bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the concept of community empowerment in Argorejo Village Sedayu Bantul Regency Indonesia
Authors: Indardi
Published: January 2020

This study aims to describe the meaning of community empowerment concept of mushroom farmers. The study was conducted in Lestari Makmur farmer group using a qualitative paradigm approach, with qualitative descriptive method. The information is obtained through in-depth interviews using a question guide. Eight informants, the leader and members of the farmer group involved in the cultivation of the mushroom were interviewed. The finding showed that there was a diversity in understanding the meaning of the concept of community empowerment among the mushroom faarmers. Farmers understand community empowerment concept with their own perceptions. The group leader tends to interpret community empowerment comprehensively (Comprehensive Meaning), and group members interpret the concept of community empowerment in a more diverse manner (Comprehensive Meaning, Partial Meaning, and Empty Meaning). Community empowerment through mushroom cultivation while providing solutions to deal with global climate change through the business of agriculture using microclimateIt is suggested to conduct socialization about the concept of community empowerment by competent parties (espeacially the government) when starting the activities of community empowerment in a farmer group.
Effects of mulch on growth and yield of garlic bulbils at various fertilizing doses
Authors: Dinda W P , Triharyanto E , Samanhudi
Published: January 2020

Climate change hurts garlic cultivation. Appropriate technology needs to be created to get good quality tubers, one of them using bulbils. Bulbils are tubers formed from other parts of a plant. In garlic, bulbil grows at the stem, with very small embryo size hence it is necessary to control the environmental conditions in the nurseries. The study aimed to examine the garlic cultivation model using tubers with mulch treatment and a combination of fertilization. Sealing and mulching were conducted to avoid direct solar heat and to control the soil microclimate, respectively. The study used a split-plot design consisting of main plots with mulching and without mulching. The sub-plots were by applying the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers at several levels, namely: Farmer Recommendation/P1 (50% Organic + 100% Inorganic), P2 (75% Organic + 25% Inorganic), P3 (50% Organic + 50% Inorganic), P4 (25% Organic + 75% Inorganic) and P5 (100% Organic). The results showed there are interactions between mulching and a combination of fertilizers on plant height and root length. Mulch application can stabilize soil temperature and provide better results on growth and yield, but the combination treatment of fertilization has no significant effects on growth variables and yields.
Correlation of agronomic and leaf traits to rice yield among Huanghuazhan variety derived lines
Authors: Susanto U , Barokah U , Ali J
Published: January 2020

Green Super Rice Project had identified the Huanghuazhan as a high yielding rice variety which relatively adaptable to global climate change since it is stable either under optimum or limited input condition. Correlation of agronomic and leaf treats is important to determine yield, which is needed even under global climate change condition. This study aimed to dissect the correlation among agronomic and leaf traits of the lines to the yield. The lines had been imported to Indonesia and tested under irrigated condition during dry season of 2013 in ICRR experimental station in Sukamandi, Subang, West Java, Indonesia. The results showed HHZ 8- SAL12-Y2-DT1 had a higher yield (8.70-ton ha-1) than Huanghuazhan (7.01-ton ha-1), hence prospective for further testing. Correlation analysis, however, showed out of 21 traits being observed, only filled grain/panicle having significant correlation with yield. Leaf traits such as length, thickness, and angle of flag leaf, second, and third leaf showed insignificant correlation to yield. Some agronomic traits seem to compensate each other in supporting maximum yield capacity. Developing rice plant with high filled grain per panicle with bigger grain size without reducing productive tiller number may become the ideal ideotype for high yielding rice variety.
Potential development of oyster mushrooms in the lowlands of Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Istiyanti E , Fivintari F R , Syaftiana M
Published: January 2020

Oyster mushroom cultivation is best done in the highlands, while Bantul Regency is included in the lowlands with an altitude of 0 - 500 meters above sea level with an average annual temperature of 300 C. Climate change is causing the development of oyster mushrooms farming in the lowlands requires special treatment in the production process. This study aims to analyze the costs, income, profits, and feasibility of oyster mushroom farming in Bantul Regency. The determination of the location of the study was done purposively. The respondents were determined using the census method according to bag logs ownership. A total of 21 farmer respondents were classified into three groups, namely Group 1 (farmers own < 1, 000 bag logs), Group 2 (1, 001-3, 000 bag logs), and Group 3 (> 3, 000 bag logs). The feasibility of oyster mushroom farming was analyzed using Revenue Cost Ratio (R/C), capital and labour productivity, respectively. The results showed farmers in group 3 had the largest revenue, income and profit. Oyster mushroom farming is feasible because the R/C >1, capital productivity > capital interest, and labor productivity > labor wages. Bantul Regency has the potential to develop oyster mushrooms even though it is located in the lowlands.
Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste management and wastewater treatment in the Nizam Zachman Fishery Port, Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Kristanto G A , Pratama M A , Rahmawati D F
Published: January 2020

