Showing papers in "Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation in 1977"
TL;DR: A proposed graphical presentation of CSF/S albumin and IgG-index may facilitate the interpretation of these parameters in routine clinical work.
Abstract: Protein parameters in CSF and serum have been studied in ninety-three reference subjects. CSF/S albumin ratio is proposed to be superior to CSF-protein or CSF-albumin as a test of the blood-brain barrier function, while IgG-index = (CSF/S IgG ratio)/(CSF/S albumin ratio) is superior to CSF IgG/protein ratio or CSF/albumin ratio for the demonstration of IgG elevation in CSF due to synthesis within CNS. The two quotients recommended correct for variations of albumin and IgG concentrations in serum. When the serum proteins are within reference range, the CSF protein concentrations are mainly regulated by the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, while the influence of S-albumin and S-IgG is only secondarily. The CSF/S albumin ratio is age dependent, while IgG-index is not. A proposed graphical presentation of CSF/S albumin and IgG-index may facilitate the interpretation of these parameters in routine clinical work.
952 citations
TL;DR: The IgG-index is the parameter recommended for the demonstration of an IgG elevation in CSF due to synthesis within the CNS and it was found that oligoclonal IgG was found inCSF by agarose gel electrophoresis in 88% of the patients.
Abstract: Fifty-nine multiple sclerosis patients were investigated with regard to blood-brain barrier function by determining the CSF-protein and the CSF/S albumin ratio. Abnormal values were found in 19% and 32% respectively. The occurrence of CSF-IgG elevation due to synthesis within the CNS was analysed by determining the CSF IgG/protein and CSF IgG/albumin ratios and the IgG-index = (CSF/S IgG ratio)/(CSF/S albumin ratio). Increased values were found in 75%, 80% and 86%, respectively. Oligoclonal IgG was found in CSF by agarose gel electrophoresis in 88% of the patients. The IgG-index is the parameter recommended for the demonstration of an IgG elevation in CSF due to synthesis within the CNS.
612 citations
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that the initial event in the normal tubular protein reabsorption is a binding between a free positive amino- or guanidino-group in the protein molecule and a negative site on the tubular cell surface.
Abstract: Urinary excretion of albumin, free light chains of immunoglobulins and beta-2-microglobulin was measured after injection of certain amino acids and derivatives. Substances with a positively charged...
246 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the measured activity of plasmin is mainly due to a new antiplasmin and possibly to some extent to alpha1-antitrypsin and C1-esterase inhibitor, which have no antiplAsmin activity in the method.
Abstract: A method for determination of antiplasmin activity is presented. Plasmin and plasma are incubated, and the remaining plasmin activity is measured spectrophotometrically by means of the plasmin specific tripeptide substrate H-d-Val-l-Leu-l-Lys-p-nitroanilide. The method is simple, rapid and easily automatized. By the immunoadsorption technique, and with the aid of purified substances it is shown that the measured activity is mainly due to a new antiplasmin [2,4] and possibly to some extent to alpha1-antitrypsin and C1-esterase inhibitor have no antiplasmin activity in the method. Heparin and epsilonaminocaproic acid interfered with the assay.
216 citations
TL;DR: 220 trained men, examined the day before participation in a cross country ski-race, had significantly higher HDL-cholesterol and HDL-/total cholesterol ratio than untrained men, but did not differ signficantly from untrained women.
Abstract: 220 trained men, examined the day before participation in a cross country ski-race, had significantly higher HDL-cholesterol and HDL-/total cholesterol ratio than untrained men, but did not differ signficantly from untrained women. HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in skiers above 60 years than in skiers of younger age. Tobacco smokers ahd lower HDL-cholesterol and HDL-/total cholesterol ratio than non-smokers, but the differences were only significant in skiers, not in controls. HDL-cholesterol was positively correlated to total cholesterol in skiers. The HDL-cholesterol level may possibly contribute to the lower morbidity of CHD in men who are physically active during leisure time.
206 citations
TL;DR: The CSF/S albumin ratio is proposed to be a more sensitive and adequate parameter for the demonstration of a blood-brain damage than CSF-protein orCSF-albumin, and the IgG-index is a better measure for IgG synthesis within the CNS than ...
