The quantitative assay of 5''-nucleotidase in brain by histophotometry

Synopsis A method for the photometric assay of 5-nucleotidase in histochemical preparations of brain is described. The method, which is based upon the determination of the specular density under the microscope of the final reaction product, is shown to be valid statistically because of the correlation of the values obtained by it with those obtained by biochemical assay of the enzyme in adjacent sections. Correlation of the specular density with the amount of lead in the final reaction product is also shown. The accuracy of the method of assay is good as judged by a coefficient of variation of 9.1% in a series of replicate measurements. The assay of the amount of enzymic activity by this method shows that it is linearly proportional to the incubation time for periods of up to 2 hr, and also for sections ranging in thickness from 5 to 20 .     

Combination Chemotherapy using L-Asparaginase,Daunorubicin, and Cytosine Arabinoside in Adults with Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia

Cytosine arabinoside and daunorubicin used in an intensive intermittent regimen have been shown to be an effective combination for the induction of complete remissions in 14 out of 23 adult patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia. This gives an overall complete remission rate of 60%. A further patient had a good partial remission. The addition of L-asparaginase to the regimen has not increased the incidence of remission and there were more side effects in the L-asparaginasetreated group. Of the 10 patients treated with L-asparaginase in addition to cytosine arabinoside and daunorubicin, five achieved a complete remission. Of the 13 patients treated with cytosine arabinoside and daunorubicin without L-asparaginase, nine achieved a complete remission and one a good partial remission.     

Xylene Poisoning: A Report on One Fatal Case and Two Cases of Recovery after Prolonged Unconsciousness

Three cases of xylene poisoning occurred after prolonged inhalation of paint fumes. Analysis showed that xylene comprised more than 90% of the solvent in the paint, the total solvent comprising 34% of the paint by weight. One patient was dead on admission, while the other two recovered after at least 15 hours'' loss of consciousness. Both patients had transient liver cell damage, and one temporary impairment of renal function.     

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.     

Metabolic Regulation in Diseased Leaves II. Changes in Nicotinamide Nucleotide Coenzymes in Barley Leaves Infected With Powdery Mildew

Nicotinamide nucleotide coenzymes were estimated spectrophotometrically in noninfected barley leaves and leaves infected with Erysiphe graminis var hordei (powdery mildew). Amounts of NADH, NADP⁺ and NADPH were not altered by infection. In contrast, the NAD⁺ content rose sharply and at 144 hours was 100% greater than in noninfected leaves. The respiratory rate was increased in infected leaves and the pattern of this increase was similar to that of NAD⁺.

The effect of infection on the intracellular distribution of NADP⁺ was examined by fractionating lyophilized leaves in a nonaqueous medium. In noninfected leaves almost all of the NADP⁺ was localized in the chloroplasts. In infected leaves where some chloroplast breakdown occurs, about 60% of the NADP⁺ was detected in the nonchloroplast part of the cell. This intracellular redistribution of NADP⁺ is discussed in relation to the increased pentose-P pathway activity occuring after infection.