bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of calibration material lot changes on results for the "SMAC".
Authors: Robertson E A , Csako G , Faust A , Elin R J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The effect of two changes of calibration material (separated by five months) for the SMAC continuous-flow analyzer was followed by means of five quality-control indices: three normal and abnormal control sera, the mean of the central 50th percentile of patients' results, and the mean value for normal individuals. After the first and second changes of calibration materials, eight and six, respectively, of the 20 different tests exhibited statistically significant changes as shown by the indices. The cumulative shift for two of the 20 tests was considered medically significant. Prospective studies on split samples of patients' sera before the change in calibration material only predicted half the significant changes in test results later evidenced by the above-mentioned indices.
Hyperkalemia in the elderly.
Authors: Walmsley R N , White G H , Cain M , McCarthy P J , Booth J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Hyperkalemia is a common and potentially dangerous condition in elderly patients. These subjects are more likely to have a disease or be taking medications that may induce this disorder. We describe three such cases where the increased concentration of potassium in plasma resulted from decreased renal excretion of this ion, and suggest a simple approach to the etiological diagnosis of hyperkalemia.
Ultrasound-accelerated immunoassay, as exemplified by enzyme immunoassay of choriogonadotropin.
Authors: Chen R , Weng L , Sizto N C , Osorio B , Hsu C J , Rodgers R , Litman D J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The rate-limiting step in many solid-phase immunoassays is associated with the slow kinetics of binding of macro-molecular antigen and conjugate to the immobilized phase. We demonstrate that the use of ultrasonic energy to enhance mass transport across liquid/solid interfaces can dramatically accelerate antigen binding to immobilized antibodies. We use an ultrasound-accelerated procedure with an enzyme-channelling test strip containing glucose oxidase and specific antibody to the alpha-subunit of human choriogonadotropin (HCG) co-immobilized onto a cellulose support. A horseradish peroxidase conjugate of monospecific antibody to the beta-subunit of HCG is used in the liquid phase to complete the immune "sandwich." Use of ultrasound to accelerate binding and of enzyme channelling to eliminate wash steps result in a simple two-incubation protocol by which 25 int. units of urinary HCG per liter can be detected visually in less than 20 min of assay time.
Immunogold staining: adaptation of a cell-labeling system for analysis of human leukocyte subsets.
Authors: Rosenberg J S , Weiss E , Wilding P 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We have assessed the Immunogold Cell-Labeling System (IGS) for potential use in the clinical laboratory. In this technique, cell suspensions incubated with monoclonal mouse antibodies are reacted with anti-mouse antibodies labeled with colloidal gold. Surface marker cells, bearing dark blue-black granules, are easily distinguished by light microscopy. The percentages of T cells, T cell subsets, B cells, monocytes, or granulocytes identified by IGS corresponds with numbers obtained by flow cytometry analysis or immunofluorescence studies. Results by IGS and flow cytometry were similar for samples from patients with aberrant lymphocyte populations (e.g., leukemias) or from transplant recipients. IGS may thus be a useful diagnostic technique for studying neoplasias or other immunologically mediated disorders. This technique can also be used to characterize the surface phenotype of leukemic cell lines. The sensitivity and accuracy of IGS can be evaluated by measurements of different cell lines mixed in predetermined ratios.
Direct solid-phase enzyme immunoassay of progesterone in saliva.
Authors: Tallon D F , Gosling J P , Buckley P M , Dooley M M , Cleere W F , O'Dwyer E M , Fottrell P F 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We have developed a rapid enzyme immunoassay for progesterone in saliva. This solid-phase assay is carried out on microtitre plates with no extraction or centrifugation steps. The detection limit of the assay is 200 fg per well (3.2 pmol/L). Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation for low, medium, and high concentrations of progesterone were 7.5, 16.0; 9.1, 8.3; and 8.7, 6.7%, respectively. Correlation between total plasma progesterone (assayed by enzyme immunoassay with extraction) and salivary progesterone concentrations was good (r = 0.848, p less than 0.001, n = 56). We found the assay useful for monitoring ovarian function. The analytical procedure is convenient, and one person can assay more than 200 saliva samples per working day. The turnaround time for 36 samples is 2 h, including 1.5 h of incubation time, when previously coated plates are used. We conclude that such assays are very suitable for measuring progesterone in serial saliva samples and could become the preferred method for monitoring ovarian function.
Specificity considerations in cooperative immunoassays.
Authors: Ehrlich P H , Moyle W R 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Mixtures of some monoclonal antibodies form circular antibody-antigen complexes, which facilitates their ability to bind antigen. This effect forms the basis of a potentially very sensitive assay procedure, the cooperative immunoassay (CIA). Unlike other immunoassays, in which binding can be characterized by a simple "binding constant," the binding of antigen by two antibodies in a CIA depends on several binding parameters, including the affinity of each antibody for antigen as well as the tendency of the reactants to form a circular complex. The ability of the CIA to distinguish between two similar molecules depends on the relative affinity of the antibodies for each antigen and on the ability of the antigens to participate in forming a circular complex. To study the binding of antibody mixtures to cross-reacting antigens, we devised a mathematical model to account for all possible antibody-antigen complexes, including those composed of circular complexes; however, we limited this model to the case in which one antibody was adsorbed to a solid phase. We illustrate here both theoretically and experimentally that a mixture of two antibodies in a CIA may have increased or decreased specificity, if circular complexes containing one or two molecules of cross-reacting antigen are formed. We discuss simple practical considerations that can help optimize specificity and sensitivity of solid-phase assays involving two monoclonal antibodies.
Lymphokines and monokines as regulators of human lymphoproliferation.
Authors: Kouttab N M , Mehta S , Morgan J , Tannir N , Sahasrabuddhe C , Maizel A L 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The development of a competent immunoregulatory response in the face of an antigenic challenge is modulated by soluble proteins of relatively low molecular mass. Lymphokines and monokines, secreted by cells of T lineage and cells of the monocyte/microphage series, respectively, function in a bimodal amplification network that results in the proliferation and differentiation of the immunoregulatory cells. Interleukin 1 is typically assayed by its effect on thymocytes or by its ability to promote the T cell-dependent release of interleukin 2. Interleukin 2 is routinely measured by its ability to support the long-term growth of cultured T cells, whereas B cell growth factor is measured by its ability to support the long-term growth of cultured B lymphocytes. The availability of homogeneous purified factors and the subsequent availability of monoclonal antibodies against these reagents should allow for the development of rapid quantitative assays for these analytes in diverse biological fluids. In addition, large quantities of purified reagents will promote studies to determine therapeutic efficacy in several immunodeficiency syndromes.
Sulfur specifically inhibits adenylate kinase in assays for creatine kinase.
Authors: Russell P J , Conner J , Sisson S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Elemental sulfur is a specific and potent inhibitor of the muscle-type isoenzyme of adenylate kinase (EC 2.7.4.3). We find inhibition by sulfur and by diadenosine pentaphosphate to be similarly potent and specific. Some properties of inhibition of adenylate kinase isoenzymes by sulfur are given. The adenylate kinase isoenzymes from skeletal muscle, brain, and heart muscle are inhibited by sulfur; those from liver and kidney are not. Other enzymes not inhibited by sulfur include the isoenzymes of creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2). We show that creatine kinase can be measured in serum when adenylate kinase is inhibited by sulfur, and that the sensitivity and specificity of this inhibition are of the same order as the inhibition of serum adenylate kinase activity by AMP plus diadenosine pentaphosphate.
Two methods compared for measuring lipase activity in plasma after heparin administration.
Authors: Ehnholm C , Nikkilä E A , Nilsson-Ehle P 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We compared two methods for the direct selective measurement of hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase activities in human plasma after intravenous administration of heparin. Except for the emulsifier (gum arabic vs lecithin), the two assay media for hepatic lipase are essentially similar. Results for hepatic lipase by these two assays correlate well (r = 0.99). The assays for lipoprotein lipase in the two procedures differ in the way that hepatic lipase activity is eliminated (immunological inhibition vs a specific substrate emulsion), and also with regard to the emulsifier. The substrate emulsion stabilized by gum arabic (immunological assay) consistently yielded about three times higher enzymic activity than the specific substrate stabilized by lecithin. Experiments in which purified enzymes were used demonstrated that this systematic difference can be accounted for by the different emulsifiers. The satisfactory correlation (r = 0.92) between the two lipoprotein lipase assays, however, demonstrates that they measure the same enzymic activity.
Balancing Power And Performance In HPC Clouds
Authors: Chen Lixia , Li Jian , Ma Ruhui , Guan Haibing , Jacobsen Hans-Arno 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWith energy consumption in high-performance computing clouds growing rapidly, energy saving has become an important topic. Virtualization provides opportunities to save energy by enabling one physical machine (PM) to host multiple virtual machines (VMs). Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is another technology to reduce energy consumption. However, in heterogeneous cloud environments where DVFS may be applied at the chip level or the core level, it is a great challenge to combine these two technologies efficiently. On per-core DVFS servers, cloud managers should carefully determine VM placements to minimize performance interference. On full-chip DVFS servers, cloud managers further face the choice of whether to combine VMs with different characteristics to reduce performance interference or to combine VMs with similar characteristics to take better advantage of DVFS. This paper presents a novel mechanism combining a VM placement algorithm and a frequency scaling method. We formulate this VM placement problem as an integer programming (IP) to find appropriate placement configurations, and we utilize support vector machines to select suitable frequencies. We conduct detailed experiments and simulations, showing that our scheme effectively reduces energy consumption with modest impact on performance. Particularly, the total energy delay product is reduced by up to 60%.
Sentiment Classification Using Two Effective Optimization Methods Derived From The Artificial Bee Colony Optimization And Imperialist Competitive Algorithm
Authors: Osmani Amjad , Mohasefi Jamshid Bagherzadeh , Gharehchopogh Farhad Soleimanian 
Published: January 2020

