bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Serum Levels of the IL‐33 Neutralizing sST2 in Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Wagner A. , Köhm M. , Nordin A. , Svenungsson E. , Pfeilschifter J.M. , Radeke H. H.
Published: June 2015

The pathophysiology of both limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), representing two subtypes of an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue, is still enigmatic. Life‐limiting, progressive fibrotic changes as a consequence of vasculopathy and autoimmunity are characteristic in varying extent for lcSSc and dcSSc. Previously, an increased IL‐33 serum concentration in early phase SSc patients and an elevated tissue expression of its receptor, ST2L, on endothelial cells (EC) were described. While suggested as a biomarker for fibrotic diseases, for example liver fibrosis, the role of soluble ST2 (sST2) in the pathological processes and its contribution to vascular fibrosis in SSc has not been investigated. Here, we showed that sST2 is elevated in late phase limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) as compared to patients with shorter disease duration or with the diffuse subtype of SSc. We demonstrated that sST2, not IL‐33, is significantly increased in serum of lcSSc patients with disease duration over 9 years. Soluble ST2 was not elevated in healthy controls or in SSc patients with early skin involvement or disease duration shorter than 9 years. Furthermore, we observed that sST2 serum levels were lowered by iloprost (prostacyclin) treatment. After 5 days of iloprost infusion, sST2 serum levels fell in 6 of 7 patients. Therefore, we not only like to propose sST2 as a biomarker for progressive vascular fibrosis, but moreover, suggest that the involvement of sST2 in the pathogenesis of lcSSc may be exploited therapeutically.
Inhibition of Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 Attenuates Acute Liver Allograft Rejection in Mice
Authors: Zhao W. , Zhang Z. , Zhao Q. , Liu M. , Wang Y.
Published: June 2015

Acute liver allograft rejection is a serious complication after liver transplantation. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is expressed predominantly in the immune system and plays an important role in its development and function. However, the role of IRF4 in liver transplantation has never been investigated. In our current study, to evaluate the effect of IRF4 inhibition on recipient survival, IRF4 siRNA, or control siRNA, or PBS was injected into the liver allograft recipients through caudal vein. The survival time of mice treated with IRF4 siRNA (MST = 31.5 days) was prolonged significantly compared with that of mice treated with PBS (MST = 6 days) or control siRNA (MST = 6.5 days) (P < 0.001). IRF4 siRNA treatment displays lower induction of pro‐inflammatory levels, including TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IFN‐γ, and higher induction of anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 levels. Administration of anti‐IL‐10 into IRF4 siRNA‐treated mice resulted in shortened allograft survival and increased rejection scores. Furthermore, IRF4 inhibition promotes M2 macrophage differentiation in vivo and in vitro. And inhibition of macrophages with GdCl3 reverses the prolonged liver allograft survival and decreased liver rejection scores induced by IRF4 siRNA. In conclusion, inhibition of IRF4 attenuates acute liver allograft rejection in mice, and this is associated with promoted M2 macrophage differentiation.
Zebrafish and Streptococcal Infections
Authors: Saralahti A. , Rämet M.
Published: June 2015

Streptococcal bacteria are a versatile group of gram‐positive bacteria capable of infecting several host organisms, including humans and fish. Streptococcal species are common colonizers of the human respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, but they also cause some of the most common life‐threatening, invasive infections in humans and aquaculture. With its unique characteristics and efficient tools for genetic and imaging applications, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a powerful vertebrate model for infectious diseases. Several zebrafish models introduced so far have shown that zebrafish are suitable models for both zoonotic and human‐specific infections. Recently, several zebrafish models mimicking human streptococcal infections have also been developed. These models show great potential in providing novel information about the pathogenic mechanisms and host responses associated with human streptococcal infections. Here, we review the zebrafish infection models for the most relevant streptococcal species: the human‐specificStreptococcus pneumoniaeandStreptococcus pyogenes, and the zoonoticStreptococcus iniaeandStreptococcus agalactiae. The recent success and the future potential of these models for the study of host–pathogen interactions in streptococcal infections are also discussed.
Administration of DNA Encoding the Interleukin‐27 Gene Augments Antitumour Responses through Non‐adaptive Immunity
Authors: Li Q. , Sato A. , Shimozato O. , Shingyoji M. , Tada Y. , Tatsumi K. , Shimada H. , Hiroshima K. , Tagawa M.
Published: June 2015

