Chlorpropamide-induced thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is a rare complication of chlorpropamide therapy. An immunological mechanism is generally held responsible, but has never previously been proved. In the present case the existence of such a mechanism has been established.     

Effects of thaumasite on bond strength of reinforcement in concrete

The conditions necessary for the formation of thaumasite are well known and much work is in progress to identify concrete mixes resistant to thaumasite form of sulfate attack (TSA). However, there have been no data to indicate how TSA affects the nature and strength of the bond between reinforcement steel and concrete and hence the load capacity of reinforced concrete elements.

During works to repair and strengthen the thaumasite-affected Tredington–Ashchurch Overbridge in Gloucestershire, sections of column were removed and placed in storage. These column sections presented an opportunity to perform pullout tests on full size TSA-affected structural elements and unaffected control specimens from the same structure. In total 63 pullout tests were performed on plain round reinforcement bars embedded in two unaffected and four TSA-affected reinforced concrete elements. The sections were also characterised in terms of estimated in situ cube strength and depth of softened zone.

A statistical analysis of the experimental results indicates that the bond of the plain round reinforcement bars in the unaffected concrete exceeded that of the plain round reinforcement bars in the TSA-affected concrete. TSA reduced the mean experimental bond coefficient by 24% for corner bars and 10% for other bars, representing an average reduction in mean experimental bond coefficient of 15% for all bars.     

Positive direct antiglobulin test in normal individuals

Biopsies for histochemical and ultrastructural studies were taken from the M. vastus lateralis of 45 healthy sedentary men and women aged 65--89 years. With increasing age the histochemical reactions reveal changes inthe fibre type distribution characterized by a decrease in the percentage and predominant atrophy of type II fibres. The most frequent changes in the oldest subjects are: targetoid fibres, type I fibre predominance, and type grouping phenomena; expressions of denervation. Myopathic alterations are observed unusually. Electron microscopic findings are characterized by myofibrillar disorder, streaming of Z line and rod formation, and dilatation and increase of sarcoplasmic reticulum. As the age increases, the fibres become richer in intracellular lipid droplets and lysosomes. Intramuscular microcirculatory alterations, consisting of arteriolosclerotic changes and increase in width of the capillary basement membrane, are also observed and discussed.