Preliminary results concerning the presence of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in the serum of patients with IgA myeloma.

Using the immunosorbents realized by binding either antisecretory immunoglobulin A antibodies or antisecretory component ones to beads of cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol matrix, secretory immunoglobulin A, from the serum of patients with IgA myeloma was investigated. The related protein isolated with the same method from colostrum was comparatively studied. Studies were done by polyacrylamyde gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and SDS-PAGE, as well as by immunochemical methods. The two proteins obtained presented the same characteristics: a single fraction in PAGE and four fractions in SDS-PAGE. The determinations were carried out by immunoelectrophoresis and double diffusion using monospecific antisera proved the identity of the isolated proteins with secretory IgA.

[Changes in cellular and humoral immunologic mechanisms in the postoperative period]. / Modificari ale mecanismelor imunologice celulare si umorale în perioada postoperatorie.

The study attempted to evaluate the effects of anesthesia and of surgical interventions on certain humoral and cellular components of the mechanism of specific immunity. A total of 64 patients suffering with benign and malignant affections of the stomach and of the colon that had underwent resections under general anesthesia of the hypnoanalgesia type were followed at three stages of their evolution--before surgery, at 24 hours after surgery, and 7 days after surgery. Blood samples were obtained for performing the following tests: count of lymphocytes, blastic transformations test, stimulated control (with PHA and PWM), rosetting test, total number of eosinophils, high affinity eosinophils, and other tests. Electrophoretic fractions, total serum proteins, and dosage of IgG, IgM, and IgA immunoglobulins were also measured. A total of 24 tests have been performed. The patients were investigated both globally and according to sex, type of affection (malignant, or other), and by age. The results indicated a depression of the majority of the results of tests excepting those which detect precursor B, and T-helper cells, which showed a stimulation. Differentiated behaviours were also noted in the various groups with regard to the intensity of the reaction, although not with its direction.

Variations of salivary amylase as a test of internal irradiation in man.

The hypothesis of the parotid gland radiosensitivity has suggested to the authors to follow up the effect of therapeutic internal irradiation on the serum, urine and salivary alpha-amylase activity in man. The assay and visualization of alpha-amylase isoenzymes on agar gel zymograms by using the "Phadebas amylase test" tablets has demonstrated in some cases increases of salivary alpha-amylase activity expressed by the ratio of the optical density after internal irradiation to that before administration of radioisotopes.