bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin: Origin, Function and Clinical Significance
Authors: Selby Colin 
Published: February 2014

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein possessing high affinity binding for 17 β-hydroxysteriod hormones such as testosterone and oestradiol. It is probably synthesized in the liver, plasma concentrations being regulated by, amongst other things, androgen/oestrogen balance, thyroid hormones, isulin and dietary factors. it is involved in transport of sex steroids in plasma and its concentration is a major factor regulating their distribution between the protein-bound and free states. Its detailed role in the delivery of hormones to target tissues is not yet clear. Plasma SHBG concentrations are affected by a number of different diseases, high values being found in hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism, androgen insensitivity and hepatic cirrhosis in men. Low concentrations are found in myxoedema, hyperprolactinaemia and syndromes of excessive androgen activity. Concentrations are also affected by drugs such as androgens, oestrogens, thyroid hormones and anti-convulsants. Measurement of SHBG is useful in the evaluation of mild disorders of androgen metabolism and enables identification of those women with hirsutism who are more likely to respond to oestrogen therapy. Testosterone: SHBG ratios correlate well with both measured and calculated values of free testosterone and help to discriminate subjects with excessive androgen activity from normal individuals.
Hepatic Changes and Serum Ferritin in Pancreatic Cancer and other Gastrointestinal Diseases: The Role of Cholestasis
Authors: Basso Daniela , Fabris Carlo , Del Favero Giuseppe , Meggiato Tamara , Panozzo Maria Piera , Vianello Daniela , Plebani Mario , Naccarato Remo 
Published: February 2014

Serum ferritin, prealbumin, pseudocholinesterase, α-1-antitrypsin and caeruloplasmin were determined in control subjects and patients with pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis or extra-pancreatic disease mainly of gastrointestinal origin, in order to investigate the different hepatic changes which influence serum ferritin in chronic pancreatic and other digestive diseases. Increased circulating ferritin was found in pancreatic cancer and extra-pancreatic disease when compared to controls. Correlations were detected between ferritin and the other proteins investigated and between ferritin and total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that cholestasis accounts for 45% of circulating ferritin, the acute-phase response accounted for 18% and decreased liver function accounted for 11%. We conclude that the increase in serum ferritin in chronic pancreatic and other gastrointestinal diseases largely depends on liver changes, with cholestasis probably playing a primary role.
Scintillation Proximity Assay: Determination of Steroid Hormones without Separation of Antibody-Bound and Free Ligand
Authors: Swinkels L M J W , Ross H A , Benraad Th J 
Published: February 2014

Scintillation proximity assay (SPA), which does not require the physical separation of bound and free hormone, was applied to the determination of Cortisol in plasma. Results showed excellent agreement with a conventional radioimmunoassay using dextran-coated charcoal to separate bound and free Cortisol, with similar precision and sensitivity. When the SPA was applied to the measurement of plasma aldosterone, it was evident from the SPA and radioimmunoassay results that the blocking of aldosterone binding to corticosteroid-binding globulin by 8-amino-1-naphthalene-sulphonic acid was not completely effective, and that a different sample preparation technique should be used. SPA may become the method of choice for the determination of hormones in blood.
Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism in the Premature Infant
Authors: Mayne P D , Kovar I Z 
Published: February 2014

During the last trimester of pregnancy, there is a sixfold increase in fetal calcium and phosphorus accumulation. Unsupplemented human breast milk may not provide sufficient calcium and phosphorus for the rapdily growing preterm infant to match the accumulation that should have taken place in utero and to permit normal bone mineralization. Rickets of prematurity may present clinically between the 6th and 12th postnatal week. The clinical diagnosis may be confirmed using simple biochemical tests. Inadequate mineral substrate intake, particularly of phosphorus, is the most common cause, although a delay in the maturation of the renal enzyme, 1-α hydroxylase, with low plasma concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, may also occur. The biochemical response to treatment can be determined by documenting a fall in plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and a rise in plasma phosphate concentration and urinary phosphate excretion.
Preanalytical Errors in Ionized Calcium Measurements Induced by the Use of Liquid Heparin
Authors: Sachs Ch , Rabouine Ph , Chaneac M , Kindermans C , Dechaux M , Falch-Christiansen T 
Published: February 2014

