bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single Versus Multiple Doses of Tocilizumab in Critically Ill Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Two-center, Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sulaiman Khalid Al , Juhani Ohoud Al , Salah Khalid Bin , Koryem Ghazwa , Eljaaly Khalid , Essa Mohammed Al , Kharbosh Abdullah , Harbi Feras Al , Abuzaid Maram , Bilal Sarah Al , Magthali Alaa , Alsohemi Samia , Alshabasy Adel , Albossiry Hyatham , Abodeif Mohammed , Alshehri Asma , Vishwakarma Ramesh
Published: May 2021

Background: In COVID-19 patients, increased IL-6 levels have been associated with poor disease prognosis. The use of tocilizumab shown to be effective in treating COVID-19 with varying success. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using a single dose of tocilizumab compared with multiple doses in critically ill COVID-19 patients.Methods:This study is a two-center, retrospective cohort, in which patients who received tocilizumab and were admitted to the ICU at two tertiary hospitals from March 1st, 2020, until January 31st, 2021were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the number of doses of tocilizumab they received. Furthermore, we gathered additional data from the patients, such as but not limited to demographic data, vital signs, and laboratory markers. Multivariable logistic and generalized linear regression were used. We considered a P value of < 0.05 statistically significant. Results: Two hundred sixty-one patients were included in this study; 72.4% received a single dose of tocilizumab, while the rest (27.6%) had received multiple doses. Most of the patients were male, with an average age of 59.2. After adjusting for possible confounders, the ICU mortality within 30 days (OR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.33-2.08 p = 0.69) and in-hospital mortality (OR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.26-1.60 p = 0.35) were not significantly different between the two groups. On the flip side, patients who received multiple doses of tocilizumab have higher odds of secondary infection compared with a single dose (OR 3.06; 95% CI, 1.18-7.89 p = 0.02).Conclusion: Multiple doses of tocilizumab were not associated with a statistically significant difference in ICU and hospital mortality in critically ill patients infected with COVID-19. In contrast, it was associated with higher odds of secondary infections compared to a single dose.
Clinical course and outcomes of secondary bloodstream infection patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A retrospective study
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Junwei , Yang Yi , Cai Peishan , Cao Jingchao , Wu Sanlan , Zhang Yu , Cai Xuefeng
Published: May 2021

Background

Secondary bloodstream infection (SBI) is considered one of the most perilous complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although the etiology of SBI has been reported, the clinical course and outcomes of this illness have not been well described.
Methods

In this retrospective study, all patients with confirmed SBI were included from a cohort of 1,651 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Wuhan Union Hospital between January 25 and April 23, 2020. Demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings, treatments and outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records. The data were compared between survivors and non-survivors based on whether patients died within 30 days following SBI onset.
Results

A total of 31 patients corresponding to 1.9% (31/1,651) who exhibited SBI were included in the present study. The median time from admission to the onset of SBI was 22.0 days (2.0–64.0). The most common symptoms were shortness of breath (74%), fever (65%) and decreased blood pressure (52%) at the onset of SBI. The levels of white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were mostly elevated. Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (15 [48%]) and Acinetobacter baumannii (7 [23%]) were the main pathogens. In empirical treatment, carbapenems were still the first choice. The 30-day mortality following SBI onset and the hospital mortality of the 31 patients were 67.7% (21/31) and 77.4% (24/31), respectively. Almost every patient with SBI had complication due to sepsis (28 [90%]). The median time periods to sepsis and septic shock were 1 days (1.0 ~ 5.0) and 3.0 days (1.0 ~ 12.0), respectively. The proportion of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) detected in blood cultures of non-survivors was higher (18 [86%] vs. 4 [40%]) compared to that of the survivors. These patients were more likely to develop sepsis (21 [100%] vs. 7 [70%]), and acute cardiac injury (19 [90%] vs. 5 [50%]).
Conclusions

The mortality of SBI patients with COVID-19 is considerable. Increased risk of mortality was noted for the following three subgroups: Patients infected with CRGNB, patients with complications of sepsis and patients with acute cardiac injury.
PTEN Loss Correlates with T cell Exclusion across Human Cancers
Authors: Lin Ziying , Huang Lixia , Li ShaoLi , Gu Jincui , Cui Xiaoxian , Zhou Yanbin
Published: May 2021

