bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of fat mass profile with natriuretic peptide receptor alpha in subcutaneous adipose tissue of medication-free healthy men: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Dinas Petros C. , Nintou Eleni , Psychou Dimitra , Granzotto Marnie , Rossato Marco , Vettor Roberto , Jamurtas Athanasios Z. , Koutedakis Yiannis , Metsios George S. , Flouris Andreas D. 
Published: July 2018

Background: Atrial natriuretic peptide increases lipolysis in human adipocytes by binding to natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA). The aim of the current study was to examine the associations of NPRA mRNA of subcutaneous adipose tissue with fat mass, fat-free mass, body mass index (BMI) and arterial blood pressure in medication-free healthy men. Method: Thirty-two volunteers [age (years): 36.06±7.36, BMI: 27.60±4.63 (kg/m2)] underwent assessments of body height/weight, % fat mass, fat-free mass (kg), blood pressure, and a subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsy via a surgical technique. Results: We found that NPRA mRNA was negatively associated with % fat mass (r=-0.40, R2=0.16, p=0.03) and BMI (r=-0.45, R2=0.20, p=0.01). Cohen’s f2 effect size analyses showed a small effect size between NPRA mRNA and BMI (f2=0.25). One-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-hoc tests showed a tendency for mean differences of NPRA mRNA across BMI categories (p=0.06). This was confirmed by Cohen’s d effect size analyses revealing a large effect size of NPRA mRNA between obese individuals (BMI≥30 kg/m2) and either normal weight (BMI=19-25 kg/m2; d=0.94) or overweight (BMI=25-30 kg/m2; d=1.12) individuals. Conclusions: NPRA mRNA is negatively associated with % fat mass and BMI in medication-free healthy men, suggesting a possible role of NPRA in the control of fat mass accumulation.
A health promotion intervention strengthening Swedish high school students' wellbeing: A feasibility study
Authors: Kristiansen Lisbeth , Karlström Annika , Holmstrom Malin Rising , Boman Niklas , Jonsson Cathrin , Olofsson Niclas 
Published: July 2018

The majority of Swedish school children enjoy a general good health. Still, mental health problems are increasing among young people in Sweden. According to Swedish law all school staff members (teachers and student health professionals) have mutual responsibility to provide a safe school environment and health. Since 2010, there is an emphasis on health promotion in schools. The aim of this study is to describe the feasibility and pilot outcomes of a health promoting intervention targeting healthy high school students (the Strengthening Adolescent Wellbeing [SAW] project). A descriptive design was used with an intervention group that was assessed before and after the implementation of the programme using quantitative methods. The study was based on the Medical Research Council Framework. The study and the data collection were performed during the autumnof 2016 and the early spring of 2017. Public high school students' health professionals, that is school nurses, student counselors and specialist educators, facilitated a research-based intervention consisting of eight sessions with education and mind-body practices. Pre- and post-testing were carried out. The main findings showed enhanced levels of wellbeing among the participating students and the student-related measures all showed improvements. The intervention seems to have been feasible in this context. Findings from this study indicate that the SAW methodology contributed to an improvement in high school students' wellbeing. The study will provide a base for a full-scale evaluation study intended to evaluate the effect of this health-promoting programme.
Development of a Highly Sensitive Device for Counting the Number of Disease-Specific Exosomes in Human Sera
Authors: Kabe Yasuaki , Suematsu Makoto , Sakamoto Satoshi , Hirai Miwa , Koike Ikko , Hishiki Takako , Matsuda Atsushi , Hasegawa Yuichi , Tsujita Koji , Ono Masayuki , Minegishi Naoko , Hozawa Atsushi , Murakami Yoshinori , Kubo Michiaki , Itonaga Makoto , Handa Hiroshi 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although circulating exosomes in blood play crucial roles in cancer development and progression, difficulties in quantifying exosomes hamper their application for reliable clinical testing. By combining the properties of nanobeads with optical disc technology, we have developed a novel device named the ExoCounter to determine the exact number of exosomes in the sera of patients with various types of cancer.

METHOD
In this system, individual exosomes were captured in the groove of an optical disc coated with antibodies against exosome surface antigens. The captured exosomes were labeled with antibody-conjugated magnetic nanobeads, and the number of the labeled exosomes was counted with an optical disc drive.

