A. Fiori

Gel filtration of ABH blood group substances : II. Individual gel chromatographic patterns of ABH substances in the saliva of secretors and non-secretors

Abstract The saliva from 605 donors was gel chromatographed on Sephadex G-100 and was examined serologically for ABH blood group specific fractions termed fractions 1, 2 and 3. All secretors had the main active excluded fraction (fraction 1) alone or associated with fraction 2 and/or fraction 3. The saliva from non-secretors lacked fraction 1 and had fraction 2 and/or fraction 3. In some non-secretors, no active fraction was detected (true non-secretors). Eight gel filtration patterns for each of the A, B and H antigens were therefore identified. A standardised technique on small Sephadex G-100 columns was developed and the frequencies of each gel filtration type determined in the last 199 secretors and 32 non-secretors were examined. The gel filtration pattern of H substance in group A, B and AB subjects was also studied. In some of these subjects, gel filtration patterns of the single antigens had been found which differ from each other. The ABH salivary gel filtration pattern of a single subject is a stable individual characteristic and probably is genetically determined.

Gel filtration of ABH blood group substances. I. Fractionation of ABH substances of human saliva.

Human saliva from secretors of groups A, B, O and AB was gel filtered on Sephadex G-200 and G-100 columns, and on thin layers and the eluates were tested for A, B and H antigens by the haemagglutination inhibition method. A main excluded fraction (fraction 1) was detected in all the samples examined. A part of this fraction was also excluded from Sepharose 4B. The molecular weight of this fractions can be assumed to be between 2·105 and 5·106. In some samples of saliva, one or two group-specific subfractions were identified (fractions 2 and 3). Fraction 2 is excluded from Sephadex G-50 and probably has a molecular weight between 10 000 and 13 000. Fraction 3 is dialysable and has a lower molecular weight, probably no greater than 1500–2000. Fraction 1 is water-soluble and can be precipitated in alcohol, while fractions 2 and 3 are both water- and alcohol-soluble.

Analysis of benzodiazepines. I: Chromatographic identification

Abstract The chromatographic mobilities of nineteen benzodiazepines were determined by thin-layer, gas—liquid, high-resolution gas—liquid and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results were correlated with literature data.

A method for the detection of d-tubocurarine, gallamine, decamethonium and succinylcholine in biological materials. Modification and development.

Abstract A method for the detection of d-tubocurarine, gallamine, decamethonium, and succinylcholine in biological material is described, based on the purification of extracts from body fluids and organs by ion exchange separation on Amberlite IRC 50 resin. The curares are eluted and precipitated as reineckates, which are then regenerated to allow their identification by means of paper and thin-layer chromatography. Thin-layer chromatography with acid alumina layers and chloroform-methanol (80:20) as solvent gives a better resolution. The spots are revealed by the iodoplatinate reagent. The eluates of untreated spots are examined spectrophotometrically in the ultraviolet to detect d-tubocurarine and are finally injected in the tail vein of the mice for a biological test. The method can be considered of particular value for forensic purposes.

Gel filtration of ABH blood group substances : III. ABH gel filtration pattern of solubilised red cell stroma

Abstract Human red cell stroma were solubilised with the nonionic detergent Triton-X-100. By gel filtration of the solubilised material on Sephadex G-200 and G-100, three group specific fractions of each of the A, B and H substances were detected. Fraction 1 is water-soluble and can be precipitated with alcohol, while fractions 2 and 3 are water- and alcohol-soluble. The three active fractions had the same gel filtration and thin-layer chromatographic behaviour as fractions 1, 2 and 3 detected in saliva and reported in a previous paper. The probable identity of the stromal fraction 3 with the blood group specific glycolipid isolated by many investigators from erythrocytes is suggested.

Gel filtration of ABH blood group substances : IV. Fractions 4 and 5 of ABH substances in human red cells and their secretion patterns in saliva

Abstract Two new low-molecular-weight fractions of the ABH substances, fractions 4 and 5, have been identified. They inhibit non-specifically anti-A, anti-B and anti-H sera and have no effect on anti-Rh, anti-M, anti-N and anti-P sera. These fractions are constantly present in human red cell membranes and are secreted in the saliva of some of the subjects who secrete the specific fraction 3 of the ABH system described earlier. As fraction 3 can be secreted in saliva alone or associated with fraction 4 or 5, or both, each of the secretory types III, IV, VI and VII that have recently been identified can have four sub-types, α, β, γ and δ. The variable association of salivary ABH fractions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 results in 20 individual gel filtration patterns.

A lethal complication to gastric lavage leading to malpractice suit: a case report.

Abstract A case of gastric lavage suffocation after petroleum poisoning is described, together with the peculiar analytical techniques that were employed and the juridical aspects of medical malpractice to which it gave rise.

Mixed agglutination on solid phase (MASP) and its inhibition (IMASP): Two immunoassays for soluble ABH group-specific substances

Two immunoassays are described: mixed agglutination on solid phase (MASP) and inhibition of mixed agglutination on solid phase (IMASP). The MASP assay permits detection and measurement of soluble A, B and H high molecular weight glycoproteins in secretor individuals with a sensitivity at least 800 times greater than the usual inhibition technique. Both secretors and non-secretors can be typed by the less sensitive IMASP test which also permits the detection of low molecular weight A, B and H substances.

Muscular dystrophy in mice after chronic subcutaneous treatment with cannabinoids

Swiss male albino mice were treated subcutaneously with the main cannabinoids (CBN, CBD, delta9-THC) at the dosage of 1 mg/kg per day for 30 days, and with the crude resin. At the end of the treatment, after supramaximal stimulation of the sciatic nerve, a significant decrease of both maximal twitch and tetanus tensions was observed in delta9-THC-treated animals; CBD and resin treatment produced some decrease in active tension, while CBN treatment induced an enhancement of the contractile strength. Histology showed lesions interpretable as due to muscular dystrophy. Analysis of protein and hydroxyproline muscular content showed a marked reduction in protein in all treated animals, with a corresponding high increase in hydroxyproline content.