bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Argumentation and meaning
Authors: Oswald Steve , Greco Sara , Miecznikowski Johanna , Pollaroli Chiara , Rocci Andrea
Published: February 2020

This special issue aims to explore the semantic and pragmatic dimensions of meaning in terms of their significance and relevance in the study of argumentation. Accordingly, the contributors to the project, who have all presented their work during the 2nd Argumentation and Language conference, which took place in Lugano in February 2018,1 have been specifically instructed to produce papers which explicitly tackle the importance of the study of meaning for that of argumentative practices. All papers therefore cover at least one aspect of this complex relationship between argumentation and meaning, which contributes to delivering a state-of-the-art panorama on the issue. Drawing from computational linguistics, semantics, pragmatics and discourse analysis, the contributions to this special issue will illuminate how the study of meaning in its different forms may provide valuable insights for the study of people’s argumentative practices in different contexts, ranging from the political to the private sphere. This introductory discussion tackles specific aspects of the intricate relationship between pragmatic inference and argumentative inference – that is, between meaning and argumentation –, provides a brief survey of existing interfaces between the study of meaning and that of argumentation, and concludes with a presentation of the contributions to this special issue.
At the juncture between evidentiality and argumentation
Authors: Miecznikowski Johanna
Published: February 2020

The contribution discusses the theoretical problem of the relationship between evidentiality and argumentative justification. Within a framework that combines semantic and syntactic analysis with a topics-based approach to argument schemes, it is argued that the functional domains of information source and argumentation overlap in utterances in which the former is linguistically marked, rather than entailed or implicated: explicit linguistic evidential marking is a special case of argumentation. The connection between a proposition and its source gives rise to a class of arguments from a reliable procedure that are similar to arguments from authority. When the indicated source is an inferential procedure (rather than direct experience or hearsay), the evidential argument may be combined with additional arguments that lay out part of that procedure. The particular case of inferential sources is illustrated by means of an analysis of weakly grammaticalized constructions in Italian, based on verbs of thought, communication and perception that relate a propositional complement to a subject NP or tosource/placecomplements of the verb. The analysis shows that such further complements can either refine the categorization of the inferential source signalled by the verb, thereby contributing to the main argument from a reliable procedure, or express a premise that allows the hearer to reconstruct the internal structure of the procedure.
The Argument and the Honey Pot
Authors: Maillat Didier
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes to harness the linguistic theory that looks at the construction of meaning in context – i.e.,
pragmatics – to investigate the contextual effects bearing on the interpretation of arguments in manipulative seduction contexts.
Adopting a cognitively grounded relevance-theoretic approach, I will show that deceptive seduction is used primarily to strengthen
the hearer’s perception of the seducer, thereby strengthening the standpoints and arguments s/he puts forward. In that sense, it
will be argued, seductive moves function like contextual constraints on the interpretative processes. Exploring further the
cognitive grounding of human interpretative processes, I will claim that many seductive manipulations rely on the
halo effect – the cognitive bias whereby a positive trait (e.g., attractiveness) tends to spill over other
personality traits (e.g., competence) – to create a contextual environment that will boost argument evaluation.
Homorganic Cluster Lengthening, Pre-Cluster Shortening and Preference-based change in Early English
Authors: Kruger William W.
Published: February 2020

This paper discusses the processes of Homorganic Cluster Lengthening (HCL) and Pre-Cluster Shortening (PCS)
occurring in the late Old English and Early Middle English periods. These processes are responsible, respectively, for
vowel-lengthening before voiced homorganic consonant clusters (OE bindan, feld, hund > LOE/EME
bīnd, fēld, hūnd) and vowel shortening before other clusters (OE cēpte, fīfta, brōhte >
ME kepte, fifte, brohte). This paper builds on reassessments of data by Minkova (2014) to contribute an account of HCL within the system of “preference laws” articulated by Vennemann (1988). This account attributes the motivation for HCL to preferences for
syllable-internal transitions between nucleus and coda in order to explain the fine details of HCL; namely, the fact that HCL
applies with higher frequency to high vowels followed nasals than to low/mid vowels and in a sporadic manner to front vowels
followed by /l/ compared to back vowels. These differences are attributed to the application of the Coda and Nucleus Laws (Vennemann 1988: 25, 42), with additional proposals about the effect of velarization of
/l/ in Old English, with comparison to PCS providing important context throughout.
Video remote interpreting in university settings
Authors: Greco Margherita
Published: February 2020

The motivation for the project was the necessity of finding solutions to situations characterized by
difficulty in communication, such as trading between different countries, immigrants unable to speak the
language, or between hearing and deaf people who use sign language. These and other cases can be solved thanks to interpreting services. Yet because of educational commitments of
professionals, organizational time, budget, and locations, it is not always possible to avail of an on-site interpreter. In this
context, technology offers a solution through remote interpretation.