AbstractArtificial bee colony (ABC) optimization and imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) are two famous metaheuristic methods. In ABC, exploration is good because each bee moves toward random neighbors in the first and second phases. In ABC, exploitation is poor because it does not try to examine a promising region of search space carefully to see if it contains a good local minimum. In this study, ICA is considered to improve ABC exploitation, and two novel swarm-based hybrid methods called ABC–ICA and ABC–ICA1 are proposed, which combine the characteristics of ABC and ICA. The proposed methods improve the evaluations results in both continuous and discrete environments compared to the baseline methods. The second method improves the first optimization method as well. Feature selection can be considered to be an optimization problem because selecting the appropriate feature subset is very important and the action of appropriate feature selection has a great influence on the efficiency of classifier algorithms in supervised methods. Therefore, to focus on feature selection is a key issue and is very important. In this study, different discrete versions of the proposed methods have been introduced that can be used in feature selection and feature scoring problems, which have been successful in evaluations. In this study, a problem called cold start is introduced, and a solution is presented that has a great impact on the efficiency of the proposed methods in feature scoring problem. A total of 16 UCI data sets and 2 Amazon data sets have been used for the evaluation of the proposed methods in feature selection problem. The parameters that have been compared are classification accuracy and the number of features required for classification. Also, the proposed methods can be used to create a proper sentiment dictionary. Evaluation results confirm the better performance of the proposed methods in most experiments.
The LINC00961 transcript and its encoded micropeptide, small regulatory polypeptide of amino acid response, regulate endothelial cell function
Authors: Spencer Helen L , Sanders Rachel , Boulberdaa Mounia , Meloni Marco , Cochrane Amy , Spiroski Ana-Mishel , Mountford Joanne , Emanueli Costanza , Caporali Andrea , Brittan Mairi , Rodor Julie , Baker Andrew H 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Aims
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play functional roles in physiology and disease, yet understanding of their contribution to endothelial cell (EC) function is incomplete. We identified lncRNAs regulated during EC differentiation and investigated the role of LINC00961 and its encoded micropeptide, small regulatory polypeptide of amino acid response (SPAAR), in EC function.

