Quantitation of C2 by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in 120 pathological sera

A potent monospecific anti-C2 was used for quantitation of serum C2 by rocket immunoelectrophoresis (RIE). This ready procedure was compared to the one-step hemolytic titration utilizing C2-deficient human serum. RIE detected 4 nanograms C2 in 5 microliters samples. Using highly purified C2 as a reference, C2 concentration in pooled normal human sera was estimated around 50 micrograms/ml by both test systems. The reliability of RIE was assessed when immunochemical and hemolytic determinations were comparatively performed in 120 pathological sera. The correlation coefficient was significant (r = 0.69) and only 8 sera were found outside the expected range, exhibiting an abnormally high C2 protein. They were obtained from 6 patients with cryoglobulinemia associated connective tissue disease and 2 with acute glomerulonephritis. These occasional findings suggested the possibility of an activation of C2 hemolytic activity without simultaneous loss of C2 protein. In 16 sera of individuals with familial C2 deficiency (r = 0.83) and 29 sera of patients with angioneurotic edema (r = 0.72), RIE provided an extremely simple and reliable alternative to the time consuming hemolytic titration of C2.

Antiwear Mechanism of ZDDP in the Presence of Calcium Sulfonate Detergent

Interactions between zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) antiwear additive and commercial calcium sulfonate detergent are studied using a plane/plane contact configuration friction machine lubricated under boundary conditions. Comparative tests have allowed us to envisage three types of interactions, respectively, due to, — first: chemical interaction between both additives in the oil phase leading to an effective ZDDP concentration decrease. — second: detergent effect due to the presence of the calcium sulfonate surfactant molecule, preventing basal materials from agglomerating during running. — third: specific role due to the overbasing agent, considered as a colloidal dispersion. When an overbased detergent is used, the two latter contributions are predominant. This study suggests that a new approach in boundary lubrication should be envisaged in relation to the evolution of the interface products which must be regarded as a highly concentrated colloidal system.

[Toxoplasmosis in Martinique: epidemiological considerations]

The examination of women's 2,550 sera in Martinique (French West Indies) showed the infestation by Toxoplasma gondii was very important, for 81.5% of this population sample have fluorescent antibodies, and 84.5% haemagglutinating antibodies. Moreover, the rates of infestation observed in northern localities of the island are significantly higher than in southern ones: the intervention of climatic factors favoring the survival of the oocysts in the external environmental has to be considered, seeing that the feeding habits are identical in the whole island.

[Action of pyridinol carbamate on hetero-immune Masugi nephritis in the rat (author's transl)]

Pyridinol-carbamate (P.C.) is a new substance with various properties including an anti-inflammatory (anti-kinin) and an antiplatelet aggregation activity. Since a coagulation process has been demonstrated in Masugi nephritis in Rats, we investigated the effect of P.C. in this experimental model. P.C. (150 mg/kg/day) was given orally from day 1 to day 28. It prevented partially the G.N.: proteinuria was significantly lower than in nephritic untreated animals with a reduction of seromucoid blood levels and B.U.N. Histological examination revealed that glomerular injury was limited in treated animals specially with regards to G.B.M. alterations and deposits.

A vascular permeability factor in lymphocyte culture supernants from patients with nephrotic syndrome. II. Pharmacological and physicochemical properties

Pharmacological properties of the "Skin Reactive Factor" demonstrated in nephrotic patients are similar to guinea-pig Skin Reactive Factor. This biological activity is not antagonized by anti-histaminic and anti-serotonin drugs. It is inhibited by meclofenamate and pyridinolcanbamate. It is enhanced by diethyldithiocarbamate and normal human serum. According to this results it could be an activator of the kinin system. Biochemical studies indicate that it is a pepsin destroyed protein, unaffected by Rnase and Dnase. Its electrophoretic mobility is that of an albumin or an alpha1 globulin.