bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma amino acids determined by liquid chromatography within 17 minutes
Authors: Terrlink T , van Leeuwen P A , Houdijk A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We present an HPLC method for the determination of amino acids in plasma. The method is based on automated precolumn derivatization of amino acids with o-phthalaldehyde, separation of the derivatives by reversed-phase chromatography, and quantification by fluorescence detection. Complete separation was achieved within 12 min. Total analysis time, including derivatization, chromatography, and reequilibration of the column, was 17 min. The assay was linear from 5 to 800 mumol/L for all amino acids. Recovery of amino acids added to plasma samples was 96-106%, except for tryptophan (89%). Within-run precision (CV) was 1.8-6.4%, and between-run precision was 2.1-7.2%. The method can be used for determining primary amino acids in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. The simple sample preparation and short analysis time make the method particularly suitable for routine analysis of large series of samples.
Urinary and plasma catecholamines and urinary catecholamine metabolites in pheochromocytoma: diagnostic value in 19 cases
Authors: Gerlo E A , Sevens C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We review our data on the measurement of catecholamines and their metabolites in 19 patients with pheochromocytoma. All the assays were specific high-performance liquid chromatographic procedures with electrochemical detection. The assay of fractionated metanephrines was 100% sensitive. Normal values for both urinary norepinephrine and epinephrine were found in two asymptomatic patients with pheochromocytoma. Normal values for 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA) were found in two patients with pure epinephrine-secreting tumors and in one patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II. Plasma catecholamines were usually less increased than their urinary counterparts. We recommend the specific measurement of norepinephrine and epinephrine as the initial test for patients with suggestive symptoms, and specific measurement of normetanephrine and metanephrine for patients in whom an adrenal mass is incidentally found. We argue against the use of total metanephrines, total catecholamines, and VMA because of their lack of diagnostic sensitivity.
Quantification of serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol in uremic and diabetic patients by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Niwa T , Dewald L , Sone J , Miyazaki T , Kajita M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We developed a new method for measuring serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), using liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical-ionization mass spectrometry (LC/MS). With this method we measured serum 1,5-AG concentrations in uremic and diabetic patients and compared these values with those determined by an enzymatic method. Serum 1,5-AG concentrations were significantly less in the undialyzed and dialyzed uremic patients and in diabetic patients; the values in the dialyzed patients decreased after hemodialysis. In uremic patients with high concentrations of serum myo-inositol, the 1,5-AG values determined by LC/MS were significantly lower than those determined enzymatically. There was no significant correlation between 1,5-AG and fructosamine in the uremic patients. These results demonstrate that serum 1,5-AG cannot be used as an index for glycemic control in uremic patients and that the LC/MS method is indicated in uremic patients with high concentrations of myo-inositol.
Neuropsychopharmacologic challenge in biological psychiatry
Authors: Coccaro E F , Kavoussi R J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Psychopharmacologic challenge procedures offer many useful features for biological psychiatry research. First, challenge procedures acutely stimulate neurotransmitter and (or) hormonal systems in the brain and offer the chance to assess the function, and (or) reserve, of the brain neurotransmitter/hormone system of relevance. Second, these paradigms often offer functional information about specific areas of the brain (e.g., limbic-hypothalamus). Regardless of these advantages, the power of these procedures is limited to the specificity of the agent and of the functional anatomy of the "circuit" that leads to the outcome measure, which, in turn, is linked to the stimulation by the acute pharmacologic challenge. We describe here the development of the psychopharmacologic challenge methodology and the strengths and weaknesses of this approach. Finally, the application of this paradigm in the study of various neuropsychiatric disorders will be reviewed and critiqued.
