by Ngai Yuk Keung. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-75). / SUMMARY --- p.1 / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.3 / Chapter 2. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Properties of GAGs --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- FUNCTION OF GAGs --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- METABOLISM OF GAGs --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- Mucopolysaccharidoses --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND GENETICS OF MPS --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Treatment --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of MPS --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- SCREENING --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4 --- Confirmation method --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Enzyme assay --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Electrophoresis --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Chromatography --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusion of Literature Review --- p.23 / Chapter 2.6 --- Choice of method --- p.24 / Chapter 2.7 --- The present study --- p.25 / Chapter 3. --- MATERIALS --- p.26 / Chapter 3.1 --- Material --- p.26 / Chapter 3.2 --- Stock solution --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3 --- Stock standards --- p.26 / Chapter 3.4 --- Working standards --- p.27 / Chapter 3.5 --- Working DMB solution --- p.27 / Chapter 3.6 --- Instruments --- p.27 / Chapter 3.7 --- Statistics --- p.27 / Chapter 3.8 --- Urine samples --- p.28 / Chapter 4. --- METHODS --- p.29 / Chapter 4.1 --- Studies on spectral characteristics --- p.29 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Spectrum of DMB --- p.29 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Spectra of DMB-GAG products --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2 --- Studies on stability --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Stability of DMB dye in assay condition --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Stability of DMB-GAG products in assay condition --- p.30 / Chapter 4.3 --- Linearity studies --- p.30 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Linearity of DMB dye --- p.30 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Linearity of GA G assay --- p.32 / Chapter 4.4 --- Detection limit --- p.32 / Chapter 4.5 --- Precision study --- p.32 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Within-run precision --- p.32 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Between-day precision --- p.32 / Chapter 4.6 --- Interference study --- p.33 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Haemoglobin --- p.33 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Protein --- p.33 / Chapter 4.7 --- Recovery study --- p.34 / Chapter 4.8 --- Correlation study --- p.34 / Chapter 4.9 --- Automated measurement of urinary GAG --- p.35 / Chapter 4.10 --- Reference range --- p.35 / Chapter 4.11 --- GAG in mentally retarded patients --- p.36 / Chapter 5. --- RESULTS --- p.37 / Chapter 5.1 --- Studies on spectral Characteristics --- p.37 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- DMB Spectrum --- p.37 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Spectra of DMB-GAG products --- p.37 / Chapter 5.2 --- Studies on stability --- p.43 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Stability of DMB dye in assay condition --- p.43 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Stability ofDMB-GAG reaction mixture in assay condition --- p.43 / Chapter 5.3 --- Linearity studies --- p.43 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Linearity of DMB dye --- p.43 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Linearity of GAG assay --- p.47 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Detection limit --- p.50 / Chapter 5.4 --- Precision study --- p.50 / Chapter 5.5 --- Interference study --- p.52 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Haemoglobin --- p.52 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Protein --- p.52 / Chapter 5.6 --- Recovery study --- p.52 / Chapter 5.7 --- Correlation study --- p.52 / Chapter 5.8 --- Reference range --- p.55 / Chapter 5.9 --- GAG in mentally retarded patients --- p.55 / Chapter 6. --- DISCUSSION --- p.60 / Chapter 6.1 --- Analytical Performance --- p.62 / Chapter 6.2 --- Clinical performance --- p.64 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Reference population --- p.64 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Mentally retarded patients --- p.65 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Suggestion for future studies --- p.66 / Chapter 7. --- CONCLUSION --- p.67 / Chapter 8. --- APPENDIX --- p.68 / Chapter 9. --- REFERENCE --- p.69