The use of heparin in a liquid form to measure ionized calcium (Ca+ +) in plasma or whole blood can induce preanalytical errors by dilution and by changing the original Ca+ + value by binding or by re-equilibration with calcium in the anticoagulant solution. To quantify these errors, Ca+ + was measured on serum pools under different sampling conditions. Incomplete syringe filling and specimen volume/syringe nominal volume ratio effects were tested. Syringes were rinsed with saline to yield pure dilution effects, with sodium heparinate to study binding and with calcium-titrated heparinate to evaluate ‘calcium-distortion’. Detailed tables provide percentage error values for all sampling conditions. Dilution errors could reach − 5% and binding was always important (− 14 to − 50%). Distortion was minimal around 1·25 mmol/L but could reach − 4% for high and + 8% for low Ca+ + values. Errors increased when syringes were not filled to their nominal volume, especially with small-sized specimens.
Effects of Ionic Strength on Ionized Calcium Measured Using Reference Electrode Liquid Junctions of Varying Design and Composition
Authors: Payne R B 
Published: February 2014

Five commercial analysers were used to measure ionized calcium in aqueous and protein solutions which contained the same amount of calcium but had sodium chloride concentrations ranging from 100 to 150 mmol/L. In aqueous solutions measured activity fell significantly with increasing ionic strength while in protein solutions it increased. When isotonic sodium chloride was substituted for the hypertonic potassium chloride reference electrode liquid junction of an analyser with an open junction, there was a marked positive change in the effect of ionic strength in both aqueous and protein solutions. In contrast, when either isotonic sodium chloride or potassium chloride was substituted for the hypertonic potassium chloride of an instrument with a membrane-restricted junction, there was no effect on the change of measured values with ionic strength. Increasing the protein concentration by ultrafiltration did not change ionized calcium values when isotonic reference solutions were used with either open or membrane-restricted junctions. Because membrane-restricted isotonic junctions respond like hypertonic junctions to changes in sample ionic strength but do not exhibit protein interference, they may prove to have advantages over both open isotonic junctions and all configurations of hypertonic junction for measurements in patients.
Chemical Diagnosis of Fabry's Disease by Fluorometric Assay and Fast Atom Bombardment/Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Nakanishi Toyofumi , Funahashi Shuji , Funai Tatsuhiko , Hashimoto Takenori , Shimizu Akira 
Published: February 2014

We report the results of a fluorometric assay for α-galactosidase A (EC.3.2.1.22) in plasma and leukocytes, and fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry (FAB/MS) analysis of glycosphingolipids in urine sediments from a patient with Fabry's disease. In plasma, this patient had only 5 · 0% of the normal amount of α-galactosidase A, and his brother and mother had 11 · 0% and 25 · 0%, respectively. In leukocytes, the activities were below 8 · 0%. Glycosphingolipids from urine sediments were partially purified using a Sep-Pack C18 cartridge. The chemical diagnosis of Fabry's disease can be made more rapidly and accurately using fluorometric and FAB/MS analyses.
Potential of Descriptive Linear Discriminant Analysis for Studying Clinical Chemical and Haematological Data from Persons with Heterozygous Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Volmer Marcel , Muskiet Frits A J , Hindriks Frans R , van der Slik Willem 
Published: February 2014