Nizam Zachman is a modern fishery port located in Muara Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia. Some of its facilities include a temporary collection of solid waste and wastewater treatment plants, emitting greenhouse gases that lead us to climate change by warming up the global temperature. In this study, greenhouse gas emissions are estimated from these two facilities by using the IPCC Tier 1 method and emission factor calculation. By estimating greenhouse gas in this area, it will give knowledge and convicing to make greenport as a consideration of the strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emission, starting from waste and wastewater management. Solid waste treatment comprises open dumping, recycling, and transportation of wastes to the temporary landfill in this area. With a total waste of 5, 411.4 tons/year, greenhouse gas emissions from open dumping and transportation are estimated to be 14, 340.2 and 22.3 tons CO2eq/year, respectively. Meanwhile, recycling activities contribute to 143 tons CO2 eq/year of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the estimated greenhouse gas emissions include emissions from wastewater treatment, discharge of industrial wastewater to waterways via the drainage system, and domestic wastewater treatment by using a septic tank. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment, drainage system, and septic tanks are estimated to be 2, 830; 108.7; and 3.2 tons CO2 eq/year, respectively. Based on the estimation, solid waste treatment generates 83% of the total greenhouse gas emissions, while wastewater treatment generates only 17% of the total emissions. Herein, composting, increase of recycling, and utilization of methane are recommended to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from waste management.
Rice tolerance variation to long-term stagnant flooding and germination ability under an-aerobic environment
Authors: Rumanti I A , Sitaresmi T , Nugraha Y
Published: January 2020

Erratic and unpredicted weather due to climate change cause flood in agriculture production area especially when it has poor drainage system. Flood during early season of crop establishment will induce anaerobic germination (AG) in the area where farmers practiced a direct seeding method, and the flood can be prolonged as a stagnant flooding (SF) stress if the water could not recede. AG and SF stress not only will affect the crop establishment but also reduce grain yield. The study on selection of tolerant lines to AG and SF based on phenotypic performance was conducted. We identified a total of 22 rice lines had ability to germinate under low oxygen after initial screening under 10 cm of flooding for 2 weeks. The survival rate was 82.5 – 100% with seedling growth rate about 0.9 – 1.5 cm per day. Eight lines had better performance and out yield the best check of SF. SF was increased the plant height, but reduce the panicle length and unfilled grain per panicle. Aerenchyma areas of tolerant variety were bigger than a sensitive variety. The results of study will increase the chance to developing of flood tolerant rice varieties to anticipate the climate change.
Blue economy policy for sustainable fisheries in Indonesia
Authors: Sari D A A , Muslimah S
Published: January 2020

Climate change has detrimental impacts on the ocean such as ocean acidification, the occurrence of extreme weather, increasing frequency of storms, and sea level and temperature rise, which will threaten the marine ecosystem existence and threaten the marine economic potential. Indonesia, with 6.4 million km2 area of waters, hold enormous fisheries potential wealth and enormous potential economic value. Data from the Marine and Fisheries Ministry notes that the marine economic potential reaches IDR 3000 trillion and there only IDR 291.8 trillion of the total potency that already gained. Sustainable fisheries development must be in accordance with the development principles that benefit the present generation but still pay attention to sustainability for future generations. Blue economy policies and programs become the right and effective approach for marine development to encourage optimal and sustainable utilization and exploitation of fisheries resources. This research is a legal research by using statute approach to relevant legal materials. This study aims to integrate the blue economy principle in to marine and fisheries policies and reconstruct the existing policies. The result of this study is a proposed model of blue economy-based policy to get a sustainable national marine and fisheries management.
Socio-economic vulnerability and losses of flood in Lampung, Indonesia
Authors: Chayyani N R , Gravitiani E , Suryanto
Published: January 2020

This study aims to determine the distribution of flood locations and the level of socio-economic vulnerability of the community and total losses due to flood disasters in Lampung, Indonesia. Climate change causes extreme weather. Thus, the rainfall increases from the previous year. This study utilizes the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and Livelihood Vulnerability Index - the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI-IPCC) to determine socio-economic vulnerability. The losses due to flood were analyzed by the ECLAC method (the Economic Commission for Latin America Caribbean). The level of vulnerability of the Lampung community to flood is expected to be classified as high based on the LVI and LVI-IPCC scales. The community suffered economic losses due to flood that occurred in Lampung.
Effect of other anions on reduction of nitrate in water over Pd–In catalyst loaded on various supports
Authors: Mikami I , Ishii T , Kitamura F , Masunaga A
Published: January 2020

The effect of the presence of other anions on nitrate reduction was investigated using catalysts supported by TiO2 and nitrate adsorbents (calcium-chloride-treated charcoal and an anion exchange resin). When the TiO2-supported catalyst was used, the nitrate decomposition rate was greatly reduced in the presence of Cl−, SO42−, and PO43−, and the decrease was large for Cl− and PO43−. The activity of the nitrate-adsorbent-supported catalysts in the presence of SO42− and PO43− showed a smaller decrease than that of the TiO2-supported catalyst. In the presence of SO42−, the amount of nitrate adsorbed on the supports was correlated with the decrease in activity, and calcium-chloride-treated charcoal, which has high nitrate adsorption selectivity, showed the smallest decrease in activity in the presence of SO42−. By contrast, in the presence of PO43−, no clear correlation was found between the decrease in the amount of nitrate adsorption on the supports and the decrease in activity.
Application of phyto-Fenton process in constructed wetland for the continuous removal of antibiotics
Authors: Ranjusha VP , Matsumoto K , Nara S , Inagaki Y , Sakakibara Y
Published: January 2020

