bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toxicological Findings in Fatal Poisonings
Authors: McBay Arthur J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Anyone who must decide whether the amount of toxic substance present in a specimen is sufficient to indicate that the substance may have been the cause of death is aware of the difficulty of finding information to guide that decision. Opinions are given concerning therapeutic and toxic concentrations in human tissues for most of the common drug and chemical poisons. These include alcohols, amitriptyline, amphetamine, arsenic, barbiturates, boron, bromides, carbon monoxide, chloral hydrate, chlordiazepoxide, cyanide, diazepam, diphenylhydantoin, ethchlorvynol, fluoride, glutethimide, heroin (morphine), imipramine, lead, LSD, marihuana, meperidine, meprobamate, methadone, methamphetamine, methaqualone, nicotine, nortriptyline, orphenadrine, paraldehyde, pentazocine, phenothiazines, propoxyphene, quinine, salicylates, and strychnine.
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis of Human Plasma Lipoproteins
Authors: Bautovich G J , Dash M J , Hensley W J , Turtle J R 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A rapid and simple method for separating and identifying plasma lipoproteins is described. The technique utilizes the "molecular sieving" properties of continuous concave gradient electrophoresis on a slab of polyacrylamide (4 to 26%) gel. Gradient gel electrophoresis is particularly suitable for separating lipoproteins according to their molecular weight. The technique can be used to demonstrate the major lipoprotein classes in normal plasma and to identify abnormalities of lipoprotein metabolism. Components of a sample are better resolved by gradient gel electrophoresis than by electrophoresis on paper or cellulose acetate. The results obtained compare favorably with those achieved by preparative ultracentrifugation. The technique is easily and rapidly performed in a routine clinical laboratory.
Reduction of Glyoxylate by Human Serum
Authors: Young G , Naghizadeh F , King J , Morgan H G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Glyoxylate is enzymically reduced by human serum. Optimal concentrations of hydrogen ion, substrate, and coenzyme for this reduction by sera from healthy persons and from patients with disease of the heart or liver have been determined at 37°C. At this temperature, the reaction proceeds faster than with pyruvate or 2-oxobutyrate but more slowly than with hydroxypyruvate. Lactate dehydrogenase appears to be the enzyme involved.
Quantitative Determination of Serum Triglycerides by the Use of Enzymes
Authors: Bucolo Giovanni , David Harold 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We describe a novel method for determining serum triglycerides, in which an enzymatic hydrolysis replaces the more commonly used saponification procedure. Under the conditions of the assay, the enzymatic hydrolysis can be completed in less than 10 min by the combined action of a microbial lipase and a protease. We have been able to demonstrate complete hydrolysis of triglycerides by thin-layer chromatography of the reaction products, by recovery of glycerol from sera of known triglycerides content, and by comparison of triglyceride assays on a number of sera assayed by our method vs. the AutoAnalyzer procedure. The hydrolysis is directly coupled to the enzymatic determination of glycerol, and is followed through absorbance changes at 340 nm. The assay is simple, rapid, and requires only 50 µl or less of sample. Because the enzymes used do not release glycerol from other compounds in serum, the hydrolysis can be considered specific for triglycerides.
Improved Measurement of Corticosteroids in Plasma and Urine by Competitive Protein-Binding Radioassay
Authors: Ficher Miguel , Curtis George C , Ganjam V K , Joshlin Leon , Perry Sarah 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In the assay of corticosteroids in plasma and urine by competitive protein binding, the use of horse serum or plasma as a source of assay protein gives better sensitivity and somewhat better specificity for cortisol than do previously described procedures. Five to 10 µl of plasma unknown or 50 to 100 µl of urine unknown can be used. Precision for the standard curve is 0.12 ng in the range 0-2.00 ng, and accuracy, measured as the amount of added cortisol recovered from plasma, is about 91%. Because of the improved specificity, the need for preliminary purification by chromatography is decreased for some purposes. The same corticosteroid-binding globulin and standard curve can be used for assaying corticosteroids in urine or plasma. The procedure may be useful for unusually small samples or if discriminations within the lower range of physiological concentrations are needed, as in work with infants and neonates or in the study of small adrenal secretory pulses, such as those occurring at the nadir of the circadian cycle.