To study the potential of multivariate classification methods in order to obtain more insight into abnormal laboratory data from patients with sickle cell disease, we investigated standard haematological and clinical chemical variables of 18 controls and 37 apparently healthy persons with heterozygous sickle cell disease (Hb AS), all women, using both univariate and multivariate classification methods. In the univariate method, those with Hb AS showed decreased serum log aspartate aminotransferase (log AST) activity, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and increased sodium concentration. The multivariate method identified sodium, potassium, urea, uric acid, log AST, alanine aminotransferase and MCH as the variables that produced maximal separation between persons with Hb AS and controls. It increased the ‘non-error rate’ for classification of persons with Hb AS by 16 · 4% compared with classification based on the variable, MCH, that produced maximal separation by the univariate method. The frequency distribution of percentage Hb S in the Hb AS group proved bimodal with maximal separation at 37 · 0% Hb S. The subgroup with 37 · 0% or less ( n = 16) was considered to have concomitant heterozygous α-thalassaemia-2. In the univariate method the subgroup characterized by > 37 · 0% Hb S ( n = 21) had increased serum sodium and uric acid concentrations, perhaps related to sickle cell nephropathy, whereas the subgroup with ≤ 37% Hb S did not. The multivariate method added information to the univariate method by additionally identifying abnormalities in serum potassium and urea concentrations in the former subgroup. The differences in variables related to renal function may result from a decreasing tendency of erythrocytes to sickle with decreasing percentage of Hb S, and show that even apparently healthy persons with Hb AS are heterogeneous with respect to the development of abnormalities demonstrable by clinical chemistry.
Clinical Value of Apolipoprotein Measurement
Authors: Bhatnagar D , Durrington P N 
Published: February 2014

Low density and very low density lipoproteins contain apolipoprotein B100 which is synthesized in the liver. Chylomicrons have apolipoprotein B48, which consists of part of the apolipoprotein B100 sequence, and which is produced in the gut by the same gene that encodes for apolipoprotein B100. Both apolipoprotein B100 and apolipoprotein B48 are important for the secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins whereas apolipoprotein B100, which can bind to the low density lipoprotein receptor, is also important for low density lipoprotein catabolism. Apolipoprotein (a) has structural homology with plasminogen and exists as a complex with apolipoprotein B100 in lipoprotein (a). Apolipoprotein AI is the main lipoprotein in high density lipoproteins, whilst apolipoprotein E, present in chylomicrons and intermediate density lipoproteins, plays a major role in their catabolism. Serum apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein AI have potential in the evaluation of coronary risk. Apolipoprotein B may be of particular value in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia and normal low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Apolipoprotein (a) has also been reported to be an important indicator of coronary risk, especially in the presence of elevated apolipoprotein B. Lack of standardization and the limited availability of prospective data at present limit the routine use of apolipoprotein B, AI and (a) measurements. The determination of apolipoprotein E phenotypes has proved useful in the diagnosis of remnant (type III) hyperlipoproteinaemia.
Effect of Fasting, Self-Selected and Isocaloric Glucose and Fat Meals and Intravenous Feeding on Plasma Zinc Concentrations
Authors: Goode Helen F , Robertson D A F , Kelleher J , Walker B E 
Published: February 2014

This study investigated the effect of fasting, self-selected meals and isocaloric oral glucose and fat meals and intravenous (i.v.) feeding on plasma zinc concentrations in men. Plasma zinc remained stable when volunteers fasted all day, but self-selected meals and 600 kCal of dextrose or fat emulsion caused significantly reduced plasma zinc concentrations [mean(SD) 12 · 1 (1 · 4), 12 · 3 (0 · 6) and 12 · 2 (0 · 7) μmol/L at 1400 h, respectively, compared with a fasting level of 13 · 9 (1 · 6) μmol/L at 0800 h, P < 0 · 05]. In patients undergoing intravenous hyperalimentation, plasma zinc decreased from 12 · 0(1 · 4) μmol/L at 0800 h to 10 · 0 (1 · 1) μmol/L at 1400 h [mean(SD), P < 0 · 01]. These data show that both enteral and i.v. feeding cause a decline in plasma zinc and that glucose alone is not responsible for this post-prandial fall since ingestion of isocaloric amounts of glucose or fat have a similar effect.
Assessment of Micral-Test Microalbuminuria Test Strip in the Laboratory and in Diabetic Outpatients
Authors: Jury Denis R , Mikkelsen Donald J , Glen Deborah , Dunn Peter J. 
Published: February 2014

