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plementfixation tests were carried out by Mr. H.
Turner and Dr. R. J. Heubnerfor the following
diseases: para-influenza 1, 2, and 3; respiratory

Leon N. Sussman, Beth Israel Hospital, New

York, N.Y.; and haptoglobins by Dr. B.S. Blum-

berg and Zora Gentile of the National Institutes

syncitial; psittacosis group; and Q fever. The

of Health. Blood samples were obtained from 176
individuals representing 70% of the inhabitantsof

of sodium and potassium urinary excretion and
dietary levels were carried out by Dr. L.K. Dahl
of Brookhaven National Laboratory. This study

samples from 65 exposed and 119 unexposed
people collected for routine analysis were used for
determination of 8-amino-iso-butyric acid. Eight-

modified Bengtson method wasused.'!:!”
Sodium and Potassium Levels. Determinations

was made to see whether there was any correla-

tion between salt consumption by the Rongelapese
and blood pressure levels. Both spot and 24-hr
urine collections on about 200 people were tested

for sodium and potassium levels by flame photometry. Several sample meals from the Rongelap
people were also analyzed.

Thyroid Metabolism.

Since the largest dose to

any part of the body had been received by the thyroid glands in the Marshallese, studies of the

metabolic state of the thyroid gland have been of

interest. These studies have been made by Dr.J.E.

Rall at the National Institutes of Health. Samples
from the previous years’ surveys had shown sur-

prisingly high protein-bound iodine levels. In
order to determine whetherthis was a true finding

or due to contamination of glassware, 14 samples
were again collected, with very carefully cleaned

glassware used. In addition to protein-bound

iodine, butanol-extractable iodine and thyroxin

binding proteins were determined. Several urine

samples were analyzedfor total iodine content.
Serum Vitamin B,,.
Determinations of serum
vitamin B,, concentrations done during the previous year’s survey gave values higher than normal in the majority of the Marshallese people.

Therefore, 15 samples from the 1959 survey (7

from personstested the year before) were analyzed

by Dr. D.W. Watkin of the National Cancer In-

stitute, National Institutes of Health.

Studies of Genetically Inherited Characteristics
Studies of genetically inherited characteristics of
blood components and urine were continued on

Rongelap for the abovestudies. Aliquots of urine

een urine samples from Utirik were also analyzed.
Blood Groupings. To complementstudies be-

gun in 1958, blood groupingstudies were carried
out on 57 of the blood samples mentioned above.
In addition, 64 blood samples were collected at
Utirik, and 65 at Majuro for this purpose. Dr.

Sussman tested these for ABO, MN, Rh-Hr, and
Duffy, Kell, and Diego factors.
Haptoglobin and Transferrin. Further analyses

for haptoglobin by the method of Smithies were
carried out on these samples at the NationalIn-

stitutes of Health. Transferrins were determined

by the discontinuous buffer starch gel methodof
Poulik'* on 66 Rongelapese sera, and on an additional 40 sera by the borate buffer, horizontal
method.'* No transferrin types other than CC
were seen.
Hemoglobin Types.

Furtherstarch gel electro-

phoretic studies of hemoglobin types were also

made on these samples by Dr. R.L. Engle, Jr., and
Dr. G. Castillo of the Cornell University Medical
Center, New York, N.Y.
Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity of

Red Cells. Various studies have indicated that a de-

ficiency of the enzymeof red cells is transmitted by

a sex-linked gene. Individuals with this deficiency
can develop a hemolytic anemia after the inges-

tion of certain drugs (e.g., primaquine or fava
beans'>"18),
In the present study the blood samples were collected in ACD solution, refrigerated (4°C), and
sent by air to Seattle, Washington, wherethetests

were done by Dr. Arno G. Motulsky, Department

samples brought back to laboratories in the
United States. Such studies, although not directly

of Medicine, University of Washington. All tests
were performed within one week of collection.
Tests were done on 151 individuals: 75 males, 75
females, and one notclassified.

people and in establishing a base line of genetic

B-Amino-iso-butyric Acid (BAIB) Excretion. Differential excretion of B-amino-iso-butyric acid
(BAIB) is under genetic control, and family data

related to radiation effects, are of interest in understanding the anthropological backgroundofthe

characteristics for detection of possible genetic effects of radiation in future generations. These

studies included the following: blood groups ABO,
MN, Rh-Hr, and Duffy, Kell, and Diego by Dr.

indicate that a single major gene pair is responsible for most of the variations.'*** High excretors
are homozygousfor a single recessive gene, and

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