Phyto-Fenton process utilizes the endogenous hydrogen peroxide in plants to degrade organic pollutants in presence of iron catalyst. In this study, we have applied the magnetite particles in continuous treatment system of constructed wetland (CW) to study the effectiveness in removing sulfamethoxazole (SMX) antibiotics. Experimental results demonstrated that SMX was removed by constructed wetlands in the presence and absence of magnetite fine particles. OH radical formation was observed in the plant+Fe system with electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The magnetite addition favoured the plant growth and endogenous H2O2. However, enhanced treatments by phyto-Fenton process were not enhanced in the presence of magnetite particles, but the plants+soil CWs showed better removal efficiencies compared to the soil CWs.
Study on Safety Characteristics of Gate Valve Transient Operation in High Temperature Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage System
Authors: Bing Wang , Changhong Peng , Yun Guo
Published: January 2020

At present, the new energy industry in the world is thriving, but there are obvious intermittent and random characteristics of various power generation methods such as solar energy and wind power. The molten salt energy storage power generation system can effectively reduce the peak fluctuations of the power grid and greatly improve the overall economic advantage. As an important component of the pipe system, the gate valve is widely used in power generation systems. Because molten salt systems may face faster power changes so during certain transient process, the main gate valve may have to withstand rapid changes in mass flow and temperature, which may cause rapid changes in the temperature field of the valve body, resulting in additional thermal stress. In this paper, the CFD method is used to analysis the flow and temperature fields of the main gate valve during the transient process. The key to success is to describe the geometry as accurately as possible and to build a reasonable grid because of larger calculation quality for transient. Then based on the temperature field of valve body the thermal stress and change law can be obtained, which can provide guidance for the design of the gate valve.
Analysis of Climatic Potential Productivity and Wheat Production in Different Producing Areas of the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Li X S , Zheng C L , Cao C Y , Dang H K , Sun J S , Li K J , Ma J Y
Published: January 2020

Cultivation patterns under water saving management are closely related to climate change and crop productivity. Survey data for wheat production in China, Canada, and the USA from 1965 to 2014 was analyzed through classification statistics, comparative analysis and weighting methods. The results showed that China, Canada and the USA wheat grain production accounts for 26.49% to 34.68% of global wheat production. Of these three countries, both the highest total yield and the highest average yield per area sown were in China post 1985. Since 2000, China has accounted for 10.70% to 11.12% of global wheat planted area, producing 15.73% to 17.45% of global wheat output. Achieving high wheat yield in China was mainly based on consuming more irrigation water. The per capita arable land in China, Canada and the USA was 0.10 ha, 1.31 ha and 0.70 ha, respectively. The per capita arable land in Hebei, China, Saskatchewan, Canada and Oklahoma, USA was 0.09 ha, 16.11 ha and 3.48 ha, respectively. Hengshui, China (HS) produces two crops a year. Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada (OK) and Woodward, Oklahoma, USA (WW) produce one crop a year. Mean precipitation averages 109 mm, 210 mm and 291mm during the wheat growing season, respectively. Due to less per capita arable land in China, achieving high yield means higher water consumption, which creates a sharp contradiction between water scarcity and demand for grain in China. Consequently, high water use efficiency technologies in agriculture are more needed in China than in the other two countries. High demand for water at post 1985 yield levels cannot be met by rain-fed production in HS. Grain yields of 5975.6 kg/ha to 7031.2 kg/ha can be achieved with irrigation. Economic benefits mainly determine wheat production in the USA and Canada, whereas in China production is driven by food security and sustainable production goals. The conclusions of this paper could provide a reference for wheat production in different regions.
Innovative Eco Biofilter/Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Technology for Community Wastewater Recycling
Authors: Taesopapong S. , Ratanatamskul C.
Published: January 2020

Eco Biofilter/Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) has been developed in this research as a compact wastewater treatment for community wastewater recycling. The system installs the baked clay filter as eco-friendly biomedia in order to replace plastic media that can cause plastic pollution to aquatic environment. Ceramic microfiltration membrane (MF) with the pore size of 0.4 micron is submerged inside the Eco Biofilter/Membrane Bioreactor. The system received wastewater from a community area in Chiang Rak Yai, Pathumthani province, that is located in the east of Chaophraya River. The community consists of 350 households, who regularly use water from the Chaophraya River. It is a very urgent issue to develop the appropriate wastewater treatment to protect the river water quality for water supply production. At present, the overall water quality of the Chaophraya River is falling into category 4, which is in poor water quality level. In this research, the developed Eco biofilter/MBR technology can significantly reduce BOD, oil&grease, TSS and FCB. It also could achieve stable treatment performance as above 70% removal efficiencies for Total Phosphorus and Kjeldahl Nitrogen. Moreover, the effluent quality after the treatment meets international standard for agricultural water reuse purpose for food crops, processed food crops and non-food crop.
The present situation, problems and countermeasures of green investment in China
Authors: Huang Lei , Bai Bo , Ji Junping
Published: January 2020

