bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of sibship by PCR‐amplified short tandem repeat analysis in Taiwan
Authors: Tzeng C.H. , Lyou J.Y. , Chen Y.R. , Hu H.Y. , Lin J.S. , Wang S.Y. , Lee J.C.I.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: Sibship determination for any two persons whose parents have died is one of the most fundamental issues of personal identification, second only to those of a parent‐child relationship.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: By automated fluorescence analysis of a PCR‐amplified short tandem repeat (STR) system in conjunction with capillary electrophoresis, a panel of up to 15 polymorphic, autosomal, unlinked STR loci was used to investigate sibship index (SI) values in a cohort of 126 true sibling pairs. These SI values were then compared with those of 126 random pairs.

RESULTS: The 15‐loci STR panel provides a cumulative power of exclusion of 0.9999997. Of the 126 random pairs, 124 (98.4%) had cumulative sibship indices (CSIs) of <1.0, and none had a CSI of >3.0 (median, 0.0101; range, 0.0000003‐2.5376). In contrast, 107 (85%) of the 126 sibling pairs had a CSI of >100 (median, 5,579.9853; range, 0.0747‐9,406,829,249.8461). However, five pairs (4%) of the sibling group had a CSI of <3.0. True sibship was confirmed for this particular group by additional paternity testing and mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis. Among a total of 1890 observations (15 loci × 126 pairs), two alleles per locus were shared 760 times (40.21%) (mean, 6.03 loci; range, 1‐10) in the sibling group, but only 192 times (10.16%) in the random group (mean, 1.52 loci; range, 1‐5) (p<0.001). No alleles were shared 696 times (36.83%) in the unrelated pairs, as compared to 176 times (9.31%) in the sibling group (p<0.001). A polarized distribution was not noted in the sharing of single alleles in either the random or the sibling group: 1002 observations (53.02%) and 954 observations (50.48%), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Highly polymorphic STR analysis can be discriminative in most sibship determinations, and the sharing of two alleles per locus is most informative in indicating sibship. Complementary mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis is mandatory in a few cases to exclude or establish true sibship when CSIs are equivocal and neither parent is available.
Comparative performances of an HTLV‐I/II EIA and other serologic and PCR assays on samples from persons at risk for HTLV‐II infection
Authors: Poiesz B.J. , Dube S. , Choi D. , Esteban E. , Ferrer J. , Leon‐Ponte M. , De Perez G. Echeverria , Glaser J. , Devare S.G. , Vallari A.S. , Schochetman G.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II are related exogenous pathogenic human retroviruses. Until recently, ELISAs based on HTLV‐I antigens have been used to screen for the presence of HTLV‐I or ‐II antibodies. The HTLV‐I‐based assays have not been as sensitive in detecting antibodies to HTLV‐II as in detecting antibodies to HTLV‐I. The Abbott HTLV‐I/HTLV‐II ELISA uses a combination of HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II antigens to detect antibodies to the whole HTLV group. The performance of this ELISA was compared to that of several HTLV‐I‐based serologic assays and an HTLV‐II PCR assay in cohorts of South American Indians and New York City IV drug users (IVDUs) in whom HTLV‐II is endemic.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sera from 429 South American Indians and New York City IVDUs were evaluated for HTLV antibodies by the use of three ELISAs (rgp21‐enhanced HTLV‐I/II, Cambridge Biotech; Vironostika HTLV‐I/II, Organon Teknika; and HTLV‐I/HTLV‐II, Abbott), and a Western blot (WB) assay. Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA from each person was analyzed for HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II pol DNA via PCR. The HTLV‐II PCR‐positive samples were further subtyped via cloning and sequencing and/or oligomer restriction.

RESULTS: Two hundred four samples (48%) were positive for HTLV‐II by serologic and/or PCR assays. All of the positive samples from the Indians and approximately one‐third of the positive samples from the IVDUs were of the HTLV‐IIB subtype. Comparative analyses indicate that the sensitivity and specificity of the various assays were: PCR, 98 and 100 percent; Abbott HTLV‐I/HTLV‐II, 78 and 95 percent; Cambridge Biotech HTLV‐I/II, 76 and 96 percent; Vironostika HTLV‐I/II, 71 and 98 percent; and WB, 73 and 100 percent, respectively.

CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences among the sensitivities and specificities of the HTLV‐I/II ELISAs (p values, 0.056‐0.438). The WB and PCR assays were much more specific than the other serologic assays (p≤0.03). However, the PCR assay is significantly (p<0.001) more sensitive than any of the serologic assays in the detection of HTLV‐II infection. Thus, optimal detection of HTLV‐II infection would seem to require both serologic and DNA PCR assays.
In vivo effects of Hb solutions on blood viscosity and rheologic behavior of RBCs: comparison with clinically used volume expanders
Authors: Menu Patrick , Bleeker Wim , Longrois Dan , Caron Alexis , Faivre‐Fiorina Béatrice , Muller Sylvaine , Labrude Pierre , Stoltz Jean‐François
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND : Hb‐based oxygen carriers (HbOCs) have vasoactive effects that are still poorly understood. Factors known to have vasoactive effects, such as plasma, whole‐blood viscosity, and the rheologic behavior of RBCs, are modulated by HbOCs in vitro, but few in vivo studies have been performed.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : Rabbits were phlebotomized (30%) and resuscitated with unmodified stroma‐free Hb (SFHb), dextran‐tetracarboxylate‐Hb (Dex‐BTC‐Hb), O‐raffinose‐polymerized Hb (OrpHb), HSA, or hydroxyethyl starch 200 (HES). Plasma viscosity was assessed with a capillary viscometer and whole‐blood viscosity with a rotational viscosimeter. RBC aggregation kinetics were determined by analysis of back‐scattered light in a rotating device.