RESULTS
We showed that the ExoCounter could detect specific exosomes derived from cells or human serum without any enrichment procedures. The detection sensitivity and linearity with this system were higher than those with conventional detection methods such as ELISA or flow cytometry. In addition to the ubiquitous exosome markers CD9 and CD63, the cancer-related antigens CD147, carcinoembryonic antigen, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) were also used to quantify cancer cell line-derived exosomes. Furthermore, analyses of a cross-sectional cohort of sera samples revealed that HER2-positive exosomes were significantly increased in patients with breast cancer or ovarian cancer compared with healthy individuals and those with noncancer diseases.

CONCLUSIONS
The ExoCounter system exhibits high performance in the direct detection of exosomes in cell culture and human sera. This method may enable reliable analysis of liquid biopsies.
High-Sensitivity Micro LC-MS/MS Assay for Serum Estradiol without Derivatization
Authors: Yi Xin , Leung Edward Ki Yun , Bridgman Rachael , Koo Selene , Yeo Kiang-Teck J 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
There are considerable demands to accurately measure estradiol (E2) at low concentrations (&lt;20 pg/mL) in postmenopausal women, men, pediatric patients, and patients receiving breast cancer treatment. Most current high-sensitivity LC-MS/MS E2 methods require large sample volumes and involve complex sample preparations with dansyl chloride derivatization. Our study aims to develop a high-sensitivity, underivatized method using micro LC-MS/MS to reliably measure E2 concentrations below 5 pg/mL by the use of low sample volume.

Methods
A total of 290 μL of sample was mixed with internal standard (IS), E2-d4, and extracted with a mixture of hexane/ethyl acetate (90/10) (v/v). After extraction, sample was separated by Eksigent Ekspert™ micro LC 200 system with a flow rate of 35 μL/min in a total run time of 3.5 min and detected by SCIEX QTRAP 6500 mass spectrometer in a negative mode using transitions: 271/145 (quantifier) and 271/143 (qualifier). In this method, it was crucial to use HPLC columns with stability at a pH &gt;10.

Results
The validation study demonstrated broad linear ranges (3.0–820.0 pg/mL) with r 2 &gt; 0.999. Total precision was below 15% at all QC levels, and limit of quantification (LOQ) was 3.0 pg/mL. Our method showed good correlation with E2 RIA (r 2 = 0.96, bias = −1.0 pg/mL) and modest correlation with E2 Roche Cobas automated immunoassay (r 2 = 0.86, bias = 6.0 pg/mL).

Conclusions
In conclusion, we developed and validated a routinely applicable micro LC-MS/MS method without derivatization for E2 in blood samples with an LOQ of 3.0 pg/mL.
A Rapid High-Performance LC-MS/MS Method for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Voriconazole, Posaconazole, Fluconazole, and Itraconazole in Human Serum
Authors: Xiao Yi , Xu Yan-Kang , Pattengale Paul , O'Gorman Maurice R , Fu Xiaowei 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
To achieve therapeutic efficacy and prevent toxicity simultaneously, therapeutic drug monitoring has been increasingly adopted for antifungal agents with narrow therapeutic indexes. We herein report the development and validation of an accurate, simple, fast, and cost-effective clinical test with high-performance LC-MS/MS to simultaneously quantify voriconazole, posaconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole in human serum.

Methods
Mixed with extraction solution and internal standard, 100 μL serum samples were centrifuged for protein precipitation. Diluted supernatant was injected onto a Phenomenex® Luna C8 (2) 50 × 2 mm (3 μm) column and was analyzed with a Prominence Shimadzu high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system coupled with a SCIEX QTRAP 4000 mass spectrometer in a positive ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring. The total analytical run time was 3 min.

Results
The assay is linear for voricoanzole (0.01–10 μg/mL), posaconazole (0.02–40 μg/mL), fluconazole (0.2–200 μg/mL), and itraconazole (0.02–20 μg/mL). The intraday CVs ranged from 1.9% to 3.8% (n = 20); the interday CVs ranged from 2.7% to 5.4% (n = 20). Method comparison study (n = 39 or 40) demonstrated good correlation with reference laboratories (R &gt;0.99) with average biases ranging from −7.2% to 17.5%. The recoveries for each analyte were above 90%, and matrix effects ranged from 95% to 112%.

