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Biomedical subjects

B Zak

Publications and source records attributed to B Zak.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

The variable reagent blank: protein determination as a model.

Three total protein assays were analyzed to determine the extent of deviation encountered when a constant measured reagent blank is compared to a continuously decreasing true reagent blank. This blank effect owes its regressive nature to the consumption of the active reagent ingredient by the protein reactive species, variably and sometimes, with certain reactants, nonlinearly in the presence of increasing protein concentrations. However, the blank effect of interest here is apparent only when the reagent and the reagent-protein complex present overlapping spectra and therefore absorb at the wavelength of measurement. Thus it was found that while the biuret and the Coomassie brilliant blue assays produced pronounced differences in the variable true reagent blanks, the Folin-Ciocalteau reaction did not develop a deviation from the true blank since the reagent blank does not absorb to any extent at the assay wavelength. In this manner, the latter procedure could serve as a marker against which the former two blank reactions can be shown to display relatively excessive deviations.

Biuret Reaction↗
PubMed1985

Spectrophotometric investigation of sensitive complexing agents for the determination of zinc in serum.

Of two sensitive complexometric reagents for the colorimetry of serum zinc that we investigated, one, 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (Br-PADAP), was found to be a potentially useful compound for trace-metal determinations. It has a high molar absorptivity (120 000 L mol-1 cm-1) but is not convenient to use because it is not very soluble in water. The other reagent, a related pyridylazo compound, is 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-n-propyl-N-3-sulfopropylamino)phenol (5-BR-PAPS). It seems better suited for use in routine zinc determinations because, besides being water soluble, it has a higher molar absorptivity, 130 000 L mol-1 cm-1. Results by the proposed method developed with 5-Br-PAPS correlated well with those by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The between-run CV for control sera was less than 5%; the within-run CV (same controls) was less than 4%.

Azo Compounds↗
PubMed1985

Three methods compared for determining phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid.

Phosphatidylglycerol is one component of amniotic fluid that is unaffected by several of the reported interferences with conventional thin-layer chromatographic measurement of phospholipid. To compare a rapid immunological agglutination test, "Amniostat-FLM", with two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, we determined phosphatidylglycerol by both methods in 41 amniotic fluid specimens obtained at 31 to 40 weeks of gestation. We also assayed phosphatidylglycerol in 14 of these specimens by an enzymic, colorimetric procedure. The agglutination test is rapid and simple but relatively insensitive; it yielded positive results for only seven of 23 specimens in which phosphatidylglycerol was detected by thin-layer chromatography. In 18 specimens in which no phosphatidylglycerol was detected by thin-layer chromatography, results by Amniostat-FLM were also negative; however, eight of these specimens, assayed by the enzymic method, had phosphatidylglycerol present. Apparently, the Amniostat-FLM detects phosphatidylglycerol only at concentrations exceeding 25 mumol/L, or more than 15% of the total phospholipid composition.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1985

Peroxidase-coupled method for kinetic colorimetry of total creatine kinase activity in serum.

We describe a peroxidase-coupled method involving a colorimetric indicator reaction for determining the total activity of creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) in serum. The kinetically favorable reverse reaction is exploited to generate adenosine 5'-triphosphate, which is used in the glycerol kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of glycerol. The glycerol 3-phosphate so generated is oxidized in the presence of alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase to produce hydrogen peroxide, which is reduced in the presence of peroxidase with the simultaneous oxidation and coupling of 4-aminoantipyrene and 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate to produce an intensely colored red chromogen. Results of the proposed method (y) correlate well with those of the Boehringer-Mannheim "CK-NAC UV" method as applied to the Hitachi 705 chemistry analyzer (y = 1.025 chi - 18.1, r = 0.9985, n = 100, range = 19-4531 U/L). The sensitivity of the method, based on molar absorptivities, is nearly fourfold that of procedures involving the reduction of NADP+.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1984

Description of analytical problems arising from elevated serum solids.

