bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug-drug Interactions Among Thai Transgender Women Living with Human Immunodeficiency Undergoing Feminizing Hormone Therapy and Antiretroviral Therapy: The iFACT Study
Authors: Hiransuthikul Akarin , Himmad Linrada , Kerr Stephen J , Janamnuaysook Rena , Dalodom Theera , Phanjaroen Kannapat , Pankam Tippawan , Kongkapan Jiratchaya , Mills Stephen , Vannakit Ravipa , Phanuphak Praphan , Phanuphak Nittaya 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Drug-drug interactions between feminizing hormone therapy (FHT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are a major concern among transgender women (TGW), which may lead to suboptimal ART adherence and inappropriate FHT dosage. To evaluate potential drug-drug interactions between FHT and ART, we performed intensive measurements of the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of blood tenofovir (TFV), efavirenz (EFV), and estradiol (E2).

Methods
Twenty TGW with newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were enrolled. FHT (E2 valerate 2 mg/d and cyproterone acetate 25 mg/d) was prescribed at baseline until week 5 and restarted at week 8. ART (TFV disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine/EFV at 300/200/600 mg) was initiated at week 3. The E2 PK parameters were measured intensively at weeks 3 (without ART) and 5 (with ART), and TFV and EFV PK parameters were measured intensively at weeks 5 (with FHT) and 8 (without FHT).

Results
The median (interquartile range) age and body mass index were 25.5 (22.5–31.0) years and 20.6 (19.3–23.1) kg/m2, respectively. The differences in geometric mean ratios between weeks 3 and 5 were as follows for E2 area under the curve, maximum concentration, and concentration at 24 hours (C24), respectively: 0.72 (90% confidence interval, .64–.81; P &lt; .001), 0.81 (.72–.92; P = .006), and 0.64 (.50–.83; P = .004). The differences in geometric mean ratios between weeks 5 and 8 were as follows for TFV AUC, TFV C24, and EFV C24: 0.86 (90% confidence interval, .80–.93; P = .002), 0.83 (.75–.93; P = .006), and 0.91 (.85–.97; P = .02).

Conclusions
Among HIV-positive TGW, E2 PK parameters were significantly lower in the presence of TFV disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine/EFV, and some TFV and EFV PK parameters were lower in the presence of FHT. Further studies should determine whether these reductions are clinically significant and whether they occur with other FHT or ART regimens.
Does This Patient Need Blood Cultures? A Scoping Review of Indications for Blood Cultures in Adult Nonneutropenic Inpatients
Authors: Fabre Valeria , Sharara Sima L , Salinas Alejandra B , Carroll Karen C , Desai Sanjay , Cosgrove Sara E 
Published: January 2020

AbstractGuidance regarding indications for initial or follow-up blood cultures is limited. We conducted a scoping review of articles published between January 2004 and June 2019 that reported the yield of blood cultures and/or their impact in the clinical management of fever and common infectious syndromes in nonneutropenic adult inpatients. A total of 2893 articles were screened; 50 were included. Based on the reported incidence of bacteremia, syndromes were categorized into low, moderate, and high pretest probability of bacteremia. Routine blood cultures are recommended in syndromes with a high likelihood of bacteremia (eg, endovascular infections) and those with moderate likelihood when cultures from the primary source of infection are unavailable or when prompt initiation of antibiotics is needed prior to obtaining primary source cultures. In syndromes where blood cultures are low-yield, blood cultures can be considered for patients at risk of adverse events if a bacteremia is missed (eg, patient with pacemaker and severe purulent cellulitis). If a patient has adequate source control and risk factors or concern for endovascular infection are not present, most streptococci or Enterobacterales bacteremias do not require routine follow-up blood cultures.