Abstract: A total of 116 patients were subgrouped according to the presence of neurological disorder and abnormal S-albumin, S-IgG, S-haptoglobin and S-CRP. Abnormal serum protein concentrations were registe...
187 citations
TL;DR: These two equations provide an arithmetic algorithm for calculation of the various acid-base variables of the blood after measuring the pH, the pCO2, and the hemoglobin concentration.
Abstract: The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation has always occupied a central place in the description of the acid-base status of the blood. An equation of similar importance is the equation for the CO2 equilib...
186 citations
TL;DR: The long-term reproducibility of bone mineral content (BMC) measurements using two identical equipments for two-dimensional fore-arm scanning, was measured in normal persons and aluminium standards and it was estimated that this equipment can measure BMC in osteopenic patients with a long term reproducible of 1.7%, which is sufficient for use in the clinically relevant range of calcium balance.
Abstract: The long-term reproducibility of bone mineral content (BMC) measurements using two identical equipments for two-dimensional fore-arm scanning, was measured in normal persons and aluminium standards (corresponding to normal persons and severely osteopenic patients). The mean coefficient of variation in normal subjects measured for one year was 1.4%. The data were used to estimate that this equipment can measure BMC in osteopenic patients with a long term reproducibility of 1.7%, which is sufficient for use in the clinically relevant range of calcium balance.
115 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that glycogen synthesis during recovery following prolonged severe exercise can proceed at the same rate in diabetic subjects taking their regular insulin as in non-diabetic subjects.
Abstract: Glycogen synthesis rate in skeletal muscle was studied in six juvenile diabetic and six non-diabetic males ingesting a carbohydrate rich diet during 12 h of resting recovery after exhaustive bicycle exercise. The diabetic subjects took their regular insulin. Blood samples and muscle biopsies were obtained at rest prior to exercise, immediately after the cessation of exercise and after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 h of recovery. A marked decrease in muscle glycogen content was observed in response to exercise in both groups of subjects. Mean glycogen utilization rate was the same in the two groups. Glycogen synthesis rate during the first 4 h of recovery was 6·4·0·6 mmol glucosyl units/kg w.w./h in the diabetic subjects and 7·2·0·7 mmol glucosyl units/kg w.w./h in the non-diabetic subjects. During the next 8 h glycogen synthesis rate was approximately 1/3 of that being 2·0·0·3 and 2·4·0·5 mmol glucosyl units/kg w.w./h in the two groups respectively. Glycogen synthetase I-activity increased markedly in response to exe...
102 citations
TL;DR: A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for secretin has been developed and in six anaesthetized pigs a fifty-fold increase in portal plasma secretin concentration after duodenal acidification was followed by a thirty-fold increased in the flow rate of pancreatic juice.
Abstract: A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for secretin has been developed. 125I synthetic porcine secretin was used as label. Antibodies were raised against synthetic pocrine secretin. Pure natural porcine secretin was used as standard and free and bound hormone was separated by plasma-coated charcoal. Nonspecific interference with the assay system by plasma factors was abolished by extraction of plasma samples. The detection limit was 1.3 pmol/l. Within and between assay reproducibility (five triplicate determinations in each of eight assays) was 0.7 and 0.9 pmol/l respectivel (1 SD) at a concentration of 4.7 pmol/1. Fasting level in seventy normal persons ranged from less than 1.3 to 5.3 pmol/1. High concentrations were found in two patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In six normal persons intraduodenal acidification was immediately followed by an increase in secretin concentrations in peripheral venous blood to 7.7-23.6 pmol/1 (range), with a median of 15.5 pmol/1. In six anaesthetized pigs a fifty-fold increase in portal plasma secretin concentration after duodenal acidification was followed by a thirty-fold increased in the flow rate of pancreatic juice.
76 citations
TL;DR: Testing of a modified Reaction Rate Analyser 8600 in the automatic determination of coagulation time was accomplished with the assays Thrombotest Normotest and Kaolin Partial Thromboplastin Time, and the precision was considerably improved.