DNA‐mediated immunization of a tumour antigen is a possible immunotherapy for cancer, and interleukin (IL)‐27 has diverse functions in adaptive immunity. In this study, we examined whether IL‐27 DNA administration enhanced antitumour effects in mice vaccinated with DNA encoding a putative tumour antigen, β‐galactosidase (β‐gal). An intramuscular injection of cardiotoxin before DNA administration facilitated the exogenous gene expression. In mice received β‐gal and IL‐27 DNA, growth of β‐gal‐positive P815 tumours was retarded and survival of the mice was prolonged. Development of β‐gal‐positive Colon 26 tumours was suppressed by vaccination of β‐gal DNA and further inhibited by additional IL‐27 DNA administration or IL‐12 family cytokines. Nevertheless, a population of β‐gal‐specific CD8+ T cells did not increase, and production of anti‐β‐gal antibody was not enhanced by IL‐27 DNA administration. Spleen cells from mice bearing IL‐27‐expressing Colon 26 tumours showed greater YAC‐1‐targeted cytotoxicity although CD3−/DX5+ natural killer (NK) cell numbers remained unchanged. Recombinant IL‐27 enhanced YAC‐1‐targeted cytotoxicity of IL‐2‐primed splenic NK cells and augmented a phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and an expression of perforin. These data collectively indicate that IL‐27 DNA administration activates NK cells and augments vaccination effects of DNA encoding a tumour antigen through non‐adaptive immune responses.
High intensity focused ultrasound as a potential new modality for the treatment of pigmentary skin disorder
Authors: Choi S. Y. , Yoo K. H. , Oh C. T. , Kwon T. R. , Choi E. J. , Seok J. , Kim B. J.
Published: June 2015

Background/Purpose

The clinical skin tightening benefits of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have been established, but its mechanism of action in pigmented skin disorders remains unknown. We macroscopically and histopathologically investigated dermatological changes after HIFU at different exposure doses in a UVB‐induced guinea pig model of hyperpigmentation.

Methods

We applied HIFU irradiation at 0.1 and 0.2 J/cm2 to UVB‐induced spotty hyperpigmentation in guinea pig skin. The therapeutic effects of HIFU were judged based on gross appearance using photography, dermoscopy, and chromametry during a period of 3 weeks after HIFU irradiation. Histological assessments were performed using Fontana‐Masson staining 1 day before and 3 weeks after HIFU irradiation.

Results

Macroscopically, UVB‐induced hyperpigmentation was significantly reduced 2 weeks after HIFU with 0.2 J/cm2, and 3 weeks after HIFU with 0.1 J/cm2. Histopathologically, the heavy deposition of melanin in the epidermis induced by UVB exposure was reduced 3 weeks after HIFU irradiation.

Conclusion

We confirmed that HIFU has a positive effect on UVB‐induced hyperpigmentation as well as mechanical destructive activity. We suggest that HIFU may be useful as an alternative modality for human patients suffering from skin pigmentary conditions.
Razor's Edge: The Politics of Facial Hair
Authors: Herrick Rebekah , Mendez Jeanette Morehouse , Pryor Ben
Published: June 2015

Objective

This article argues that whether male candidates have facial hair has political implications. We argue that facial hair makes men appear overly masculine, having strong support for use of violence and little support for feminist views, which makes them less attractive candidates for women and feminists. Further, we argue that these perceptions are likely accurate.

Methods

Using a survey of college‐age subjects, the research generally supports this theory.

Results

Men with facial hair are seen as more masculine, as well as more conservative on feminist issues, and women and feminists are less likely to vote for them. Further, we find perceptions of masculinity mediate the effects of facial hair on voters’ perceptions of them and willingness to vote for them. However, candidates with facial hair are seen as less supportive of use of force and these perceptions are not accurate based on members’ roll‐call votes.

Conclusion

This article indicates that male candidates send a signal to voters about their masculinity by their choice of whether to shave.
Relevance of chronic hepatitis E in liver transplant recipients: a real‐life setting
Authors: Galante A. , Pischke S. , Polywka S. , Luetgehethmann M. , Suneetha P.V. , Gisa A. , Hiller J. , Dienes H.P. , Nashan B. , Lohse A.W. , Sterneck M.
Published: June 2015

The chronic course of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients has been described previously, but prospectively collected data are rare. We aimed to study the role of chronic hepatitis E in OLT in a real‐life setting. Therefore, 287 adult OLT recipients (169 male [59%], median age 56 years) were prospectively tested by HEV polymerase chain reaction assay (lower level of detection = 10 IU/mL), irrespective of their level of liver enzymes. In 4 patients (1.4%), chronic HEV infection was diagnosed. All 4 patients were male, and their age (median 48.5 years), the time since transplantation (median 45.5 months), and bilirubin level (median 0.6 mg/dL) did not differ significantly from the total cohort. However, alanine transaminase and aspartame transaminase levels were significantly higher in HEV‐infected patients (75–646 U/L, median 216 U/L and 68–317 U/L, median 108 U/L) than in non‐infected patients (6–617 U/L, median 41 and 6–355 U/L, median 36; P = 0.004 and 0.040, Mann–Whitney test). In 3 patients, liver biopsy was performed and revealed signs of inflammation and chronic liver disease, as enlarged densely infiltrated portal tracts with mild‐to‐moderate interface hepatitis. All infected patients were treated with ribavirin with the starting dose adjusted to renal function (400–800 mg/day). In 2 patients, dose reduction was necessary. Transaminases normalized in all 4 patients, and all patients cleared their infection within 3 months of ribavirin treatment. However, 1 patient experienced viral relapse 12 weeks after discontinuation. Ribavirin medication was re‐started and viral clearance occurred within 8 weeks and persisted. Sequence analysis of the HEV genome of this patient revealed that he was infected with an HEV variant, which recently has been shown to have a reduced response to ribavirin in cell culture. The risk of chronic HEV infections in OLT recipients in low‐endemic countries should not be overestimated. No case of chronic hepatitis E was observed in patients with normal liver enzymes, indicating that general screening of all OLT recipients is not necessary. However, if chronic hepatitis E develops, it can be treated efficiently with ribavirin.
Disseminated Trichosporon infection in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Chaitanya V. , Sangeetha Lakshmi B. , Venkata Kumar A.C. , Hari Krishna Reddy M. , Ram R. , Siva Kumar V.
Published: June 2015

