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Various preparations of Oak Ridge radioiodide were diluted with glass-distilled water and applied to filter paper strips for chromatography. Spontaneous drying of the applied samples for 10–20 min before the papers were placed in the chromatography jar resulted in variable, and sometimes very marked (up to 70%), transformation of the radioiodide. At least 3 different non-iodide components were formed. These changes were largely prevented by drying in a nitrogen atmosphere, and were completely inhibited by 3 ×l0-4 M methimazole. An oxidative mechanism is therefore suggested. Addition of 3×l0-4 M carrier iodide also greatly reduced the chemical changes occurring on drying. This, coupled with the variability of the effect, suggests that a trace component of the atmosphere, whose concentration varied from day to day, was involved in the reaction. These findings raise the possibility that other labile compounds, in addition to iodide, may also undergo oxidative changes when very dilute solutions are dried on f...

Summary and conclusions1. Serum from 6 patients who had received radioiodide or I131-labeled thyroxine was studied by zone electrophoresis in filter paper, at pH 8.6. Most of the I131 had a mobility intermediate between the alpha1- and alph2-glabulins, and a small proportion had the mobility of albumin. No differences were detected between thyroxine added to serum (in vivo) and the thyroid hormone secreted by a normal thyroid gland, by a Graves' disease thyroid gland, and by a functioning thyroid carcinoma. 2. Two patients had received very large doses of radio-iodide and their serum contained large amounts of butanol-insoluble I131, whereas in the other patients the serum I131 was largely butanol soluble, and behaved like thyroxine on paper chromatography. These two forms of serum I131 had similar mobility on zone electrophoresis, but could be differentiated by fractional precipitation of the serum proteins with phosphate buffer. The radioiodine, therefore, was probably attached, in each instance, to a d...

1.1. Filter paper electrophoretic analysis of the serum and urine proteins in thirty-five cases of multiple myeloma has been carried out. In all thirty-five cases characteristic protein abnormalities were observed; seventeen cases showing homogeneous peaks in both the serum and urine, eleven cases in serum only, seven cases in urine only. 2.2. All urine samples showing a positive Bence-Jones protein reaction also displayed a characteristic electrophoretic abnormality. Eight of the twenty-four electrophoretically positive urine samples were Bence-Jones protein negative by the usual tests. Because of the relative simplicity of urine electrophoresis by the filter paper technic, this test is considered to be a practical clinical procedure. 3.3. Two cases are presented in detail because certain atypical clinicopathologic features of their disease patterns possibly assist in an understanding of the relationship of the plasma cell dyscrasias to chronic lymphatic leukemia and the lymphosarcomas. A third case, which demonstrates the value of serial electrophoretic studies in myeloma, is also presented. 4.4. Consideration is given to some of the physicochemical properties of the myeloma serum and urine proteins, and to the possible nature of their interrelationship.

Cernik, A. A., and Sayers, M. H. P. (1971). Brit. J. industr. Med., 28, 392-398. Determination of lead in capillary blood using a paper punched disc atomic absorption technique. Application to the supervision of lead workers. The presence of lead in blood is the most incontrovertible evidence of absorption but hitherto the need for venepuncture has limited its determination in the supervision of industrial workers. Micro-methods using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) have, however, made possible the development of a sufficiently reliable test using a drop of blood obtainable by ear prick for use in the field for screening purposes. A micro-sampling method by AAS is compared with a routine polarographic procedure (POL) using venous blood (corr. coeff. = 0·990). The pipetting of microlitres of blood can be eliminated by spotting the blood onto filter paper, allowing it to dry in air, and then using a punched-out standard disc of dried blood for analysis instead. Correlation of this method (PD) with the micro-sampling technique (AAS) is good (r=0·981). The PD method using capillary blood also correlates acceptably with the micromethod using venous blood (r = 0·913). A pilot field study using capillary blood estimated by the PD technique showed that with this method blood can be collected by ear prick in factories for monitoring workers in the lead industry, thus eliminating the need for routine venepuncture.