Abstract: Testing of a modified Reaction Rate Analyser 8600 in the automatic determination of coagulation time was accomplished with the assays Thrombotest®, Normotest® and Kaolin Partial Thromboplastin Time. Variations in extinctions, from the adding of start reagent until coagulation, were recorded. The coagulation activities, found by the automatic method for the assays Thrombotest® and Normotest®, were compared with a manual method. Thrombotest® showed a good correlation: 0.30 > P > 0.25 (paired t test). Normotest® showed significantly different values by the methods: P<0.001 (paired t test). Kaolin Partial Thromboplastin Time (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time with kaolin as activator) gave significantly lower values— the difference was 3 sec—compared with a manual method, and the precision was considerably improved.
TL;DR: The cutaneous insensible perspiration of adult healthy volunteers was measured by a new method based on estimation of the vapour pressure gradient in the air layer immediately adjacent to skin with good accuracy.
Abstract: The cutaneous insensible perspiration of adult healthy volunteers was measured by a new method based on estimation of the vapour pressure gradient in the air layer immediately adjacent to the skin....
TL;DR: It can be concluded that a reduction in RBF in Cirrhosis frequently is present before sodium and water retention is clinically evident and before laboratory proof of impairment of renal function, and that a subnormal serum albumin concentration may be a factor among several leading to renal hypoperfusion in cirrhosis.
Abstract: The RBF was measured by means of the 133Xe washout method in seventy patients with cirrhosis. The average RBF in controls was 3.72 ml/g-min compared with 2.34 in the patients without ascites, 1.82 in the decompensated patients, 1.47 in the patients with azotaemia and 1.13 in the patients with additional oliguria. The RBF was not significantly correlated to changes in the systemic or portal haemodynamics. Likewise it was not correlated to any biochemical test of liver function except the serum albumin concentration (P less than 0.01). From the present results it can be concluded that a reduction in RBF in cirrhosis frequently is present before sodium and water retention is clinically evident and before laboratory proof of impairment of renal function, and that a subnormal serum albumin concentration may be a factor among several leading to renal hypoperfusion in cirrhosis.
TL;DR: The present findings can best be explained by increased filtration through normal pores between the endothelial cells in the microvasculature, due to the high arterial blood pressure.
Abstract: Transcapillary escape rates of albumin and IgG (fractions of intravascular mass of albumin and IgG that pass to the extravascular space per unit time) were determined simultaneously from the initial disappearance of intravenously injected 131I human albumin and 125I human IgG in seven untreated subjects suffering from essential hypertension. The average mean arterial blood pressure of these subjects was 193/119 mmHg; four subjects had grade I-III funduscopic changes. Transcapillary escape rates of albumin (TERalb) and IgG (TERIgG) were found significantly increased in the hypertensive subjects, average 7.8±0.9 (SD) and 4.7±1.0 (SD) %/h, respectively, compared with normal values of mean 5.2±1.0 (SD) and 3.0±0.7 (SD) %/h, respectively (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the mean arterial blood pressure and TER of albumin and of IgG (P<0.001). The TER1gG/TERalb ratio was about the same in the hypertensives and the normals. Confirming a previous observation, we found a...
TL;DR: The present data indicate that these illnesses in themselves may bring about isometric muscle strength reduction in patients suffering various acute infectious diseases.
Abstract: Isometric strength of different muscle groups was recorded in thirty-nine patients suffering various acute infectious diseases, predominantly of viral or mycoplasma aetiology. Recordings were perfo...
TL;DR: Finger systolic blood pressure was measured indirectly in normal subjects and patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon by applying a thin-walled plastic cuff around the finger and a strain gauge more distally to detect volume changes to indicate that palmar arch blood pressure also remained normal.
Abstract: Finger systolic blood pressure (FSP) was measured indirectly in normal subjects and patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon by applying a thin-walled plastic cuff around the finger and a strain gauge more distally to detect volume changes. Inducing a high vascular tone in one or more fingers by direct cooling or intra-arterial noradrenaline infusion caused a marked drop in FSP in the exposed fingers, but not in the non-exposed fingers of the same hand. The fact that the non-exposed fingers retained the normal (arm systolic) pressure level is taken to indicate that palmar arch blood pressure also remained normal. In the high vascular tone state, a large transmural pressure difference must apparently be established before the digital arteries are forced open. The lowered opening pressure constitutes a manifestation of the closure phenomenon of the digital arteries described in patients with vasospastic arterial disease. It implies an underestimation of palmar arch systolic pressure measured indirectly on t...