Trichosporon species are basidiomycetous yeast‐like anamorphic organisms (Basidiomycota, Hymenomycetes, Tremelloidae, Trichosporonales) that are widely distributed in nature. Trichosporon species colonize the skin and gastrointestinal tract of humans. We present a report of disseminated Trichosporon in a renal allograft recipient. Our patient satisfied the definitions of both “proven invasive trichosporonosis” and “probable pulmonary infection.” Only 2 reports of disseminated Trichosporon infection in renal transplant recipients, to our knowledge, have been published.
Cardiac toxoplasmosis after heart transplantation diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy
Authors: Petty L.A. , Qamar S. , Ananthanarayanan V. , Husain A.N. , Murks C. , Potter L. , Kim G. , Pursell K. , Fedson S.
Published: June 2015

We describe a case of cardiac toxoplasmosis diagnosed by routine endomyocardial biopsy in a patient with trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX) intolerance on atovaquone prophylaxis. Data are not available on the efficacy of atovaquone as Toxoplasma gondii prophylaxis after heart transplantation. In heart transplant patients in whom TMP‐SMX is not an option, other strategies may be considered, including the addition of pyrimethamine to atovaquone.
Surveillance of adult Aedes mosquitoes in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Lau Sai‐Ming , Vythilingam Indra , Doss Jonathan Inbaraj , Sekaran Shamala Devi , Chua Tock H. , Wan Sulaiman Wan Yusof , Chinna Karuthan , Lim Yvonne Ai‐Lian , Venugopalan Balan
Published: June 2015

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of using sticky traps and the NS1 dengue antigen kit for the surveillance of Aedes mosquitoes for dengue control.

Methods

Apartments were selected in a dengue‐endemic area, and sticky traps were set to capture adult Aedes mosquitoes. NS1 dengue antigen kit was used to detect dengue antigen in mosquitoes, and positive mosquitoes were serotyped using real‐time RT‐PCR.

Results

The sticky traps were effective in capturing Aedes aegypti, and a minimum of three traps per floor was sufficient. Multiple serotypes were found in individual mosquitoes.

Conclusion

The sticky trap and the NS1 dengue antigen test kit can be used as surveillance tool in dengue control programmes. This proactive method will be better suited for control programmes than current reactive methods.
Guard cell photosynthesis is critical for stomatal turgor production, yet does not directly mediate CO2‐ and ABA‐induced stomatal closing
Authors: Azoulay‐Shemer Tamar , Palomares Axxell , Bagheri Andisheh , Israelsson‐Nordstrom Maria , Engineer Cawas B. , Bargmann Bastiaan O. R. , Stephan Aaron B. , Schroeder Julian I.
Published: June 2015

Stomata mediate gas exchange between the inter‐cellular spaces of leaves and the atmosphere. CO2 levels in leaves (Ci) are determined by respiration, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and atmospheric [CO2]. [CO2] in leaves mediates stomatal movements. The role of guard cell photosynthesis in stomatal conductance responses is a matter of debate, and genetic approaches are needed. We have generated transgenic Arabidopsis plants that are chlorophyll‐deficient in guard cells only, expressing a constitutively active chlorophyllase in a guard cell specific enhancer trap line. Our data show that more than 90% of guard cells were chlorophyll‐deficient. Interestingly, approximately 45% of stomata had an unusual, previously not‐described, morphology of thin‐shaped chlorophyll‐less stomata. Nevertheless, stomatal size, stomatal index, plant morphology, and whole‐leaf photosynthetic parameters (PSII, qP, qN, FV′/FM′) were comparable with wild‐type plants. Time‐resolved intact leaf gas‐exchange analyses showed a reduction in stomatal conductance and CO2‐assimilation rates of the transgenic plants. Normalization of CO2 responses showed that stomata of transgenic plants respond to [CO2] shifts. Detailed stomatal aperture measurements of normal kidney‐shaped stomata, which lack chlorophyll, showed stomatal closing responses to [CO2] elevation and abscisic acid (ABA), while thin‐shaped stomata were continuously closed. Our present findings show that stomatal movement responses to [CO2] and ABA are functional in guard cells that lack chlorophyll. These data suggest that guard cell CO2 and ABA signal transduction are not directly modulated by guard cell photosynthesis/electron transport. Moreover, the finding that chlorophyll‐less stomata cause a ‘deflated’ thin‐shaped phenotype, suggests that photosynthesis in guard cells is critical for energization and guard cell turgor production.
Oviposition by Spodoptera exigua on Nicotiana attenuata primes induced plant defence against larval herbivory
Authors: Bandoly Michele , Hilker Monika , Steppuhn Anke
Published: June 2015