RESULTS : As compared to that in the control RBC suspension, resuscitation with SFHb, OrpHb, or HSA decreased plasma and whole‐blood viscosity as well as RBC aggregation; resuscitation with Dex‐BTC‐Hb increased whole‐blood viscosity at low shear rates as well as RBC aggregation, whereas that with HES decreased whole‐blood viscosity but increased RBC aggregation.

CONCLUSION : HbOCs have different rheologic effects in vitro and in vivo. There are marked differences among the Hb solutions in their in vivo effects on viscosity and RBC rheologic behavior (especially at low shear rates encountered in the venous circulation and the microcirculation), which may be related to the chemical modifications applied to hemoprotein. These results could contribute to an understanding of the vasoactive effects of HbOCs.
Risk factors for infection with HBV and HCV in a largecohort of hemophiliac males
Authors: Soucie J. Michael , Richardson Lisa C. , Evatt Bruce Lee , Linden Jeanne V. , Ewenstein Bruce M. , Stein Sidney F. , Leissinger Cindy , Manco‐Johnson Marilyn , Sexauer Charles L. ,   for the Hemophilia Surveillance System Project Investigators
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: Before the implementation of donor screening and the development of effective virus‐inactivation procedures, persons with hemophilia (PWHs) were at risk of infection with HBV and HCV transmitted through clotting factor concentrates.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data collected from the medical records of a cohort of 2,772 males with hemophilia who resided in six states of the United States were used to examine relations between demographic and clinical characteristics and laboratory markers of past or present infection with HBV and HCV using logistic regression.

RESULTS: Test results were available for 60 percent of the cohort. Among those tested, 30 percent were positive for markers of HBV infection and 64 percent for HCV infection. Factors associated with increased odds of positive HBV markers and HCV infection were greater severity of hemophilia, larger amounts of factor use, and HIV infection. Markers of HBV infection persisted in birth cohorts as late as 1992 and those of HCV infections in birth cohorts through 1991. Compared to same‐age US males, PWHs born between 1987 and 1989 were more likely to have markers of HBV and HCV infection.

CONCLUSION: PWHs who received clotting factor concentrates before 1990 may be at risk for infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C and should be tested.
Allogeneic blood transfusion and postoperative duration of mechanical ventilation
Authors: Vamvakas Eleftherios C. , Carven Joan H.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: In patients having open heart surgery, allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) may be related to an enhanced inflammatory response and impaired pulmonary function, resulting in the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The records of 416 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital were reviewed. Possible predictors and the number of days of postoperative ventilation, as well as the number of RBC units transfused and the length of their storage, were recorded. The association between mechanical ventilation after the day of operation and the number of RBC units transfused was calculated by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: The number of RBC units transfused, but not the length of their storage, differed (p<0.0001) among patients ventilated for 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 or more days after the day of operation. Patients taken off ventilation on the day of operation received (mean ± SE) 2.01 ± 0.14 RBC units; patients kept on ventilation for 4 or more days received 9.45 ± 1.83 units. After adjusting for the effects of 18 confounding factors, the number of RBC units transfused was not a significant predictor of ventilation past the day of operation. There was, however, a trend suggesting that the likelihood of such ventilation might increase by 26 percent per RBC unit transfused (p = 0.0628).

CONCLUSIONS: Future studies of the outcomes of ABT should examine further the possibility of a relationship between the number of transfused RBCs and the likelihood of postoperative ventilation after the day of operation.
Labeling D+ RBCs for flow cytometric quantification of fetomaternal hemorrhage after the RBCs have been coated with anti‐D
Authors: Kumpel Belinda M.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: D– patients may receive Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) before blood samples are taken for estimation of the volume of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) by flow cytometry. Anti‐D bound to the fetal D+ cells may then block the binding of conjugated D MoAb. This may reduce the fluorescence of the D+ cells, which would lead to ambiguity over setting the positions of the markers on histograms and may result in erroneous values of FMH.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Labeling methods were compared by using FITC‐BRAD 3 (anti‐D) and/or FITC‐anti‐IgG (Fab fragment) with mixtures of D+ (R1r) and D– (rr) cells when the D+ cells had first been coated with various amounts (0 molecules/cell and 600‐13,000 molecules/cell) of anti‐D (RhIg). Variables examined were antibody concentrations, the order and times of incubation with the antibodies, and the effect of washing between the uptake of the antibodies used.

RESULTS: In all cases, D+ cells were strongly labeled after incubation with 50 μL of FITC‐BRAD‐3 and then after washing with 50 μL of FITC‐anti‐human IgG, with both incubations being for 30 minutes at 37°C. With this double‐staining procedure, the fluorescence of D+ cells was found to be similar regardless of how much anti‐D (RhIg) was previously bound and greater than that with FITC‐BRAD‐3 alone, giving an enhanced signal‐to‐noise ratio.