Effect of the Use of Cholesterol Digitonide in Standards on the Results of Estimation of Cholesterol in Blood and Tissues by the Schoenheimer—Sperry Method
Authors: Rao A Venugopala , Ramakrishnan S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In the classic Schoenheimer—Sperry method for estimating cholesterol [J. Biol. Chem. 106, 745 (1934)] it is selectively precipitated with digitonin, and interference by other substances is minimized. The standards used in the color development are pure cholesterol. We suggest that the standard cholesterol should also be converted to cholesterol digitonide and treated identically to the test samples. When this is done, the values for cholesterol in test samples are significantly higher, both for free and total cholesterol in blood serum and for total cholesterol in tissues. Moreover, recovery experiments showed that error is diminished. Values for serum total cholesterol obtained when cholesterol digitonide standards were used were closer to those obtained by the method of Abell et al. than when pure cholesterol standards were used.
Comparison of Results by Four Different Procedures for Determination of 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids
Authors: Bruton Joseph , Li Ting-Kai , Smith Gerald D 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A Porter and Silber procedure, a fluorometric procedure, a double-isotope derivative procedure, and a competitive protein-binding assay procedure were used to determine 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in plasma from normal individuals and from patients with endocrinopathies. Results from each of these procedures were intercompared. Results of the fluorometric procedure and the competitive protein-binding assay compared favorably with results obtained by the more elaborate and difficult double-isotope derivative method. The Porter and Silber method is less specific. This study should be a useful aid in comparing values with those of other laboratories and in selecting the most advantageous method for use by a particular laboratory.
Efficiency and Sensitivity of Two Common Screening Methods for Detecting Morphine in Urine
Authors: Gorodetzky Charles W 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Modified procedures are described for extracting morphine from urine with organic solvents and with paper impregnated with ion-exchange resin, followed by detection by thin-layer chromatography. I propose that efficiency of extraction (percent recovery) be defined in terms of the amount of drug reaching the detection system vs. the amount in the total urine sample analyzed. Percent recoveries were determined experimentally with 95% confidence limits and 95%, P = .05 tolerance limits, and were 60.6% for the organic solvent procedure and 48.2% for the ion-exchange paper procedure. Sensitivity of the overall detection method can be defined as the concentration of drug in the urine detectable at least 99% of the time. Values (95% confidence limits) determined experimentally were 0.19 (0.14-0.25) µg/ml for the organic solvent procedure and 0.16 (0.07-0.35) µg/ml for the ion-exchange paper procedure.
Problems in the Laboratory Diagnosis of Alcaptonuria
Authors: Frohlich Jiri , Price George E , Campbell Donald J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Two patients with urinary findings suggestive of alcaptonuria were observed. One was a two-year-old girl of Turkish descent, presenting with dark-stained diapers, black ear wax, and no other stated problem. The second was a 61-year-old North American Indian woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis, bluish sclerae, chronic renal failure, and dark urine. Diagnosis of alcaptonuria was confirmed in the first case by paper chromatographic identification of homogentisic acid in urine and ear wax; also a small amount of a substance with Rf similar to that of homogentisic acid was found in urine of the patient's mother and brother. Whether this implies possibilities for heterozygote detection requires further study. Gentisic acid, a phenolic acid metabolite of acetylsalicylic acid, was responsible for the dark color of the urine in the second patient. This latter finding has not been emphasized in this context, and may cause confusion when patients with arthritis and pigmentation are investigated for possible alcaptonuria.
Electronic Cell-Volume Analysis by Use of the AMAC I Transducer
Authors: Leif R C , Thomas R A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A new potential-sensing transducer has been developed that produces short 5- to 10-µs pulses suitable for rapid cell counting and pulse height volume analysis rates. The use of a bridge circuit, where potential-sensing rather than current-carrying electrodes are connected to a differential amplifier with a high common-mode rejection ratio, permitted accurate determination of both pulse width and shapes from the short pulses generated with the transducer. A new sample injection subsystem permits small samples of constant volume to be continuously mixed at a variable rate with a constant flow of diluent. The counting rate can be optimized to 250,000 cells per minute at a 2% coincidence level. Polystyrene latex spheres produced pulses having the five basic shapes predicted by Grover et al. [Biophys. J. 9, 1398 (1969)]. Human erythrocytes produced, in addition to these shapes, a sixth, castle-shaped pulse, presumably caused by rotation or distortion of the erythrocyte as it passes through the orifice. A shape factor has been calculated from the latter pulses. The electronic cell-volume pulses from the tranducer trigger an pulsed-ion laser. The 5-W peak power beam is focused through the orifice. Illumination of the cells with this intense but economical light source permits the combined measurement of electronic cell volume, fluorescence, and light scattering.