Plants exhibit multifarious defence traits against herbivory that are constitutively expressed or induced upon attack. Insect egg deposition often precedes impending larval attack, and several plants can increase their resistance against larvae after experiencing the oviposition by an herbivore. The nature of such oviposition‐mediated resistance remains unknown, and here we aim to determine plant traits that explain it. We test whether oviposition on a host plant can induce plant defence responses or enhance (prime) the induction of defence traits in response to larval herbivory. We exposed Nicotiana attenuata plants to oviposition by moths of a generalist herbivore, Spodoptera exigua. Its larvae suffered higher mortality, retarded development and inflicted less feeding damage on oviposition‐experienced than on oviposition‐unexperienced plants. While oviposition alone did not induce any of the examined defence traits, oviposited plants exhibited a stronger inducibility of known defence traits, i.e. caffeoylputrescine (CP) and trypsin protease inhibitors (TPIs). We found no effects of oviposition on phytohormone levels, but on the feeding‐inducible accumulation of the transcription factor NaMyb8 that is governing biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid–polyamine conjugates, including CP. Comparison of larval performance on wild‐type plants, CP‐deficient plants (silenced NaMyb8 gene), and TPI‐deficient plants (silenced NaPI gene) revealed that priming of plant resistance to larvae by prior oviposition required NaMyb8‐mediated defence traits. Our results show that plants can use insect egg deposition as a warning signal to prime their feeding‐induced defence.
The role of miR156/SPLs modules in Arabidopsis lateral root development
Authors: Yu Niu , Niu Qi‐Wen , Ng Kian‐Hong , Chua Nam‐Hai
Published: June 2015

miR156 is an evolutionarily highly conserved miRNA in plants that defines an age‐dependent flowering pathway. The investigations thus far have largely, if not exclusively, confined to plant aerial organs. Root branching architecture is a major determinant of water and nutrients uptake for plants. We show here that MIR156 genes are differentially expressed in specific cells/tissues of lateral roots. Plants overexpressing miR156 produce more lateral roots whereas reducing miR156 levels leads to fewer lateral roots. We demonstrate that at least one representative from the three groups of miR156 targets SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE (SPL) genes: SPL3, SPL9 and SPL10 are involved in the repression of lateral root growth, with SPL10 playing a dominant role. In addition, both MIR156 and SPLs are responsive to auxin signaling suggesting that miR156/SPL modules might be involved in the proper timing of the lateral root developmental progression. Collectively, these results unravel a role for miR156/SPLs modules in lateral root development in Arabidopsis.
Territorialising movement: the politics of land occupation in Bangladesh
Authors: Routledge Paul
Published: June 2015

This paper considers the politics of land occupation in Bangladesh. Contentious politics have been conceptualised as ‘societies in movement’ by Raul Zibechi, defined through their attempts to disperse power through the reconfiguration of social relations between peasants, the state and capital. Drawing on the author's ethnographic engagement with peasant farmer movements in Bangladesh since 2002, the paper analyses the differential powers generated in, by and through the production of relations and connections involved in land occupations. This requires a consideration of both relational and structural understandings of contentious politics. Organisational structures and dynamics, as well as the ‘resourcefulness’ of social movements (e.g. their capacities to deploy material resources, skills and knowledges), enable land occupation since these are crucial in creating and maintaining the socio‐material relations necessary for political activity to be prosecuted. Drawing together these insights, the paper conceptualises land occupation as a process of ‘territorialising movement’ articulated through three interwoven spatial practices: strategic occupation, reconfiguration of social relations and territorialisation of translocal solidarities.
Justice, neoliberal natures, and Australia's water reforms
Authors: Edwards Gareth A S
Published: June 2015

Scholars studying the neoliberalisation of nature (and political ecologists more broadly) have been notably concerned with justice, but have underspecified their own conceptions of justice and have failed to seriously question or investigate what kind (or kinds) of justice is actually being pursued in the context of neoliberalism. In this paper, I argue that a more robust treatment of justice is required, building on recent calls for a more reflexive approach to normativity in critical human geography. I make this argument by drawing on a study examining how justice has been mobilised in Australia's neoliberal water reforms, and particularly through a series of semi‐structured interviews with water policymakers and industry professionals. I show that the justice being pursued through these reforms is multivalent, but coalesces around an allocative framework I call the ‘basic needs plus market’ framework. This framework ultimately finds its moral compass in a utilitarian conception of distributive justice, and this utilitarianism both facilitates neoliberalisation and tempers its expression. Understanding neoliberalisation as a means to broader normative ends, I suggest, has considerable potential for both explaining the contradictions and contestations scholars have argued are intrinsic to ‘actually existing neoliberalism’ and opening up opportunities for productive critique and engagement.
Implementing mass‐scale red cell genotyping at a blood center
Authors: Flegel Willy A. , Gottschall Jerome L. , Denomme Gregory A.
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

When problems with compatibility beyond ABO and D arise, currently transfusion services search their inventories and perform time‐consuming serologic testing to locate antigen‐negative blood. These clinically important blood group antigens can be detected reliably by red cell genotyping, which is a technology whereby DNA‐based techniques are used to evaluate gene polymorphisms that determine the expression of blood group antigens. We introduced mass‐scale genotyping and measured availability of genotyped blood.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

All non‐Caucasian donors qualified for genotyping along with donors who had a history of repeat donation. Mass‐scale red cell genotyping, performed on an electronic interfaced open array platform, was implemented to screen blood donors for 32 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms that predicted 42 blood group antigens. Genotype screening results were confirmed by phenotyping, when needed for antigen‐negative transfusion, before release of the red blood cell (RBC) unit.

