End-point parameter adjustment on a small desk-top programmable calculator for logit-log analysis of radioimmunoassay data

Abstract

We describe an improved method of logit-log curve fitting, by adjusting end-point parameters in radioimmunoassay studies, for use with a small desk-top programmable calculator. Straight logit-log analyses are often deficient because of their high sensitivity to small errors in the end-point parametes B0 and NSB (the actual measured activity in the tubes). The literature suggests techniques for adjusting these end-point parameters, but they require too much computing time and programming space to be used with a desk-top programmable calculator. The extension to the logit-log model presented here is easily handled by the programmable calculator and provides a good estimate of the change required in B0 and NSB to obtain a better fit. The program requires 1.5 min to run on our desk-top programmable calculator, and has resulted in improved data analysis for all of the 11 types of radioimmunoassay studied.