Methods and results
Deep sequencing of human embryonic stem cell differentiation to ECs was combined with Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) RNA-seq data from vascular cells, identifying 278 endothelial enriched genes, including 6 lncRNAs. Expression of LINC00961, first annotated as an lncRNA but reassigned as a protein-coding gene for the SPAAR micropeptide, was increased during the differentiation and was EC enriched. LINC00961 transcript depletion significantly reduced EC adhesion, tube formation, migration, proliferation, and barrier integrity in primary ECs. Overexpression of the SPAAR open reading frame increased tubule formation; however, overexpression of the full-length transcript did not, despite production of SPAAR. Furthermore, overexpression of an ATG mutant of the full-length transcript reduced network formation, suggesting a bona fide non-coding RNA function of the transcript with opposing effects to SPAAR. As the LINC00961 locus is conserved in mouse, we generated an LINC00961 locus knockout (KO) mouse that underwent hind limb ischaemia (HLI) to investigate the angiogenic role of this locus in vivo. In agreement with in vitro data, KO animals had a reduced capillary density in the ischaemic adductor muscle after 7 days. Finally, to characterize LINC00961 and SPAAR independent functions in ECs, we performed pull-downs of both molecules and identified protein-binding partners. LINC00961 RNA binds the G-actin sequestering protein thymosin beta-4x (Tβ4) and Tβ4 depletion phenocopied the overexpression of the ATG mutant. SPAAR binding partners included the actin-binding protein, SYNE1.

