bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impurities from polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes as a potential source of interference in simultaneous analysis of multiple lipid-soluble antioxidants by HPLC with electrochemical detection
Authors: Yen Hsiu-Chuan , Hsu Yi-Tzu 
Published: August 2004

AbstractHigh-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection was used to analyze lipidsoluble antioxidants and micronutrients in plasma. Small amounts of plasma samples are often extracted in polypropylene (PP) microcentrifuge tubes before HPLC analysis due to its convenience. We therefore investigated the effect of impurities released from different PP tubes during extraction on the electrochemical detection of retinol, lutein, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, retinyl palmitate, β-carotene and total coenzyme Q
Cerebrospinal fluid tau and Aβ42 concentrations in healthy subjects: delineation of reference intervals and their limitations
Authors: Burkhard Pierre R. , Fournier Roxane , Mermillod Bernadette , Krause Karl-Heinz , Bouras Constantin , Irminger Irmgard 
Published: August 2004

AbstractMany limitations and conflicting results have cast serious doubts on the validity of cerebrospinal fluid tau and Aβ42 levels for the biological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, particularly extreme variations of the reference limits found by unrelated groups as a consequence of different reference populations used. In this study, we addressed the issue of defining reference limits for cerebrospinal fluid tau and Aβ42 in healthy adult individuals. One hundred and five neurologically intact subjects were enrolled according to strict inclusion criteria, 10 of them with autopsy confirmation of brain integrity. All cerebrospinal fluid samples were similarly and optimally processed as were the dosage methods used and the statistical analyses performed. A robust correlation with age was demonstrated for Aβ42 but not for tau. For tau, we found that an upper cut-off value of 443 ng/l allowed 95% of the subjects to be correctly classified as normal. For Aβ42, a lower cut-off value of 90 ng/l allowed a correct classification of 90% of the subjects. However, a large variance of the reference values, partly explained by the potential contamination of the reference population with presymptomatic dementia patients, may limit the use of reference limits based on living subjects. We propose that the issue of defining reference limits for both cerebrospinal fluid tau and Aβ42 may ultimately be settled by studying large numbers of autopsy-proven neurologically intact individuals only.
The influence of smoking on plasma homocysteine and cysteine levels in passive and active smokers
Authors: Sobczak Andrzej , Wardas Wladyslaw , Zielinska-Danch Wioleta , Pawlicki Krzysztof 
Published: August 2004

AbstractTotal plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and cysteine (tCys) levels are associated with cardiovascular diseases. One of the determinants that influence their levels is cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma levels of both amino acids and urinary cotinine concentration as a reliable biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure. One hundred and seventeen volunteers (61 women and 56 men) aged 19–60 years (mean 40.3±11.0) were included in the study. The study subjects were qualified into non-smokers, passive smokers and active smokers based upon the urinary cotinine concentration. In each particular group, plasma tHcy and tCys levels were measured and evaluated in the whole population and separately in women and men. Statistically insignificant differences in plasma tHcy and tCys levels in the whole group of passive smokers in comparison with non-smokers were observed (11.47 vs. 10.94 μmol/l, p=0.414, and 253.0 vs. 266.9 μmol/l, p=0.163, respectively). However, statistically significant differences in plasma tHcy levels (13.29 vs. 10.94 μmol/l, p=0.011) and in plasma tCys levels (218.2 vs. 266.9 μmol/l, p<0.001) were found in the whole group of active smokers compared with nonsmokers. The Pearson's coefficient (r) for the correlation between plasma tHcy level and urinary cotinine concentration was r=0.630 (p<0.001) in the whole group of active smokers and r=0.480 (p=0.003) in the whole group of passive smokers. The correlation between plasma tCys level and urinary cotinine concentration in both study groups was insignificant. Similar results were obtained when calculated separately for men and women. The results suggest that cigarette smoking is a strong determinant of plasma tHcy level, but it is not a determinant of plasma tCys level.
A different approach to analyzing age-related HbA1c values in non-diabetic subjects
Authors: Polneau Sandrine Vallée , Lasserre Virginie , Fonfrède Michèle , Delattre Jacques , Bénazeth Simone 
Published: August 2004