Dare to Diverge: Time for Administrative Law in Hong Kong to Stand on Its Own Two Feet
Authors: Thomson Stephen 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Hong Kong’s system of administrative law has drawn strength and durability from its English counterpart, on which it was heavily modelled. Too often, however, there is a slavish acceptance of the pre-eminence of English law and a tendency to conservativism and a lack of innovation. This article argues that Hong Kong courts and legislators must dare to diverge from English law where an alternative path would prove more credible or appropriate. Three prisms are deployed through which to argue that a misplaced emulation of English law can result in a poor legal framework. First, it is shown that a failure to properly conceptualize error of law as a ground of judicial review has resulted in a ground that, locally, is in a state of incoherence and disarray and that the admission or non-admission of a distinction between jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional errors urgently requires clarification from the Court of Final Appeal. Second, it is proposed that the English-inspired incorporation of a specific time limit in the rules for applying for judicial review should be abolished in the interests of access to justice and legal certainty, drawing on the experience of jurisdictions such as New Zealand, Canada, and Scotland. Finally, it is explained why the antiquated system of administrative tribunals in Hong Kong, redolent of the unreformed English tribunal system of decades past, needs comprehensive structural and procedural redesign. Courts and legislators must dare to diverge in these areas, with Hong Kong’s administrative law standing on its own two feet, where minds are focused on a genuine, locally crafted improvement of standards prevailing in administrative law and public administration.
Establishment of a reference interval for beta 2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid with use of two commercial assays
Authors: Lutz Charles T , Cornell Steven H , Goeken James A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Increased concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid have been used to detect central nervous system involvement with metastatic cancer and with neurological complications of AIDS. However, no adequate reference interval study has been reported for beta 2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid. We established a reference interval with both the Abbott IMx microparticle enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) (0.6-2.0 mg/L) and the Pharmacia beta 2-micro EIA 96 method (0.8-2.2 mg/L) for beta 2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid. The two methods correlate well, with the latter method giving slightly higher values. beta 2-Microglobulin increases with age in adults by about 0.1 mg/L every 7.5 years, with no significant difference between genders.
Logistic-regression model for assessing portal hypertension by measuring hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) and laminin in serum
Authors: Kropf Jürgen Krop , Gressner Axel M , Tittor Wolfgan 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We earlier observed a positive correlation between portal venous pressure (PVP) and the concentration of laminin in serum. Here we investigated whether the diagnostic efficacy could be improved by considering additional analytes and application of multivariate statistical analysis. In 102 patients with fibrotic liver disease of various etiologies we measured PVP as the gradient of the wedged and free hepatic venous pressures and determined the concentrations of hyaluronic acid and laminin in serum. Regression coefficients established by logistic regression in this group were subsequently used to predict portal hypertension (PVP greater than mmHg) in an independent group of 45 patients. By comparison with the known PVP, we obtained a sensitivity of 0.83 (confidence interval: 0.63-0.93) and a specificity of 0.82 (0.61-0.93) for diagnosis of portal hypertension by means of the concentrations of hyaluronic acid and laminin in serum. Application of the model is suggested as a tool for pre-screening and monitoring patients to be subjected to assessment of portal hypertension.
Radioimmunoassay of inhibin based on synthetic human inhibin alpha-chain peptide
Authors: Sinosich M J , Sieg S , Zakher A , Ling N , Saunders D M , Rosenwaks Z , Hodgen G D 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Polyclonal rabbit antisera were produced against cyclic human inhibin [(Cys6, Tyr7) alpha-(6-30)NH2] peptide, covalently conjugated to bovine serum albumin. The tyrosine residue introduced at position 7 facilitated the oxidative incorporation of radiolabel (125I) to yield a tracer with specific activity of 73.9 Ci/g. These reagents were used to develop a homologous equilibrium radioimmunoassay for human inhibin, with polyethylene glycol, 200 g/L, serving as the separation phase. At a detection limit of 2 micrograms/L (n = 7), immunoactive inhibin was detectable in human pre-ovulatory follicular fluid (128 micrograms/L), seminal plasma (2374 micrograms/L), amniotic fluid (66 micrograms/L), and placental extract (347 micrograms/L). We also demonstrated inhibin immunoreactivity in biological fluids from other mammalian species: macaque, chimpanzee, porcine, and bovine, but not rodent (guinea pig). Although the antisera were raised against a nonbioactive inhibin peptide, immunoglobulins fractionated on Protein A-Sepharose neutralized the bioactivity of human ovarian inhibin. Further characterization of inhibin immuno- and bioactivity was undertaken with immobilized heparin, divalent metal cations, and dye ligands. Only heparin-Sepharose distinguished between immuno- and bioactive inhibin.