China’s multi-level and multi-channel green investment system currently consists of international financial institutions, government agencies, commercial banks, foundations, securities market and PPP projects. By sorting out and summarizing the investment of relevant social investors in pollution prevention and control, protection and improvement of ecological environment, new energy and related activities, this paper makes an in-depth analysis of the scale of green investment in various channels and the characteristics of capital investment to understand the current situation and problems of green investment in China. At the same time, some countermeasures and suggestions are put forward to solve the problems such as unblocked financing channels, high financing costs, single and inefficient investment mechanism, and insignificant leverage effect of financial funds in the green investment field.
Research on the Current Situation of Renewable Energy Investment In China
Authors: Jin Zhuxin , Tian Yushen
Published: January 2020

Vigorously investing in and developing renewable energy is a strategic measure for countries to solve energy security problems and cope with climate warming. Th is paper describes the investment status of co mmercial banks, govern ment agencies, securities markets, public-private partnership mode and international financial institutions in the field of renewable energy in China. Then it analyses the investment channels and distribution areas and gives corresponding policy recommendations. This study can provide reference for the further development of renewable energy in China and other countries.
Water chemistry and source analysis of major ions of Bangong Lake in Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Liu Min , Zhao Liangyuan , Lin Li , Li Qingyun , Hu Yuan , Tao Jingxiang , Zou Jing yi , Tang Xianqiang
Published: January 2020

Bangong Lake,was an inland lake on the Tibetan Plateau, which was an international lake across China and India. The water chemistry characteristics were analyzed by testing the chemical composition of the lake water in Bangong Lake. The Gibbs diagram was used to explore the main controlling factors of lake water, and the main ion source of lake water was described in combination with the proportion of dissolved ions. The results showed that the center was brackish water and the east was fresh water of the Bangong Lake with a weak alkaline water. From the surface to the bottom, the temperature, dissolved oxygen and redox potential were decreasing, while the conductivity was increasing. The main cation of lake water was Na+, the main anion was Cl-, and the main chemical type was SO4-Cl-Na. The soluble ions in the central water were mainly controlled by evaporation and concentration, while the soluble ions in the eastern water were mainly controlled by rock weathering. The cations in the water were mainly derived from the silicate rock weathering and the dissolution of evaporite, and the anions was mainly derived from the dissolution of evaporite.
A review on the research status of reliability analysis of the digital instrument and control system in NPPs
Authors: Liang Q Z , Guo Y , Peng C H
Published: January 2020

The widely use of digital instrument and control (I&C) systems in nuclear power plants (NPPs) and their important role in plant safety put forward the requirement for developing reliability modeling for digital systems with the capacity to be integrated into the existing probabilistic safety analysis (PSA) framework. However, challenges arise in the reliability analysis which mainly come from the modeling of complex interactions among the system hardware, software, controlled process physics, and operator. Generally, these factors are analyzed separately since at present there isn’t universal methods for modeling them in a uniform framework. In this paper, the research status of reliability modeling methodologies, software reliability assessment methods and human reliability analysis for digital instrument and control systems in NPPs were introduced. The survey results show that ET/FT is still the mainstream method in reliability studies of digital systems in NPPs, and DFM is a dynamic method with great potential. At present, there is no generally accepted software reliability analysis method. The researches about human errors under digital environment and the theoretical basis of corresponding human reliability analysis method is being developed.
New Horizons in the use of routine data for ageing research
Authors: Todd Oliver M , Burton Jennifer K , Dodds Richard M , Hollinghurst Joe , Lyons Ronan A , Quinn Terence J , Schneider Anna , Walesby Katherine E , Wilkinson Chris , Conroy Simon , Gale Chris P , Hall Marlous , Walters Kate , Clegg Andrew P
Published: January 2020

The past three decades have seen a steady increase in the availability of routinely collected health and social care data and the processing power to analyse it. These developments represent a major opportunity for ageing research, especially with the integration of different datasets across traditional boundaries of health and social care, for prognostic research and novel evaluations of interventions with representative populations of older people. However, there are considerable challenges in using routine data at the level of coding, data analysis and in the application of findings to everyday care. New Horizons in applying routine data to investigate novel questions in ageing research require a collaborative approach between clinicians, data scientists, biostatisticians, epidemiologists and trial methodologists. This requires building capacity for the next generation of research leaders in this important area. There is a need to develop consensus code lists and standardised, validated algorithms for common conditions and outcomes that are relevant for older people to maximise the potential of routine data research in this group. Lastly, we must help drive the application of routine data to improve the care of older people, through the development of novel methods for evaluation of interventions using routine data infrastructure. We believe that harnessing routine data can help address knowledge gaps for older people living with multiple conditions and frailty, and design interventions and pathways of care to address the complex health issues we face in caring for older people.
PARC: ultrafast and accurate clustering of phenotypic data of millions of single cells
Authors: Stassen Shobana V , Siu Dickson M D , Lee Kelvin C M , Ho Joshua W K , So Hayden K H , Tsia Kevin K
Published: January 2020

Motivation

New single-cell technologies continue to fuel the explosive growth in the scale of heterogeneous single-cell data. However, existing computational methods are inadequately scalable to large datasets and therefore cannot uncover the complex cellular heterogeneity.