Background: Recent evidences had shown that loss in phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) was associated with immunotherapy resistance, which may be attributed to the non-T-cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment. The impact of PTEN loss on tumor microenvironment, especially regarding T cell infiltration across tumor types is not well understood.Methods: Utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and publicly available dataset of immunotherapy, we explored the correlation of PTEN expressing level or genomic loss with tumor immune microenvironment and response to immunotherapy. We further investigated the involvement of PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway activation, which is known to be the subsequent effect of PTEN loss, in the immune microenvironment modulation.Results: We reveal that PTEN mRNA expression is significantly positively correlated with CD4/CD8A gene expression and T cells infiltration especially T helpers cells, central memory T cell and effector memory T cells in multiples tumor types. Genomic loss of PTEN is associated with reduced CD8+ T cells, type 1 T helper cells, and increased type 2 T helper cells, immunosuppressed genes (e.g. VEGFA) expression. Furthermore, T cell exclusive phenotype is also observed in tumor with PI3K pathway activation or genomic gain in PIK3CA or PIK3CB. PTEN loss and PI3K pathway activation correlate with immunosuppressive microenvironment, especially in terms of T cell exclusion. PTEN loss predict poor therapeutic response and worse survival outcome in patients receiving immunotherapy.Conclusion: These data brings insight into the role of PTEN loss in T cell exclusion and immunotherapy resistance, and inspires further research on immune modulating strategy to augment immunotherapy.
One-Year and Consequences of COVID-19 in Cancer Patients: a Cohort Study
Authors: Chai Chen , Feng Xiaojun , Lu Meixia , Li Shoupeng , Chen Kui , Wang Hongxiang , Wang Wendan , Tang Zhaoming , Cheng Gang , Wu Xiaoxiong , Li Yunfeng , Wen Yuying , Da Banghong , Fan Hong , Wang Lei , Ai Fen , Li Wei , Peng Cao , Zhang Hongrong , Wen Shuang , Zhang Jinnong , Weng Yuxiong , Tang Zehai
Published: May 2021

Background

The study aim was to investigate one-year all-cause mortality and health consequences of cancer COVID-19 patients in China, stratified by primary tumor subtype.
Methods

In this multicenter cohort study, 166 cancer COVID-19 patients were studied along with 498 gender- and age-matched non-cancer COVID-19 patients in four hospitals in Wuhan, China, admitted 2020/01/01-2020/03/18, as well as with 498 parallel gender-, age-, and cancer subtype- matched non-COVID cancer patients hospitalized between 2019/01/01-2020/03/17. All patients were followed-up with a telephone survey to assess health consequences. Cox proportional hazards regression were used for risk analysis.
Results

In the three cohorts of median age of 65 ± 1 year and 49% male, the one-year all-cause mortality and hospital mortality rates of Cancer COVID-19 Cohort, 30% and 20% respectively, were significantly higher than COVID-19 Cohort (9% and 8%), and Cancer Cohort (16% and 2%). The 12-month all-cause post-discharge mortality rate of Cancer COVID-19 Cohort (11%) was higher than COVID-19 Cohort (0.4%), but similar to Cancer Cohort (15%). The high 1-year all-cause mortality was among hematologic malignancies (65%) and then nasopharyngeal, brain and skin tumors (45%), digestive system (43%), and lung (32%). the rate was low among genitourinary (14%), female genital (13%), breast (11%), and thyroid (0). As for patients having at least one symptom at the 1-year follow-up, Cancer COVID-19 Cohort (23%, 26/114) is similar to COVID-19 Cohort (30%, 130/432).
Discussion

Cancer COVID-19 patients showed a high rate of hospitalization mortality, but not after discharged, signifying the strong acute adverse effect of COVID-19 on cancer patients while little was in long-term effect. Risk stratification showed that hematologic malignancies, nasopharyngeal, brain, digestive system and lung tumors were high risk, while genitourinary, female genital, breast and thyroid were low risk which was similar to non-cancer COVID-19.
Conclusions

COVID-19 had little effect of 1-year mortality and sequelae for cancer survivors discharged from SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Different tumor subtypes had different effect of COVID-19. COVID-19 patients with thyroid, breast, female genital, genitourinary tumor had low risk mortality which was similar to non-cancer patients.
Long-Term Survival in Extensive Disease Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated Without Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Wakuda Kazushige , Yabe Michitoshi , Kodama Hiroaki , Nishioka Naoya , Miyawaki Taichi , Miyawaki Eriko , Mamesaya Nobuaki , Kobayashi Haruki , Omori Shota , Ono Akira , Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Naito Tateaki , Murakami Haruyasu , Shimizu Tetsuo , Gon Yasuhiro , Takahashi Toshiaki
Published: May 2021

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with chemotherapy have been approved as first-line treatment for patients with untreated extensive disease-small cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC). However, there are few reports about the long-term survival in patients with ED-SCLC treated without ICIs. Thus, we analyzed the long-term survival in patients with ED-SCLC.Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of patients with SCLC who were treated at our hospital between September 2002 and September 2019. The main inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) histological or cytological confirmation of SCLC, (2) diagnosed with ED-SCLC, and (3) received chemotherapy, not including ICIs, as the first-line treatment. To assess the trends of treatment outcomes, we compared the survival outcomes between 2002–2010 (early) and 2011–2019 (late) groups.Results: A total of 314 patients were included in this study. Patient characteristics at the time of first-line treatment were as follows: median age was 69 years; 82% of the patients were male; and 70% had a performance status of 0 or 1. The median follow-up time of overall survival (OS) was 7.4 years, and 89% of the patients died. The median progression-free survival and survival time were 4.9 months and 12.1 months, respectively. Five-year survival rate was 2%. There was no significant difference in survival between the early and late groups.Conclusion: We found that the long-term survival in ED-SCLC patients treated without ICIs was poor. Prior to the approval of ICI treatment for ED-SCLC, there was no improvement in the OS for approximately 20 years.
The Predictive Value of Tumor Volume, Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Their Dynamic Changes on Early Tumor Response for Elderly Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Underwent Radiotherapy
Authors: Liang Shuai , Li Chengming , Wang Lu , Xu Dongshui , Liu Zhao , Meng Xue
Published: May 2021