Monitoring treatment of alcoholic liver disease: evaluation of various severity indices
Authors: Blake Joan , Orrego Hector 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment sfor alcoholic liver disease involves the use of variables that have prognostic significance and are unaffected by the treatment in unspecific ways. Here we review the value of histological and functional variables for this purpose. We conclude that histological variables, although important in defining the characteristics of the sample, have several practical problems. The functional variables are most effective when used in combinations, e.g., in global indices such as the Combined Clinical and Laboratory Index, the Child-Turcotte-Pugh Index, or the Cox model. In situations involving mortality and dropouts, functional indices cannot be used to measure changes in severity; in such cases, mortality might be the only measure for assessing the effectiveness of a treatment. In clinical trials, it is essential to determine the risk of a Type II error, to monitor compliance and drinking, and to trace appropriately all the patients who were not compliant or who dropped out of the trial.
Novel application of streptavidin-hapten derivatives as protein-tracer conjugate in competitive-type immunoassays involving biotinylated detection probes
Authors: Khosravi M J , Morton R C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
To investigate the use of streptavidin-hapten derivatives as potential protein-tracer conjugates for competitive-type immunoassays, we labeled streptavidin with cortisol and compared biotin-binding activity of the conjugates with that of unlabeled streptavidin. In this model system, streptavidin labeled with one to approximately 17 cortisol molecules retained its capability to cross-link a biotinylated protein on microtiter wells to a biotin-based general detection reagent developed for time-resolved fluorometry. Compared with unlabeled streptavidin, there was no reduction in the binding activity of the conjugate carrying as many as 2.6 cortisol molecules per molecule of streptavidin. Conjugation ratios greater than 4.4 showed a slight decrease in binding activity, presumably because of the aggregate formation evident at these labeling ratios. As expected, the conjugates were also capable of linking a solid-phase-bound anti-cortisol monoclonal antibody to the biotinylated detection reagent. The fluorescence signal generated increased almost linearly with increasing conjugation ratios from about three to nine cortisol molecules per molecule of streptavidin. At greater ratios, the assay response plateaued. The calibration curves obtained were typical for competitive-type immunoassays when the conjugates were incorporated in a cortisol assay based on a second-antibody immobilization approach.
Investigation of xurinary crystals by Fourier transform infrared microscopy
Authors: Daudon M , Marfisi C , Lacour B , Bader C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Although crystalluria is generally considered a normal finding, sometimes it gives evidence of renal disturbance. Thus, detection and identification of urinary crystals may provide useful data for understanding the etiology of mechanism of the disorder. Light microscopy may be not sufficient to accurately identify the crystals. We investigated the ability of Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIRM) to identify isolated crystals of clinical interest. Twenty-five urine samples presenting crystalluria were tested because of their unusual aspect. We successfully identified 16 compounds and showed that crystals with the same apparent morphology can be composed of different substances. Moreover, an unexpected structure may be an insoluble phase of a drug metabolite. We conclude that FTIRM is a good technique for investigating urinary crystals of clinical interest.