There has always been a problem with the collection of data and interpretation of the results obtained from any biological fluid in which the solids content was increased to a great extent. Of these solids, the triglycerides of the lipids may cause a plasma (serum) to vary in appearance from opalescent to milky. This condition of the specimen and the concomitant turbidity upon its addition to reagents creates the well-documented optical aberrations of spectrophotometric measurements. In addition, the lipids, in conjunction with the proteins, can act as diluents when they are elevated, thereby decreasing what might be termed the residual true plasma volume. Thus the water content of an aliquot sampled for a particular analytical procedure is diminished, and by that means a situation is created in which a short sample is drawn. This dilution effect by the solids results in a lowering of the assay values obtained for the measured constituents of such a serum sample. An associated phenomenon of high concentrations of solids, especially proteins, is the increase in viscosity of a specimen, a condition that also causes an error of short sampling when certain peristaltic pumping devices are used. This review considers several aspects of problems encountered when dealing with a number of circumstances that are critical to the measurement of analytes in severely hyperlipemic and/or hyperproteinemic specimens. These include the problems of short sampling; the potential amelioration of the problem by corrective mathematics, extraction of the lipids, or ultracentrifugation of the true plasma from the lipids; the important need to include most analytes into our considerations; the difference in reference base values for the calculation of concentrations of lipids of serum versus other analytes; the concept of the use of ratios when the reference base values differ, numerator analyte from denominator analyte; and the problems of using serum blanks when necessary corrective action for the solids volume is neglected. Thus, in the final analysis, problems with underestimated volumes of samples used for many spectrophotometric determinations are considered here along with the other difficulties encountered when the need to measure analytes in serums with extremely high solids content presents.

Blood Chemical Analysis↗
PubMed1984

Enzymic colorimetric determination of phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid.

We describe a procedure for the enzymic, colorimetric determination of phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid. After extraction into chloroform:methanol (2:1 by vol) and evaporation, the phospholipid-containing residue is redissolved in a non-ionic detergent, which thus provides an aqueous sample. The subsequent enzymic reaction sequence involves phospholipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of glycerol from its phospholipid. Subsequent enzyme-catalyzed reactions phosphorylate this glycerol and oxidize the resulting glycerol phosphate to produce hydrogen peroxide, which is reacted to produce an intense red chromogen in the peroxidase-catalyzed coupling of 4-aminoantipyrine and 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate. When used in conjunction with previously reported enzymic techniques for determination of lecithin and sphingomyelin, this procedure may provide an accurate and precise "lung profile" for assessment of fetal lung maturity.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1984

Bilirubin interference in a peroxidase-coupled procedure for creatinine eliminated by bilirubin oxidase.

A colorimetric peroxidase-coupled procedure for determination of creatinine in human serum and urine is described. A 30-s sample pre-treatment with bilirubin oxidase eliminates interference from endogenous bilirubin. The 4-aminoantipyrine-2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate chromogen system of this method is about fourfold more sensitive than current procedures that involve monitoring NAD(P)H and nearly fivefold more sensitive than the traditional picrate procedures. Incorporation of a sample blank eliminates positive interference from endogenous creatine. Results of the proposed procedure are somewhat lower than those of the common kinetic or equilibrium picrate techniques, as would be expected because of the effects of the well-known interferences in the latter methods.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1983

On the use of a sensitive indicator reaction for the automated glucose oxidase-peroxidase coupled reaction.

A study into the substitution of sodium 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate for phenol in the indicator reaction for an automated glucose procedure is presented. Apart from having physical properties that are more conducive to easy handling than phenol, the former material affords considerably more sensitivity than does the latter. Results obtained with either of these glucose oxidase-coupled systems demonstrate good correlation not only with each other but also with the glucose oxidase procedure of the Beckman Astra 8.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1983

A peroxidase-coupled method for the colorimetric determination of serum triglycerides.

We describe an enzymatic method for rapid, precise measurement of serum triglycerides with use of sample:reagent ratios as large as 1:200. Hydrolysis of triglycerides is catalyzed by lipase to produce glycerol and free fatty acids. The glycerol generated is then phosphorylated by adenosine 5'-triphosphate in the presence of glycerol kinase. Oxidation of the resulting glycerol 3-phosphate to produce hydrogen peroxide is catalyzed by L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase. An intense red chromogen is produced by the peroxidase-catalyzed coupling of 4-aminoantipyrene and sodium 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate with hydrogen peroxide. This sensitive chromogen system not only permits use of unusually small sample volumes, it also facilitates a linear response to serum triglyceride concentrations up to at least 10 g/L while displaying good Ringbom (measure of accuracy) characteristics.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1983

Enzymatic colorimetry of lecithin and sphingomyelin in aqueous solution.

A procedure for the enzymatic determination of lecithin and sphingomyelin in aqueous solution is described. The phospholipids are first dissolved in chloroform:methanol (2:1 by vol), the solvent is evaporated, and the residue is redissolved in an aqueous zwitterionic detergent solution. The enzymatic reaction sequences of both assays involve hydrolysis of the phospholipids to produce choline, which is then oxidized to betaine, thus generating hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide is subsequently utilized in the enzymatic coupling of 4-aminoantipyrine and sodium 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate, an intensely red color being formed. The presence of a non-reacting phospholipid enhances the hydrolysis of the reacting phospholipid. Thus we added lecithin to the sphingomyelin standards and sphingomyelin to the lecithin standards. This precise procedure may be applicable to determination of lecithin and sphingomyelin in amniotic fluid.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1982

A procedure for the kinetic colorimetric determination of serum cholinesterase activity.