We have evaluated a semi-quantitative dry immunochemical screening method (Micral-Test) for the detection of low concentrations of albumin in urine. The stability of Micral-Test strips on storage was good, especially with regard to temperature, light and humidity. Changes in urine osmolality (urea and creatinine concentration), pH and sodium and potassium concentration did not have a significant analytical effect on the Micral-Test measurement; extremes of temperature altered the rate of colour development. The depth of dipping the strip into the sample and the timing of reading colour development were critical. We measured the albumin concentration in 184 urine samples from diabetic outpatients by the Micral-Test and by our in-house immunoturbidimetric method; a Micral-Test result of 20 mg/L had a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 97% to predict a discriminating urine albumin concentration > 30 mg/L by the in house method. The Micral-Test is suitable for use by non-laboratory personnel and is capable of producing analytically acceptable results for use in diabetes clinics and by general practitioners.
Variation of Sweat Sodium and Chloride with Age in Cystic Fibrosis and Normal Populations: Further Investigations in Equivocal Cases
Authors: Kirk J M , Keston M , McIntosh I , Essa S Al 
Published: February 2014

Patients attending cystic fibrosis clinics had sweat sodium and chloride concentrations measured, were reassessed clinically and had DNA studies performed. Sweat test results were compared with a matched control population. In both populations sweat sodium increased with age up to 12 years, and did not change significantly thereafter. The age-related increase was significantly less in the cystic fibrosis group. Sweat chloride increased with age in normal, but not in cystic fibrosis children. After age 12 years there was no age-related change in the normal group, and a fall with age in the cystic fibrosis group. Sweat chloride provided the best discrimination between normal and cystic fibrosis populations and this was particularly important in older subjects. Combining sweat sodium and chloride results did not improve discrimination. Nine patients were identified with equivocal sweat chloride results. DNA studies showed six of these subjects were heterozygous for the ΔF508 mutation in the cystic fibrosis gene. Clinical assessment did not always resolve cases with borderline sweat chloride results.
Immunoglobulin G, A and M Light Chain Ratio in Children
Authors: Haraldsson Á , Weemaes C M R , Kock-Jansen M J H , Eck-Arts P B J M v , de Boo T , Bakkeren J A J M , Stoelinga G B A 
Published: February 2014

Values for the κ/λ light chain ratio in immunoglobulins G, A and M and the total κ/λ ratio, measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, were evaluated in serum samples from different age groups (114 children, aged from 1 month to 15 years, and 20 adults). The IgG κ/λ ratio decreased in the first 6 months and subsequently increased slowly during childhood towards the adult value of 2·0. The IgM κ/λ ratio increased at a greater rate than IgG κ/λ ratio in the first years of life and thereafter rose slightly throughout childhood to reach an adult value of 1·7. A decreasing IgA κ/λ ratio was found from 1 month of age onwards to an adult value of 1·1. The pattern of total κ/λ ratio was similar to the IgG κ/λ ratio with an adult value of 2·0.
Alleviation of Non-Islet Cell Tumour Hypoglycaemia by Growth Hormone Therapy is Associated with Changes in IGF Binding Protein-3
Authors: Teale J D , Blum W F , Marks V 
Published: February 2014

The hypoglycaemia caused by non-islet cell tumours is often associated with an increase in plasma insulin-like activity. In many cases there is a relative if not always absolute increase in plasma insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II). Growth hormone (GH) secretion is almost invariably depressed as is the plasma insulin response to oral glucose. Despite the high concentration of IGFs (i.e. IGF-I and IGF-II) normally found in the plasma of healthy people their potential hypoglycaemic effect is not manifest due to the tightness with which they are bound to specific binding proteins (IGFBPs). Plasma levels of the major binding protein (IGFBP-3), which is GH-dependent, were depressed in three patients with tumour induced hypoglycaemia. Treatment with biosynthetic GH restored IGFBP-3 to levels which were approximately equimolar to total plasma IGF concentrations, alleviated the hypoglycaemia and restored the plasma insulin responses to oral glucose. We suggest that after GH treatment IGF-II is sequestered by stimulated IGFBP-3 in association with a pre-existing acid-labile subunit to form high molecular weight complexes which prevent IGF-II gaining access to tissues receptors through which it exerts its hypoglycaemic effects.
Measure of Satisfaction of General Practitioners with the Chemical Pathology Services in Leeds Western Health District
Authors: Allen K R , Harris C M 
Published: February 2014