A recently described method for separation of urinary 17-KS by glass paper chromatography (J Clin Endocr 24: 68, 1964) has been modified to include a reliable and specific technique for the isolation and measurement of testosterone in human urine. Testosterone production rates are determined by the isotope dilution principle with intravenous injection of testosterone 1,2-3H and isolation of tritiated testosterone from urine. Urinary testosterone is quantitated by a fluorimetric method with a sensitivity of 0.01 μg. Values for testosterone excretion and production rates in normal and abnormal subjects are presented. Because of its simplicity, rapidity and precision, this glass paper chromatographic method for measurement of testosterone and the individual urinary 11-desoxy-17-KS should provide a useful clinical technique for studies of androgen metabolism in man.

SummaryNine serum protein fractionation experiments using the continuous flow paper electrophoresis technique were performed. Six experiments were performed using the serum collected from individual patients 24 and 48 hours after receiving therapeutic doses of I-131 and 3 using the serum of euthyroid individuals which was incubated in vitro for 1/2 hour at 37°C with I–131 labelled thyroxine prior to fractionation. Protein fractions obtained were identified by conventional paper electrophoresis and analyzed for radioactivity, total protein and cholesterol, the latter being taken as an index of lipid contents. Similar results were obtained for both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Beta globulins were found to be capable of forming thyroid hormone protein complexes to a larger extent than gamma globulins, but the largest amount of radioactive hormone was found as an alpha-2 globulin-thyroid hormone complex. A patient showing a marked abnormality in his plasma proteins showed the highest percent of radioacti...

Filter paper electrophoretic analyses of serum were carried out in a series of eighteen proved cases of multiple myeloma, twenty-three normal controls and 130 patients with non-myelomatous diseases, and compared with the results of classical Tiselius electrophoresis and chemical fractionation. Abnormal electrophoretic patterns were found in all of the cases of multiple myeloma studied, and tall narrow spikes representing abnormal proteins with varying mobilities in the globulin range were demonstrated in 78 per cent. The latter were considered diagnostic of myelomatosis since similar patterns have not been described in any other disease and since none were observed in any of the present controls. In six of the eighteen cases the diagnosis was first established on the basis of these electrophoretic patterns and subsequently confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. In eight others they were merely confirmatory in previously diagnosed cases. Of special interest were the diagnostic patterns found in four patients in whom myelomatosis was not suspected. There were significant quantitative differences between the results obtained by filter paper and classical electrophoresis, and the results of both differed from those of chemical fractionation. However, the diagnostic peaks of myelomatosis were equally well demonstrated by both electrophoretic methods. It is concluded (1) that the electrophoretic patterns of serum obtained by both the filter paper and Tiselius methods exhibit highly characteristic peaks in a high proportion of individuals with multiple myeloma, (2) that such patterns are of great diagnostic value and (3) that the filter paper method offers the advantages of simplicity, low cost and speed, without any loss in sensitivity or specificity, which make it especially valuable for screening large numbers of specimens in patients suspected of having myelomatosis.

CHANG (1955) reported the lowering of the blood hemoglobin of chicks due to free gossypol feeding and postulated that free gossypol in the diet leads to interference with the synthesis of the proteins of the blood in these chicks. In view of the useful information that has been obtained in recent years using the electrophoresis technique in the study of normal and pathological sera, an experiment was planned to study the electrophoretic patterns of serum samples obtained from birds fed a normal diet, as well as from birds fed free gossypol in the diet. An electrophoresis cell using filter paper strips, as originally designed by Durrum (1950) and marketed by Spinco, was employed. Later it was discovered that the resolution of the globulins of chick serum is very poor on filter paper. More serum samples were obtained from birds used in a study of the effect of protein level on …