Automated Method for Serum Glucose with p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Hydrazide
Authors: Fingerhut Benjamin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A new automated method for serum glucose is presented, based on the reaction between glucose and p-hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide in alkaline solution. Results for 70 non-uremic sera averaged 60 mg/liter greater than those given by an automated glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4) procedure. Values for uremic sera indicated the proposed method to be more specific for such sera than is the automated ferricyanide-reduction technique. Within-run and day-to-day values had a standard deviation of 17 and 32 mg/ liter, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 99.5 to 104.5% (mean, 102.2%).
Radioimmunoassay of Digoxin: An Intercomparison of Results with Three Methods
Authors: Gutcho Sidney , McCarter Henry , Rapun Raul 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The radioimmunoassay of digoxin has been examined by comparing RIA data obtained by a clinical laboratory using the method of Smith et al. [New Engl. J. Med. 281, 1212 (1969)] with data obtained in a laboratory using commercially produced [3H]digoxin and [125I]digoxin kits. Correlations between clinical laboratory data and the results with each kit and correlation between kits are presented. The effects of digoxin-free sera and plasmas on standard curves have been examined.
Propylene Glycol Interference in Determination of Serum and Liver Triglycerides
Authors: Lenz Paul H , Cargill D Innes , Fleischman Alan I 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Single intraperitoneal injections (of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ml per kilogram body weight) of a solution of sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/ml, in propylene glycol, 40 ml/100 ml) elevated rat serum triglyceride values obtained by the semi-automated fluorometric method of Kessler and Lederer. Increases of 267, 619, and 813%, respectively, were noted within 5 min. Liver triglycerides and other major lipid fractions in serum and liver were unaffected. The solution added directly to pooled rat sera in vitro also elevated the apparent triglyceride concentrations, propylene glycol being the responsible agent. Essentially all of the propylene glycol was recovered as apparent triglyceride. This type of chemically induced artifact can be corrected for by determining a blank on each unknown (i.e., the hydrolysis step is omitted from the procedure). Subtraction of the blank concentration from the total triglyceride concentration yields the true triglyceride concentration. Extraction of the unknown by the Folch procedure also eliminates interference from propylene glycol.
Effects of Lysine on Ammonia Formation, Hydrogen Ion, and Potassium Ion Balance: A Review and an Hypothesis
Authors: Zweig Jack I 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Evidence is assembled that lysine acts as an intracellular hydrogen ion acceptor, causing increased ammonia formation and increased potassium excretion in certain disease states. It is suggested that other intracellular dibasic amino acids may have the same effects.
Plasma Retinol Assay by Elution from Silicic Acid with Cymene (p-Isopropyl Toluene)
Authors: Pollack J Dennis , Owen George M , Garry Philip J , Clark Donna 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We developed a microcolumn adsorption chromatographic technique for assay of plasma retinol. A petroleum ether extract of plasma was fractionated on silicic acid, to isolate retinol. The first eluent, petroleum ether, removed "unidentified fluorescent contaminant" (UFC); the second eluent, cyclohexene, removed traces of UFC and retinyl palmitate. Retinol was eluted by the third eluent, cymeme (p-isopropyl toluene). No recognized plasma vitamin A derivatives, other than retinol, were detectable in the cymene eluate. With the procedure, we could detect a minimum concentration of 7 µg of retinol per deciliter of plasma. Sixty-six plasmas from preschool children were assayed by our "cymene assay," and by the Neeld—Pearson modification of the Carr—Price procedure, the method of Thompson et al., and the column assay of Garry et al. Results by the latter three procedures were similar (P &gt;0.025): the mean plasma retinol ranged from 29.4 to 31.2 (SD, ± 5.8 to 7.4) µg/dl. By the present assay the same samples contained 24.5 (SD, ± 6.8) µg/dl; significantly more was detected by the other procedures (P &lt;0.001). This difference (16-22%) between the cymene assay for retinol and other assays for total vitamin A may reflect, in part, the concentration of other vitamin A derivatives in plasma.