The satisfaction of general practitioners with the District Chemical Pathology Services in Leeds Western Health District was assessed by means of a postal questionnaire. The areas of interest covered included communication, test turn-round times, format of reports, advice about tests undertaken in the practice and chemical pathology information services. Communication with the laboratory was the major area of dissatisfaction (21% GPs), followed by test turn-round times (14%) and format of reports (10%). More than half the respondents were interested in an offer of help in selecting equipment for their surgeries and subsequent quality control. Customer satisfaction will become an important issue as a result of the NHS reforms and laboratories may find this exercise useful.
Serum Fructosamine Concentration in Patients with Nephrotic Syndrome and with Cirrhosis of the Liver: The Influence of Hypoalbuminaemia and Hypergammaglobulinaemia
Authors: Constanti C , Simo J M , Joven J , Camps J 
Published: February 2014

We have investigated the influence of variation of the concentrations of serum albumin and immunoglobulins on serum fructosamine concentration in 33 patients with nephrotic syndrome, and 18 patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Protein alterations were evident in these patients and they were compared with 109 normal subjects, 43 patients with type II diabetes mellitus and nine diabetic patients with nephrotic syndrome. The mean serum fructosamine concentration in diabetic patients (2·76±0·53 mmol/L) was significantly increased ( P < 0·001) by comparison with normal subjects (1·93 ±0·20 mmol/L) and the other patients studied. Patients with diabetic nephropathy had higher ( P < 0·01) serum fructosamine concentrations (2·23± 0·54 mmol/L) than non-diabetic patients with the nephrotic syndrome (1·57 ± 0·37 mmol/L) but remained with the normal range. Positive correlations were observed between fructosamine and immunoglobulins G and M in nephrotic and cirrhotic patients. Serum immunoglobulin A was also directly correlated with serum fructosamine in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. An inverse correlation between albumin and fructosamine in serum of patients with cirrhosis of the liver was also noted. We conclude that the fructosamine assay is not useful in the assessment of glycemic control in patients with cirrhosis of the liver, nephrotic syndrome or in any other clinical situation in which protein metabolism is altered.
Urinary Albumin and Low Molecular Weight Protein Excretion in the Nephrotic Syndrome—Sequential Studies during Corticosteroid Treatment
Authors: Beetham Robert , Newman David 
Published: February 2014

In a preliminary investigation into the behaviour of low molecular weight proteins in the nephrotic syndrome, we have measured urinary concentrations of albumin, α-1-microglobulin (α1-m) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in six children for up to 11 days during the course of steroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome. The results in part support the concept of independent proximal tubular absorption of albumin and low molecular weight proteins, and indicate that in the nephrotic syndrome the excretion of RBP and α1-m, two generally accepted markers of tubular proteinuria, is anomalous.
Reference Values of Serum and Urine Creatinine, and of Creatinine Clearance by a New Enzymatic Method
Authors: Sugita O , Uchiyama K , Yamada T , Sato T , Okada M , Takeuchi K 
Published: February 2014

A new, totally enzymatic procedure for the determination of creatinine in serum and urine, using creatinine amidohydrolase, creatine amidinohydrolase, sarcosine oxidase and formaldehyde dehydrogenase is described. The assay was adapted to a discontinuous analyser with each analysis requiring only 20 μL of serum or 3 μL of urine. Analytical recovery of creatinine in serum and urine averaged 100·6%. Within-run and between-run precision studies gave coefficients of variation of 1·1% and 1·8%, respectively, for a serum with mean values of 83 μmol/L (9·4 mg/L) creatinine. Creatinine concentrations in serum and urine were measured by this procedure, in Japanese children and adults. The reference intervals for serum creatinine concentrations in adults were 55–96 μmol/L (6·2–10·9 mg/L) in men and 40–66 μmol/L (4·5–7·5 mg/L) in women, and for urine, 9·46–19·01 mmol/day (1070–2150 mg/day) in men and 6·75–10·61 mmol/day (764–1200 mg/day) in women. The reference intervals of creatinine clearance were 88·0–176·4 mL/min in men and 75·7–173·0 mL/min in women.