Localized in situ amplification (LISA): a novel approach to in situ PCR
Authors: Tsongalis G J , McPhail A H , Lodge-Rigal R D , Chapman J F , Silverman L M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Amplification of specific gene target sequences has become a routine molecular procedure in a variety of laboratories. When coupled with either a direct or indirect method of detecting amplified product, in situ amplification offers an extremely powerful investigative tool. We describe a protocol for a localized in situ amplification (LISA) reaction that includes tissue-culture cloning rings and allows for the amplification of gene target sequences in specific regions of paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Digoxigenin-11-dUTP was added to the amplification reaction and thus incorporated into the amplified products, providing a mechanism by which direct nonisotopic detection could be performed. To demonstrate the approach, LISA was performed on known positive Pneumocystis carinii rat lung tissues, with primers specific for the P. carinii rRNA gene sequence.
Measuring swainsonine in serum of cancer patients: phase I clinical trial
Authors: Baptista J A , Goss P , Nghiem M , Krepinsky J J , Baker M , Dennis J W 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid and competitive inhibitor of Golgi alpha-mannosidase II (EC 3.2.1.114), reduces tumor growth and stimulates immune function in mice. On the basis of these observations, a phase I clinical trial was initiated to determine whether swainsonine could be administered safely to cancer patients. We describe a method for extraction, acetylation, and quantification of swainsonine in human serum samples. Methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside and methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside were added to serum samples as internal standards and, after sequential extraction of lipids and proteins with chloroform and acetonitrile, respectively, samples were acetylated with acetic anhydride and 4-dimethylaminopyridine and separated by gas-liquid chromatography. The identity of swainsonine and the internal standards after their extraction from serum and acetylation was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Swainsonine was recovered at an efficiency of 90%, relative to internal standards, and calibration graphs were rectilinear from 3 to 18 mg/L with a detection limit of approximately 0.1 mg/L. The CV for multiple samples was &lt; or = 6.7%. In patients receiving swainsonine (50-550 micrograms/kg per day) continuously for 5 days by intravenous infusion, serum concentrations of the drug reached 3-11.8 mg/L, 100 to 400 times greater than the 50% inhibitory concentration for Golgi alpha-mannosidase II and lysosomal alpha-mannosidases. Accurate measurements of swainsonine in biological fluids with this method should facilitate further clinical studies with the drug.
Simple method for determining specific binding capacity of vitamin D-binding protein and its use to calculate the concentration of "free" 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
Authors: Vieth R 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A quantitative method to measure the specific binding capacity for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D-binding capacity) is described that resembles the qualitative "T3-uptake" assay. Patient's serum or standard (10 microL) is mixed with 0.5 mL of reagent containing 0.5 mumol/L 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D3] plus 3000 counts/min [3H]25(OH)D3. After 0.5 h at 37 degrees C, the samples are treated with dextran/charcoal on ice for 1 h and centrifuged. The radioactivity of the bound tracer in the supernate is counted. Calibration is linear to approximately 10 mumol/L. 25D-binding capacity in reference-group serum samples was 4.33 (0.58 SD) mumol/L. The relationship between the inverse of 25D-binding capacity and the free fraction of [3H]1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] measured by ultrafiltration isodialysis was essentially linear (r = 0.934, P &lt; 0.0001). Given this relationship, the calculated free fraction of 1,25(OH)2D3 equals 4.88 x 10(-3)/25D-binding capacity. The 25D-binding capacity was significantly lower in newborn babies and in adults with liver disease, and was increased during pregnancy (P &lt; 0.01 for each). This method is applicable to situations where the biologically available concentration of 1,25(OH)2D is of interest.
Microparticle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay of anti-thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies in thyroid disorders
Authors: Harchali A A , Montagne P , Ruf J , Cuillière M L , Bene M C , Faure G , Duheille J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Crude thyroid peroxidase extracted from human thyroid microsomes was covalently bound onto polyacrylic and polyfunctional copolymerized microparticles. We observed agglutination of the thyroid peroxidase-microparticle conjugate with 13 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for epitopes on four different antigenic domains of human thyroid peroxidase (TPO; EC 1.11.1.7), after addition of anti-mouse immunoglobulins. We quantified agglutination by measuring with a specially designed nephelometer the light scattered by the conjugates. This allowed us to develop a microparticle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay for human anti-TPO autoantibodies (aAbs) with defined epitopic specificity, based on the ability of aAbs to inhibit mAb-induced agglutination. Applied to patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, this assay confirmed the polyclonality of anti-TPO aAbs and their preferential reactivity toward epitopes located on the A and B antigenic domains of the TPO molecule. The same specificities seem to be present in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis or Graves disease.