Conclusions
The method is acceptable for routine therapeutic drug monitoring of these antifungal agents in clinical laboratories for better therapeutic outcome.
The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) Panel: Analyte Stability Under Common Sample Storage Conditions Used in Clinical Practice
Authors: Kennedy Oliver J , Parkes Julie , Tanwar Sudeep , Trembling Paul M , Rosenberg William M 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
The enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) blood test has recently been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to test for advanced fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The ELF test involves calculating a score from the concentrations of serum biomarkers: tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type III (P3NP), and hyaluronic acid (HA). Blood samples for the ELF score are often acquired in primary care and may be stored before analysis. However, the effect of preanalytical storage on the ELF test is not known.

Methods
We conducted experiments to assess the stabilities of the ELF score, P3NP, HA, and TIMP-1 under medium- to long-term storage at −80 °C, repeated freeze-thawing, and refrigeration at 4 °C for days.

Results
Mean TIMP-1 concentrations increased during medium- to long-term storage (+16.5%) and refrigeration (+4.9%), but were stable during freeze-thawing. Mean P3NP concentrations were stable under medium- to long-term storage, but increased during refrigeration (+7.4%) and freeze-thawing (+9.3%). Mean HA concentrations decreased during medium- to long-term storage (−12.3%) but were stable during refrigeration and freeze-thawing. Despite changes in biomarker concentrations, the changes in the mean ELF score were not clinically significant and not &gt;0.1 U (0.7%).

Conclusions
The ELF score was stable, with no clinically significant changes under common storage conditions. These findings demonstrate that the ELF score is robust in situations where analysis may be delayed.
Biotin Interference in Clinical Immunoassays
Authors: Colon Paula Jenkins , Greene Dina N 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
Shifts in consumer behavior and clinical practice have increased reports of biotin interference in immunoassays that incorporate biotin–streptavidin linkages in their design. This rise has significant implications because immunoassays are used to measure a wide range of analytes across medical specialties. The objective of this article was to review the mechanisms of biotin interference, define the scope of affected immunoassays, and summarize strategies for identifying and minimizing biotin interference in clinical samples.

Content
The literature was reviewed for reports of biotin interference and sorted by manufacturer. Abstracts from recent scientific meetings and manufacturer-provided data were also reviewed.

Summary
Immunoassays across a range of different manufacturer platforms are subject to interference by exogenous biotin supplementation. Providers and laboratorians must be aware of this potential interference to avoid patient harm.
Long-Term Stability of 18 Nutritional Biomarkers Stored at −20 °C and 5 °C for up to 12 Months
Authors: Chen Huiping , Sternberg Maya R , Schleicher Rosemary L , Pfeiffer Christine M 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
Consistent information on long-term storage stability for a broad range of nutritional biomarkers is lacking. We investigated the stability of 18 biomarkers stored at suboptimal temperatures (−20 °C and 5 °C) for up to 12 months.

Methods
Multiple vials of serum or whole blood pools (3 concentrations) were stored at −20 °C or 5 °C, removed from the −20 °C freezer after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and from the 5 °C refrigerator after 6 and 12 months, and placed into a −70 °C freezer until analysis at study completion. Vials stored continuously at −70 °C were used as the reference condition for optimal storage. We measured 18 biomarkers: 4 iron status, 1 inflammation, 8 water-soluble vitamin, and 5 fat-soluble vitamin. For each temperature, we calculated geometric mean concentrations and average percent changes of geometric means across pools relative to the reference condition estimated from a linear mixed model.

Results
Most biomarkers (13 of 18) showed no difference in concentration after 12 months of storage at −20 °C. Serum ferritin (1.5%), soluble transferrin receptor (−1.7%), and folate (−10.5%) showed small to moderate significant changes at 6 months, but changes were acceptable based on biologic variability. Serum pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (−18.6% at 9 months) and vitamin C (−23% at 6 months) showed large and unacceptable changes at −20 °C. All serum fat-soluble vitamins and iron status indicators, vitamin B12, total homocysteine, and methylmalonic acid showed acceptable changes when stored at 5 °C for up to 12 months.

