A map of cochlear perilymph protein based on high-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis.

For systematic characterization of cochlear perilymphatic (PL) fluid proteins and to compare the complex protein mixtures of PL fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood plasma, we subjected eight postmortem PL fluid samples to two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis. To avoid contamination of perilymph by blood and blood plasma, the samples were taken immediately after death and analyzed by keeping to certain selection criteria. When compared with CSF, PL fluid in the scala vestibule was found to have an albumin content of approximately 1-2g/l, or 10 times the level of CSF albumin. Due to the small volume of the sample obtained, it was not possible to concentrate the PL fluid. As a result, protein spots in the 2D-gel could only be detected with a highly sensitive silver stain. Visual inspection of the resulting 2D-electrophoretograms showed that most of the "CSF-specific" protein clusters were present in the PL fluid pattern.

Protein distribution in the human perilymph. A comparative study between perilymph (post mortem), CSF and blood serum.

The large differences in the protein content of perilymph and serum as well as the perilymph volume limit of 10-15 microliter cause serious problems when collecting samples of uncontaminated perilymph in order to analyse its protein composition. In 8 out of 24 extremely carefully taken samples of perilymph removed during autopsy, we were able, by keeping to certain selection criteria, to carry out electrophoretic analyses which were suitable for reproduction and comparison. Comparison of human perilymph, CSF and serum, using SDS-Page and Western blotting, gave the expected agreement which had been suggested by tests on guinea pigs. However, a closer examination of individual proteins pointed to some relatively large differences in quantity and quality.

[Detection of beta 2-transferrin with agarose gel electrophoresis, immunofixation and silver staining in cerebrospinal fluid, secretions and other body fluids]. / Nachweis von beta 2-Transferrin mittels Agarosegel-Elektrophorese, Immunfixation und Silberfärbung in Liquor cerebrospinalis, Sekreten und anderen Körperflüssigkeiten.

A method is described for the detection of beta 2-transferrin (asialotransferrin) in 1 microliter cerebrospinal fluid. Owing to its low content of sialic acid, beta 2-transferrin migrates more slowly than the main transferrin component (beta 1-transferrin) in electrophoresis. The high sensitivity and specificity of the test depend on immunofixation of the electrophoretically separated transferrin in the agarose gel, and on the visualization of the immune complex by staining with alkaline silver nitrate solution. Since beta 2-transferrin occurs practically only in cerebrospinal fluid and not in other body fluids, its detection in secretions from the nose or ear can be used for the diagnosis of rhinoor otoliquorrhoea. Even under unfavourable conditions, 10% cerebrospinal fluid can be detected in a secretion. Operator time for investigation of a secretion sample is 110 minutes and the analysis time is 5 hours. The direct costs are 95 German marks. Forty two secretions have been investigated so far. Eighteen were shown to contain cerebrospinal fluid, and this was confirmed by subsequent operative findings on the patients.

[Iodine deficiency in Salzburg in spite of iodized table salt prophylaxis]. / Jodmangel in Salzburg trotz Jodsalzprophylaxe.

Urinary iodine excretion was determined in 293 medical technical and nursing students in hospitals of the province Salzburg. The average urinary iodine excretion amounted to 46.6 +/- 18 micrograms iodine per gram creatinine. 67.6% of the students showed a deficiency of iodine II, whilst 98.3% had a deficiency of iodine I according to WHO criteria. Urinary iodine levels and natriuria are closely correlated, indicating that iodized table salt probably constitutes the most important source of iodine. 73 of the students had a palpable giotre, 10 of these being nodular. Our investigations, together with those of Innsbruck, Graz and Vienna, demonstrate the existence of generalized iodine deficiency in spite of iodized salt prophylaxis, which has been legally enforced in all of Austria since 1963. Iodized table salt prophylaxis has, thus, led to a drastic decrease in goitres in children, but is not sufficient to eliminate iodine deficiency in adults. An increased level of iodization of table salt, as has been put into force in Switzerland, must be called for in Austria, too.

[Enzymatic lecithin determination in amniotic fluid for antepartal diagnosis of lung maturity - a multi-center study (author's transl)]. / Enzymatishce Lezithinbestimmung in fruchtwasser zur antepartalen Lungenreifediagnostik - Eine multizentrische Studie.

A new test-combination for the enzymatic determination of lecithin in amniotic fluid for the assessment of fetal lung maturity has been developed by Boehringer Mannheim. This test was evaluated by 12 hospitals and has been compared with the L/S ratio, the foam-test or the densitometric determination of lecithin. The assay is based on the hydrolysis of lecithin by phospholipase C which starts an enzymatic chain reaction in which NADH consumption if measured photometrically. The intra- and interassay precision were characterized by CV values below 10%. Average recoveries of lecithin were 95-102%. It is recommended to centrifuge the samples (10 min, 700 g) and to start the analysis as soon as possible after receipt of the specimen. The total amount of time required is 2 hours for a single determination. Batches of up to 10 samples require little extra time. An opened test-combination can be used for a maximum of 30 single determinations. Comparison of the quantitative enzymatic lecithin determination with other methods showed that the critical value for lecithin is 5.0 mg/100 ml. Above 5.1 mg/100 ml no case respiratory distress syndrome was observed. The good precision accuracy and the simple handling make the enzymatic lecithin determination suitable for routine use.

[Emergency tests in the central laboratory of a hospital (author's transl)]. / Akutdiagnostik im zentralen krankenhauslaboratorium.

In 1975 an emergency laboratory, which is quite independent of the routine laboratory, was established within the central laboratory. The emergency laboratory carries out urgent chemical and hematological analyses and coagulation tests around the clock. As accelerated and late tests as well as not urgent tests on Saturdays and Sundays are done in the routine laboratory it was possible to restrict the demands on the emergency laboratory largely to tests of clinical emergency cases. One medical technician is permanently present in the emergency laboratory, one clinical chemist is on call. The emergency laboratory is subject to a severe quality control to ensure precise and correct results which correspond with the results of the routine laboratory. In 1980 56,392 emergency tests were carried out. These are 5.7% of all tests done in the central laboratory. On the average it takes 21.6 minutes for analytical work from the arrival of the sample until transmitting the result. The costs of the emergency tests amount to 3 to 4 times the costs of the mechanized routine tests. In some foreign hospitals the integration of "actualized" routine tests into the emergency laboratory has led to a share of 25% of the total amount of tests and to the full mechanisation with an own EDV system. These tests should not be carried out in the emergency laboratory. They should be carried out in the "actualized"routine laboratory with the help of a new generation of analyzers and a new concept for electronic data processing.

[Biochemical data in the fluids of cystic degenerated euthyroid goiters (author's transl)]. / Biochemische Befunde in Zystenflüssigkeiten zystisch degenerierter euthyreoter Strumen.

Examinations of sera and cyst fluids in patients with cystic degenerated euthyroid goiters showed significant differences between the values of the cyst fluids and sera for almost all of the chemical substances. In the brown cyst fluids there are mostly higher values compared with the appropriate sera. Autolysis, diffusion and resorption, metabolic changes and, in the case of thyroid hormones, active incretion by wall-forming thyroid tissue, are the reasons for these differences in the concentrations.