bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyclonal gammopathy with marked increase in serum viscosity
Authors: Vladutiu A O , Roach B M , Farahmand S M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A 45-year-old man with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia (gamma globulins, 102 g/L) had a serum relative viscosity of 13 nu but did not manifest clinical signs of hyperviscosity syndrome (e.g., retinopathy, bleeding diathesis, and neurological alterations), except for fatigue and anorexia. In contrast with other patients with polyclonal hyperviscosity reported so far, this patient did not have detectable rheumatoid factor in serum. Analytical ultracentrifugation of his serum showed aggregates of polyclonal IgG3 of various sizes (between 10 and 36 S). The serum also contained immune complex-like material, as demonstrated by the Raji cell immunoradiometric assay and the C1q solid-phase enzyme immunoassay.
Lactate analyzer with continuous blood sampling for monitoring blood lactate during physical exercise
Authors: Shimojo N , Fujino K , Kitahashi S , Nakao M , Naka K , Okuda K 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
To monitor changes in the concentration of blood lactate during physical exercise, we used an automated lactate analyzer based on an electro-enzymatic method with continuous blood sampling through a catheter. The lactate concentration was measured every 2 min; between measurements, the instrument was calibrated with a lactate standard. Ascorbic acid, bilirubin, hemoglobin, creatinine, uric acid, and glucose did not interfere with the measurements. The lactate concentrations in blood samples from apparently healthy subjects before and after exercise correlated well (r = 0.993) with results by the conventional enzymatic method. We measured the blood lactate concentrations in nine apparently healthy volunteers during exercise on a treadmill with an increasing workload. The point at which lactate concentrations started to increase was detected easily. Thus, the lactate analyzer is suitable for monitoring changes in blood lactate concentrations during exercise.
Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin in Serum: a New Marker of Potentially Harmful Alcohol Consumption Reviewed
Authors: Stibler Helena 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
During the last 16 years an increasing number of studies have indicated a new diagnostic marker of alcohol abuse, unrelated to any of the conventional markers of alcoholism. This marker, now called carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, consists mainly of one or two isoforms of transferrin that are deficient in their terminal trisaccharides. Such isoforms have so far been detected by methods based on charge, i.e., isoelectric focusing, chromatofocusing, and anion-exchange chromatography of various designs combined with immunological detection techniques. This transferrin abnormality measures an accumulated effect of alcohol consumption, appearing after regular intake of 50-80 g of ethanol/day for at least one week and normalizing slowly during abstinence (half-life = about 15 days). To summarize all studies to date, approximately ˜2500 individuals have been examined, with a total clinical sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 97%. False-positive results have only occasionally been reported: in a few patients with severe liver disease, usually primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic active hepatitis; in patients with genetic D variants of transferrin; and in patients with (and some carriers of) a recently identified inborn error of glycoprotein metabolism. The mechanism behind the transferrin abnormality is unknown but an acetaldehyde-mediated inhibition of glycosyl transfer has been suggested. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin may thus offer a new possibility of diagnosing alcohol-related disorders. Its measurement is little affected by other conditions and, contrary to conventional markers of alcohol abuse, is apparently largely independent of concomitant liver disease.
