+1
progress, including chromosome counts, enumeration of aberrations, and karyotype analysis by
paste-ups of photographs. A few dicentric chromosomes and certain other aberrations have been
noted in the examined group, but insufficient control material has been analyzed for any positive
statements to be madeatthis time.
Diabetic Survey.
Based on blood sugar deter-
minations as part of the routine urine analyses and
fasting blood sugar determinations, it was found
that 6 people had a diabetic tendency. The following had elevated fasting blood sugars (mg %):
No, 853, 247; No. 893, 279; No. 936, 187; No.
991, 248; No. 1042, 180; No. 835 had a 3+ urine
sugar but no blood sugar determination was done.
As has been noted, the incidence of diabetesis
fairly high in the Marshallese. It is, however, of
the type that develops in older people since no
' cases have been seen in younger people.
Serological Studies.
Protein Bounpb IopIne
DETERMINATIONS. Protein bound iodine levels
were determined in several groups of people during the past two surveys. The groups included 9
food, etc.). A difference between the medical team
who had only been in the Islands a few weeks and
the Americans who hadresided there for atleast
a year 1s probably notsignificant. It is anticipated
that this aspect of the problem will be further investigated on the next survey. .
Fo.ic Acip DETERMINATIONS. Folic acid levels
were belowor in the low range of normalin 29%
of the 129 Rongelap people tested. Fifteen percent were below 4 myug/ml and 16% in the borderline range of 4 to 7 mug/ml. The unexposed com-
parison population hadslightly lower values than
the exposed population. The generally low level
of these Island people is attributed to a dietary
deficiency of foods containingfolic acid, mainly
leafy vegetables. The levels were not sufficiently
low to result in any hematological changes or ap-
parentclinical effects. The individual valuesfor
folic acid are presented in Appendix 17.
Tue Ac System. The following statements
were made by Dr. B.S. Blumberg*: ‘‘The sera of
patients who have received multiple transfusions
may contain antibodies against normal human
Marshallese living on Rongelap Atoll, 8 Marshal-
serum components.'* The first example of such
antibodies was reported in a patient (C.deB.) who
who had beenresiding in the Marshall Islands for
at least a year. The results are presented in Table
ofa refractory anemia of unknown etiology.'’ By
means of the Ouchterlony double-diffusion technique, it was shownthat the antibody formeda
precipitin with 55% of normal U.S. white and
Negro sera. By twin, family, and population stud-
ment to be made, the lower levels of the Marshal-
7
leseliving on Ebeye Island (Kwajalein Atoll), 10
members of the medical team, and 7 Americans
21, Again the Marshallese values are higher than
the Caucasian values. Though the number of samples involved is too small for any positive state-
lese living on Ebeye may have some meaning,
since their environment is quite different from that
of the Rongelap residents (more westernized in
had received 50 transfusions for the treatment
les'" 1h it was shown that the presence or absence
“Associate Director for Clinical Research, Institute for Cancer
Research, Philadelphia, Pa,
Table 22
Serum Tests
Antisera reactors
C.deB.
Population
Location
Total No.
Mcronesian
U.S. White
U.S. Negro
Greek
Quechua Indian
Rongelap Atoll
Maryland
Georgia
Greece
Peru
South Dakota
18?
120
149
203
102
143
Sioux Indian ™~
Hy
'
5000324
New York
% Pas.
98
59
68
72
70
91
Total No.
181
120
149
203
102
143
% Pos.
38
97
99
. 93
86
78