Total urine protein was measured in 132 samples by an automated benzethonium chloride method and the Ponceau-S/trichloroacetic acid (PS/TCA) method. Of these, 27% gave a result 0.1 g/L or more higher by the benzethonium chloride method. Of this 27%, most contained an abnormally high concentration of the acute-phase reactant, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. By assaying urine containing added alpha 1-...

Water management is crucial to the performance of PEM fuel cells. Water is generated as part of the electrochemical reaction, and is removed through the reactant channels. This results in two-phase flow in the reactant channels. Increased understanding of the behavior of the liquid water in the channels allows us to devise better strategies for managing the water content inside the fuel cell. M...

The mixed-phase relative rates approach for determining aerosol particle organic heterogeneous reaction kinetics is often performed utilizing mass spectral tracers as a proxy for particle-phase reactant concentration. However, this approach may be influenced by signal contamination from oxidation products during the experiment. In the current study, the mixed-phase relative rates technique has ...

We investigate the phase space structure and dynamics of a Hamiltonian isokinetic thermostat, for which ergodic thermostat trajectories at fixed (zero) energy generate a canonical distribution in configuration space. Model potentials studied consist of a single bistable mode plus transverse harmonic modes. Interpreting the bistable mode as a reaction (isomerization) coordinate, we establish con...

Inflammation and immune-mediated processes are pivotal to the pathogenic progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been shown to be associated with an increased risk for AMD, the pathophysiological importance of the prototypical acute-phase reactant in the etiology of the disease is unknown, and data regarding the exact role o...

© 2017 International Journal of Applied and Basic Medical Research | Published by Wolters Kluwer ‐ Medknow C‐reactive protein (CRP) is a serum acute phase reactant and a valuable inflammatory biomarker in various clinical conditions. It was first discovered by Tillett and Francis (1930) in the serum of patients with pneumonia but was isolated in 1941.[1] CRP derives its name due to ability of t...

A 43-year-old man had undergone bilateral lung transplantation 2 years previously for sarcoidosis stage 4 fibrocystic disease. The patient feels well, without significant symptoms, sputa, cough or fever. A control spirometry however showed a highly obstructive, mildly restrictive pulmonary function, with a very low diffusion capacity. Laboratory results revealed a CRP of 6.4 mg/l (nl <= 5 mg/l)...

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting millions worldwide. Complement activation, inflammation, and the loss of choroidal endothelial cells have been established as key factors in both normal aging and AMD; however, the exact mechanisms for these events have yet to be fully uncovered. Herein, we provide evidence that the prototypic acute phas...

Dense deposit disease is caused by fluid-phase dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway and frequently deviates from the classic membranoproliferative pattern of injury on light microscopy. Other patterns of injury described for dense deposit disease include mesangioproliferative, acute proliferative/exudative, and crescentic GN. Regardless of the histologic pattern, C3 glomerulopath...

kawasaki disease (kd) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis of childhood characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory mediators at the acute stage. high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (ivig) is well accepted as a conventional therapy for kd. the aim of the present study was to determine the expression level of toll like receptors (tlrs) and their corresponding signaling mediators in pbmc...