HPLC with enzymatic detection as a candidate reference method for serum creatinine
Authors: Linnet K , Bruunshuus I 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We present a candidate Reference Method for determining the concentration of serum creatinine. The method is based on HPLC combined with enzymatic determination. Creatinine plus 14[C]creatinine is extracted by cation-exchange chromatography, subjected to reversed-phase HPLC, and finally quantified enzymatically. Enzymatic measurement ensures no interference from co-eluting compounds, which has been a problem for some reported HPLC assays relying on ultraviolet detection. The average corrected recovery was 100.1% (SEM = 1.1%; n = 15). The accuracy was verified by assaying five sera with target values determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. The total interassay CV was less than or equal to 2.5%. We applied the method to study the specificity of HPLC-ultraviolet detection, using 72 plasma samples from hospitalized patients; no interference was noted. Thus, HPLC-ultraviolet detection appears to be specific, provided that sample cleanup is based on cation-exchange chromatography. Our diode-array detector studies of peak homogeneity supported this conclusion. Still, combined HPLC-enzymatic determination ensures even greater accuracy, ranking close to that by isotope dilution mass spectrometry.
Determination of silver in blood, urine, and tissues of volunteers and burn patients
Authors: Wan A T , Conyers R A , Coombs C J , Masterton J P 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD) has been used successfully in the management of burn wound sepsis. Silver deposition has been found in the skin, gingiva, cornea, liver, and kidney of patients treated with this cream, causing argyria, ocular injury, leukopenia, and toxicity in kidney, liver, and neurologic tissues. Monitoring concentrations of silver in blood and urine of patients receiving this treatment has become necessary, but sensitive and suitable methods adaptable to a clinical laboratory are still needed. We have developed a flameless thermal atomic absorption spectrophotometric method to measure silver concentrations in blood, urine, and other tissues. The detection limit is 0.4 microgram/L; the within-run precisions (CV) are 5.16%, 3.83%, and 2.79% for concentrations of 5, 13.5, and 42 micrograms/L, respectively; and the between-run precisions are 4.3% and 3.2% for concentrations of 13.5 and 42 micrograms/L. The concentrations of silver in blood, urine, liver, and kidney of subjects without industrial or medicinal exposure are less than 2.3 micrograms/L, 2 micrograms/day, 0.05 microgram/g wet tissue, and 0.05 microgram/g wet tissue, respectively. In SSD cream-treated burn patients, plasma concentrations may be as great as 50 micrograms/L within 6 h of treatment and can reach a maximum of 310 micrograms/L. Silver in urine is detectable after one day of treatment and may reach a maximum of 400 micrograms/day. After absorption, silver was found to be deposited in various tissues. Tissue silver concentrations in one burn patient who died of renal failure after eight days of treatment were 970, 14, and 0.2 micrograms/g wet tissue in cornea, liver, and kidney, respectively.
Glucocorticoid receptors in normal leukocytes: effects of age, gender, season, and plasma cortisol concentrations
Authors: Tanaka H , Akama H , Ichikawa Y , Homma M , Oshima H 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We measured glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) isolated from peripheral blood of 145 apparently healthy volunteers (86 men and 59 women). An age-related decrease in the number of GR was suggested between subjects younger than 20 years and elderly subjects; there was no apparent seasonal variation in GR. Gender difference in the number of GR was not significant, although women showed slightly fewer GR. Eight patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis were examined to determine whether the number of GR in MNL could be down-regulated by their cognate ligands. The number of GR in MNL from these patients was significantly decreased one month after the initiation of prednisolone therapy. However, in normal subjects, the GR in MNL did not demonstrate circadian variation, in contrast to concentrations of plasma cortisol.
Quantification of serum amyloid P by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Saïle R , Kandoussi A , Deveaux M , Descamps J , Hachulla E , Cachera C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
This enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure for quantifying serum amyloid P (SAP) in human plasma makes use of affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies to SAP in a "sandwich"-type format. The procedure is sensitive, reproducible, simple, and easily automatable. Results correlate well with those by a rocket immunoelectrophoresis method performed with the same antibodies. Sera from apparently normal individuals had a mean SAP content of 44.17 mg/L and increased with age.