Background: To investigate the tumor volume, pre-treatment inflammatory biomarkers (pre-IBs), and their dynamic changes on early tumor response (ETR) in elderly patients (≥70 years) with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) underwent radiotherapy.Methods: The ETR was assessed according to RECIST 1.1 at 1 month after radiotherapy. The tumor volume ((gross tumor volume (GTV) at the initial treatment planning (GTVi), and GTV at shrinking irradiation field planning (GTVs)), IBs (neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte (PLR), and lymphocyte/monocyte (LMR)) which also included during treatment IBs (dur-IBs), and clinical variables were collected and analyzed from 197 patients received radiotherapy at our institution between 2015 and 2020. The tumor volume change rate (TVCR) and dynamic changes of IBs (delta-IBs) were defined as follows: TVCR=(1-GTVs/GTVi)×100%, delta-IBs=1-dur-IBs/pre-IBs. A nomogram based on logistic regression analysis were then established for predicting ETR.Results: GTVi and pre-LMR significantly decreased, pre-NLR, and pre-PLR significantly increased during radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (all P<0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that TVCR [OR, 0.197; 95%CI, 0.093-0.414; P<0.001], pre-NLR [OR, 2.568; 95%CI, 1.031-6.394; P=0.043], and delta-NLR [OR, 2.831; 95%CI, 1.126-7.119; P=0.027] were statistically significant with ETR. And c-index of the nomogram established by combining all independent predictors for ETR was 0.769 [95%CI, 0.161–0.302].Conclusion: TVCR, Pre-NLR, and delta-NLR were significant with ETR in elderly patients with ESCC who underwent radiotherapy. And the developed nomogram with superior prediction ability for ETR could assist in patients counseling and guide to make individual treatments and follow-up strategies.
Non-Fourier heat transfer enhancement in Power law fluid with mono and hybrid nanoparticles
Authors: Sadiq M. Adil
Published: May 2021

Several polymers like ethylene glycol exhibit non-Newtonian rheological behaviors. Ethylene glycol is a world-widely used engine coolant and therefore, investigation of thermal enhancement by dispersing mono and hybrid nanoparticles in ethylene glycol is worthful. Since, ethylene glycol has shear rate-dependent viscosity and it obeys the power law rheological model. Therefore, based on these facts, the power-law rheological model is used with thermophysical properties are augmented with basic laws of heat transfer in fluid for the modeling of considered physical situations. M oS 2 are taken as mono-nanoparticles where M oS 2 and SiO 2 are taken as hybrid nano-sized particles. Comparative study for the enhancement of thermal performance of M oS 2 ethylene glycol and M oS 2 −SiO 2 − ethylene glycol is done. For energy conservation, non-Fourier’s law of Cattaneo-Christov is used. Power law fluid becomes more heat generative due to dispersion of M oS 2 and SiO 2. However, M oS 2 −power law fluid is less heat generative relative to M oS 2 − SiO 2-nanofluid. Thermal relaxation time is found proportional to the ability of the fluid to restore its thermal equilibrium.
Ageing on the Frontlines: Examining the Experiences of Older Frontline Healthcare Workers in Singapore General Hospital During The COVID-19 Pandemic.
Authors: Charles Gerard , Wen Sophia Lau Pei
Published: May 2021

Objectives: The first aim of this study was to understand the psychosocial impacts faced by our older healthcare frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore General Hospital. Secondly, we hoped to explore the issues faced by an ageing healthcare workforce and recommend improvements in daily operations for future health crises. Lastly, we wanted to analyse ageist attitudes and misconceptions of being an older adult and recommend future changes in organizational policies.Methods: This is a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey. A self-designed questionnaire was developed by the study team through FormSG. It consists of 9 open and 45 closed-ended questions. Data were collected during the months of December 2020 and January 2021. Healthcare workers aged 62 years old and above were eligible to participate in this study by scanning a QR code or via weblink.Results: Participants had expressed mixed feelings while working during the COVID-19 pandemic such as uncertainty (75%), anxiety (58%), fear (42%), stress (25%), and sadness (25%). 75% of the participants went on to acknowledge that due to their job, their loved ones would be at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Similarly, 75% responded that they were determined to do their duty as a frontline healthcare worker despite fears of being diagnosed with COVID-19 present amongst 33% of the participants. 25% of participants felt motivated to be frontline healthcare workers with no reports of any form of discrimination from the public. 92% of the participants were aware that due to their age, they stood a much higher chance of contracting COVID-19 and had not considered being deployed to a lower risk area in fears of their health. All participants had taken part in the annual flu vaccination program, with 58% of responses indicating they believe the annual flu vaccination can prevent them from contracting COVID-19.Conclusion: Older adults bring forth a wealth of experiences in any organisation, however, as much experience as there may be, the ageing process is also accompanied by a myriad of complex challenges. Having strong social, professional, and familial support has allowed older adults to tide through this pandemic psychosocially. It is of utmost importance to understand the strengths and unique challenges that come with working in an intergenerational workforce, despite so the intergenerational economy can flourish with proper management skills and job re-designing, re-tooling, and re-skilling resources to ensure the right fit to employability skills and staff loyalty. Moreover, even younger staff will age through time.
Indirect antiglobulin test-crossmatch using low-ionic-strength saline–albumin enhancement medium and reduced incubation time: effectiveness in the detection of most clinically significant antibodies and impact on blood utilization
Authors: Dinardo C.L. , Bonifácio S.L. , Mendrone A.
Published: May 2021