Evaluation of Direct and Indirect Coupled Enzyme Assay Systems for Measurement of Creatine Kinase Activity
Authors: Dinovo E C , Miyada D S , Nakamura R M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Direct assay of creatine kinase by the method of Siegel and Cohen with the Technicon "SMA 12/60" is compared with two indirect coupled-enzyme assay methods. The direct method was linear to greater than 2000 U/liter, whereas the indirect methods were linear to 250 and 1500 U/liter, with use of serial dilutions of a creatine kinase preparation. Increasing the activity of the auxiliary enzymes, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, in one of the coupled enzyme assay methods increased its linear range from 250 to 700 U/liter. The observed findings are explained on the basis of the fundamental differences between direct and indirect coupled-enzyme assay systems and, within the latter system, the effect of the activities of auxiliary enzymes.
Predicted Drosophila Interactome Resource and web tool for functional interpretation of differentially expressed genes
Authors: Ding Xiao-Bao , Jin Jie , Tao Yu-Tian , Guo Wen-Ping , Ruan Li , Yang Qiao-lei , Chen Peng-Cheng , Yao Heng , Zhang Hai-bo , Chen Xin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is a well-established model organism that is widely used in genetic studies. This species enjoys the availability of a wide range of research tools, well-annotated reference databases and highly similar gene circuitry to other insects. To facilitate molecular mechanism studies in Drosophila, we present the Predicted Drosophila Interactome Resource (PDIR), a database of high-quality predicted functional gene interactions. These interactions were inferred from evidence in 10 public databases providing information for functional gene interactions from diverse perspectives. The current version of PDIR includes 102 835 putative functional associations with balanced sensitivity and specificity, which are expected to cover 22.56% of all Drosophila protein interactions. This set of functional interactions is a good reference for hypothesis formulation in molecular mechanism studies. At the same time, these interactions also serve as a high-quality reference interactome for gene set linkage analysis (GSLA), which is a web tool for the interpretation of the potential functional impacts of a set of changed genes observed in transcriptomics analyses. In a case study, we show that the PDIR/GSLA system was able to produce a more comprehensive and concise interpretation of the collective functional impact of multiple simultaneously changed genes compared with the widely used gene set annotation tools, including PANTHER and David. PDIR and its associated GSLA service can be accessed at http://drosophila.biomedtzc.cn.
Social Class, Work-Related Incomes, and Socio-Economic Polarization in Europe, 2005–2014
Authors: Albertini Marco , Ballarino Gabriele , De Luca Deborah 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSociologists and economists have typically focused on different dimensions of socio-economic inequalities. Sociologists have been mainly concerned with occupational and educational indicators, whereas economists have focused on the earnings, income, and wealth distribution. The article integrates sociological and economics’ approaches to the study of socio-economic inequalities, by providing an analysis of the relationship between social class and work-related income, and its distribution, in Europe in the period between 2005 and 2014. Europe as a whole and its eight major countries are studied with the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-Silc) data. Changes in the income hierarchy among classes are discussed in the framework of the occupational upgrading and polarization hypotheses. The results of our analyses suggest that, first, the capacity of the concept of social class to describe and summarize the different distribution of individual market-related income is stable or increasing in Europe. Second, in the 10 years considered there has been a ‘fanning out’ of the class income hierarchy. With reference to upper social class, the increase in the income gap has been stronger for the self-employed and the routine workers. Finally, there is also evidence of a mix of occupational upgrading and polarization. The empirical results, in particular, are consistent with the predictions of the skill-biased technological change hypothesis.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis
Authors: Zhang Lili , Awadalla Magid , Mahmood Syed S , Nohria Anju , Hassan Malek Z O , Thuny Franck , Zlotoff Daniel A , Murphy Sean P , Stone James R , Golden Doll Lauren Alexandra , Alvi Raza M , Rokicki Adam , Jones-O’Connor Maeve , Cohen Justine V , Heinzerling Lucie M , Mulligan Connor , Armanious Merna , Barac Ana , Forrestal Brian J , Sullivan Ryan J , Kwong Raymond Y , Yang Eric H , Damrongwatanasuk Rongras , Chen Carol L , Gupta Dipti , Kirchberger Michael C , Moslehi Javid J , Coelho-Filho Otavio R , Ganatra Sarju , Rizvi Muhammad A , Sahni Gagan , Tocchetti Carlo G , Mercurio Valentina , Mahmoudi Michael , Lawrence Donald P , Reynolds Kerry L , Weinsaft Jonathan W , Baksi A John , Ederhy Stephane , Groarke John D , Lyon Alexander R , Fradley Michael G , Thavendiranathan Paaladinesh , Neilan Tomas G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Aims
Myocarditis is a potentially fatal complication of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Sparse data exist on the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in ICI-associated myocarditis. In this study, the CMR characteristics and the association between CMR features and cardiovascular events among patients with ICI-associated myocarditis are presented.