RESULTS

Approximately 22,000 donors were red cell genotyped within 4 months and a total of 43,066 donors in 4 years. There were 463 discordances (0.52% of 89,596 genotypes with a phenotype). Among the 307 resolved discordances, approximate equal numbers represented historical serologic or genotyping discrepancies (n = 151 and n = 156, respectively). In the final year of the study, a mean of 29% of the daily inventory had a genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Red cell genotyping of blood donors using an electronic interface created a large and stable supply of RBC units with historical genotypes. The database served the needs of antigen‐negative blood requests for a large regional blood center and allowed us to abandon screening by serology.
Incidence and natural history of intravenous immunoglobulin–induced aseptic meningitis: a retrospective review at a single tertiary care center
Authors: Bharath Vighnesh , Eckert Kathleen , Kang Matthew , Chin‐Yee Ian H. , Hsia Cyrus C.
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Aseptic meningitis is a rare but significant complication of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. The majority of literature is limited to case reports, so the true incidence of this complication is uncertain.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective review of all cases of IVIG‐associated adverse transfusion reactions was performed at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2013. All reported transfusion reactions were evaluated to identify cases of aseptic meningitis due to IVIG. All documented IVIG infusions and lumbar punctures performed during the study period were reviewed; patients with both interventions were identified and further chart review was performed to identify aseptic meningitis.

RESULTS

During our study period, 1324 unique patients received a total of 11,907 IVIG infusions (554,566 g) for various conditions. Eight cases of aseptic meningitis were identified, suggesting an overall incidence of 0.60% for all patients and 0.067% for all IVIG infusions. Patients presented with symptoms within 24 to 48 hours of the infusion and were treated with antibiotics initially. The reactions were self‐limited, as symptoms self‐resolved within 5 to 7 days. Treatment was supportive, with subsequent IVIG infusions likely requiring preinfusion medication or possibly a switch in product formulation.

CONCLUSION

This review of IVIG‐induced aseptic meningitis over a 6‐year period identifies a more robust estimate of incidence and risk of 0.60% and 0.067% for all patients and infusions, respectively. Given that this complication can mimic infectious meningitis and cause considerable morbidity, physicians need to be aware of this rare but important condition.
Repeated exposure rather than the total volume of transfused components may influence the incidence of allergic transfusion reactions
Authors: Kato Hidefumi , Nakayama Takayuki , Uruma Motoaki , Okuyama Yoshiki , Handa Makoto , Tomiyama Yoshiaki , Shimodaira Shigetaka , Takamoto Shigeru
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

The plasma fraction of blood components has an essential role in the etiology of allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs). The difference of incidences of ATRs between fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) and platelet concentrates (PCs), in which plasma is the main component, is not clearly understood. This study compares the frequency of ATRs to FFP versus PCs on both first and subsequent (nonfirst) transfusions and considers the factors influencing the risk of ATRs.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Five hospitals agreed to systematically collect and share 2 years of data (January 2010 through December 2011). This was a retrospective observational analysis of data including the number of transfusion episodes and ATRs for FFP and PCs on first‐transfusion patients (without transfusion history) and previously transfused patients.

RESULTS

The incidence of ATRs to PCs (2.51%) was significantly higher than to FFP (1.68%) on subsequent transfusions (p < 0.001). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the incidences of ATRs to FFP (2.67%) and PCs (2.82%) on first transfusions. This discrepancy was most pronounced among males: FFP versus PCs on first transfusions, 2.02% versus 2.60% (p = 0.30); and on subsequent transfusions, 1.58% versus 2.46% (p = 0.0007). Among females, FFP versus PCs on first transfusions was 3.59% versus 3.13% (p = 0.61) and on subsequent transfusions was 1.87% versus 2.61% (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

Repeated exposure rather than the total volume of transfused components may influence the incidence of ATRs.
The usefulness of a classification and regression tree algorithm for detecting perioperative transfusion‐related pulmonary complications
Authors: Kim Kyu Nam , Kim Dong Won , Jeong Mi Ae
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) and transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO) are leading causes of transfusion‐related mortality. An electronic medical record–based screening classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm was previously developed for predicting transfusion‐related pulmonary complications. In the Republic of Korea, TRALI is not sufficiently recognized and an accurate TRALI incidence has not been reported. Therefore, we carried out this study to assess the incidence of TRALI and to determine whether the CART algorithm can be applied to our hospital data.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients who received any type of transfusion during anesthesia was performed. After the patients were diagnosed by the relevant diagnostic criteria, they were reclassified by the CART algorithm. The validity of the algorithm was evaluated with sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and misclassification rate.