A simple method is described for determining the uric acid: creatinine ratio (UA/C ratio) in urine collected on filter paper. Uric acid and creatinine can be eluted quantitatively from Schleicher and Schuell 903 filter paper in alkaline buffer; the eluate is analyzed for the two compounds simultaneously by an automated method. The mean UA/C ratio was defined in 820 newborn infants in the postnatal period of life. After the third day, the average is 1.49 ± 0.60 (mean ± 1SD), falling from a high value of 2.25 ± 0.85 on the second day. There is no significant sex difference or diurnal variation at this age and neither gestational age nor birth weight apparently affects the ratio. The technique can be used to screen population, particularly the neonate after the 3rd day of life, for disorders of purine metabolism. An abnormal ratio (i.e., above 3.29 or > 3SD above the mean) would indicate such a disorder. Transient high UA/C ratios can be anticipated in at least 0.5% of samples often because of acquired perinatal complications.

A sample of 147 men drawn from the workers in a pulp mill was compared with one of 124 men from a paper mill. The former included those exposed to chlorine and to sulphur dioxide. No significant differences were found in respiratory symptoms or in simple tests of ventilatory function in the two samples, but men working in chlorine had a somewhat poorer respiratory function and more shortness of breath than those working in sulphur dioxide. The working population of both mills together had a lower prevalence of respiratory disease than that of the male population of Berlin, N.H., previously studied, suggesting that working populations may not be representative of the general population. Further, a low prevalence of disease in a working population exposed to pollutants may not indicate their `safety9 in general populations.

A method for the estimation of unconjugated cortisol concentration in human urine is described. Using highly sensitive fluorimetric assay after paper chromatographic purification of cortisol, it is possible to quantitate the amount of endogenous cortisol excreted in 24 hours urine, after steroid suppression and corticotrophin stimulation (ACTH). According to this method, normal values (30 males and 30 females aged between 18–50 years) are 35.8–120 μg/24 hours; fluorimetric recoveries of cortisol from urine are 82.5–95.4% and radioactive recoveries are 74.8–88.6%. A trained person can perform 12 determinations in 5 working days.

In few conditions is the electrophorogram of serum proteins capable alone of deciphering the diagnosis. In conjunction with the assembled clinical data and relevant applied pathological tests the definition of the disease is often clarified. The patterns as observed by the applied pathologist are serially discussed and the importance of the variations in different fractions presented. In several instances, exemplified by liver disease, the assistance rendered toward prognosis has been considerable. Perhaps the most clearcut diagnosis is possible in the agammaglobulinaemia syndrome which is immediately evident by the technique of paper electrophoresis. Current advances are mainly in the direction of estimating the protein-bound carbohydrate and lipid constituents which are believed to reflect the abnormalities in several infections and metabolic diseases. Utilisation of non-ionic detergents has also allowed separation of subfractions of the globulins into numerous new components, including lipo-proteins, some of which had been previously observed during the application of improved buffer systems designed to restrict interference of heavy metals and to facilitate accentuation of fractions having intermediate mobility.

An indirect immunofluorescence test using small discs (0.4 cm in diameter) cut from blood smears on filter paper is described. Discs plus three drops of phosphate-buffered saline are laid on antigenic areas on slides, which are then incubated. During incubation, eluted antibodies react with antigen. The method was tested with 10 eluates from healthy persons and with 30 eluates from three groups of 10 patients with Chagas’ disease, schistosomiasis Mansoni and South American blastomycosis, respectively. Sera from the same blood samples were tested also by conventional indirect immunofluorescence tests. Both tests gave similar results. The method proposed is useful as a rapid qualitative screening test when dealing with a large number of samples.