Indirect antiglobulin test-crossmatch (IAT-XM) using enhancement media such as low-ionic-strength saline (LISS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) usually requires 15 minutes of incubation. These methods are necessary when testing samples from blood recipients who have a higher risk of alloimmunization. In emergency situations, IAT-XM can be time-consuming and can influence presurgery routine, resulting in more red blood cell (RBC) units being tested and stored to avoid the transfusion of uncrossmatched ones. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a LISS-albumin enhancer to intensify antigen-antibody reaction after 5 minutes of 37°C incubation and compare this performance with that of other enhancers, gel, and conventional tube testing. Second, the study evaluated the impact of this method’s implementation in the C:T ratio (crossmatched to transfused RBC units) of a transfusion laboratory. Ninety serum samples containing alloantibodies of potential clinical significance were tested against phenotyped RBCs using four different methods: (1) tube with LISS-albumin enhancer (5 minutes of incubation), (2) tube with LISS-albumin and PEG (15 minutes of incubation), (3) gel, and (4) conventional tube method (60 minutes of incubation). In parallel, the study compared the C:T ratio of a tertiary-hospital transfusion laboratory in two different periods: 3 months before and 3 months after the implementation of the 5-minute IAT-XM protocol. The use of LISS-albumin with 5 minutes of incubation exhibited the same performance as LISS-albumin, PEG, and gel with 15 minutes of incubation. Conventional tube method results were equally comparable, but reactions were significantly less intense, except for anti-c (p = 0.406). Accuracy was 100 percent for all selected methods. After the implementation of the 5-minute IAT-XM protocol, the C:T ratio fell from 2.74 to 1.29 (p < 0.001). IAT-XM can have its incubation time reduced to 5 minutes with the use of LISS-albumin enhancement. We suggest this strategy should be used to quickly prepare RBC units for surgical patients, keeping transfusion safety without compromising blood supplies.
Immunohematology

2014;30:1–5.
Raph blood group system
Authors: Hayes M.
Published: May 2021

This review describes the current state of knowledge of the Raph blood group system, which consists of a single antigen, MER2. MER2 was initially classified as a high-incidence antigen in the 901 series of blood groups, formerly known as 901011, but was reclassified as an antigen in the Raph blood group system in 2004. There have been six reports of human alloantibodies to MER2. Three of the subjects were found to have a stop codon in the CD151 gene, which encodes a member of the tetraspanin family of proteins. These three individuals had nephropathy and deafness, and two of the three, who are siblings, also had skin lesions and β-thalassemia minor. The fourth subject had missense mutation c.533G>A (p.Arg178His). Subjects 5 and 6 shared missense mutation c.511C>T (p.Arg171Cys) as well as a synonymous single-nucleotide mutation (c.579A>G) and had no clinical features. Although the CD151 protein is critical to cell-to-cell interactions and cell signaling and is implicated in cancer progression, the significance in transfusion medicine is limited to one report of a hemolytic transfusion reaction in Subject 5.
Immunohematology

2014;30:6–10.
Low risk of hemolysis after transfusion of uncrossmatched red blood cells
Authors: Radkay L. , Triulzi D.J. , Yazer M.H.
Published: May 2021

Transfusing uncrossmatched red blood cells (RBCs) can be a lifesaving bridge until crossmatched RBCs are available. The risk of using uncrossmatched RBCs is that of hemolysis from unexpected clinically significant antibodies. This study sought to quantify the risk of hemolysis after the transfusion of uncrossmatched RBCs. The records of recipients of uncrossmatched RBCs over approximately 9 months were retrieved from the regional transfusion service. Basic immunohematologic data were recorded on all recipients including the number of uncrossmatched RBCs transfused. For recipients who had either previously identified clinically significant antibodies or those identified on the day of transfusion, clinical and biochemical data were evaluated to determine whether hemolysis had occurred after uncrossmatched RBC transfusion. There were 218 recipients of 1065 units of uncrossmatched RBCs. Most of the RBCs were administered in the emergency room (48%) followed by the operating room (24%) and intensive care unit (23%). Seven (3.2%) recipients had clinically significant antibodies that were active on the day of the transfusion, whereas in four patients a clinically significant antibody had been previously identified but was not active on the day of the transfusion. One patient with active antibodies who received three units of uncrossmatched RBCs for a gastrointestinal bleed demonstrated a reactive eluate several days later as well as positive biochemical hemolysis markers. Thus the overall rate of detectable hemolysis after uncrossmatched RBC transfusion was 1 of 218 (0.5%). The use of uncrossmatched RBCs is a relatively safe intervention, although close monitoring of recipients with clinically significant antibodies for evidence of hemolysis is recommended.
Immunohematology

2012;28:39–44.
Alloimmunization to Kell blood group system antigen owing to unmatched blood transfusion in a resource-poor setting
Authors: Malhotra S. , Kaur G. , Basu S. , Kaur R. , Jindal G.
Published: May 2021

