Inter‐ and intra‐observer variation in the reporting of cervical smears: specialist cytopathologists versus histopathologists

One hundred and ten cervical smears were circulated to five specialist consultant cytopathologists and five consultant histopathologists. Of these smears, 100 were randomized and re‐circulated. The cytopathologists reported endocervical cells and wart virus infection more frequently than the histopathologists, although neither group showed good inter‐observer agreement for either assessment. Apart from smear adequacy and the presence of endocervical cells, both groups showed good intra‐observer agreement in all the parameters measured. This suggests that overall individuals were applying their own personal criteria with consistency over time, although a previous study had shown considerable lack of inter‐observer agreement among the histopathologists on the grade of dyskaryosis and the management recommendation. The results indicate that specialist cytopathologists bring a different viewpoint to the reporting of cervical smears than histopathologists. They also show a lack of standardization in the reporting of smears despite the guidelines issued by the British Society for Clinical Cytology.     

METHODS FOR THE ISOLATION OF FAECAL STREPTOCOCCI (LANCEFIELD GROUP D) FROM BACON FACTORIES

SUMMARY: Two methods have been developed for isolating and enumerating group D faecal streptococci from localities such as bacon factories where they are heavily outnumbered by other organisms. The first depends on presumptive counts in a Lab-Lemco-peptone-glucose broth (pH 6·0) containing 0·1% of thallous acetate with confirmation by streaking on tetrazolium agar. The other method involves direct plating on tetrazolium-glucose agar (pH 6·0) containing 0·1% of thallous acetate. On the tetrazolium medium differentiation can be made between Streptococcus faecalis and its variants zymogenes and liquefaciens and the other group D organisms, Strep. faecium, Strep. durans and Strep. bovis .     

STUDIES OF FLUCTUATIONS IN INSECT POPULATIONS XIII. AN IMPROVED METHOD OF ASCERTAINING THE CORRECT DATE TO SAMPLE WHEN ASSESSING LARVAL INFESTATIONS OF THE WHEAT-BLOSSOM MIDGES

Fully fed larvae of the wheat-blossom midges need moist conditions in order to descend from the ears to the soil. A dry spell coinciding with the fully fed stage therefore causes an accumulation of larvae, which subsequently leave the ears in a body when rain comes. Conversely, in wet weather each larva leaves the wheat as soon as it finishes feeding, and, since all the eggs are not laid on the same day, the descent will then be a gradual process.
A method is described of taking small samples of wheat ears at frequent intervals, thus facilitating the determination of the correct date on which to take the main sample for the assessment of infestation by the two wheat-blossom midges.     

Structure and regulation of the anthranilate synthase genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: II. Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli

The genes for the large and small subunits of anthranilate synthase (trpE and trpG, respectively) have been cloned from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAC174 into E. coli by R-prime formation with the broad-host- range plasmid R68.44. Sequential subcloning into plasmid vectors reduced the active Pseudomonas DNA fragment to a length of 3.1 kb. We obtained evidence that this region contains the promoter for its own expression and retains a vestigial regulatory response to tryptophan scarcity or excess.      

Observations of terrestrial locomotion in wild Polypterus senegalus from Lake Albert,Uganda

Polypterids, the most basal actinopterygians, are a group of fish long-considered living fossils and holding a key position for understanding fish and tetrapod evolution. Knowledge of the natural history of Polypterus is limited, their having been studied in little detail since the early 1900s. The locomotory habits of wild Polypterus senegalus from Lake Albert, Uganda, were investigated in 2014. High-speed videography demonstrated the capability of large Polypterus to move overland successfully. Contrary to previous evidence, field observations found that terrestrial locomotion in Polypterus is not inherently restricted by body size. Evidence that Polypterus exhibit this behaviour as part of their natural life history can be found in the existence of environmental challenges and the presence of adaptations for amphibious life.