Development and validation of a monoclonal antibody enzyme immunoassay for measuring progesterone in saliva
Authors: O'Rorke A , Kane M M , Gosling J P , Tallon D F , Fottrell P F 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A nonextraction, competitive, solid-phase enzyme immunoassay with a monoclonal antibody was developed and validated for measuring progesterone in saliva. The antibody was raised against 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin conjugate and was indirectly immobilized to the walls of microtiter wells. The labeled analyte (progesterone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate) was homologous with the immunogen. The lower detection limit (concentration equivalent to B0-3 SD) was 38 pmol/L of saliva sample. We validated the assay with studies to establish the independence of the concentration determined from the volume of saliva assayed, quantitative recovery of progesterone added to saliva, interference from possible cross-reactants, and agreement with a similar assay that incorporated an extraction step. In addition, we determined luteal-phase concentrations of salivary progesterone in normal women and compared the results with those of an older assay involving a polyclonal antibody.
Evaluating test methods by estimating total error
Authors: Chinchilli V M , Miller W G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A common procedure for evaluating a test method by comparison with another, well-accepted method has been to use a repeated measurements design, in which several individual subjects' specimens are assayed with both methods. We propose the use of the intrasubject relative mean square error, which is a function of the intrasubject relative bias and the coefficient of variation of the test method, as a measure of total error. We construct for each individual subject a score that is based on how well an individual's estimate of total error compares with a maximum allowable value. If the individual's score is &gt; 100%, then that individual's estimate of total error exceeds the maximum allowable value. We present a distribution-free statistical methodology for evaluating the sample of scores. This involves the construction of an upper tolerance limit to determine whether the test method yields values of the total error that are acceptable for most of the population with some level of confidence. Our definition of total error is very different from that defined in the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines. The NCEP bound for total error has three main problems: (a) it incorrectly assumes that the standard error of the estimated relative bias is the test coefficient of variation; (b) it incorrectly assumes that the individual estimated relative biases follow gaussian distributions; (c) it is based on requiring the relative bias of the average individual in the population to lie within prescribed limits, whereas we believe it is more important to require the total error for most of the individuals in the population, say 95%, to lie within prescribed limits.
Total discrimination of peritoneal malignant ascites from cirrhosis- and hepatocarcinoma-associated ascites by assays of ascitic cholesterol and lactate dehydrogenase
Authors: Castaldo G , Oriani G , Cimino L , Topa M , Mostarda I , Castellano L , Del Vecchio-Blanco C , Budillon G , Salvatore F , Sacchetti L 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
No laboratory test completely distinguishes malignant ascites (MA) from ascites associated with cirrhosis and (or) hepatocellular carcinoma (A/C-HC). Ascitic cytology is highly specific but has a diagnostic sensitivity of only 40-60%. We determined 11 ascitic analytes and cytology in 58 patients with cirrhosis, 15 with hepatocellular carcinoma, and 21 with MA (10 ovarian cancers, 4 mesotheliomas, 6 gastrointestinal neoplasias, 1 leukemia). Ascitic total protein, cholesterol, pseudouridine, and lactate dehydrogenase (LD), and the ascitic:serum ratios of total protein and of LD showed the most significant differences between the two groups of patients. Stepwise multiple linear discriminant analysis (applying the Wilks' lambda criterion) of several variables, corroborated by the "jack-knife" reallocation procedure, showed that the ascitic cholesterol and ascitic LD association correctly identified 100% of MA and A/C-HC; cytology had a diagnostic specificity of 100%, but identified only 48% of MA. This association may represent a primary tool for the discrimination of ascites of unknown origin, particularly in the presence of negative cytology findings.