One of the major drawbacks of multiple blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia is the risk of development of alloimmunization to various red cell antigens within blood group systems such as Rh, Kell, Duffy, and Kidd. The problem is greater in developing countries because of lack of awareness and insufficient availability of specific typing antisera and antibody screening panels owing to financial constraints. It is of utmost importance to provide D, C, c, E, e, and K phenotype-matched blood in multiply transfused patients with thalassemia. This can prevent the development of antibodies against these clinically significant antigens, as antibodies can cause severe acute or delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions and create difficulties in providing a crossmatch-compatible packed red blood cell unit. The policy should preferably be adopted irrespective of financial constraints as it will pave the way for better transfusion practices and reduce the risk of adverse reactions in patients who are transfusion dependent for survival.
Immunohematology

2012;28:45–8.
Warm autoadsorption with enzyme-treated red blood cells
Authors: Tsimba-Chitsva F. , Bishop S. , Kezeor K.
Published: May 2021

Patients demonstrating warm autoantibody specificity present serologic challenges for laboratory staff performing antibody identification in the blood bank. Autoantibody can be removed from plasma or serum by adsorption onto autologous red blood cells (RBCs) provided the patient has not been transfused in the previous 3 months. The adsorption process can be enhanced by enzyme pretreatment of autologous RBCs.
Immunohematology

2012;28:88–90.
EDTA glycine acid treatment of red blood cells
Authors: Kosanke J.
Published: May 2021

IgG dissociation is necessary when a sample is direct antiglobulin test (DAT) positive and antigen testing using blood grouping serum reactive by the antiglobulin test is performed. Exposure of IgG-coated red blood cells (RBCs) to a low pH of 3.0 with EDTA glycine acid successfully dissociates the IgG, rendering the RBCs DAT negative 82 to 85 percent of the time. The procedure takes one minute or less and leaves RBC antigens intact and able to be typed except for those antigens in the Kell blood group system and for the high-prevalence antigen Era.
Immunohematology

2012;28:95–6.
The molecular basis of the LU:7 and LU:–7 phenotypes
Authors: Hue-Roye K. , E. Reid M.
Published: May 2021

The Lutheran blood group system currently consists of 20 antigens that have been assigned ISBT numbers. Of these, all but LU7 have been associated with one or more nucleotide changes in LU.The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular basis associated with the LU:–7 phenotype. We obtained a stored sample from one proband with this phenotype and sequenced LU.Using genomic DNA, exons 1 through 15, and their flanking intronic regions, of LUwere amplified by polymerase-chain reaction, and the products were sequenced. A homozygous novel missense nucleotide change of 1274A>C in exon 10 of LUwas observed. This change is predicted to encode Ala at position 425 in place of Glu of the consensus Lu glycoprotein. Based on these results, and an absence of a record of this change in the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism database, Glu425 in the Lu glycoprotein is required for expression of Lu7, and Ala425 is associated with the LU:–7 phenotype. This completes the molecular basis associated with all antigens known to be in the Lutheran blood group system.
Immunohematology

2012;28:130–1.
Red blood cell phenotype matching for various ethnic groups
Authors: Badjie K.S.W. , Tauscher C. , Van Buskirk C. , Wong C. , Jenkins S. , Smith C. , Stubbs J.R.
Published: May 2021

Patients requiring chronic transfusion support are at risk of alloimmunization after red blood cell (RBC) transfusion because of a disparity between donor and recipient antigen profiles. This research explored the probability of obtaining an exact extended phenotype match between blood donors randomly selected from our institution and patients randomly selected from particular ethnic groups. Blood samples from 1,000 blood donors tested by molecular method were evaluated for the predicted phenotype distribution of Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy, and MNS. A random subsample of 800 donor phenotypes was then evaluated for the probability of obtaining an exact match with respect to phenotype with a randomly selected patient from a particular ethnic group. Overall, there was a greater than 80 percent probability of finding an exact donor-recipient match for the K/k alleles in the Kell system. The probability ranged from 3 percent to 38 percent, depending on the ethnicity and disparities in phenotypic profiles, for the Rh, Kidd, Duffy, and MNS systems. A significant donor-recipient phenotype mismatch ratio exists with certain blood group antigens such that, with current routine ABO and D matching practices, recipients of certain ethnic groups are predisposed to alloimmunization.
Immunohematology

2011; 27:12–19.
XG: the forgotten blood group system
Authors: Johnson N.C.
Published: May 2021

The XG blood group system is best known for its contributions to the fields of genetics and chromosome mapping. This system comprises two antigens, Xga and CD99, that are not antithetical but that demonstrate a unique phenotypic relationship. XG is located on the tip of the short arm of the X chromosome with exons 1 to 3 present in the pseudoautosomal region of the X (and Y) chromosome(s) and exons 4 to 10 located only on the X chromosome. Xga demonstrates a clear X-linked pattern of inheritance. MIC2, the gene encoding the CD99 antigen, is found in the pseudoautosomal region of both the X and Y chromosomes. Anti-Xga is comparatively rare, and only two examples of antiCD99 have ever been identified. Alloanti-Xga is considered clinically insignificant; only one example of autoanti-Xga has been reported, but it resulted in severe hemolytic anemia. Insufficient data exist to determine the clinical significance of anti-CD99. Linkage of XG to several X-borne genes encoding inherited disorders has been demonstrated. CD99 is an adhesion molecule, and high levels are associated with some types of cancer.
Immunohematology

