Mouse monoclonal anti-N. I. Production and serological characterization.

Two examples of mouse monoclonal anti-N are described. The antibodies were derived from mice immunized with sialoglycoprotein extracts of group O MM ss erythrocyte membranes and the probable stimulus for immunization was glycophorin B associated N-antigen. Both antibodies reacted as direct agglutinins but appeared to recognize different epitopes with one having a greater dependence on sialic acid.

Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity in polycythaemia rubra vera.

The diffusing capacity of the lung, or transfer factor, for carbon monoxide (TLCO) was measured in 12 patients with polycythaemia rubra vera. This was significantly raised (mean 152% predicted, SEM +/- 14%) and remained so even after correction to a standard haemoglobin concentration of 14 . 6 g/dl (mean 139% predicted, SEM +/- 13%).

Primary cardiac tumors: experience with 25 cases.

The case histories of patients with primary cardiac neoplasms are presented. The mean age was 49.6 years and females predominated (17:8).

Thrombotic risks of staging laparotomy with splenectomy in Hodgkin's disease.

No significant excess of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as measured by the 125I-labelled fibrinogen method was observed in patients having staging laparotomy and splenectomy for Hodgkin's disease (HD) compared with patients having elective cholecystectomy under highly standardized surgical conditions. Patients who did have DVT all had splenic involvement with HD. There was no correlation between the post-splenectomy thrombocytosis and the occurrence of DVT.

Monosymptomatic psychoses which progress to schizophrenia.

Two cases of paranoid schizophrenia are described in which an olfactory delusion was the predominant symptom at some stage in the illnesses. A distinction is drawn between these cases, and cases of Olfactory Reference Syndrome, in which the olfactory delusion is the main feature and schizophrenic decompensation does not occur. An argument is advanced that the Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS) is one subtype of Monosymptomatic Hypochondriacal Psychosis (MHP) and reference is made to evidence suggesting that pimozide may be a specific and effective treatment in the various presentations of MHP.

Studies on the role of HLA-DR in macrophage-T cell interactions.

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the difficulties we have encountered in attempting to analyse the role of HLA-DR in the antigen-dependent co-operation between macrophages and T cells which leads to a T-cell proliferative response. We have adopted the two most commonly used approaches; attempted inhibition by anti-HLA-DR antisera and study of co-operation between cells of unrelated individuals, and have found both methods unsatisfactory. With the first method we found that anti-HLA antisera could inhibit proliferative responses in a non-specific manner.

Human anti-tetanus antibody response in vitro: autologous and allogeneic T cells provide help by different routes.

Human B cells will make anti-tetanus antibody in vitro in the presence of antigen and T cells. These T cells may be autologous, but allogeneic T lymphocytes function equally well provided they are first irradiated. The allogeneic cells provide help by a different route.

Cryopreservation of human platelets with polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Fourteen polymeric compounds were assessed for their abilities to protect human platelets from injury during freezing and thawing. The effect of polymer concentration and molecular weight, cooling rate, platelet concentration, and short-term storage on platelet recovery were studied. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, average molecular weight 10,000, was found to provide the greatest degree of protection to platelets.

Cardiac valve replacement in the elderly: a review of 320 consecutive cases.

Cardiac valve replacement in 320 consecutive elderly patients (age 65 years and older) was examined retrospectively to determine the results of valvular replacement. From January 1966 to August 1979, 336 valve prostheses (146 mechanical and 190 porcine) were implanted in 320 patients (mean age 68.9 years, range 65-85 years).

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and intraperitoneal cefuroxime in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

The pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime sodium, a parenteral beta-lactam antibiotic, were investigated in 9 patients during peritoneal dialysis. In 6 patients cefuroxime 500 mg was administered intravenously. Mean plasma levels of cefuroxime thereafter fell from 28.

Embolic complications of porcine heterograft cardiac valves.

From January, 1975, until August, 1978, 509 porcine valves were implanted in 465 patients. Patient follow-up was done at 6 to 45 months (mean 20.2 months), for a total observation of 713 patient-years.

Reliability of percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy for diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma.

Aspiration biopsy is a widely accepted diagnostic modality for intrathoracic lesions. Between August 1978 and July 1980, percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy was utilized as a means to diagnose intrathoracic lesions in 82 patients. Cytologic diagnosis was obtained in 81 of 82 patients, 60 with a diagnosis of malignant lesions and 21 of nonmalignant lesions.