The present draws inspiration from the research project “VEASYT Live! for conference: linguistic and technological solutions for the supply of video remote interpreting services in conference settings”.
The work was financed by the European Social Fund and took place between 2016 and 2017 in the Linguistic and Cultural
Compared Studies Department of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in partnership with VEASYT srl, a company that developed a video remote interpreting (VRI) service
in both vocal languages and Italian Sign Language. The aim of the research is to develop VRI for conference
situations such as seminars, conferences and academic lectures.
Understanding placebo and nocebo effects in the context of sport: A psychological perspective
Authors: Raglin John , Szabo Attila , Lindheimer Jacob B. , Beedie Chris
Published: February 2020

Research over the past 15 years on the placebo effect has substantiated its contribution to the efficacy of established treatments for a range of clinical conditions and identified its underlying mechanisms. There is also evidence that placebo effects contribute to the performance benefits of many ergogenic aids, and that performance can worsen when dummy treatments are associated with expectations of a harmful outcome (i.e. nocebo effect). Unfortunately, the bulk of sport research involving placebos and nocebos continues to be hampered by outdated definitions and conceptualizations of placebo effects and their mechanisms. This has implications not only for research but also application, as nearly 50% of athletes report experiencing a beneficial placebo effect, and a similar proportion of coaches report providing placebos to their athletes. The objective of this paper is to attempt to stimulate research by presenting updated definitions of placebo and nocebo effects in the context of sport, describing their major mechanisms and, highlighting the importance of the psychosocial context on placebo effects in the sport setting.
3D Geological and Isothermal Model of Geothermal Field Based on the Integration of Geoscience and Well Data
Authors: Ponggohong Claudio R.I. , Suryantini  , Angga B. Pratama
Published: February 2020

The Conceptual Model in The Geothermal Field can illustrate subsurface conditions. A conceptual model is usually made in 2D however, the 2D model is generally limited to providing subsurface images, overcoming these limitations it is very important to use a 3D approach to improve understanding of subsurface conditions. 3D modeling needs to incorporate the integration of Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics and Well Data studies. Visualization of the 3D model in this study was made using Leapfrog Geothermal software. The data used is data from the literature that has been previously published. The 3D model can provide a clearer picture of structural geometry and is effective in understanding geological features in Geothermal fields. 3D modeling can reduce uncertainty in drawing subsurface conditions, especially the geometry of Geothermal system components. The 3D model is also useful as a guide for determining make-up well in the future. More data is obtained, better models can be made. This model can be used as a guide in developing Geothermal fields in the future.
Thermal compression, processing maps and microstructural evolution of as-cast Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy with long period stacking ordered phase
Authors: Xue Zhiyong , Luo Wenbo , Zhao Zhi , Ren Yu
Published: February 2020

Thermal deformation of Mg-7.5Gd-2.5Y-1.5Zn-0.5Zr (wt%) as-cast alloy containing LPSO phase was been studied in a temperature range from 623 K to 723 K and a strain rate range from 0.001 to 1 s−1. The microstructural evolution at the various strain rates was also analyzed. The results show that the flow stress decreases significantly with the increase of the deformation temperature. But the peak flow stresses of the alloy increase significantly at high deformation temperature, due to existing both the plentiful lamellar LPSO phase and the fine dynamic DRXed grains. Under the high strain rate conditions, the LPSO phase distorted and formed kink bands. The deformational activation energy (Q) of the alloy is about 234.6 kJ·mol−1. This high Q value mainly owe to profuse lamellar LPSO phase hindering the movement of atoms. With the observation of established processing map of the alloy, some good thermal workabilities are observed in following zones: 723 K, 0.001 < ε < 1 s−1; and the zone with middle temperature and moderate strain rate condition, 673 K, 0.01 < ε < 0.1 s−1. The thermal deformation instability zones are mainly located in the region with high strain rate and lower temperature.
Effect of copper on microstructure, recrystallization and precipitation kinetics in strip cast low carbon steel
Authors: Sellamuthu Prabhukumar , Hodgson Peter , Stanford Nicole
Published: February 2020

Strip cast samples with different copper content have been developed by simulated direct strip casting. The as-cast microstructures were characterized by optical microscopy and electron microscopy. The microstructures mainly consisted of polygonal ferrite and Widmanstatten ferrite in as cast condition. X-ray diffraction showed that the copper was in solid solution in the as-cast condition. It was found that the equivalent tensile yield and maximum strengths, both increased with an increase in copper content. The strip cast samples were cold rolled to 70% reduction and then annealed isothermally at 600, 650 and 700 °C for various times to study the recrystallization and precipitation kinetics. After annealing, the hardness and strength were found to be decreased due to recovery and recrystallization. It was found that an increase in copper content retarded the recrystallization kinetics. During annealing, precipitation of copper was observed. The copper precipitates were bimodal with respect to particle size and distribution. The size and spacing of the particles were measured and the Zener pinning effect of the particles was calculated. High pinning forces of more than 2 MPa were predicted, and this correlated well with the observed decrease in recrystallization kinetics.
Study to elucidate effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on bacterial membrane potential and membrane permeability
Authors: Khater Maya S , Kulkarni Gauri R , Khater Sagar S , Gholap Haribhau , Patil Rajendra
Published: February 2020