Results

We introduce a highly scalable graph-based clustering algorithm PARC—Phenotyping by Accelerated Refined Community-partitioning—for large-scale, high-dimensional single-cell data (>1 million cells). Using large single-cell flow and mass cytometry, RNA-seq and imaging-based biophysical data, we demonstrate that PARC consistently outperforms state-of-the-art clustering algorithms without subsampling of cells, including Phenograph, FlowSOM and Flock, in terms of both speed and ability to robustly detect rare cell populations. For example, PARC can cluster a single-cell dataset of 1.1 million cells within 13 min, compared with >2 h for the next fastest graph-clustering algorithm. Our work presents a scalable algorithm to cope with increasingly large-scale single-cell analysis.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/ShobiStassen/PARC.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Differential effect of lacosamide on Nav1.7 variants from responsive and non-responsive patients with small fibre neuropathy
Authors: Labau Julie I R , Estacion Mark , Tanaka Brian S , de Greef Bianca T A , Hoeijmakers Janneke G J , Geerts Margot , Gerrits Monique M , Smeets Hubert J M , Faber Catharina G , Merkies Ingemar S J , Lauria Giuseppe , Dib-Hajj Sulayman D , Waxman Stephen G
Published: January 2020

Small fibre neuropathy is a common pain disorder, which in many cases fails to respond to treatment with existing medications. Gain-of-function mutations of voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7 underlie dorsal root ganglion neuronal hyperexcitability and pain in a subset of patients with small fibre neuropathy. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that lacosamide, which blocks sodium channels in a use-dependent manner, attenuates pain in some patients with Nav1.7 mutations; however, only a subgroup of these patients responded to the drug. Here, we used voltage-clamp recordings to evaluate the effects of lacosamide on five Nav1.7 variants from patients who were responsive or non-responsive to treatment. We show that, at the clinically achievable concentration of 30 μM, lacosamide acts as a potent sodium channel inhibitor of Nav1.7 variants carried by responsive patients, via a hyperpolarizing shift of voltage-dependence of both fast and slow inactivation and enhancement of use-dependent inhibition. By contrast, the effects of lacosamide on slow inactivation and use-dependence in Nav1.7 variants from non-responsive patients were less robust. Importantly, we found that lacosamide selectively enhances fast inactivation only in variants from responders. Taken together, these findings begin to unravel biophysical underpinnings that contribute to responsiveness to lacosamide in patients with small fibre neuropathy carrying select Nav1.7 variants.
Laser management of hypertrophic burn scars: a comprehensive review
Authors: Klifto Kevin M , Asif Mohammed , Hultman C Scott
Published: January 2020

Hypertrophic scars often develop following burn-related injuries. These scars can be cosmetically unappealing, but associated symptoms of pruritus, pain and restricted range of motion can impair a person’s quality of life. Laser and light therapies offer a minimally invasive, low-risk approach to treatment, with a short postoperative recovery period. As laser technology developed, studies have shown decreased scar thickness, neuropathic pain and need for surgical excision, as well as improved scar pigmentation, erythema, pliability, texture, height and pruritus. In this review, we present the evolution of laser therapy for hypertrophic burn scars, how different types of lasers work, indications, perioperative considerations and guidelines for practice management.
Rapid separation and identification of myoglobin and hemoglobin in urine by centrifugation through a microconcentrator membrane.
Authors: Kelner M J , Alexander N M
Published: January 2020

Urinary myoglobin (Mr = 16 500) is readily separated from hemoglobin (Mr = 64 000) by centrifugation through a microconcentrator membrane with a 30 000-Da cutoff. Myoglobin, but not hemoglobin, will pass through the membrane, after which each fraction may be separately analyzed by spectrophotometry. This technique is advantageous over direct spectrophotometry of urine because it is not restricted to analyzing the oxy forms of these hemoproteins and obviates the difficulty of discriminating small (3 nm) differences in their spectra. In addition, this method of separation is more complete than that attained by differential "salting out" with ammonium sulfate, and it is simpler than gel filtration or ultrafiltration under reduced pressure.
Effect of temperature on quantifying glycated (glycosylated) hemoglobin by cation-exchange chromatography.
Authors: Flückiger R , Woodtli T
Published: January 2020

As a consequence of nonideal chromatographic conditions, values for stable glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) determined by cation-exchange chromatography in a commercial minicolumn system (y) or by "high-performance" liquid chromatography (x) differ markedly, yielding the regression line y = 0.82x + 0.6. With use of the protocol specified by the manufacturer, 20% of the HbA1c peak is not collected in the HbA1c fraction. Increasing the ionic strength of the eluting buffer by increasing the operating temperature to 28 degrees C increases the rate of elution from the minicolumn, making results of the two methods more closely comparable (y = 0.98x - 0.22). Because at a given pH the elution volume is determined primarily by the ionic strength, close limits on the composition of the eluting buffer are set by the temperature-dependence of its ionic strength. At a specified temperature and pH the position of a peak can be judged to within a volume of 1 mL if the conductivity of the eluent does not vary by more than +/- 0.05 mS.
Liquid-chromatographic study of fluorescent compounds in hemodialysate solutions.
Authors: Barnett A L , Veening H
Published: January 2020