Chemiluminescence receptor assay for measuring vitamin B12 in serum evaluated
Authors: Wentworth S , McBride J A , Walker W H 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We evaluated a chemiluminescence receptor assay for vitamin B12 in serum (Magic Lite; Ciba Corning Diagnostics), in which an acridinium ester label is used with magnetic particle separation. Within- and between-batch precisions were generally acceptable, except at low analyte concentrations. The reference range determined from 104 elective preoperative patients was 120-610 pmol/L, compared with 150-590 pmol/L for our in-house radioligand-binding assay. Magic Lite discriminated between normal and abnormal results as effectively as the in-house method when local reference ranges were applied. Magic Lite demonstrated a negative bias at low analyte concentrations and was unable to detect any vitamin B12 in two B12-deficient patients. Assay accuracy--judged from analytical recovery and comparisons with the in-house method and two other radioassay kits (Quantaphase, Bio-Rad Labs., and Immophase, Ciba Corning Diagnostics)--was poor at low B12 concentrations when the manufacturer's recommended two-point calibration was used. This problem was partially corrected by using a full set of calibrators.
Interference in ionized calcium measurements by heparin salts
Authors: Landt M , Hortin G L , Smith C H , McClellan A , Scott M G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We determined the suitability of various heparin salts used for anticoagulation of whole-blood specimens for measurement of ionized calcium (iCa), blood gases, and electrolytes. We were particularly interested in a new heparin product containing both zinc and lithium cations (CNLZ heparin), in which the binding sites with greatest affinity for divalent cations are bound with zinc and low-affinity sites with lithium. In initial experiments Li heparin decreased iCa concentrations 0.07 mmol/L at the lowest heparin concentration (3000 units/L) and progressively lowered them at higher concentrations. Zn heparin initially increased iCa concentrations 0.06 mmol/L but progressively lowered them as the heparin concentration was increased. Li heparin interfered even when present in amounts (9 units per 3-mL syringe) minimally effective in preventing coagulation. Use of CNLZ heparin (36 units per 3-mL syringe; Zn 63-78 g/kg of heparin) largely eliminated interference of heparin in iCa measurements. In studies that included the effects of concentration of heparin through partial filling of syringes, specimens anticoagulated with CNLZ heparin compared well with unheparinized controls in measurements of iCa, blood gases, and electrolytes. Blood gases and iCa results on CNLZ-heparinized specimens from intensive-care-unit patients also compared well with specimens anticoagulated with a preparation of heparin (EB heparin) in which calcium has been added to balance the calcium-binding capacity. However, the presence of calcium in EB heparin significantly increased measured total calcium concentrations, whereas the new CNLZ heparin did not interfere in total calcium determinations.
Effect of serum lipoprotein(a) on estimation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by the Friedewald formula
Authors: Li K M , Wilcken D E , Dudman N P 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The calculation of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by the Friedewald formula does not account for the cholesterol associated with lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. To quantify the contribution of Lp(a) cholesterol to total serum cholesterol, we measured concentrations of serum Lp(a) by an ELISA and concentrations of other serum lipids and lipoproteins by standard assays in 23 normolipemic women, ages 50-60 years. In measuring serum high-density lipoprotein we found that polyethylene glycol 6000 precipitated &gt; 99.8% of all Lp(a). When serum Lp(a) concentrations were &lt; or = 300 mg/L, 301-600 mg/L, and &gt; 600 mg/L, the uncorrected serum LDL-C was overestimated, respectively, by a mean of 4.1% (n = 7), 8.5% (n = 8), and 21.4% (n = 8). Serum Lp(a) concentrations were positively correlated with percentage overestimation (P &lt; 0.001), but were not correlated with either corrected or uncorrected serum LDL-C. We conclude that the Friedewald formula should be modified to take into account the contribution of Lp(a) cholesterol to total serum cholesterol.