The interaction of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) with cells and lipid bilayers is precarious in various fields such as antibacterial and drug or gene delivery. These require a strong control over NPs–cell interactions, an understanding of how the NPs surface impact their interaction with lipid bilayers and cells. Therefore, to elucidate Titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs of size 8–10 nm and 90–100 nm and their interaction with lipid bilayer of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, we studied membrane potential, membrane permeability. Results of the traditional method of checking antibacterial activity - minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was co-related with change in membrane potential and membrane permeability. TiO2 NPs 8–10 nm have profound action on depolarization of membrane potential of E. coli cells, while of S. aureus were not affected. TiO2 NPs 90–100 nm have very less effect on membrane potential and permeability of both organisms. It is observed that there exists a strong co-relation between antibacterial activity of the TiO2 NPs and change in the membrane potential and membrane permeability. These observations are also supported by membrane leakage test by estimation of protein, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and potassium ion (K+) ion content.
US must boost funding in atomic, molecular, optical physics, panel says
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: February 2020

The US government should “vigorously” continue to invest in atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) science due to its critical importance to the US economy and national security.
Ireland must join CERN, committee says
Authors: King Anthony
Published: February 2020

Ireland should “immediately” begin negotiations to become an associate member of the CERN particle-physics laboratory near Geneva.
European Commission renames top science post
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: February 2020

The title for the European commissioner with responsibility for science and research has been updated to explicitly include education and research.
Meteorologists fear impact of new 5G telecoms standard
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: February 2020

Weather-forecasting agencies have expressed concern at the adoption of new international standards for 5G technology.
UN secretary-general calls for rapid, deep change at climate summit
Authors: Dacey James
Published: February 2020

UN secretary-general António Guterres has urged world governments to adopt a transformational approach to tacking the climate emergency.
Biomass energy: green or dirty?
Authors: Ravilious Kate
Published: February 2020

The conversion to biomass energy has played a key role in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. But is this renewable energy source really as green as we first thought? Kate Ravilious investigates
True, but not real
Authors: Berry Michael
Published: February 2020

Reading Christopher Pinney’s 2018 book The Waterless Sea: a Curious History of Mirages, I was struck by a phrase he used to describe mirages, and indeed all illusions: “real, but not true”.
First black-hole image bags award
Authors: Johnston Hamish
Published: February 2020

The Physics World 2019 Breakthrough of the Year goes to the researchers who captured the first-ever image of a black hole, as Hamish Johnston reports
NASA probe reveals solar-wind secrets
Authors: Cooper Keith
Published: February 2020

The first batch of results from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe highlight the complex behaviour of the Sun’s solar wind, as Keith Cooper reports
European Space Agency sees big budget increase
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: February 2020

The European Space Agency (ESA) will receive its largest budget increase in over 25 years after ESA member states agreed in late November to spend €14.4bn (£12.3bn) over the next five years on the organization.
Cubic forms having matrix factorizations by Hessian matrices
Authors: Kim Yeongrak
Published: February 2020

Using a part of XJC-correspondence by Pirio and Russo, we classify cubic forms

f
f

whose Hessian matrices induce matrix factorizations of themselves. When it defines a reduced hypersurface, it satisfies the “secant–singularity” correspondence, that is, it coincides with the secant locus of its singular locus. In particular, when

f
f

is irreducible, its singular locus is one of the four Severi varieties.
A simplified proof of CLT for convex bodies
Authors: Fresen Daniel
Published: February 2020

We present a short proof of Klartag’s central limit theorem for convex bodies, using only the most classical facts about log-concave functions. An appendix is included where we give the proof that the thin shell implies CLT. The paper is accessible to anyone.
Locally CR spherical three manifolds
Authors: Jacobowitz Howard
Published: February 2020

Every open and orientable three manifold has a CR structure which is locally equivalent to the standard CR structure on

S
3

S^3

.
An estimate of the Hopf degree of fractional Sobolev mappings
Authors: Schikorra Armin , Van Schaftingen Jean
Published: February 2020

We estimate the Hopf degree for smooth maps

f
f

from

S

4
n
−
1

\mathbb {S}^{4n-1}

to

S

2
n

\mathbb {S}^{2n}

in the fractional Sobolev space. Namely we show that for

s
∈
[
1
−

1

4
n

,
1
]

s \in [1 - \frac {1}{4n}, 1]

<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartAbsoluteValue degree Subscript upper H Baseline left-parenthesis f right-parenthesis EndAbsoluteValue less-than-or-equivalent-to left-bracket f right-bracket Subscript upper W Sub Superscript s comma StartFraction 4 n minus 1 Over s EndFraction Subscript Superscript StartFraction 4 n Over s EndFraction Baseline period">

|

deg
H

⁡
(
f
)
|

≲
[
f

]

W

s
,

4
n
−
1

s

4
n

s

.

\begin{equation*} \left |\deg _H(f)\right | \lesssim [f]_{W^{s,\frac {4n-1}{s}}}^{\frac {4n}{s}}. \end{equation*}

Our argument is based on the Whitehead integral formula and commutator estimates for Jacobian-type expressions.
Discrepant Hemophilia A: An Underdiagnosed Disease Entity
Authors: Al-Huniti Ahmad , Sharathkumar Anjali , Krantz Michelle , Watkinson Karla , Bhagavathi Sharathkumar
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The term discrepant hemophilia A (DHA) denotes the discrepancy between factor VIII activity (FVIII:C) measured by different assay methodologies in patients with nonsevere hemophilia A (HA). The objective was to review the characteristics and the current understanding of mechanisms contributing to assay discrepancy in DHA.