Novel method for quantifying α(1→3)-L-fucosyltransferase activity in serum
Authors: Tachikawa Tetsuya , Yazawa Shin , Asao Takayuki , Shin Sadahito , Yanaihara Noboru 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A novel method has been developed to quantify α(1→3)-L-fucosyltransferase activity in human sera by applying a sandwich-type immunoradiometric assay. H type 2 trisaccharide (6Fuc α 1→2Gal beta 1→4GlcNAc) covalently attached to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as an acceptor and incubated with serum samples in the presence of guanosine diphosphate-fucose. The resulting product, Y tetrasaccharide (Fuc α 1→2Gal beta 1→4[Fuc α 1→3] GlcNAc beta-BSA), was detected by a sequential use of anti-BSA antibody-coated bead and 125I-labeled anti-Y antibody. Inter- and intra-assay CVs for α(1→3)-L-fucosyltransferase were both less than 4%, and the results of the dilution linearity and analytical recovery studies were satisfactory. Using the present assay method, we measured α(1→3)-L-fucosyltransferase in serum from patients with benign and malignant gastric disorders and in healthy subjects. The detection rate of α(1→3)-L-fucosyltransferase for cancer was apparently higher than that of carcinoembryonic antigen measured in the same samples, particularly in the early clinical stage; indeed, no correlation was observed between the concentrations of the two potential markers. The results indicate that the present assay method seems to be excellent for the determination of serum α(1→3)-L-fucosyltransferase activity and useful for the detection of cancer-associated increases of the enzyme activity at the early stage of gastric cancer.
Alterations of serum lipids in breast cancer: effects of disease activity, treatment, and hormonal factors
Authors: Knapp Martyn L , Al-Sheibani Said , Riches Pamela G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Fasting venous blood collected from 83 patients with breast cancer was analyzed for triglycerides; total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; tumor necrosis factor (TNF α); glucose; creatinine; insulin; glucagon; growth hormone; cortisol; and thyrotropin. Patients with stage IV disease had significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) triglyceride concentrations and significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) concentrations of total and HDL cholesterol than did patients with less advanced disease or age-matched controls. Furthermore, LDL cholesterol concentrations in patients with boney metastases were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than concentrations in patients with liver or liver plus boney metastases or in controls. These results could not be attributed to smoking habits, alcohol consumption, or treatment. We observed no correlations between serum concentrations of lipid and concentrations of TNF α, insulin, glucose, creatinine, cortisol, growth hormone, or thyrotropin. However, there was a significant (P &lt; 0.05) negative correlation between total cholesterol and glucagon and between LDL cholesterol and glucagon for patients with stage II, III, and IV disease, suggesting that glucagon may reduce LDL cholesterol concentrations by an as-yet-unidentified mechanism.
Determination of erythrocytic polyamines by reversed-phase liquid chromatography
Authors: Gerbaut Lucile 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A simple and rapid semiautomated procedure for determining polyamines in erythrocytes by high-performance liquid chromatography is described. Putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are converted to fluorescent dansyl derivatives, extracted with cyclohexane, and separated in &lt;10 min on a reversed-phase C18 ODS column, with an acetonitrile-water gradient as the mobile phase. The method showed a coefficient of variation of 2.73% for spermidine and 3.27% for spermine. The respective reference values, evaluated in 10 healthy patients, were 7.88 (SD 2.09) and 5.42 (SD 1.55) μmol/L of packed erythrocytes. Only negligible amounts of putrescine were found.
Considerations When Measuring Urinary Albumin: Precision, Substances That May Interfere, and Conditions for Sample Storage
Authors: MacNeil Mary Louise W , Mueller Patricia W , Caudill Samuel P , Steinberg Karen K 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The measurement of small but abnormal amounts of albumin in urine is important in evaluating kidney disease in people with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or possible adverse health effects from exposure to nephrotoxins. Routine laboratory methods for measuring albumin are not sensitive enough to measure the amounts that are significant in urine (&lt; 30 mg/L). In our laboratory we used three immunoassays for measuring urinary albumin: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and immunoturbidimetric assay (IT). We calculated the CVs of the three methods, investigated potential interfering substances at three times their normal concentrations, and stored urine under different conditions to find the best way to protect the sample until assay. The potential interferents we checked were transferrin, urea, β2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, creatinine, kappa and lambda light chains, IgG, hemoglobin, ketone, and glucose. The stability study involved two study temperatures (-20 and -70 °C) and four treatments (centrifuging or filtering, before or after storage). We found the following: the RIA had the lowest CV; the results from the interference study showed no interference from normal physiological concentrations of the substances investigated; storage at -70°C regardless of the treatment should be adequate to prevent loss of albumin immunoreactivity.