— The use of paper electrophoresis for the routine examination of urinary proteins in the dog has been studied. In the majority of dogs with nephritis the A/G ratios of the urinary proteins were found to be greater than those of corresponding sera and the electropherograms were fairly well defined. In a few cases the ratios were much smaller, and they were usually associated with high relative percentages of the β- and γ-fractions. Post-renal protein due to cystitis alone produced poorly defined electropherograms. These also resulted when both conditions were present. Urinary proteins with high relative percentages of β- and γ-globulins were also investigated and their electropherograms compared with those of γ-globulin preparations and with seminal plasma from male dog ejaculate. Urinary proteins from dogs suffering from a combination of diseases, e.g. nephritis and liver disorders, gave electropherograms that were not characteristic, although low A/G ratios appeared to be associated with prostatitis, with a case of splenic haematoma, and with some cases showing severe liver damage. It is concluded that paper electrophoresis of urinary proteins, particularly when performed on small “grab” samples has only limited use in routine clinical diagnosis. Resume— L'tlectrophorere au papier a ete employee pour I'etude des proteines dam l'urine du chien. Chez la majorite des chiens le rapport A/G dans l'albumine de l'urine a ete trouve augmente. Dans peu de cas, le rapport etait plus petit, quand le pourcentage Beta et Gamma etait plus eleve. L'albuminaire due a des cystites ne donnait que des electrophograms mediocres. Il en etait de meme quand une nephrite venait compliquer une cystite. Les proteines urinaires ayant une forte teneur de beta et de gamma globulines furent egalement etudiees, et leur electropherogramme compares au liquide seminal de chiens males. Les proteines urinaires de chiens souffrant simultanement de plusieurs maladies telles que nephrite et desordres hepatiques, donnerent des cliches peu caracteristiques, bien qu'un rapport A/G diminue semble etre associe a une prostatite, a un hematome splenique, et dam quelques cas de graves leions hepatiques. La conclusion est que l'electrophorese au papier, des proteines de l'urine, est d'un interet clinique limite, particulierement quand la quantite d'urine fournie est petite. Zusammenfassung— Die Anwendbarkeit der Papierelektrophorese zur Untersuchung der Harn-proteine des Hundes wurde studiert. Es konnte festgestellt werden, dass in der Mehrzahl der Hunde, die an Nephritis litten, die A/G Quotienten der Harnproteine hoher waren als der entsprechenden Sera und die erhalten Elektro-pherogramme waren ziemlich scharf definiert. In einigen wenigen Fallen waren die Quotienten betrachtlich kleiner und dann fand sich gewohnlich auch ein relativ hoher zugehoriger Anteil der Beta und Gamma Fraktion. Postrenales Protein, das lediglich durch Zystitis hervorgerufen war, zeigte verwaschene Elektrophorogramme. Solche Resultate wurden auch dann gesehen, wenn beide Erkrankungen zusammen vorlagen. Harnproteine mit einem relativ grossen Anteil von Beta und Gammaglobulin wurden ebenfalls untersucht und die erhaltenen Elektrophorogramme wurden mit solchen verglichen, die man rnit Gammaglobulin oder mit der Samenflussigkeit mannlicher Hunde erhielt. Hamproteine von Hunden, die an einer Kombination von verschiedenen Erkrankungen litten, 2.B. von Nephritis und Leberkrankheit, ergaben uncharakteristische Elektrophorogramme, es erschien jedoch, dass niedrige A/G Quotienten bei Prostatitis, bei einem Fall von Milzhaematom und bei einigen Fallen rnit schwerer Leberschadigung gefunden wurden. Es kann abschliessend gesagt werden, dass die Papierelektrophorese der Hamproteine, desonders wenn sie nur an gelegentlichen kleinen Proben ausgefuhrt wird, nur einen beschrankt klinisch diagnostischen Wert besitzt.

PREGNANE-3 (α), 20(α)-diol has been isolated from urine on numerous occasions. Since the time it was first reported by Marrian (1), the compound has become known as pregnanediol. During pregnancy (2) or following the administration of progesterone (3) the urinary excretion of pregnanediol rises sharply and progesterone is therefore considered to be a precursor of this substance. Administration of 11-desoxycorticosterone has been found to increase-pregnanediol excretion in animals (4), normal human subjects (5), and patients with Addison's disease (6), suggesting that pregnanediol is a metabolite of this corticoid. Although pregnane-3 (α), 20(α)-diol seems to be the chief C21-steroid alcohol found in pregnanc-3(α) urine, it is by no means the only one, and the rise in pregnanediol excretion is known to be accompanied by increased excretion of allopregnane-3(α), 20(α)-diol and allopregnane-3(β), 20(α)-diol (7). In addition, several other chemically and possibly metabolically related C21-steroids have been i...