CONCLUSION: As the testing laboratory may not know if the patient has received prophylactic RhIg, this labeling method would be suitable for all samples.
Presence of Propionibacterium acnes in blood components
Authors: Kunishima Shinji , Inoue Chikako , Kamiya Tadashi , Ozawa Kazuo
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: Sterility testing, as part of the QC of blood components at the Japanese Red Cross Aichi Blood Center between April 1998 and March 2000, showed that 10 of 5568 tested blood components (0.18%), all of which were RBC concentrates, were contaminated with bacteria. Nine isolates were Propionibacterium acnes and one was Staphylococcus capitis.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To investigate the molecular relatedness of eight available P. acnes isolates, 16S rRNA gene analysis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis were performed.

RESULTS: DNA sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that five isolates were identified as distinct strains and that three had identical sequences. RAPD analysis in the latter three isolates showed that two exhibited indistinguishable banding patterns that differed from that of the third isolate.

CONCLUSION: P. acnes was the most frequent contaminant of blood components, and six of eight isolates were molecularly unrelated. Further studies are necessary to investigate the precise mechanisms of contamination.
Flow cytometric monocyte phagocytic assay for predicting platelet transfusion outcome
Authors: Lim Jihyang , Kim Yonggoo , Han Kyungja , Kim Myungshin , Lee Kyo‐Young , Kim Won‐Il , Shim Sang‐In , Kim Byung‐Kee , Kang Chang‐Suk
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: A new flow cytometric monocyte phagocytic assay (FMPA) was developed with 5‐chloromethyl fluorescein diacetate (CMFDA)‐labeled platelets for predicting the outcome of platelet transfusion.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twelve patients with a history of multiple platelet transfusions and 21 controls were enrolled in this study. Platelets labeled with CMFDA were incubated with patient serum and then incubated with monocytes. They were then analysed by flow cytometry. Monocytes that had phagocytized platelets (%) were detected as a CMFDA‐positive platelet population with a CD14+ monocyte gate. The performance of FMPA was evaluated in 29 transfusions by 1‐ and 24‐hour CCIs and platelet crossmatching.

RESULTS: FMPA results were well correlated with 1‐hour (r = −0.818, p = 0.001) and 24‐hour (r = −0.782, p = 0.001) CCIs. In the group with high FMPA results (mean ± SD, 79.1 ± 7.3%), nine of 10 positive crossmatches revealed low CCIs, and six of seven negative crossmatches revealed high CCIs. The CCI predictability of crossmatching in the group with high FMPA results was high (88.2%). In the group with low FMPA results (mean ± SD, 34.6 ± 7.8%), all 12 transfusions revealed high CCIs even though in four transfusions there were positive results in both platelet antibody testing and platelet crossmatching.

CONCLUSION: FMPA is designed with near in vivo conditions to measure an immune response to transfused platelets, including phagocytosis. This is a useful method for predicting the outcome of platelet transfusion.
Detection of HCV core antigen in human serum and plasma with an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay
Authors: Muerhoff A. Scott , Jiang Lily , Shah Dinesh O. , Gutierrez Robin A. , Patel Jigisha , Garolis Cynthia , Kyrk Charles R. , Leckie Gregor , Frank Andrea , Stewart James L. , Dawson George J.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND:Currently, the detection of HCV infection in blood donors relies on the ability of immunoassays to detect circulating HCV antibodies. However, a significant delay exists between the time of infection and the development of antibodies. This delay (window period) can last up to 70 days. The introduction of NAT for the detection of HCV RNA has reduced this window period dramatically. However, NAT is labor intensive, prone to contamination, and expensive as compared with standard serologic tests.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:An automated, microparticle‐based chemiluminescent assay for the detection of HCV core antigen in human serum and plasma was developed. The specificity and sensitivity of this prototype assay were evaluated by testing a population of normal blood donors and commercially available seroconversion panels.

RESULTS:The HCV core antigen assay exhibited a 99.9‐percent specificity by detecting a single repeatably reactive sample out of 1004 normal donors tested. Assay sensitivity was determined by comparing the HCV core antigen detection rate with the antibody seroconversion profile and the rate of HCV RNA detection. Among 15 seroconversion panels examined, core antigen was detected in 69 of 70 antibody‐negative and/or RNA‐positive samples for a sensitivity relative to NAT of 98.6 percent.

CONCLUSION:These data indicate that the automated, microparticle‐based chemiluminescent HCV core antigen assay can reduce the window period for detection of potentially infected blood donors by 32.7 days, and it represents a viable alternative to HCV RNA testing.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (gelatinase B) is elevated during mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells by G–CSF
Authors: Carstanjen Dirk , Ulbricht Norbert , Iacone Antonio , Regenfus Michael , Salama Abdulgabar
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9 or gelatinase B) has recently been implicated in the IL‐8‐induced mobilization of HPCs in rhesus monkeys and mice. It is not known whether administration of G−CSF causes expression of MMP‐9 during HPC mobilization.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples from 15 allogeneic progenitor cell donors were collected before and during G−CSF‐induced HPC mobilization. The expression of the gelatinases MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in the plasma of the donors was analyzed by ELISA and zymographic analysis. Gelatinolytic activity was measured with a fluorometric assay that was specific for gelatinases. Expression of IL‐6, IL‐8, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS: Highly elevated latent gelatinolytic activity was found on Days 4 and 5 of G−CSF treatment in comparison to pretreatment activity. ELISA and zymographic analyses revealed pro‐MMP‐9 as the major source of the latent gelatinolytic plasma activity during mobilization. Pro‐MMP‐2 was not elevated compared with pretreatment levels. As IL‐8 has been implicated in the expression of MMP‐9, IL‐8 concentrations were measured in plasma samples from donors and patients immediately before the start of HPC apheresis, but no significantly elevated IL‐8 concentrations were noted. In contrast, pro‐MMP‐9 and latent gelatinolytic activity was highly correlated with IL‐6, which was strongly elevated during mobilization therapy. Finally, soluble VCAM was equally significantly elevated on the days of apheresis.