Conclusion
The LINC00961 locus regulates EC function in vitro and in vivo. The gene produces two molecules with opposing effects on angiogenesis: SPAAR and LINC00961.
Risk factors and outcomes associated with anastomotic leaks following esophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kamarajah Sivesh K , Lin Aaron , Tharmaraja Thahesh , Bharwada Yashvi , Bundred James R , Nepogodiev Dmitri , Evans Richard P T , Singh Pritam , Griffiths Ewen A 
Published: January 2020

SummaryAnastomotic leaks (AL) are a major complication after esophagectomy. This meta-analysis aimed to determine identify risks factors for AL (preoperative, intra-operative, and post-operative factors) and assess the consequences to outcome on patients who developed an AL. This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, and eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases up to 31 December 2018. A meta-analysis was conducted with the use of random-effects modeling and prospectively registered with the PROSPERO database (Registration CRD42018130732). This review identified 174 studies reporting outcomes of 74,226 patients undergoing esophagectomy. The overall pooled AL rates were 11%, ranging from 0 to 49% in individual studies. Majority of studies were from Asia (n = 79). In pooled analyses, 23 factors were associated with AL (17 preoperative and six intraoperative). AL were associated with adverse outcomes including pulmonary (OR: 4.54, CI95%: 2.99–6.89, P &lt; 0.001) and cardiac complications (OR: 2.44, CI95%: 1.77–3.37, P &lt; 0.001), prolonged hospital stay (mean difference: 15 days, CI95%: 10–21 days, P &lt; 0.001), and in-hospital mortality (OR: 5.91, CI95%: 1.41–24.79, P = 0.015). AL are a major complication following esophagectomy accounting for major morbidity and mortality. This meta-analysis identified modifiable risk factors for AL, which can be a target for interventions to reduce AL rates. Furthermore, identification of both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors will facilitate risk stratification and prediction of AL enabling better perioperative planning, patient counseling, and informed consent.
Chest discomfort at night and risk of acute coronary syndrome: cross-sectional study of telephone conversations
Authors: Wouters Loes T , Zwart Dorien L , Erkelens Daphne C , Cheung Noël S , de Groot Esther , Damoiseaux Roger A , Hoes Arno W , Rutten Frans H 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
During telephone triage, it is difficult to assign adequate urgency to patients with chest discomfort. Considering the time of calling could be helpful.

Objective
To assess the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in certain time periods and whether sex influences this risk.

