[Concentration of intravenously administered gammaglobulin preparations in dog skin (author's transl)].

Chemical modification of standard gammaglobulin with enzyme treatment (pepsin) or stabilization (beta-propiolactone) is able to influence elimination, fragmentation and organ distribution of intravenously administered gammaglobulins as shown in 36 dogs after i.v. application of allogenic and xenogenic gammaglobulin preparations.

When discounting fails: An unexpected finding.

Two studies were designed to investigate the effects of prior information about plausible causes on subsequent attributions. In the Experiment 1, prior information was given about an internal and an external cause. It was predicted and found that the stronger an expectancy for a behavior, the more the behavior would be attributed to the cause that formed the basis of the expectancy.

[Prevention of HBs antigen-positive serum hepatitis with hyperimmune-globulin anti-HBs].

Selection of donors to prevent HBs-antigen positive serum hepatitis has been only partially successful. For this reason the attempt was made to prevent the disease by passive immunisation with anti-HBs antibodies. A prerequisite for the systematic use of such immunisation is the determination of antibody threshold which would still provide protection.

Gas chromatographic trace analysis of beta-propiolactone in sterilized serum proteins.

A method for detecting traces of beta-propiolactone, which was previously described by Schmitz-Masse, has been modified and adapted to the analysis of protein solutions. Using this method, the rate of hydrolysis of beta-propiolactone (beta-P1) was examined and beta-P1 sterilized commercial products were analyzed for possible residual nonhydrolyzed beta-P1.

Sterilized hepatitis B (surface) antigen for production of specific antisera.

The combined treatment with beta-propiolactone and ultraviolet rays described for the sterilization of HBsAg-positive sera does not interfere with the purification procedures for the production of HBs antigen. The immunogenicity of the HBs antigen is retained.

Undegraded human immunoglobulin for intravenous use.

A report is presented on the development and the properties of a nondegraded human immunoglobulin preparation suitable for intravenous administration. Intravenous tolerance is achieved by elimination of anticomplementary activity through modification with beta-propiolactone. The natural antibody characteristics, such as antibody activity, molecular weight, and half-life, are retained.