RESULTS

Among 1948 patients who had received 11,269 units of transfusion, 26 TRALI and 20 TACO cases were identified. The incidence of TRALI among the transfused patients was 1.33% and per unit of transfused blood product was 0.23%. The sensitivity and specificity of the TRALI algorithm were estimated to be 73.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 53.9%‐86.3%) and 57.0% (95% CI, 52.5%‐61.4%). For TACO, the sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% (95% CI, 69.9%‐97.2%) and 56.0% (95% CI, 51.6%‐60.4%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Low specificity of the CART algorithm adopted previously indicated its limited diagnostic value in the Republic of Korea. A new algorithm is needed to facilitate the detection of transfusion‐related complications.
Association of ABO blood group with P‐selectin levels in Chinese Han healthy volunteers
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhuo Xiaofu , Lin Yisheng , Huang Wenhua , Xiao Jingrong , Zeng Jia , Jiang Li , Chen Cen , Lin Haijuan , Dettke Markus
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Recent genome‐wide association studies in Caucasians suggested that an association exists between the ABO gene locus and soluble levels of P‐selectin (sP‐selectin). However, it is unclear if the relationship corresponds to the phenotypic expression of ABO groups or is present in different ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to verify this observation at both genotypic and phenotypic levels in a healthy Chinese population.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The ABO blood groups were determined by both phenotypes and genotypes in 440 healthy Chinese Han volunteers, while P‐selectin levels were evaluated for sP‐selectin and total platelet P‐selectin (pP‐selectin).

RESULTS

ABO phenotyping and quantitative analysis of individual sP‐selectin plasma levels were combined to demonstrate that individuals phenotypically expressing the A antigen have approximately 20% lower sP‐selectin plasma levels than those carrying the B or O phenotype (p < 0.0001), but that no difference exists between A and AB and between B and O phenotypes. Genotyping data revealed that the presence of the A gene could be attributed to the observed difference in phenotype comparison, with no difference between A/A, A/B, and A/O genotypes. There were also no associations between ABO blood groups, either phenotypes or genotypes, and pP‐selectin levels.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated an association between sP‐selectin levels and ABO groups in a Chinese Han population, implicating its generalizability to other ethnic groups. This finding will improve the understanding of the mechanism of ABO blood group–associated diseases.
Does Religious Similarity Matter in International Trade in Services?
Authors: Lee Chong Wha , Park Soonchan
Published: June 2015

Impacts of religion on trade in services were examined using gravity models with two estimation methods: Poisson pseudo‐maximum likelihood (PPML), to correct for heteroscedasticity and bias due to the exclusion of zero trade flow, and standard Heckman correction to compensate for sample selection bias. We found that religious similarity contributes to increased international trade in services by establishing ‘trust‐related institutions’. Second, religious pluralism (variety) fosters trade even more than religious similarity, suggesting that in facilitating trade, religious openness matters more than religious similarity. Third, a strong dominant religion discourages trade in services, whereas the presence of religious minorities encourages trade in services. A highly significant inverse Mill's ratio (IMR) result indicated the presence of sample selection bias, indicating that controls are necessary to prevent estimation bias. This study concluded that religion is an important determining factor for trade in services, positively affecting interpersonal trust and thereby reducing institutional distance between countries.
Modes of Foreign Direct Investment and Patterns of Trade: An Alternative Empirical Approach
Authors: Park Innwon , Park Soonchan
Published: June 2015

Modes of FDI can be clarified by analysing the changing patterns of trade among host, home and third countries. However, most empirical experiments of foreign direct investment (FDI) determinants have been confined to general characteristics of host countries and multinational enterprises' outward investment activities. This may not clearly characterise the specific characteristics of inward FDI in regard to the host country. Thus, we introduce an alternative approach to clarify modes of FDI by investigating the link between patterns of trade and inward FDI. To empirically test whether our approach is applicable, we choose China during the period 1998–2007. We construct a modified gravity equation of bilateral trade while considering spatially lagged interdependence between host, home and third countries. The problem of endogeneity is controlled by applying the system generalised method of moments (GMM) estimation technique. Our findings are consistent with results in existing studies on modes of outward FDI to China and prove that our approach in dealing with the link between patterns of trade and inward FDI has wide applicability to all modes of FDI. We discover there is strong evidence for statistically significant complementarity between bilateral trade and inward FDI within the aggregate trade data. As we decompose the aggregate trade data into final and intermediate goods, we find the motivation concerning export‐platform and complex vertical FDI is very significant. In addition, as we separate the bilateral partners into developing partners and developed partners, we find both bilateral and multilateral linkages are much stronger with developing partners.
Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) – a review and proposed strategies toward a better understanding of pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and therapy
Authors: Komáromy András M. , Abrams Kenneth L. , Heckenlively John R. , Lundy Steven K. , Maggs David J. , Leeth Caroline M. , MohanKumar Puliyur S. , Petersen‐Jones Simon M. , Serreze David V. , van der Woerdt Alexandra
Published: June 2015

Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) is one of the leading causes of currently incurable canine vision loss diagnosed by veterinary ophthalmologists. The disease is characterized by acute onset of blindness due to loss of photoreceptor function, extinguished electroretinogram with an initially normal appearing ocular fundus, and mydriatic pupils which are slowly responsive to bright white light, unresponsive to red, but responsive to blue light stimulation. In addition to blindness, the majority of affected dogs also show systemic abnormalities suggestive of hyperadrenocorticism, such as polyphagia with resulting obesity, polyuria, polydipsia, and a subclinical hepatopathy. The pathogenesis ofSARDSis unknown, but neuroendocrine and autoimmune mechanisms have been suggested. Therapies that target these disease pathways have been proposed to reverse or prevent further vision loss inSARDS‐affected dogs, but these treatments are controversial. InNovember 2014, theAmericanCollege ofVeterinaryOphthalmologists'Vision forAnimalsFoundation organized and funded aThinkTank to review the current knowledge and recently proposed ideas about disease mechanisms and treatment ofSARDS. These panel discussions resulted in recommendations for future research strategies toward a better understanding of pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and potential therapy for this condition.
Retrospective evaluation of corneal reconstruction usingACell Vet™alone in dogs and cats: 82 cases
Authors: Chow Derek W.Y. , Westermeyer Hans D.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To retrospectively evaluate the complications, graft clarity, and outcomes associated with the use of commercially available porcine urinary bladder submucosa (ACell Vet™) alone for corneal reconstruction in dogs and cats.

Procedures

Dogs or cats receiving anACell Vet™graft for corneal reconstruction due to severe ulcerative keratitis or after a keratectomy to remove a corneal sequestrum were included. All received a single layer ofACell Vet™, bandage contact lens, and temporary tarsorrhaphy. Bandage contact lens and temporary tarsorrhaphy were removed after graft vascularization or epithelialization. Topical steroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus were started after epithelialization. Based on their last examination, outcomes were categorized into five groups based on the presence of corneal vessels, appearance of the scar, and the ability to visualize the posterior and/or the anterior segment through the grafted area.

Results

There were 82 eyes included in the study, with 68 eyes with sufficient follow‐up time for final assessment. Scarring was minimal in 47 eyes, moderate but not enough to obscure visualization of the posterior segment in 12, and severe in nine. There were five eyes that developed phthisis bulbi, glaucoma or were enucleated and nine that were lost to follow up. Graft dehiscence occurred in 19 eyes. Twelve healed without additional surgical intervention while three required a second graft, two became phthisical, and two were enucleated.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Corneal reconstruction withACellVet™alone is a viable alternative and results in minimal scarring and complications in cats. In dogs, scarring is more pronounced than in cats and graft dehiscence rate is higher compared to conventional techniques.
Comparison of neutralization profiles for anti‐HCV reactive donor samples with or without detectable HCV RNA
Authors: Kuroishi A. , Yasui K. , Matsukura H. , Tani Y. , Furuta R. A.
Published: June 2015

Background and Objectives

At Japanese Red Cross (JRC) Blood Centers, all donated blood is screened for hepatitis C virus (HCV) by serological and nucleic acid amplification testing. Donor plasma that tested reactive for anti‐HCV by serological test is disqualified even if the donor tests negative for HCV RNA. These test results reflect both true‐positive results because of past HCV infection and false‐positive results because the cross‐reactivity of plasma IgG, which current testing methods are unable to distinguish. To characterize these antibody test results, we examined the neutralizing activity of these plasma samples.

Material and Methods

Donor plasma samples that tested reactive for anti‐HCV by serological test but negative for HCV RNA (n = 43) were analysed for determining their neutralizing activities measured by the inhibition of the cellular entry of pseudoparticles harbouring HCV envelope glycoproteins (HCVpp).

Results

Strong and broad neutralizing activities against HCVpp entry similar to the samples that tested reactive for anti‐HCV serological test and positive for HCV RNA (considered to be derived from individuals with chronic HCV infection) were observed in three of 43 plasma samples from donors who tested anti‐HCV reactive but HCV RNA negative.

Conclusion

By examining the neutralizing activities of plasma samples, we identified individuals with a past HCV infection from those in whom we were unable to confirm HCV infection according to the current testing algorithms of JRC, which do not perform anti‐HCV confirmatory tests.
Phase and amplitude gradient method for the estimation of acoustic vector quantities
Authors: Thomas Derek C. , Christensen Benjamin Y. , Gee Kent L.
Published: June 2015

An alternative pressure-sensor based method for estimating the acoustic intensity, the phase and amplitude gradient estimation (PAGE) method, is presented. This method uses the same hardware as the standard finite-difference method, but does not suffer from the frequency-dependent bias inherent to the finite-difference method. A detailed derivation of the PAGE method and the finite-difference method is presented. Both methods are then compared using simple acoustic fields. The ability to unwrap the phase component of the PAGE method is discussed, which leads to accurate intensity estimates above previous frequency limits. The uncertainties associated with both methods of estimation are presented. It is shown that the PAGE method provides more accurate intensity estimates over a larger frequency bandwidth.
Discrimination of frequency-modulated Baleen whale downsweep calls with overlapping frequencies
Authors: Ou Hui , Au Whitlow W. L. , Van Parijs Sofie , Oleson Erin M. , Rankin Shannon
Published: June 2015

