Summary

Today, mini computers (e. g., HP-65) are available in a pocket version. They can be programed quickly, simply and very effectively. Thus, mathematical algorithm can be used for retention index calculations from nonadjusted retention time data using an iteration. Although sometimes the true data of retention index, as a function of the adjusted retention time, are non linear, it can be shown that linearization of this function — together with linear regression — is of great practical value. Another improvements are achieved by using nonalcanes as an inner standard in qualitative routine analysis of medium to high polar compounds, as well as by using the retention index as the address for correction factors for quantitative analysis and as the command to start any type of program in gas chromatography, e. g., temperature programs, column switching programs, detector switching programs, and all switching programs in preparative gas chromatography. This is true because retention index data are in minimum by a factor of ten more precise than other measure in qualitative gas chromatography. Algorithms used and programs for the HP-65 pocket computer are given.

Summary

In drug control as well as in pharmaco-kinetic studies it is possible to obtain reproducible analyses of nitrogen-containing drugs in the concentration range: 1 to 200 μg cm⁻³ with the aid of a nitrogen-specific alkali-flame detector (N-FID) and a steep temperature gradient. The standard deviation, attained with an automatic sampler, is 0.1 % for absolute and relative retention times, but varies for quantitative determination with the polarity and the concentration of the active agents from 0.5 to 10 %. Qualitative and quantitative results are influenced by the quality of the column. The criteria for assessing column performance are discussed. Conditions which lead to long term stability of the N-FID are described.

The first description of the syndrome of primary aldosteronism (Conn, 1954) and its cnre by surgical removal of an aldosterone-producing adreno-cortical tumor [Conn, 1955 (1, 2)] followed, by only a few months, the actual isolation and identification of the potent mineralocorticoid, aldosterone. At that time little was known of the physiological mechanisms controlling the secretion of aldosterone but we [Conn et al., 1948; Conn, 1949 (1, 2); Conn and Louis, 1950] had reported 5 years earlier that the need to conserve sodium stimulated the production of a ‘salt-saving, desoxycorticosterone-like steroid’ which was reflected in a precipitous lowering of the concentration of sodium in sweat; that this mechanism appeared to be independent of the pituitary-adrenal axis; that injections of desoxycortico- sterone itself mimicked the changes induced by negative sodium balance; and that the concentration of sodium in sweat could be used as an index of the activity of the Endogenous salt-active steroid’. The subsequent description of the renin- angiotensin-aldosterone system in 1959 extended and explained our earlier findings.

Conclusions

1. Water-soluble polysaccharides have been isolated from the bark and heart of the stems ofAlthaea rugosa Alef. collected in the Sevan (Armenian SSR) and Shamakhinskii (Azerbaidzhan SSR) regions with yields of 3.0, 4.5, 4.3, and 8.0%, respectively.

2. It has been established by sedimentation analysis that all the polysaccharides investigated were homogeneous.

3. Each of the polysaccharides contained galacturonic and glucuronic acids, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose.

4. The quantitative contents of the monosaccharides in samples of the polysaccharides isolated have been determined.