A choline oxidase-peroxidase coupled enzyme procedures is proposed for the determination of cholinesterase activity in human serum. This system is not only kinetic and colorimetric but is also relatively quick and simple to perform. The initial comparisons suggest that this method correlates well with a commonly used propionylthiocholine-dinitrobis-(nitro-benzoic acid) technique. Large amounts of bilirubin in the sample appear to have only minor deleterious effects on the assay. Since there are only two reagents that may be premixed, the procedure appears to be amenable to automation. The use of a mixture of sodium 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate and 4-aminoantipyrene in the peroxidase catalyzed indicator reaction provides for a marked increase in sensitivity over previously reported 4-aminoantipyrene-phenol systems. This augmented sensitivity provides for a relatively large reagent to sample ratio. In addition, the reagents lend themselves toward lyophilization or "dry-fill".

Cholinesterases↗
PubMed1982

A procedure for the determination of high-density lipoprotein choline-containing phospholipids.

A procedure for the determination of serum high-density lipoprotein choline-containing phospholipids is described. The choline-containing phospholipids represent 91-97% of the total serum and high-density lipoprotein phospholipids, which have previously been determined in relation to liver disease, neoplastic disorders, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. The enzymatic assay is quick, simple and precise. No interference was found from the precipitating agents used to isolate the high-density lipoprotein fraction. Several serum samples were assayed for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and choline-containing phospholipids. From this preliminary data there would appear to be a correlation between these two lipid classes.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1981

Spectrophotometric study of total protein-albumin methods applied to cerebrospinal fluid.

A spectrophotometric study was carried out for three proteins assays when modification of their serum procedures using bromcresol green, bromcresol purple and biuret reagents were applied to the determinations of total proteins and albumin in cerebrospinal fluids. A novel concentration device wherein the sample itself was used as the primary diluent for the three reagents concentrated to contain the proper amounts of chemicals in smaller volumes than suggested in their serum procedures allowed reasonable absorbance signals to be obtained. Low molecular weight molecules were separated from the albumin and globulins of the fluids by centrifugal ultrafiltration using a 25K cutoff and spectra were obtained for both high and low molecular weight fractions. Some materials were obtained in the separated ultrafiltrates which gave reactions with all three reagents, reactions which either overlapped the spectra of the albumin reactions or superimposed the spectra obtained with the total protein reaction. A screening procedure for cerebrospinal fluid total proteins or centrifugally ultrafiltered albumin appears reasonable as an inference from studies made, although further elucidation of the low molecular weight fractions in needed as a confirmation device.

Albumins↗
PubMed1981

Spectrophotometric study of several sensitive reagents for serum iron.

A comparison of three sensitive ligands for iron is described. All show varying degrees of enhancement of values by copper, an element that is the primary interference encountered in serum assays for iron. Two of three tested reagents, 2,4-bis(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl) pyridine tetrasulfonate and Ferene S are not current clinical chemistry choices whereas ferrozine is widely used. The described study presents spectral characterization of the copper interference with all three ligands. The virtual complete removal of this interference, by the masking actions of either thioglycolic acid, neocuproine or thiourea, is also described . Evidence will be presented that contradicts a previously proposed mechanism for the action of thioglycolic acid which suggests that copper is prevented from dissociating from its protein-binding site by this compound. The preparation of a protein-free filtrate as the matrix in which to generate the color reaction is described, and alternative procedures discussed in brief.

Benzenesulfonates↗
PubMed1980

Cholesterol methodology for human studies.

A classification and review of the methodology involved in the determination of serum cholesterol for human (or animal) studies are presented. The purpose of both is to enable selection of a technique appropriate for the assay intended with a reasonable understanding of its advantages, disadvantages and limitations. The various methods discussed include direct reaction systems, partial isolation systems and complete isolation systems, as well as screening, reference and definitive procedures. The interferences that could occur are considered, especially those caused by hemoglobin, the turbidity in lipidemia, and bilirubin, as well as interferences caused by optical aberrations and chemical reactants. The various instrumental methods used to determine cholesterol or a substitute determinand such as hydrogem peroxide are discussed, including spectrophotometry, electrochemistry and densitometry of electrophoretically separated proteins.

Animals↗