An investigation of the electrophoretic data from patients with various malignant diseases shows that the possibilities of paper electrophoresis as a diagnostic tool are limited. The relative inaccuracy of the method may cover up important details; but more physiological information can scarcely be expected from data concerning only one physical property of a protein molecule. Quantitative evaluation of the data still gives rather qualitative results. With more material it may be possible to differentiate between various groups of diseases. The use of the “entropy” of a serum protein mixture does not give greater differentiation. Only in a limited number of cases can it be used to distinguish pathological and normal sera. The high correlation in the normal group between the albumin contribution to the total “entropy” and the total “entropy” provides a criterion for the detection of pathological serum protein mixtures in most cases.

A RADIOIMMUNOASSAY FOR HUMAN PITUITARY LUTEINISING HORMONE USING PAPER CHROMATO-ELECTROPHORESIS

Summary The electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins has been studied in 30 infants suffering from toxicosis. During the stage of acute dehydration the main changes were a moderate or marked increase of alpha globulin, particularly of the α2 fraction and a decrease of albumin. In some cases there was also an increase of the gamma globulin. During recovery the alpha globulin decreases while albumin increases. However, the return to normal of the electrophoretic pattern is not always achieved when clinical recovery occurs. The absolute amounts of total serum proteins have also been estimated and their significance has been discussed. Electrophorese sur papier des proteines du serum au cours de la toxicose. L'aspect electrophoretique des proteines du serum a eteetudie chez 30 ehfants presentant une toxicose. Au cours de la periode de deshydratation aigue, on a pu noter une augmentation nette des alphaglobulines (en particulier la fraction alpha 2), et une diminution de l'albumine. Dans quelques cas, on a pu noter aussi une augmentation des gammaglobulines. La diminution des alphaglobulines, et l'augmentation de l'albumine est survenue avec la guerison. Neanmoins, le retour a la normale de la courbe d'electrophorese n'est pas toujours acheve au moment de la guerison elinique. Papierelektrophorese von Serum-Protein bei Sauglingstoxikose. Die Elektrophoresebefunde von Serumproteinen sind bei 30 an Toxikose leidenden Sauglingen untersucht worden. Wahrend des Stadiums der akuten Dehydration waren die Hauptveranderungen eine massige oder ausgepragte Zunahme des Alpha-Globulins, insbesondere der α2-Fraktion und eine Abnahme des Albumins. In einigen Fallen be-stand auch eine Zunahme des Gamma-Globulins. Wahrend der Genesung nimmt das Alpha-Globulin ab, wahrend das Albumin ansteigt. Jedoch ist der Ruckgang zum nor-malen elektrophoretischen Bild nicht immer vollendet wenn die klinische Genesung eintritt. Electroforesis en papel de las proteinas sericas en la toxicosis. Se estudiaron las imagenes electroforeticas de las proteinas sericas en 30 lactantes afectos de toxicosis. Durante el periodo de deshidratacion aguda, los cambios mas notables fueron un moderado o marcado aumento de la alfa globulina, especialmente de alfa 2. Durante la convalecencia, la fraecion alfa globulina disminuyo mientras au-mentaba la albumina. Sin embargo, la vuelta a la imagen electroforetica normal no siempre es completa al ocurrir, la mejoria clinica.