Clinical chemistry in New York at the founding of the AACC: recollection and remembrance
Authors: Rosenfeld Louis 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The Division on the History of Clinical Chemistry, successor to the Archives Committee of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, has accepted the responsibility for chronicling the origins of its profession and its organization with exhibits, histories of local sections, and biographies of notable figures in clinical chemistry from the past and present. A particularly interesting period in the history of the AACC was that around 1948 when the society was formed. In this report, I have collected and edited the accounts of several early members who recalled their experiences and the hospital laboratory scene at the time of the founding of the AACC in New York.
Simplified Assay of Galactose-1-phosphate Uridyltransferase
Authors: Lagrou K , Declercq P E 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
“Classic” galactosemia,which affects ~1 in every 50 000 newborns, results from an inherited deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.10), the enzyme required for converting galactose 1-phosphate to glucose 1-phosphate. The definitive diagnosis of this often fatal illness is made by demonstrating deficient activity of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase in erytbrocytes. Classical methods are the UDP-glucose consumption test,originally described by Anderson et al. (1), and the radiochemical assay of galactose oxidation, described by Eggermont and Hers (2). The latter method requires a scintillation counter and also responds to a deficiency of galactokinase; it is therefore not specific for galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase.
Multielement analysis of biological samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. II. Rapid survey method for profiling trace elements in body fluids
Authors: Vaughan Margaret-Anne , Baines Andrew D , Templeton Douglas M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A rapid survey of the elements in biological materials, covering most of the elements in the periodic table, is possible by using available software for semi-quantitative analysis (SEMI-QUANT) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The procedure takes 5 min after sample preparation and gives results with a precision (CV) of approximately 20%. At a 10-fold dilution, 13 elements can be consistently and reliably detected in serum and 15 elements in whole-blood samples. At present the most important limitation of this method is mass overlap by polyatomic species for some elements of interest (e.g., Cr, Mn, and V). However, for the set of elements that can be reliably determined at endogenous concentrations, including Li, B, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr, the rapid scanning capability may be useful. Although matrix effects limit the direct interpretation of the semi-quantitative output, reasonable estimates of concentration are attainable by using matrix-matched standards or by adding a multielement standard to an aliquot from one sample in the set. We also present an example of determination of 25 elements in saliva from a patient with extensive dental work: Components of many of his dental alloys were readily identified. The method may also prove useful for screening multiple toxic exposures to heavier elements, such as Pb, Tl, Cd, and Hg.
Isotopic and nonisotopic assays for measuring somatotropin compared: re-evaluation of cutoff value in provocative tests
Authors: Banfi Gluseppe , Marinelli Marcello , Casari Ermlnla , Murone Michelangelo , Bonini Plerangel 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Measurement of human growth hormone (hGH; somatotropin) concentrations in serum after provocative tests is crucial for diagnosing deficiencies in production of this hormone. Serum hGH can be measured by various immunoassays, isotopic and nonisotopic, with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies: a cutoff value of 10 micrograms/L after provocative testing is usually used to distinguish normal from hGH-deficient children. Previous studies demonstrated discrepancies in hGH measurement by different radioisotopic immunoassays. Here we evaluated the responses of six different commercial assays, radioisotopic and nonisotopic, with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies in a series of 16 provocative tests (stimulation with clonidine) in short children. A wide range of discrepant values was obtained with the different kits. A cutoff of 10 micrograms/L produced discordance of diagnosis among assays for two children, whereas complete agreement was reached for a cutoff value of 7 micrograms/L. Parallelism tests performed with hGH international standard, pure recombinant hGH, and a serum with high hGH content suggest that heterogeneity of the antibodies used by the manufacturers, even among monoclonal antibodies, is the main source of discordant results. Cutoff values and reference values must be established separately for each method proposed for routine use.