AbstractUsing appropriate statistical tests and taking into account the analytical performance of hemoglobin AFasting plasma glucose and HbAWe first checked the normality of HbA
Ratio of urinary free immunoglobulin light chain κ to λ in the diagnosis of Bence Jones proteinuria
Authors: Nakano Takanari , Nagata Atsuo , Takahashi Hidenori 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the ratio of urinary free light chain (FLC) kappa to lambda (κ/λ ratio) for the detection of Bence Jones protein (BJP). Urine specimens were collected from 243 patients suspected of having BJP. Immunofixation identified 59 BJP-positive specimens among them. The κ/λ ratios of all specimens were determined by FLC immunoassays and then the cutoffs for the κ/λ ratio were defined as 5.5 for BJP κ and 0.1 for BJP λ by ROC curve analyses. Using the cutoffs, we detected abnormal κ/λ ratios in 51 (86%) of the 59 BJP-positives and 11 (6%) of the 184 BJP-negatives identified by the results of immunofixation. High-resolution urinary protein electrophoresis (UPE), a sensitive method for BJP screening, showed almost equal sensitivity to the κ/λ ratio, detecting monoclonal band(s) in 52 (88%) of the 59 BJP-positives. However, in UPE analysis these positive specimens should be followed by redundant immunofixation analysis to determine the isotypes. We further evaluated the combination method of FLC assays with UPE that correctly diagnosed 82% of the specimens as positive or negative for BJP, with only two false-negative results. These results suggest that quantitative FLC immunoassays provide an alternative or complementary method for the detection of BJP.
Influence of blood collection in plastic vs. glass evacuated serum-separator tubes on hormone and tumour marker levels
Authors: Smets Eva M. L. , Dijkstra-Lagemaat Josien E. , Blankenstein Marinus A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIntroduction of preanalytical automation in our laboratory required the use of plastic blood collection tubes. Because of possible interference caused by adsorption of components to the plastic wall and because there is virtually no literature on this subject, we investigated the influence of collection of serum in plastic tubes on the results of nearly all our immunoassays for hormones and tumour markers. Blood from healthy volunteers was collected simultaneously in glass and plastic tubes, or sera prepared from blood collected in glass tubes were brought into the plastic tubes under investigation. Hormone and tumour marker levels were measured in the pairs thus obtained. Results were analysed using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed rank tests. We found small but statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between glass and plastic for free triiodothyronine, progesterone, prolactin, prostate-specific antigen and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A. Non-significant trends (0.05<p<0.15) were seen with α-foetoprotein, androstenedione, BR (an assay for carbohydrate antigen 15.3), human chorionic gonadotropin and testosterone. Passing and Bablok regression analysis, however, revealed no clinically relevant differences (slopes ranged from 0.89 for progesterone to 1.07 for pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, while intercepts were all small). We concluded that a switch to plastic blood collection tubes could occur without any implications for the interpretation of results.
Multicenter evaluation of a new immunoassay for procalcitonin measurement on the Kryptor® System
Authors: Steinbach Gerald , Rau Bettina , Debard Anne-Lise , Javourez Jean-François , Bienvenu Jacques , Ponzio Antonio , Bonfà Andrea , Hubl Walter , Demant Thomas , Külpmann W.-R. , Buchholz Jana , Schumann Gerhard 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe compared the manually performed LUMItestThe new KryptorThe FAS of the new KryptorThe performance characteristics of the Kryptor
Beyond cholesterol - inflammatory cytokines, the key mediators in atherosclerosis
Authors: Mangge Harald , Hubmann Holger , Pilz Stefan , Schauenstein Konrad , Renner Wilfried , März Winfried 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe development of atherosclerotic lesions encompasses a cascade of cellular and molecular responses that can at best be characterized as an inflammatory process, and exhibits striking similarities to autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chemokines, cytokines and their receptors are critically involved in initiation and perpetuation of atherosclerosis, and they play important roles at all levels in the pathogenesis of this disease. In the present article, the currently available information on cytokines and chemokines as key mediators in atherosclerosis is reviewed. Furthermore, based on recent experiences of our own with very early stages of atherosclerosis, possible new ways to make use of these parameters toward improved early detection, prevention and treatment of this disease are indicated.
The emerging value of P-selectin as a disease marker
Authors: Kappelmayer János , Nagy Béla , Miszti-Blasius Kornél , Hevessy Zsuzsa , Setiadi Hendra 
Published: August 2004

