Evaluation of new geological reference materials for uranium-series measurements: Chinese Geological Standard Glasses (CGSG) and macusanite obsidian.

Recent advances in high-resolution, rapid, in situ microanalytical techniques present numerous opportunities for the analytical community, provided accurately characterized reference materials are available. Here, we present multicollector thermal ionization mass spectrometry (MC-TIMS) and multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) uranium and thorium concentration and isotopic data obtained by isotope dilution for a suite of newly available Chinese Geological Standard Glasses (CGSG) designed for microanalysis. These glasses exhibit a range of compositions including basalt, syenite, andesite, and a soil. Uranium concentrations for these glasses range from ∼2 to 14 µg g(-1), Th/U weight ratios range from ∼4 to 6, (234)U/(238)U activity ratios range from 0.93 to 1.02, and (230)Th/(238)U activity ratios range from 0.98 to 1.12. Uranium and thorium concentration and isotopic data are also presented for a rhyolitic obsidian from Macusani, SE Peru (macusanite). This glass can also be used as a rhyolitic reference material, has a very low Th/U weight ratio (around 0.077), and is approximately in (238)U-(234)U-(230)Th secular equilibrium. The U-Th concentration data agree with but are significantly more precise than those previously measured. U-Th concentration and isotopic data agree within estimated errors for the two measurement techniques, providing validation of the two methods. The large (238)U-(234)U-(230)Th disequilibria for some of the glasses, along with the wide range in their chemical compositions and Th/U ratios should provide useful reference points for the U-series analytical community.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia with chromosomal 5;14 translocation and hypereosinophilia: case report and literature review.

A 19-year-old man with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) presented with 82,000 WBC/microL, 57% eosinophils, and cardiorespiratory symptoms. Lymphoblast infiltration of the meninges and testes developed without eosinophil infiltration at these sites and peripheral blood and marrow lymphoblast counts progressively increased, while blood eosinophilia disappeared. The patient's bone marrow cells had a clonal cytogenetic abnormality--t(5;14), (q?,q32)--which disappeared during remission and reappeared during disease relapse. Including this case, three patients with ALL and hypereosinophilia have had cytogenetic studies with G-banding. All three had 14q + chromosomal abnormalities and two had a similar translocation t(5,14), (q?,q32). Survival of the 26 ALL patients with hypereosinophilia reported since 1973 was similar to that of 52 age- and sex-matched historical-control patients without hypereosinophilia treated during the same time interval.

The Johanson-Blizzard syndrome: a second report of full autopsy findings.

We report on a second patient with Johanson-Blizzard syndrome with full autopsy. The findings are similar to those of the one other available case, but gross or fine CNS maldevelopment was not present; although small by weight, the brain showed no cytoarchitectural disturbance. Normal intellectual development does occur in this syndrome and may relate to the variable effects of the deleterious gene on the developing CNS.

Medical aspects of mobilization for war in an Army Reserve battalion.

During mobilization of a reserve battalion, administrative matters prolonged the medical validation of soldiers processing for overseas deployment. Problems included inadequate means of tracking soldiers, ignoring the chain of command within the deploying unit, delay in obtaining corrective lenses and optical inserts, and mistaken information about the need for personal medications. Consulting military physicians with negative attitudes about the deployment also caused delays. The battalion had 53% augmentees and 47% original unit members; the total strength was 788. Sixty-one unit members could not deploy for medical reasons, 25 of 418 augmentees (6%) and 36 of 370 original members (10%). Medical causes for nondeployment were: psychiatric, 14 (including 3 for alcohol dependency); back problems, 13; temporary injuries, 7; pregnancy, 4; knee problems, 4; recovery from civilian surgery, 3; and individual reasons (cancer, tuberculosis, HIV-positive, insulin-dependent diabetes, etc.), 16. More careful administrative planning, use of appropriate medical personnel, using the chain of command, establishing clear and consistent policies for medical qualification, keeping unit field medical records, using interim medical history forms to assess health problems, and utilizing medical officers who agree with the deployment would all enhance the speed and efficiency of medically validating a unit larger than company size.

Need for alpha-fetoprotein assays.

PIP: An alpha fetoprotein assay is useful in diagnosing open neural-tube defects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is urged to establish guidelines for reagent licensing so that this test can be available throughout the country. Correct data for fetuses of 15-16 weeks' gestation are now complete. With this data and available alpha fetoprotein, the test could be run at individual medical centers and hospitals.^ieng

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding associated with 45X/47XXX mosaicism and Von Willebrand's disease.

This report describes a patient with Turner's mosaicism (45X/47XXX) who presented with short stature and heavy menstrual bleeding. Pelvic ultrasound revealed the presence of a large right cystic ovary; the left ovary was not visualized. Coagulation evaluation demonstrated Von Willebrand's disease.