Joseph J. Barboriak

Blood Plasma Proteins in Fetal Goats and Sheep.

Summary Electrophoretic separation of fetal and maternal plasma proteins in goats and sheep revealed that the fetal plasma lacks γ-globulins and exhibits an additional peak in the area of α1-globulins. This peak probably corresponds to fetuin. Quantitative conditions of fetal plasma proteins seem to depend largely on age of the fetus. In goats, the percentage of total plasma proteins and of plasma albumin increases; percentage of fetuin decreases with the progressing age of the fetus. The remaining plasma proteins do not seem to be affected. In fetal sheep the percentages of total plasma proteins, plasma albumin and probably of β-globulins increase; levels of fetuin and α1-globulins decrease with age. The percentage of α2-globulins remains unaffected.

Heparin-Latex Test in Rheumatoid and Non-Rheumatoid Serums.

Summary The rather high incidence of false-positive results with serums containing elevated a-globulin levels, limits the practical value of the heparin-latex test for routine testing in rheumatoid arthritis.

Selectivity of heparin-latex method and sensitized sheep cell test for rheumatoid serums.

Summary Results of an agglutination test using polystyrene particles sensitized with 0.5% heparin are described. Sensitivity and selectivity of this system for rheumatoid serums compares favorably with those of the standard sensitized sheep cell test method. A high proportion of rheumatoid serums was found to give positive reactions with non-sensitized latex particles.

Influence of magnesium deficiency on serum cholesterol levels in the rat.

Magnesium-deficient, high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets containing 5 mg magnesium/100 gm were fed to weanling albino rats in order to learn more about the possible relationship between magnesium and lipid metabolism. After 10 weeks of feeding, the blood cholesterol levels of the fat-fed male rats were significantly higher than those fed the carbohydrate diet. The differences between the two female groups were not so pronounced. Serum protein levels decreased in both high-fat and high-carbohydrate-fed animals; the decrease was more evident in the latter groups. Retardation of growth was more pronounced in the groups fed the high-fat diet.