Methods

Characteristics of the DHA patients treated were examined by retrospective chart review. In addition, a literature review was performed to determine the current understanding of DHA.

Results

Three cases of DHA were diagnosed based on bleeding phenotype: 2 cases represented missed diagnoses of HA, and 1 represented misclassification of hemophilia severity. The revised diagnosis and classification of hemophilia directly affected clinical management. Review of the literature identified 18 articles with an estimated pooled prevalence of 36% (95% CI, 23%-56%; I2 = 85%; P < .01) among nonsevere HA. Furthermore, literature indicated that DHA is a feature of how different FVIII gene mutations affect FVIII:C activity within different assay methodologies.

Conclusions

Our experience and literature review suggested that DHA is not only a laboratory phenomenon—it can affect clinical management in a subset of patients. A high index of suspicion for DHA is necessary while evaluating bleeding patients and/or classifying nonsevere HA.
Impact of Prehypertension on the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in a Chinese Rural Cohort
Authors: Duan Weili , Wu Jiake , Liu Sitong , Jiao Yundi , Zheng Liqiang , Sun Yingxian , Sun Zhaoqing
Published: February 2020

Background

The study was performed to investigate the impact of prehypertension defined by the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7) on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in a Chinese rural cohort.

Methods

The epidemiological prospective cohort study included 38,765 participants aged ≥35 years followed for a median of 12.5 years—divided into normal BP (n = 7,366), prehypertension (n = 18,095), and hypertension groups (n = 13,304)—were enrolled for the final analysis. Follow-up for MACE including cardiovascular disease (CVD) death, stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) was conducted. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The age and sex-adjusted incidence of MACE and its subtypes rose progressively with elevation of BP levels (P < 0.001). After adjusting multivariable Cox proportional hazards, significant increases were observed from the prehypertensive group for incident MACE (HR = 1.337, 95% CI: 1.186–1.508, P < 0.001), CVD mortality (HR = 1.331, 95% CI: 1.109–1.597, P = 0.002), and stroke (HR = 1.424, 95% CI：1.237–1.639, P < 0.001) but not MI (P > 0.05) compared with normal BP.

Conclusion

Prehypertensive individuals had a greater risk of incident MACE, CVD mortality, and stroke, implying that improvements in BP monitoring and early intervention in individuals with prehypertension in rural China are urgently needed.
Subfascial Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Capsular Contracture
Authors: Gould Daniel J , Shauly Orr , Ohanissian Levonti , Stevens W Grant
Published: February 2020

Background

Subfascial breast augmentation is a technique originally developed to reduce the risks of capsular contracture while decreasing the postoperative pain associated with subpectoral augmentation. It was pioneered in Brazil by Dr. Graf and others, and recently this technique has gained interest in the aesthetic world.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to provide a systematic analysis of subfascial breast augmentation to assess the combined reported rates of capsular contracture, animation deformity and complications.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for the use of the subfascial plane for breast augmentation. We included studies that reported on capsular contracture and other outcomes following subfascial breast augmentation.

Results

Through the initial search, 26 articles were identified. Of which, 22 were included in the final study. A total of 3743 patients were identified across these studies with a total number of 38 cases of capsular contracture representing a rate of 1.01% of capsular contracture. Several articles reported on demographics, perioperative and long-term complications, and outcomes with regards to the aesthetic outcome from the surgeon’s perspective. Several infections were reported representing a rate of 0.1%. Animation deformity was not reported, although rippling was occasionally reported as was malrotation, axillary banding, sensory deficit, and asymmetry. Subfascial breast augmentation appears to have a low complication rate and an extremely low rate of capsular contracture at approximately 1%.

Conclusions

Subfascial breast augmentation may provide the benefits of low rates of capsular contracture while avoiding the discomfort and future animation deformity of subpectoral augmentation.

Level of Evidence: 4
SurfaceGenie: a web-based application for prioritizing cell-type-specific marker candidates
Authors: Waas Matthew , Snarrenberg Shana T , Littrell Jack , Jones Lipinski Rachel A , Hansen Polly A , Corbett John A , Gundry Rebekah L
Published: February 2020

Motivation

Cell-type-specific surface proteins can be exploited as valuable markers for a range of applications including immunophenotyping live cells, targeted drug delivery and in vivo imaging. Despite their utility and relevance, the unique combination of molecules present at the cell surface are not yet described for most cell types. A significant challenge in analyzing ‘omic’ discovery datasets is the selection of candidate markers that are most applicable for downstream applications.

Results

Here, we developed GenieScore, a prioritization metric that integrates a consensus-based prediction of cell surface localization with user-input data to rank-order candidate cell-type-specific surface markers. In this report, we demonstrate the utility of GenieScore for analyzing human and rodent data from proteomic and transcriptomic experiments in the areas of cancer, stem cell and islet biology. We also demonstrate that permutations of GenieScore, termed IsoGenieScore and OmniGenieScore, can efficiently prioritize co-expressed and intracellular cell-type-specific markers, respectively.