We have separated and identified three endogenous, naturally fluorescent substances in uremic hemodialysate by using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Co-chromatography with authentic standards, monitoring peak shifts after enzymic treatment, and spectrofluorescence measurements were used to confirm the identity of indican, tryptophan, and indole-3-acetic acid. Concentrations of indican were about 1.5 those of tryptophan and considerably greater than those of indole-3-acetic acid in hemodialysate samples from 12 renal patients. These three compounds, as well as eight unidentified components, were consistently present in dialysate samples from each of the 12 patients.
Analytical and clinical evaluation of a radioimmunoassay for gastrin.
Authors: Lindstedt G , Olbe L , Kilander A F , Armbrecht U , Jagenburg R , Runsteen D , Lundberg P A
Published: January 2020

Prior to a study of the pathophysiological significance of chronic atrophic gastritis and hypergastrinemia, we evaluated a new radioimmunoassay kit for serum total gastrin (Diagnostic Products Corp.). The mean intra-assay CV ranged from 2 to 5% (2386 patients' samples in 47 assay runs done during four months). Total CVs for two controls ranged from 4 to 10%. Within-assay bias was 5%. Oleate decreased the values, indicating that intravenous heparin, which releases endothelial lipase, causing in vitro lipolysis, should be avoided if indwelling catheters are used for sampling, e.g., during provocation tests for gastrin release. Of three other commercial kits examined, two were affected by oleate. Other anions such as heparin and EDTA also affected the assay. Values for gastrin in heparinized plasma from surgical patients representing a variety of disorders agreed well with results obtained by a reference laboratory. We confirm the usefulness of this assay for discriminating clinical situations and conclude that ligand assays, besides those for thyroid assessment, should be assessed for interference from nonesterified fatty acids. Preliminary data also suggest a marked age dependence of serum gastrin concentration.
Performance of five thyroid-function tests by radioimmunoassays with antibodies attached to paramagnetic micro-particles.
Authors: Ng R H , Porter A , Leddy M , Statland B E
Published: January 2020

We have assessed the analytical and clinical performance of five thyroid-function tests by commercially available radioimmunoassays in which antibodies attached to paramagnetic micro-particles are used (Corning MAGIC assays). We evaluated the methods for measuring thyroxin, triiodothyronine, triiodothyronine uptake, thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone), and free thyroxin. Precision, patients' results, and clinical correlation of the MAGIC assays were similar to those of the well-established RIAs used as the comparative methods in this study; the MAGIC assays, however, are much faster and easier to perform.
Use of L-leucyl-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyanilide as substrate for determining the activity of microsomal aminopeptidase in serum.
Authors: Shimamoto M , Takewaki S , Sakuraoka S , Nagasawa T , Kuroiwa K , Kodama O , Akatsuka T
Published: January 2020

We describe a colorimetric method for assay of microsomal aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.2) activity in serum. We use a new substrate, L-leucyl-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyanilide, p-xylenol as coupler, and sodium metaperiodate as oxidizing reagent. The colored substance formed by the oxidative condensation between p-xylenol and 5-aminosalicylic acid absorbs maximally at 635 nm, and can be directly measured in serum. In a previous method for this enzyme, L-leucyl-beta-naphthylamide was used as substrate and beta-naphthylamine, a carcinogenic reagent used as a standard in making the assay, was unsuitable for routine use. We found a close correlation between results obtained with the new, safer method and with the previous method.
A case of partial deficiency of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin.
Authors: Lorier M A , Hawes C , Donaldson I M , George P M
Published: January 2020

A 20-year-old woman, admitted to a neurological ward with a diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension, was found on specific protein electroimmunoassay to have a consistently decreased concentration of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin in her plasma. Serum from her father showed the same result. Further investigation of her family demonstrated that this partial deficiency was transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion and was not associated with any obvious specific clinical abnormalities.
Candidate reference method for determination of total bilirubin in serum: development and validation.
Authors: Doumas B T , Kwok-Cheung P P , Perry B W , Jendrzejczak B , McComb R B , Schaffer R , Hause L L
Published: January 2020

This candidate Reference Method for measuring total bilirubin in serum is based on the Jendrassik-Gróf principle (Clin Chem 29: 297-301, 1983). Standard Reference Material no. 916 bilirubin (National Bureau of Standards) is used as the standard. Bilirubin standard solutions may be prepared either in human serum or in 40 g/L albumin solution (human or bovine), because we found the molar absorptivity of the azopigment at 598 nm to be identical in these media. The absorptivities of the unconjugated and conjugated azopigments appear to be identical, but the conjugated azopigment is completely hydrolyzed in the final reaction mixture. Bilirubin added to serum from adults or neonates was quantitatively accounted for. Interference by hemoglobin (up to 2 g/L), ascorbic acid (up to 20 mg/L), or zinc (at physiological concentrations) is negligible. Of the therapeutic drugs we tested, only L-dopa and alpha-methyldopa interfere. We established normal adult reference values for total bilirubin and examined the intraindividual variation in 19 subjects.
Simultaneous determination of epinephrine and norepinephrine in urine by derivative synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy.
Authors: Valcárcel M , Gómez-Hens A , Rubio S
Published: January 2020