Automatic classification of fin, sei, and blue whale frequency modulated downsweeps has been a challenging task for bioacousticians. These calls overlap in frequency range and have similar time durations. The traditional spectrogram methodology, the Short Time Fourier Transform, tends to be ineffective because of the large temporal ambiguities needed to achieve the necessary frequency resolution to study the fine time-frequency (TF) structures. Spectrograms generated with the Pseudo Wigner-Ville Distribution (PWVD) provide much higher simultaneous TF resolution compared with the traditional method. The PWVD allows bioacousticians to study the fine TF structures of the sound, such as the instantaneous frequency, instantaneous bandwidth, contour slope, etc. These features set the foundation of identifying sounds that are usually considered difficult to discriminate using the traditional method. Wigner-Ville distribution of the baleen whale downsweeps showed distinguishable characteristics; for example, the TF contour of fin and sei whales exhibited concave and convex shapes, which have never been reported in the literature. A Support Vector Machine classifier was trained and tested based on the parameters extracted from the PWVD.
Modeling the perception of tempo
Authors: Elowsson Anders , Friberg Anders
Published: June 2015

A system is proposed in which rhythmic representations are used to model the perception of tempo in music. The system can be understood as a five-layered model, where representations are transformed into higher-level abstractions in each layer. First, source separation is applied (Audio Level), onsets are detected (Onset Level), and interonset relationships are analyzed (Interonset Level). Then, several high-level representations of rhythm are computed (Rhythm Level). The periodicity of the music is modeled by the cepstroid vector—the periodicity of an interonset interval (IOI)–histogram. The pulse strength for plausible beat length candidates is defined by computing the magnitudes in different IOI histograms. The speed of the music is modeled as a continuous function on the basis of the idea that such a function corresponds to the underlying perceptual phenomena, and it seems to effectively reduce octave errors. By combining the rhythmic representations in a logistic regression framework, the tempo of the music is finally computed (Tempo Level). The results are the highest reported in a formal benchmarking test (2006–2013), with a P-Score of 0.857. Furthermore, the highest results so far are reported for two widely adopted test sets, with an Acc1 of 77.3% and 93.0% for the Songs and Ballroom datasets.
Objective analysis of ambisonics for hearing aid applications: Effect of listener's head, room reverberation, and directional microphones
Authors: Oreinos Chris , Buchholz Jörg M.
Published: June 2015

Recently, an increased interest has been demonstrated in evaluating hearing aids (HAs) inside controlled, but at the same time, realistic sound environments. A promising candidate that employs loudspeakers for realizing such sound environments is the listener-centered method of higher-order ambisonics (HOA). Although the accuracy of HOA has been widely studied, it remains unclear to what extent the results can be generalized when (1) a listener wearing HAs that may feature multi-microphone directional algorithms is considered inside the reconstructed sound field and (2) reverberant scenes are recorded and reconstructed. For the purpose of objectively validating HOA for listening tests involving HAs, a framework was developed to simulate the entire path of sounds presented in a modeled room, recorded by a HOA microphone array, decoded to a loudspeaker array, and finally received at the ears and HA microphones of a dummy listener fitted with HAs. Reproduction errors at the ear signals and at the output of a cardioid HA microphone were analyzed for different anechoic and reverberant scenes. It was found that the diffuse reverberation reduces the considered time-averaged HOA reconstruction errors which, depending on the considered application, suggests that reverberation can increase the usable frequency range of a HOA system.
Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) vocalizations and call classification from the eastern Beaufort Sea population
Authors: Garland Ellen C. , Castellote Manuel , Berchok Catherine L.
Published: June 2015

Beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, have a graded call system; call types exist on a continuum making classification challenging. A description of vocalizations from the eastern Beaufort Sea beluga population during its spring migration are presented here, using both a non-parametric classification tree analysis (CART), and a Random Forest analysis. Twelve frequency and duration measurements were made on 1019 calls recorded over 14 days off Icy Cape, Alaska, resulting in 34 identifiable call types with 83% agreement in classification for both CART and Random Forest analyses. This high level of agreement in classification, with an initial subjective classification of calls into 36 categories, demonstrates that the methods applied here provide a quantitative analysis of a graded call dataset. Further, as calls cannot be attributed to individuals using single sensor passive acoustic monitoring efforts, these methods provide a comprehensive analysis of data where the influence of pseudo-replication of calls from individuals is unknown. This study is the first to describe the vocal repertoire of a beluga population using a robust and repeatable methodology. A baseline eastern Beaufort Sea beluga population repertoire is presented here, against which the call repertoire of other seasonally sympatric Alaskan beluga populations can be compared.
Theory and measurement of early, late and total sound levels in rooms
Authors: Barron Mike
Published: June 2015

A revised theory of sound level distribution in rooms was proposed in 1988, which responded to the observation that reflected sound level decreases as one moves away from the source. This behavior is ubiquitous in concert spaces and has been shown also to occur in an acoustically diffuse space. This paper presents a more general theoretical derivation and compares measured levels of the early, late, and total sound, as well as the early-to-late index, with theoretical predictions. The scatter of measured sound levels in concert spaces about a linear relationship with source-receiver distance was also compared with a theoretical prediction. Two modifications to the basic theory were investigated, though the original formulation proves best for the general concert space. The revised theory matches average behavior well and represents predicted behavior in a diffuse sound field with the same reverberation time and auditorium volume. Consistent deviations within concert halls were matched with design details.