Availability and implementation

Calculation of GenieScores and lookup of SPC scores is made freely accessible via the SurfaceGenie web application: www.cellsurfer.net/surfacegenie.

Contact

Rebekah.gundry@unmc.edu

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Donor Graft Cytomegalovirus Serostatus and the Risk of Arterial and Venous Thrombotic Events in Seronegative Recipients After Non-Thoracic Solid Organ Transplantation
Authors: Belga Sara , MacDonald Clayton , Chiang Diana , Kabbani Dima , Shojai Soroush , Abraldes Juan G , Cervera Carlos
Published: February 2020

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common opportunistic pathogen, following solid organ transplantation (SOT), that leads to direct and indirect effects. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of CMV exposure at transplantation on the rate of posttransplant thrombotic events (TEs).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients transplanted at the University of Alberta Hospital between July 2005 and January 2018. We included adult SOT CMV-seronegative recipients at transplantation who received an allograft from either a seropositive donor (D+/R-) or a seronegative donor (D-/R-).

Results

A total of 392 SOT recipients were included: 151 (39%) liver, 188 (48%) kidney, 45 (11%) pancreas, and 8 (2%) other transplants. The mean age was 47 years, 297 (76%) were males, and 181 (46%) had a CMV D+/R- donor. Patients in the CMV D+/R- cohort were slightly older (51 years versus 48 years in the D-/R- cohort; P = .036), while other variables, including cardiovascular risk factors and pretransplant TEs, were not different between groups. Overall, TEs occurred in 35 (19%) patients in the CMV D+/R- group, versus 21 (10%) in the CMV D-/R- group, at 5 years of follow-up (P = .008); the incidence rates per 100 transplant months were 5.12 and 1.02 in the CMV D+/R- and CMV D-/R- groups, respectively (P = .003). After adjusting for potential confounders with a Cox regression model, a CMV D+/R- transplantation was independently associated with an increased risk of a TE over 5 years (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.027; 95% confidence interval, 1.669–5.488).

Conclusions

A CMV D+/R- transplantation is associated with an increased risk of a TE posttransplantation.
History and background of protoporphyrin testing.
Authors: Labbé R F
Published: February 2020

Lead intoxication was first associated with increased coproporphyrin excretion almost 100 years ago; but not until the 1930's were abnormalities in blood protoporphyrin detected. These later findings have been interpreted as an inhibition by lead of iron incorporation into protoporphyrin during heme synthesis. The testing and application of this hypothesis had to await three more decades of research during which prophyrin/heme biosynthesis was elucidated, control of the pathway was intensively studied, and methodology was greatly improved. The heme biosynthetic pathway is uniquely affected by lead at several sites. These toxic effects can be manifested as increased coproporphyrin and delta-aminolevulinate excretion, decreased erythrocyte delta-aminolaevulinate dehydratase activity, and increased erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration, all of which have been used and promoted as diagnostic tests for lead intoxication. Among these, the last appears to be becoming the test of choice. The historical background of this development is discussed from a biochemical viewpoint.
Determination of urinary placental estriol by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.
Authors: Taylor J T , Knotts J G , Schmidt G J
Published: February 2020

We describe a liquid-chromatographic procedure for determining urinary estriol concentrations. The urine sample, after enzymatic hydrolysis to free the conjugated estrogen, is extracted with ether, and an aliquot of the resulting extraction residue is injected into the liquid chromatograph. Sample components are separated with a reversed-phase C18 column and isocratic elution with an acetonitrile/water mobile phase. Using a far-ultraviolet excitation wavelength, we measure the natural fluorescence of the eluted estrogen with a fluorescence detector. The procedure provides excellent sensitivity for determing near-term pregnancy concentrations of urinary estriol. The selectivity of the method limits the effect of potentially interfering compounds.
The multilayered film analyzer: glucose in serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine; and urea nitrogen in serum and plasma.
Authors: Warren K , Kubasik N P , Brody B B , Sine H E , D'Souza J P
Published: February 2020

Some basic laboratory performance criteria were studied for the Eastman Kodak glucose and urea nitrogen analyzer. Serum, plasma, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid were tested. Precision, both "within-day" and "between-day," for both analytes was less than 2.2% (CV). Both analytes demonstrated linearity, with about 100% recovery of added substrates. Comparisons with continuous-flow procedures demonstrated good correlation. A variety of sera and plasmas can be used for glucose analysis; oxalate--fluoride-treated plasma is unacceptable for use in analysis for urea nitrogen. We saw no effects on glucose or urea nitrogen analysis from hemolysis, lipemia, icterus, some common drugs, ammonia, or abnormally high protein concentrations. Minimum amounts detectable were: glucose (serum) 104 mg/L; glucose (cerebrospinal fluid) 100 mg/L; and urea nitrogen (serum) 21 mg/L. Calibration procedures are discussed for protein-based and aqueous samples.
Parallel evaluation of Astra 8 and Astra 4 multichannel analyzers in two hospital laboratories.
Authors: Truchaud A , Hersant J , Glikmanas G , Fievet P , Dubois O
Published: February 2020

