This enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed to measure pyridoxal 5'-phosphate bound to albumin (PLP-HSA) in human serum. The monoclonal antibody titer was 1:2000 and a sequential saturation analysis curve, prepared with samples containing from 10 to 1000 nmol/L, showed a 50% inhibition of antibody at 50 nmol of the conjugate per liter. The lower limit of detection for PLP-HSA was 10 nmol/L, a sensitivity 1000-fold greater than that for any potential interferent. When serum samples gave negative results in the assay, we compared the antigenicity of the principal sites for PLP binding on HSA. It was apparent that the preferred physiological site was not antigenic; however, three additional sites for PLP binding on HSA elicited comparable antibody avidity. This EIA is potentially quite sensitive and specific for PLP-HSA, but considerable additional effort is required to convert serum PLP to an HSA-bound form detectable in the assay, which limits its application as a screening method.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1989

Investigation of protoporphyrin IX standard materials used in acid-extraction methods, and a proposed correction for the millimolar absorptivity of protoporphyrin IX.

Erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) has been used for more than 30 years as an indicator of lead intoxication, iron deficiency, and porphyrias. Recently, numerous analytical problems associated with various EP methods have been reported, including a lack of consensus among investigators regarding the best calibration material or analytical procedure. We investigated commercially available protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) standard materials and measured the millimolar absorptivity (m epsilon) of these materials, focusing on variables affecting the determination of their absorptivities. Among the five forms of PPIX available, PPIX dimethyl ester, when hydrolyzed to PPIX free acid, gave the most consistent and reproducible results. This work confirmed our earlier observations, made on more than 600 separate occasions during 12 years, that the m epsilon of PPIX free acid in 1.5 mol/L HCl at the Soret maximum is 297 +/- 1.3 L.mmol-1.cm-1, 19% higher than the arbitrary value of 241 L.mmol-1.cm-1 generally accepted by most investigators but based on unpublished data. We propose that the m epsilon of 297 L.mmol-1.cm-1 for PPIX be adopted and that PPIX dimethyl ester be used for the calibration of acid-extraction methods. A detailed protocol for the preparation and verification of PPIX from the dimethyl ester is available upon request.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed1988

Sickness absence in the freezing industry.

A study was undertaken to determine the aetiology and incidence of sickness absence in two freezing works in the South Island. The study was carried out in a 12 month period from May 1982 to April 1983. Each participant, in addition to a sickness absence questionnaire, was given a job stress questionnaire, to determine the effect of stress factors on absenteeism. A further job involvement questionnaire was used to assess prevailing attitudes to work. It was found that sickness caused by zoonotic illness accounted for only 6.8% of all absences. The majority of sickness absences were caused by nonzoonotic viral infections 39.3%, surgical operations 17.1%; and stress related disease 15.4%. It was concluded that stress related illness was a greater cause of sickness absence than zoonotic illness in the survey period.

Absenteeism↗

PubMed1988

Occupational overuse--important ACC decision.

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Adult↗

PubMed1988

Comparison of an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry method for the determination of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper and zinc with atomic absorption spectroscopy and flame photometry methods.

Serum calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc concentrations obtained from the analysis of 77 serum samples by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) are compared with the results obtained using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Similarly, serum sodium and potassium levels from the analysis of the same samples by ICP-AES are compared with the levels obtained by flame photometry. For each metal, we compare the results from both methods with a linear regression program that assumes error in both variables. The regression analysis shows that the ICP-AES method gives slightly higher calcium, copper, and zinc results and lower magnesium results than the AAS methods, and lower sodium and potassium results than the flame photometry method. Except for sodium, the correlation (r) between the results is very high (greater than or equal to 0.958), indicating that the ICP-AES results could be corrected to be equivalent to the atomic absorption or flame photometry results. The ICP-AES has the advantage of requiring less preparation and analysis time, and additional elements could be determined simultaneously in the same sample.

Blood Specimen Collection↗