Methods
Cross-sectional study of 1655 recordings of telephone conversations of patients who called the out-of-hours services primary care (OHS-PC) for chest discomfort. Call time, patient characteristics, symptoms, medical history and urgency allocation of the triage conversations were collected. The final diagnosis of each call was retrieved at the patient’s general practice. Absolute numbers of patients with and without ACS were plotted and risks per hour were calculated. The risk ratio of ACS at night (0 to 9 am) was calculated by comparing to the risk at other hours and was adjusted for gender and age.

Results
The mean age of callers was 58.9 (standard deviation ±19.5) years, 55.5% were women and, in total, 199 (12.0%) had an ACS. The crude risk ratio for an ACS at night was 1.80 (confidence interval 1.39–2.34, P &lt; 0.001): 2.33 (1.68–3.22, P &lt; 0.001) for men and 1.29 (0.83–1.99, P = 0.256) for women. The adjusted risk ratio for ACS of all people at night was 1.82 (1.07–3.10, P = 0.039).

Conclusions
Patients calling the OHS-PC for chest discomfort between 0 and 9 am have almost twice a higher risk of ACS than those calling other hours, a phenomenon more evident in men than in women. At night, dispatching ambulances more ‘straightaway’ could be considered for these patients with chest discomfort.

Trial number
NTR7331.
Comparing GPS-Based Community Mobility Measures with Self-report Assessments in Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhu Lynn , Duval Christian , Boissy Patrick , Montero-Odasso Manuel , Zou Guangyong , Jog Mandar , Speechley Mark 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundReal-life community mobility (CM) measures for older adults, especially those with Parkinson’s disease (PD), are important tools when helping individuals maintain optimal function and quality of life. This is one of the first studies to compare an objective global positioning system (GPS) sensor and subjective self-report CM measures in an older clinical population.MethodsOver 14 days, 54 people in Ontario, Canada with early to mid-stage PD (mean age = 67.5 ± 6.3 years; 47 men; 46 retired) wore a wireless inertial measurement unit with GPS (WIMU-GPS), and completed the Life Space Assessment and mobility diaries. We assessed the convergent validity, reliability and agreement on mobility outcomes using Spearman’s correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analyses, respectively.ResultsConvergent validity was attained by the WIMU-GPS for trip frequency (rs = .69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52–0.81) and duration outside (rs = .43, 95% CI = 0.18–0.62), but not for life space size (rs = .39, 95% CI = 0.14–0.60). The Life Space Assessment exhibited floor and ceiling effects. Moderate agreements were observed between WIMU-GPS and diary for trip frequency and duration (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.51–0.82; 0.67, 95% CI = 0.42–0.82, respectively). Disagreement was more common among nonretired individuals.ConclusionsWIMU-GPS could replace diaries for trip frequency and duration assessments in older adults with PD. Both assessments are best used for retired persons. However, the Life Space Assessment may not reflect actual mobility.
Are Biological Consequences of Childhood Exposures Detectable in Telomere Length Decades Later?
Authors: Kemp Blakelee R , Ferraro Kenneth F 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Negative early-life exposures have been linked to a host of poor adult health outcomes, but are such early exposures associated with cellular senescence decades later? This study uses data from the Health and Retirement Study to examine the association between six childhood exposure domains (eg, socioeconomic disadvantage, risky parental behavior) and a biomarker of aging, telomere length, among 4,935 respondents. Telomere length is obtained from DNA of cells found in saliva and is measured as the telomere repeat copy number to single gene copy number ratio (T/S). Men who as children were exposed to risky parental behaviors or who reported risky adolescent behaviors have shorter telomeres (b = −0.031, p = .052; b = −0.041, p = .045, respectively); however, these relationships are attenuated after adjusting for adult risks and resources. Among women, parental substance abuse is associated with shorter telomeres even after adjusting for adult risks and resources (b = −0.041, p = .005). In addition, men and women whose mother lived at least until the age of 85 have longer telomeres than those without a long-lived mother (b = 0.021, p = .045; b = 0.032, p = .005, respectively). Taken together, the ways in which early-life exposures are associated with adult telomeres vary for men and women.