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The Gregory rule is a well-known example in numerical quadrature of a trapezoidal rule with endpoint corrections of a given order. In the literature, the methods of constructing the Gregory rule have, in contrast to Newton-Cotes quadrature,not been based on the integration of an interpolant. In this paper, after first characterizing an even-order Gregory interpolant by means of a generalized Lagrange interpolation operator, we proceed to explicitly construct such an interpolant by employing results from nodal spline interpolation, as established in recent work by the author and C.H. Rohwer. Nonoptimal order error estimates for the Gregory rule of even order are then easily obtained.

All women in Scotland are offered first trimester screening combining ultrasound nuchal translucency measurement and free shCG and PAPPA-A levels to calculate their risk for Down’s syndrome. Second trimester screening may then be offered due to failed NT measurements or later gestation. Although pregnancies affected by Trisomy 13 and 18 are much rarer it is possible to calculate a risk using the same tests. We have discontinued reporting high Trisomy 18/13 risks based on the same biochemical markers following indication that second trimester ultrasound was more sensitive and specific test. 1 Our aim was to determine those patients disadvantaged by changes to the screening programme. We identified confirmed cases of Trisomy 18 and 13 within the West of Scotland then by accessing genetics biochemical database we retrospectively calculated their biochemical screening risk from blood results previously used for T21 screening. Results Indicate 4 patients potentially missed early detection (T18) with current screening guidelines and none for T13 from retrospective analysis (Table 1) 3 were CUBS with normal NT (1.3–2.9) and one second trimester result (uE3, Inhibin, AFP, HCG) Discussion Within Scotland it is reassuring for patients that Trisomy 18/13 cases are rare. As a small retrospective audit this gives us helpful data that following changes to screening programme the numbers are few. As clinicians it is helpful to know we are not currently adversely affecting our current population with late diagnoses of these chromosomal abnormalities. Reference NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme

Tetanus toxin (TeNT) is a heterodimeric protein antigen, whose light chain (L) is translocated in the cytosol of neuronal target cells specifically to cleave its substrates, vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 (VAMP-2, or synaptobrevin) or cellubrevin. We report that the L chain behaves as a nominal antigen recognized by specific T-cell clones upon either class I- or II-restricted presentation. Three types of responses are observed: (i) a TeNT- and L-specific CD8+ T-cell response, that can be inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the proteasome inhibitor clasto-Lactacystin beta-lactone; (ii) a CD4+ T-cell response specific for L but not TeNT, with recognition of a determinant processed in a chloroquine-sensitive and brefeldin A-resistant compartment; (iii) a CD4+ T-cell response against both L and TeNT, with processing in a brefeldin A-sensitive compartment. The L chain processing was investigated in U937 cells by internalization and localization of L chain by separation of the cell content by differential centrifugation experiments. After incubation with TeNT or L chain in the presence of H chain, the L chain was predominantly distributed in the cytosolic fraction, whereas incubation with L alone led to localization in a lysosome/membrane fraction. The distribution of the TeNT L chain in both cytosolic and endocytic compartments of the antigen-presenting cell accounted for its processing by both class I and class II pathways. Furthermore, an epitope overlapping with the zinc-binding region was recognized by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

During 2010, we compared performance of first versus second trimester Down9s syndrome screening in 2 hospitals 4 miles apart, serving the same population in West of Scotland. As the same regional genetics laboratory is used by both hospitals, confounding factors are avoided. In hospital 1, 2728 patients were screened in first trimester using NT measurement, HCG and PAPP-A. Ninety-three patients were screen positive and the 3 actual cases of Down9s syndrome were from this group. Therefore, there is 100% sensitivity, 97% specificity, 3.4% false positive and 3.4% screen positive rates. The screening programme in hospital 2 utilised quadruple markers (AFP, HCG, Inhibin A and unconjugated oestriol) in second trimester. Overall, 3803 patients were screened and 195 patients were deemed high risk. There were 11 actual cases of trisomy 21, 8 were screen positive and 3 screen negative. This gives 73% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 5.1% false positive and 5.1% screen positive rates. As this is a small retrospective audit with few cases of Down9s syndrome, it is difficult to accurately compare first and second trimester screening. Literature suggests 92% and 80-85% sensitivity for first trimester and quadruple testing, respectively. Our results show that first trimester screening has a significantly better detection rate than second trimester screening. Although first trimester screening is recommended by National Pregnancy Screening Programme, its implementation has been hampered by lack of sonographers trained in NT assessment. Furthermore, quality control is more difficult in first than in second trimester as sonographer variations are more common than laboratory inconsistencies.

The ratio R = σ L σ T of the longitudinal to the tranverse photon absorption cross section has been determined from deep inelastic muon-proton scattering at incident energies of 120, 200 and 280 GeV. The results are given as a function of the variables x , Q 2 and ν of the interaction. In the kinematic range 60 ⩽ ν ⩽ 160 GeV at 〈 Q 2 〉 = 22.5 GeV 2 an average value of R = 0.00 ± 0.10 has been obtained.