TL;DR: Plasma renin activity, supine and sitting blood pressure, and urinary sodium and potassium excretion were studied in 120 normotensive subjects and a rational and clinically useful subdivision into low, normal and high renin groups can be made for hypertensive patients.
Abstract: Plasma renin activity (PRA), supine and sitting blood pressure (BP) and urinary sodium and potassium excretion were studied in 120 normotensive subjects aged 22–78 years, during strictly standardized conditions. PRA was measured after 1 h supine rest (basal PRA) after ambulation for 3–4 h (upright PRA) and after stimulation with 80 mg frusemide orally (stimulated PRA). PRA was determined with a new, simple, accurate and sensitive radioimmunoassay method. Supine and sitting systolic BP increased with age but no such correlation was found for the diastolic BP. No correlation could be shown between the BP levels and either the sodium or the potassium excretions. PRA levels increased about two-fold from basal to upright levels and about four-fold from basal levels after stimulation. No differences in mean PRA-levels were seen between males and females. We could not demonstrate any correlations between PRA-levels and 24 h sodium or potassium excretions, nor was there any relationship between age and PRA. Refer...
TL;DR: Irrespective of the situation, the fainting attack involved a sudden decrease of HR and arterial pressure, concomitantly with a first unchanged then increased PRveD and/or pulmonary artery diastolic pressure.
Abstract: In order to study the adjustment of central circulation to postural changes and the mechanism of orthostatic fainting, the pressure in the brachial artery, the pulmonary artery, the right ventricle and heart rate (HR) were recorded in sixteen healthy young men, both supine and after tilting to 45° and 90° head up, before (normovolaemic, NV) as well as after (hypovolaemic, HV) withdrawal and reinfusion of (mostly) 950 g blood (about 15% of blood volume, BV). Two subjects fainted in supine HV, two in 90° NV, four disclosed impending symptoms of fainting, and two fainted in 90° HV. ‘Fainters’ differed from the others by smaller BV in relation to body height, higher HR in 90° NV and lower arterial mean pressure in HV. In the three fainting situations, right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (PRVCD) was markedly lowered to or below 0 mmHg. Arterial diastolic pressure (PaD) was not correlated with PRVcD, but the pulse pressure decreased with the fall in PRVcD. In 90° HV, PaD fell in the six subjects who fainte...
TL;DR: It is concluded that: (a) acetate can be...
Abstract: Arterial concentrations and arterio-jugular vein differences of ethanol, acetate, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, free fatty acids and ketone bodies were determined in seven healthy male volunteers before and during an infusion of ethanol, which gave a blood alcohol concentration of about 12 mmol/l. Arterial-jugular vein (A-JV) oxygen differences were unchanged throughout the study. Ethanol caused a small reduction in blood glucose concentration, from a mean of 5.1 to 4.7 mmol/l, and the A-JV difference fell significantly. When alcohol was given, arterial acetate concentration rose quickly to about 1 mmol/l and was unchanged thereafter. All subjects had a positive arterio-venous difference for acetate. Arterial lactate concentration was doubled by ethanol and the normal release from the brain was abolished. Arterial alanine concentration decreased significantly, from 0.19 to 0.16 mmol, when alcohol was given but no net exchange by the brain could be observed. It is concluded that: (a) acetate can be taken up by the brain and if totally oxidized, could account for 6% of the oxygen consumption; (b) glucose arterial-jugular vein difference is decreased by ethanol, suggesting an attenuation in glucose uptake; and (c) lactate net release is abolished by alcohol, probably due to the increased arterial concentration.
TL;DR: Ethanol uptake in the liver was restricted by the arterial inflow during exercise when the smaller dose was administered but when the larger dose was infused, hepatic uptake was not influenced by exercise.