Conclusions
Overall, we found good long-term stability for multiple nutritional biomarkers stored at suboptimal temperatures.
The role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of epilepsy
Authors: Lipatova L. V. , Serebryanaya N. B. , Sivakova N. A. 
Published: July 2018

Over the past decade, there has been a large amount of evidence indicating neuroendocrine, biochemical, and immune disorders in many acute and chronic central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including epilepsy, which made the authors consider the inflammatory theory of epileptogenesis. The chronic inflammatory process in epilepsy is believed to be facilitated by the activation of microglia and astrogliosis, which are accompanied by neuronal damage. The main postulate of this type of investigation is the assumption that the basis for CNS inflammation is blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage. Cytokines are presumed to play the greatest role in this process, mainly because they are natural pro- and anticonvulsants.Patients and methods. Examinations were made in 160 patients with epilepsy (drug-resistant epilepsy (n = 80) and controlled epilepsy (n = 80)) and 30 apparently healthy donors. The blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), S100b protein, С-reactive protein (CRP), and albumins were analyzed using a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. Differences at p <0.05 were regarded as statistically significant.Results and discussion.The investigation showed that the patients with epilepsy had a substantially impaired plasma cytokine profile: higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as Il-1β, IL-8, and TNF, and a lower concentration of IL-1 RA. The elevated CSF levels of the cytokines Il-1β and IL8 in patients with epilepsy suggest that BBB is impaired and a systemic inflammatory process exists while the absence of IL-1RA indicates that protective inflammation factors in blood and CSF are reduced.
Difficulties in the differential diagnosis of epileptic and hypocalcemic seizures in children and adolescents
Authors: Shchederkina I. O. , Orlova K. A. , Koltunov I. E. , Orlova E. M. , Korneev D. Yu. , Vykhristyuk O. F. 
Published: July 2018

Epileptic seizures require differential diagnosis with other paroxysmal conditions, including metabolic seizures. A variety of electrolyte changes can result in central nervous system dysfunction, including that as convulsive seizures. The paper describes electrolyte disorders leading to seizures, as well as their clinical features. It separately presents the syndromes accompanied by hypocalcemia, in which there may be convulsive paroxysms. The paper describes three clinical cases of hypocalcemic seizures. It gives recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected metabolic seizures.
Interior Subgrup Fuzzy
Authors: Abdurrahman Saman 
Published: July 2018

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah memperkenalkan konsep interior fuzzy subgrup (interior subgroup) dalam grup dan menyelidiki beberapa sifat yang terkait.
[The aim of this paper is to introduce the notion of fuzzy interior subgroup (interior subgroup) in a group and investigate some related properties.]
Model Matriks Leslie dengan Strategi Pemanenan pada Kelompok Umur Termuda pada Angka Kesuburan dan Harapan Hidup Populasi Domba Betina
Authors: Anggreini Dewi 
Published: July 2018

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk Menentukan nilai eigen positif dan vektor eigen pada matriks Leslie dengan pemanenan pada kelompok umur termuda (Harvesting the youngest class) dan Mengetahui kebijaksanaan pemanenan dari masing-masing kelompok umur populasi domba betina saat pemanenan tiap tahun. Metode riset yang digunakan pada Tahap pertama adalah menentukan subjek penelitian dan Tahap Kedua adalah (1) mengumpulkan data penelitian (2) analisis data menggunakan apliaksi MAPLE dan terakhir menarik kesimpulan. Data penelitian ini diperoleh dari sekunder yaitu pertumbuhan populasi domba betina dalam periode 1 tahun yang populasinya dibagi menjadi 12 interval umur berdasarkan angka kesuburan dan harapan hidup. Parameter yang digunakan adalah nilai eigen dan vektor eigen matriks Leslie dengan pemanenan pada kelompok umur termuda. Hasil peneltian menunjukkan bahwa Nilai eigen positif pada matriks Leslie dengan pemanenan berdasarkan perhitungan aplikasi MAPLE adalah sebesar = 1,177., Diperoleh Vektor eigen matriks Leslie dengan pemanenan pada kelompok umur termuda pada masing-masing interval umur. Kebijaksanaan pemanenan dari masing-masing kelompok umur populasi domba betina saat pemanenan tiap tahun adalah sebesar 17,9%. Jadi, kebijaksanaan pemanenan kelompok umur yang termuda adalah sebesar 17,9% yaitu 179 ekor setiap tahun dari 1000 populasi domba betina.
[This study aims to determine the positive eigenvalues ​​and eigenvectors of Leslie matrix by harvesting in the youngest age group (Harvesting the youngest class) and know the harvesting policy of each age group of sheep population at harvest each year. The research method used in the first phase is to determine the subject of research and Phase Two is (1) to collect research data (2) data analysis using MAPLE application and last draw conclusion. The data of this study were obtained from the secondary growth of female sheep population in a period of 1 year whose population was divided into 12 age intervals based on fertility rate and life expectancy. The parameters used were eigenvalues ​​and eigenvectors of Leslie matrix with harvesting in the youngest age group. The result of the research shows that the positive eigenvalue of Leslie matrix by harvesting based on MAPLE application calculation is equal to = 1,177, obtained by Leslie matrix eigenvector by harvesting in the youngest age group at each age interval. The harvesting policy of each age group of female sheep population at harvesting each year is 17.9%. Thus, the policy of harvesting the youngest age group is 17.9% of 179 tails per year from 1000 female sheep populations.]
The correlation between glucose fluctuation from self-monitored blood glucose and the major adverse cardiac events in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome during a 6-month follow-up by WeChat application
Authors: Xia Jinggang , Hu Shaodong , Xu Ji , Hao Hengjian , Yin Chunlin , Xu Dong 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between glucose fluctuation from self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) and the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during a 6-month follow-up period using the WeChat application.