AbstractActivated platelets are key components in many arterial disorders. P-selectin is an activation-dependent platelet receptor, which is also identified in endothelial cells. Together with E-and L-selectin it constitutes the selectin family. These transmembrane proteins have continued to attract great interest as they support rapid and reversible cell adhesion in flow systems and thus play an essential role in multicellular interactions during thrombosis and inflammation. Similarly to other lectins, selectins bind to different glycoconjugates with varying affinities. Protein ligands, equipped with the appropriate carbohydrate and sulfate moieties for P-selectin binding, have been identified in normal peripheral blood leukocytes and several non-hematopoietic organs, as well as on cancer cells. For diagnostic purposes, P-selectin can readily be detected on the platelet surface by flow cytometry and by ELISA as a soluble ligand in the plasma. Along with other markers, these data can be used in the assessment of platelet activation status. Such results bear clinical significance since P-selectin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of widespread disorders including coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and malignancy.
Up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis in the C33A cervical cancer cell line transfected with IL-18 receptor
Authors: Yoon Do-Young , Cho Young-Sik , Park Joo-Won , Kim Soo-Hyun , Kim Jong-Wan 
Published: August 2004

AbstractCervical cancer cells were transfected with a newly discovered interleukin (IL)-18 receptor to investigate the effect of endogenous IL-18 on the regulation of immune-related factors such as Fas (CD95/Apo-1)/Fas ligand and intercellular adhesion molecules. Transfection of the IL-18 receptor selectively induced a slight enhancement of the Fas via the up-regulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and IL-18 in cervical carcinoma C33A cells, whereas there were no effects on the expression of p53, intercellular adhesion molecules-1 and Fas ligand. Neither IL-18 receptor transfection nor recombinant IL-18 enhanced interferon-γ production in C33A cells. Thus, IL-18 receptor transfection induced IL-18 expression and enhanced intracellular reactive oxygen species and Fas expression in C33A cells in an interferon-γ-independent pathway. However, treatment with agonistic anti-Fas antibody did not induce the apoptosis of C33A/IL-18 receptor transfectants, suggesting that either reactive oxygen species play a key role in resisting the Fas-induced apoptosis of C33A cells, or Fas was not functional. These results show that C33A/IL-18 receptor cells are resistant to the apoptosis and thus can survive against the immune surveillance and activated immune cells. Our results thus suggest that IL-18 and IL-18 receptor, together, may play a role in immunoregulation or in inflammation by augmenting the levels of IL-18 and reactive oxygen species in C33A cells.
Plasma levels of 7-hydroxylated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) metabolites and selected amino-thiols as discriminatory tools of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia
Authors: Bičíková Marie , Řípová Daniela , Hill Martin , Jirák Roman , Havlíková Helena , Tallová Jaroslava , Hampl Richard 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Comparison of sensitivity and specificity of serum poly-C avid ribonuclease activity and C-reactive protein concentration in detection of mild and severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Kuśnierz-Cabala Beata , Naskalski Jerzy W. , Kędra Boguslaw , Panek Józefa 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare diagnostic performance of C-reactive protein (CRP) and poly-C avid ribonuclease (P-RNase) levels in the prediction of a severe clinical course of acute pancreatitis (AP). The study included 36 patients with mild and 20 with severe AP. CRP concentration was measured by an immunonephelometric method and P-RNase activity by the rate of polycytidylate hydrolysis at pH 7.8. At the time of admission, both P-RNase and CRP levels were significantly increased in all patients when compared to healthy subjects (29.2 vs. 18.7 U/l and 91.1 vs. 2.89 mg/l; p<0.001). Up to days 3 and 4 a further increase in P-RNase was observed. On the other hand, the increase in CRP continued only through days 2 and 3 (p<0.001). Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) differed significantly with respect to P-RNase levels on all days studied; whereas CRP levels differed significantly on days 2–5 but did not differ at admission. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve function analysis yielded the best sensitivity of SAP detection for P-RNase, equaling 72.2%, at the cut-off point value 65.3 U/l on day 3 after admission. The sensitivity of CRP for detection of SAP was 85.0% at 125.7 mg/l on the 2nd day after admission. Both parameters studied were significantly associated with the severity of the AP clinical course; however, on days 1 and 2 postadmission, P-RNase was more specific for detection of SAP than CRP (94.4% vs. 77.1% on the 1st day and 94.4% vs. 55.5% on the 2nd day). In conclusion, P-RNase has shown an excellent performance for early differentiation of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.
The European Register for Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: Code ofConduct
Authors: Sanders G. , Opp M. , McMurray J. , Koeller U. , Blaton V. , Lund E. , Harmoinen A. , Zerah S. , Baum H. , Rizos D. , Kenny D. , Pazzagli M. , Hoffman H. , Reguengo H. , Queralt J. M. , Wallinder H. , Jansen R. , Hallworth M. , Schuff-Werner P. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) opened a Register for European Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in 1997. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Committee (EC4RC). During the last 6 years more than 1500 specialists in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine have joined the Register. In this article a Code of Conduct for Registrants which was approved at the EC4 Register Committee meeting in Amsterdam, 8 November 2003 is presented.
Activity of eosinophils and immunoglobulin E concentration in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis
Authors: Eidukaite Androne , Tamosiunas Vytas 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAutoinflammatory phenomena, including autoantibody production and atopy, have been regarded as associated with endometriosis. The present study investigates the activity of eosinophils and the distribution of immunoglobulin E concentrations in the peritoneal fluid of women with early endometriosis. The study group consisted of 30 patients with laparoscopically diagnosed early endometriosis. The healthy control group consisted of 18 females with no evident changes in the abdominal cavity and no endometrial foci. Concentrations of immunoglobulin E in serum and peritoneal blood were determined by enzyme immunoassay. The activity of eosinophils was estimated according to the expression of the early activation molecule CD69 by the flow cytometry method. The concentrations of immunoglobulin E in the peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid were similar in both groups. However, the count of CD69+ eosinophils was higher in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. The results indicate that activated eosinophils accumulate in the peritoneal fluid in early endometriosis and can play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Presence of secretory group IIa and V phospholipase A2 and cytosolic group IVα phospholipase A2 in chondrocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Leistad Lilian , Feuerherm Astrid J. , Østensen Monika , Faxvaag Arild , Johansen Berit 
Published: August 2004