CONCLUSIONS: G−CSF mobilization treatment induces MMP‐9, IL‐6, and soluble VCAM. Expression of MMP‐9 might be involved in the mobilization of human HPCs and might be a final common pathway of different mobilization therapies. Our data do not support a role of IL‐8 in G−CSF‐induced mobilization. In contrast, IL‐6 might be involved in the G−CSF‐induced expression of MMP‐9.
The United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme gating and standardization strategy for use in residual WBC counting of WBC‐reduced blood components
Authors: Goodfellow Karen J. , Storie Ian , Granger Vivian , Whitby Liam , Antcliffe Joanne , Reilly John T. , Barnett David
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: Major causes of interlaboratory variation in low‐level WBC counting are the gating strategies and staining methods employed. To overcome these limitations, a stable low‐level WBC control preparation (termed daily run control [DRC]) was developed that when coupled with a new gating strategy will enable international standardization.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Both a whole blood preparation (stability of more than 12 months; target WBC count of 20 cells/μL with defined fluorescence values) and a new gating strategy were developed and used with a staining kit (LeucoCOUNT [Becton Dickinson BioSciences] providing the basis for stan‐ dardization). These were then combined and used to crosscalibrate seven different flow cytometers. After standardization with the DRC, comparative studies were undertaken with fresh samples with a WBC range of <1 to 60 cells per μL.

RESULTS: The developed gating strategy enabled the DRC WBCs to be positioned to within four channels of the expected target fluorescence 1 value (2.3% variation) and within three channels of the target fluorescence 2 value (0.7% variation) on all evaluated instruments. Subsequent analysis of any sample meant that the WBCs always occupied the same “sample space,” irrespective of flow cytometer platform and without the need for repositioning of the analysis region and/or gate.

CONCLUSION: The crosscalibration and standardization of flow cytometers used for low‐level WBC counting (irrespective of platform) are attainable with this United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme strategy. Its adoption should reduce interlaboratory CVs and provide a practical approach for the rapid identification of operator and machine problems.
Public perception of the risk of HIV infection associated with blood donation: the role of contextual cues
Authors: Farrell Kathleen , Ferguson Eamonn , James Virge , Lowe Kenneth C.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND : Previous surveys have reported that a high proportion of people believe that HIV can be contracted through donating blood. It was hypothesized that this may reflect an artifact of the survey methods used. This study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that providing contextual cues specific to HIV would cause respondents to express an increased belief that the virus can be contracted by donating blood.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : A one‐way, between‐group design was used to test this hypothesis. Adult subjects (n = 168) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions, all three groups receiving information about the small risk of infection from blood transfusion. The variation across the experimental conditions was the example of infection given (i.e., Condition 1 = no specific example of infection risk, Condition 2 = data on the small risk of contracting hepatitis C through transfusion, Condition 3 = data on the low risk of contracting HIV through transfusion). Respondents answered a single question, “Do you think you could catch HIV by giving (donating) blood in the UK?”

RESULTS : Logistic regression analysis revealed that respondents in the HIV‐cued condition were almost 11 times (OR = 10.6) more likely to answer “Yes” to the survey question, as compared with the no‐cue condition. There was no significant difference in response between the no‐cue and the hepatitis C‐cue conditions.

CONCLUSION : Providing contextual cues relating to HIV increased the expressed belief that the virus could be contracted through donating blood. To better develop donor recruitment policies, future survey tools should minimize contextual effects.
Removal of prion challenge from an immune globulin preparation by use of a size‐exclusion filter
Authors: Van Holten Robert W. , Autenrieth Stephen , Boose Jeri Ann , Hsieh W.‐T. , Dolan Sherri
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND : A size‐exclusion filter (Viresolve 180, Millipore Corp.) was tested for its ability to remove transmissible spongiform encephalopathies prion protein from an immune globulin preparation during ultrafiltration.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
: Hamster‐adapted 263K scrapie brain homogenate (SBH) was spiked into Rh
o
(D) immune globulin (human) at 1 in 300 and 1 in 1000 dilutions. Before spiking, the SBH was treated with detergent, sonicated, and filtered through serial 0.45‐, 0.22‐, and 0.1‐μm filters to present a rigorous filter challenge. Process variables were monitored throughout the ultrafiltration to ensure that the spiked material did not compromise the membrane flux. Removal of scrapie prion protein (PrP
Sc ) material was determined by use of a sensitive Western blot assay.