Urinary excretion of glycated protein determined with a specific radioimmunoassay
Authors: Ukita Chizuko , Nishikawa Mitsushige , Shouzu Akira , Inada Mitsuo 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We developed a simple and highly sensitive RIA for glycated protein (GP), and used it to measure GP in serum and urine from 15 normal controls and 30 diabetics (14 with urinary excretion rate of albumin, Ualb less than 15 micrograms/min, group A; nine with 15 less than or equal to Ualb less than or equal to 150 micrograms/min, group B; and seven with Ualb greater than 150 micrograms/min, group C). The mean serum concentration of GP was above normal in all groups of diabetics, and the mean glycation ratios of serum protein (SGP) were higher in groups B and C than in normal subjects. Urinary concentrations of GP also were increased in groups B and C, although the glycation ratio of urinary protein (UGP) was decreased in group C. Consequently, the selectivity of urinary excretion of GP (UGP/SGP) was significantly decreased in group C. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the mean values of selectivity between groups of patients with various degrees of retinopathy. We suggest that measurements of serum and urinary GP are useful to evaluate the progression of diabetic complications.
Fructosamine Test-Plus, a modified fructosamine assay evaluated
Authors: Baker John , Metcalf Patricia , Scragg Robert , Johnson Roger 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We have evaluated Fructosamine Test-Plus, a commercial fructosamine assay based on the reduction of nitro-blue tetrazolium dye in alkaline buffer (Clin Chem 1985;31:1550-4), modified by including a detergent and uricase in the reagent, by changing the concentrations of buffer and dye, and by changing the approach to primary calibration. Specimens were from 2321 participants in a health screening survey in a local workforce. Compared with the original fructosamine method, the Fructosamine Test-Plus method was less affected by protein concentration in the sample and less subject to interference from hyperlipidemia. The changes have also extended the linearity of the assay in the pathological range. However, as a screening method for diabetes mellitus in a population with a disease prevalence of 2.28%, the performance of Fructosamine Test-Plus was similar to the original assay.
Measurements of serum ferritin used to predict concentrations of iron in bone marrow in anemia of chronic disease
Authors: Coenen J L L M , van Dieijen-Visser M P , van Pelt J , van Deursen C T B M , Fickers M M F , van Wersch J W J , Brombacher P J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We determined serum ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in 73 patients with anemia of chronic disease. Nomograms of CRP, ESR, or fibrinogen vs ferritin concentrations were constructed and used to estimate the iron store in bone marrow. Iron stores estimated from the nomograms were compared with the results of staining cytological bone marrow smears for iron, the reference method for evaluating iron in bone marrow. In contrast to the results of Witte et al. (Clin Chem 1985;31:1011; Am J Clin Pathol 1986;85:202-6 and 1988;90:85-7), we observed that nomograms of CRP, fibrinogen, or ESR (i.e., acute-phase reactants not influenced by changes in iron metabolism) vs ferritin are not suitable to correct for the acute-phase component of changes in ferritin concentrations. For ferritin concentrations less than 70 micrograms/L, we found that iron deficiency, as judged from bone marrow iron stain, apparently was always present.
Modified immunoblotting technique for phenotyping lipoprotein(a)
Authors: Huang C M , Kraft H G , Gregg R E 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We describe a modified immunoblotting method for phenotyping lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. This immunoblotting procedure uses commercially available reagents that have a long shelf life. The method is sensitive and takes only 18 microL of sera. Lp(a) phenotyping can be performed on sera stored at 4 degrees C for as much as a week or at -80 degrees C for as long as a year. In a study of 145 unrelated healthy subjects, we found Lp(a) allelic frequencies of LpF = 1.8%, LpB = 2.6%, LpS1 = 5.1%, LpS2 = 14.8%, LpS3 = 35.9%, LpS4 = 11.6%, and LpO = 28.0%.