AbstractBoth secretory and cytosolic phospholipase A
Neurokinin B levels in maternal circulation during early pregnancy
Authors: Tjoa May Lee , Lomecky Marie , Martens Frans , Wijk Inge J. van , Vugt John M. G. van , Blankenstein Marinus A. , Oudejans Cees B. M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractNeurokinin B levels were measured between the 10th–20th weeks of pregnancy, i.e., prior to the development of clinical symptoms, in women who developed preeclampsia or delivered a growth-restricted baby. No difference was found in plasma neurokinin B levels, although neurokinin B levels increased slightly towards term.
Cl- regulates cryoglobulin structure: a new hypothesis for the physiopathological mechanism of temperature non-dependent cryoprecipitation
Authors: Stasio Enrico Di , Bizzarri Patrizia , Casato Milvia , Galtieri Antonio , Fiorilli Massimo , Pucillo Leopoldo Paolo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractCryoglobulins are pathological cold-precipitable immunoglobulins associated with a number of infectious, autoimmune and neoplastic disorders. Patients, when exposed to low temperatures, show symptoms related to intravascular precipitation of such immunoglobulins. The formation of cryoaggregates induced by exposure to cold temperature is the key pathogenetic mechanism. The subsequent intravascular precipitation can account for some clinical signs of peripheral vasculitis, but fails to explain the precipitation of cryoglobulins in regions where no significant temperature changes take place. We studied, in vitro, the activity of different ions on temperature-dependent aggregation of cryoglobulins and found that the concentration of Cl
Comparison of serum creatinine, uric acid, albumin and glucose in male professional endurance athletes compared with healthy controls
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Brocco Giorgio , Franchini Massimo , Schena Federico , Guidi Giancesare 
Published: August 2004

