies.

Determination of the biologic potential of lymphoid proliferations in biopsies can be difficult by standard histological or even immunohistochemical examination. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used with increasing frequency to detect clonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) in formaldehyde fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissues. Sensitivity ranges between 50 and 80%, and therefore at least 20% of neoplasms remain undetected by these approaches.

Acute onset dysphagia associated with an intramural oesophageal haematoma in acquired haemophilia.

A 78-year-old man presented with a 5-day history of epistaxis and spontaneous bruising, and a 2-day history of acute dysphagia. Barium swallow, computerized tomography scan of the chest and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were suggestive of an upper oesophageal tumour, although biopsies failed to confirm this. Investigations including a raised activated partial thromboplastin time led to the detection of an inhibitor causing functional factor VIII deficiency.

Evaluation of an automated latex D-dimer immunoassay in the clinical assessment of suspected venous thromboembolism.

Because the reliability of clinical signs in venous thromboembolism (VTE) is poor, a highly sensitive, non-invasive test may improve the selection of patients requiring further investigation. We assessed the sensitivity and negative predictive value of an automated D-dimer latex immunoassay (IL-Test ) in 68 patients presenting with suspected VTE. The plasma D-dimer concentration was estimated and an appropriate diagnostic radiological investigation performed.

A study on dust emission, particle size distribution and formaldehyde concentration during machining of medium density fibreboard.

A study to characterise the quantity, particle size distribution and morphology of dust created during the machining of MDF was carried out. Four different types of MDF boards were included in this study, including a 'zero-formaldehyde' board that contains isocyanate-based resin, rather than urea-formaldehyde resin. In addition, natural softwood (pine) and natural hardwood (oak) were included in the study, for comparison with MDF.

Transfusion in the management of patients with megaloblastic anaemia.

Transfusion has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality in megaloblastic anaemia (MA). This retrospective study was undertaken to examine the usefulness of transfusion in the management of MA. Fifty-two patients with MA were identified.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia: the Vancouver experience.

We report a retrospective analysis of the experience of a single centre in treating severe aplastic anemia (SAA) with allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT). Between 1982 and 1992, we transplanted 21 patients with SAA (14 males, 7 females); median age at BMT was 15 y (range 2-40 y); median time from diagnosis of SAA to BMT was 29 d (range 6 d-5.5 y).

Functional hyposplenism following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Aims: To investigate the incidence of functional hyposplenism in a group of patients who had undergone allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

Methods: Splenic function was assessed by counting the number of gluteraldehyde fixed red blood cells containing pits or indentations as examined by interference phase microscopy. Normal values are < 2% whereas splenectomy patients have values of 25 to 40%.

Intensive treatment of renal failure in patients with myeloma.

We have reviewed our experience in the management of myeloma patients who present with features of severe renal impairment, to examine the role of intensive treatment of the renal failure, and to assess the role of renal biopsy. Between March 1983 and August 1991, 16 patients, who were subsequently diagnosed as having myeloma, presented to the Department of Renal Medicine for investigation of renal failure; nine with symptoms of uraemia and seven with pneumonia, bone pain, emphysema, or ischaemic heart disease. Renal biopsy was performed on 14 patients.

Anti-interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody (BT 563) in the treatment of severe acute GVHD refractory to systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Fourteen patients with corticosteroid-resistant acute GVHD were treated with a murine monoclonal antibody to the pp55 interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (MoAb BT 563). Nine of the 14 patients had also failed Xoma-Zyme-H65 as GVHD prophylaxis and/or treatment. Seven patients had received HLA-matched sibling donor bone marrow transplants, five had received HLA-matched transplants from unrelated volunteer donors, and two had received one-antigen mismatched transplants from unrelated volunteer donors.

Immunological studies in HIV seronegative haemophiliacs: relationships to blood product therapy.

Immunological studies were performed on a group of 44 haemophilia A and 15 haemophilia B patients who were treated exclusively with blood products manufactured by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS). All patients were HIV seronegative throughout the study. Of the haemophilia A patients 14 (32%) had CD4+ lymphocyte subset counts less than or equal to 0.

Determinants of HIV disease progression: six-year longitudinal study in the Edinburgh haemophilia/HIV cohort.

Markers of immune function present before infection may determine the subsequent course of disease in HIV-infected individuals. In 1983, we measured immune function in a group of haemophiliacs in Edinburgh. In 1984, 18 of these patients became infected with HIV-1 from contaminated factor VIII.