Abstract: Arterial concentrations and splanchnic and leg exchange of ethanol, acetate, glucose, pyruvate, lactate, glycerol, free fatty acids and ketone bodies were determined in sixteen healthy male volunteers after administration of small doses of ethanol. Measurements were made at rest and during 40 min work (50% of max V·o2). Two doses of ethanol were administered, giving blood concentrations at which the ethanol elimination capacity was not saturated (2·5 mmol/l) and where ethanol was eliminated with maximal velocity (8·5 mmol/l).Splanchnic blood flow and oxygen uptake were not influenced by ethanol during exercise. Ethanol uptake in the liver was restricted by the arterial inflow during exercise when the smaller dose was administered but when the larger dose was infused, hepatic uptake was not influenced by exercise. Most of the acetate released from the liver after ethanol treatment was taken up by skeletal muscle. Splanchnic output of glucose was reduced by ethanol but the leg uptake was not influenced duri...
TL;DR: On analyses of the cobalamins attached to each of the transcobalamins, it is shown that methylcobalamin accounts for most of theCobalamin attached to transcobalamin I whereas transcobalamina II carries most ofThe 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamins.
Abstract: Insolubilized antibody against human transcobalamin I has been used as a specific and precise tool for the separation of transcobalamin I (and III) from transcobalamin II. Range and mean (in parentheses) for the unsaturated binding capacity for twenty samples are 40–190 (90) pmol/l and 220–1170 (560) pmol/l for transcobalamin I (and III) and transcobalamin II, respectively. The similar figures for the cobalamin saturated transcobalamins are 200-549 (320) pmol/l and 75–472 (160) pmol/l. On analyses of the cobalamins attached to each of the transcobalamins, it is shown that methylcobalamin accounts for most of the cobalamins attached to transcobalamin I whereas transcobalamin II carries most of the 5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin.
TL;DR: The results indicate that lithium treatment affects the hormonal regulation of calcium metabolism, and parathyroid hormone increased more than 40% within the first week and remained elevated throughout the treatment period.
Abstract: In ten patients parathyroid hormone, urinary calcium excretion, and fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium were determined at intervals during three months of lithium treatment. Parathyroid hormone increased more than 40% within the first week and remained elevated throughout the treatment period. Calcium excretion fell by more than 30% within the first week and remained low throughout the treatment period. The reduction in urinary calcium excretion could be accounted for by an increase in fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium. There were no significant changes in serum calcium and inorganic phosphate or in urinary inorganic phosphate. The results indicate that lithium treatment affects the hormonal regulation of calcium metabolism.
TL;DR: Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in the group with pathological angiograms, and serum lipid levels were higher early in the week, at least partly due to habits of alcohol consumption.
Abstract: A group of 2014 ‘healthy’ men were examined clinically, by resting ECG/exercise ECG and by the estimation of serum cholesterol and triglycerides. On repeated collection of specimen, standardization of factors related to the individual and influencing serum lipids was difficult to obtain. Thus, serum triglycerides were higher early in the week, at least partly due to habits of alcohol consumption. 140 of the participants (7.0%) were suspect of coronary heart disease (CHD) according to their symptoms /signs, and coronary angiography in 105 of them showed sixty-nine cases (3.4%) with pathological angiograms. Values for serum cholesterol and triglycerides are presented from a subgroup of 1832 men where no signs of CHD were found. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in the group with pathological angiograms.
TL;DR: The present data indicate that the skin perfusion pressure on the legs in normal subjects lies approximately 10 mmHg lower than the systemic mean arterial blood pressure.
Abstract: The skin perfusion pressure was measured as the external pressure required to stop blood flow, as evidenced by cessation of the washout of an intracutaneous depot of [131I-]antipyrine mixed with histamine. The external pressure on the skin was measured by an 11 x 11 cm slack air-filled plastic cushion connected to a mercury manometer and interposed between the labelled area and a blood pressure cuff. The 'flow cessation external pressure' (FCEP) varied parallel to the intra-arterial femoral mean blood pressure, but was on the average 10.8 mmHg (SD 6.4) lower. FCEP was measured on twenty normal subjects at four different segments of the leg. The average differences between auscultatory brachial mean blood pressure and FCEP were: thigh 12.0 mmHg (SD 7.6); calf 10.4 mmHg (SD 7.4); ankle 12.9 mmHG (SD 10.1); foot 20.2 mmHg (SD 12.1). The SD of the difference between measurements on two different days, performed in forty-four patients with different degrees of occlusive arterial disease, varied between 5.6 and 8.3 mmHg at the different levels. The present data indicate that the skin perfusion pressure on the legs in normal subjects lies approximately 10 mmHg lower than the systemic mean arterial blood pressure.
