Harold S. Ballard

A New Variant of Heavy-Chain Disease (μ-Chain Disease)

Abstract A pathologic immunoglobulin was found in the serum of a man who had the clinical signs of a malignant lymphoproliferative disorder. It represents a new variant of heavy-chain disease (μ-chain disease). Additional findings included radiographic evidence of skeletal involvement, amyloidosis and morphologic abnormalities of the plasma cells. Although serum electrophoresis did not reveal an M component, immunoelectrophoresis showed an anomalous protein that appeared to be a rapidly migrating IgM. This protein was subsequently identified as a heavy-chain fragment of IgM. The urinary findings were unique in that the μ-chain fragment demonstrated in the serum was absent and a light chain (kappa type) was present.

Fatty acids of human platelet phosphatides.

Summary The fatty acids of blood platelet phosphatides have ben studied by silicic acid, and gas-liquid chromatography. PEPS fractions contain primarily arachidonic, stearic and oleic acids. Lecithin-sphingomyelin eluates contain principally palmitic, stearic and oleic acids. These components may be quantitatively related to the specialized function of platelets in blood coagulation.