Methods
From November 2016 to June 2017, 262 patients with ACS were discharged in a stable condition and completed a 6-month follow-up period. SMBG was recorded using the WeChat application. The patients were divided to a high glucose fluctuation group (H group; n=92) and a low glucose fluctuation group (L group; n=170). The 6-month incidence of MACE, lost-to-follow-up rate and satisfaction rate were measured through the WeChat follow-up.

Results
MACE occurred in 17.4% of patients in the H group and in 8.2% of patients in the L group (p=0.04). Multivariable analysis suggested that high glucose fluctuation conferred an 87% risk increment of MACE in the 6-month follow-up period (odds ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.95–4.85; p=0.03). The lost-to-follow-up rate was lower and the satisfaction rate was higher in the patients using the WeChat application during follow-up than those of the regular outpatient follow-up during the same period (p<0.05).

Conclusions
The trial demonstrates that higher glucose fluctuation from SMBG after discharge was correlated with a higher incidence of MACE in diabetic patients with ACS. WeChat follow-up might have the potential to promote a good physician-patient relationship.
A multicenter study for the evaluation of the reference interval for TSH in Italy (ELAS TSH Italian Study)
Authors: Clerico Aldo , Trenti Tommaso , Aloe Rosalia , Dittadi Ruggero , Rizzardi Sara , Migliardi Marco , Musa Roberta , Dipalo Mariella , Prontera Concetta , Masotti Silvia , Musetti Veronica , Tozzoli Renato , Padoan Andrea , Bagnasco Marcello 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
The aims of this study were: (1) to calculate reliable thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) reference intervals using laboratory databases; (2) to evaluate the relationship between TSH, sex and age values in different large Italian populations.

Methods
The TSH values stored in the laboratory information system of clinical laboratories of four Italian city hospitals, including 146,801 TSH measurements (with the respective age and sex data of individuals) were taken in consideration. Assuming a log-normal distribution, to log-transformed TSH values were applied the Dixon’s iterative principle in order to exclude the outliers. At the end of this iterative process 142,821 log-transformed TSH results remained. The four clinical laboratories measured serum TSH concentrations using the same TSH immunoassay method (Access TSH 3rd IS, using UniCel DxI platform).

Results
The TSH reference interval calculated in the present study (0.362–5.280 mIU/L) is similar to that suggested by the manufacturer for the Access TSH 3rd IS assay (0.45–5.33 mIU/L). TSH values in females were significantly higher than in males (females: mean=2.06 mIU/L; standard deviation [SD]=1.26 mIU/L; n=101,243; males: mean=1.92 mIU/L; SD=1.19 mIU/L; n=41,578; p<0.0001). Moreover, a negative linear relationship was observed between TSH throughout all interval age values (from 0 to 105 years).

Conclusions
The results of the present multicenter study confirm that data mining techniques can be used to calculate clinically useful reference intervals for TSH. From a pathophysiological point of view, our results suggest that some Northern populations of Italy might still suffer some harmful effects on the thyroid gland due to mild to moderate iodine intake deficiency. Specific clinical trials are needed to confirm these results.