2011;27:68–71.
Persistent complement-dependent anti-AnWj in a lymphoproliferative disorder: a case study and review
Authors: Grigoriadis G. , Condon J. , Green K. , Anderson M.A. , Borosak M. , Wood E.
Published: May 2021

AnWj is a high-incidence antigen present on the red blood cells (RBCs) of greater than 99 percent of the general population. A 58-year-old man underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for stage IVa mantle cell lymphoma. This procedure was complicated by failure to engraft, necessitating ongoing support with blood components. After a 2-month period of uneventful transfusion support, the patient experienced increasingly severe reactions with fever and evidence of intravascular hemolysis, including hemoglobinuria. Testing revealed a complement-dependent anti-AnWj. Phenotyping confirmed the AnWj– phenotype. Anti-AnWj was persistent despite immunosuppression, including treatment with allogeneic HSCT. Of interest, the pathogenesis of the downregulation of the graft AnWj in this patient is unclear.
Immunohematology

2011;27:83–88.
Application of real-time PCR and melting curve analysis in rapid Diego blood group genotyping
Authors: Novaretti M.C.Z. , Ruiz A.S. , Dorlhiac-Llacer P.E. , Chamone D.A.F
Published: May 2021

The paucity of appropriate reagents for serologic typing of the Diego blood group antigens has prompted the development of a real-time PCR and melting curve analysis for Diego blood group genotyping. In this study, we phenotyped 4326 donor blood samples for Dia using semiautomated equipment. All 157 Di(a+) samples were then genotyped by PCR using sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) for DI*02 because of anti-Dib scarcity. Of the 4326 samples, we simultaneously tested 160 samples for Dia and Dib by serology, and for DI*01 and DI*02 by PCR-SSP and by real-time PCR. We used the same primers for Diego genotyping by real-time PCR and PCR-SSP. Melting curve profiles obtained using the dissociation software of the real-time PCR apparatus enabled the discrimination of Diego alleles. Of the total samples tested, 4169 blood donors, 96.4 percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 95.8–96.9%), were homozygous for DI*02 and 157, 3.6 percent (95% CI, 3.1–4.2%), were heterozygous DI*01/02. No blood donor was found to be homozygous for DI*01 in this study. The calculated DI*01 and DI*02 allele frequencies were 0.0181 (95% CI, 0.0173–0.0189) and 0.9819 (95% CI, 0.9791–0.9847), respectively, showing a good fit for the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was full concordance among Diego phenotype results and Diego genotype results by PCR-SSP and real-time PCR. DI*01 and DI*02 allele determination with SYBR Green I and thermal cycler technology are useful methods for Diego determination. The real-time PCR with SYBR Green I melting temperature protocol can be used as a rapid screening tool for DI*01 and DI*02 blood group genotyping.
Immunohematology

2010;26:66–70.
Laboratory methods for Rh immunoprophylaxis: a review
Authors: Sandler S.G. , Sathiyamoorthy S.
Published: May 2021

The recommended dose of Rh immune globulin for postpartum Rh immunoprophylaxis is based on an estimation of the volume of the fetomaternal hemorrhage, if any, measured as the percent of fetal RBCs in a sample of the D– mother’s blood. Laboratory methods for distinguishing fetal from maternal RBCs have been based on their different blood types (D+ versus D–) or predominant hemoglobin content (hemoglobin F versus hemoglobin A). We conducted a review of the medical literature describing laboratory methods for detecting and quantifying fetal RBCs in maternal blood samples. We also used data collected for the College of American Pathologists Fetal RBC Detection Surveys to determine which laboratory methods are used currently in hospitals in the United States. The rosette screen is used widely for identifying D– mothers who may require additional doses of Rh immune globulin for postpartum immunoprophylaxis. As the rosette screen targets the D antigen, it is not suitable for detecting a fetomaternal hemorrhage in D+ mothers or when the D type of the fetus or newborn is D– or unknown. The acid-elution (Kleihauer-Betke) assay is a sensitive laboratory method for quantifying a fetomaternal hemorrhage, but it is tedious, often inaccurate, and difficult to reproduce. Flow cytometry, using anti-D or anti-hemoglobin F reagents, offers a more precise quantification of fetal RBCs in maternal blood. However, flow cytometry services for this function are available in relatively few hospital laboratories in the United States because of logistic and fiscal impediments.
Immunohematology 2010;26:92–103.
Attempts to support an immune etiology in 800 patients with direct antiglobulin test–negative hemolytic anemia
Authors: Leger R.M. , Co A. , Hunt P. , Garratty G.
Published: May 2021