RESULTS
: The turbid SBH became completely translucent after sonication and passage through the 0.45‐, 0.22‐, and 0.1‐μm filters. The filtration of the immune globulin containing PrP
Sc
material was more difficult to perform than was filtration of immune globulin spiked with the normal cellular isoform. Even during tangential flow filtration, the fibril material prevented the PrP
Sc
‐spiked immune globulin from passing as readily through the filter. Western blot results indicated a removal of greater than or equal to 2.5 log PrP
Sc , while remaining within the normal filtration limits.

CONCLUSIONS
: The composition, physical condition, and the amount of SBH introduced have significant effects on the filtration of the immune globulin and the log removal values obtained. By use of a detergent‐treated, sonicated, and filtered preparation of SBH, it was demonstrated that the Viresolve 180 effectively removes PrP
Sc from the immune globulin.
Prediction of fetal D status from maternal plasma: introduction of a new noninvasive fetalRHDgenotyping service
Authors: Finning K.M. , Martin P.G. , Soothill P.W. , Avent N.D.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: Invasive procedures to obtain fetal DNA for prenatal blood grouping present a risk to the fetus. During pregnancy, cell‐free fetal DNA is present in maternal blood. The detection ofRHDsequences in maternal plasma has been used to predict fetal D status, based on the assumption thatRHDis absent in D– genomes.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Real‐time PCR assays were designed to distinguishRHDfromRHDΨ (possessed by the majority of D– black Africans). Plasma‐derived DNA from 137 D– women was subjected to real‐time PCR to detect fetalRHDand Y chromosome‐associatedSRYsequences. The accuracy ofRHDgenotyping from maternal plasma was investigated by comparing results with those obtained by conventionalRHDgenotyping from fetal tissue or serologic tests on the infant's RBCs. The quantity of fetal DNA in maternal plasma was investigated in 94 pregnancies.

RESULTS: Fetal D status was predicted with 100‐ percent accuracy from maternal plasma. The number of copies of fetal DNA in maternal plasma was found to increase with gestation.

CONCLUSION: Combination of the sensitivity of real‐time PCR with an improvedRHDtyping assay to distinguishRHDfromRHDΨ enables highly accurate prediction of fetal D status from maternal plasma. This has resulted in the implementation of a clinical noninvasive fetalRHDgenotyping service.
Estimated risk of West Nile virus transmission through blood transfusion during an epidemic in Queens, New York City
Authors: Biggerstaff Brad J. , Petersen Lyle R.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: Human West Nile virus (WNV) infection has been documented in the eastern United States since its discovery there in 1999. Epidemics of WNV encephalitis and meningitis raise concern that transmission of WNV may occur through voluntary blood donations.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Case onset dates from the 1999 Queens, NY, epidemic of WNV encephalitis and meningitis, and historic data on viremia in humans are used to estimate the number of cases that were viremic throughout the epidemic. Estimates of the inapparent‐to‐apparent WNV infection ratio, the proportion of asymptomatic infections reported in a seroepidemiologic survey coincident with the epidemic, and the population size are used to infer the WNV transfusion‐transmission risk. Statistical resampling methods are used.

RESULTS: The maximum and mean risk of WNV transmission (/10,000) from donors in Queens were estimated as 2.7 (95% CI, 0.9‐5.6) and 1.8 (95% CI, 1.4‐2.2), respectively. The risk peaked in late August, with very low risk before August and after September.

CONCLUSION: Although most WNV‐infected individuals have subclinical infections, these data suggest a low prevalence of viremia throughout the Queens epidemic and subsequent low risk of transmission of WNV by blood transfusion.
Predictive value of circulating immature cell counts in peripheral blood for timing of peripheral blood progenitor cell collection after G–CSF plus chemotherapy‐induced mobilization
Authors: Kozuka Teruhiko , Ikeda Kazuma , Teshima Takanori , Kojima Kensuke , Matsuo Keitaro , Bessho Akihiro , Sunami Kazutaka , Hiramatsu Yasushi , Maeda Yoshinobu , Noguchi Toshio , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Fujii Nobuharu , Imai Toshi , Takenaka Katsuto , Shinagawa Katsuji , Ishimaru Fumihiko , Niiya Kenji , Koide Norio , Tanimoto Mitsune , Harada Mine
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND: Enumeration of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood (PB) before apheresis predicts the number of CD34+ cells collected, although flow cytometric techniques used are complex and expensive. In an attempt to determine the optimal timing for peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection, the usefulness of circulating immature cell (CIC) counts in PB was evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: CIC counts in PB and CD34+ cell counts in the apheresis product from 249 collections were assessed, and the relationship between these two parameters was evaluated by with the Pearson rank correlation analysis, the Fisher exact test, and the U‐test.