The combination of synchronous and derivative fluorimetry, potentially useful in resolving mixtures that present strongly overlapping conventional fluorescence spectra, appears suitable for determining epinephrine and norepinephrine in urine. We describe a simple, rapid, and inexpensive method for simultaneous assay of these compounds in a single scan of urine specimens from normal adults. The catecholamines are extracted from the sample on cation-exchange columns and subsequently determined by formation of trihydroxyindoles. Analytical recovery is about 94% for epinephrine, 91% for norepinephrine, with a CV of approximately 5%. No sophisticated detection equipment is necessary, a conventional modern fluorimeter being adequate.
Sodium activity, sodium concentration, and osmolality in plasma in acute and chronic renal failure.
Authors: Langhoff E , Ladefoged J
Published: January 2020

We compared the ionic activity of sodium, as measured with glass electrodes, with sodium concentration in 23 healthy persons, 15 persons with acute renal failure, and before and after dialysis in 46 patients with chronic renal failure. In healthy persons the mean (+/- SEM) sodium concentration was 139.1 +/- 0.6 mmol/L, whereas the ionic activity was equal to that of a 145.2 +/- 0.5 mmol/L solution of sodium chloride. Variation in the concentration of plasma protein was the most important factor influencing the sodium activity coefficient (the ratio between activity and concentration). The sodium activity coefficient in plasma water (corrected for the non-aqueous phase of the plasma) was fairly constant, being 96% of that in a 140 mmol/L solution of sodium chloride. Thus sodium binds to non-protein molecules and sodium ions interact with other substances in uremic plasma only to a very limited extent. The sum of the molar activities of sodium, potassium, urea, and creatinine was closely and linearly correlated with plasma osmolality, both before and after dialysis.
Multiple markers of malignancy in sera of patients with colorectal carcinoma: preliminary clinical studies.
Authors: Mercer D W , Talamo T S
Published: January 2020

Eleven potential biochemical markers were measured in serum from 33 patients with malignant and 13 with benign colorectal disease: four isoenzymes (creatine kinase-BB, homoarginine-sensitive alkaline phosphatase, salivary-type amylase, and macro-creatine kinase type 2), five specific proteins (ferritin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and ceruloplasmin), one oncofetal antigen (carcinoembryonic antigen, CEA), and one hormone (beta human choriogonadotropin). The sensitivity of individual markers for the detection of early-stage malignancy (n = 11) ranged from 0% to 64% (CEA 18%); for late-stage colon malignancy (n = 12) from 8% to 83% (CEA 83%). Specificity in patients (n = 10) with benign intestinal disease ranged from 80% to 100% (CEA 100%). The five most-sensitive markers--C-reactive protein, alpha 1-glycoprotein, CEA, macrocreatine kinase type 2, and homoarginine-sensitive alkaline phosphatase--were selected for use as a "colon panel." In retrospective comparison, use of the colon panel instead of CEA alone increased sensitivity by 17% and 64% for late-and early-stage cancer, respectively; specificity, however, decreased by 30%, but should improve with serial testing.
Facile radioimmunoassay of estradiol 3-sulfate in plasma during pregnancy.
Authors: Tanaka T , Suguro N , Kubodera A
Published: January 2020

A facile, sensitive radioimmunoassay of estradiol 3-sulfate in pregnancy plasma was established. Highly specific antisera were raised in male rabbits against a conjugate of 6-oxoestradiol 3-sulfate-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime with bovine serum albumin. After purification of the antiserum, we coupled the crude globulin fraction to CNBr-activated Sepharose-4B and used this for direct radioimmunoassay of estradiol 3-sulfate in plasma without sample pre-treatment such as solvent-extraction or chromatography to remove endogenous interferences. Using this assay system, we determined concentrations of estradiol 3-sulfate in plasma from pregnant women. Concentrations of estradiol 3-sulfate in plasma increased in proportion to those of estradiol throughout gestation, but were about twice as high as those of unconjugated estradiol at each week of pregnancy.
A whole-cell assay for glucocorticoid binding sites in normal human lymphocytes.
Authors: Steiner A E , Wittliff J L
Published: January 2020