We evaluated the new Beckman multichannel analyzers Astra 8 and Astra 4. Both instruments performed the following tests: Na, K, Cl, CO2, urea, glucose, and creatinine in plasma and Na, K, Cl, and creatinine determinations in urine. We tested precision, accuracy, and linearity at the usual concentrations in plasma and urine. We compared the Astra 8 and Astra 4 with continuous-flow (SMA 6) and discrete analyzers such as IL 243, Beckman KLiNa Flame, Beckman System 1, Corning 920 M Chloride Meter, and the Corning Blood-Gas Analyzer 175. Special tests were performed on plasma-to-plasma and urine-to-plasma carryover. Both analyzers are easy to operate and suitable for both emergency and routine use.
Drug-induced dyslipoproteinemia: a report of two cases.
Authors: Naito H K , McHenry M C , Lewis L A
Published: February 2020

We describe two cases of atypical dyslipoproteinemia due to drug-induction. This secondary form of lipoprotein abnormality is unique because the newly available drug, miconazole, apparently directly delipidated the alpha-lipoproteins in the bloodstream. On closer study we found that the delipidation was caused by the vehicle rather than the fungicide--more specifically, only by the polyethoxylated castor oil in the vehicle. It affects serum lipoproteins both in vitro and in vivo, and the effect is species-specific. In vitro studies indicate that it preferentially delipidates high-density lipoprotein rather than low-density lipoprotein. Because its effects on the serum lipoproteins of rats resemble those on man, and because aortic lesions were produced in rats injected daily (90 mL/L) with this substance, caution is indicated in long-term use of drugs containing this chemical component in the vehicle.
Mechanism of interference by hemoglobin in the determination of total bilirubin. I. Method of Malloy-Evelyn.
Authors: Shull B C , Lees H , Li P K
Published: February 2020

Oxyhemoglobin is the species of hemoglobin in erythrocyte hemolysates that inhibits the diazo reaction. Ferric hemoglobin derivatives and species with relatively low molecular mass do not interfere. Conversion of oxyhemoglobin to acid hematin under assay reaction conditions is associated with rapid destruction of bilirubin, which accounts for the diazo reaction error. The most probable mechanism for this destruction of bilirubin is an oxidative reaction involving H2O2, formed in the oxidation of hemoglobin, and acid hematin acting as a pseudoperoxidase. We could find no evidence for other mechanisms of interference such as spectral error or azobilirubin destruction. Addition of potassium iodide, 4.0 mmol/L final concentration in the reaction mixture, eliminates interference from hemoglobin added to give concentrations as great as 10 g/L. It also eliminated the effects of hemolysis in the method of Ertingshausen et al. (Clin. Chem. 19: 1366, 1973), in which ethylene glycol is used as the accelerator.
Screening radioimmunoassay for aldosterone in preheated plasma without extraction and chromatography.
Authors: Connolly T M , Tibor L , Gless K H , Vecsei P
Published: February 2020

We directly estimated plasma aldosterone radioimmunologically with use of an antiserum raised against an aldosterone-3-oxime/bovine serum albumin conjugate, the estimation being on samples with and without heating (60 degrees C), and diluted and undiluted. Values so obtained were compared with those by radioimmunoassay after extraction and chromatography. The correlation--even negative values were obtained--was poorest when the steroid was directly estimated in nonheated, undiluted plasma. Correlations were best (r = 0.918) for preheated and diluted native plasma, and the interassay CV was 9.8% (n = 57). However, there were some extraordinarily high values. After equilibrium dialysis of native and preheated (60 degrees C) plasma (15 plasma samples), the percentages of apparent free aldosterone and cortisol increased from 51.4 +/- 2.6% (SEM) to 64.3 +/- 1.6% and from 11.5 +/- 2.2% to 61.1 +/- 1%, respectively. We conclude that aldosterone-binding proteins play a role in direct radioimmunoassays of aldosterone in plasma, but by heating (with or without diluting) the plasma, direct assay can be used as a simple, fast, and inexpensive screening method.
Metastable creatine kinase MM and complexes of creatine kinase BB and immunoglobulin G, "atypical" isoenzymes with similar electrophoretic mobility.
Authors: Homburger H A , Wold L , Jacob G L , O'Brien J
Published: February 2020

Metastable creatine kinase MM isoenzyme was isolated and partially purified from homogenates of myocardium and skeletal muscle by gradient elution on carboxymethyl cellulose. This variant isoenzyme migrated between the MM and MB isoenzymes on agarose electrophoresis, accounted for 3.5% of the total creatine kinase activity in each tissue, was not a macromolecule, and had stable electrophoretic mobility only in borate buffer (0.02 mol/L). By comparison, the creatine kinase isoenzymes with similar "atypical" electrophoretic mobility in serum specimens were complexes of the BB isoenzyme and immunoglobulin G. These complexes were measured by a radioimmunoassay specific for the creatine kinase B-subunit and eluted predominantly with the MB isoenzyme in a commercial anion-exchange reagent system.
Liquid-chromatographic determination of norepinephrine and epinephrine in human plasma.
Authors: Yui Y , Fujita T , Yamamoto T , Itokawa Y , Kawai C
Published: February 2020