RESULTS: CIC counts were correlated significantly with the number of CD34+ cells per kg of patient's body weight in the apheresis product (Pearson rank correlation analysis: r = 0.635, p < 0.0001). When a level of 1 × 109 CICs per L was selected as a cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity for collecting more than 1 × 106 CD34+ cells per kg of body weight were 75.7 and 85.5 percent, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The present study strongly suggests that the number of CICs in PB may estimate the number of CD34+ cells collected. The data indicate that CIC counts above 1 × 109 per L can be used as a good predictor for PBPC collections containing more than 1 × 106 CD34+ cells per kg of body weight in a single apheresis procedure.
The risks and benefits of accepting men who have had sex with men as blood donors
Authors: Germain M. , Remis R.S. , Delage G.
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND : It has been suggested that men who have had sex with men (MSM) should become eligible to donate blood if they recently abstained from male‐to‐male sex.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : The impact of a 12‐month deferral policy for MSM on the risk of introducing contaminated units in the blood supply and the benefit of obtaining additional donations were estimated. Considered were the prevalence of HIV among MSM, the window period of infection, the rate of laboratory testing errors, and the occurence of other system failures. This was compared with the risk and benefit that currently results from accepting female donors who have had sex with MSM.

RESULTS : The revised policy for MSM would potentially result in one HIV‐contaminated unit for every 136,000 additional donations (95% CI, 1 in 69,000 to 1 in 268,000), for an overall increase in HIV risk estimated at 8 percent. The number of donations would increase by 1.3 percent (95% CI, 0.9%‐1.7%). The risk‐benefit ratio of currently accepting female partners of MSM is approximately five times lower.

CONCLUSION : The risk increment of accepting 12‐month abstinent MSM would be very small but not zero. From a risk‐benefit perspective, the current deferral policy for MSM is more efficient compared to an analogous hypothetical criterion for female partners of MSM.
Clinical and Angiographic Outcome after Cutting Balloon Angioplasty
Authors: AUER JOHANN , MAURER EDWIN , BERENT ROBERT , MAYR HERBERT , PUNZENGRUBER CHRISTIAN , WEBER THOMAS , LASSNIG ELISABETH , EBER BERND ,   Austrian Cutting Balloon Registry
Published: March 2003

The cutting balloon is a new device for coronary angioplasty, that, by the combination of incision and dilatation of the plaque, is believed to be promising for treatment of in‐stent restenosis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CBA. We reviewed the immediate and 6‐month follow‐up angiographic and clinical outcome of 147 patients (109 men and 38 women) with a mean age of

67.3 ± 10

undergoing this procedure at eight interventional centers in Austria. The target lesions treated with CBA were in‐stent restenosis in 61% of patients, stenosis after balloon angioplasty in 8% of patients, and native lesions in 33% of patients. Sixty‐five percent of the patients included had multivessel disease. Lesion type was A in 18% of patients, B1 in 31% of patients, B2 in 39% of patients, and C in 12% of patients. The degree of stenosis was

87%± 9%,

the length of the target lesion treated with CBA was

8.8 ± 5.1 mm
. Target vessel was left circumflex artery in 22 cases, right coronary artery in 36 cases, and left anterior descending artery in 89 cases. The overall procedural success rate was 90.5%. “Stand‐alone” CBA was performed in 63% of patients, the procedure was combined with coronary stenting in 16% of patients, and with balloon angioplasty in 21% of patients. Coronary complications occurred in eight cases (5.4%) with coronary dissection in seven (total dissection rate of 4.7%) and urgent bypass surgery in one case (0.7%). No further complications such as death, occlusion, or perforation of coronary arteries, embolization, or thrombosis were observed. Six‐month clinical follow‐up revealed q‐wave myocardial infarction in 2.7% of patients, aortocoronary bypass surgery in 8.5% of patients, and repeated percutaneous coronary intervention in 17% of patients (11.5% with stenting). Six‐month angiographic follow‐up of patients with recurrent angina showed target lesion restenosis (>50% diameter stenosis) in 14% of patients, late lumen loss with ≤50% diameter stenosis in 6% of patients and progression of “other than target” lesions with >50% diameter stenosis in 14% of patients. This series demonstrates the safety and feasibility of cutting balloon angioplasty in patients with complex coronary artery disease and in‐stent restenosis. (J Interven Cardiol 2003;16:15–21)
The Essential Difference Between History and Science
Authors: Martin Raymond
Published: March 2003

My thesis is that there is a deep, intractable difference, not between history and science per se, but between paradigmatically central kinds of historical interpretations—call them humanistic historical interpretations—and theories of any sort that are characteristic of the physical sciences. The difference is that unlike theories in the physical sciences good humanistic historical interpretations (purport to) reveal subjectivity, agency, and meaning. I use the controversy provoked by Gordon Wood’s recent reinterpretation of the American Revolution to illustrate and substantiate this thesis. I also use it to support the claim that unless one attends to the ways in which humanistic historical interpretations reveal subjectivity, agency, and meaning one has no hope whatsoever of getting the epistemology of historical studies right.
Fixing History: Narratives of World War I in France
Authors: Shapiro Ann‐Louise
Published: March 2003

For nearly a century, the French have entertained an unshakable conviction that their bility to recognize themselves—to know and transmit the essence of Frenchness—depended on the teaching of the history of France. In effect, history was a discourse on France, and the teaching of history—“la pédagogie centrale du citoyen”—the means by which children were constituted as heirs and carriers of a common collective memory that made them not only citizens, but family. In this essay, I examine the rhetorical and conceptual effects on history writing that emerge out of this preoccupation with the elaboration of a continuous, coherent national identity.