Influence of assay method differences on multiple of the median distributions: maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein as an example
Authors: Parvin C A , Gray D L , Kessler G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A straightforward statistical explanation is provided to show how differences between assay methods can affect the distribution of the multiples of the median (MoM). Evaluation of the impact of assay method differences reveals that the upper tails of the MoM distribution are not affected to the same degree as the lower tails of the distribution. The disparities in MoM distributions due to assay method differences result in various sensitivity/specificity combinations for different assays having the same fixed MoM cutoffs. Disparities do not exist if risks are calculated with use of the distributions for affected and unaffected populations that are based on a center's own assay method. Applying published risk tables, however, can affect the accuracy of the risk estimates. We used maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein as an example of an assay with an established history of reporting results in MoM values; however, the concepts presented apply equally well to any assay for which results are reported in MoMs.
Longitudinal assessment of changes in reproductive hormones during normal pregnancy
Authors: O'Leary Peter , Boyne Peter , Flett Peter , Beilby John , James Ian 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The concentrations of hormones measured in serum from maternal blood change dramatically during pregnancy. While the relative contributions of sex steroids shift from maternal ovaries and adrenals to the fetoplacental unit, other maternal tissues such as pituitary and liver respond to increasing concentrations of estrogen and secrete increasing amounts of prolactin and sex-hormone-binding globulin. To determine longitudinal changes in circulating maternal hormones, we collected blood from 60 women on three occasions during their pregnancies. We observed a 1.7-fold increase in testosterone concentration in serum; concentrations of sex-hormone-binding globulin in serum rose 5.6-fold. The major increase (6.8-fold) in estradiol in serum occurred within the first 16 weeks, followed by a further 4.8-fold increase by term. Mean concentrations of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione in serum increased 11.9-, 3-, and 1.3-fold, respectively, whereas concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) fell by 50%. Mean serum prolactin concentrations increased 3.8-fold during the first trimester and by a similar amount during the final 24 weeks of pregnancy. We used these data, obtained from a cohort of women with uncomplicated pregnancies, to construct reference intervals for hormones in maternal serum.
Blood-collection device for trace and ultra-trace metal specimens evaluated
Authors: Moyer T P , Mussmann G V , Nixon D E 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We evaluated the evacuated phlebotomy tube designed specifically for trace metal analysis by Sherwood Medical Co. Pools of human serum containing known concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, calcium, cadmium, copper, chromium, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, selenium, and zinc were exposed to the tube and rubber stopper for defined periods ranging from 5 min to 24 h. Analysis for each element was performed in a randomized fashion under rigidly controlled conditions by use of standard electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. In addition, for comparative purposes, we collected blood samples from normal volunteers by use of ultra-clean polystyrene phlebotomy syringes as well as standard evacuated phlebotomy tubes. We conclude that, except for lead, there was no significant contribution of any trace element studied from the evaluated tube and stopper to the serum. Because whole blood is the usual specimen for lead testing, the observation of a trace amount of lead in this tube designed for serum collection is trivial.
Drug screening with EMIT reagents: a quantitative approach to quality control
Authors: Standefer J C , Backer R C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We investigated the precision, linearity, accuracy, and stability of quantitative results for five drugs of abuse [amphetamines, benzoylecgonine, opiates, phencyclidine, and the cannabinoid-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-9-acid metabolite], analyzed in control specimens by using EMIT d.a.u. reagents (Syva Co.) with a Monarch 2000 analyzer with a nonlinear interpolation curve-fitting algorithm. The within-day and between-days coefficients of variation (CVs) were less than 5% for all drugs except THC-9-acid, which had a CV between 10% and 20%. The drift of control values during a 30-day stability study was less than 10% from target values for three weeks after a single calibration, except for THC-9-acid control values, which were stable for only two to three days. Daily calibration reduced the drift away from target values during the 30-day stability study and produced optimum precision of all drug assays. Mean control values near the National Institute on Drug Abuse cutoff limits were within 10% of their target values.