Clinical and hematologic evidence of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is present in some patients whose direct antiglobulin test (DAT) is negative. The most common causes for AIHA associated with a negative DAT are RBC-bound IgG below the sensitivity threshold of the DAT, RBC-bound IgA and IgM not detectable by routine reagents, and low-affinity IgG that dissociates during the testing process. Samples submitted from 800 patients with hemolytic anemia and a negative DAT were tested by an antiglobulin sera (AGS) panel of anti-IgG, anti-C3, anti-IgM, and anti-IgA by a routine DAT. Additional tests included a direct Polybrene test to detect small amounts of RBC-bound IgG, a cold-wash technique to detect low-affinity IgG, and a DAT by gel test with anti-IgG. A positive result was obtained with at least one method for 431 (54%) of 800 specimens tested. The AGS panel was positive for 400 (50%) of samples, with IgG or C3 or both accounting for reactivity in 48 percent. IgA alone was found on 2 percent of samples; IgM was never found alone. Low-affinity IgG was found on 37 (5%) samples. The direct Polybrene test was the only positive test for 15 (2%) samples. The gel anti-IgG test was never the only positive test. Clinical correlations for these data were not available; however, previously published correlations suggest a positive predictive value for tests that extend routine DAT methods in patients with DAT-negative AIHA.
Immunohematology

2010;26:156–60.
Coexistence of coarsening and mean field relaxation in the long-range Ising chain
Authors: Corberi Federico , Iannone Alessandro , Kumar Manoj , Lippiello Eugenio , Politi Paolo
Published: May 2021

We study the kinetics after a low temperature quench of the
one-dimensional Ising model with long range interactions between spins
at distance rr
decaying as r^{-\alpha}r−α.
For \alpha =0α=0,
i.e. mean field, all spins evolve coherently quickly driving the system
towards a magnetised state. In the weak long range regime with
\alpha >1α>1
there is a coarsening behaviour with competing domains of opposite sign
without development of magnetisation. For strong long range,
i.e. 0<\alpha <10<α<1,
we show that the system shows both features, with probability
P_\alpha (N)Pα(N)
of having the latter one, with the different limiting behaviours
\lim _{N\to \infty}P_\alpha (N)=0limN→∞Pα(N)=0
(at fixed \alpha<1α<1)
and \lim _{\alpha \to 1}P_\alpha (N)=1limα→1Pα(N)=1
(at fixed finite NN).
We discuss how this behaviour is a manifestation of an underlying
dynamical scaling symmetry due to the presence of a single
characteristic time \tau _\alpha (N)\sim N^\alphaτα(N)∼Nα.
Dialectics of Transnational Mobility, Class, and Cultural-Intermediary among Indonesian Student-Migrant Workers in South Korea
Authors: Madrah Muna Yastuti , Suharko Suharko , Sartika Diana Dewi
Published: May 2021

Cosmopolitanism among migrant workers may present as the result of interpretations between transnational mobility, class, and cultural intermediary. Applying the ethnographic method this research was carried out during 2018-2019, which took Indonesian student-migrant workers aged 20-35 years in South Korea as informants. Travel and immigration, and higher education experiences have left Indonesian migrant workers at work in any places both in and out of campus areas. These practices show that the broader social, cultural, and individual agendas are one way of recognizing a new cosmopolitanism. There are two factors influence the cosmopolitanism process of Indonesian migrant workers; first, the transnational migration process. Second, the process of cultural intermediation in universities. This study reveals significant differences in how Indonesian migrant workers respond to the possibilities and opportunities of transnational mobility, from developing the cultural acceptance skills needed in their life trajectories for building network relationships with other transnational actors. Higher education for migrant workers has introduced another form of work, namely cultural intermediation, which can be seen as a cosmopolitan process.
Drought detection in Java Island based on Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI)
Authors: Suroso  , Nadhilah Dede , Ardiansyah  , Aldrian Edvin
Published: May 2021

This study reports a drought analysis which was carried out using the Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) to determine the spatial and temporal level of drought risk in Java, Indonesia. Apart from using the SPEI, this study also used the SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index) as a comparison in detecting drought and also validated with historical drought occurrences. Temporal variations of SPI and SPEI values were discussed by considering different timescales (monthly to yearly). Pearson's correlations between both drought indices were calculated to see how similar both indices were. Also, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests were used for the similarity test of two kinds of distributions. The results obtained from this analysis showed that the correlation coefficient between the SPI and SPEI models was relatively high on a monthly scale and consistently increased along with the increase of temporal scales but had a decreasing trend during the dry season. However, the SPI detected drought severity with an excessively high estimate in comparison with the SPEI. Greater spatial extents of drought estimation were also generated by SPI followed by SPEI in comparison to factual drought occurrences. As a consequence, SPEI becomes more moderate and SPI as a conservative approach for estimating drought events.
Prediction and analysis of domestic water consumption based on optimized grey and Markov model
Authors: Wang Zhaocai , Wu Xian , Wang Huifang , Wu Tunhua
Published: May 2021

With the rapid development of urbanization and the continuous improvement of living standards, China's domestic water consumption shows a growing trend. However, in some arid and water deficient areas, the shortage of water resources is a crucial factor affecting regional economic development and population growth. Therefore, it is essential to reliably predict the future water consumption data of a region. Aiming at the problems of poor prediction accuracy and overfitting of non-growth series in traditional grey prediction, this paper uses residual grey model combined with Markov chain correction to predict domestic water consumption. Based on the traditional grey theory prediction, the residual grey prediction model is established. Combined with the Markov state transition matrix, the grey prediction value is modified, and the model is applied to the prediction of domestic water consumption in Shaanxi Province from 2003 to 2019. The fitting results show that the accuracy grade of the improved residual grey prediction model is “good”. This shows that the dynamic unbiased grey Markov model can eliminate the inherent error of the traditional grey GM (1,1) model, improve the prediction accuracy, have better reliability, and can provide a new method for water consumption prediction.
Cell-Based Delivery Approaches for DNA-Binding Domains to the Central Nervous System
Authors: Deng Peter , Halmai Julian , Waldo Jennifer J. , Fink Kyle D.
Published: May 2021

