13
plement fixation testswere carried out by Mr. H.
Turner and Dr. Rf Heubner for the following
diseases: para-influenza |, 2, and 3: respiratory
svncitial: psittacosis group: and Q fever. The
modified Bengtson method was used.*' °°
Sodium and Potassium Levels. Determinations
of sodigm and potassium urinary excretion and
dietary levels were carried out by Dr. L.K. Dahl
of Brodkhaven National Laboratorv. This study
was made to see whether there was anycorrela-
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 lame photometry. Several sample meals from the Rongelap
people were also analyzed.
Thyroid Metabolism. Since the largest dose to
anypart of the bodyhad 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 surprisingly high protein-bound iodine levels. In
order to determine whether this 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 analyzed for total iodine content.
Serum Vitamin B,,.
Determinations of serum
vitamin B,, concentrations done during the previous year’s survey gave values higher than nor-
mal in the majority of the Marshallese people.
Therefore, 15 samples from the 1959 survey (7
from persons tested the year before) were analvzed
by Dr. D.W. Watkin of the National Cancer [nstitute, National Institutes of Health.
Studies of Genetically Inherited Characteristics
Studies of genetically inherited characteristics of
blood components and urine were continued on
samples brought back to laboratories in,;the
United States. Such studies, although not directly.,
related to radiation effects, are of interest in under-
standing the anthropological background of the
people and in establishing a base line of genetic
-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.
1185563
Leon N. Sussman, Beth Israel Hospital, New
York, N.Y.; and haptoglobins by Dr. B.S. Blumberg and Zora Genule of the National Institutes
of Health. Blood samples were obtained from 176
individuals representing 70% of the inhabitants of
Rongelap for the above studies. Aliquots of urine
samples from 63 exposed and 119 unexposed
people collected for routine analvsis were used for
determination of $-amino-vso-butyric acid. Eighteen urine samples from Utirik were also analvzed.
Blood Groupings. To complement studiesbegun in 1958, blood grouping studies 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
Dutfy, Kell, andDiegofactors.
Haptoglobin and Transferrin. Further analvses
for haptoglobin by the method of Smithies were
carried out on these samples at the National In-
stitutes of Health. Transferrins were determined
by the discontinuous buffer starch gel method of
Poulik'? on 66 Rongelapese sera, and on an addi-
tional +0 sera by the borate buffer, horizontgl
method.'* No transferrin types other than CC
were seen.
Hemoglobin Types. Further starch gel electrophoretic studies of hemogiobin types were also
madeon 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 enzyme of 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'*7'8),
In the present study the blood samples werecollected in ACD solution, refrigerated (4° C), and
sent by air to Seattle, Washington, wherethe tests
were done by Dr. Arno G. Motulsky, Department
of Medicine, University of Washington. All tests
were performed within one week of collection.
Tests were done on [51 individuals: 75 males, 75
females, and one not classified.
B-Amino-iso-butyric Acid (BAIB) Excretion. Differential excretion of B-amino-iso-butyric acid
(BATB) is under genetic control, and family data
indicate that a single major gene pair is responsible for most of the variations.’ “? High excretors
are homozygous for a single recessive gene, and