Thrombin generation and neutralization test (TGNT) - a simple, practical, and sensitive assay for plasma heparin quantitation.

A simple, quantitative method for detection of small amounts of heparin in human plasma is described. This method is based on the activation of coagulation factor X to its enzymatic form (Xa), by a mixture of RVV platelet substitute (Esnouf and Williams 1962, Esnouf and Jobin 1967) in a plasma rendered fibrinogen free without affecting other clotting factores (Bell et al. 1968, Bell 1973), by Arvin (Ancrod).

Susceptibility to autoxidation of lipids of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)-like red cells.

The susceptibility to autoxidation of red cell lipids was studied before and after transformation of normal red cells to PNH-like erythrocytes. The transformation was effected by treatment of the red cells with the sulfydryl compounds D-penicillamine (DP) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). The autoxidation was induced by incubating the cells with H2O2 and was estimated by measuring the generated malonyl dialdehyde.