Pseudohyperphosphataemia incidence in an automatic analyzer.

A routine blood analysis, using the Hitachi 717 analyser, of an asymptomatic patient with multiple myeloma revealed a phosphate concentration of 6.2 mmol/l (reference range 0.8-1.

Ultrastructural observations on mast cell degranulation and its prevention.

The surface alterations of rat peritoneal mast cells during degranulation induced by calcium chloride (CaCl2) and its prevention by salbutamol sulfate (Sal. Sulf.), chlorpheniramine maleate (CM), and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) were followed with a scanning electron microscope.

A new cytogenetic aspect of polycythemia vera.

The cytogenetic findings in a group of 15 polycythemic patients are reported. G and C banding techniques were used on bone marrow and peripheral blood preparations. Major chromosomal aberrations were found in four out of the 15 patients, an incidence similar to that found in other studies on polymorphism.

3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine and 3H-leucine uptake in erythroblasts of patients with chronic renal failure.

The in vitro incorporation of 3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine and 3H-leucine, reflecting the synthetic capacity for DNA, RNA and protein, respectively, was detected by radioautography in the erythroid precursors of 10 patients with chronic renal failure. The results were compared with the uptake of the isotopes in the erythroid precursors of healthy subjects. The pattern of incorporation for all three isotopes in the patients' cells was similar to that of control cells, but significantly lower.

Corticosteroid effect on eosinophils in vitro: ultrastructural studies.

The effect of corticosteroids, ultracortene and ACTH, on the eosinophilic cells of a patient with hypereosinophilic syndrome has been studied in vitro. Both drugs caused a marked decrease in the number of specific granules, a disappearance of their surrounding membrane and an almost complete destruction of their crystals. In addition, vacuolization of the cytoplasm, swelling of the mitochondria and distortion of their cristae were found.