Summary. An example of persistent mixed‐field polyagglutination of the Tn‐type is described, with particular reference to the value of plant seed agglutinins in the elucidation of polyagglutinable states. Extracts of the seeds of Dolichos biflorus, Bauhinia variegata and Wistaria sinensis strongly agglutinate Tn‐polyagglutinable cells. Inhibition studies indicate that N‐acetylgalactosamine may be an important determinant of Tn‐specificity. Positively charged polymers such as polybrene aggregate normal erythrocytes but not those appreciably deficient in sialic acid such as T‐ or Tn‐polyagglutinable cells. This observation forms the basis of a simple method of separating polyagglutinable from non‐agglutinating cells in a mixed‐field Tn‐polyagglutination. There are indications that Tn‐polyagglutinability, haemolytic anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia may constitute a distinct haematological syndrome.
Community-based surveys of a representative sample of 53 3 subjects aged 65 yr and over were conducted in a mining valley and a seaside town in South Wales. Haemoglobin level, PCV, serum vitamin B,, , plasma and red-cell folate were measured and several simple tests of learning and memory were applied. The results give no evidence to suggest that anaemia is common and although low levels of vitamin B,, and folate occurred no evidence of an associated impairment of health was detected.
Summary: A clinical trial of the effect of vitamin B12 therapy was conducted in 39 elderly subjects who had been found, in a community screening survey, to have low levels of serum B12 without a macrocytic anaemia or neuropathy. The study produced no evidence which suggests that in such subjects B12 is superior to placebo in effecting an improvement in psychiatric state or general well-being. There was a clear tendency for all the subjects to show an improvement during the trial, but this probably represents the therapeutic effect of involvement in a research exercise of this kind.
srNopsis Serum haptoglobin has been estimated quantitatively in 25 patients with haemolytic disease, and its diagnostic value assessed by comparing the levels with those obtained in 1 lOnormal subjects, in 149 patients with other forms of anaemia, and in 37 patients with non-haematological disorders. The normal range was found to be 33 to 213 mg./100 ml.; subnormal levels were found in 80% of patients with haemolytic disease or megaloblastic anaemia, patients with haemorrhage into the tissues, and occasionally in association with other diseases. When taken in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory features this simple biochemical estimation can be of diagnostic value.
Testing was to be performed on five separate days on fresh plasma samples from four normal subjects and 12 patients stabilised for at least six weeks with oral anticoagulants. INR were to be between 1 5 and 4 5. The exercise was to be completed within four hours of blood being collected. A single exercise was designed as follows: the specimens were collected, by clean venepuncture, into a 1 in 10 volume of sterile trisodium citrate 0I109 to 0 120 mol/l, into a plastic or polypropylene syringe, and transferred into a non-wettable container. If an evacuated tube was used the brand selected had to be sufficiently siliconised. First 1-2 hours: collection and preparation of test samples. The blood was centrifuged immediately after withdrawal and the plasma transferred to a non-wettable, stoppered container. Specimens were maintained at room temperature until required for testing. Second 2 hours: testing of the 16 fresh plasma samples with the three thromboplastins was done according to a randomised sequence provided.Single determinations were requested and the three prothrombin times on each plasma (one with each thromboplastin) were performed immediately after each other.The order in which the patients were to be tested was the same as the order of collection.
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