Two-dimensional paper chromatography was used to partition the acid-soluble phosphates in the erythrocytes of normal newborn infants, infants with erythroblastosis fetalis and adults. The inorganic phosphate concentration was higher in the fresh red cells of normal and erythroblastotic infants and rose more during incubation for four hours than in the cells of adults. The amount of erythrocyte adenosine-5’-triphosphate in the adults exceeded the quantities found in the cells of the two groups of babies. The 2,3-diphosphoglycerate level was greater in the erythrocytes of adults and infants with erythroblastosis than it was in the normal infants and incubation for four hours resulted in a sharper decrease of this compound in cells of the normal and erythroblastotic infants than in the adults.

A PAPER Chromatographie study of urinary aminoacids has been carried out in 69 affected and 565 unaffected relatives from 64 families with various types of muscular dystrophy. Only a small proportion of subjects had either generalized or specific hyperaminoaciduria.

A comparison of serum protein fractions (electrophoretic separation) between fed female control and alloxan diabetic rats indicates a decrease in percentage albumin and an increase in percentage α2-, ß- and γ-globulins. Total protein also decreased and so did the grams percentage albumin and α1-globulin, while the grams percentage ß-globulin rose. In the depancreatized series there was a decrease in both percentage and grams percentage albumin and α1-globulin and an increase in the percentage and grams percentage ß- and γ-globulins. With the exception of a rise in γ-globulin, sham operated rats showed no change in any category. Control male rats have higher α1 and lower γ-globulin values than female rats, but both male and female rats show the same changes following the production of diabetes by either alloxan administration or partial pancreatectomy. Fasting control or diabetic rats 24 hours produces no change in the serum protein patterns despite the disappearance of observable lipemia during the fast.

Thyroxine (T4) binding by 3 protein carriers (TBG, TBPA and albumin) was assessed in sera from various thyroid states using reverse flow paper electrophoresis, with which in normal serum 76% of endogenous T4 was bound to TBG, 15 % to TBPA and 9 % to albumin despite maximal TBG and TBPA capacities, consistent with previous reports. The percentage of endogenous T4 bound to TBG was increased to 87% in hypothyroidism and 88% in pregnancy, while it was decreased to 42 % in hyperthyroidism and 62 % in patients treated with anabolic steroids. Our results indicate that, in the above conditions, the role of TBG in T4 transport is even more important than has been previously recognized. On the basis of the newly estimated distribution of endogenous T4, the following relationship was established between free TBG capacity and triiodothyronine (T3) resin uptake (TRU): free TBG capacity (μg/100 ml) =5.02/ TRU(%/100)–4.98. Further, association constants of TBG and TBPA for T4, and free T4 concentrations were ca...