Advancements in programmable DNA-Binding Proteins (DBDs) that target the genome,
such as zinc fingers, transcription activator-like effectors, and Cas9, have broadened drug target
design beyond traditional protein substrates. Effective delivery methodologies remain a major barrier
in targeting the central nervous system. Currently, adeno-associated virus is the most wellvalidated
delivery system for the delivery of DBDs towards the central nervous with multiple, ongoing
clinical trials. While effective in transducing neuronal cells, viral delivery systems for DBDs
remain problematic due to inherent viral packaging limits or immune responses that hinder translational
potential. Direct administration of DBDs or encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles may provide
alternative means towards delivering gene therapies into the central nervous system. This review
will evaluate the strengths and limitations of current DBD delivery strategies in vivo. Furthermore,
this review will discuss the use of adult stem cells as a putative delivery vehicle for DBDs and the
potential advantages that these systems have over previous methodologies.
Quinoline-3-Carboxylic Acids “DNA Minor Groove-Binding Agent”
Authors: Purohit Priyank , Mittal Ravi K. , Khatana Kavita
Published: May 2021

Background:

The lead compounds from the series of 2, 4-disubstituted quinoline-3-carboxylic acid
derivatives were selected for the in-silico mechanistic study. The compounds were found selective and potent for
the cancer cell. Moreover, the relevant ADME in-silico data also support the safety of lead.

Methods:

The detailed interaction study with the DNA dodecanucleotide sequenced d(CGCGAATTCGCG)
shows the present lead bounds with the A/T minor groove region of a B-DNA duplex through the important
major and minor hydrogen bonds.

Result:

The present in-silico study supports the interactions of the drug with DNA with sufficient binding
interactions and energy. The present study also gives vital information related to the mechanism of drug action,
which was initially declared as a DNA targeting molecule through a fluorescence-based target study.

Conclusion:

The substitution at 2nd position (the carbonyl group) of the lead revealed as a hydrogen bond
donor/acceptor for adenine and guanine nucleic acid-base pair. The in-silico prediction also confirmed the
interaction pattern of the lead with the DNA, which will be further utilized for drug development.
Analisis Keselamatan Lalu Lintas Jalan Tol Ngawi-Kertosono Studi Kasus Ruas Madiun-Caruban dan Ruas Caruban-Wilangan
Authors:   Universitas Teknologi Yogyakarta, Sari Beti Irma , Setiawan Danny ,   Universitas Teknologi Yogyakarta
Published: May 2021

Toll roads can reduce travel time to be shorter, easier, more convenient, and smooth. However, many road users neglact safety because it’s too comfortable with road conditions that are straight, smooth, and without obstacles. Many road users who drive vehicles exceed the required traffic signs, causing traffic accident. Within 10 months of the operation of the Ngawi-Kertosono toll road on April 1, 2018, until February 24, 2019, traffic accidents reached 59 accidents on the Madiun-Wilangan toll road. From these data, it’s necessary to study the causes of toll road traffic accidents in accident-prone areas. As a first step, it’s necessary to determine the black site and black spots and the relationship between the geometric factors of the road to reduce the number of traffic accidents on the Madiun-Wilangan toll road. This calculation analysis uses the Z-Score and Cusum method by finding the black spot and black site areas. Based on the results of the analysis there are accident-prone areas on the toll road that is from KM 602 to 622 where the Z-Score is 1.733> 0 and Cusum 7.64> 0 so that the accident-prone area can be found on the Black Site and Black Spot results on the road location Madiun, Caruban and Caruban-Wilangan toll road. Suggestions from research need to be conducted outreach or outreach related to traffic and road safety regulations that often have accidents.
Analisis Manajemen Risiko Pelaksanaan Pembangunan Jalan Tol (Studi Kasus : Proyek Pembangunan Jalan Tol Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu)
Authors:   Universitas Gunadarma, Rahmawati Nia , Tenriajeng Andi Tenrisukki ,   Universitas Gunadarma
Published: May 2021

Construction of highway will increase the economy but it can’t be separated from risks. The purpose of this study is to analyze the risks at the stage of the implementation of highway construction and suggest mitigation to minimize the negative impact. Data were collected through interviews, brainstorming and questionnaires as well as previous research. The risk variable passed the validity and reliability test, then Descriptive Analysis and Analytical Hierarchy Process to get the most dominant risk. The number of identified risks are 49 risks divided into 10 aspects. Based on the result of analysis, the most dominant risk in aspect: 1)Politics:change of structure in government; 2)Environment: land acquisition; 3)Economy: owner’s late payment; 4)Finance:high overhead; 5)Nature: weather delay; 6)Project: material delivery delay; 7)Human: fatigue caused overtime; 8)Technical: nonconformity of volume in contract and reality; 9)Criminal: loss of materials and equipment; 10)Safety: lack of worker awareness. Then the dominant risk will be mitigated.