Human alpha-fetoprotein and its purification by chromatography on immobilized estrogens.

Human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was isolated from human abortive tissue by biospecific chromatography on immobilized estrogens. The most effective sorbents were: estrone-0-3-hemisuccinyl-hexamethylenediamine-Sepharose CL 4B and diethylstilbestrol-diasoanisole-sulfonyl-oxyethyl-Sepharose CL 4B. As elution solution the most optimum was 10% buffered aqueous butanol. Taking into consideration the data obtained, one can conclude that AFP in human biological fluids is bound to immobilized estrogens. Butanol extraction deestrogenizes AFP, and as a result human AFP acquires affinity to immobilized estrogens. During rechromatography on immobilized diethylstilbestrol, it was possible to obtain AFP preparations of about 95% purity. The present results provide the opportunity to work out new methodological approaches to human AFP isolation using biospecific chromatography on immobilized estrogens.     

Recovery functions of somatosensory vertex potentials in man: interaction of evoked responses from right and left fingers.

Somatosensory vertex potentials (SVPs) were examined in 12 healthy subjects in response to painful electrical stimulation of the finger. SVPs consisted of N1, P1, and N2. The average latencies of the 3 peaks were 150, 225, and 350 msec, respectively. The latency and amplitude of each potential were reproducible for each subject. Recovery functions of the SVPs were analyzed in 10 subjects. A pair of stimuli were delivered to the right or left finger with interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 50, 100, 150, 200, 350, 500 and 650 msec. SVPs partially recovered with the shortest ISI (50 msec). Full recovery could not be obtained even with the longest ISI (650 msec). Differences in recoveries within 650 msec of ISI were not observed between right and left stimulations. To examine the interaction between SVPs evoked by right and left finger stimulation, recovery functions from prior contralateral finger stimulation were analyzed with the same ISIs. SVP recoveries for right after left or left after right patterns of stimulus delivery were nearly the same as those for ipsilateral ones. It is suggested that SVPs are generated at nearly the same site in the sensory pathway regardless of the side stimulated.     

The clinico-echocardiographic characteristics of heart involvement in seronegative spondylarthritis (Reiter's disease, Bechterew's disease and psoriatic arthritis)

As many as 136 patients (76 with Bechterew's disease, 40 with Reiter's disease and 20 with psoriatic arthritic) and 35 practically healthy persons were examined by echocardiography combined with electro-, phonocardiographic and by clinical, x-ray and laboratory methods. 62 patients were examined over time (within a period from 1 to 4 years). Echocardiography was used to study in detail the central and intracardiac hemodynamics, the status of the valvular apparatus of the heart and of the aorta. The different clinical characteristics of the disease were established to make a concrete contribution to the development of cardial pathology. The disease duration is the most significant characteristics. A long-term prospective follow-up coupled with echocardiographic examinations made over time enabled one to specify the structure of heart damage in patients suffering from Bechterew's disease, Reiter's disease and psoriatic arthritis depending on the hypothetic nature of the damage.     

Differential assessment of the health status of preschool children in risk groups]

Health status of the underschool children from the second health group, which with having some morphofunctional changes, (503 persons) was studied. The key changes were postural, cardiovascular, neuropsychic changes. The lysozyme level in saliva is the informative index related to the health status of underschool children.