Summary In 21 premature infants, the birth weights of whom ranged between 1500 and 2400 g and the ages between 1 and 56 days, the total serum protein values have been determined and the serum protein components have been electrophoretieally differentiated. All infants were fed on human milk but, in 10 infants additional protein was administered (Casein preparation Secoosan). Total protein values were found to be lower in premature infants than in full-term infants. During the first eight weeks of life total protein values decreased, from 5.63 g per cent to 4.03 g per cent. The decrease in total protein is caused by a decrease in the amount of albumin (from a little below 3 g per cent in the first week of life to a little above 2 g per cent in the eighth week) and of gamma-globulin (from about 1 g per cent to about 0.5 g per cent) while the alpha1-, alpha2-and beta-globulin values remain rather constant. If casein is added to the diet the total serum protein values and the serum albumin values will range at higher levels, but the decrease with increasing age will not be prevented. On the contrary, additional casein to the diet will cause a further reduction in the gamma-globulin concentrations (Fig. 1). Taux des proteines dans le serum des prematures. Des determinations du taux des proteines totales ainsi que des taux particuliers des differentes proteines ont ete effectuees par electrophorese chez 21 bebes nes avant terme. Tous ces enfants etaient nourris au lait maternel et 10 d'entre eux recurent des supplements de proteines. Il est apparu que le taux des proteines totales etait plus faible chez les prematures que chez les enfants nes a terme. Au cours des huit premieres semaines qui suivirent la naissance, le taux des proteines totales descendit de 5,63 g%a 4,03 g%. Cet abaissenient du taux des proteines totales provenait de la diminution de la concentration en alburnine (qui d'abord legerement inferieure a 3 g % au cours de la premiere semaine etait descendue a un niveau legerement superieur a 2 g % au bout de huit semaines) et en gamma-globuline (qui, etant d'environ 1 g %etait descendue a environ 0,5 g %), tandis que les taux des globulines alpha1, alpha2 et beta etaient restes relativement constants. L'addition de caseine a la nourriture fit monter les taux des proteines totales et de l'albumine a des niveaux plus eleves, mais ces concentrations diminuerent egalement avec le temps. D'autre part, l'addition de caseine a la nourriture entraina une diminution plus importante du taux des gamma-globulines. Serumproteinwerte bei fruhgeborenen Kmdern. Bei 21 fruhgeborenen Kindern wurden die gesamten Serumproteinwerte bestimmt und die Serumproteinbestandteile elektrophoretisch differenziert. Alle Kinder wurden nut Frauenmilch ernahrt, aber 10 Kinder erhielten einen Eiweisszusatz. Die gesamten Proteinwerte erwiesen sich bei den fruhgeborenen Kindern als niedriger als in vollreif geborenen. Wahrend der ersten 8 Lebenswochen fielen die totalen Proteinwerte von 5,63 % auf 4,03 % ab. Der Fall im Gesamtproteingehalt ist durch einen Abfall im Albumingehalt bedingt (von ein wenig unter 3 g % in der ersten Lebenswoche auf ein wenig uber 2 g % in der achten Woche) und Gammaglobulingehalt (von ca. 1 g % auf ca. 0,5 g%), wahrend die Alpha1-, Alpha2-und Betaglobulinwerte ziemlich konstant bleiben. Wenn Kasein zur Diat zugefugt wird, werd. en die gesamten Serumproteinund Serumalbuminwerte ein hoheres Niveau erreichen, aber der mit dem Alter einhergehende Abfall wird nicht verhindert werden. Im Gegenteil, der Kaseinzusatz zur Diat bewirkt eine weitere Herabsetzung der Gammaglobulinkonzentrationen. Valores seroproteicos en los prematuros. Han sido determinados, en 21 prematures, los valores seroproteicos totales y diferenciados electroforeticamente los componentes seroproteicos. Todos los ninos fueron alimentados con leche humana, pero a 10 de ellos se les administraron proteinas adicionales. Hallose que los valores proteicos totales eran inferiores en los prematuros a los de los ninos nacidos a termino. Durante las ocho primeras semanas de la vida, los valores proteicos totales disminuyeron. de 5.63 g % a 4.03 g %. La disminucion del total proteico esta causada por una disminueion de la cantidad de albumina (desde un poco menos de 3 g % en la primera semana de la vida hasta un poco mas de 2 g % en la octava semana) y de gammaglobulina (desde aproximadamente 1 g % a aproximadarnente 0.5 g %) mientras los valores globulinicos alfa1, alfa2 y beta, permanecen bastante constantes. Si se anade caseina a la dieta, los valores seroproteicos totales y los valores seroalbuminosos alcanzaran niveles mas elevados, pero la disminueion, al aumentar la edad, no podra evitarse. La caseina, contraria, adioionada a la dieta, causara todavia mas reduccion en las concentraciones gammaglobulinicas.

Urine from normal subjects and from patients with a variety of metabolic disturbances was examined for organic acids by ion exchange purification followed by two-dimensional paper chromatography. Two patients showed slight variations from the normal pattern. One adult male with acromegaly showed an increased citric acid excretion, and one young girl with hepatitis showed an increased α-oxoglutaric acid excretion. Patients with a variety of renal tubular disorders, metabolic bone diseases, and other metabolic disturbances showed no variation from the normal urinary pattern of organic acid excretion. One patient with Lowe's syndrome of “organic aciduria” had a generalized aminoaciduria but no detectable abnormality of urinary organic acid excretion.