We describe a “high-performance” liquid-chromatographic method for measuring picogram amounts of norepinephrine and epinephrine simultaneously in human plasma. Alumina-treated samples are injected onto a strong cation-exchange column (Zipax SCX) for the separation of catecholamines, with a sodium phosphate buffer/acetonitrile mixture as mobile phase. The separated catecholamines then enter a continuous-flow system and the reagents for the trihydroxyindole reaction are added sequentially; the fluorescent products are then measured with a spectrofluorophotometer. Analytical recoveries from plasma averaged 66% for norepinephrine, 68% for epinephrine. Amount and response (peak height) were linearly related up to 1000 pg. For catecholamines in human plasma, within-run and day-to-day CV's were 0.2% and 1.0%, respectively, for norepinephrine, and 0.3% and 0.9%, respectively, for epinephrine. Average values for norepinephrine and epinephrine in apparently normal human plasma were 185 +/- 29 ng/L and 32 +/- 8 ng/L, respectively (mean +/- SEM, n = 10). This relatively rapid and highly sensitive system is suitable for routine use.
Simultaneous liquid-chromatographic determination of three antiarrhythmic drugs: disopyramide, lidocaine, and quinidine.
Authors: Flood J G , Bowers G N , McComb R B
Published: February 2020

We report a common methodology for determining three antiarrhythmic drugs: disopyramide, lidocaine, and quinidine. Alkalinized serum and internal standard (p-chlorodisopyramide) are extracted into dichloromethane, the organic phase is evaporated, and the redissolved residue is injected onto a reversed-phase column (micron Bondapack C18). Quantitation is via peak-height ratios of analyte vs internal standard (as detected at 205 nm) referenced to a serum-based multiple-drug standard. A mobile phase of 30 mmol/L phosphate buffer and acetonitrile (72/28 by vol) is used. These conditions yiel; optimum separation and band symmetry for the analytes and some of their metabolites. Crucial factors in this simultaneous assay include pH of the mobile phase and injected solution, extraction time, and evaporation technique. Day-to-day precision (CV) for all drugs was less than 5%, and correlation with other assay techniques for each drug is reported. The method enables more efficient use of personnel and instrumentation without sacrificing analytical quality.
Use of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid/4-aminophenazone chromogenic system in direct enzymic assay of uric acid in serum and urine.
Authors: Fossati P , Prencipe L , Berti G
Published: February 2020

A new direct colorimetric procedure for uric acid assay in serum or urine is described, utilizing a 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid/4-aminophenazone chromogenic system in the presence of horseradish peroxidase and uricase from Aspergillus flavus. This chromogen system has a high absorptivity, affording useful results with sample/reagent volume ratios as low as 0.025. The procedure is applicable to serum, plasma, or diluted urine. A single working reagent is used; the reaction is complete in less than 15 min at room temperature. The red dye formed is measured at 520 nm; a blank sample measurement is not needed. The standard curve for the method is linear for uric acid concentrations up to 1500 mumol/L. Average analytical recovery of uric acid in human sera and urine exceeded 99%; within-run and between-run precision studies showed CV's of less than or equal to 1.2 and less than or equal to 2.2%, respectively. The new procedure correlated well with the uricase/catalase and uricase/ultraviolet methods. The method is suitable for automation.
Specific lymphocyte phospholipid changes in chronic renal failure.
Authors: Kalofoutis A
Published: February 2020

I describe phospholipid fluctuations in lymphocytes of peripheral blood of patients with chronic renal failure who were undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. The findings of decreased concentration of total phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, and increased concentrations of phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol are discussed, in relation to the lymphocyte membrane enzymic systems, and immune response.
Binding of enzyme--IgG complexes in human serum to Protein-A Sepharose CL-4B.
Authors: Bauer K , Bayer P M , Deutsch E , Gabl F
Published: February 2020

We describe a simple method for detecting enzyme--immunoglobulin G (IgG) complexes in human serum. Protein-A Sepharose CL-4B binds IgG and therefore also the enzyme--IgG complexes, which can then be separated easily from the serum by centrifugation. We demonstrate this separation in two patients, one with a complex of IgG and creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) BB isoenzyme, the other with an IgG--alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) complex. Both patients had unexplainably high activities of the respective enzymes in their serum. The method we propose should be a useful, simple, routine method of detection in cases where IgG--enzyme complexes are suspected.
Digitalis glycosides in serum, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, determined with a commercial radioimmunoassay.
Authors: Nore A K , Storstein L , Larsen A , Amlie J P
Published: February 2020

