Plasma estriol vs. estrogen assays in 24-h urines as an index to fetal status.

Conventionally, urinary estrogens are measured to monitor fetal well-being in the third trimester of pregnancy. There are many theoretical and practical advantages to the use of recently introduced plasma estriol assays; consequently, we undertook to compare the results of a spectrophotometric assay for total urinary estrogen with values for plasma total and free (unconjugated) estriol obtained by radioimmunoassay with commercially available kits. The data correlate well, r = 0.

Temperature and species differences in susceptibility of kidney cell cultures to mercury toxicity.

The effect of temperature on inorganic mercury toxicity was investigated using kidney tissue culture systems. The relative susceptibility of rabbit (homeothermic) kidney to mercury intoxication was compared to that of Coho salmon (poikilothermic) kidney to mercury intoxication was compared to that of Coho salmon (poikilothermic) kidney over temperature ranges consistent with the habitat of each of the two species. It was demonstrated that susceptibility to mercury toxicity is species dependent; that is, the rabbit kidney cells tolerated higher mercury concentrations in the medium than did the fish-derived cells.

Plasma androgen concentrations in diabetic women.

Plasma androgen levels were determined in women assigned to the following groups: idiopathically hirsute, diabetic, both idiopathically hirsute and diabetic, and normal. The androgens examined were androstenedione (AD), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). We find statistical differences between young (less than 38 years) and older (larger than or equal to 38 years) controls at confidence levels of p less than or equal to 0.

Endogenous plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine in last-trimester pregnancy and labor.

Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations during labor and immediately after delivery were compared to those of the third trimester in 21 uncomplicated pregnancies of married primigravid women, 20 to 32 years old. Third-trimester catecholamine concentrations were similar to those of normal, nonpregnant subjects; samples were obtained under identical conditions. Compared to third-trimester levels, significant elevations of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine were found in three phases of labor (at 3 to 5 cm.

Evaluation of serum ionic calcium measurement in a general hospital population.

Direct measurement of ionic calcium was evaluated in light of conflicting reports concerning the correlation of ionic calcium with total calcium and ionic calcium as predicted from total calcium and serum protein. Ionic calcium in the sera of normo- hypo-, and hypercalcemic adult hospitalized patients was measured anaerobically using an Orion model 98-20 calcium flow-thorugh electrode. Good correlation (r = .

Evaluation of transcendental meditation as a method of reducing stress.

Transcendental meditation is said to induce in its practitioners an altered state of consciousness resulting in relief of stress, an increased sense of awareness, and a sense of well-being. Release of catecholamines has been associated widely with stress and lends itself to quantitation. Plasma epinephrine and norephinephrine, as well as lactate, were measured in 12 volunteers before, during, and after meditation.

Clinical determination of methemalbumin.

We developed an assay for methemalbumin in biological fluids by using diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography to separate this protein from interfering components, including hemopexin, transferrin, hemoglobin, and haptoglobin/hemoglobin complex. Initial screening of the samples requires measurement of A280/A405 ratios of the peak tubes of the isolated albumin fraction. Values exceeding 30 indicate that methemalbumin is absent, and no further work is required.

Stress gradient in solid methane at high pressures.

The magnitude of the axial pressure gradient at 77 degrees K (11 percent per centimeter) in solid methane compressed along one axis for applied pressures up to 10 kilobars was determined by comparing the electrical resistance of a pair of doped tellurium pressure gages with that of a set of single-crystal gages made of high-purity bismuth. The existence of the pressure gradient revealed the causes of deformation in metal tensile specimens embedded in solid methane and cycled to high pressure.