SummaryThe electrophoretic behavior of serum leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) in normal individuals, in pregnancy, and in patients with hepatobiliary disease was investigated with paper electrophoresis technics. In normal serum LAP migrated as a single component in the α1-globulin fraction. In patients with elevated serum LAP activity due to hepatobiliary or pancreatic disease supplementary peaks of enzymatic activity were demonstrable in other protein fractions. Thus, in jaundiced patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, liver metastases, biliary atresia, acute hepatitis, and drug-induced jaundice, additional activity was observed in the β-globulin fraction. In some patients with hepatitis additional activity was observed in the α2-globulin as well as β-globulin. In common duct stone additional activity in the albumin fraction was a consistent finding. In early pregnancy the electrophoretic pattern of LAP was similar to that observed in normal serum, whereas during the third trimester LAP activit...

A method is described for the determination of bile acids in biological material by quantitative paper chromatography. It has been applied to the analysis of rat, rabbit and human bile and of human duodenal contents.

Serum protein analysis of 40 cases on pulmonary tuberculosis, by paper electro-phoresis and non-specific serum coloid reactions, such as cadmium, Gros, Takata and Weltmann reaction, were carried out.The results obtained were as follows : 1) Increase in percentage of α-α2-and γ-globulin to total protein and decrease of albumin were observed in chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. These changes, except of β-globulin, were proportional to the stage of the disease.2) Much increase of γ-globulin ware absened in far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, but a few in mininal and mederately advanced.3) Increase of α-globulin occurred as the disease tends to exudative type.4) The changes of fraction of serum protein were compared with changes of non-specific serum coloid reaction (cadmium, Gros, Takata and Weltmann Reation); and the positivity rate of these reactions were related proportionaly to the percentage of serum albumin and γ-globulin mainly.

(1960). The Paper Disc Method for Determination of Bacterial Sensitivity to Antibiotics Studies on the Accuracy of the Technique. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 408-413.

The electrophoretic patterns of the sera of 25 patients with sarcoidosis were compared with the patterns obtained in 31 persons suffering from other diseases. Only in the cases of sarcoidosis were we able to find a characteristic mean electrophoretic pattern that is a increase in the alpha 2, beta and a marked increase in the gamma globulin while the albumin showed a decrease.

According to the result of totally 10 time mass-screening examinations of pulmonary tuberculosis carried out annualy twice spring and fall during five years, the following conclusions were obtained.1) Both the roentogenographically positive finding rate and prevalence rate of actual case had been decreased over a period of five years.2) Cases of mixed form with exsudative and fibroid lesions, according the Oka roentonographic classification, was most apparently decreased in five years. In the forms of the hardnodular and calcified-scar lesions the rates did not any significant changes, and the form with the deformation by surgical operations increased by the spring 1957 and no change was observed after that. Occurrence of exsudative pleurisy was very seldom.3) In the classification of guide standard, number of the patients with the A calss (off work required) and the class B (limitted working hour) remarkably decreased, and those of the class C (under supervision) relatively increased.4) According to the classification by the Japan Society of Tuberculosis, no case with extensively advanced cavity form was found through the observation, and cases with not-advanced cavity form disappeard by the end of the observation. Also cases with the varied non-cavity form was obviously decreased. No apparent changes were shown in the unmber of cases with the stable non-cavity form and the recovered form.5) The decrease of the number of cases with exsudative form seemed to be more apparent in the group of workers with medium physical work, compared with that group of desk workers. The increase of both the roentogenographically positive finding rate and prevalence of actual case was observed by the older years of age, and the trend was not so much varied through the five year observation.

The results of tissue section chromatography are given in comparison with histochemical section tests.

The action of heparin and heparinoid substance (sulfated chitosan) on the cholesterol-fed rabbit serum was as follows:1. An increase of the Sf 30-70 component and a decrease of the Sf