Focusing on schoolbooks, I begin by looking at the dominant, nearly hegemonic model of French history created by Ernest Lavisse in the 1890s—a model informed by the dream of a unified, unitary French nation, embodied in and articulated through the history of France—and at the disruption of this paradigm in the aftermath of the Great War. I then consider a text written in the 1990s specifically to repudiate the kind of nationalist narratives that prevailed for most of this century—a new supranational history of Europe. I argue that, in their different experiments with fixing history, both Lavisse and the contemporary textbook authors did not so much repair a deficient history as produce a historical fixation, creating mythicized histories that are complete, closed, predictable, and at bottom ahistorical. Finally, I turn to a recent World War I novel, A Very Long Engagement by SébastienJaprisot, in order to suggest ways in which the narrative strategies of a fiction writer may be useful to historians in thinking about a different kind of historical project.
Truth's Other: Ethics, the History of the Holocaust, and Historiographical Theory after the Linguistic Turn
Authors: Dintenfass Michael
Published: March 2003

This paper calls for an ethical turn in historiographicaltheorizing, for reconfiguring history as a discipline of the good as well as the true. It bases thiscall on the juxtaposition of two recent strands of historiographical discourse hitherto entirelyseparate: the invocation of the Holocaust, the most morally charged of all past events, as the limitcase of historiographical theory in the polemics of Joyce Appleby, Lynn Hunt, and MargaretJacob, Richard Evans, Gertrude Himmelfarb, and Omer Bartov against post‐linguistic‐turnhistoriographical thinking; and the profound unease about the adequacy—indeed the verypossibility—of reconstructing Auschwitz accurately in the theoretical reflections to whichthe practice of Holocaust history has led Raul Hilberg, Saul Friedlander, and Dominick LaCapra.The embrace of right and wrong as the other of history's true and false will both enable amore robust condemnation of the Holocaust negationists and nurture a genre of historicalrepresentation that will speak more meaningfully to a manifestly history‐hungry public than thehistorical writing of professional historians has done.
The Future of the Philosophy of Historiography
Authors: Tucker Aviezer
Published: March 2003

This article argues that the perception of decline among philosophers of history reflects the diffused weak academic status of the discipline, as distinct from the booming research activity and demand for philosophy of history that keeps pace with the growth rate of publications in the philosophies of science and law. This growth is justified and rational because the basic problems of the philosophy of history, concerning the nature of historiographical knowledge and the metaphysical assumptions of historiography, have maintained their relevance. Substantive philosophy of history has an assured popularity but is not likely to win intellectual respectability because of its epistemic weaknesses. I suggest focusing on problems that a study of historiography can help to understand and even solve, as distinct from problems that cannot be decided by an examination of historiography, such as the logical structure of explanation (logical positivism)and the relation between language and reality (post‐structuralism). In particular, following Quine's naturalized epistemology, I suggest placing the relation between evidence and historiography at the center of the philosophy of historiography. Inspired by the philosophy of law, I suggest there are three possible relations between input (evidence)and output in historiography: determinism, indeterminism, and underdeterminism. An empirical examination of historiographical agreement, disagreement, and failure to communicate may indicate which relation holds at which parts of historiography. The historiographical community seeks consensus, but some areas are subject to disagreements and absence of communication; these are associated with historiographical schools that interpret conflicting models of history differently to fit their evidence. The reasons for this underdetermination of historiography by evidence needs to be investigated further.
The Two Bodies of Mrs. Oliphant
Authors: Rigney Ann
Published: March 2003

Bonnie G. Smith, The Gender of History: Men, Women, and Historical Practice
Art Museums, Old Paintings, and Our Knowledge of the Past
Authors: Carrier David
Published: March 2003

Art museums frequently remove old paintings from their original settings. In the process, the context of these works of art changes dramatically. Do museums then preserve works of art? To answer this question, I consider an imaginary painting, The Travels and Tribulations of Piero's Baptism of Christ, depicting the history of display of Piero della Francesca's Baptism of Christ. This example suggests that how Piero's painting is seen does depend upon its setting. According to the Intentionalist, such changes in context have no real influence upon the meaning of Piero's painting, and consequently museums can be said to preserve works of art. According to the Skeptic, if such changes are drastic enough, we can no longer identify the picture's original meaning, and museums thus fail to preserve works of art. Skepticism deserves attention, for such varied influential commentators as Theodore Adorno, Walter Benjamin, Maurice Blanchot, Hans‐Georg Gadamer, Martin Heidegger, Hans Sedlmayr, and Paul Valéry hold this pessimistic view of museums. I develop the debate between the Intentionalist and the Skeptic. Ultimately skepticism is indefensible, I argue, because it fails to take account of the continuities in the history of art's display. But Intentionalism is also deficient because it is ahistorical. In presenting the history of Piero's painting, The Travels and Tribulations of Piero's Baptism of Christ shows that we can re‐identify the original significance of Piero's work and the recognizable continuities that obtain through its changes. It thus makes sense to claim that at least in certain circumstances art museums can preserve works of art.
From Every Tongue a Several Tale?
Authors: Gossman Lionel
Published: March 2003

Book reviewed in this article:

Satya P. Mohanty, Literary Theory and the Claims of History: Postmodernism, Objectivity, Multicultural Politics
Factoring Mary Poovey's A History of the Modern Fact
Authors: Jacob Margaret C.
Published: March 2003

Book reviewed in this article:

Mary Poovey, A History of the Modern Fact: Problems of Knowledge in the Sciences of Wealth and Society
The Nation as a Problem: Historians and the “National Question”
Authors: Palti Elías José
Published: March 2003

How is it that the nation became an object of scholarly research? As this article intends to show, not until what we call the “genealogical view” (which assumes the “natural” and “objective” character of the nation) eroded away could the nation be subjected to critical scrutiny by historians. The starting point and the premise for studies in the field was the revelation of the blind spot in the genealogical view, that is, the discovery of the “modern” and “constructed” character of nations. Historians’ views would thus be intimately tied to the “antigenealogical” perspectives of them. However, this antigenealogical view would eventually reveal its own blind spots. This paper traces the different stages of reflection on the nation, and how the antigenealogical approach would finally be rendered problematic, exposing, in turn, its own internal fissures.
Jobs Lost, Jobs Regained: An Analysis of Black/White Differences in Job Displacement in the 1980s
Authors: Fairlie Robert W. , Kletzer Lori G.
Published: March 2003

Over the period 1982–1991, black men were considerably more likely to experience job displacement than were white men, and following displacement, the likelihood of reemployment was substantially lower for black men. Using data from the 1984–1992 Displaced Worker Surveys, we find that black men experienced rates of job displacement that were 30 percent higher, and reemployment rates that were 30 percent lower than the corresponding rates for white men. We find that racial differences in education levels and occupational distributions explain part of these racial gaps in job displacement and reemployment, whereas racial differences in industry distributions worked to narrow these gaps.
Job Turnover in China: A Case Study of Shanghai's Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Wing Chow Clement Kong , Fung Michael ka Yiu , Yue Ngo Hang
Published: March 2003

This article studies the job turnover among manufacturing enterprises in Shanghai during the period from 1989 to 1992. Various indicators of job turnover are calculated. The empirical results demonstrate that types of ownership and firm size are significant factors in accounting for the changes in job generation and job reallocation. Among various types of enterprise, international joint ventures and small firms are more able to create jobs and to generate job reallocation.
Union Wage Effects in Nevada's Hotel and Casino Industry
Authors: Waddoups C. Jeffrey
Published: March 2003

I use the significant union presence in Las Vegas's hotel, gaming, andrecreation (HGR) industry juxtaposed to the near absence of unions in Reno's HGR sector to study union wage effects. I find wages of highly unionized occupations in Las Vegas's HGR industry to be significantly higher than wages of identical occupations in Reno. Furthermore, I detect little impact from Las Vegas's HGR unions on wages in the wholesale and retail trade (WRT) industry, a much less unionized sector.
Unions and the Employment Growth: Panel Data Evidence
Authors: Wooden Mark , Hawke Anne
Published: March 2003

This study adds to the small empirical literature on the impact unions have on employment growth using data from Australia. Unlike previous studies, the data used are from a panel of firms surveyed at two points in time rather than a single cross section. The results indicate a negative union effect on employment in private‐sector firms of about 2.5 percent per annum that, despite the very different institutional framework that prevails in Australia, is consistent with results obtained with North American data.
In Whose Interest? A First Look at National Survey Data on Interest‐Based Bargaining in Labor Relations
Authors: Cutcher‐Gershenfeld Joel , Kochan Thomas , Calhoun Wells John
Published: March 2003

The first national survey data on interest‐based bargaining (IBB) in labor relations reveal broad awareness of IBB, contrasting union and management views, and variation by negotiator experience and gender. A majority of negotiators are aware of IBB, and approximately one‐third of management negotiators and nearly one‐half of union negotiators report using IBB in prior negotiations. An exploratory analysis of the relationships between IBB preferences and contract outcomes suggests that the process is producing more than a simple “mutual gains” pattern of outcomes. Based on these initial results, two hypotheses are suggested as the focus for future studies of the diffusion and sustainability of IBB in collective bargaining.
Gender and Labor Attachment: Do Within‐Firms’ Relative Wages Matter?
Authors: Galizzi Monica
Published: March 2003

This article addresses the issue of gender differences in labor attachment by testing for the role of intrafirm wage comparison. It makes use of a measure of firms’ relative wages. The results indicate that once the forward‐looking behavior of workers is taken into account, women are actually more attached employees than men. Women’s attachment is also more affected by equity considerations. The analysis makes use of a dataset on short‐tenure Italian workers.
The Effects of Unionism on Recruitment and Selection Methods
Authors: Koch Marianne J. , Hundley Greg
Published: March 2003

This study develops and tests a model of union effects on staffing practices. Unionism is found to be associated with fewer recruitment sources—suggesting that unionism reduces the need to increase applicant supply. Some data suggest that unionization increases the use of formal selection methods—consistent with arguments that higher costs make it important that the best applicants be selected. Other data support the idea that unions resist selection practices that break down the collective identity among workers.
Working for Position: Women, Men, and Managerial Work Hours
Authors: Eastman Wayne
Published: March 2003

Job hours may be determined in part by positional striving to keep up with or outwork others in one's organization. A prisoner's dilemma in which employees have an incentive to work more than a socially optimal level of hours may arise from positional competition. This article uses survey data to estimate how much positional striving increases job hours, and considers how it may contribute to workplaces more in accord with men's than women's hours preferences.