We evaluated a commercial (Clinical Assays, Inc.) 125I radioimmunoassay for digitoxin for use in measuring cardiac glycosides in serum, buffer, urine, and cerebrospinal-fluid samples. We also assessed interference of seven cardioactive metabolites of digitoxin, including digoxin, with the assay. The precision of the assay was adequate for all matrixes studied for glycoside concentrations less than 5 microgram/L. Reactivity in the assay was dependent on the nature of the matrix: buffer and serum samples containing digitoxin showed a stronger reactivity than did samples of urine and cerebrospinal fluid. Patients' samples must therefore be analyzed with a standard curve prepared by use of the same matrix. The digitoxosides of digitoxin showed a slightly higher reactivity in the assay than did digitoxin itself, but digitoxigenin showed a 50% lesser reactivity. Digoxin, its digitoxosides, and digoxigenin hardly react at all in the assay and so do not interfere with digitoxin determinations.
Enzymic inhibition assay for methotrexate with a discrete analyzer, the ABA-100.
Authors: Brown L F , Johnson G F , Witte D L , Feld R D
Published: February 2020

We adapted an inhibition assay for methotrexate, involving dihydrofolate reductase from bovine liver, for use with a discrete analyzer (the ABA-100). The analyzer was used both for dilution and a 5-min pre-incubation of the sample with NADPH--enzyme reagent, and for the assay itself. The standard curve was linear between 10 and 120 microgram/L. Without pre-incubation the standard curve was nonlinear. The presence of albumin in the NADPH--enzyme reagent enhanced both enzyme activity and stability. Within-run precision (CV) was 2.0% (n = 24), run-to-run precision 7.1% (n = 49). Results obtained on patients' samples (29 sera, 15 urines, 18 cerebrospinal fluids) by the present method and a radioimmunoassay method did not differ statistically (p greater than 0.05) when the paired data were analyzed by use of the sign test and Wilcoxon's ranked sign test.
Simplified radioimmunoassay of bradykinin in human plasma.
Authors: Verma P S , Lorenz P E , Sander G E
Published: February 2020

A greatly simplified radioimmunoassay for bradykinin in human plasma is described. Current techniques require multiple chromatographic steps or extraction procedures with analytical recoveries of bradykinin of often less than 60%. We present a method in which bradykinin is separated from components of higher relative molecular mass (including kininogens) in a single step, by use of a column of Sephadex G-25 medium (PD-10). The mean analytical recovery of tritiated bradykinin added to plasma is 85.5% (SD, 3.5%). The sensitivity of this radioimmunoassay is 25 pg per assay tube, equivalent to 125 ng per liter of plasma. Twenty to 30 blood samples may be completely processed and assayed within 6 h. As determined with this technique, concentrations of bradykinin in plasma from apparently normal subjects ranged from 2.5 to 5.2 microgram/L (mean 4.2, SD 1.1 microgram/L); these values are consistent with previously reported normal values.
Gas-chromatographic analysis for phencyclidine in plasma, with use of a nitrogen detector.
Authors: Bailey D N , Guba J J
Published: February 2020

We describe a reliable gas-chromatographic analysis for unchanged phencyclidine in human plasma, with use of a nitrogen detector. The assay is sufficiently sensitive to permit measurement of as little as 5 microgram of the drug per liter, in 2 mL of plasma. Phencyclidine is extracted from plasma at pH 10.5 into hexane/iso-amyl alcohol containing meperidine as the internal standard, back-extracted into dilute HCl, and re-extracted into hexane/iso-amyl alcohol after alkalinization of the HCl. The coefficients of variation for the analysis at respective concentrations of 100 and 200 microgram/L are: within-run 4.0% and 3.4%; between-run, 2.8% and 5.2%. This procedure, used in our laboratory for more than one year, has been applied to plasma from numerous individuals with nonfatal phencyclidine intoxication. Some representative examples are given.
Mannitol estimation in biological fluids by gas-liquid chromatography of trimethylsilyl derivatives.
Authors: Laker M F , Mount J N
Published: February 2020

We describe a procedure for estimating mannitol concentrations in biological fluids. Samples are mixed with internal standard solution (alpha-methylglucose), deproteinized if necessary, desalted, and dried. Specimens are then derivatized by adding pyridine/bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide/trimethylchlorosilane and heating at 60 degrees C for 30 min. Samples are chromatographed on a 275-cm column of 10% OV-17, operated at 190 degrees C, and quantitated by peak-height measurement. The technique is linear, accurate, precise, sensitive, and free from interference. It has been used to measure mannitol in plasma, urine, and bile.
Thyroxine-binding globulin capacity and concentration evaluated from blood spots on filter-paper in a screening program for neonatal hypothyroidism.
Authors: Dussault J H , Morissette J , Letarte J , Guyda H , Laberge C
Published: February 2020

We describe a simple method for evaluating thyroxine-binding globulin capacity and concentration from a single 1-cm blood spot on filter-paper used in a screening program for neonatal hypothyroidism. This method permits prompt diagnosis of about 90% of the infants with thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency in our abnormal low-thyroxine, low-thyrotropin population. There was excellent equivalence between results obtained by our method and by the method of Chopra et al. (J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 35:565, 1972), and minimal overlap between the population with low thyroxine-binding globulin and the low-thyroxine, normal thyrotropin population. We recommend this method to all programs in which a primary thyroxine measurement is used in screening for congenital hypothyroidism.