Modified Agglutination Test for Pasteurella tularensis

Several modifications in technique were incorporated into the standard agglutination test for Pasteurella tularensis. Reciprocal shaking of all tubes in a Kahn shaker was introduced to increase the rate of agglutination and quantity of agglutinated cell mass, making it possible to report preliminary results within 4 hr. Increased incubation time at a higher temperature was used to favor the rate of agglutination. A serum control for each serum tested was necessary to detect false positive tests. Finally, a verification procedure with 5% NaCl used as the diluent was instituted to prevent these false positive reactions.     

Germination and initial growth of microsporon audouinii from infected hairs

Summary and Conclusion 1. The germinating spores ofMicrosporon audouinii on infected hairs appear to require thiamine, riboflavin and nicotinic acid or its amide for initial growth. They show complete independence for inositol and pyridoxine.2. Components of the arginine-urea cycle and uracil stimulated growth more than other nitrogen sources. Organic nitrogen is more readily utilized than inorganic sources.3. The hexoses glucose, mannose and fructose are the better utilized carbohydrates. Trehalose is more stimulatory for growth than other disaccharides.4. Hydrogen ion optimum for growth is within a narrow range around pH 6.8 for buffered solutions. The optimum range is wider for unbuffered solutions under the conditions tested.5. Optimum temperature for growth lies within a narrow range of the normal variance of room temperature. Growth rate decreases rapidly at either extreme of this range.6. Within the limits of the system tested a positive Eh does not alter the growth rate or incubation time of the organism, but a negative initial redox potential decreases rate of growth and increases incubation time.A preliminary report of this work was presented at the 57th meeting of the Society of American Bacteriologists and was used in a graduate thesis by the senior author at the University of Illinois (24).     

Skin Homografts in Patients with Cancer of the Cervix

Skin homografts were applied to patients with cervical cancer. In 9% (10 of 110) of untreated patients, grafts survived for more than two weeks. The frequency of prolonged graft survival was increased by pelvic surgery or radiotherapy. It was highest, 62% (34 of 55), in those with recurrent cancer. Recurrence and death in patients studied prior to treatment and followed up six months to two and a half years was three times more frequent in those with grafts tolerated over two weeks than in those rejecting them in a shorter period, i.e. five of 10 and 10 of 74, respectively.     

Clinical Evaluation of the Oral Contraceptive Use of Norethindrone 5 mg. plus Mestranol 0.075 mg

Norethindrone 5 mg. plus mestranol 0.075 mg., taken daily from menstrual cycle day five through day 24, was used as an oral contraceptive agent in 1248 cycles by 132 clinic patients. One hundred and one patients used this method for six months or more. There were no unplanned pregnancies. Breakthrough bleeding occurred in 38 cycles (3.0% of all cycles). In 25% of 1201 cycles the duration of menstrual flow was shorter than that which had been considered usual for the individual patient involved, and the most common weight change was a gain of 6 to 10 lb.     

Rapid Removal of Tissue Culture Monolayers by Collodion for Subsequent Staining

Removing cultures from roller tubes before staining eliminates the destaining which often occurs when the cells are first stained and then removed by embedding in collodion. The cells are fixed in situ, dehydrated, and covered with collodion (Merk's flexible) for 10 min. The collodion is poured off, the fluid residue lining the tube allowed to dry for 10 min, and the tube is filled with tap water. The collodion cast containing the cells is loosened and removed, cut into strips, placed on slides and blotted into firm contact. The collodion is then dehydrated and dissolved with absolute alcohol followed by a 1:1 mixture of alcohol and ether. The slides can then be rehydrated and stained by conventional methods.