TL;DR: The new oxygen saturation meter (OSM2, Radiometer A/S, Copenhagen) is fully automatic and measures the oxygen saturation and the hemoglobin concentration of whole blood or packed red cells.
Abstract: The new oxygen saturation meter (OSM2, Radiometer A/S, Copenhagen) is fully automatic and measures the oxygen saturation and the hemoglobin concentration of whole blood or packed red cells. Volume requirement 20 μl, time 40 s. The blood is hemolyzed directly in the capillary cuvette by means of ultrasound generated piezo-electrically. The instrument measures the absorbance at wave lengths of 505 nm and 600 nm. Absorbance range 0-3. The results are calculated electronically and appear in digital display. Other applications are (1) determination of the oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin (P50) after equilibrating the blood with a known pO2 or after measuring the pO2 in the blood sample, (2) determination of carboxyhemoglobin after complete reduction of the hemoglobin by means of dithionite, (3) determination of methemoglobin after complete oxygenation of the blood.
TL;DR: The transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TERalb) was significantly elevated in all the cirrhotics, and probably contributes to the formation of oedema and ascitic fluid, due to the increased portal venous pressure.
Abstract: The transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TERalb), i.e. the fraction of intravascular mass of albumin that passes to the extravascular space per unit time, was determined from the disappearance of intravenously injected 125I-labelled human serum albumin during the first 60 min after injection in nine patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Six of the patients had ascites. The wedged hepatic venous pressure or splenic pulp pressure ranged from 20 to 30 mmHg, mean 26 mmHg. Plasma albumin concentration was low, but plasma volume was slightly enlarged, and thus the intravascular mass of albumin was only moderately reduced. The transcapillary escape rate of albumin was significantly elevated in all the cirrhotics, mean 10.2%/h, range 8.8 to 12.3%/h, in comparison to values for twenty-eight normal subjects 5.4%/h, range 3.5–7.2%/h. Our results can best be explained by increased filtration out of the vessels in the portal system, due to the increased portal venous pressure. The increased TERalb probably contribut...
TL;DR: It is concluded that in clinical use of the reactive hyperaemia test in the calf, the influence of age is of minor importance, whereas postischaemic peripheral resistance is a more accurate measure of vasocilation for comparison of subjects with different blood pressure.
Abstract: Postischaemic reactive hyperaemia in the calf was investigated by strain gauge plethysmography in four groups of ten subjects. The mean age of the different groups was 6, 13, 24 and 57 years respectively. Basal calf flow, repayment and recovery time in the 6-year-old children were greater than in the other groups, which may be related to a higher metabolic rate in young children. Maximal flow in the four groups was not significantly different, which indicates that the arteriolar response to circulatory arrest is not altered by increasing age. The cause of delay in maximal flow in the group of 6-year-olds is not clearly understood. Basal and postischaemic lowest peripheral resistance increased with age, which is probably caused by changes of the arterioles due to ageing and possibly inactivity. The fall in peripheral resistance induced by 3 min of ischaemia was positively correlated with mean blood pressure. This may be due to a greater net reduction in blood pressure during ischaemia, which brobably elicits a stronger myogenic response of the vessel wall. It is concluded that in clinical use of the reactive hyperaemia test in the calf, the influence of age is of minor importance, whereas postischaemic peripheral resistance is a more accurate measure of vasocilation for comparison of subjects with different blood pressure.
TL;DR: The present study confirms an earlier finding of a sarcity of fast Pi variants in the Finnish population and uses the isoelectric focusing technique used, which has several advantages over the methods previously described for Pi typing.
Abstract: alpha-1-antitrypsin (Pi) phenotypes of 548 normal Finnish blood donors were determined by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel. The frequencies obtained (M, 93.3%; FM, 0.4%, GM, 0.2%; MS, 3.5%; MZ, 2.7%) differed from those reported earlier for a more restricted Finnish population but agreed better with the frequencies reported for other Scandinavian populations. The disagreement with the earlier report was attributed to differences in sampling and laboratory techniques. The present study confirms an earlier finding of a sarcity of fast Pi variants in the Finnish population. One M variant was found. The isoelectric focusing technique used in this study has several advantages over the methods previously described for Pi typing.