Computer-assisted Follow-up Register for the North-East of Scotland

An automated follow-up register for the detection of iatrogenic thyroid disease has been established as a joint venture between the general practitioners in the north-east of Scotland and the thyroid clinic of Aberdeen General Hospitals.The data-processing operations in the system are handled by an International Computers Limited 4/50 computer. Patients are followed up at predetermined intervals and the system has been designed to process, screen, and store clinical and biochemical follow-up data and report results to the patients, general practitioners, and the hospital records department.     

Fluorimetric determination of d-amino acid oxidase

1. A sensitive fluorimetric procedure for the assay of d-amino acid oxidase has been developed. 2. The method depends on the formation of a fluorescent derivative, 2-hydroxy-3-methylquinoxaline, on condensation of pyruvate with o-phenylenediamine in acid medium. 3. 2-Hydroxy-3-methylquinoxaline fluoresces strongly in 50% (v/v) sulphuric acid after excitation at 375mmu. A single emission peak is observed at 480mmu. 4. Formation of the quinoxaline is dependent on time, temperature, acidity and relative concentration of reactants. 5. A particulate preparation from mouse kidney required FAD for optimum activity at pH8.5; K(m) was 3.8x10(-3)m; K(FAD) was 1.4x10(-7)m and the reaction was strongly inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and phenylmercuric acetate. 6. Subcellular fractionation on a sucrose density gradient confirmed that the d-amino acid oxidase was localized on small granules.     

Failure of spermatozoa from T/t mice to fertilize in vitro is overcome by zona drilling

Failure of epididymal spermatozoa from T/t mutant mice, but not from t/t individuals, to fertilize oocytes in vitro was partially overcome by opening a small aperture in the zona pellucida with acidified Tyrode's solution to permit direct access of the spermatozoon to the vitellus. This study provides a model system to evaluate requirements for successful zona drilling in the treatment of human infertility and further insights into the effects of the t complex on sperm fertility.