Using mutagenic polymerase chain reaction primers to detect carriers of familial defective apolipoprotein B-100
Authors: Motti C , Funke H , Rust S , Dergunov A , Assmann G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Familial defective apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 is a genetic trait characterized by an Arg----Gln substitution in position 3500 of the apo B sequence. This genetic defect is associated with greatly increased concentrations of plasma cholesterol and may thus increase the risk of developing premature atherosclerotic disease. We describe here the use of mutagenic polymerase chain reaction primers, which greatly facilitate identification of carriers of this mutation. Moreover, we demonstrate that this method may also be used for determining the phase between two polymorphic sites. Using apo B-100 as an example we located on different chromosomes the defect in codon 3500 and a mutation in codon 3611, which produces another Arg----Gln change in the encoded apo B-100 amino acid sequence, in two probands heterozygous for both mutations.
Measuring rheumatoid factor in nonrheumatoid subjects: immunoturbidimetric assay, latex slide test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay compared
Authors: Ailus K , Melamies L , Tuomi T , Palosuo T , Aho K 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Previous studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have shown a good correlation between results from immunoturbidimetric assays of rheumatoid factor (RF) and latex fixation tests. To extend the research to non-RA subjects, we tested sera from 1000 pregnant women, half each in the first and third trimesters. By turbidimetry, 24 non-RA sera were regarded as positive for RF (greater than or equal to 20 int. units/mL) and 18 sera as borderline (15-19 int. units/mL). By the latex fixation test, 28 non-RA sera gave a clear reaction (positive) and 17 sera a weak reaction (borderline). The association between the tests was statistically highly significant (P less than 0.001). All sera with positive and borderline reactions were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for RF isotypes, together with a random subsample of about one-sixth of the original serum samples. Positive RF results by immunoturbidimetry were predominantly due to the presence of IgM-RF. In contrast to some earlier findings, we saw no difference in the prevalence of positive RF reactions between sera from the first and third trimesters.
Abnormal sodium metabolism and plasma renin activity (renal renin secretion) and the vasoconstriction volume hypothesis: implications for pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension and its vascular consequences (heart attack, stroke)
Authors: Laragh J H , Sealey J E 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Arterial hypertension is sustained by either of two long-term mechanisms of arteriolar vasoconstriction or by an inappropriate reaction between them. One mechanism is renin-mediated, the other is related to antecedent renal sodium retention. The plasma renin value directly reflects the presence and degree of renin-mediated vasoconstriction, and, inversely, defines the predominance of sodium-related vasoconstriction. A hypotensive response, or lack of it, to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is similarly informative. Because the normal kidney exposed to high arterial pressure and normal salt intake will reduce its renin secretion to near zero, any renin secretion in a hypertensive setting can be considered abnormal. Typically, high-renin hypertensive patients are more vasoconstricted than low-renin patients with similar blood pressures. The intense vasoconstriction leads to relative hypovolemia, hemoconcentration, hyperviscosity, postural hypotension, and in severe forms even to acrocyanosis, all of which are dramatically reversed with anti-renin therapy. Conversely, low-renin equally hypertensive patients have relatively more sodium volume and are less vasoconstricted; they are generally responsive to natriuretic drugs (e.g., diuretics or calcium antagonists) and appear relatively protected from vascular sequelae such as stroke and heart attack. These observations provide a new means for evaluating prognosis and a basis for mechanistically differentiating and treating hypertensive patients, allowing increasingly simpler and more-specific long-term therapies.
The role of laboratory testing in the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension
Authors: Pickering T G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The diagnosis of renovascular hypertension depends heavily on laboratory tests. There is no universally applicable screening test, and it should be actively sought only in patients with clinical clues suggested by the history, physical examination, and routine laboratory testing. Hyperreninemia is a characteristic finding, and acute blockade of the renin system forms the basis of diagnostic tests such as the oral captopril test and captopril renography. Other abnormal laboratory findings include hypokalemia, proteinuria, and azotemia exacerbated by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.