AbstractOwing to considerable physical, endocrinological and metabolic adaptations, the analysis of biochemical data in elite and top-class athletes requires caution. With the aim to identify metabolic and biochemical adaptations to particular lifestyle conditions, such as regular and strenuous physical exercise, we measured the concentration of serum albumin, creatinine, uric acid and glucose in 80 male professional cyclists, 37 male members of the Italian national cross-country ski team and 60 male healthy sedentary controls at rest. At variance with earlier investigations, endurance athletes showed significantly decreased concentrations of serum creatinine (controls: 83.1±11.0 μmol/l; skiers: 78.0±8.4 μmol/l; p<0.05; cyclists: 73.8±10.4 μmol/l; p<0.01), uric acid (controls: 362±69 μmol/l; skiers: 331±70 μmol/l; p<0.05; cyclists: 312±61 μmol/l; p<0.01) and glucose (controls: 5.35±0.54 mmol/l; skiers: 4.94±0.41 mmol/l; p<0.01; cyclists: 4.94±0.42 mmol/l; p<0.01). The concentration of serum albumin was also decreased in athletes, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (controls: 4.76±0.26 g/l; skiers: 4.71±0.22 g/l; p=0.384; cyclists: 4.68±0.22 g/l; p=0.393). Results of the present investigation demonstrate that values of laboratorytesting lying outside conventional reference limits calculated on sedentary populations might express physiological adaptations to regular and demanding physical aerobic activity, emphasizing the need for the estimation of reliable reference limits in elite and professional athletes, to avoid equivocal interpretation of results within clinical and anti-doping contests.
Low S-adenosylmethionine concentrations found in patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Schmedes Anne , Nielsen Jens Nederby , Hey Henrik , Brandslund Ivan 
Published: August 2004

AbstractBackground: S-adenosylmethionine is a methyl donor in many cellular reactions including detoxification of constantly produced hydrogen sulphide in the colon. A reduced capacity to detoxify hydrogen sulphide may be implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. S-adenosylmethionine could be low if this assumption is correct. We compared S-adenosylmethionine concentrations in whole blood in patients with severe and moderate inflammatory bowel disease with healthy reference persons. Methods: S-adenosylmethionine concentrations in whole blood were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Patients with Crohn's disease (n=21), ulcerative colitis (n=7) and healthy age-matched reference persons (or controls) (n=17) were studied. Results: S-adenosylmethionine concentrations were significantly decreased in patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease (mean 1.10 mg/l) as compared to patients with moderate Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (mean 1.83 mg/l) and reference persons (mean 1.84 mg/l). Statistically significant inverse correlations were found between S-adenosylmethionine concentration and activity index (p<0.01 and R
The influence of freezer storage of urine samples on the BONN-Risk-Index for calcium oxalate crystallization
Authors: Laube Norbert , Zimmermann Diana J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis study was performed to quantify the effect of a 1-weekfreezer storage of urine on its calcium oxalate crystallization risk. Calcium oxalate is the most common urinary stone material observed in urolithiasis patients in western and affluent countries. The BONN-Risk-Index of calcium oxalate crystallization risk in human urine is determined from a crystallization experiment performed on untreated native urine samples.We tested the influence of a 1-weekfreezing on the BONN-Risk-Index value as well as the effect of the sample freezing on the urinary osmolality. In vitro crystallization experiments in 49 native urine samples from stone-forming and non-stone forming individuals were performed in order to determine their calcium oxalate crystallization risk according to the BONN-Risk-Index approach. Comparison of the results derived from original sample investigations with those obtained from the thawed aliquots by statistical evaluation shows that i) no significant deviation from linearity between both results exists and ii) both results are identical by statistical means. This is valid for both, the BONN-Risk-Index and the osmolality data.The differences in the BONN-Risk-Index results of both procedures of BONN-Risk-Index determination, however, exceed the clinically acceptable difference. Thus, determination of the urinary calcium oxalate crystallization risk from thawed urine samples cannot be recommended.