We established a whole-cell assay in the clinical laboratory, using normal human lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood. [3H]Dexamethasone binding reached a maximum after 90 min at 24 degrees C. Dissociation constants (Kd) were determined to be 1 X 10(-9) mol/L. Specific glucocorticoid-binding capacities of 3 to 23 fmol/10(6) cells, or 1800 to 13 800 sites/cell, were observed. Steroids with glucocorticoid activity such as triamcinolone acetonide and cortisol effectively competed for [3H]dexamethasone binding sites, whereas those with no glucocorticoid potency such as estradiol-17 beta and testosterone showed little inhibition. Studies on the cellular distribution of [3H]dexamethasone indicated that 23% was bound to the cytosol, 77% to the cell nucleus. The whole-cell assay is easily adaptable for the clinical laboratory assessment of glucocorticoid receptors in normal and malignant lymphocytes, and may be useful in evaluating the activity-function relationships of potential therapeutic agents.
Liquid-chromatographic assay of dexamethasone in plasma.
Authors: Plezia P M , Berens P L
Published: January 2020

We report a simple, efficient method for removing dexamethasone from plasma by use of solid-phase extraction columns. The dexamethasone is then quantified by "high-performance" liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection at 254 nm. Dexamethasone concentrations and peak-height ratios were linearly related over the range 5 to 200 micrograms/L. The lower limit of sensitivity was 5 micrograms/L. The average recoveries of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone (internal standard) were 72 and 71%, respectively. This procedure offers improved efficiency over that of previously described methods by decreasing analytical time and improving sample clean-up. Sensitive, specific, and relatively inexpensive, this method is suitable for most clinical applications.
Macro creatine kinase type 2: results of a prospective study in hospitalized patients.
Authors: Stein W , Bohner J , Renn W , Maulbetsch R
Published: January 2020

We determined total CK activity with the N-acetylcysteine-activated method and residual activity after immunoinhibition of the CK-M subunits in the sera of 2018 patients consecutively admitted to our university hospital for internal diseases, and of 936 outpatients, regardless of the patients' diagnoses. We could detect not more than two types of macro CK: macro CK type 2, which we observed in the sera of 85 patients (prevalence, 3.7% for hospitalized patients), and macro CK type 1. Most patients showing macro CK type 2 were older than 50 years, but we additionally observed a second peak at 20-30 years of age. We saw no preponderance by sex. We detected macro CK type 2 predominantly in severely ill patients of all ages, mainly those with malignant tumors or cirrhosis of the liver. Our findings support the assumption that macro CK type 2 is the manifestation of mitochondrial CK in serum. Occasionally, macro CK type 2 disappeared from the circulation after amelioration of the associated disease. Its occurrence in serum nevertheless is a sign of a serious illness with high mortality but not inevitably a sign of impending death.
Biosynthesized [35S]methionine-labeled pro-opiomelanocortin peptides as novel recovery markers in radioimmunoassay of peptide hormones.
Authors: Rosendale B E , Jarrett D B
Published: January 2020

Hormones are extracted from plasma with varying efficiency. Thus, markers or internal standards are often needed, to monitor and correct for extraction losses. To do so is difficult in the case of peptide hormones because radioactive recovery markers either have a low specific activity or, if labeled with iodine, may not be fully representative because of alterations in their size and charge. More importantly, markers labeled with 125I can interact in, and thus compromise, the subsequent radioimmunoassay. AtT-20 mouse pituitary tumor cells, which can be stimulated to synthesize and secrete pro-opiomelanocortin peptides, can biosynthetically label beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) with [35S]methionine. The labeled peptide, which is co-eluted with unlabeled beta-LPH in "high-performance" liquid chromatography, is fully immunoprecipitable and has a specific activity of 34 Ci/g. We use this labeled peptide to monitor the recovery of beta-LPH in silicic acid extraction from plasma. This peptide is an ideal marker of analytical recovery because it does not interfere in subsequent radioimmunoassays.
Methods for studying the binding of aluminum by serum protein.
Authors: Rahman H , Skillen A W , Channon S M , Ward M K , Kerr D N
Published: January 2020

We describe methods for studying the binding of Al by protein in serum: ultrafiltration, gel filtration, and immuno-affinity chromatography. For ultrafiltration we used an Amicon YM10 cellophane membrane with a nominal cutoff of 10 000 Da to separate ultrafiltrable and non-ultrafiltrable Al. For gel filtration we used Sephacryl S-300, and for immuno-affinity chromatography we used anti-transferrin coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose to identify the Al-binding protein. For 30 normal subjects 54% of the total Al in serum was non-ultrafiltrable; for 30 patients with chronic renal failure being treated by hemodialysis 67% was non-ultrafiltrable. In both groups transferrin was identified as the major Al-binding protein in the serum. Results of gel-filtration studies should be interpreted with caution: some gel media adsorb "free" Al, which can be subsequently taken up by transferrin or desferrioxamine passing through the column. We find affinity chromatography to be a specific and reliable method, suitable for use in quantitative studies.
Improved reference-interval estimation.
Authors: Shultz E K , Willard K E , Rich S S , Connelly D P , Critchfield G C
Published: January 2020

We used two standard methods (the common percentile and the log-power gaussian transformation) and two novel methods (weighted percentile and smoothed spline interpolation) to estimate the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of 1000 sets of data from eight diverse distributional forms, generated by Monte Carlo simulation. For each distributional form we derived an estimate of optimal performance. Although none of the four proposed methods closely approximated the optimal performance bound, the spline interpolation method and the weighted percentile method were superior to the two standard methods in accurately estimating percentiles.