{3
plement fixation tests were carried out by Mr H.
Turner and Dr. R. J. Heubner for the following
diseases: para-influenza |, 2, and 3; respiratory
syneitial; psittacosis group; and Q fever. The
modified Bengtson method was used.'' ‘*
Sodium and Potassium Levels. Determinations
of sodium and potassium urinary excretion and
dietary levels were carried out by Dr. L.K. Dahl
of Brookhaven Nationa! Laboratory. This study
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 fame photometry. Several sample meals trom 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 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 1udine and thyroxin
binding proteins were determined. Several urine
samples were analyzed for total iodine content.
Serum Vitamin B,,.
Determinauons of serum
vitamin B,, concentrations done during the pre-
vious year’s survey gave values higher than normal in the majority of the Marshallese people.
Therefore, 15 samples from the 1959 survey (7
from persons tested the year before) were analyzed
Leon N. Sussman, Beth Israel Hospital, New
York, N.Y.; and haptoglobins by Dr. B.S. Blum-
berg and Zora Gentile uf 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 urme
sampies from 65 exposed and 119 unexposed
people collected for routine analysis were used for
determination of 8-amino-se-butyric acid. Eighteen urine samples from Utirik were also analyzed.
Blood Groupings. To complement studies begun in 1958, biood grouping studies were carried
out on 5? of the blood samples mentioned above.
In addition, 64 blood samples were collected at
Utirik, and 65 at Majurofor this purpose. Dr.
Sussmantested these for ABO, MN, Rh-Hr, and
Dutty, Kell, and Diego factors.
Haptoglobin and Transferrin. Further analyses
for haptoglobin by the method of Smithies were
carried out on these samples at the National Institutes of Health. Transferrins were determined
by the disconttnuous buffer starch ge] method of
Poulik''! on 66 Rongetapese sera, and on an additional 40 sera by the borate buffer, horizontal
method.'* No transferrin types other than CC
were seen,
Hemoglobin Types.
Further starch gel electro-
phoretic studies of hemoglobin types were also
made on these samples by Dr. R.L. Engle, fr., 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 deficiency of the enzymeofred cells is rransmitted by
a sex-linked gene. Individuals with this deficiency
can develop a hemolyuc anemia after the inges-
by Dr. D.W. Watkin of the National Cancer In-
tion of certain drugs (¢.g., primaquine or fava
beans'’ '*).
Studies of Genetically Inherited Characteristics
lected in ACDsolution, refrigerated {4°C), and
sent by air to Seattle, Washington, wherethetests
stitute, National Institutes of Health.
Studies of genetically inherited characteristics of
blood components and urine were continued on
samples brought back to laboratories in the
In the present study the blood samples were col-
were done by Dr. Arno G. Motulsky, Department
of Medicine, University of Washington. All tests
were performed within one week ofcollection.
United States. Such studies, although not directly
related to radiation effects, are of interest in under-
Tests were done on 151 individuals: 75 males, 75
MN, Rh-Hr, and Dulty, Kell, and Diego by Dr.
are homozyyous for a single recessive gene, and
standing the anthropological back ground ofthe
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,
females, and one not classified.
B-Amino-iso-butyric Acid (BAIB} Excretion. Ditferential excretion of B-amino-se-butyric acid
(BAILB) is under genetic control, and family data
indicate that a single major gene pair is responsible for most of the variations.'” “ High excretors