Methods and results
From an international registry of patients with ICI-associated myocarditis, clinical, CMR, and histopathological findings were collected. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were a composite of cardiovascular death, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, and complete heart block. In 103 patients diagnosed with ICI-associated myocarditis who had a CMR, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 50%, and 61% of patients had an LVEF ≥50%. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was present in 48% overall, 55% of the reduced EF, and 43% of the preserved EF cohort. Elevated T2-weighted short tau inversion recovery (STIR) was present in 28% overall, 30% of the reduced EF, and 26% of the preserved EF cohort. The presence of LGE increased from 21.6%, when CMR was performed within 4 days of admission to 72.0% when CMR was performed on Day 4 of admission or later. Fifty-six patients had cardiac pathology. Late gadolinium enhancement was present in 35% of patients with pathological fibrosis and elevated T2-weighted STIR signal was present in 26% with a lymphocytic infiltration. Forty-one patients (40%) had MACE over a follow-up time of 5 months. The presence of LGE, LGE pattern, or elevated T2-weighted STIR were not associated with MACE.

Conclusion
These data suggest caution in reliance on LGE or a qualitative T2-STIR-only approach for the exclusion of ICI-associated myocarditis.
Atropine-induced sinus tachycardia protects against exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Kannankeril Prince J , Shoemaker M Benjamin , Gayle Kathryn A , Fountain Darlene , Roden Dan M , Knollmann Bjorn C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Aims
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited arrhythmia syndrome characterized by exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias, sudden death, and sinus bradycardia. Elevating supraventricular rates with pacing or atropine protects against catecholaminergic ventricular arrhythmias in a CPVT mouse model. We tested the hypothesis that increasing sinus heart rate (HR) with atropine prevents exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias in CPVT patients.

Methods and results
We performed a prospective open-label trial of atropine prior to exercise in CPVT patients (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02927223). Subjects performed a baseline standard Bruce treadmill test on their usual medical regimen. After a 2-h recovery period, subjects performed a second exercise test after parasympathetic block with atropine (0.04 mg/kg intravenous). The primary outcome measure was the total number of ventricular ectopic beats during exercise. All six subjects (5 men, 22–57 years old) completed the study with no adverse events. Atropine increased resting sinus rate from median 52 b.p.m. (range 52–64) to 98 b.p.m. (84–119), P = 0.02. Peak HRs (149 b.p.m., range 136–181 vs. 149 b.p.m., range 127–182, P = 0.46) and exercise duration (612 s, range 544–733 vs. 584 s, range 543–742, P = 0.22) were not statistically different. All subjects had ventricular ectopy during the baseline exercise test. Atropine pre-treatment significantly decreased the median number of ventricular ectopic beats from 46 (6–192) to 0 (0–29), P = 0.026; ventricular ectopy was completely eliminated in 4/6 subjects.

Conclusion
Elevating sinus rates with atropine reduces or eliminates exercise-induced ventricular ectopy in patients with CPVT. Increasing supraventricular rates may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in CPVT.