Biological variability of cholesterol, triglyceride, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and apolipoproteins A-I and B
Authors: Marcovina S M , Gaur V P , Albers J J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Biological variability is a major contributor to the inaccuracy of cardiovascular risk assessments based on measurement of lipids, lipoproteins, or apolipoproteins. We obtained estimates of biological variation (CVb) for 20 healthy adults and calculated the percentiles of CVb as an expression of the variability of CVb among individuals for cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apo B, and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] by four biweekly measurements of these analytes. The CVb for the group was approximately 6-7% for cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apo A-I, and apo B; approximately 9% for LDL cholesterol; and 28% for triglyceride. However, for each analyte, there was a considerable variation of CVb among individuals. For all analytes except Lp(a), there was no relation between the individual's CVb and the analyte concentration. Lp(a) was inversely related to CVb, and there was a very wide variation in the CVb for Lp(a) among the participants, ranging from 1% to 51%. The number of independent analyses to perform to accurately assess an individual's risk for coronary artery disease should be determined on the basis of the individual CVb for a given analyte rather than the average CVb.
Decreased signal in Emit assays of drugs of abuse in urine after ingestion of aspirin: potential for false-negative results
Authors: Wagener R E , Linder M W , Valdes R 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
During routine drug analysis with the Syva d.a.u. Emit immunoassays we observed a high frequency of urines with lower rates of changes in absorbance (delta A R) than the rate for a drug-free urine calibrator. Many of these urines contained salicylates. Among 40 urines with apparent salicylate concentrations between 15 and 420 mg/dL tested for benzoylecgonine (BE), 20 had delta A R &lt; -4 (range +2 to -28 mA/min). The rates decreased with increasing salicylate: delta A R = -0.057 x (salicylate, mg/dL) -0.22 mA/min (r = 0.85, n = 40, P &lt; 0.01). Urines from 100 control subjects (no salicylate) had mean +/- SD delta A R values of -1.05 +/- 2.2 mA/min (range +3 to -7; only two were &lt; -4 mA/min). Although direct addition of salicylic acid (200 mg/dL) to urine specimens did not reproduce the negative bias, ingestion of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) did by -0.09 mA/min per 1 mg/dL (72.4 mumol/L) salicylate. Negative biases observed for other Emit d.a.u. assays after salicylate ingestion lead us to conclude that ingestion of therapeutic doses of aspirin may cause false-negative results for drug screens in urines by this technology.
Measuring c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification in fresh and paraffin-embedded tumors by competitive polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Sestini R , Orlando C , Zentilin L , Gelmini S , Pinzani P , Bianchi S , Selli C , Giacca M , Pazzagli M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We present an original application of competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for measuring oncogene amplification in DNA from human tumors by simultaneous PCR amplification of genomic DNA with fixed amounts of an internal standard (competitor DNA). Competitors share the same sequence as the target genes but contain an additional 15- to 20-base-pair insert, which allows resolution of the amplified products after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. The gene copy number is derived from the ratio between the intensities of the bands corresponding to the amplified products. Using this procedure, we measured c-erbB-2 amplification in breast and bladder carcinomas in both fresh tumor tissues and paraffin-embedded tissue samples and assessed the precision, sensitivity, and accuracy of the assay. Competitive PCR is a simple, reliable, and accurate method for the evaluation of c-erbB-2 amplification and is potentially suitable for use in the clinical laboratory.
Fast-type electrophoretic variant of lactate dehydrogenase M(A) and comparison with other missense mutations in lactate dehydrogenase M(A) and H(B) genes
Authors: Maekawa M , Sudo K , Kobayashi A , Sugiyama E , Li S S , Kanno T 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
An electrophoretic variant of lactate dehydrogenase (LD) M(A) subunit was discovered in a female patient with chest pain. Her LD activity in serum was within the normal reference interval, and analysis of her LD isoenzyme pattern showed an abnormal migration indicating a fast-type LD-M(A) subunit variant. DNA analysis of the mutant LD-M gene detected a single base substitution, an A to G transition at codon 220 (AAA--&gt;GAA). This mutation resulted in the replacement of a lysine by a glutamic acid (mutation K220E) and produced a subunit variant (electrophoretic fast type). This missense mutation was also observed in the patient's son, and genotypes of mother and son were consistent with their biochemical phenotypes, as evaluated by LD isoenzyme analysis.